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Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33
I don't like McCoy, or Tebow (system guys that don't translate well to NFL IMO). That shoulder of Bradford's has me concerned. I think Clausen could be a franchise type QB, he has the tools, good coaching, plus he seems to have the "it" factor as well. I don't see anyone else coming out that fits the franchise QB mold. I'm not saying we might not find a diamond in the rough later in the draft, but if Clausen is there we should take him and spend the second rounder on OL.
I watched the DVR of the first half of the Eagles last night. First impressions of the first half are that the talent of the OL isn't as much of a problem as the communication and blitz pick-ups. The RBs are at fault too for not picking up free A-gap blitzing LBs. I really think this line shuffling has a lot to do with the problems up front.
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You and I both see Clausen every week, and my conclusion is that if he returns to ND for another year, and refines his sense of the pocket, continues to develop as a passer (evidenced by completion percentage), he will be a franchise-type prospect for someone. If he comes out this year, well, he's more or less a more accurate version of Matt Stafford, which means he'll be heavily reliant on the situation he's taken into. Which means he would fail here.
He also might have height issues, at roughly six feet out there. Though, truth of the matter is, if he hasn't run into issues in college with his height, he'll probably do just fine in the pros.
The backs have been terrible at pass pro going back to last year. Portis makes it seem a lot better than it really is because the only time you ever really notice the backs is when Portis is sticking someone at the line, but our poor protection has never just been about the front five.
This front five, though, is particularly poor. And it's not for lack of talent. Well, maybe in Will Montgomery's case. But my general opinion is that it's a communication issue in the interior line (which includes the back pickups), and a talent issue on the outside with one on ones with our tackles and their ends.
Not that our tackles are notably terrible players (they are below average), but their ends are just on a different level of accomplishment.