[EmpireWF]

Perhaps the 2007 overall NFL Draft pick is the worst kept secret in years. Sure, depending on how the worst teams finish out others like OT Joe Thomas or WR Calvin Johnson could slip their way in, but almost everyone is expecting Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn to be the man. The first possible Irish player to be chosen first overall in years, Quinn has the benefit of working with Charlie Weis for two years.

Class: Senior
Hgt/Wgt: 6'4, 230
40-Time: 4.75

Positives: (GBNDR)..."Still completing 64% of his pass attempts but is on pace to throw for 3,000 yards this season down from 4,000 last season. Has excellent size for a pro pocket passer and the arm strength to make all the throws; smart player and a hard worker who is very good at reading coverages and makes good decisions; accurate passer who throws a catchable ball on short and intermediate routes. Shows nice touch on deep passes. Not a gazelle but has surprising mobility with 4.70 speed; shows good awareness in the pocket...Great intangibles."

Negatives: (FF)..."Picking something to criticize Quinn for is tough. He was very inconsistent his first two years, but once he was under the tutelage of Weis, he put it all together. He can try to force the ball into coverage still, and his mechanics break down at times, but those are things that could easily be corrected."


Clearly, there isn't much not to like about Quinn. He will be the first quarterback off the board and will most likely be the first player taken in April's draft. Even if the Cardinals finish worst in the NFL, expect them to trade the pick and reap the rewards. Possible destinations for Quinn in the NFL include Detroit (Millen can't screw this one up...could he?) and Oakland.

So, is he a can't miss franchise QB? Or will he be average or somewhere in between?

[Lefty Noob]

There is no such thing as a "can't miss" prospect, but Quinn does appear to be the real deal. If he goes to Detroit, I can't imagine he'd start immediately, as strange as that sounds. Keep Kitna in for another year and let Quinn learn the offense, then bring him in starting with the 2008 season. Maybe by then they'd have a bit better O-Line in place.

[domer747]

I agree, I really think the best place for him is Detroit. The Raiders and their woes stem from a number of issues, and a great prospect like Quinn can't fix that situation. I think at Detroit he has receivers who can make plays and help him become a great NFL quarterback. I think you're right that he should sit out for a year and learn the system, but I think he could be a great addition to a team and the real deal....

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by domer747

I agree, I really think the best place for him is Detroit. The Raiders and their woes stem from a number of issues, and a great prospect like Quinn can't fix that situation. I think at Detroit he has receivers who can make plays and help him become a great NFL quarterback. I think you're right that he should sit out for a year and learn the system, but I think he could be a great addition to a team and the real deal....

Spare Quinn the Soap Opera that is the Lions...though he would benefit from the receiving corps....

[Lefty Noob]

Yeah, Goth, that's the thing - lots of young talent around him at the skill positions, and a Mike Martz offense. That makes Detroit a much more attractive option for Quinn than, say, Oakland or Cleveland.

[domer747]

Yeah you do have to fear pretty much anywhere that is going to be high enough in the draft to pick up Quinn. The unfortunate part of being a high draft pick is that you probably have to head to some circus. Overall out of any teams that have a shot at him, I feel the Lions would be the best shot. Either that, or hope for a team that doesn't want to draft a quarterback and is willing to trade the spot with a good team that needs a quarterback that bad....

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by domer747

Yeah you do have to fear pretty much anywhere that is going to be high enough in the draft to pick up Quinn. The unfortunate part of being a high draft pick is that you probably have to head to some circus. Overall out of any teams that have a shot at him, I feel the Lions would be the best shot. Either that, or hope for a team that doesn't want to draft a quarterback and is willing to trade the spot with a good team that needs a quarterback that bad....

Lions couldn't work with Joey who is doing better in Miami...if they keep Millen... I doubt they make good use of Quinn.

[EmpireWF]

GDK...it makes you wonder about Harrington and Detroit. Was it his fault? Or was it something inbedded in Detroit's culture?

If I were Quinn and the Lions were picking #1...I'd atleast hope Millen be gone so I can start fresh under new leadership.

[Muchfaith]

Brady Quinn will drop down the "draft board" quicker than anyone in history. The only positive that he has is his coaching. The skill simply is not there. Russell from LSU; if he comes out this year would be drafted ahead of Quinn.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Muchfaith

Brady Quinn will drop down the "draft board" quicker than anyone in history. The only positive that he has is his coaching. The skill simply is not there. Russell from LSU; if he comes out this year would be drafted ahead of Quinn.

I disagree Muchfaith...I think we are looking at another Leinart/Younf situation here...I don't think a team could go wrong with either player.

Welcome aboard...we love to here more about your boy Russell...certainly looks like an intriging prospect.

[Lefty Noob]

Well, Notre Dame QBs have in the recent past not made the transition well to the NFL. Post-Montana, we've had guys like Rick Mirer, Ron Paulus, etc. - guys who were overhyped and underachieved, sometimes just in the pros and sometimes in college. But Quinn will come in as the most NFL-ready QB in the bunch, considering his training under Weis, and I think he has the tools to be a very good one. I guess time will tell, though.

[domer747]

Good point, did you know the last two Notre Dame quarterbacks are now wide receivers in the NFL, not quarterbacks! Arnez Battle is a WR for the San Francisco 49ers, and Carlyle Holiday made the transition to wide out in the NFL right when he left Notre Dame. Crazy....

[Lefty Noob]

Holiday actually played some WR under Willingham too, did he not?

[domer747]

Yeah, after a slow start (31-3 loss to Michigan in 2003), they moved Holiday to wide out and brought Brady Quinn in as a true freshman. Always an athlete, its still hard to belive he made it into the NFL as a wide out....