2011 NFL Draft

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by Lotus

KaepKrusader, what do you think about the idea that we already have a center - Kory L. Kory L. might be at his best at center. What we actually need is a guard. What think ye?

I agree he would be best at the center position. At this point in his career is he better than Rabach? Yes. Is he a long term viable starter for this team? No. I think he is a good back up/role player for us since he is somewhat versatile. I just think a position along the line as important as center in the ZB scheme needs a new, fresh, young guy to come in and be a long time contributer. Or at least someone younger in FA.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

I can understand hyping him up this offseason. Last offseason though, not so much.




I get your concern, especially since I have it to, but I think we weigh competition levels way more then we should. A lot of people don't realize that a lot of quality football players are going to these mid major programs like Boise State, Fresno State, and even Nevada. In fact Fresno State's coach has an anybody, anytime, anywhere policy when it comes to scheduling yet they get turned down constantly because college football is a "year long playoff" that lets you choose who you want to play and most schools across the country would rather play FCS schools then mid majors like Fresno.



We're also in a day and age where we've seen Appalachian State beat Michigan in Ann Arbor. Boise State beating Oklahoma in a BcS bowl game. Joe Flacco is among the best young QB's in the game despite playing at an FCS school.

Anyway the point of all this soapbox ranting is the possibility (not the fact) that someone like Kaepernick was overlooked when he was 17 or 18 by the major schools and in 4 years at Nevada has taken his physical skill set and turned himself into a quality QB. If that's so then the strength of schedule should be an afterthought. At the very least he has intangibles that coaches love. Maybe not as good as Tebow but at least in the same ballpark.

Either way I won't know how I truly feel about Kaepernick (and Dalton/Ponder/Stanzi) until draft day. If Shanahan or some other QB guru takes him then thats a pretty good indication that he could turn into the real deal.

Good points. This is nothing new for pro scouts either. Our beloved teams of the 80s & the 49ers were known for finding diamonds in the rough of small school teams, before the term "mid majors" was even used. Darrell Green & Jerry Rice to name a couple HOFers e.g.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

I agree he would be best at the center position. At this point in his career is he better than Rabach? Yes. Is he a long term viable starter for this team? No. I think he is a good back up/role player for us since he is somewhat versatile. I just think a position along the line as important as center in the ZB scheme needs a new, fresh, young guy to come in and be a long time contributer. Or at least someone younger in FA.

Fair enough. I think I like Kory L. better than you do. But far be it from me to argue against feeding the front. You can never be too good up front.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by BuckSkin

30gut, you've posted some of the most comprehensive QB stats here. What is your take on Kaepernick? I thought he looked good at the Sr. Bowl, but honestly that is the only time I've seen him play.

Kaep is the QB I know the least about, because unlike Gabbert, Locker and Newton I haven't charted any of Kaepernicks games.

I've only watched (not charted) some cut-ups.

My take:
NFL Size, his arm strength is right up there with Mallett,Newton and Locker some think he has the strongest arm in the draft.

His motion isn't as clean as those guys it looks like he pauses at some point in his release.
But although his motion isn't as efficient as the other guys he does get the ball out plenty quick and he hits what he's throwing at.
Is it a big deal? I don't know, it might not even need to be fixed and if it did it could probably be fixed much more easily then Tebow's motion.

Very athletic, good open field runner with good speed.

Increased his completion % as a senior which is a good sign.

In short I think he's a kid that has great physical tools NFL size, above average arm but doesn't have a clean throwing motion, above average athleticism, was a productive 4 year starter.
Imo he starts off behind the development curve because of his college offense and level competition and also depending on how teams view his throwing motion.

I would put him behind the top 4 prospects Newton, Locker, Gabbert, Mallett and somewhere in the mix with Ponder, Dalton but ahead of Stanzi.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

I would respect Kaepernicks game more if he did these great numbers against a conference that was good, not the WAC, you know who also put great numbers against the WAC..Pineapple Jesus. On a similar note who was the last good WAC QB in the NFL?

I would refute this point but it has already been done for me by others. I don't think that you can respect a player less automatically just because he has not played in a power conference. My case in point. Let's compare Cam Newton to Kaepernick...

Cam Newton: 6'6' 250 lbs. Backup at Florida. Transfers to Binn College (JUCO). Transfers to Auburn for one season. Newton is a physical freak. He can run and extend the play and his stats this season were exceptionally good. 66.1% Completion Percentage. 2854 Yards. 30 TD. 7 INT. He has a history of academic cheating, and stealing. Seen as a head case with a big star mentality. Newton's knock besides this is that he had one year as a starter in a major college football setting.


Colin Kaepernick: 6'6' 225 lbs. 4 year starter out of Nevada. Most statistical numbers improved each of his four year. 64.9% Completion Percentage. 3022 Yards. 21 TD. 8 INT. Kaepernick has had four years to improve, and has, and while he is not as much of a physical freak as Newton, he has a ton of intangibles and upside, maybe more than anyone else, without the apparent headaches of premadonnaism and inflated egos that come with someone like Newton.

My point is this. Is Kaepernick as good as Newton? No. I think he could be and he has shown steady improvement. Is the ceiling higher for Newton? Probably, but it also could be a lot closer for Newton being a screw up IMO. If a guy like this had these similar skill and intangibles that people seem to covet, why take the risk on the ego of someone like Newton, when you can get virtually the same package at a lower cost?

Just because Newton went to Auburn and Kaepernick went to Nevada doesn't mean Newton is a hugely more talented player (albeit I will concede I think he does have more raw talent than Kaepernick). It simply means that scouts didn't see him like they did Newton. The tables could be turned and Kaepernick could have been recruited by a power conference. Their numbers are very similar statistically. I think as others have said, too many people take too much into account when looking at what conference a player was in and what teams they played against, instead of their athletic ability and skill sets.

Sincerely,
The KaepKrusader

[Terpfan76]

Originally Posted by mlmdub130

jesus, no s. i never knew his numbers were that bad, his completion percentage is a joke..

Him and Joe Namath are two of the most overrated qbs to ever play. Neither one really has any business being in the HOF. Especially Bradshaw. He won 4 SB's playing behind a stout offensive line, handing the ball off to Franco and Rocky and heaving the ball down field hoping that Stallworth/Swann would make some kind of acrobatic catch, not to mention having one of the greatest defenses ever assembled. Damn I hate Pittsburgh!

[MTK]

You can't really compare guys like Namath and Bradshaw to today's standards. Different game back then, different rules, and the 16 game season didn't start until 1978. Look at any of the greats prior to 1980 or so and their numbers aren't all that impressive when compared to today's QBs.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

I agree he would be best at the center position. At this point in his career is he better than Rabach? Yes. Is he a long term viable starter for this team? No. I think he is a good back up/role player for us since he is somewhat versatile. I just think a position along the line as important as center in the ZB scheme needs a new, fresh, young guy to come in and be a long time contributer. Or at least someone younger in FA.

Cory L. at center, or Montgomery for that matter, does seem like a very possible change. I could see a camp competition, if there is one. Mike Williams will hopefully be back to play RG. Then, what about Hicks? He might be gone.

[Dirtbag59]

Interesting tidbit about this years draft. Without a CBA teams aren't allowed to trade next years picks.

[skinsfaninok]

^ I just saw that also, sucks

[GTripp0012]

Still waiting to get fired up about this draft. I haven't really been in the loop...because I haven't really tried to be.

Could we hit April before I catch draft fever? Possibly.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

Interesting tidbit about this years draft. Without a CBA teams aren't allowed to trade next years picks.

Great news! We're assured of having at least 8 picks next year, assuming there is a draft in 2012.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Still waiting to get fired up about this draft. I haven't really been in the loop...because I haven't really tried to be.

Could we hit April before I catch draft fever? Possibly.

I'm so ready for this draft, but I always am.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Still waiting to get fired up about this draft. I haven't really been in the loop...because I haven't really tried to be.

Could we hit April before I catch draft fever? Possibly.

GT, sure you have an opinion about Cory L. playing center as was mentioned earlier?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

Interesting tidbit about this years draft. Without a CBA teams aren't allowed to trade next years picks.

Didn't we talk about that last week? Anyhow, yeah that certainly will impact what we can and can't do