Looking at the QB class from a different perspective: Character

[blueandblackattack]

Wanted to riff off of @hepcat post but didn't want to derail it. I'll say upfront I don't have a horse in this race, I think any of the top 4 would fit. Realistically it'll probably be down to Fields or Lance even if we do trade up.

Ever since he beat Clemson and showed that toughness, I've wanted Justin Fields. But right now I'm leaning more towards Trey Lance. Here's why. Early yesterday I started doing my own video research, but from a different angle. Sometimes you can tell a lot about someone by what they project out to the world. How they walk, and especially how they talk.

So instead of highlight reels, I started watching their press conferences and interviews.

Take a look at these Justin Fields press conferences:

Slouching, disinterest, defensive, and trying to answer with the bare minimum of effort. But okay, sure, it was a loss.

After winning the Sugar Bowl:

A little more open, but still looks and talks like he's uncomfortable in the spotlight. No eye contact(even if its a vid conference), Doesn't smile, just stands like a statue. When asked football questions, just going with generic platitudes without going any deeper.

 

When I see these press conferences, you know who he reminds me of? Cam. Before you say it, this is not me hating on Cam, I appreciated everything he did for us, and that magical 2015 season. But at the end of the day, the teams emotional swings don't just come from the coaches, moreso it comes from player leadership, aka the quarterback. Cam ran very hot and cold with his emotions, and our team echoed that in our play. When he stopped trying in a game, they stopped trying. When he's feeling good, they're playing harder.

 

Now take a look at a Patrick Mahomes press conference from college:

Right off the bat he comes off as comfortable in his own skin, confident, eye contact, is able to talk in complete sentences and at length about football while pivoting to anecdotes without being prompted. Even keeled that seems like someone you can rely on when things get tough.

 

What about someone Fitts helped draft:

Even keeled, able to communicate clearly, comfortable in his own skin.

You can look up more, but their attitude and presence is consistent.

Bottom line: they sound and act like pro's before they've even been in the NFL.

 

Now look at Trey Lance (at the 8:00 mark):

Even keeled, comfortable in his own skin, communicates clearly and able to riff off anecdotes and details without being prompted.

 

Looks familiar yet? He looks and sounds pro ready. Like the kindof leader that will stay even keeled when the games on the line and things arent going your way. Like someone the team will be able to feed off that energy and be able to fight back without letting the lows get too low, like we used to do.

 

So for me, I think a year behind Teddy, like Alex Smith and Mahomes, or Matt Flynn and Wilson, and this guy could be something. He seems ready upstairs.

And based on Fields press conferences, I'm not sure he's that guy, or can become that guy. Being a QB is more than just statistics, it's about being a pro, win or lose.

Anyway, just my 2 cents and just thought it was interesting to share.

[Pup McBarky]

Not sure what interview performances have to do with character, tbh. Cam did some really bad interviews but he's a person of high character. Some people just aren't very comfortable in front of the camera or talking to people. One fairly successful NFL coach comes to mind. Lives in New England.

[NAS]

Good post. Trey Lance reminds me if Mahomes in every way. God, I hooe we draft him.

[kungfoodude]

He seems to just generally not like dealing with the press, to be quite honest, although I haven't looked at any more clips than those you are providing. I would say almost less disinterest and more disdain. 

As Pup stated, very Belichick-esque in attitude. 

[kungfoodude]

All that being said, Lance is very good in front of the cameras in that other clip. Really, really good.

[Waldo]

I'm not worried about the amount of practice Lance had playing in the NCAA. He looks like the real deal. We have, finally, coaches who coach. Go get him! I am fine with on thr job learning, especially at a professional level.

[ForJimmy]

Fields was very relaxed and classy after the Clemson win on the sidelines with the reporter. I know it was a win, but she baited him asking about Dabo ranking them 11th and he says smiled and says he wasn’t there to talk about that. Gave thanks to his teammates, coaches, God etc... Again I know it was a win, but he was handling himself very well. This was after playing through injuries also.

[kungfoodude]

7 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Fields was very relaxed and classy after the Clemson win on the sidelines with the reporter. I know it was a win, but she baited him asking about Dabo ranking them 11th and he says smiled and says he wasn’t there to talk about that. Gave thanks to his teammates, coaches, God etc... Again I know it was a win, but he was handling himself very well. This was after playing through injuries also.

Yeah, I don't have any issue with having a QB who isn't interested in really doing anything more than providing vanilla answers to the media. Remember, if we drafted him he is going to have to be fielding questions from the David Newton's of the world. 

[Eric4280]

I’ve really wanted lance and have had zero interest in fields since we got the 8th. Was so happy to see him play this well against Clemson so someone in the top 4 would take em.

[TheRumGone]

Eh I don’t put THAT much stock in pressers. Like if Justin’s teammates say he’s great and a leader that’s perfectly fine even if he’s disinterested in media interviews.
 

That being said Trey Lance is super impressive. And that was him interviewing as a redshirt freshman. One of the scouting reports I was reading about Lance’s character; his teammates, friends and family were asked to describe Lance with one word. That word(s) that kept popping up consistently were “empathy” or “empathetic.” His teammates have said he tries to get to know everyone on a human level and can relate very easily to others. That is an amazing characteristic to have as a leader. I’m all in on him. Would be thrilled if we drafted him.

[TheRumGone]

“According to Thamel, "Those who know him best use 'empathetic' as a defining trait, as he has stood up to bullies in high school, hosted Bible studies on zoom during the pandemic and says going to children’s hospitals and reading at local schools are among his favorite activities in Fargo." He was a leader of the FCA at Marshall High;

an FCA regional staff member remarked, "Trey’s identity is not being a football player. It comes from something greater. That helps him stay grounded. He’s not trying to be Superman. He’s going to be Trey Lance."

he’s a really good guy.

Edited February 5, 2021 by TheRumGone

[Urrymonster2]

You need to factor in the fields interviews where zoom... that’s a totally different experience to standing up in front of people

[Varking]

Justin Fields doesn’t enjoy talking in public because he has a stutter. 

[musicman]

I think this is a good angle. Answering questions smoothly and quickly shows how you can process things quickly. It's a small sample but never less a sample.