2018 NFL off-season thread: Mr. Alex Smith goes to Washington

I'm not crazy about this QB class, I imagine much of the hype though is due to next year's draft class looking even bleaker. Shea Patterson is currently expected to be the top QB in the class.

 

Every QB class is overrated.

 

Also underrated. There was much handwringing, sneering and scornful laughter when Goff and Wentz went 1-2.

 

Also notable, about half of the starting QBs in the NFL last year were drafted after the 1st round.

 

Paul Depodesta should never live down saying a player who essentially was the NFL MVP wasn't "one of the 20 best players in the draft.

 

I really hate the lead-up to the draft. You have analysts touting fellow clients of their agents, teams doing their best to hide their intentions. I truly think most teams miss on QBs not because they misevaluate the player, but don't understand their own team enough to realize if the player is a fit or not. I also think more than a few teams have little problem with throwing a first round pick at a QB whether he deserves it or not a) because it gives the fans hope, b) gives the team someone to "market" and c) they know it won't kill their cap structure if he fails. You get cap certainty for three years.

 

And then, after all of the hype about the skill position players, the top five picks usually include three offensive lineman and a defensive tackle you've barely heard of.

 

Nobody will admit this, but one of the biggest deals coming out of the combine isn't the "numbers" so much but how well players have prepared for it. It's a good gauge of work ethic and a player's ability and desire to improve in the off-season when he doesn't have a coach breathing down his neck. With the diminished practice and "team" time - players really have to do a lot of stuff on their own to succeed in the NFL.

 

Doesn’t get much cooler than the one-handed UCF kid putting on a prosthetic and doing 20 reps on the bench.

 

I've known the Griffin brothers since they were in middle school and they are alpha competitive kids that are also a lot of fun to be around. Whether Shaquem gets drafted or not I have no doubt he'll find his way on a roster and stick, even if he's just doing special teams.

 

Dearest Mother,

The enemy is spreading false rumors designed to weaken our morale. Their latest one is that I am being reassigned to the Brown unit in the Land of Cleve. Ignore what is being said. I have been reassured by Gen. Irsay and Major Ballard that I am more valuable to them than a half dozen raw recruits. Keep your morale high, and please, send more fried raccoon intestines. The last batch was quite tasty with hardtack.

Your loving son,

Capt. Andrew Luck