Originally posted by WillistheWall:
Originally posted by BrianGO:
Originally posted by Marvin49:
Originally posted by ninerlifer:
Im totally good with Devlin in the 2nd round....however, I beleive we may have to trade up....becuase there will be many teams ahead of us, that if they hadnt have taken a QB in the 1st, and still need a QB will take him.
Possibly....but I have a feeling that both Mallett and Locker will be sitting there at the top of round 2.
Hopefully someone will pull the trigger on one of them
I REALLY like Devlin. I like how little his feet move, I like how quick his release is, I like how quickly he's making decisions and I like how he threw 22 TDs and 2 INTs this past year.
I think he has "Jim Harbaugh Project" written all over him.
I only have watched the highlights like most people, but can someone explain to me something negative about this guy?
1) He might have the best pocket presence I've ever seen.
2) He certainly throws a very accurate ball, both with arm and with touch.
3) He has a good arm.
4) He seems really smart, with a good head in interviews.
5) He has a tight, quick release, and passes the eye test.
IMO all the other quarterbacks in the draft play like chickens with their heads cut off in comparison when watching their highlight films. In many of the other quarterbacks highlights, I didn't see a single pass completed from a tight pocket, not ONE single pass.
So he played at a small school, but is that it? I am really confused because this guy's highlights seem to blow the other quarterbacks away.
I think it's because he checks the ball down a lot and doesn't throw it deep very much, and he takes like all of his snaps from the shotgun. But yeah, he could be a real good prospect for us.
I agree, its very dangerous when looking at college QB's who take snaps from the shotgun exclusively, but the reason its dangerous is that the shotgun usually provides the quarterback with a different pocket, and most successful shotgun quarterbacks in college have a lot of time to throw the ball (Alex Smith).
This guy takes snaps from the shotgun, but if you watch closely (again, I'm only referring to the highlights) there are many times when he is surrounded in a very tight pocket on all sides, yet he has such good feet and awareness that all the chaos around him does not seem to phase him.
IMO, I think THAT is the biggest danger in evaluation shotgun college quarterbacks; because you rarely get to see how they react to a tight pocket surrounding them (NFL-like conditions). But with Devlin, he shows great ability in a tight pocket, which I think is what separates the best NFL quarterbacks from the rest.
And about the level of competition:
One example: If a 220 lb divII college player, who is pretty strong and athletic, is tackling you around the waste, you can't throw the ball. If a 260lb div I college player who is stronger and more athletic, is tackling you around the waste, you can't throw the ball. So there is no difference.
Another example: A WR in divII who runs a 4.6 40yrd dash has a step on the DB and is barely open, you throw a perfect pass over his shoulder and he runs for a touchdown. A WR in divI who runs a 4.4 40yrd dash has a step on the DB and is barely open, you throw a perfect pass over his shoulder and he runs for a touchdown. I don't see much difference in either case, both situations require the same type of excellent throw.
Level of competition means everything for a lineman, or a WR, or a DB etc. But for a quarterback, playing against lesser opponents doesn't mean that your WR's are more open, it doesn't mean you have more time in the pocket. Why? Because the players you are depending on are lesser TOO. You are throwing to lesser WR's and are protected by a lesser O-line. I think level of competition is only relevant when looking at athletic ability, but not really skill.
Besides, looking at the guys stats, he dominated at his level of competition the way a scout would hope to see.