Jimmah!
I find it hilarious that some media reports claim St. Louis is considering Clausen as the 1st pick. C'mon no one is that insane! Meanwhile, interesting to see the diversity of opinion on his pro prospects:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/27/jimmy-clausen-loves-pet…
February 27th, 2010 at 10:42 PM ^
Quarterbacks are commonly taken with the first pick, because the amount of money paid to first picks is typically only paid to QBs, left tackles, and rush ends.
Suh is phenomenal, but first pick money would be as much or more than the best NFL d-tackles. There was an excellent article about this that I couldn't find on ESPN which debuted last week.
Besides, Clausen had a truly excellent season, despite injuries to him and his receivers, shitty blocking, and Charlie Weis. He's a tough kid, regardless of my allegiance.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:03 PM ^
Obviously QBs are taken first overall as happened last year. The point is the Jimmah is not a legitimate candidate for the 1st overall pick.
As to his "excellent" season, it resulted in a 6-6 record and got the coach fired. Clausen was fine when protection was good and his NFL caliber receivers outran or outjumped defenders, but not so good when the pocket collapsed.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^
being picked first overall is nothing new - see Alex Smith, David Carr and Jamarcus Russell.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:41 PM ^
Matthew Stafford
...and negbang commence
February 28th, 2010 at 1:28 AM ^
I would tend to blame not Jimmah, but Notre Dame's D for their 6-6 record and getting fatman fired
February 28th, 2010 at 9:12 AM ^
How many sacks did he give up last season? Even when the pocket collapsed, it was damn near impossible to sack that fucking emu, he'd just chuck it every time. I can't stand the prick, but he is a talented QB.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:57 AM ^
Jimmy's ceiling may already have been reached. For lots of guys, especially small program guys and young guys, there is a question about how much more they can develop once they get into a pro-style offense with solid pieces surrounding them and legit professional coaching. For example, Joe Flacco's worth after a career at Delaware was difficult to determine. So far, he's been pretty decent. Similarly with Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Schaub. On the other hand, Chad Henne was more of a known commodity. Despite limited time starting, Mark Sanchez had time in a pro-style offense with once and future pros coaching him (and, likely, a nice pay-check every weekend). The tools are there, and they are what they are.
As much as I find it hilarious that Charlie Weis carries a
rotund midget in the front of his pants, we can conclude from his stint with the Pats and his signing with the Chiefs that he has some level of competence in coaching a pro offense; it's likely he passed some of that on to Jimmah. Over the course of his career, Jimmah played behind o-lines between horrendous and pretty decent, with a running game from bad to competent, and receivers from average to great. There are a lot of data points that can be used to evaluate Jimmah, and given the time in the system and the similarities between the ND system while he was there and pro offenses, scouts' predictions likely will have a high degree of accuracy.
Bradford played far fewer games and played for a consistently great team while on the field. A pro team with a marginal o-line has no video to watch to see how he handles a game in which he is harried the whole time. He might be awful; he might be Roethlisberger. Given his youth and relative inexperience, it seems quite reasonable that Bradford has more room for positive growth than Jimmah. If you're looking for a franchise qb for the next decade, and especially if you can afford to have him watch and learn (and get completely healthy) for the first year, Bradford has got to be the better choice.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^
gave good points about why a QB is likely to go first. Here it is:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/columns/story?columnist=clayton_j…
February 27th, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^
As a Browns fan may I point to exhibit A, St. Louis, Brady Quinn.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
as a Browns follower I would like to point to the Oline and WR corp, not helping things
February 28th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
I'll give you the receiving corp being not so NFL but the O Line with Joe Thomas, Steinbach and an all rookie center is getting there for sure. I wonder if the speed of the NFL is greater than Quinn can deal with or if the game plan (enabling 65 yards passing) is the culprit.
I have to listen to Cleveland sports radio here and damn, it is painful.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^
I actually think the main problems stemmed from the football offices, with coaching change and QB switches, all that chaos really reared it's head on the field. But that is just me.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
I hate ND, but Clausen is good. 28 TDs to only 4 picks.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^
...this year, behind the most experienced offensive line in the NCAA, with absolute monster receivers, against whom?
February 28th, 2010 at 8:18 AM ^
was actually pretty respectable. UM, MSU, BC, Stanford, USC, Navy, Purdue, Pitt, Uconn... not anything amazing, but at least respectable.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:58 PM ^
than Quinn. I knew from the beginning that Quinn was wayyyy overrated. I don't know why the Browns traded to get him at 20, I'm pretty sure he would have been there at 35 or wherever they were. I'm surprised Clausen's tow injury has lasted up to this point.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^
I'm surprised Clausen's tow injury has lasted up to this point.I know, when I tow too much it usually only takes a week to heal up.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
Yeah, but Clausen's tow injury was from towing the line. That's a serious tow injury.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^
As a Browns fan I can tell you that somehow incompetency occurs about the second you park the car near their facility. I hope Holmgren has the kryptonite for that.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^
Quinn was drafted 22nd but if the Browns hadn't gotten him there, Jacksonville(I believe) was making moves to take him at 23
February 27th, 2010 at 11:05 PM ^
I think this sums up things well:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/jimmah
February 27th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
If my Skins take Clausen with the 4th pick, I may have to rethink my loyalties.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^
I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him go number 1. I've heard though the Rams like Sam Bradford more, I guess that's the rumor.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:56 PM ^
i think the real question is why they would push to use the #1 pick on a QB in what may be one of the most deep quarterback drafts in years. i truly think they could get a substantial QB with the first pick in round 2 that would work out better than gambling on solid but physically restricted quarterbacks. bulger is bad but they're not facing the dire straits other teams are experiencing.
also, fwiw, they might just trade away all their picks for the #1 in 2011.
"hey clausen, you know why you aren't going to STL? cuz you been MALLETT'D SUCKA!"
-Rams Front Office
February 28th, 2010 at 1:41 PM ^
Maybe it's just me, but I fail to see how this year's QB crop is much better than average. There are mounds of accomplished quarterbacks, but many of them come from systems that don't translate well into NFL success; or, others purely lack the desirable physical characteristics to play in the NFL.
February 28th, 2010 at 2:24 PM ^
last season there were only 4 QBs drafted in the first 4 rounds, (Sanchez, Stafford, Freeman, and McGee)
This year there are about 8 QBs predicted to be drafted in the first 4 rounds, this is before the combine has been completed but still. (Loeffler, Clausen, Pike, Tebow, McCoy, Snead, Brown (WV), and Bradford)
February 28th, 2010 at 12:53 AM ^
As much as I dislike ND and Jimmy Clausen, he's really good and woulnd't be a bad pick at #1. I'd rather have him than Stafford, I think. And the Brady Quinn comparisons are silly. They both went to ND. Other than that, Clausen is a much better player.
February 28th, 2010 at 2:19 AM ^
While I hate to admit it, I am still a Lions fan. I would love to see Suh available for them at #2. There is talk about them picking Suh and Graham...but I don't see BG lasting into the second round.
February 28th, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^
Even though he plays a different position, Suh is a game-changer ala Julius Peppers. Anything the Rams do that is stupid enough to result in Suh being available at number two would be great.
The last time I was this excited about a Detroit team with a number two pick, I thought 'Melo was a lock to come to Detroit. Sadly, the Darko Dabacle ensued. I still think the Pistons could have beaten SA the next year with 'Melo.
Oh, well. Hopefully, the Lions get one right and the Rams get one really, really wrong.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
Glenn Dorsey was a game changer who was going to be a monster in the NFL. Ironically, his D coordinator his last year was one Bo Pellini who happens to be Mr. Suh's college coach. Dorsey has been a bust so before we annoint anyone as the second coming of Reggie White lets see them actually play in the NFL.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
I think Darko's available again. Luckily Millen is gone. Darko once caught a full court lob pass. Millen might think he would be a good receiver.
February 28th, 2010 at 2:36 AM ^
He'll be cashing paychecks every two weeks next year that will total more than most who post here will make in a lifetime--but of course, we'll be able to hide behind our keyboards and make fun of him.
February 28th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
I wouldn't be too sure about that. This is a Michigan blog remember, there are likely some highly paid folk around here. That said, his 2 week pay check will probably be as much as I'll make for all of 2010, but hardly for a lifetime.
February 28th, 2010 at 3:21 AM ^
Well, Clausen had a hell of a junior year and he can make all the throws.... so no, I don't think it's that hilarious.
Jamarcus Russell, now that is hilarious.
February 28th, 2010 at 9:24 AM ^
Matthew Stafford and how he got pick first and got stuck on a crappy team with no blocking or any playmakers. Stafford played through pain for some of the season or didn't even play because it was so bad. That could be Jimmy's fate.