Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Ht: 6’ 2 5/8” Wt: 222
EMQB’s analysis on the pick: Though I'm shocked that Clausen fell this far, this is the perfect place for Clausen. The team is only one year removed from a division title and has an excellent running game. He is the most pro ready quarterback of any in this draft.
Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A tough, instinctive, competitive gamer who overhauled his mechanics from the time he was a freshman, physically matured and developed into a decisive marksman. Has been groomed by Charlie Weis and has an advanced understanding of the game that will allow him to step into a starting lineup readily. However, he is cut from a similar cloth as Rex Grossman and J.P. Losman, possessing an elitist attitude and selfishness that could polarize a locker room and create needless drama that may detract from a team. The defining question of his career is whether he possesses the intangibles and make-up to become a leader and win the respect of his teammates.
NFL projection: First-round pick.
GM Jr’s scouting report: Clausen is a true 3 year junior who has decided to enter the 2010 NFL Draft early and while he likely could have helped himself a little by staying for another season, it makes sense for him to come out now as no one knows who the new ND coach will be and their offensive system may not be a pro style passing attack which would hinder his development. He is a very smart quarterback who consistently reads the defense well, identifies where he has to go with the ball and makes good accurate throws on passes under 15 yards. The issue for Clausen is going to be his lack of ideal size and a lack of a big time arm, which will hinder his ability to make all the NFL throws with good zip and accuracy. Overall, there is little doubt that the more I evaluated Clausen the more his talent level, decision making and passing skills reminded me of current Saints’ QB Drew Brees when Brees played at Purdue. I am a big believer that arm strength leads to many mistakes when drafting quarterbacks and that the success of an NFL quarterback is based more on what he has above the shoulders than his arm strength. His experience playing in an NFL style offense at Notre Dame should enable Clausen to start early in his career and to become a very good starting QB in the NFL who exceeds in many areas, but until/unless he can improve his arm strength will always have trouble make strong and accurate throws deep down the field.
Lindy’s Sports scouting report: Clausen’s experience in a pro-style offense, poise and fiery leadership most coaches like, although he’ll need to control those emotions to be successful early in his NFL career. If able to do that, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be a long-time starter at the next level.
Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695
GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/
Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332
Every Morning Quarterback by Aharon Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.everymorningqb.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.everymorningqb.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment