S.B. Nation, Kansas City- "2011 NFL Draft Order: Who Needs QB Blaine Gabbert?". (Mentions Redskins/McNabb) http://kansascity.sbnation.com

[bishtw]

http://kansascity.sbnation.com/misso...bbert-redskins

2011 NFL Draft Order: Who Needs QB Blaine Gabbert?

by Joel Thorman

The interesting part of the 2011 NFL draft order is complete -- the non-playoff team part. We know the top 20 in the 2011 NFL draft order but the NFL playoff picture will decide how No. 21-32 round out. But we do know that the Carolina Panthers have the top pick in the draft while the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills follow them. The top five is rounded out by the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals.

Missouri Tigers QB Blaine Gabbert has been called a first round pick, if he decides to leave Mizzou early, and some analysts even have him as the second ranked quarterback behind Standford QB Andrew Luck. So where will Gabbert go? I'm having trouble finding many teams at the top that need a quarterback.

The Panthers recently drafted Jimmy Clausen and would take Luck first. The Broncos invested a first round pick in Tim Tebow. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a solid year in Buffalo and even got some Pro Bowl votes. The Bengals still have Carson Palmer and Arizona has John Skelton and Max Hall, while Cleveland invested a third round pick in Colt McCoy. The 49ers are certainly looking for a quarterback and it's possible the Titans are, too. The Cowboys aren't looking for a quarterback but the Redskins are.

The Redskins would be the perfect scenario for Blaine Gabbert. He would be going to Mike Shanahan, who has done a solid job with quarterbacks in his day, and with Donovan McNabb likely leaving there wouldn't be much competition for him.

Of course a million things change between now and the 2011 NFL draft in April. There's the all-star games, the combine, interviews and workouts with the teams, free agency and all sorts of things that will make a player rise a round or two or drop a round or two.

Here's the NFL draft order as we know it:

1. Carolina (2-14)
2. Denver (4-12)
3. Buffalo (4-12)
4. Cincinnati (4-12)
5. Arizona (5-11)
6. Cleveland (5-11)
7. San Francisco (6-10)
8. Tennessee (6-10)
9. Dallas (6-10)
10. Washington (6-10)

Click Link at top for the rest of the article.

[jsharrin55]

Missouri Tigers QB Blaine Gabbert has been called a first round pick, if he decides to leave Mizzou early, and some analysts even have him as the second ranked quarterback behind Standford QB Andrew Luck. So where will Gabbert go? I'm having trouble finding many teams at the top that need a quarterback.

The Panthers recently drafted Jimmy Clausen and would take Luck first. The Broncos invested a first round pick in Tim Tebow. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a solid year in Buffalo and even got some Pro Bowl votes. The Bengals still have Carson Palmer and Arizona has John Skelton and Max Hall, while Cleveland invested a third round pick in Colt McCoy. The 49ers are certainly looking for a quarterback and it's possible the Titans are, too. The Cowboys aren't looking for a quarterback but the Redskins are.

All those teams could use one. And knowing WE need one the Cowboys can **** us and trade down with someone like Miami, Seattle, Minnesota just to keep us from getting one.

[nightbird]

This article is confusing.

"Arizona has John Skelton and Max Hall."

Ummmm, on what planet is that a good thing?

The writer seems to think Arizona doesn't need a QB because they have those two stiffs.

[Forehead]

There's a lot of problems with that article. Carolina needs a QB badly. Buffalo does too, unless they really think Ryan Fitzpatrick can lead them anywhere (He can't.) Cincinatti needs a QB, they must be kidding if they think Carson Palmer has much of anything left. Have they watched him this year? Arizona might have something in Skelton, but he was a late round pick and they have no idea what he can really bring to the table. Max Hall isn't very good. Cleveland may actually believe in McCoy, but SF needs a QB. Tennessee needs a QB unless they can control Vince Young's ongoing head case issues. Hell, even Dallas could take a look. Tony Romo is going to be 31 years old next season and just missed most of this last season with a broken something. Not likely, but an outside chance.

Point is, there are a hell of a lot of teams in front of us that could use a QB. And as far as Gabbert goes, I've heard a lot of good things about him, but read something on Walterfootball today that made me curious:

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Height: 6-5. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round (2011): Top 20 Pick.
Blaine Gabbert is fat, inaccurate and unprepared to play in an NFL offense. That's why he'll be a top-20 pick. Umm... what?

Can someone shed some light on this? Is that an accurate description by any means?

[NattyBo]

There are a couple of guys in the "draft database" thread that hype Gabbert endlessly, but I've seen a fairly decent sample size (>10? maybe?) and I don't see it. He's not bad by any means, but he's prone to throw really inaccurate short balls. I can't see Shanahan dumping McNabb for another guy with short range accuracy issues. I'd rather just wait to draft a QB at this point and build a line that could protect the investment first.

[LetThePointsSoar]

This article is confusing.

"Arizona has John Skelton and Max Hall."

Ummmm, on what planet is that a good thing?

The writer seems to think Arizona doesn't need a QB because they have those two stiffs.

From reports I've read, many people think Arizona has the QB they want to build around for the next few years in Skelton. Not saying I agree, just repeating what I've heard.

bishtw - nice find, hope that eye's feelin better brotha

[laxpck]

Point is Blaine Gabbert has ONE HELL of an agent to be able to get his name into the national media. Or that agent has good friends in the national media, who he has paid to be his friends, so this stuff can happen.....once we as fans realize that all national sports media is controlled by agent lobby money we will be better off.

[SMOSS89]

Even if he is the second best QB prospect, Skins don't have good enough draft position to get him.

[texasthunder]

I can see Arizona going after McNabb, someone that would give Skelton some tutoring.
Buffalo does seem genuinely satisfied with Fitzpatrick.
Carolina will go for Luck if he comes out, if not they wont use a #1 pick on Gabbert.
Cinncinati and the 49rs are the real unknown.
Depending on what the new head coachs will want, Cinn. could jettison Palmer.
And where Palmer lands could impact some of the other spots.

The 49rs are really hot for Harbaugh, if they land him then they may make a trade up with Carolina to grab Luck.
Then there is Tennessee, if Fisher is gone they keep V. Young. IMHO, if Fisher stays then V. Young is gone.

If Shanahan really likes Gabbert then I would not be surprised to see him trade up with Buffalo to get his man.
Me, I wouldnt do it, but there is no telling what Coach Mike would do.

[VetMinimum+Incentives]

Even if he is the second best QB prospect, Skins don't have good enough draft position to get him.

I think you're right. Todd McShay has him going 5th to Arizona. I wouldn't rule out Buffalo or Cincy if they decide to select Palmers replacement as possible landing spiots in the top 5 as well.

Our next full mock first round is still a couple of weeks away, but here's a quick look at how I see the top five playing out right now.

All five of the players below are underclassmen who have until mid-January to decide whether they will enter the draft, so this is obviously subject to change. But as things stand today, there is little question who the top pick would be.

1. Carolina Panthers -- Stanford QB Andrew Luck
Luck is the highest-graded quarterback since Matt Ryan in 2008 and will be the face of the franchise that drafts him for years.

2. Denver Broncos -- Auburn DT Nick Fairley
A versatile lineman with the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, Fairley would help shore up a defense that has been a mess for some time now.

3. Buffalo Bills -- LSU CB Patrick Peterson
Peterson's combination of size, instincts and athleticism would be an instant upgrade for the Bills both on defense and in the return game.

4. Cincinnati Bengals -- Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers
The Bengals managed only 27 sacks in 2010 and could use Bowers' quickness and athleticism off the edge. He also can play the run.

5. Arizona Cardinals -- Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert
Gabbert has risen up the board late in the season thanks to the size, arm strength and pocket mobility to develop into an effective starter in the NFL.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?...od_nfl_xxx_xxx

[TheLongshot]

From reports I've read, many people think Arizona has the QB they want to build around for the next few years in Skelton. Not saying I agree, just repeating what I've heard.

bishtw - nice find, hope that eye's feelin better brotha

I also know that they liked Hall in preseason. I'd say that they'd probably pass on drafting a QB and probably try to find another veteran to go along with their young guys.

Edit: Wow, I didn't know they had Richard Bartell on their roster as well....

[LetThePointsSoar]

I also know that they liked Hall in preseason. I'd say that they'd probably pass on drafting a QB and probably try to find another veteran to go along with their young guys.

This is where I wondered (purely hypothetical) how likely it would be that Arizona would be a candidate for us moving up to grab Gabbert (if Shanny even wanted him) if we needed to? (i.e. McNabb and our 1st for AZ's first and 5th or something similar?)

[PorkSkins]

Every team on this list could use a franchise QB. There's little or no chance that San Fran gets Harbaugh as coach and Luck as QB. I wouldn't mortgage the farm for Luck. There are other quality QB's available like McElroy, Dalton, Mallett, and Gabbert.

[S.T.real,lights,out]

There is something i just dont like about this guy. Cant put my finger on it but i really hope we dont draft him.

[jflow78]

I'm not saying stats are everything, and I haven't see Gabbert play, but his college stats (especially for being considered a first round pick and in a program that was pretty good this season) are AWFUL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player...layerId=381364

He got sacked more times than he has TDs, and he's not even a good running QB. I really don't see how this is a good thing. I'm sure someone who's seen him will prove me wrong, I hope so if we're really considering this guy, but I can't see how 16 TDs justify a top 10 pick.

---------- Post added January-4th-2011 at 12:31 PM ----------

This is where I wondered (purely hypothetical) how likely it would be that Arizona would be a candidate for us moving up to grab Gabbert (if Shanny even wanted him) if we needed to? (i.e. McNabb and our 1st for AZ's first and 5th or something similar?)

I've been thinking McNabb would be the perfect fit for Arizona. He'd probably want to go there too. They're a good QB away from being in the playoffs, especially in that division. Plus, he could give their younger guys time to figure out how to play.