Bear Hands

Haha, yeah that boy earned himself some moolah yesterday.

If you've watched Richardson on the podium, he really gives off an intuitive "speak softly, carry a big stick" type persona. He's a very grounded guy. Can see why he's smashing interviews.

Could some wiring in the server room. Maybe a muskrat got in there.

When people use the term raw, I'd love some extrapolation. I can't say that I saw a raw prospect in the TEN-Bama game or a few others. He leads receivers, has really great placement, solid footwork, he's got the wheels, great size, and simply took games over, on his back to get the W. Now, was TEN's offense more gimmick than others that properly ready-a-guy for the NFL? Yes, valid. But let's not overlook Hooker developed and played well in a far different Hokies' offense for a few years, and for example, absolutely smashed Pickett 28-0 as a Junior. That was an offense with NFL zone concepts, high TE usage, one that has nice bridging to a pro level. The age, yes I will give you that. It's a valid concern, he'll be 29-30 at the end of his first contract, but we should know about a guy coming on strong mid 20s, we got plenty of miles off of Delhomme who only budded at 28. Hooker best case could carve out 12 years in the league, if he works out, I think it's realistically 8-10. That's just something you take in choosing him. But what is he like a year older than Levis (turns 24 in June) so it's not like he's Weinke. I'll tell you this: Get used to seeing more super seniors. If you like the breadth of talent, the prospect, think he can play at/near the onset, that's a worthy pick. I don't think he should be getting this joking phhhhsh, get outta here type response. He could have a very nice career in the NFL. If we can't work out a trade, I don't think it's the end of the world if we find a way to Hooker after pick 9. I doubt it will come to that, but I don't think he should be getting so easily dismissed.

Not that I want it but a definite head explode/fan chaos scenario would be picking defense or Mayer at 9, then trading UP to 28-30 for Hooker like BAL did for Lamar. Securing that 5th year option. I'd love to just see the reaction on that. At the end of the day, I'm leaning towards a trade up to the top-5 that doesn't include our 2024 1st. Simple as that. If we can pull something off with our 2024 2nd and 2025 1st, then I think that would be something to get stoked for. If we're confident in this staff, 2024 could be a late teens pick, but 2025 should be pick 26-32.

Reports: We love Bijan, Rodgers chatter, Hooker love, it is officially the season to not believe a single report you hear.

The lack of response to this is a bit interesting. RIP to the man. Lived a long one.

Notable-- Eason was drafted by Reich in 2020 at the top of the 4th round.

Who's the lucky agent in that car ride back lol

Funny enough, I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere that their mock the last 2 years was one of the most accurate anywhere online. A blind squirrel is right twice a day amiright?

I don't really sense a real huge amount of hype. The concerns on Bryce's size are well advertised, Stroud's pressure moments early season, Levis' decision making, how raw Richardson is, & Hooker's age are pretty loudly discussed. Their faults have been as widely discussed as their strengths. The rest of the class just isn't that quality. The inexperienced developmental guys that would've been fun to see rise/fall like Ward, Penix, etc. all stayed in school.

It was amazing how bad Stanford was but he had moments. He's got a great story, the size is there, can be really accurate but he's old school and I just don't see it. Mason Rudolph-y with a P Rivers side arm.

Just check out his vids. Really sloppy and he has a baseball throwing sideball. Even more accentuated than Rivers

McKee's throwing motion and footwork are wonky. For being so prototypical size wise, he doesn't really have the feel IMO.

Yeah this draft has a pretty substantial drop-off from what I see after the top 5. T1: Young, Stroud T2: Richardson, Levis T3: Hooker Cliff You've got McKee, Haener (fan), Tune, Hall & Duggan the remainder of the draft. I'd say 3rd absolute highest to 7th rounders. I'm unsure if any of the rest are even drafteable. Solid top, but not a large QB class.

I'd have to say the only QB prospect with a solid floor is Stroud, but I wouldn't let the safeness of a pick deter. However, if you're not sold on his arm strength combined with his legs, then that's fine. I just see a guy that steps in, is totally groomable, and will have a top-5 NFL arm from day 1. Allen, Mahomes, & Herbert. He's ahead of pretty much every other starter in that department. Would have been behind prime-Stafford and prime-Rodgers. 6'4 230, 4.4, 75 yarder moonshots, smart, tackle breaker, ankle breaker, completely moldable. Is that not what an new QB coach & OC looking to prove themselves want? He's also way further along as a QB than I expected after seeing so many pan how awful he apparently is as a passer. The upside isn't imaginary, but if you're not sold, you're not sold. That's cool. His ball placement was not what I expected. He had some especially good stuff in the redzone hitting guys over the DBs and only where the WRs could grab it.

Brissett+Richardson is a totally viable shot to take. That would be something to be excited about. If the staff in place has confidence in coaching up AR, I mean, that's pretty much the perfect setup for the future if we're not landing Young or Stroud.

I won't be surprised if it is Carr but I agree with a trade up and it happening pre-draft if it's for a top spot. Can still see a lot of avenues even after those pressers: Trade way up pre-draft, land Stroud/Young, have (1) 2nd, 3rd, and some later rounds remaining Trade slightly up in draft for remaining of Levis/Stroud/Young at 5/6 Carr+Weapon R1, Hooker/McKee later Sign Carr+Richardson at 9 Sign Brissett+Richardson at 9 Sign Carr+trade down, accrue capital Sign Rodgers? lol

Sounds like we could definitely be doing something at the QB position. Call it a hunch

Fitt with the Longview sweater, nice. Takes me back to my QC days.

I believe the arrest warrant is brand new. Incident was late Jan but it appears to be filed after the investigation was completed. Yikes.

Jalen Carter could realistically get at minimum manslaughter charges. Yeah, the top of this draft may have just gotten thinner.

He was operating in a very risk averse mode and did respectable. Looking around the league, there's only a few other backups I'd prefer, but that means you need a sure thing at QB1, which we don't have, and I just don't see him as this bridge so many want to find. When the running game works like it did, that will get most QBs comfortable and able to eventually throw a few nice PAs on post & seam routes. It's nice that he got comfortable again and managed well, but you have to look at the scenario. If we bring him back, it's because he's our backup behind Stroud or Levis. I see no situation in which he's the dude you bring back out there ahead of a prospect like AR or maybe Hooker. You need someone more sustainable for a complete season. That's more a Brissett, Heinicke, hell, I'd take Mike White. I also just don't see him as a fit in Reich's system. I think he makes sense behind a guy like Fields or Kyler. Better insurance policy than those squad are used to. Just don't see the fit or need for him to come back unless it's not much and we landed a QB we can start sooner than later.

He had quite the stellar achievement in having the lowest recorded game winning QBR in league HISTORY in that final Saints battle.

Reich was straight up asked about the rostered QBs. It was like he didn't even know Corral was here. Mentioned knowing and being the one to draft Eason and then nothing. Think he said something like "Well I do know one"