NFL Draft Goes As It Should

This year's NFL Draft was the most exciting in years and full of intrigue at the top of the first round with Jadaveon Clowney, thought to be the best overall talent in years and the multiple teams at the top with quarterback needs and the enigma talent of Johnny Manziel.  The Houston Texans decided to pair Clowney with superstar defensive tackle J.J. Watt in what could be the most devastating duo since Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice disrupted the Oakland Raiders for a Super Bowl title in 2003.  This was the right choice, because none of the QB's on the board could have improved the Texans anywhere close to what Clowney has the potential to do.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had the third pick and the pick of the QB crop.  They took the least risky route by going with the big and mobile Blake Bortles from the University of Central Florida.  Many draft gurus will say that his lack of total college starts is a historical problem for those signal callers that have come before him (Mark Sanchez).  Bortles size, athleticism and work ethic seem to check out well and was the best bet for long term success.

Johnny Manziel was this year's Aaron Rogers.  Rogers languished in the green room after watching Alex Smith (taken by 49ers, now with Kansas City Chiefs) go #1, when he was considered for that top spot by most "experts."  The Cleveland Browns moved all around the in the first round before moving up to get Manziel at #22.  This is a good value pick and a good move by a franchise that desperately needs something to cheer for.  The Browns management has made it clear to everyone that they want him treated as a rookie that needs to come in and work for his spot--a back up spot at that.  With Brian Hoyer considered a journeyman at best, I'm not sure how long the Browns will be able to weather the call for their exciting back up QB to come in and turn on the magic!

Teddy Bridgewater was this year's "most NFL ready" quarterback, deemed by talking heads following the college season and into the longest NFL Draft season ever.  After failing to impress in his pro day, his stock dropped significantly, but the Minnesota Vikings still made him a first round pick, taking him at #32, the last of the day and round.  I have my own doubts about Bridgewater and was not part of the crowd that thought he was the best prepared for success.  I don't take away any of his accomplishments at Louisville and his production, but he isn't very big, not super elusive, and most of all I don't like how low his release is off his shoulder.  This will be a problem in the NFL, unless it is diagnosed and improved.

Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron went in back to back picks in the 5th round to the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.  Both of these guys found good landing spots for themselves, as they will not have the same pressure as the others and can both play the game and be successful. 

One of the surprise moves was the New England Patriots taking Eastern Illinois prospect Jimmy Ga

rappolo with the 60th pick, before they had traded their long-time back up Ryan Mallett.  Rumors say they were close to dealing him to the Houston Texans, but that remains just that, rumor.

Overall, this was a very good class of QB's, some more ready than others to actually step in and be successful in the NFL, but where all the chips fell, it seemed that the teams that took the leap at QB, filled their needs very well!

ABQB of 2008 Traded to Kansas City

Matt Cassel was America's Best Quarterback in 2008 because he was called to lead the Patriots from the back-up position in the first quarter of the first game of the season and took them to an 11-5 record. Yes, they did not make the playoff, but Cassel had a number of outstanding performances along the way and not too many 1105 teams have missed the playoffs in NFL history.
The Patriots thought enough of his performance to put the "franchise" tag on him, guaranteeing him over $14 million next year. This caused wide discussion about having almost $30 million wrapped up in their two quarterbacks, but that is no longer an issue as the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Matt Cassel today. The new General Manager of the Chiefs, Scott Pioli (formerly of the Patriots) thought enough of his performance last season to stake his career on the move as well.
I don't think Cassel is just a system quarterback any more than Tom Brady is a system quarterback. His mechanics are clean like Brady's, which means he will be a consistent, accurate quarterback in any system.

Matt Cassel, Class Act, 2008 ABQB of the Year

It is always just a matter of opinion on post-season awards for any sport and so it is with the best NFL QB in 2008. I believe the award deservedly goes to the Patriots' Matt Cassel. Arguments will be made that Drew Brees almost broke Dan Marino's single season yardage mark and Peyton Manning did great things to get Indianapolis back to the playoffs again and the Patriots didn't even make it. All those things are true, but what Matt Cassel did this season as he came off the bench in the first quarter of the first game to replace Tom Brady was truly remarkable.
Cassel did not play much at USC behind Matt Leinart, but he is a top notch player with a huge future. Not only that, but talk of the future of playing QB for the Patriots was put to rest by Cassel himself, assuring us that there is no quarterback controversy in New England. It's Tom's team. Check out the link to this ESPN story (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3854561). Now that is leadership, something sorely missing in Big D and elsewhere. Matt's full-time work will come and it may even need to be in New England if Tom is not ready to go, but Cassel's technique is almost as clean as Tom Brady's and that will spell success wherever he may go.
Congratulations to Matt Cassel, America's Best Quarterback of 2008.