Is Anyone Else Just Unimpressed with Smith/Rodgers?

[korme]

It'd suck to have the #1 this year, as I don't think these are franchise QBs.. I'm just not wow'ed by tapes of either.

[st.cronin]

Smith looks ok; I certainly think he could play in a Super Bowl, if everything goes right. Rogers reminds me of Boller, at best. (That's not a compliment.)

[sovereignstar]

I was just talking with a friend of mine on how the hell could Rodgers be dropping like he is? Checking the latest (and last) Pro Football Talk mock, he's listed as going to the Packers at #24. wtf?

So in just a matter of days, this guy has gone from a potential #1 pick to a late first-rounder. Why in the world do I listen to any of these guys that think they've got a clue on these prospects' skills and the spot they're likely to end up. It's pretty fucking ridiculous. They reel me in each year: hook, line, and sinker.

[Franklinnoble]

Matt Leinart would have made a killing in this draft.

[DeToxRox]

Every draft most first rounders aren't worth the pick .. Why do analysts continue to spread their drivel that all these guys will be great NFL'ers.

It's time to be honest.

[rexallllsc]

Rodgers completed what, 21 consecutive passes vs. USC? He's a good QB.

So much of success in the NFL seems to be predicated on getting getting by the "right" team.

I wonder why his stock is dropping though? Is it the Tedford stigma?

[DeToxRox]

Rodgers completed what, 21 consecutive passes vs. USC? He's a good QB.

So much of success in the NFL seems to be predicated on getting getting by the "right" team.

I wonder why his stock is dropping though? Is it the Tedford stigma?

Probably the fact that a majority of his throws were screens and stuff under ten yards. When you need the big play, I don't think he or Smith are your guy.

[rexallllsc]

Probably the fact that a majority of his throws were screens and stuff under ten yards. When you need the big play, I don't think he or Smith are your guy.

So are Matt Leinarts, though. His and Leinarts YPA are basically the same, and after watching them all year, I'd take Rodgers over Leinart. Just my $.02.

[RainRaven]

Smith looks ok; I certainly think he could play in a Super Bowl, if everything goes right. Rogers reminds me of Boller, at best. (That's not a compliment.)

Boller has had just about a year and a half of NFL experience. He improved during the last 6 or so games last season and had no wide recievers to speak of. Everyone wants to bash Boller but he did well last year considering the amount of injuries on the Ravens and no recieving threat most of the season.

[cthomer5000]

I was just talking with a friend of mine on how the hell could Rodgers be dropping like he is? Checking the latest (and last) Pro Football Talk mock, he's listed as going to the Packers at #24. wtf?

So in just a matter of days, this guy has gone from a potential #1 pick to a late first-rounder. Why in the world do I listen to any of these guys that think they've got a clue on these prospects' skills and the spot they're likely to end up. It's pretty fucking ridiculous. They reel me in each year: hook, line, and sinker.
It's an incredibly dynamic process. One unexpected pick here and everything changes. I just think it shows how clearly not above the crowd Rodgers is. I hear the talk of him falling. With Smith i'm hearing "no way he gets past Tampa." I would take note of that if I were a team trying to pick between the two in what seemed like a coin flip situation.

[Samdari]

It's an incredibly dynamic process. One unexpected pick here and everything changes. I just think it shows how clearly not above the crowd Rodgers is. I hear the talk of him falling. With Smith i'm hearing "no way he gets past Tampa." I would take note of that if I were a team trying to pick between the two in what seemed like a coin flip situation.

Its also very wrong. Rodgers may be slipping a bit, but 24 is completely out of the realm of possibility. He'll go in the top 10. While he may have been asked to throw a lot of short passes at Cal, he has a cannon for an arm.

[cthomer5000]

Its also very wrong. Rodgers may be slipping a bit, but 24 is completely out of the realm of possibility. He'll go in the top 10. While he may have been asked to throw a lot of short passes at Cal, he has a cannon for an arm.
I think that particular mock probably just didn't want to project trades, which is how you end up with someone falling so far. Obviously in real life a number of teams might trade in before 24 to get him.

[timmynausea]

I think I'd have to go with Rodgers over Smith, but I agree that neither are worthy of the top pick.

[maximus]

Good to see you here Shorty. :)

I agree with you shorty. These two QB's aren't what I would call stellar by any means. In fact, this whole draft is a bit lacking imo but I think overall this years draft will be one of the more exciting ones because there will be more chances for "sleeper" players to arise.

[st.cronin]

Every draft most first rounders aren't worth the pick .. Why do analysts continue to spread their drivel that all these guys will be great NFL'ers.

It's time to be honest.

When you figure in salary cap ramifications it's propably true (or close to true) that 3rd or 4th round picks are actually more valuable than 1st round picks.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I too have been concerned with Smith and Rodgers.
As a life long 49ers fan I think that it would be a bad decision for the franchise to draft either one of them. Personally I would choose Braylon Edwards or Caddilac Williams. I'm not really convinced with Barlow and the 49ers wide receiving corps. Furthermore I really think that Rodgers and Smith will be busts. But what do I know Im just a life long fan of the game and an avid FOF player.

[ISiddiqui]

Well the question I'd ask is how many of the All-Time Great QBs in the last 25 or so years were considered "Franchise QBs" on draft day? Elway, yes. Marino? No. Montana? No. Brady? Hell No! Peyton? Yes.

It's not always cut and dry. Remember many teams were not that impressed with Donovan McNabb on draft day and Eagles fans booed him because they didn't feel he was a 'franchise QB' and was drafted too high.

So, who knows? Both, one or the other, or neither could be franchise QBs in the future.

[Anthony]

Duck Dodgers

[DeToxRox]

Apr. 22 - The Edwards and Alex Smith camps are getting the feeling that Edwards will now go No. 1, and not Smith, reports ESPN.com's John Clayton. All week, it's been Smith with the lead. No one knows for sure because 49ers coach Mike Nolan isn't saying. Edwards hasn't been offered a contract he can accept, but both sides know the parameters of a deal are in place in case Edwards is the pick. Even though Smith seems to be the preferred choice, it's not out of the question to have Edwards as the best player in the draft. The Dolphins have him No. 1 on their board.

[mckerney]

Boller has had just about a year and a half of NFL experience. He improved during the last 6 or so games last season and had no wide recievers to speak of. Everyone wants to bash Boller but he did well last year considering the amount of injuries on the Ravens and no recieving threat most of the season.

People seem to be too quick on judging QBs, as I've already heard Boller being called a bust (though who could blame him if he was with Travis Taylor as his #1 targer). And just last year, Drew Brees was a bust in San Diego, since he hadn't gotten it together over 3 years he obviously wouldn't be able to do anything in the future.

[Sharpieman]

I think its hilarious that people are so easy to judge QB's coming out of college. ESPN and many pundits say these guys aren't franchise QB's, but in reality, they have no fucking clue whether they're going to be good or not. There have been many, many times where the pundits have been completely wrong. This isn't to say that Rodgers and Smith will become great players, but you can't tell how good a player will be by watching a couple of college games, evaluating combine results or watching a workout tape. The draft is a crapshoot. Even though ESPN likes to make Mel Kiper Jr. seem like he knows exactly how every player's career will turn out, he's been right as many times as he's been wrong. Let's face it, the NFL Draft is just a 40 hour advertisement for new talent.

[TroyF]

Not hilarious that they judge, it's their jobs. Everyone has an opinion.

I thought Big Ben was the best QB prospect I saw in last years draft. It's going to take time to see who is wrong/right in any of these arguements. I think Leftwich was better than Palmer. We'll know a lot more about that after this season.

I thought Big Ben was the best QB in last years draft. Manning played pretty good at the end of the season and Rivers will have to wait for his chance. We'll see how that one develops.

For this draft, I don't even think it's close. I think Smith is by far and away the best QB in this draft. He'll have an adjustment period of reading defenses, but he can do a lot of things. He reminds me a lot of Jake Plummer without the stupid mistakes. He's great at rolling out to either side, has a pretty nice arch on his downfield throws and looks poised.

I don't like Rodgers. I actually like Campbell better than I do him. He dinks and dunks, throws a ton of bubble screens and I wasn't impressed with his intermediate or downfield passing when I watched him. Does that mean he can't play or that I'm right? Hell no. Just an opinion.

As for Boller, he needs more time before we can judge him. I still think he'll bust and that Baltimore was incredibly stupid giving up as much as they did for him. My concerns for him always have related to his accuracy and nothing changed last year in that regard. Even in those final four games where everyone ooohed and aaahed over him, he completed just a hair over 50% of his passes and his high in yards was 210.

I don't think a great WR will help him, because I don't think he could consistently hit the guy if he was wide open anyway. But we'll need another two or three years to confirm that assessment.

[Easy Mac]

Its also very wrong. Rodgers may be slipping a bit, but 24 is completely out of the realm of possibility. He'll go in the top 10. While he may have been asked to throw a lot of short passes at Cal, he has a cannon for an arm.
wanna start revising that?

[korme]

was gonna quotge it as well.. :D

[TroyF]

Yikes, they nailed it, 24 on the nose.

[Samdari]

Rodgers may be slipping a bit, but 24 is completely out of the realm of possibility

God, but I'm good at this draft prognostication thing.

EDIT: Woops, quoted myself before seeing others slamming me. I am just piling on... myself. Is that possible?

[Raiders Army]

It's not always cut and dry. Remember many teams were not that impressed with Donovan McNabb on draft day and Eagles fans booed him because they didn't feel he was a 'franchise QB' and was drafted too high.
I still think he was drafted too high. Chunky's Soup and EA Sports obviously disagree with me. ;)

[Cringer]

I don't like Rodgers. I actually like Campbell better than I do him. He dinks and dunks, throws a ton of bubble screens and I wasn't impressed with his intermediate or downfield passing when I watched him. Does that mean he can't play or that I'm right? Hell no. Just an opinion.


He dinks and dunks to much? I don't think he made up or called the plays. I am not being defensive becuse I am a Packer fan either. Personally it is not a big deal if he is good or not for another year, I think 2 years, when Favre retires. He could be a bust, I jut don't think blaming a guy for his coach's offense is wrong.

[rkmsuf]

He dinks and dunks to much? I don't think he made up or called the plays. I am not being defensive becuse I am a Packer fan either. Personally it is not a big deal if he is good or not for another year, I think 2 years, when Favre retires. He could be a bust, I jut don't think blaming a guy for his coach's offense is wrong.

Who is blaming him? I mean he ran what they gave him well. Has nothing to do with whether you believe he can execute the wide range of throws that will be required at the pro level.

He made himself a first rounder by executing a short passing attack. Good for him. I'm in the camp of he has work to do before he's even an average starter.

[sterlingice]

Every draft most first rounders aren't worth the pick .. Why do analysts continue to spread their drivel that all these guys will be great NFL'ers.

It's time to be honest.
Yeah, but the people going in the 3rd and 4th round are even worse, most of the time (hence why they go in the 3rd and 4th round rather than 1st). I mean, sure there's a lot of hype for the first round but, dude, they're the first round. Do you think they should just televise the middle rounds or something?

But, in terms of value, yeah, those rounds are more valuable.

SI

[DeToxRox]

Yeah, but the people going in the 3rd and 4th round are even worse, most of the time (hence why they go in the 3rd and 4th round rather than 1st). I mean, sure there's a lot of hype for the first round but, dude, they're the first round. Do you think they should just televise the middle rounds or something?

But, in terms of value, yeah, those rounds are more valuable.

SI

No but I do think they ought to be more honest in their assessments. Besides Merle Hodge, I swear that every first rond pick was going to come in and contribute right away and go to a plethora of pro bowls.

[henry296]

No but I do think they ought to be more honest in their assessments. Besides Merle Hodge, I swear that every first rond pick was going to come in and contribute right away and go to a plethora of pro bowls.

Yeah, one night I saw Ron Jaworski say that all 3 first round quarterbacks were going to be successful pros. I can almost guarantee that one of them will fail. Now I can't tell you which one, but one of them will probably end up being labeled a bust.

[Franklinnoble]

Yeah, one night I saw Ron Jaworski say that all 3 first round quarterbacks were going to be successful pros. I can almost guarantee that one of them will fail. Now I can't tell you which one, but one of them will probably end up being labeled a bust.
That depends on your measurement of success.

If making a ton of money is your idea of success, then Ryan Leaf and Jeff George were plenty successful. :D

[TroyF]

He dinks and dunks to much? I don't think he made up or called the plays. I am not being defensive becuse I am a Packer fan either. Personally it is not a big deal if he is good or not for another year, I think 2 years, when Favre retires. He could be a bust, I jut don't think blaming a guy for his coach's offense is wrong.

There are almost always chances at making intermediate throws in a game. (ten to fifteen yards down the field) He usually chose to go underneath. I think NFL QB's have to make that throw and the strength of your arm isn't nearly as relevant as the timing and the accuracy of those passes.

When he attempted the intermediate passes, I thought his accuracy was extremely poor.

When he went down the field, I thought he was absolutely horrible.

I'm not blaming him personally, I just don't think he's all that good.

I think JJ made that offense tick, not Rodgers. And I think their NFL careers will show that. But we'll see. He's going to a solid system and he'll have a good guy to learn from . Plus he's going to have a chip on his shoulder. Lets see what he can do.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

From ESPN:

The coaching staff worked Rodgers in a rotation with backups Craig Nall and J.T. O'Sullivan during team drills... Rodgers had no passes intercepted but overthrew receivers on a number of short to intermediate routes.

He conceded he made "a lot of mistakes."

-------------------------------------------------

Well, he has the Harrington thing down when it comes to overthrowing receivers (we'll have to see about throwing it behind the receivers) Although, unlike Joey he admits to making mistakes...