What decertification means to QBs in the draft

[pantherfan81]

The decertification of the NFLPA could have a dramatic influence on this year’s draft as far as quarterbacks are concerned. With no CBA in place and the players being locked out that means that there will be no OTA’s or offseason programs. This will have an effect on all the rookies as they will be way behind once training camp finally begins. The position that will be influenced the most is the quarterback position, and it could also have an effect as to where they are drafted.

None of the quarterbacks in this class played in a predominantly pro-style offense in college. Clubs would have used the offseason program and the OTA’s to work on the mechanics of the rookies and to give them time to learn their offenses. Without that valuable instruction period, how much value will a rookie quarterback have to a club? Their rookie years could be a wash, and if a club has a choice to draft a quarterback who won’t play versus a player who will give them some production they may choose the latter. In scouting there is always a difference of opinion, and I am one who has felt for a long time that none of the top quarterbacks in this class are on par with some of the top quarterbacks in previous classes. I feel Cam Newton is the most talented quarterback in the class and a winner on the field but I don’t trust his off-field behavior. If a club takes him in the top 5 they are saying that he will be the face of the franchise and with his off-field concerns (that have been documented) is this the player a club wants to be their leader? The club that drafts Newton will have answered that question internally. The other quarterback that has gotten a lot of play to be drafted early is Blaine Gabbert of Missouri. While he is talented, he is not close to being a starting NFL quarterback....

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Pretty good read, plus gives some more insight on Gabbert.

[mav1234]

What a complete misleading heading to an article, wow. Haha

[Cyberjag]

Even before reading this, the idea of drafting Gabbert was just bizarre. I don't see how he could end up a Panther, unless he somehow dropped to the third.

[mav1234]

He's not dropping to the third, and he's not going to be a Panther. He's not a #1 overall pick, and nobody who actually likes the guy wants him to be. The only people rooting for him at #1 are people who are convinced we have to take a quarterback and are scared shitless of taking Cam Newton.

[Ricky Spanish]

He's not dropping to the third, and he's not going to be a Panther. He's not a #1 overall pick, and nobody who actually likes the guy wants him to be. The only people rooting for him at #1 are people who are convinced we have to take a quarterback and are scared pooless of taking Cam Newton.

I'm scared shitless about taking either Cam or Gabbert, but in my humble opinion, I think we need a QB.

[mav1234]

we do, but that doesn't mean we need one from this draft.

[Marguide]

A couple of interesting tweets on the QB's (paraphrasing)...

Gabbert is headed home to St. Louis, and it sounds as if he will not be returning to his QB camp. Said he enjoyed his time there, etc.

George Witfield was asked if the lockout mean that Newton would stop training until a settlement was reached. He replied "no", that Cam is continuing to work as if nothing had changed.

Maybe nothing, but I think it says something about work ethic and desire.

[mav1234]

No it doesn't. Gabbert's pro day is in 4 days, he was going home to prepare for it. He'll likely be working out afterwards with Stitzel or whatever his name is that he was preparing with through college.

Gabbert was not only playing for Missouri but preparing to take snaps from under center with another QB coach in his spare time. I would be surprised if he did not return to work with that person.

[Marguide]

No it doesn't. Gabbert's pro day is in 4 days, he was going home to prepare for it. He'll likely be working out afterwards with Stitzel or whatever his name is that he was preparing with through college.

Gabbert was not only playing for Missouri but preparing to take snaps from under center with another QB coach in his spare time. I would be surprised if he did not return to work with that person.

You're probably right. He only indicated that he had finished his workouts in Phoenix. Maybe he will still train in Columbia.

[Stumpy]

When I want scouting on a QB coming out of college, I would rather someone who has been right about QBs more than once in a 25 year career. In his 25 years, he oversaw the drafting of such HOF QBs as...

Dave Walter

Mike Perez

Craig Kupp

Larry Wanke

Dave Brown*

Kent Graham

Danny Kanell

Mike Cherry

Rex Grossman*

Kyle Orton

*1st round picks