Of Next Years Draft Class, Which QB Would You Choose Today?

[losperros]

It depends on where we're picking. Bridgewater looks good, but Louisville really has a weak schedule so it's hard to know.
It's a bit early as there is still a lot of college ball left to play as well.

I completely agree. I'd have to see more of the QBs before making a pick at this point.

[VikingLord]

Yes, thank you! That's what I've been trying to say. He puts up the numbers in college but that clown show isn't going to work vs NFL defenses. We need a solid pocket passer who has mobility but CAN'T run. Guys that can run get happy feet and take off way too soon and their pocket presence never develops.

"Clown show"????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSu1y7DuDaY

The Bama defense is about as close to an NFL-caliber defense there is in college football. As the above link shows, Manziel has faced it twice (once on the road), and he's had incredible success against it compared to his peers.

Watch the Manziel highlights of the last game and you'll see a guy who makes several big plays standing in the pocket. He does scramble, but it's actual scrambling where he's still looking downfield, not just tucking and running. And the guy shows an ability to see the field and make multiple reads while under pressure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ8xVIgWEBY

Some of those run plays are called, so you can't fault him for those. Other than that, he makes some really excellent throws, both short and long, hitting his receivers in stride despite being under fairly constant pressure.

Just watching his highlights in that game and comparing them to what I see from Ponder, I'm convinced Manziel would vastly out-perform Ponder right now. If I could swap the 2 right now I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Anyway, if the Vikes do have a shot at Manziel and pass it will be one of the greatest travesties for this team since they passed on Rodgers twice. Truly a missed opportunity.

[VikingLord]

AJ McCarron >>>>>>>>>>>> Everyone else.

If you really want to see Ponder Part 2, pull for the Vikes to draft McCarron and you'll get your wish, from the questionable arm strength to the inconsistent mechanics to the staring down of receivers and the bad decisions. Heck, McCarron even comes with the hot WAG.

McCarron benefits greatly from being on a team with a very solid offensive line, strong running game, and one of the best defenses in college football. He won't have the benefit of any of that save the running game if he joins the Vikings, and when the focus goes on him, you'll see a familiar result.

As an edit, check out http://www.walterfootball.com/draft2014QB.php

Walter Football has McCarron as it's 10th rated QB. It had this to say about his 2013 opener against Virginia Tech:

9/7/13: McCarron's performance versus Virginia Tech wasn't the impressive game he needed to answer any of the questions about his passing ability. The senior didn't illustrate a stronger arm than in 2012, and he threw some passes off his back foot when he didn't need to. McCarron's accuracy wasn't as strong as in the past since his receivers weren't as wide open as they often were last year. McCarron finished 10-of-23 for 112 yards with a touchdown and interception. This outing didn't do anything to start to improve his draft stock.

If that's your idea of a guy who is heads-and-tails above his peers going into the this year's draft, then IMHO the Vikes should pass on a QB this year or just bring TJack back.

[Reignman]

"Clown show"????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSu1y7DuDaY

The Bama defense is about as close to an NFL-caliber defense there is in college football. As the above link shows, Manziel has faced it twice (once on the road), and he's had incredible success against it compared to his peers.

I knew that was going to draw the attention of Manziels agent who is posing as a Vikings fan on a Viking message board. I trolled you out xD. Bama's D had an off day. Chicken little ran around all day before he threw the ball up for grabs in Evans general direction and that tired out Bama's D. All that running isn't going to help him as he approaches 30 so we're just going to end up with a slow guy with no pocket presence. I need to watch more full games because highlight reels only show the good stuff.

[VikingLord]

I knew that was going to draw the attention of Manziels agent who is posing as a Vikings fan on a Viking message board. I trolled you out xD. Bama's D had an off day. Chicken little ran around all day before he threw the ball up for grabs in Evans general direction and that tired out Bama's D. All that running isn't going to help him as he approaches 30 so we're just going to end up with a slow guy with no pocket presence. I need to watch more full games because highlight reels only show the good stuff.

The second link I posted shows all of his snaps, good and bad, so I'm off duty as far as this is concerned.

The facts are the facts - Manziel did a lot more against Bama than just run around and chuck it up. Plus, sometimes a guy has to chuck it up, and I would question just how much of a chuck that was given the Bama defense didn't have a single player in position to make a play, while two A&M receivers were there. Maybe Manziel saw something and placed the ball where only his guys would be able to make a play, which is pretty impressive considering the pressure he was under having just escaped one big hulking defender and with two more bearing down on him.

[dead_poet]

I knew that was going to draw the attention of Manziels agent who is posing as a Vikings fan on a Viking message board. I trolled you out xD. Bama's D had an off day. Chicken little ran around all day before he threw the ball up for grabs in Evans general direction and that tired out Bama's D. All that running isn't going to help him as he approaches 30 so we're just going to end up with a slow guy with no pocket presence. I need to watch more full games because highlight reels only show the good stuff.

It's kinda because there's a lot of "good stuff" there.

The Chicken Little throw was one throw. This one certainly wasn't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n8GxriGnds

I think it's hilarious that the Alabama defense can be so lethal all season, but facing Manziel (twice) just all of a sudden has an "off day." Great Scott, what a coincidence!

Against the nation's top defense two years running, Manziel has the following stats:

52/70; 717 yards; 74.2 completion %; 7 TDs; 2 INTs, 32 rush; 190 yards

That's pretty much dominating in every way a quarterback can dominate a defense.

I invite you to watch more Manziel games. Kid can play.

[BGM]

I'd go with Manziel in a heartbeat. A playmaker with an attitude is just what this team needs. As much as I hate to admit it, having that kind of player at QB was also the last time it was fun watching a QB play for the Vikings. (Those of you who know my feelings on this know what it took for me to choke that out! )

I want a QB who will be willing to buck the "system" when he sees a good opportunity, who will be able to evade pressure and keep the play alive behind an OL that is suspect at best, and will utilize the talented WR corps that is currently being wasted. And someone who can sling the dang ball and put it where it is supposed to go!

[VikingLord]

Just watch the video in the second link I posted from 16:27 on. Manziel totally reminds me of Tarkenton on the first play, and look at the accuracy of the throw on the TD play to end the video. He puts the ball where only his receiver can make a play on it.

Contrast that throw to Ponder's overthrow of a wide open Webb...

[BGM]

Just watch the video in the second link I posted from 16:27 on. Manziel totally reminds me of Tarkenton on the first play, and look at the accuracy of the throw on the TD play to end the video. He puts the ball where only his receiver can make a play on it.

Contrast that throw to Ponder's overthrow of a wide open Webb...

When I watched him against Alabama, Tarkenton is immediately who came to mind.

[Raptorman]

I am going to have to hold off on my pick until I hear what Trent Dilfer has to say, after all, he is the QB guru.

[mondry]

Watched the Manziel video and honestly, fairly impressed. Couple derp throws / plays but all that can be worked out. Really liked how decisive he was, the accuracy on both short and deep passes, he's not fast but he does have that tarkenton wiggle avoiding pressure or picking up a few yards when there's nothing there.

[majorm]

Just remember who EVERYONE thought was far and away the best QB in the 2011 draft;

One Blaine Gabbert! Look how that's gone.

Since we've heard how awesome Ponder looks in workouts, I sure wouldn't put as much stock in those as I would game vids.

While I think Manziel is a bit of a punk, he certainly has been impressive in the biggest games his team has played. THAT is what I would look for in a QB. How he performs under pressure. Both the kind a fierce pass rush puts on him and the kind that comes with big games against against the best competition he faces.

Does he stand in and make accurate throws when he's got defenders all over him? Does he have his best games when the lights are brightest? Manziel seems to certainly pass the test in those two categories. I would put more stock in that than I would how far he can throw the ball and how fast he can run 40 yards.

But there is no bigger roll of the dice than selecting a QB. Look at guys like Brady and Rodgers that everybody passed on, and then guys like Leaf, Gabbert and a slew of others that couldn't miss and did.

[psjordan]

"Clown show"????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSu1y7DuDaY

The Bama defense is about as close to an NFL-caliber defense there is in college football. As the above link shows, Manziel has faced it twice (once on the road), and he's had incredible success against it compared to his peers.

Watch the Manziel highlights of the last game and you'll see a guy who makes several big plays standing in the pocket. He does scramble, but it's actual scrambling where he's still looking downfield, not just tucking and running. And the guy shows an ability to see the field and make multiple reads while under pressure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ8xVIgWEBY

Some of those run plays are called, so you can't fault him for those. Other than that, he makes some really excellent throws, both short and long, hitting his receivers in stride despite being under fairly constant pressure.

Just watching his highlights in that game and comparing them to what I see from Ponder, I'm convinced Manziel would vastly out-perform Ponder right now. If I could swap the 2 right now I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Anyway, if the Vikes do have a shot at Manziel and pass it will be one of the greatest travesties for this team since they passed on Rodgers twice. Truly a missed opportunity.

Thanks VL. My contribution to this thread was going to be those down on Manziel as a pro are nuts. With the right HC or even QB coach in the NFL he will be a stud. Forget all the punk stuff and the running stuff, he has a strong, accurate, decisive arm with touch and quick release. That plays just fine in the NFL. Will be interesting to dig this conversation back up in a few years.

[Demi]

Dual threat QBs. I can count the rings they have on my nose...

[PacificNorseWest]

What sample size do some of you base this off of? I keep seeing "in big games" and "against 'bama." Is LSU not an NFL-type defense? It was very similar to Alabama's and there were more than a few pros on that team last year. 56 attempts for only 276 yards. 0 TD's and 3 INT's. Against another very strong D in Florida...173 yards and 0 TD's. Both games were L's. You can't just neglect the other end of the spectrum if you're gonna claim he comes up big in big games against top D's. That's not entirely true.

There are things that intrigue me about Manziel's makeup, but it takes a lot more than that to make him a successful NFL quarterback. He can be Fran Tarkenton out there all he wants, but does he really know how to settle in the pocket and make some reads? Can he digest film? All questions that need to be answered or else Manziel to me is all flash and no polish.