Today, April 5th, is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pro day. It's the first time that Jimmy Clausen, injured during in the 2009 college football season, will throw in front of NFL scouts.
That means it's a big day for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If Clausen is impressive it could drastically improve his draft stock. The Rams have made several moves which demonstrate they are working toward resolving a weak quarterback position with the #1 overall pick, but Sam Bradford rates higher than Jimmy Clausen and seems to be their preference. That could leave a scramble to get the #2 overall pick away from Detroit by Seattle, Cleveland, or Washington.
If the Rams select Bradford #1, they guarantee the Buccaneers will either have DL Ndamukong Suh or DL Gerald McCoy available to pick at the #3 position. If anyone picks Jimmy Clausen at #2, the Buccaneers would be able to choose from the top players at all other positions. Suh and McCoy are the top at their position and a would fill in nicely in the young core defense next to 2009 draft pick Roy Miller.
A good showing for Clausen could mean a better defensive line for the Buccaneers. Have a great workout, Jimmy!
Showing posts with label Jimmy Clausen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jimmy Clausen. Show all posts
Monday, April 5, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
2010 Draft: Quarterback and Offensive Lineman Off the Board
Here is the scenario:
#1 Pick: Saint Louis chooses Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma
#2 Pick: Detroit chooses Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
I'm not the only one who thinks this is a possibility.
The only question with this scenario: Would the bedlam in Oklahoma (top 2 picks!!) be crazier than the bedlam in the Buccaneers draft room? The only two teams ahead of the Buccaneers go offense with picks for positions Tampa Bay is probably not concerned about this year. They leave the board wide open with every top ranked defensive player available. Certainly the pick would be Ndamukong Suh, DL from Nebraska, or Gerald McCoy, DL from Oklahoma (rumor has is that Suh would be preferred). What could possibly be better?
Believe it or not, there is one trade offer in this situation which may be worth considering.
Pick #4 is the Washington Redskins and Pick #5 is the Kansas City Chiefs. I suspect that the Redskins are interested in Jimmy Clausen. I also suspect since Charlie Weis is the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs that the Chiefs would not pass on Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame) should he fall past the Redskins. Clausen would have extra time to develop behind Matt Cassel in Kansas City. Cassel is locked up in a very heavy contract until 2014, but that is just 4 seasons away. Cassel took a beating last year and even if the Chiefs look to the 2010 draft for help on the offensive line it will take time to develop. So holding a quarterback on the bench for a year or two would not be a bad idea and the Chiefs would be well served to pick up a good offensive linemen and ignore Clausen. However, there are eight 2010 offensive line prospects thought to project into the first and second rounds. Depending on how their draft board stacks up the Chiefs may be comfortable putting off an offensive line selection until either of their second round picks (36th and 50th overall). If that is the case and they value Clausen highly they could try to trade up above the Redskins. If the Redskins also value Clausen, they may try to trade up to assure they get the quarterback they want.
In this scenario, if the Bucs were to trade with Washington, they would still get their choice of the defensive linemen they covet, plus additional picks in who-knows-what rounds or years. If this offer is on the table, this would be the no-brainer oprtion, adding twice as much bedlam to the Buccaneers war room.
Under this scenario, the Bucs could also opt to trade with the Chiefs and still have (at least) one of the top defensive linemen in the draft still available. Again they would also gain some variety of additional picks. If this offer is on the table it is a harder choice. If the Chiefs do indeed want to take Clausen, this trade only makes sense if Tampa Bay considers the two defensive linemen absolutely equal. If they prefer one over the other for any reason they would most likely not trade with the Chiefs.
If the Bucs trade with any other team they cast the dice on seeing either defensive lineman drop to them. Is there any price that could make that happen? Perhaps. Keep in mind that the Seattle Seahawks and San Franciso 49ers have two first round picks this year and the New England Patriots have three second round picks this year. In a draft this deep more picks can make for a very bright future. I am quite sure it would have to be a very, very nice fat offer to move the Buccaneers.
All in all, this scenario is the best of all worlds for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At worst they end up with the defensive lineman they want the most. At best they pull a trade, get extra picks, and still get one of the top defensive linemen. This is the situation I'll be hoping for all day on April 22nd.
#1 Pick: Saint Louis chooses Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma
#2 Pick: Detroit chooses Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
I'm not the only one who thinks this is a possibility.
The only question with this scenario: Would the bedlam in Oklahoma (top 2 picks!!) be crazier than the bedlam in the Buccaneers draft room? The only two teams ahead of the Buccaneers go offense with picks for positions Tampa Bay is probably not concerned about this year. They leave the board wide open with every top ranked defensive player available. Certainly the pick would be Ndamukong Suh, DL from Nebraska, or Gerald McCoy, DL from Oklahoma (rumor has is that Suh would be preferred). What could possibly be better?
Believe it or not, there is one trade offer in this situation which may be worth considering.
Pick #4 is the Washington Redskins and Pick #5 is the Kansas City Chiefs. I suspect that the Redskins are interested in Jimmy Clausen. I also suspect since Charlie Weis is the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs that the Chiefs would not pass on Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame) should he fall past the Redskins. Clausen would have extra time to develop behind Matt Cassel in Kansas City. Cassel is locked up in a very heavy contract until 2014, but that is just 4 seasons away. Cassel took a beating last year and even if the Chiefs look to the 2010 draft for help on the offensive line it will take time to develop. So holding a quarterback on the bench for a year or two would not be a bad idea and the Chiefs would be well served to pick up a good offensive linemen and ignore Clausen. However, there are eight 2010 offensive line prospects thought to project into the first and second rounds. Depending on how their draft board stacks up the Chiefs may be comfortable putting off an offensive line selection until either of their second round picks (36th and 50th overall). If that is the case and they value Clausen highly they could try to trade up above the Redskins. If the Redskins also value Clausen, they may try to trade up to assure they get the quarterback they want.
In this scenario, if the Bucs were to trade with Washington, they would still get their choice of the defensive linemen they covet, plus additional picks in who-knows-what rounds or years. If this offer is on the table, this would be the no-brainer oprtion, adding twice as much bedlam to the Buccaneers war room.
Under this scenario, the Bucs could also opt to trade with the Chiefs and still have (at least) one of the top defensive linemen in the draft still available. Again they would also gain some variety of additional picks. If this offer is on the table it is a harder choice. If the Chiefs do indeed want to take Clausen, this trade only makes sense if Tampa Bay considers the two defensive linemen absolutely equal. If they prefer one over the other for any reason they would most likely not trade with the Chiefs.
If the Bucs trade with any other team they cast the dice on seeing either defensive lineman drop to them. Is there any price that could make that happen? Perhaps. Keep in mind that the Seattle Seahawks and San Franciso 49ers have two first round picks this year and the New England Patriots have three second round picks this year. In a draft this deep more picks can make for a very bright future. I am quite sure it would have to be a very, very nice fat offer to move the Buccaneers.
All in all, this scenario is the best of all worlds for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At worst they end up with the defensive lineman they want the most. At best they pull a trade, get extra picks, and still get one of the top defensive linemen. This is the situation I'll be hoping for all day on April 22nd.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Clausen to Visit Redskins This Weekend
NFL.com has reported that Jimmy Clausen will be spending the weekend with the Washington Redskins.
This is no surprise to Stowaway regulars, and great news for all Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans. The more the quarterbacks move up the draft boards, the more likely Tampa Bay will get one of the two coveted defensive linemen with the overall third pick.
Clausen still has his pro day coming up and most likely will be making visits to other teams. Here's hoping he has a great time in the nation's capital this weekend!!
This is no surprise to Stowaway regulars, and great news for all Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans. The more the quarterbacks move up the draft boards, the more likely Tampa Bay will get one of the two coveted defensive linemen with the overall third pick.
Clausen still has his pro day coming up and most likely will be making visits to other teams. Here's hoping he has a great time in the nation's capital this weekend!!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Free Agency: Rams Leave Hints With Early Moves
Since the end of the 2009 Season, the Saint Louis Rams General Manager Billy Devaney has been busy looking for players who can help his team improve. None of the moves are significant enough to tell us what Saint Louis might do with the first pick in the 2010 draft:
1/6 - OC Drew Miller signed.
1/6 - OG Mark Lewis signed.
1/6 - DE Sean Conover signed.
1/8 - CB Marcus Brown signed.
1/13 - LB Dominic Douglas signed.
1/13 - TE Eric Butler signed.
1/20 - DT Chris Bradwell signed.
1/28 - WR Nick Moore signed.
2/17 - TE Derek Fine acquired from waivers.
However, two moves on the first day of free agency could be the best insight thus far regarding the Rams intentions with the #1 pick in the 2010 Draft: the Rams cut Kyle Boller (QB, 7 years) and signed AJ Feeley (QB, 10 years). These two moves speak volumes about the quarterback situation in Saint Louis as well as confirm the initial review of the Saint Louis situation heading into the 2010 offseason. The Rams need a new quarterback.
The situation:
- The incumbant, Marc Bulger, finished 2009 on injured reserve. Bulger's situation was recently summarized as:
- Kyle Boller was the #2 QB in 2009 appearing in 7 games and starting 4 for the Rams. He obviously did not show enough to be either the backup or the plan for the future. Boller had signed a one year contract in April 2009. Since he has now been cut Boller is not an option.
- Perhaps the Rams are considering giving the reins over to 2009 6th round selection QB Keith Null. Null started four games including the season finale for Saint Louis. His performance was not exceptional but he does have a full offseason and preseason to improve. Null is one option.
- In December (as insurance when Marc Bulger went on the Injured Reserve List), the Rams signed Mike Reilly off the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Reilly did not play in 2009 and is an undrafted 2nd year player. Only the Rams know what they have with this player. Since he is still on the roster it appears that Reilly is an option.
After these four players there are only two other options -- free agency and the 2010 draft. The Rams moved quickly on the first day of free agency.
But is free agency the answer? AJ Freeley has appeared in five games in the past six years while bouncing through four different rosters (San Diego, Miami, Philadelphia, and spent 2009 on the Carolina roster). He did not take a snap for Carolina last year. Is this 10 year veteran the answer? He is certainly part of the answer or he would not have been signed -- but most likely only a short term answer. Freeley is an option.
That brings us to the 2010 Draft and the Rams #1 pick. It appears that this is where they will look to find their long term answer to compliment AJ Freeley as the short term answer. The top two QBs in the 2010 draft appear to be Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame). Both Bradford and Clausen were injured in 2009. To compensate for recovery time a team would need two experienced QBs to run the show while the rookie completes rehabilitation. Saint Louis has set themselves up for this situation with Feeley and Null. By getting the pieces in place right away the Rams have given themselves the maximum time to evaluate both 2010 draft candidates. However, I think it is more likely that the Rams have already decided that one or both of the 2010 quarterback draft candidates are player(s) they want to target. Said another way, by the Rams knowing what they would pursue with their draft strategy a clear set of needs dictated their early free agent moves (instead of making the moves in hope of finding out if one of the quarterbacks was healthy enough to be the player they need).
And so comes the pressure of the pick: The Rams selected 2nd in 2009. Matthew Stafford was off the board but Mark Sanchez was not. The Rams picked an offensive tackle and Sanchez took the Jets to the playoffs. In 2008, the Rams also selected second and picked a defensive end. The third pick that year was Matt Ryan who took the Atlanta Falcons to the playoffs. Can the Rams afford to pass a third time on a young signal caller?
I fully expect the Rams will be selecting a quarterback with their #1 pick in the 2010 draft.
1/6 - OC Drew Miller signed.
1/6 - OG Mark Lewis signed.
1/6 - DE Sean Conover signed.
1/8 - CB Marcus Brown signed.
1/13 - LB Dominic Douglas signed.
1/13 - TE Eric Butler signed.
1/20 - DT Chris Bradwell signed.
1/28 - WR Nick Moore signed.
2/17 - TE Derek Fine acquired from waivers.
However, two moves on the first day of free agency could be the best insight thus far regarding the Rams intentions with the #1 pick in the 2010 Draft: the Rams cut Kyle Boller (QB, 7 years) and signed AJ Feeley (QB, 10 years). These two moves speak volumes about the quarterback situation in Saint Louis as well as confirm the initial review of the Saint Louis situation heading into the 2010 offseason. The Rams need a new quarterback.
The situation:
- The incumbant, Marc Bulger, finished 2009 on injured reserve. Bulger's situation was recently summarized as:
"Bulger signed a six-year, $65 million contract extension in 2007, and next season, he's due $8.5 million, which is a large amount for a quarterback who hasn't performed well or stayed healthy the past three seasons. He has passer ratings of 70.3, 71.4 and 70.7, respectively, in the last three seasons and missed 11 games because of injuries."
- Sam Wyche, NFL.com columnistIt appears that Bulger is not an option.
- Kyle Boller was the #2 QB in 2009 appearing in 7 games and starting 4 for the Rams. He obviously did not show enough to be either the backup or the plan for the future. Boller had signed a one year contract in April 2009. Since he has now been cut Boller is not an option.
- Perhaps the Rams are considering giving the reins over to 2009 6th round selection QB Keith Null. Null started four games including the season finale for Saint Louis. His performance was not exceptional but he does have a full offseason and preseason to improve. Null is one option.
- In December (as insurance when Marc Bulger went on the Injured Reserve List), the Rams signed Mike Reilly off the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Reilly did not play in 2009 and is an undrafted 2nd year player. Only the Rams know what they have with this player. Since he is still on the roster it appears that Reilly is an option.
After these four players there are only two other options -- free agency and the 2010 draft. The Rams moved quickly on the first day of free agency.
But is free agency the answer? AJ Freeley has appeared in five games in the past six years while bouncing through four different rosters (San Diego, Miami, Philadelphia, and spent 2009 on the Carolina roster). He did not take a snap for Carolina last year. Is this 10 year veteran the answer? He is certainly part of the answer or he would not have been signed -- but most likely only a short term answer. Freeley is an option.
That brings us to the 2010 Draft and the Rams #1 pick. It appears that this is where they will look to find their long term answer to compliment AJ Freeley as the short term answer. The top two QBs in the 2010 draft appear to be Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame). Both Bradford and Clausen were injured in 2009. To compensate for recovery time a team would need two experienced QBs to run the show while the rookie completes rehabilitation. Saint Louis has set themselves up for this situation with Feeley and Null. By getting the pieces in place right away the Rams have given themselves the maximum time to evaluate both 2010 draft candidates. However, I think it is more likely that the Rams have already decided that one or both of the 2010 quarterback draft candidates are player(s) they want to target. Said another way, by the Rams knowing what they would pursue with their draft strategy a clear set of needs dictated their early free agent moves (instead of making the moves in hope of finding out if one of the quarterbacks was healthy enough to be the player they need).
And so comes the pressure of the pick: The Rams selected 2nd in 2009. Matthew Stafford was off the board but Mark Sanchez was not. The Rams picked an offensive tackle and Sanchez took the Jets to the playoffs. In 2008, the Rams also selected second and picked a defensive end. The third pick that year was Matt Ryan who took the Atlanta Falcons to the playoffs. Can the Rams afford to pass a third time on a young signal caller?
I fully expect the Rams will be selecting a quarterback with their #1 pick in the 2010 draft.
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