Well I like the look of the possible Washington Post sports section headline even if it is a bit premature........
Who can remember an NFL draft with four quality quarterbacks in the offering? Two, possibly three going early in the first round? All from big time programs, all having household names, and all with some sort of baggage.
Mike Shanahan, the something like 30th new head coach in 11 or 13 years for the Washington Redskins (Deadskins) is dying to bring in a young buck to nurture and put under his wing to help build back up the franchise. The current QB, Jason Campbell is at best an expensive holdover placeholder. Recently purchased from the Bears, Rex Grossman can only be an insurance policy. Not sure the status of Colt Brennan or what’s his name, Richard Bartel, but one will be history by fall camp. Rumors around town indicate Shanahan is going to do any and everything to land Sam Bradford. This means dealing with the Rams who have the first overall pick and who really like Bradford as well. Of course, a lot of this is bluffing and posturing, all part of the high stakes drafting game. The Skins have the fourth pick, but really need to rebuild their offensive line.
The Redskins let former Notre Damer Hunter Smith go due to free agency (plus a nagging groin injury), so currently there are no former Notre Dame players on their active roster. This is intolerable and I’ve let owner Little Danny Snyder know it. I’m hoping Shanahan will come to his senses and pick up Jimmy Clausen.
Jimmy is behind the power curve right now because of his toe injury and not being able to try-out at the NFL Combine. Of course, he was not the only one, but Bradford, Tebow, and McCoy now have been performing private auditions all over the place. Jimmy is scheduled for a special NLF scout showing in South Bend, before draft day. He alos has a number of private workouts scheduled as well.
Here is one possible order the four will be drafted but have no idea by which team due to all the cards being played so closely to the vest.
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma. Excess baggage: Serious shoulder injury early in the 2009 season. Just coming off shoulder reconstruction surgery.
Tim Tebow, Florida. Excess baggage: Playing almost exclusively from the shotgun. Footwork, throwing motion suspect.
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame. Excess baggage: Rumors (From ESPN/McShay) of not being a leader or team player. Did not do as well as expected on the Combine intelligence test. Has yet to show his stuff for the NFL scouts.
Colt McCoy, Texas. Excess baggage: Shoulder injury. Lack of arm strength.
Stay tuned on ESPN for April 22-24 draft. Well at least the first round anyway.
UPDATE: Well for cryin out loud. The Redskins traded two draft picks for Donovan McNabb. Probably the right choice for an instant restart of an awful offense.
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