What should the Texans do with their number one pick?

[thunderkyss]

Greg Gabriel ‏@greggabe

With just about every forced QB pick in the last 6 years, someone has gotten fired. Sanchez, Tebow, Ponder, Gabbert, Locker, Weedon...

When you force a QB pick you are risking your career

This year I'm saying none of the QB's is worthy of a top 10 pick. It's a mistake if they go that high

Also wrote in the NFP that Ponder and Locker were not 1st round QB's

At this time 2 years ago I was getting killed by people cause I said Gabbert was awful. I think I was right.

In McShay's new mock he has 3 QB's going in the top 4 picks. Not going to happen! There isn't a franchise QB in this class. Good not great!

I was wrong on McNabb. I didn't see having anywhere near the career he was going to have. I think he was as successful as he was, because he was drafted by Andy Reid (& he was lucky to have Jim Johnson).

But if they go to the right "system" I can see Bridgewater & Bortles (& McCarron, & Murray) having McNabb type success.... or Rivers.

& with the rules & the way coaches are letting these guys play Garopolo, Manziel, even Boyd can have short term success.

That's why I don't want to take one with the 1st overall pick. Not because I don't think they can be "franchise" QBs, but because I don't think they're the type that will be successful where ever they go, like Peyton, or Rivers, or Palmer.

I don't think these guys (even Manziel) will bust like Gabbert, Ponder, or Tebow.

 

[TexansFTW]

All you cats are switching sides. I'm taking notes. When the pick comes in and you all try to claim you wanted it or were behind it the whole time I'm gonna call you on your Tom Foolery.

You can listen to these jokers change their minds from week to week and sway in the wind with them, but I won't be there.

In another message board I was on an Alshon Jeffery island while people berated me, then when he dominates they acted like they were there the whole time. Denied... you switch sides and it's over.

When the season was over there were 3 franchise QBs. Today there are none. What changed? The QB I wanted the whole time is still rated inside most everyone's top 10 big board yet now he is getting compared to Jake Lockers and Blaine Gabberts. What is going on here?

Did you know according to most big boards in 2011 that Gabbert was ranked ahead of Cam? How's Cam working out? Maybe people blew it on Gabbert in 2011, maybe sometimes players don't work out. It doesn't mean the next time a good player comes out he's going to suck. You can compare to Gabbert, I will compare to Rodgers, just don't forgot what side of the line you were on when it's over.

 

[HOU-TEX]

All you cats are switching sides. I'm taking notes. When the pick comes in and you all try to claim you wanted it or were behind it the whole time I'm gonna call you on your Tom Foolery.

You can listen to these jokers change their minds from week to week and sway in the wind with them, but I won't be there.

In another message board I was on an Alshon Jeffery island while people berated me, then when he dominates they acted like they were there the whole time. Denied... you switch sides and it's over.

When the season was over there were 3 franchise QBs. Today there are none. What changed? The QB I wanted the whole time is still rated inside most everyone's top 10 big board yet now he is getting compared to Jake Lockers and Blaine Gabberts. What is going on here?

Did you know according to most big boards in 2011 that Gabbert was ranked ahead of Cam? How's Cam working out? Maybe people blew it on Gabbert in 2011, maybe sometimes players don't work out. It doesn't mean the next time a good player comes out he's going to suck. You can compare to Gabbert, I will compare to Rodgers, just don't forgot what side of the line you were on when it's over.

 

[Lucky]

Greg Gabriel's twitter

With just about every forced QB pick in the last 6 years, someone has gotten fired. Sanchez, Tebow, Ponder, Gabbert, Locker, Weedon...

When you force a QB pick you are risking your career

This year I'm saying none of the QB's is worthy of a top 10 pick. It's a mistake if they go that high

Also wrote in the NFP that Ponder and Locker were not 1st round QB's

At this time 2 years ago I was getting killed by people cause I said Gabbert was awful. I think I was right.

OK, it's a mistake for QBs to go high in this draft. Because Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder went high and it was a mistake. My question is, in what way are Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles like those guys?

The QBs coming out in this draft produced at a level that Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder never did. Numbers aren't everything. But you know who did put up similar numbers to Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles? Newton, Luck, and Griffin. I would just like to know why the QBs in this draft are more similar to the busts than the studs of past drafts. Just saying they're not "worthy" doesn't cut it.

 

[beerlover]

Greg Gabriel's twitter


OK, it's a mistake for QBs to go high in this draft. Because Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder went high and it was a mistake. My question is, in what way are Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles like those guys?

The QBs coming out in this draft produced at a level that Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder never did. Numbers aren't everything. But you know who did put up similar numbers to Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles? Newton, Luck, and Griffin. I would just like to know why the QBs in this draft are more similar to the busts than the studs of past drafts. Just saying they're not "worthy" doesn't cut it.

evolution. compare surrounding players with those here, now & same disparity exists if not more. different years, different players this one is exceptional for OT, DE/OLB & WR that is strength of this class, so you play into it not against it!

 

[LikeMike]

Greg Gabriel's twitter


OK, it's a mistake for QBs to go high in this draft. Because Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder went high and it was a mistake. My question is, in what way are Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles like those guys?

The QBs coming out in this draft produced at a level that Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder never did. Numbers aren't everything. But you know who did put up similar numbers to Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles? Newton, Luck, and Griffin. I would just like to know why the QBs in this draft are more similar to the busts than the studs of past drafts. Just saying they're not "worthy" doesn't cut it.

To answer your question: these QBs might compare in numbers to Luck, Newton and Griffin, but they are always lacking something. Bridgewater doing everything well - but he doesn`t have the prototypical height, elite strength and played against poor teams. Bortles has the prototypical frame, but he needs to improve his mechanics and accuracy. Manziel is a great runner and a decent passer - but he is a lot smaller than Newton and could be just as injury prone as Griffin as a pro.

The QBs that failed, Gabbert, Locker, Ponder, all had question marks surrounding them. Mostly it was about their ability to get the mental aspects (reads, decisions, understanding coverages) right within the speed of an NFL play - and it was about their accuracy and their ability to react to pressure. I do believe, that these are the biggest hurdles in the transition, because they can get away with it and look great in college, but they get exposed in the NFL.

When looking at this years draft class, I´d say Bridgewater is the least likely to fail, simply because he excells in the things I´ve just stated. But when scouts look at him, they don`t see elite potential. He is not big and strong enough. When you look at Bortles, scouts see elite potential - but around him are similar question marks as there were around Gabbert, Locker and Ponder. Some QBs overcome these questions marks, most don`t. Manziel is probably the hardest to evaluate. He has all the talents in the world - but with his play style he should be injury prone, and it will be interesting to see, how he will react to NFL speed.

So Luck was a no brainer because he had everything - basically no question marks. Griffins main question mark was his ability to play within the pocket and stay healthy (similar to Manziel - though Griffin seems to be the better "guy"), but he was also looked at as a can´t miss project. Newton had question marks surrounding his throwing ability, but his elite combination of size, speed, arm and leadership was too intriguing.

 

[thunderkyss]

Greg Gabriel's twitter


OK, it's a mistake for QBs to go high in this draft. Because Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder went high and it was a mistake. My question is, in what way are Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles like those guys?

The QBs coming out in this draft produced at a level that Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder never did. Numbers aren't everything. But you know who did put up similar numbers to Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles? Newton, Luck, and Griffin. I would just like to know why the QBs in this draft are more similar to the busts than the studs of past drafts. Just saying they're not "worthy" doesn't cut it.

I don't know if that's what he's saying. Saying "the three" aren't top ten picks isn't the same as saying they're going to bust like Gabbert. He's just saying he was right about Gabbert, so he's most likely right about "the three"

So what's the difference between a first round QB... Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco... & Peyton, Rivers, Aikman, Luck? To me a top 5 pick is a franchise player. A first rounder outside the top 5 is a starter (Matt Schaub, Tony Romo, Stafford, Cutler).

Guys like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees may very well be elite, but at the time they were drafted that seemed unlikely. Something happened between then & now that helped them become who they are.

 

[Playoffs]

Alshon Jeffrey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ZxqA4yA3w

Andre Ware: http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-med...-Ware-do/93f32f97-e9b2-448f-8364-c602bd30b9c1

 

[powda]

Greg Gabriel's twitter


OK, it's a mistake for QBs to go high in this draft. Because Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder went high and it was a mistake. My question is, in what way are Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles like those guys?

The QBs coming out in this draft produced at a level that Gabbert, Locker, and Ponder never did. Numbers aren't everything. But you know who did put up similar numbers to Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles? Newton, Luck, and Griffin. I would just like to know why the QBs in this draft are more similar to the busts than the studs of past drafts. Just saying they're not "worthy" doesn't cut it.

We spend all this time discussing attributes of the various players and specifically qb's , but I think half the guys that will be busts would be succesfull given the right opportunity. Put Carr with an average oline and kubiak day 1 and I think his career is significantly different. It really boils down to " in BOB we trust."

What I don't like is:

We have a lg and rt we have to upgrade.

We have a rg we expect to get better - but no guarantees

We have a run game based on Foster who is arguably injury prone at this point and definitely older. How much production does he have left in the tank , and how important is a run game to a young qb?

We have a coach who some people laud as good at grooming qb's when in fact he had brady and remains unproven in that capacity.

BOB has no offensive coordinator so how much of his time will be dedicated to everything excluding his new qb?

These are all just elements in the moving puzzle for a qb's success , but they're things I don't see helping any qb no matter his skill set.

It's quite likely we can draft the right qb and still not have success due to the rest of the outside elements. Picking the wrong qb doesn't necessarily mean failure. Picking the wrong coach likely does and that part of the puzzle is already in place.

In OB we trust.

 

[mussop]

We spend all this time discussing attributes of the various players and specifically qb's , but I think half the guys that will be busts would be succesfull given the right opportunity. Put Carr with an average oline and kubiak day 1 and I think his career is significantly different. It really boils down to " in BOB we trust."

What I don't like is:

We have a lg and rt we have to upgrade.

We have a rg we expect to get better - but no guarantees

We have a run game based on Foster who is arguably injury prone at this point and definitely older. How much production does he have left in the tank , and how important is a run game to a young qb?

We have a coach who some people laud as good at grooming qb's when in fact he had brady and remains unproven in that capacity.

BOB has no offensive coordinator so how much of his time will be dedicated to everything excluding his new qb?

These are all just elements in the moving puzzle for a qb's success , but they're things I don't see helping any qb no matter his skill set.

It's quite likely we can draft the right qb and still not have success due to the rest of the outside elements. Picking the wrong qb doesn't necessarily mean failure. Picking the wrong coach likely does and that part of the puzzle is already in place.

In OB we trust.

In regards to foster, something no one seems to be concerned about, how focused is he going to be? I would seriously see what we could get for him in trade if I were the gm.

 

[TexansFTW]

Foster is 27. We have glaring holes everyone on this team with regards to defense and offense. Let's not throw in the towel on a 27 Y.O. RB after 1 injury riddled year and tear open a new hole.

Arian Foster, the poet doing strange things is the same guy that ran hard for us for several years. To say he is unfocused now isn't true. He's been this same guy for a while.

 

[mussop]

Foster is 27. We have glaring holes everyone on this team with regards to defense and offense. Let's not throw in the towel on a 27 Y.O. RB after 1 injury riddled year and tear open a new hole.

Arian Foster, the poet doing strange things is the same guy that ran hard for us for several years. To say he is unfocused now isn't true. He's been this same guy for a while.

27 isn't exactly young for a RB. Especially one with as much mileage as fosters. As far as being focused, he's married with kids and got a young girl pregnant. That would take an emotional toll on anyone. The fact that every turn of that situation will be in the public eye makes it even more taxing on his emotions and it's not going away anytime soon.

I'm not suggesting cutting him. I'm suggesting getting something for him while we can. His cap hit is also a problem. Get rid of that and bring back a draft pick and it's a plus for this team IMO. This team could use those assets to fill several holes so suggesting it would it would tear a new hole is just not looking at the big picture.

 

[WolverineFan]

I'm not suggesting cutting him. I'm suggesting getting something for him while we can. His cap hit is also a problem. Get rid of that and bring back a draft pick and it's a plus for this team IMO. This team could use those assets to fill several holes so suggesting it would it would tear a new hole is just not looking at the big picture.

Pretty sure if you trade him then you incur the dead money, not the team that acquires him. Trading him gets something for him, but you still take a cap hit.

 

[Texian]

27 isn't exactly young for a RB. Especially one with as much mileage as fosters. As far as being focused, he's married with kids and got a young girl pregnant. That would take an emotional toll on anyone. The fact that every turn of that situation will be in the public eye makes it even more taxing on his emotions and it's not going away anytime soon.

I'm not suggesting cutting him. I'm suggesting getting something for him while we can. His cap hit is also a problem. Get rid of that and bring back a draft pick and it's a plus for this team IMO. This team could use those assets to fill several holes so suggesting it would it would tear a new hole is just not looking at the big picture.

Pretty sure if you trade him then you incur the dead money, not the team that acquires him. Trading him gets something for him, but you still take a cap hit.

Cut him or trade him all amortized money comes forward, the dead money would be the same. As noted a trade brings some value in return. The benefit of either is it removes salary from future years cap. There are two questions regarding Foster, his injury and surgery and Foster is a product of the ZBS and how effective would he be in another system.

 

[jradMIT]

Come on you couldn't get a 4th rd pick for him right now, which really makes it not worth it in my mind.

 

[infantrycak]

Cut him or trade him all amortized money comes forward, the dead money would be the same. As noted a trade brings some value in return. The benefit of either is it removes salary from future years cap. There are two questions regarding Foster, his injury and surgery and Foster is a product of the ZBS and how effective would he be in another system.

1) We don't know we are moving away from ZBS as the foundation of our rushing game and there are indications to the contrary.

2) CnD says Foster did not have a surgery in the parlance of the medical community (I have forgotten how he phrased it). I believe he is actually critical of the decision not to have surgery.

Come on you couldn't get a 4th rd pick for him right now, which really makes it not worth it in my mind.

Exactly. He is more valuable for the chance he does come back healthy.