A very intriguing 2018 NFL Draft last night. Four quarterbacks go in the first 10 picks – unheard of. Let’s discuss:
- The Giants, who benched Eli Manning last year for a game, are now all in on him for at least the next couple of years at 37 years of age. The reality is that he was never mobile so you can’t say he has lost a step he never had. SU saw Barkley play in person at Penn State’s romp over Michigan last October and he is really, really good. The question is whether the NFL values quarterbacks over running backs in this era. Longevity for running backs is an issue, obviously, due to injuries and most teams play a much more wide open style of play these days. On the other hand, Barkley is an excellent receiver and can also return kicks. He could be a legitimate game changer — IF the Giants have any type of offensive line to open holes for him or protect Eli to get him the ball. SU is ok with the pick – none of the quarterbacks was a lock to be successful. Like anything else, time will tell.
- The Jets took Darnold over Rosen or Webb, thus denying the NY fans of having a Jewish QB in town. Rosen clearly has some attitude issues – a bit unfiltered and arrogant but has the confidence. SU was surprised that Mayfield went #1 as he is a graduate of the Johnny Manziel school of knuckleheads. He will likely make the crotch grab his signature move. But he is scrappy and has overcome the odds in his career. Darnold seems to have all the tools – solid choice.
- Rosen was clearly pissed off going #10 to Arizona. He thought he would go #1. SU says that will only help him and playing with a chip on your shoulder always helps. He should be happy to play half his games in an indoor quality environment in Arizona – good for the stats.
- Final point: future NFL players should really get off Twitter or at least erase their high school accounts. Josh Allen dropped in the draft order for that reason. Look, he may be a jerk, I have no clue, but no need to document it. Better to have others just say you are one from their interactions with you.
SU knows there are many passionate Giant and Jet fans out there. Happy with your team’s picks?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Every year I question our interest in the draft. It means very lett. I end up questioning my memory. Wondering if anyone knows what they’re talking about. Is it all manufactured hype, providing the NFL with some spring time programming?
Here are the QBs drafted in the first round since 2010:
Trubitsky
Mahomes
Watson
Goff
Wentz
Lynch
Winston
Mariota
Bortles
Manziel
Bridgewater
Manuel
Luck
Griffin
Tannehill
Weedon
Newton
Locker
Gabbert
Ponder
Bradford
Tebow
A good list? Some of these guys are viable quarterbacks. How many super bowls among them. Maybe a couple (if you count Wentz). But if you look at a list of NFL quarterbacks (even a list of good NFL quarterbacks) you see that they were drafted throughout the draft. If anyone wants to get on the Giants for missing the opportunity to pick their quarterback for the next ten years, I will refer you to the list above. That’s 8 years worth of first round quarterbacks and I’d say that there are fewer than 5 that I’d want leading my team for a decade.The whole thing is a crap shoot. It’s something to talk about in April but all the experts rely on our memory failures.
Very happy with the selection. Now to sure up the O line and still need a couple of solid players on defense. However, even if we pick the right personnel on paper these newbies as well as the rest of the team need to be coached right. That means making sure our new coaching staff is up to the task of teaching, disciplining and getting the most out of the players. Belichek besides Brady and Gronk, when he is healthy do not have a bunch of superstars like Montana’s offense nor Mean Joe Green’s defense. Using his smarts… which includes numerous coaches he has working for him are more important to a team’s success than in any other sport. Two years ago the Giants were 11-5. last year they were 3-13. That’s a -8 with not a whole bunch of player changes. Yes, OBJ did not play for the most part but besides the QB I can’t blame him for the defensive melt down. Were the players just showing their true colors when the times got tough or was the coaching staff just not up to the task of putting together a winning scheme(s)? I wonder what the largest difference record-wise from one season to the next. -8 must be up there amongst the largest difference. The biggest impact for this coming season his season will be how effective the new coaching staff can bring to the table.
I had to exchange my new Jets Jersey but I am very happy with Darnold. He has all the tools to be the best QB in this draft and is potentially the franchise player we have been waiting 45 years for.
Glad Rosen did not end up with Miami. Bold move by AZ to step up. He has the attitude of Rogers but mostly reminds me of Troy Aikman.
Barkley is a stud but you need a great QB to win a Super Bowl. Not sure Eli has that much left. He really stunk last year.
Finally, Cleavland fans must be wondering what the hell just happened. They end up with two guys who many thought were mid to late round picks just a few months ago. Poorly played. They could have moved down and grabbed several 2nd or 3rd round picks and ended up with better players IMO.
Can’t underestimate the importance of the offensive line both for Eli and for Barkley- they have been dreadful in recent years.
We probably won’t know much about Darnold being the man or not until 2020 or so but it was a decent move at first glance. I think he is 3 years younger than Mayfield so we’ll see what 3 more years gets him in an apples to apples comparison.
I think the Barkley pick was good based on what I’ve seen and heard about him. A better offensive line is definitely a priority now that they have someone to run behind it.
Rosen walks into the best team situation but shooting his mouth off is going to put a target on his back for a few unsportsmanlike late hits against him. We will see if he can stay on the field and out of the trainer’s room.
I am happy with the pick. giants haven’t had a keeper running back since when? Tikki? Joe Morris? O.J Anderson? Granted, you need an O Line but with this kids talent he may be able to avoid or break some tackles, but he is needed to alleviate the pressure on Eli. I believe we just gave Eli some life extension. Lets see if we get some linemen tonight. DUMP FLOWERS!!!
The coaching staff that made that decision are all gone and so is the putrid season they put together with their horrific game plans.
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