Is this Really the Guy you want to Draft?

[Shawn]

The fact is Dee, you have no idea if AJ will make a good pro. You are disagreeing with the only guy who agrees with you on AJ. I like him. I like the way he throws the ball. I think he will be a solid pro. But, in all honesty, there is alot of talent around the guy, and he has all day to throw. So, there are more question marks surrounding him. That is the most honest answer.

[feltdizz]

The fact is Dee, you have no idea if AJ will make a good pro. You are disagreeing with the only guy who agrees with you on AJ. I like him. I like the way he throws the ball. I think he will be a solid pro. But, in all honesty, there is alot of talent around the guy, and he has all day to throw. So, there are more question marks surrounding him. That is the most honest answer.

b-bu-but he is about to win his 3rd BCS title

He could turn out to be a decent NFL QB but I think he needs a SF or Houston Texans type of OL. The kid never gets hit...I bet they haven't washed AJ's jersey since his freshman year.

[feltdizz]

Uhhhhh you can say the same thing about Bridgewater and Louisville. They have blown out the mighty Ohio, Eastern Kentucky, and Florida International by halftime this year.

I agree... whoever put that schedule together needs to be fired. The only reason I would put Teddy ahead of AJ is because he can extend plays... but I have no idea if he is going to be a success in the NFL.

[ikestops85]

I agree... whoever put that schedule together needs to be fired. The only reason I would put Teddy ahead of AJ is because he can extend plays... but I have no idea if he is going to be a success in the NFL.

Face it ... with QBs it's always a crapshoot whether they will make a good pro or not. For every Peyton you have 5 Ryan Leafs. I would just like us to get a QB who can beat the opponent with his arm, his legs and his head. Last year, when Seattle took Wilson, I said they got the best QB in that draft and I stand by that statement. I'd love us to get a QB with similar talents.

None of this means I don't like Ben. Over his career Ben has been one of the most exciting QBs to play the game. From 2004 through 2010 if we were down by a couple of points and its under 2 minutes left Ben is the only QB I would want under center. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. While Ben can still do his Houdini act escaping the rush he often fails to finish the play and throws a bad pass.

The Vikings game is a perfect example. In years past Ben wins that game by scoring on the last drive. He seemed to thrive on the pressure. Now, in those types of situations, you see Ben walking off the field with his head down.

Unfortunately I don't see us getting the old Ben back. That is why I mentioned trading him for draft choices while he is still worth something. Maybe then we can get the franchise left tackle and a dominant physical receiver.

[feltdizz]

Face it ... with QBs it's always a crapshoot whether they will make a good pro or not. For every Peyton you have 5 Ryan Leafs. I would just like us to get a QB who can beat the opponent with his arm, his legs and his head. Last year, when Seattle took Wilson, I said they got the best QB in that draft and I stand by that statement. I'd love us to get a QB with similar talents.

None of this doesn't mean I don't like Ben. Over his career Ben has been one of the most exciting QBs to play the game. From 2004 through 2010 if we were down by a couple of points and its under 2 minutes left Ben is the only QB I would want under center. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. While Ben can still do his Houdini act escaping the rush he often fails to finish the play and throws a bad pass.

The Vikings game is a perfect example. In years past Ben wins that game by scoring on the last drive. He seemed to thrive on the pressure. Now, in those types of situations, you see Ben walking off the field with his head down.

Unfortunately I don't see us getting the old Ben back. That is why I mentioned trading him for draft choices while he is still worth something. Maybe then we can get the franchise left tackle and a dominant physical receiver.

I agree on Wilson but it's hard to convince people an undersized QB can be a franchise QB. Wilson plays ugly at times but the game is never over with him on your team and he has great leadership qualities.

IMO the QB in this draft who best fits that description is Manzeil but I doubt he will be available or an option.

[Dee Dub]

The fact is Dee, you have no idea if AJ will make a good pro. You are disagreeing with the only guy who agrees with you on AJ. I like him. I like the way he throws the ball. I think he will be a solid pro. But, in all honesty, there is alot of talent around the guy, and he has all day to throw. So, there are more question marks surrounding him. That is the most honest answer.

That is a one sided view. He plays in the SEC, He has been in two BCS National Championship games. Guess what? There is a lot of talent coming at him too. LSU, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Texas A & M, etc., etc., are loaded with future NFL stars.

And again regardless of how much time McCarron has had to throw, in 3 plus years he has a total of 11 INTS. You still have to make good decisions and be accurate.

[Dee Dub]

My guess....at the combine we find out Teddy Bridgewater is about 6 ft 1 1/2 and weighs 196. I am not using a number 1 (let alone a top 5), and giving him millions of dollars for that.

He is very much like RGIII. A great pocket passer who can also run but is not going to hold up physically in the NFL.

[Dee Dub]

The fact is Dee, you have no idea if AJ will make a good pro. You are disagreeing with the only guy who agrees with you on AJ. I like him. I like the way he throws the ball. I think he will be a solid pro. But, in all honesty, there is alot of talent around the guy, and he has all day to throw. So, there are more question marks surrounding him. That is the most honest answer.

So just to be clear....the only knock on AJ McCarron is that he played around a lot of talent? And because of that there question marks surrounding him?

Everything else checks though, huh?

Arm strength
Accuracy
Touch
Size
Leadership ability
Level of competition
Big game performances
Decision making/judgment

[steelz09]

So just to be clear....the only knock on AJ McCarron is that he played around a lot of talent? And because of that there question marks surrounding him?

Everything else checks though, huh?

Arm strength
Accuracy
Touch
Size
Leadership ability
Level of competition
Big game performances
Decision making/judgment

Julio Jones will never be a great pro... He was surrounded by talent at Alabama. Oh, wait... nevermind...

[Shawn]

I agree on Wilson but it's hard to convince people an undersized QB can be a franchise QB. Wilson plays ugly at times but the game is never over with him on your team and he has great leadership qualities.

IMO the QB in this draft who best fits that description is Manzeil but I doubt he will be available or an option.

Manziel is the best QB in this draft if he declares.

[Dee Dub]

Manziel is the best QB in this draft if he declares.

That needs to be clarified some.

To you he is the best "READ OPTION" QB in this draft. He is not the best pocket passer in this draft.

That would

AJ McCarron 1A, Zach Mettenberger 1B

Personally I think Brett Hundley will be a far better read option QB in the NFL than Johnny Manziel. Bigger, stronger, faster, and a better thrower than Manziel.

[Shawn]

I don't analyze QBs for a living. I agree Manziel isn't the best pocket passer in college But, Manziel passes my eye test. Forget the off the field issues, this is a guy with the best vision I have ever seen at the college level. He always seems to know where the open WR is, no matter where he is running, or what he is doing. He takes games on his shoulders and wins.

[feltdizz]

Manziel is the best QB in this draft if he declares.

I agree.. but I also like Murray from UGA. I don't think he is the best or a close second but I like what he's done given all the players that are injured and the UGA D isn't that great.

He's lost his best 2 RB's and 3 WR's to injury this year.. I'm interested to see how he does down the stretch.

[ikestops85]

It's interesting that nobody is really poo-pooing the idea of taking a QB ... just which QB to take.

Two years ago this never would have been a thought in anybody's head.

[Dee Dub]

It's interesting that nobody is really poo-pooing the idea of taking a QB ... just which QB to take.

Two years ago this never would have been a thought in anybody's head.

Agreed. This off season may be the last chance the Steelers get a big return (value wise), if they trade Ben. Strike while the iron is hot. Re-build this thing and make another long run.