Saturday, April 21, 2012

Buffalo Bills draft preview: Quarterback

by Steve

Whoa, five days until the draft. Let's look at the QBs available. We all know Ryan Fitz-noodle-arm Fitzpatrick is no quarterback of the future.  So the question isn't if but where the Bills should draft his replacement.

Ryan Tannehill, 24, Texas A&M
It is possible this flash in the pan will be available @10 when the Bills are on the clock.  He has a ton of question marks but tremendous upside.  First the knocks on draft board jumper Tanne: 

He has only 19 career college starts which murders the 26-27-60 corollary some subscribe to when drafting a quarterback.  The reason he only started a season and a half is because he initially was a wide receiver prospect as a red shirt freshman through half his junior year. yikes.  He did however complete more than 60% of his passes and allegedly scored a 34 on the Wonderlic.

However, what great quarterback do you recall playing that had their head coach fired their final season?  I understand not all great QBs win the National Championship but are they ever on a mediocre team with an interim head coach?  Also with only 19 starts there is simply no way Tanne would be able to step in and play right away.

But, that would actually not be a negative as far as the Bills are concerned because if they drafted Tannehill he wouldn't be expected to play in 2012.  However, with the Bills not participating in the postseason in 12 seasons are they in a position to take a "luxury" pick like Tannehill heading into a must-win-now season?

I say no, definitely not at 10 any way.



Brock Osweiler, 21, Arizona State
At 6'7 242, Osweiler is a beast.  That puts him a full two inches taller than Rapelisraper, damn  However, being only a junior and basically being forced to leave school early after failure Dennis Erickson was ousted hurts Osweiler.  He only had 15 starts in college and little to no success even in a mediocre PAC12.

I would love for the Bills to take a flyer on this kid somewhere in the 3rd or 4th round ala Ryan Mallet of a year ago.  He has the size and the ability, he's just greener than some NoCal sticky. And again the Bills aren't looking for a starter this year or probably even in 2013 which would allow Big Os the time he needs to develop.


Brandon Weeden, 29 (in October), Ok St.
For some reason wreck loves this guy.  He played in a wide open system in a conference devoid of defense and had one of the best WRs in college on his squad.  He is only a year younger than Ryan Fitzpatrick after toiling in low level professional baseball for a few years.

Even he was only a two year starter at Ok St. albeit he had a very successful 2011 campaign (including a bowl win v Andrew Luck).  Look, if the guy was 24 or even 25 I'd consider him early in the second round but the guy is just too damn old.  By the time he would be ready to start he'll be freaking 30 already!



Kirk Cousins, 24, Mich St
The guy has nice size at 6'3 205 and enjoyed a solid long career in college but that is all I see this kid accomplishing as a quarterback.  After watching a ton of games Cousins has played, he just seems like the prototypical college quarterback that doesn't succeed in the pros.

I will give him this, he sounds like a smart guy and knows football.  That will help him greatly if he wants to be a coach somewhere, but I see no point in the Bills drafting Kirky.



Nick Foles, 23, Arizona
My boy Folesie didn't do himself any favors in 2011 but I blame that mostly on an awful team and a wounded Bob Stoops "coaching" the Wildcats.  The guy is a moster at 6'5 243 and was a three year starter at Arizona.  The question however is his desire and ability to put it all together.

If he couldn't be successful in college what makes me think he can be effective in the NFL?  Were Stoops and a below average team the albatross around this kids neck or is Foles just not that good?  In retrospect he probably should have left college after 2010.

A steal in the 5th round?


And last but not least dwarf Russell Wilson
The 23 year old super senior had a great year at Wisconsin.  However, there is only one thing anyone needs to know about Wilson.  He's only 5'11 (with high heels on).  Dude is too damn short despite his solid skill set.

Coast would probably love this dude and just continue to repeat the name Doug "dwarf" Flutie. #donotwant

4 comments:

  1. wilson isn't a super senior he just finished grad school which is why he was able to play for wisconsin this past year after leaving nc state.

    #russellwilson

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  2. I like that Osweiler is only 21 years old. This guy might be starting in the NFL by the time he reaches Tannehill's current age. I know that his bubble screen passes aren't all that impressive, but I've seen him make some great throws. I've seen him go through progressions, and make throws with defenders in his face. A lot of people like to judge him based on his Bowl game against Boise St. It wasn't his best game, but he's done well in just about every other game. He's no Luck or RGIII, but he's a great value pick in the 2nd or 3rd round.

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  3. Wreck, like Mike & Mike, I'll be back and better than ever this season. I'm 100% in support of a podcast this week

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  4. Fuck yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ayyyy ayyyyy ayyyyy ay ayyyyy ayyyy auyyyyyyyy!!! The ralphhhhhhhh

    ReplyDelete