The Big 3 - Which QB is it going to be?

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

There were less than 5 QB threads on the first page, so I figured something needed to be done about that. Plus I wanted to narrow the focus a bit to these 3 QBs, as I really believe we're going to make a move to get one of these guys. Yes, I'm going to attach a poll to this one as well. (I am at work and bored) Currently, I am leaning heavily towards Colt McCoy, with Tebow not far behind. In my opinion all of the other QBs we have discussed are on the radar, but probably for our second QB pick of the draft in the later rounds. (5-7) Thanks to No Logo Needed for the scouting reports.

QB Conundrum: Scouting Tony Pike

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @DonNoLogoNeeded

Browns President Mike Holmgren said what we were all thinking.

At the NFL Meetings in Orlando, Fla. this weekend, Holmgren said the Browns will draft a quarterback, but probably not until the later rounds. Holmgren did not rule out trading up for Sam Bradford nor did he rule out trading back into the second round. He did state he was not big on Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Sorry, Brandon.

Last week, No Logo Needed anticipated this would be the Browns' course of action and began scouting the quarterbacks who might be available later in the draft. Here is a list of those quarterbacks with links to our first two scouting reports on the two potential second-round options in Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.

•Colt McCoy, Texas
•Tim Tebow, Florida
•Tony Pike, Cincinnati
•Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
•Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
•John Skelton, Fordham
•Mike Kafka, Northwestern
•Tim Hiller, Western Michigan

Today, we will take a look at Cincinnati's Tony Pike. Some like his size and accuracy, others say he's the next Derek Anderson. What are your thoughts? Below we have five reasons to draft Pike and five reasons to have reservations about the Bearcats' signal caller.

Reasons to Draft Pike
1. Accuracy - The last two seasons, Pike played in 22 games and his completion percentage was above 60 percent. Pike threw for 48 touchdowns and had only 17 interceptions. In addition to his accuracy, Pike puts touch and timing on his passes, which is an important trait in the West Coast Offense.

2. Size - At 6-foot-5 3/4, Pike has the frame of a quarterback straight out of central casting. At that size, he can clearly see over the offensive line and, as a result, he was able to go through his progressions and clearly see the entire field.

3. Intelligent - Pike was a history major who earned academic honors at Cincinnati. What does that have to do with football? Well, an intelligent quarterback is a highly sought after commodity. Every scouting report on Pike mentions his intelligence as a strength. Pike has shown he has a strong work ethic, the ability to lead a team and offers a high character, but most importantly his intelligence can help him learn and master an NFL offense.

4. Quick Release - To aid in his touch and timing, Pike has a quick release. For all the hand wringing about Tebow's throwing motion, it is not a question with Pike. In addition, Pike can do it on the move as he has an excellent feel for trouble around him in the pocket.

5. Upside - Pike will not come in day one and be a starter. He needs to be groomed for a year or two before he is ready. The Browns appear to want a quarterback to fit just that roll.

Reasons For Reservations
1. Limited experience - Pike went from an unknown to one of the best college football quarterbacks in two seasons. He is not a finished product. At the NFL Combine, Pike was one of the few quarterback to throw and, while ahead of other QBs like Dan LeFevour, Jarrett Brown and Zac Robinson entering the weekend, Pike's poor performance dropped him back to the pack.

"You have to be careful here because (the NFL Combine is) a difficult environment to throw," said NFL Network's Michael Lombardi about Pike to the Associated Press. "I think Tony Pike is going to have to go back to the tape. Certainly when he gets with coaches he's going to be a guy who takes some time to develop."

2. College offense - For three years, the majority of his snaps within Cincinnati's offense were in the shotgun. As a result, his footwork and drop backs were poor. Depending on your school of thought, this is something that can be fixed, but typically teams would like to see a quarterback prospect with time under center.

3. Strength - At the Senior Bowl, Pike weighted 212, but added 11 pounds for the NFL Combine. Entering his senior season, Pike put on 15 pounds and appears to still be adding bulk. Yet his frame is a bit undersized for his height and that creates some durability concerns.

4. Injuries - In 2008, he suffered a left forearm fracture. Thankfully, he throws with his right arm. A year later, he re-injured that left arm and had to undergo surgery to replace the plate that was inserted in 2008.

5. Sugar Bowl performance - Cincinnati's Big East scheduled was OK, but it was nothing like the Florida defense he faced in the Sugar Bowl. The Gators defense had legit pro prospects throughout. Pike's performance, in a 51-24 loss, was not the greatest. He was 27-for-45 passing for 170 yards with three touchdowns, but all three TDs came after Florida led 37-3. Against the best competition, Pike performance wasn't eye-popping.


QB Conundrum: Scouting Tim Tebow

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @DonNoLogoNeeded



Reasons To Draft Tebow
1. Size - At 6-foot-2 3/4 and 236 pounds, Tebow has a hulking frame. Browns fans know, first hand, the frustration defenders have when trying to corral a quarterback of that size (i.e. Roethlisberger).

2. Leadership - In September of 2008, Florida lost to Ole Miss and at the postgame press conference, Tebow gave "the speech." It was an impassioned plea that rallied the team to a national championship. Coach Urban Meyer had the speech engraved on a plaque and placed outside the Gators new football facility last March. It is hard to deny Tebow's leadership ability and it is something that would translate onto the next level.

3. Playmaker - Either through the air or on the ground, when the Gators needed someone to make a play, there was Tebow.

4. Athletic - Tebow not only was do damage through the air (9,285 career passing yards), he finished with 39 rushing touchdowns, which was three more than Emmit Smith.

5. Can be molded - Since Tebow is so raw, it is enticing to a "quarterback guru" to take Tebow's skills, teach him and mold him into the type of quarterback he wants in the professional game.

Reasons For Reservations
1. Throwing mechanics - It was the most talked about aspect of Tebow's skills. His throwing motion was long, loopy and simply wouldn't work in the NFL. He has worked hard on his motion since the season ended. Some scouts say it did improve at his pro day, but the concerns remain.

2. Footwork - In short, it's poor. Now, it was said to be somewhat improved at his pro day, but every scouting report still has Tebow listed with poor footwork. Combined that with a questionable throwing mechanics and the red flags are everywhere.

3. Progression - Too often Tebow locked onto his first receiver and did not go through his progression. Part of it had to do with the style of offense, part of it had to do with the lack of ability to go through his progressions.

4. No experience in pro-style offense - Florida's offense is not common in the NFL. He was primarily in shotgun, which means no experience taking snaps under center.

5. Needs time to develop - Tebow cannot come into the NFL and play right away. Two years, perhaps even more, is needed for Tebow to learn and develop. Would a team like the Browns, in desperate need of a good, young quarterback, have the patience to wait two or three years for Tebow to develop? The general thinking is Tebow is better served on a team with a more established roster.


QB Conundrum: Scouting Colt McCoy

By Aaron Ziraks
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @Z_NoLogoNeeded

Reasons To Draft McCoy
1. Accuracy - In 1,645 attempts, McCoy completed 70.3 percent of his passes at Texas. He also was 1-for-1 in his career as a

YouTube- Colt McCoy Throws to Jorden Shipley on a Boat

2. Leadership - At the NFL Combine McCoy answered a question about leadership. He had one of the best responses I heard that weekend.
"When I got in the huddle as a freshman I was calling plays to five guys that just started on National Championship team who just played with Vince Young," McCoy said. "I gained their respect through playing at a high level and there is no reason I couldn't do that again."
Not to mention, McCoy was a four-year starter at one of the best football programs in the country.
3. Chip on his Shoulder - After suffering an injury in the first series of the National Championship game, McCoy cited everything happens for a reason. That experience has made him more determined than ever to win a title at the next level.
4. High Praise - This week, long time NFL executive and NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt said:

"To me, Colt is Drew Brees on the field and Drew Brees off the field. But he's about two and a half inches taller and he's faster"

He also mentioned something specific regarding the Browns:

“The guy who retired from coaching and heads the Cleveland Browns now asked me who I’d take… I told him if you draft Colt McCoy and run the West Coast Offense, you’re going to forget about Joe Montana”.

Strong words from a respected NFL guru.
5. Not Top Ten Money - This is also a concern. Drafting No. 7 is not exactly a privileged anymore because of that financial burden. In addition, the Browns will have to move up to draft either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen. However, McCoy will be there in the second round. The Browns will be able to position themselves to target McCoy thanks to their high number of picks.
Reasons For Reservations
1. Size - McCoy is not as tall as the average NFL quarterback. At the NFL Combine, McCoy measured in at 6-feet, 1 1/4-inches.
2. Gimmick Offense - McCoy didn't play much under center at Texas and that could be a concern for some clubs. It's especially a concern to a team that will employ a lot of play action, which requires quick decisions from under center.
3. Interceptions - He didn't throw a lot of interceptions, but he did throw enough to give pause. Two seasons with double-digit interception totals might be cause for a bit of concern.
4. Nerve Injury - McCoy has been cleared and the injury in the National Championship game was said to not cause any structural damage, but for a guy that has never had a major injury there might be concerns about how he handles it mentally.
5. Can He Be a Cold Weather Guy? - McCoy is a Texas guy with Texas blood. That blood is thin. The weather will affect him if he allows it. If he is the guy Cleveland picks, the brass have to be convinced he is capable of playing in Cleveland Browns Stadium in December.

[Shep]

I'm really eager to see how McCoy works out. He makes sense.

McCoy and Kafka are my two guys right now. Snead is interesting. Pike concerns me a little after his very bumpy Combine.

[AdaM]

I can't vote because there is no option for 'none of the above'.

[Rich4eagle]

Diehard that was a great post. What are McCoy's height and weight.

All three are real candidates. Why did you leave out Bradford and Clausen and Lefevour.

Citing Shep Kafka is enticing as well.

Of them all, Tebow certainly has the best winning credentials as does Bradford and McCoy as well. All of them won big against BIG competition.

Lefevour had outstanding seasons at Central Michigan as did Pike at Cincy and Kafka played well in the bowl game very well.

Of the all the one I am most leery about is Clausen. I do not think the Browns will draft him chancing an ND repeat with the other six all impressive.

I do think they will get one of those six and will go first round it the guy they really want is there at the time. The rap on Tebow is troublesome but he indeed has proven to be the biggest winner of all em and a strong leader. If we draft him I can see cards in the Dawg Pound quoting the bible.

Right now I still rank Bradford first and if given the choice Mccoy second then the others. I did not vote yet because I am holding my cards close!


tackless with self sticking glue

[Alo]

McCoy has the same concern as Tebow re: going through his progressions. Also, his accuracy outside of twenty yards is kind of spotty.

[Jax Dawg]

McCoy has been my favorite all along after the first two are off the board.

His accuracy is outstanding and some question his arm strength but I think accuracy is more important than arm strength in a WCO. If arm strength was the only thing that mattered DA would still be our QB.

I think Holmgren has to give some serious thought to trading back into the mid to late 2nd rd to take him...I can't remember exactly which well respected NFL guru it was but he said the ONLY QB in this draft with HOF potential.

[DawgBiscuits]

I like McCoy but I like LeFevour more... I'm not as high on Pike as some are. Not sure McCoy will be there in the third round anyway so I think Dan is our guy... IMO

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Shep

I'm really eager to see how McCoy works out. He makes sense.

McCoy and Kafka are my two guys right now. Snead is interesting. Pike concerns me a little after his very bumpy Combine.

I'd agree on McCoy and Kafka but throw in LeFevour also.

I think with Holmgren is more about leadership and accuracy then arm strength. For that reason, I don't think Tebow will be in the hunt. Mechanics aside, he just isn't accurate.

[AdaM]

Originally Posted by Rich4eagle

All three are real candidates. Why did you leave out Bradford and Clausen and Lefevour.

Because Holmgren has said publicly that he's not taking a QB in the first couple rounds which rules out Bradford AND Clausen. He also said that he wishes he liked Clausen more, which indicates he doesn't like him that much.

The OP posted the candidates because they're really the only realistic ones we could attain in the middle of the draft.

[Shep]

I sure wouldn't take what Holmgren said as any kind of gospel, unless he's suffering from early senility. Nobody's THAT forthcoming at this point.

I think it's probably true that we won't draft a quarterback at 7. I wouldn't be at ALL surprised if we took one at 38, though... and I'd be a little concerned if we waited past our first pick in round 3. It would sure look like a non-priority, which would be a little weird.

I don't really believe we'd draft Tebow, but who knows. I would think it's McCoy, Pike, LeFevour, Snead, or Kafka.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

Indeed, what adam said. Also, I don't believe LeFevour, Snead, or Kafka are late first, second, or even third round QBs. I'm of the opinion we are taking a QB in one of the first 3 rounds, perhaps trading up to assure that. Clausen & Bradford are off my board, but who knows.

I hadn't seen those quotes from Gil Brandt before for some reason ...very high praise for McCoy.

[Alo]

Gil Brandt also said that Bradford's a better prospect than Peyton Manning was...then denied it a week later.

I have all the respect in the world for Brandt, but - at age 77 - he may be getting to the point where we should stop considering him opinions gospel.