Browns pass on Graham Harrell

[TerriblePizza]

:willy_nilly:

[tekresqguru]

We need to give this guy a shot. Sign him for cheap, give him a year to demonstrate what he can do. If he's awful and Delhomme doesn't bust in the play-offs, no harm. Otherwise it's definately worth a shot.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I don't know why people see this guy as an upgrade over Delhomme, McCown, or Moore.

Sure, he could develop into a starter, but can't that be said of McCown and Moore? At least those two have proven they can win games in the NFL.

I know all too well of the busts associated with first-round quarterbacks, but the next quarterback we need to pick up needs to be a first or second-rounder that can be the face of the franchise after a year or so of development.

[Wolfcop]

If he cannot make all the throws, why bother signing him? He have enough project QBs on the roster.

[panthers55]

Hell, let me try out. I will just throw a jump ball to Smitty every play, no matter what the coverage. That works just as well as anything else we do.

Its so easy anyone can do it.

Just don't tell that to Testeverde and Carr (both number 1 picks) who couldn't do it in 2007 when they got a chance.

[mantal]

Yeah, if he can't make the Browns mini-camp, I'm sure he's a shoe in here...

[Mr. Scot]

National Football Post has a commentary on it.

System QBs: Bad Fit for the NFL

[dimbee]

I love how QBs that had a great WR in college are so easily categorized as a "system QB"

[Mr. Scot]

It's not as simple as having a good go-to receiver. It's the offense they play in that gets them labelled.

Spread offense QBs, guys that play in a 'run and shoot' style like June Jones employs at Hawaii,the WVU - Michigan offenses under Rich Rodriguez, any QB remotely associated with Steve Spurrier; these are the situations that get QBs downgraded.

And honestly, there's good reason. When you look at the track rcord of guys from gimmicky offenses, they generally don't transition well to the NFL.

The one guy who hasn't seemed to suffer as much as others is Jeff Tedford. As many busts as he's produced, his guys still tend to get a shot.

[monstercat]

Personally, I hate the college spread offense. The problem is that these QB's aren't learning how to read defenses and make adjustments on their own. Instead, the coaches are making all the pre-snap adjustments for them from the sidelines. So when these guys get to the NFL, they pretty much have to start from scratch to learn the NFL game, up to and including the simple act of taking a snap from under center.

[Mr. Scot]

Personally, I hate the college spread offense. The problem is that these QB's aren't learning how to read defenses and make adjustments on their own. Instead, the coaches are making all the pre-snap adjustments for them from the sidelines. So when these guys get to the NFL, they pretty much have to start from scratch to learn the NFL game, up to and including the simple act of taking a snap from under center.

If you were a coach or GM, would you want to have to go to all that trouble, or would you just take a guy who played in a pro-style offense so you wouldn't have all the hassle?

The article makes a point that I've made in QB debates before. The job of a college coach is to win, not prepare their guys for the next level. Still, I'd like to hope that something could be done to find a happy medium.

(but I'm not holding my breath)

[monstercat]

If you were a coach or GM, would you want to have to go to all that trouble, or would you just take a guy who played in a pro-style offense so you wouldn't have all the hassle?

The article makes a point that I've made in QB debates before. The job of a college coach is to win, not prepare their guys for the next level. Still, I'd like to hope that something could be done to find a happy medium.

(but I'm not holding my breath)

I would much rather have a guy who played in a pro-style offense.

It's gonna be interesting to see how The Golden Calf of Bristol does this year, because they're supposed to incorporate more pro-style plays in their offense, and have him play from under center some. I can't imagine them getting too far away from the system that has won them NC's though, because you're right...Meyer's first job is to win games.

[Kurb]

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/100710

[monstercat]

To be clear, I wouldn't have passed on Crabtree because of the system he played in, and we all know that Jonathon Stewart played in a spread, so RB's can make the transition too. QB's are a different animal though, because so much of that job is mental, and they're just not getting the training they need.

Actually, the spread is also having a big impact on QB's making the transition from HS to college as well, because everything they have to do at the HS combines is geared towards playing from under center and displaying the ability to do 3,5 and 7 step drops. They're simply not learning those fundamental skills when they're playing from the shotgun on every play in HS.