Would you be ok with...

[Dirtbag59]

Ironically I never labled Flacco, Ryan, and Ben as elite QB's. What I did say was that they were QB's that were able to contribute right away. They weren't projects. However it's certainly not difficult to make a case for them considering the fact that all three posted 90+ ratings this past year.

Anyway the link between Ryan, Ben, Marino and Flacco was good enough mobility that allowed them to buy an extra second or two in the pocket. Thereby creating a push against their inexperience in reading NFL defensive coverage. I can't think of any pure pocket passer that experienced anywhere near the level of success achieved by the four I mentioned during their rookie season.

Here's more detail on why Mallet qualifies as a project:

- His pro style system has failed to produce one even mediocre QB at the NFL level. In fact the most promising prospect to come through the NFL ranks was cut during training camp (see Brian Brohm, Chris Redman, Stefen LeFors, Dave Ragone).

- Fine he played in an elite conference. It was suppose to help good old Eli take the NFL by storm (that storm took 4 regular seasons to develop) as well as our very own Campbell. Stafford is promising but he certainly didn't post great numbers right away.

- Also if we take away the 3 games where he got to play with a vaunted SEC team against the children of the poor (Tenn Tech, Lou-Monroe, UTEP) his numbers go down from 32 TD passes and 12 Ints to 21 TD passes and 10 ints.

His completion percentage also drops to 62%. Which while accurate doesn't qualify him as extremely accurate. Especially when compared to the 55% and 43% (yes 43%) he posted the previous two years.

- He doesn't have nearly enough mobility to compensate for his lack of knowledge in regards to NFL speed and coverage schemes. So unless he gets the line that protects Brady or the one that protects Sanchez he will see the same level of pressure that he saw against Ohio State.

And the saddest thing about all this is I don't even hate Mallet. In fact I'm intrigued by him as a QB prospect. I don't know if he's right for our system but if our team drafts him I'll surely know the answer. However the only chance he has to develop ahead of the curve is a great O-line. And very few teams have that.

PS - I'll have you know I watched him against UGA, Auburn, Alabama, and Ohio State from start to finish. So please don't play the "you've never watched him play" card.