ESPN Say's Newton To Enter Draft

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

This....


Also locker had by far the worst supporting cast out of the other top tier QBs in the draft. Played in a pro style system which really helps.

He's smart has a big time NFL arm and can move as well as Any QB in the draft. There's a reason why he was considered a top 5 pick last year, he decided to return to school which is a good sign, it just didn't work out as he planned.

And what QBs are you'll wanting to take instead of JL? Dont say Cam or Mallett. Gabbert would be my 2nd choice but the fact that he has never played under center pretty much is scary IMO.

I don't doubt that Locker had a poor supporting cast, but if we bring him here and he doesn't play well then its Jason Campbell all over again. We need a QB that can perform despite not having all the pieces around him. I'll always look at a QB's performance in relation to his supporting cast but there are standards that should be met.

With McNabb for instance I didn't expect him to easily post a 90+ QB rating but I did expect him to have some distance between his TD's and INT's along with at least a 60% completion percentage (or a YPA average that made up for a sub 60% completion percentage). I also expected a reasonable amount of third downs to be converted.

Locker was suppose to be an elite QB at the collegiate level. It's not like he was paired with some poh-dunk SEC 3 yards and a cloud of dust offensive mind, but rather a respected offensive mind in Steve Sarkisan. Yet he had 4 games this past year where he failed to throw for more then 75 yards (though I think one game he might have been knocked out early).

As I said before I'm not totally opposed to Locker and theres still a part of me that thinks Shanahan can fix him if it comes down to it. However my gut keeps telling me that this is a younger and faster version of McNabb. Anyway this might shed some light on the situation.

February 25, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Mike Shanahan compares Jake Locker to Jake Plummer
Posted by Danny O'Neil

INDIANAPOLIS -- Washington coach Mike Shanahan -- whose team holds the No. 10 overall pick in the draft -- was asked about quarterback Jake Locker and comparisons to Jay Cutler.

"I would make more similarities to Jake Plummer," Shanahan said, "because of his ability to run."

Specifically, that ability to make plays on the move, to get outside the pocket, is a strength of Locker's. When people question Locker's accuracy, it is his accuracy from the pocket. He's as accurate as any quarterback in this draft throwing on the move.

Shanahan acquired Plummer from Arizona, and he took the Broncos to the playoffs. In 2006, Plummer was benched for Cutler -- who was then a rookie -- and retired after the season.

Shanahan said at the end he only watched a few games featuring Locker and looked forward to studying him more.