Is the well drying up for NFL-ready QBs?

from off the net

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RockRam

Is the well drying up for NFL-ready QBs?

If you want to win a lot of games in college, you pretty much have to have some sort of spread option. That is because most D’s simply don’t have the speed and size to defend it.

FSU defies that, as Jimbo Fisher wants a Pro style offense. And interestingly, 2 years ago EJ Manual was the 1st QB taken, and this year there is no question Winston will go first. And neither are as good as Bradford was, or Stafford was. Says a lot, doesn’t it?

Colleges generally don’t see themselves as the NFL development league like they used to. College HCs make their money (BIG money) on winning games, not how many players go to the NFL and have successful careers.

Here’s the thing: I think the NFL’s QB drought is due to continue and even get worse.
Those years in college playing QB at a big school and developing are incredibly valuable.
But; developing in a spread option, versus developing in a pro-style system is very different for a QB.
You can’t bring a spread option QB in and in a training camp and convert him.
There’s a reason he got better every year in school. Reps, learning, more reps, more learning. Same for a typical young NFL QB.

And the idea that an NFL team can convert and become like a college spread is bogus. Why? QB can’t survive very long. Look at the Redskins. Shanahan ran as close to a college spread as you’re likely to see in the league. Didn’t take long for RG3 to get destroyed when defenses learned how to play it. And the league openly refused to protect a QB who makes himself a runner. So unless you want to bring in a new spread QB to replace the damaged one about every 2 years, I don’t think you have a chance to ever make it work.

And, playing a college spread in the NFL means that QB is not going to develop his pocket passing abilities. It’s a lose/lose proposition.

I think that’s why the constantly (seriously) injured Bradford was in demand. The QBs coming out are so unready for the NFL pro style offense, and it is so uncertain which college spread QBs can even evolve into a pocket passing QB, that as huge a risk as Bradford is, it is worth it to some. Taking a QB in the draft was always a crap shoot. Now, it’s more like throwing darts at a board.

This is why Foles is worth his weight in Gold to the Rams. He is a pocket passer, even if he’s not a great one. He’s got the size, a good enough arm, OK accuracy, and he’s proved a team he leads can score points and win games. He has moxy, toughness and is coachable. Try replacing that in a college draft full of spread option QBs.

And this is why the Marriotta deal is so risky. He has NEVER operated out of Pro style offense. Never had to read much more than a DE.

So; to me if the Rams have a chance to draft a college pocket passer from a Pro style college offense in the 2nd or 3rd round, they should do it. As long as they have the arm, the size, are hard workers and seem to have a good football IQ, you take them, and develop them for at least 2 years.

I think the future of QB draft picks for the NFL is bleak. Who is coming out next year that everyone is talking about? Nobody I’ve heard. And I also think all Foles has to do is stay healthy, not throw a ton of INTs, and play pretty decently to get a new contract and stay with the Rams. Things he’s already proved he can do.

And BTW: this stuff about Chip Kelly’s QB friendly offense? Have you watched many Philly games? I just finished watching 8 or 9 over the last 2 years on NFL replay. If it is so QB friendly how come neither Vick nor Sanchez had much success in it? Two NFL vets who’ve played a ton of games. And the rookie Foles outplayed them both (not that he didn’t have some troubles of his own, but hey, this is a team sport…..you can’t block for yourself, run routes and catch the rock too).

I really do think this is no small problem and why good NFL QBs will be coaxed to play until they’re 40. There is simply too few coming out of college to replace them.

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