Cavaliers sign Manny Harris to second 10 day contract
March 2, 2012Cavaliers Host Bulls as Kyrie Irving Prepares for Derrick Rose
March 2, 2012NFL teams are always in search of the next great Quarterback. Andrew Luck has gotten almost two full years of hype as the second coming. Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III has become a legend since the middle of the college football season, gaining steam each week and wowing seemingly every single scout and media member in the process. They say if you meet the kid, you cannot help but be impressed with him as not just a player, but as a person and a potential leader.
We’ve talked about the RGIII/Browns situation ad nauseum on this site over the past few weeks. The best of the best are here, here, and here. But with the Redskins and Dan Snyder reportedly hot on RGIII’s tail, it is very possible that the Browns will be put in a position where they will have to decide whether to give up an insane amount of draft picks to move up to get Griffin in the Rams #2 spot. It is rumored that the price tag right now could be as high as four first round picks.
If I am the Browns and that is the price, I don’t walk from the deal, I run. There are too many other holes for the Browns to be mortgaging the future for one guy who may or may not be a star in a system that doesn’t play to his strengths.
So what if the Redskins are the ones who trade up to get Griffin and the Browns stand pat at #4 and #22? There has been a strong sentiment of late that the Browns may be eyeing another Quarterback that they may be able to land at #22 – Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill. After his combine performance, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur raved about the “intelligence” of the 6-4 former Aggie. NFL Draft gurus Todd McShay (Scouts Inc., ESPN), Mel Kiper Jr (ESPN), and Mike Mayock (NFL Network) all have him as the third ranked QB in this draft and with a first round grade.
I just don’t understand why.
I am obviously not a professional scout. The draft guys love the workouts, the combines, the measurables. Give me a guy who I have seen play time and time again and who can deliver the goods, especially at the QB position. Tannehill is a measurables kind of guy.
For those who don’t know, he came to A&M as a QB, but was moved to Wide Receiver after his redshirt year in 2007. The Aggies already had Stephen McGee and the uber-athletic Jerod Johnson ahead of him. The move to receiver worked great for the team. As a redshirt freshman, Tannehill caught 55 balls for 844 yards and five TD’s. A year later, he came to Spring ball to compete for the QB job with Johnson, but lost. He would be a receiver again in 2009, where he led the team in catches and yards. But he still wanted to be a QB.
His Junior season he again sat behind Johnson while playing Wide Receiver, but would get his shot when Johnson struggled. Tannehill came off the bench to lead the Aggies to a victory against Kansas and was given the starting job the next week. He won the next five games before losing to LSU in the Cotton Bowl, but the stage was going to be set for Tannehill to have a monster Senior year where he would be “the man.”
He and his team were getting a fair share of preseason hype, especially with Tannehill expected to build off of his 5-1 record the year before. He started with two blowout wins over SMU and Idaho where he averaged 291 yards passing (70% completion rate) while throwing four TDs and one interception. But as the competition got better, Tannehill struggled. The yardage number looked great, but he threw four picks compared to two TDs in losses to Oklahoma State and Arkansas. Interestingly enough, Tannehill’s best performance of the season came in a 55-21 route of Baylor and their star QB you may have heard of before – Robert Griffin III. Tannehill threw for 415 yards and six TDs in the blowout win, but those who watched Baylor last year, you know, their defense would have a tough time stopping Little Sisters of the Poor.
On the season, Tannehill threw for 3744 yards (61% completion rate), 29 TDs and 15 INTs, while his team finished 7-6. Nice numbers no doubt, but how did he turn himself into a first round pick and why are the Browns so intrugued by him?
First and foremost, he has the size. Tannehill is 6-4, 222 lbs. He obviously has the athleticism that scouts like, considering he turned himself into a solid WR as a Freshman and Sophomore. Most important to the Browns is the fact that Tannehill comes from a pro-style, West Coast offensive system that former coach Mike Sherman ran. The newly-minted Dolphins offensive coordinator is obviously a big fan of his former QB.
“Like all good quarterbacks he had great poise. Very confident in any system, west coast or not,” Sherman said. “Any quarterback has to be confident in his own skin and believe in himself. They always say a great quarterback makes those around him better. I thought [Brett] Favre did that. I think Aaron Rodgers does that. I think Tannehill does that as well.”
That is high praise obviously from a guy who has coached all three. I am not saying that I know more than Mike Sherman, but I have watched Tannehill play several times. I can’t say I came away all that impressed. When I heard that he was rated as a first-rounder, I was actually surprised. But again, he has the size and the accumen. I look at Tannehill and I see Blaine Gabbert, the former Missouri star who struggled mightily as a first round pick in Jacksonville last season.
I put these question to you, Browns fans. If the Browns don’t get RGIII and hold their two top picks, if Tannehill is sitting there at #22, do you take him? Is Tannehill that much better than Colt McCoy right now? Are the Browns better off passing on Tannehill, adding another skill position piece at #22 and continue to build around Colt? Do you give Colt one more year and then if he fails, draft a QB high next year like say a Matt Barkley or a Landry Jones?
Did I mention the draft is still six weeks away?
(and yes, that is the Tannehill’s lady above – stands and claps for RT.)
38 Comments
With QBs, I believe that if you don’t think enough of a guy to use your first draft pick on him, you probably shouldn’t draft him in the first 4 rounds. If you truly believe a player has the stuff to be a great NFL QB, you should want to jump on him the first chance you get. The first 120 picks are way too valuable to use on a QB you don’t believe with 110% certainty will be your franchise.
The Browns passed on Colt 3 times (for Haden, Ward, and Hardesty) before picking him, passed on Charlie Frye twice and on Brady Quinn once. That says to me that there were people in the organization that (rightly) doubted each player’s ability to become a franchise QB.
Tannehill would be a complete waste of a high draft pick. Complete. Waste.
“I look at Tannehill and I see Blaine Gabbert”
Yessir. Though, I’d rather have Tannehill as he at least knows the basics of the WCO and has good footwork (which Gabbert does not). Tannehill is a rich man’s Gabbert. Not really a glowing endorsement 🙂
also, I seriously doubt the 3rd best QB in the draft is available at #37 (which is where I would take him) and have many doubts he’ll still be there at #22.
I mean Locker, Gabbert and Ponder went top12 last year. Kaepernick went in round2. Teams just cannot help themselves from overdrafting QBs.
thank you TD. not that a common sense review of his PERFORMANCE will quell the tannehill drumbeat of MKCs and JoeLulls once it starts.
if you want a value pick who can run the WCO — and who childress got to see first hand at the shrine game — BJ Coleman of UT Chattanooga. if there in 3rd take him. if childress thought he was really special, go ahead and take him in 2nd.
Posted this in the other thread. It is definitely worth the read….
http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2012/02/11/managing-the-pocket-part-ii-texas-am-qb-ryan-tannehill/
EDIT: DRAFT is 8 weeks away APR 26…
not for nothing but our current qb matches up ok in the wife/girlfriend department.
Take him without a doubt at #22, but he won’t last that long.
No comments about the girl yet? I am shocked.
I guess I spoke too soon! haha
who’s the hot blonde?
he might move up on rex ryan’s draft board based on that pic.
i mean.. check out her feet. !
Holy flat feet!
This makes me wish I could throw a football really hard. Or kinda hard in Colt’s case 🙂
She’s an All-WAG first-teamer and definitely worth a #4 and #22.
He looks like an idiot.
I would take Weeden and yes I know he’ll be 29.
Four first round picks, really? I’m already over RG3. The criteria for picking Tannehill should be the same as it is for other players. If he is the best player available when we pick, then we should take him. To me the best player is the one who improves your team the most, and I doubt that is Tannehill at 22 since his appeal is primarily due his supposed upside after playing only 1-1/2 seasons as a college QB. He’d be a major project, which means that Colt would still be the likely starter next year (and possibly beyond). But it probably doesn’t matter since early indications are that Tannehill will gone before 22 due to the Christian Ponder effect.
What is it about Texas QBs and their significant others? Maybe everything really is bigger in Texas.
In fairness to Joe Lull, if I remember correctly he was on the Tannehill bandwagon early when it might have been a value pick. I haven’t heard his opinion on the him lately, but there was an intriguing value to Tannehill before the QB hype effect started getting out of control.
That girl has some huge feet
enhhh… the reason i remember lull was because he was pounding the table for tannehill _after_ all the a&m meltdowns and tannehill gags. it stood out specifically because it reflected someone who didnt watch the games. if one had seen the games, youd temper your endorsement with an acknowledgement of ‘yes he had a bad game here’ or ‘his receivers slipped here’… but i didnt hear any of that.
i just think if youre going to be so strong on a qb like he is/has been, you should have your research up to snuff. joe’s usually better than that.
ps.. see bode’s comments in addition to mine as reflective of people who actually watched tannehill play. the gaffes really stay with you.
FA is 2 weeks away and our QB decision for the draft/FA are connected.
also, Colt stole that girl from Baylor.
Wait, people who make lots of money have attractive girlfriends?
Heckert: Hey Mike?
Holmgren: Yes Tom?
Heckert: The draft is coming up soon, what’s the book on Tannehill?
Holmgren: Look at this picture, he looks like an idiot.
Heckert: Yeah, total idiot.
Why would you do that? If you seriously wanted a near 30 QB, why not just sign Jason Campbell? He has been decent in spurts and hasnt had back-to-back seasons with the same OC. I would stay far, far away from Weeden.
I dont think Tannehill is worth it. I dont think he will upgrade greatly of McCoy, if at all. I am for RG3. No way 4 1st rounders will be traded for him. I doubt our 1st next year would even be involved. Right now there’s so much BS thrown out that you cannot believe 3/4ths the reports.
jason campbell is very much not good.
jason campbell is very much not good.
If a man does his best, what else is there?
Waiting to next year for a QB is a big gamble.
The hope is that the Browns will win more games, but then have a lower pick.
Barkley would not be available after the third pick; the Browns would need 13-14 losses.
Best scenario is Indy signs Manning, Skins sign Matt Flynn, & the price to move up drops
a lot.
The Browns should keep their position. Still too many holes to fill.
Although, I too, have cooled considerably on Colt, the fact remains that he had serious deficiencies in the running and receiving games and a spotty OL to deal with, along with no offseason to learn and practice a totally new system.
Our top three backs (Hillis, Hardesty, Jackson) missed at least half the downs played on the year…..EACH. MoMass regressed and there was liitle slack taken up by Cribbs and Little. Even Ben Watson missed considerable time.
Add to that how important Steinbach was to all three areas and that Pashos wasn’t all the way back and it’s no wonder Colt looked so undecided and would make bad throws. There was no time OR anyone there to help.
It is of my opinion that we should stand pat. We virtually have a smorgasbord of young offensive talent that’ll produce immediately for us all the way up to the #100 pick. Here’s a list with projected available pick. – * (denotes sleepers)
WR’s: Justin Blackmon, Ok.St. (4)
Kendall Wright, Bay. (22, 37)
Stephen Hill, Ga. Tech (22, 37)
Marvin Jones, Cal. (68)
Jarius Wright, Ark. (68)
Joe Adams, Ark. (68, 100)
* Marvin McNutt, Iowa (100+)
* Jordan White, W.Mi. (100+)
* Jarret Boykin, Va. Tech (100+)
RB’s: Trent Richardson, Ala. (4)
Lamar Miller, Mia. (22, 37)
Doug Martin, Boise St. (37)
Chris Polk, Was. (37, 68)
LaMichael James, Ore. (68)
Isaiah Pead, Cin. (68, 100)
* Michael Smith, Ut.St. (100+)
* Bryce Brown, Ks.St. (100+)
OL: Cordy Glenn, g/t, Ga. (22)
Kelechi Osemele, rt/g , Ia.St. (37)
Mike Adams, rt, Oh.St. (37)
Bobbie Massie, rt, Miss. (37)
Matt McCants, rt, UAB (37, 68)
Philip Blake, g/c, Bay. (68, 100)
Brandon Brooks, g, Mia.O. (37, 68)
Jeff Allen, rt, Ill. (68)
Brandon Washington, g, Mia.Fla. (68)
Kevin Zeitler, g, Wis. (68, 100)
Amini Silotalu, g/t, M’west.St. (68, 100)
Andrew Datko, rt, Fla.St. (68, 100)
Mitchell Schwartz, rt/g, Cal. (68, 100)
Lucas Nix, g/t, Pitt. (100)
Senio Kelemete, g, Was. (100)
* Al Netter, rt, N’West. (100+)
* Monase Foketi, rt, Ks.St. (100+)
If I had my way:
1a. (4) Trent Richardson, rb, Ala.
1b. (22) Andre Branch, de, Clem.
2. (37) Stephen Hill, wr, Ga.T.
3. (68) Jeff Allen, rt, Ill.
4a. (100) Philip Blake, g/c, Bay.
The Browns should keep their position. Still too many holes to fill.
Although, I too, have cooled considerably on Colt, the fact remains that he had serious deficiencies in the running and receiving games and a spotty OL to deal with, along with no offseason to learn and practice a totally new system.
Our top three backs (Hillis, Hardesty, Jackson) missed at least half the downs played on the year…..EACH. MoMass regressed and there was liitle slack taken up by Cribbs and Little. Even Ben Watson missed considerable time.
Add to that how important Steinbach was to all three areas and that Pashos wasn’t all the way back and it’s no wonder Colt looked so undecided and would make bad throws. There was no time OR anyone there to help.
It is of my opinion that we should stand pat. We virtually have a smorgasbord of young offensive talent that’ll produce immediately for us all the way up to the #100 pick. Here’s a list with projected available pick. – * (denotes sleepers)
WR’s: Justin Blackmon, Ok.St. (4)
Kendall Wright, Bay. (22, 37)
Stephen Hill, Ga. Tech (22, 37)
Marvin Jones, Cal. (68)
Jarius Wright, Ark. (68)
Joe Adams, Ark. (68, 100)
* Marvin McNutt, Iowa (100+)
* Jordan White, W.Mi. (100+)
* Jarret Boykin, Va. Tech (100+)
RB’s: Trent Richardson, Ala. (4)
Lamar Miller, Mia. (22, 37)
Doug Martin, Boise St. (37)
Chris Polk, Was. (37, 68)
LaMichael James, Ore. (68)
Isaiah Pead, Cin. (68, 100)
* Michael Smith, Ut.St. (100+)
* Bryce Brown, Ks.St. (100+)
OL: Cordy Glenn, g/t, Ga. (22)
Kelechi Osemele, rt/g , Ia.St. (37)
Mike Adams, rt, Oh.St. (37)
Bobbie Massie, rt, Miss. (37)
Matt McCants, rt, UAB (37, 68)
Philip Blake, g/c, Bay. (68, 100)
Brandon Brooks, g, Mia.O. (37, 68)
Jeff Allen, rt, Ill. (68)
Brandon Washington, g, Mia.Fla. (68)
Kevin Zeitler, g, Wis. (68, 100)
Amini Silotalu, g/t, M’west.St. (68, 100)
Andrew Datko, rt, Fla.St. (68, 100)
Mitchell Schwartz, rt/g, Cal. (68, 100)
Lucas Nix, g/t, Pitt. (100)
Senio Kelemete, g, Was. (100)
* Al Netter, rt, N’West. (100+)
* Monase Foketi, rt, Ks.St. (100+)
If I had my way:
1a. (4) Trent Richardson, rb, Ala.
1b. (22) Andre Branch, de, Clem.
2. (37) Stephen Hill, wr, Ga.T.
3. (68) Jeff Allen, rt, Ill.
4a. (100) Philip Blake, g/c, Bay.
Ryan Tannehill = Derek Anderson version 2.0.
That’s really all that needs to be said. Look at the college stats. Tannehill completed a higher percentage of his passes, but the interception totals and physical attributes seem to match. Tannehill was terrible against good defense. I wouldn’t touch him with your team’s draft pick.
https://www.winningfantasyfootball.com
Thank God you don’t have your way, it would be a complete waste of a draft. If you don’t have a QB (and we don’t) you don’t compete in the NFL – period. The whole “way too many holes to fill” argument is complete crap. We are in an incredibly advantageous spot to pick up one of the best and “cleanest” QB prospects to come out in some time, one with a high, high, ceiling. You don’t pass that up. There will be free agency and other draft picks to build the rest of the offense, I don’t understand why so many people forget that – we won’t have to “mortgage the future” at all.
i might quibble with a couple picks and your rankings here and there, but overall i think your analysis is on the money.
(ps, blake would be a superlative 4th round pick if he’s there.)