Jimmy Clausen

By: Brandon Wangrin

Some people are indifferent about Jimmy Clausen. Saying he does not have the necessary zip on his passes, saying he cant make all of the NFL throws, and saying he is not “NFL ready”.

The reason scouts and NFL Draft “experts” always have trouble evaluating quarterbacks is because they are way to obsessed with arm strength and not arm accuracy. I agree you have to be able to make the throws, but in the NFL if you cannot hit your receiver in the chest it doesnt matter how hard you throw it. Whatever happened to judging a player on his poise in the pocket, knowledge of the game, understanding of a pro offense, having a quick release, or pure accuracy. All of these things Jimmy Clausen has.

Mark my words, Jimmy Clausen will be a great quarterback in the NFL eventually. He played under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame and unlike many college quarterbacks (Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Colt McCoy) he played in a pro offense. Scouts are right about Clausen, he does not have a Joe Flacco, Matt Stafford, or Jamarcus Russell like arm, but neither do a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL. He does, however, have a strong arm and the ability to make every throw. When I watch him on film, I notice how he is a natural playmaker, extreme competitor, and has the ability to make difficult throws, under pressure, and on the run that many other quarterbacks cannot make. He really reminds me of an Aaron Rodgers or Tony Romo type quarterback being that he has the ability to make plays that were un-thinkable.

If you are the Browns or Raiders and you do not draft Jimmy Clausen I will be SHOCKED and you will be missing out on a very talented, knowledgeable quarterback.

(DAY 2) With the 4, 5, 6 Picks…

By: Brandon Wangrin

I am going to tell you who I believe each team should draft with their picks for the first three rounds (over the next 34 days, three picks a day). Different than a Mock Draft because in a Mock Draft I tell you who I believe they will pick in the NFL Draft. In these articles I am telling you who I would pick if I were each team.

4. Washington Redskins- Jimmy Clausen- Quarterback- Notre Dame

The thing that I love most about Jimmy Clausen is that he is very athletic and because of it he has play making ability. When I watch him I notice his ability to get away from pressure and make some very difficult throws. Many people believe that he lacks arm strength, but I believe that he has a much stronger arm than he gets credit for. He only threw four interceptions all of last season and one them hit his receiver directly in the back. His accuracy is second best in the draft to Sam Bradford. If the Redskins want to take it to the next level they need a quarterback who can get them there and thats Jimmy Clausen.

5. Kansas City Chiefs-Russell Okung- Offensive Tackle- Oklahoma State

Scouts keep making a big deal about the forty times that Trent Williams and Bruce Campbell ran, but does that really affect offensive lineman? I mean I believe that it shows that you have good quickness, but offensive lineman never have to run 40 yards. Im just saying that I would not draft a lineman over another solely because he ran a better forty. With that being said Okung is the 6’5 and bench pressed 225 lbs 38 times (1st among lineman in the NFL Draft). He is NFL ready and the Chiefs need an offensive lineman to protect Matt Cassell’s blind side.

6. Seattle Seahawks- Gerald McCoy- Defensive Tackle- Oklahoma

This is a case of a team drafting the best available player and getting a STEAL. The Seahawks need some help getting pressure on the quarterback and could use a defensive tackle to pair with Brandon Mebane. McCoy would instantly change the attitude of this defensive line core.

The Seahawks do need a offensive lineman and a running back, but I believe they will go with a offensive lineman with their second 1st round pick (14th) and a running back in a later round. Their tend to be quality running backs in rounds past the first round.

Go here for DAY 1 (1st, 2nd, 3rd picks) to check out the first three picks.

NFL Mock Draft: Updated (3/15)

By: Brandon Wangrin

1. St. Louis Rams– Sam Bradford- Oklahoma- Quarterback: Bradford will be the #1 pick for the St. Louis Rams. He will give them a “face of the franchise” and something to build around.

2. Detroit Lions– Ndamukong Suh– Nebraska- Defensive Tackle: This defense needs size and Suh gives them that. He will apply pressure on the quarterback as well as stop the run.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Gerald McCoy- Oklahoma- Defensive Tackle: I believe they should pick Eric Berry here, but I think they will go with McCoy. They were near the bottom in sacks last year and need to get more pressure on the quarterback. McCoy will start right away.

4. Washington Redskins– Jimmy Clausen- Notre Dame- Quarterback: I believe Shanahan will want a quarterback to begin his franchise. Clausen is athletic, has a good arm, and is a play maker.

Top 10 Running Backs in the NFL Draft

1. Jahvid Best- California

There is a concern about injury here, but Best is a big time playmaker that can easily find the end zone. People ask me why I do not think that C.J. Spiller should be the #1 running back, but Spiller cannot run through the tackles as well as Jahvid Best. Best like Spiller is extremely fast and can turn a three yard gain in to a forty yard gain. In the games he played a full game last season, California was 6-2. The games he did not play in, California was 2-3. They missed his precense big time and I believe he should be the #1 drafted running back.

2. C.J. Spiller- Clemson

I got a chance to watch C.J. Spiller a lot last season and he was incredible, but when I watch him I think of Reggie Bush and question whether or not he is a top 15 pick. Spiller often runs through the hole and tries to bounce outside much like Bush did in college, but that style does not work in the NFL. If you are a team like the Seahawks and need a playmaker that can find the endzone, then Spiller is your guy.

Tim Tebow: Is he an NFL “Franchise” Quarterback?

By: Brandon Wangrin

I have never seen so many people differ on a player’s game translating to the NFL more than Tim Tebow. Many people believe that Tim Tebow’s game will translate nicely due to his passion, work ethic, will to win, accomplishments in college, and his physical ability. Lets not forget how good he was at Florida. Tebow threw for 9,285 yards 88 TD’s and only 16 INT’s, not to mention his rushing statistics 2,947 yards and 57 TD’s. There is no doubt that these numbers would merit a player that should do well at the professional level.

So why do other people feel that Tim Tebow is going to be a BUST in the NFL???

NFL Mock Draft: 01/20

By: Brandon Wangrin

1. St. Louis Rams– Sam Bradford– Oklahoma- Quarterback: The Rams need a quarterback to mold their franchise around and Bradford will be NFL ready by next season.

2. Detroit Lions– Ndamukong Suh– Nebraska- Defensive Tackle: The Lions need to get bigger defensively and Suh will turn in to a star under Jim Schwartz.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Eric Berry– Tennessee- Safety: The Buccaneers need a game changing player at the safety position. I believe Berry is the best player in the draft and think this would be a great draft pick for the Buccaneers.