Canadian Speed

This is a very early look at the top 5 QBs in this year’s draft. Based on season play, the players are looking like this.

Geno Smith from West Virginia Sr, 6-3, 220lbs, expected to go in the 1st Round. Did wonderful things in WV, but that was in WV playing less than spectacular opponents all season long.

Matt Barkley from Southern California Sr, 6-2, 230lbs, also expected to go in the 1st Round. The injuries have been a concern, then there’s the stigma of USC quarter backs as well… He’d be joining the ranks of players like Palmer, Sanchez, Leinart, and Rob Johnson… Not very promising stock to be coming from, Matt is going to do his best to change all of that, but the only question is, who’d going to blink and pick him up in the first round. He may find a home with a team with a later pick, looking to add depth for an ageing vet… Think Broncos.

Mike Glennon from North Carolina State rSr, 6-7, 220lbs projected to go in the late 1st, early 2nd. The “small” school stigma may hurt, him, as will his enormous frame. He’ll have to show that he can move it well enough, or his draft stock will fall.

Tyler Wilson from Arkansas rSr, 6-2, 218lbs projected to go in the mid 2nd round. He did some great things in Arkansas, a lot of people have compared him with Phillip Rivers with a quicker release. The question is, are they talking about this “new” and terrible Phillip, or the original “fantastic” and young Phillip who wowed people early on when he was traded in the Eli Manning debacle in his rookie season. Only time will tell.

Ryan Nassib from Syracuse, rSr, 6-2, 223lbs projected to go in the mid 2nd round. Many scouts have him rated as a deep sleeper in this year’s draft. He’s mobile enough and can make great throws with the big arm he has. Decision making has been an issue, but decisions can be improved. Physical ability cannot… He’s an intriguing prospect with a decent amount of upside to him and his game.

Honorable mention. EJ Manuel from Florida State, rSr, 6-4, 237lbs. He’s a gym beast and an amazing athlete. His decision making is a question however and it remains to be seen if this will hobble him in this year’s draft. Time will well, but he’s quite possible the best athlete at the position in this year’s draft. He’ll probably have a great combine and wow the scout there.

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Fru

I'm not overly impress with any of these guys to be honest. Its a sad group of qbs. Had Murray of Georgia came out he would be the first pick in the draft. I believe KC will trade down and select Smith.

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Sig by Major Seahawk

Canadian Speed

I think that both Wilson and Manuel have talent. I could see both of these guys doing something. That being said, I agree, but in a "weak" QB class a couple of years ago, we got Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco... There was also Chad Henne, not that he's huge, but he was a starter for a time. I think this class will be like that one. One or two of these guys are going to look decent early on... Probably Smith and Wilson. After that, who knows...

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Major Seahawk

Glad the Seahawks got their QB last year

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Fru

I also believe if a qb is developed correctly in college he can transition to the next level. Many college teams have a "pro style" offense and in the right system in the NFL they can flourish. Geno Smith and E.J.Manuel both could essentially be solid starting qbs since the spread is becoming the new pro style offense.

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Sig by Major Seahawk

Canadian Speed

When scouts refer to "pro style" they're basically talking about a West Coast based offense, not so much what is in vogue with the league at the time.

That being said, the spread has been around for some time now and many teams go into a spread look for various situations...

There really is no one "pro-style" offense anymore because teams will use various things from all sorts of offenses. It's more about situations and mathups, then it is any one system anymore.

Really, what coaches and scouts are looking for are:

1. Can the player play under centre. (Drops and Pre-Snaps)

2. Can he make the right reads. (Post Drop)

3. Can he deliver on these reads and make the good throw.

4. Does he understand concepts. (Protections, timed routes, etc.)

So, when you hear "pro-style" think "under center"... That's really all they're talking about.

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Fru

That was the knock on Alex Smith in Utah and still he went first. Im referring of course to playing under center. Aaron Rodgers played in a pro style offense and still dropped in the draft. Alabama plays in a pro style offense but their qbs aren't a hot commodity. But I still believe that they can adapt quicker to the nfl than unconventional offenses.

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Sig by Major Seahawk

Canadian Speed

Alabama's QBs aren't a hot stock because they do nothing but produce quality pro RBs... When the QB's main job is handing off the ball, it doesn't lend itself to the pro game's throwing requirements.

And you're right, they generally do because of the skill sets I was refering too... As long as they can do those four things well, it really doesn't make that much of a difference where they came from and what they ran as an offense in college.

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