Quinn back up to #2?

[irishunclebill]

I won't post the link because it is to an SI.com article which I usually despise, but Don Banks has a good article about Detroit possibly maneuvering through yesterday's trade with the Broncos to take Brady Quinn with the #2 pick in the draft. ND Lions fans should not get too excited about all of this because the Lions may be also positioning themselves to take another WR , albeit a potential superstar in Calvin Johnson.

Here are the pertinent quotes from the story:

"Conventional wisdom as it currently exists regarding the top of this year's NFL Draft took its first hit Thursday when the Detroit Lions agreed to a trade that will send cornerback Dre' Bly to Denver in exchange for running back Tatum Bell, offensive tackle George Foster and a fifth-round pick."

"Why? Because once the deal is executed Friday, the first day of both free agency and the league's new fiscal year, the Lions will suddenly have the freedom to go in a number of directions with their No. 2 overall pick. The acquisition of Foster, who has started 45 games in the past three seasons, means Detroit isn't locked in on taking Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas, who has been the overwhelming early consensus for the Lions' selection."

"With Foster at right tackle and veteran Jeff Backus on the left side, Detroit's offensive line is no longer its crying need, freeing general manager Matt Millen and head coach Rod Marinelli to pass on Thomas if they wish and address another position in the first round."

"Another option that now looks more plausible at No. 2 for the Lions is Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, who could be groomed for a year behind Detroit starter Jon Kitna. Quinn's stock could be on the rise again after the Combine, where he reportedly impressed teams in his interview sessions and also ripped off an eye-opening 24 reps on the bench press."

"This much is also clearer in light of the Detroit-Denver trade: Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson will not be the Lions' pick, given that Bell gives the Lions insurance at that position should starter Kevin Jones not return quickly enough in 2007 from the foot injury he suffered last year."

 

[johnnd05]

Brady's stock is on the RISE after the combine? But I thought the scouts were "shocked" that he hadn't worked out, and that he was just a pretty-boy Hollywood type obsessed with politicking his way to the number one pick, not to mention a jerk who openly showed his dislike for JaMarcus Russell. Oh, and have you heard that he can't throw the long ball, chokes in big games, and was just the beneficiary of a well-designed "system"?

Plus I think I read on ESPN that Brady was personally responsible for the Iraq war, global warming, and all the chaos in Vegas over All-Star weekend.

 

[cuss444]

Plummer may retire rather than take tradeBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


In a twist that could scuttle a proposed trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, veteran quarterback Jake Plummer told friends and business associates Friday afternoon that he plans to retire from football, rather than to continue his NFL career in another city.




Plummer
ESPN.com reported Friday morning that the Denver Broncos had reached agreement in principle on most of the elements of a trade that would send Plummer to the Bucs, where he would compete with Chris Simms for the starting job.


But only a few hours later, it appeared Plummer was ready to carry through on retirement suggestions he made earlier in the offseason, when it first became apparent the Broncos were shopping him in trade talks.


A source in the Tampa organization said Friday afternoon the deal to acquire Plummer is "on hold ... at best." The source indicated that there were ongoing discussions aimed at convincing Plummer to accept the trade and play in 2007, but that the veteran passer was prepared to walk away from the game.


Under the terms discussed, the Broncos would have received a middle-round draft choice, believed to be a fourth-rounder, in exchange for Plummer. The trade was expected to be announced on Friday, provided all the major details were completed.


But that was before Plummer, scheduled to earn a base salary of $5.3 million for the 2007 season, wavered.


Tampa Bay re-signed Simms to a two-year contract earlier this offseason. But with Simms coming off a 2006 season in which he underwent an emergency splenectomy, the Bucs have been shopping for a veteran quarterback to bolster the depth chart.


Veteran backup Tim Rattay became an unrestricted free agent on Friday and was not expected to return to Tampa Bay.


Plummer, 32, lost his starting job in Denver to rookie Jay Cutler late last season and the Broncos have been entertaining trade offers in the offseason. A 10-year veteran, Plummer has started 136 games in stints with Arizona (1997-2002) and Denver (2003-2006). He has completed 2,484 of 4,350 passes for 29,253 yards, with 161 touchdown passes and 161 interceptions, for a passer rating of 74.6.


Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.




This could change where Brady ends up, as I'm sure the Bucs will change there view of the draft, especailly after Brady kicks ass at his pro day

 

[tommy]

Brady's stock is on the RISE after the combine? But I thought the scouts were "shocked" that he hadn't worked out, and that he was just a pretty-boy Hollywood type obsessed with politicking his way to the number one pick, not to mention a jerk who openly showed his dislike for JaMarcus Russell. Oh, and have you heard that he can't throw the long ball, chokes in big games, and was just the beneficiary of a well-designed "system"?

Plus I think I read on ESPN that Brady was personally responsible for the Iraq war, global warming, and all the chaos in Vegas over All-Star weekend.

This just in they are changing the name hurricane katrina to hurricane quinn

 

[notredomer23]

Havnt the lions takin like 3 wide receivers in the past 5 years in the draft. maybe its time for a quarterback. just a thought. If u had it my way we giant fans would trade eli manning to the lions for number 2 pick and take him because eli sucks so bad

 

[NDMANLAW1]

Havnt the lions takin like 3 wide receivers in the past 5 years in the draft. maybe its time for a quarterback. just a thought. If u had it my way we giant fans would trade eli manning to the lions for number 2 pick and take him because eli sucks so bad

I agree with every single thing you just.

 

[Win4Gipper]

What are the odds of Quinn passing up Russel for the Raiders pick....

I think the more people watch film and meet with Quinn and see his work ethic the more they will like him...........however on the flip side........the raiders are one of the few teams out there that could have their mind made up now and it would take something verging on contraversial to change their minds

 

[irish0307]

Quinn is by far more NFL ready than Russel for the simple fact of Charlie

 

[Freeman Ara]

What are the odds of Quinn passing up Russel for the Raiders pick....

I think the more people watch film and meet with Quinn and see his work ethic the more they will like him...........however on the flip side........the raiders are one of the few teams out there that could have their mind made up now and it would take something verging on contraversial to change their minds

I think it would take the earth falling off it axis for Davis to take Quinn first. For whatever reason Al still wants to throw the deep ball every other play and Russell has the type of arm for that, not saying that BQ can't throw the deep ball. At this point I don't want them to change there mind, I hope they take Russell first. I think if BQ were to "fall" to Detroit that is a much better situation for him. Both teams suck really but I think Brady fits better in Detroit plus its closer to home for him.

 

[Vince Young]

I'll tell you what, Calvin Johnson is just enough of a freak of nature that I couldn't blame ANYONE for taking him over Brady Quinn. It's not what I would do myself, but CJ is certainly the real deal. It all depends on whether you need more help at QB or at WR, of course, but dude doesn't exactly suck. Hell, he spent the last 4 years making Reggie Ball look like a starting QB, so he can certainly do the same for whatever poor schmuck gets stuck playing QB for the Lions this year.

Taking "Krispy Kreme" Russell over Brady Quinn, however... pfft.

 

[RichardRiot]

Comments on Brady's 'supposed' fall in draft position, per NFLdraftscout.com:

The answer might surprise you. Gruden interviewed the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Quinn in a hotel room Saturday night. "Somebody asked me the other day why his stock is falling," he said. "Who said his stock is falling? The NFL Network? "I don't understand. The guy's a four-year starter at Notre Dame. I see his stock very high. I don't care who coached him, the guy is a physical talent. ... He threw 37 touchdowns and seven picks this year at Notre Dame. He's been in the biggest pressure cooker there is in college football and handled it well. So I don't know how his stock would fall."


They should be updating comments on Brady's (and other ND players') workout sometime this afternoon.

 

[johnnd05]

The answer might surprise you. Gruden interviewed the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Quinn in a hotel room Saturday night. "Somebody asked me the other day why his stock is falling," he said. "Who said his stock is falling? The NFL Network? "I don't understand. The guy's a four-year starter at Notre Dame. I see his stock very high. I don't care who coached him, the guy is a physical talent. ... He threw 37 touchdowns and seven picks this year at Notre Dame. He's been in the biggest pressure cooker there is in college football and handled it well. So I don't know how his stock would fall."

That's cool that Gruden was interviewing him. I for one would be really happy to see Brady end up in Tampa Bay.

 

[tommy]

That's cool that Gruden was interviewing him. I for one would be really happy to see Brady end up in Tampa Bay.

Me to I would have a reason to root for a sorry ass florida team its still hard with stovall at tampa but quinn would put me over the top

 

[johnnd05]

I just saw on the ABC bottom line that the Bucs have signed Jeff Garcia and traded for Jake Plummer (contingent on his not retiring) ...

 

[RichardRiot]

I just saw on the ABC bottom line that the Bucs have signed Jeff Garcia and traded for Jake Plummer (contingent on his not retiring) ...

Heard that on the Radio as well; guess TB won't be drafting Brady. I still think he is going to the Browns.....although Oakland should pick Brady rather than Mr Stay Puft (err Russell).

 

[RichardRiot]

Having seen another post on some lame-ass site about how Quinn has misfired in big games, I figured that I would compare the 2 top QB's on their 3 big games from each of the past 2 years. This is relatively subjective, but I used the following games:

Quinn: USC05/06; Mich05/06; OSU05; LSU06

Russell: Aub05/06; Flor05/06; UGa05; ND06

The following are the stats:

Quinn: 128/238 (53.8%) 1346yds 11TD 6INT

Russell: 106/184 (57.6%) 1375yds 6TD 7INT


Slight edge for Stay Puft in Comp% and Yds per Attempt, but huge advantage for Brady in TD:INT ratio. Come to think of it, Russell looks perfect for the Raiders offense.........

 

[goirish#1]

The Lions Need a linemadoubt it's not a decision, but you don't put anything past Matt Millen He mingt take Stanton with tn no he #2 pick, I heard he liked him!

 

[Freeman Ara]

The Lions Need a linemadoubt it's not a decision, but you don't put anything past Matt Millen He mingt take Stanton with tn no he #2 pick, I heard he liked him!

The Lions just picked up an OT in the Bly trade, plus I think this draft is deep enough at OL where you can pick up some talented OL later on in the draft. Not a whole lot of the OL drafted high in the first over the last 5 years or so round have really produced early on enough to make an early impact. Detroit doesn't have the answer at QB right now, Kitna is a nice reserve backup tpe but he isn't going to lead you to the "PLAYOFFS!!" in my opinion. I think if your staff grades Quinn out as a franchise QB type guy then you have to take him. Plus, with Kitna there for a year you can sit Quinn and let him Martz's offense.

 

[irishunclebill]

The Lions Need a linemadoubt it's not a decision, but you don't put anything past Matt Millen He mingt take Stanton with tn no he #2 pick, I heard he liked him!

You must be reading the ultimate rag blog profootballtalk.com.

 

[regele1]

Adrian Peterson ahead of Brady?? Sure he has great numbers, but am I the only one that hasn't forgot that he hasn't played a full season in his college career? Maybe they'll be more gentle in the pro's.

 

[notredomer23]

peterson's career if he keeps getting hurt is gonna be a short one. Quinn I say is going to to go the lions

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I hope brady does well, we haven't had a good nfl qb out of south bend in a whle!

 

[Freeman Ara]

Not so sure that AP goes to Cleveland anymore, they just signed Jamal Lewis from the Ravens. So I think that they might be eyeing BQ. As long as he goes somewhere other then the Raiders I will be happy.

 

[Junkhead]

Yeah, I doubt theyd sign Lewis and take Peterson. Jamal Lewis is still only 27.

 

[irishunclebill]

Remember the rumor posted from the idiot at Profootballtalk.com that Drew Stanton would be picked ahead of Brady Quinn in the draft. Well just to illustrate what a rag profootballtalk.com truly is even Todd McShay of all people predicts that there will be at least a full round (32 picks) of picks between the time that BQ gets selected in the 1st round until Stanton gets called. Obcourse in typical McShay fashion, he was doing this while singing the praises of Stanton. He just can't help himself.

 

[RichardRiot]

peterson's career if he keeps getting hurt is gonna be a short one. Quinn I say is going to to go the lions

FWIW, NFLDraftScout.com agrees with you (not a premium site):

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/mockdraft.php?round=1&year=2007

 

[RichardRiot]

And more comments (the most recent appears to be somewhat conflicting with the Mar 10th summary):

03/11/07 - Where will Brady Quinn go? The NFL draft is seven weeks from today, and between now and then we're going to hear that question a lot. Quinn, the Notre Dame quarterback, was widely regarded as college football's best prospect for most of 2006, but his stock has fallen of late. Everyone seems to agree that the Oakland Raiders will take LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell first overall, and then it gets interesting. The Lions have the second pick, and there are indications that they want Quinn. They sent four coaches, two scouts and an executive to watch Quinn work out at Notre Dame last weekend. And NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan, who has a lot of contacts in the scouting community, thinks the Lions will take Quinn. This far away from the draft, it's far from a sure thing. There's talk that the Lions and Cardinals could work a trade that gives Arizona Detroit's pick. That would put the Lions fifth overall, and Quinn will probably still be available there. Matt Millen loves drafting big-name players from big-name schools, and Quinn certainly qualifies. Don't be surprised if the Lions call Quinn's number. - Michael David Smith, AOL Sports

03/11/07 - Winning the coin flip with Tampa Bay for the third pick in the draft was huge for the Browns, because no matter what Oakland and Detroit do with the first two picks they know at least one of three players -- Brady Quinn, Adrian Peterson or Joe Thomas -- will be available when they pick. Peterson cannot be ruled out as the first pick just because Jamal Lewis was signed in free agency. Lewis has a one-year contract. It would be better to give each back 200 carries and keep them fresh than feature one and have him break down. Drafting Thomas, if he lives up to expectations, would mean the Browns would not have to worry about left tackle for the next 10 years. All that being said, quarterback should be a priority. If they pass on Quinn the Browns better be sure he won't be a franchise quarterback.

03/10/07 - The Lions have been seduced by offensive skill under president Matt Millen, and they have been burned by it. Quarterback Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in 2002, is bouncing around the league. Wide receiver Charles Rogers, second overall in 2003, is out of football. Wide receiver Mike Williams, 10th overall in 2005, is on thin ice. But something changed after Millen hired coach Rod Marinelli. Last year, the Lions took linebacker Ernie Sims ninth overall, even though quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler were on the board -- and offensive coordinator Mike Martz loved Cutler. Sims filled a need for the Lions, and he fit Marinelli's philosophy. Marinelli is an old defensive line coach. He loves line play and defense -- the Tampa 2 defense, specifically -- and looks for fast, relentless, workaholic players all over the field. Johnson? The Lions are already 1-for-3 with top-10 wide receivers. Peterson? The Lions already had a No. 2 pick with collarbone problems (Rogers). Quinn? If the Lions didn't take Cutler, why would they take him? Expect Marinelli to go to the trenches.

 

[irishunclebill]

In his latest mock draft, Todd McShay now also has Quinn as the #2 pick.

 

[RichardRiot]

NFL Ntwk are really hyping Russel's ProDay work out. After seeing the highlights (for the 4th time in 15 minutes of watching), he did workout well - he seemed to be clicking fairly well. They interviewed Kiffin, who was impressed.

Big deal was made about Russell dropping 9lbs from the combine. Come on, for that dude 9lbs would be 1 skipped meal and a 'shot' of Metamucil.

Doesn't appear now as if Brady will be able to jump past Jumbo.

However, Brady as #2 is really being hyped. Apparently Detroit is leveraging Cleveland's interest in Brady to try to get a good trade for their #2 pick.

 

[Junkhead]

I hope the Raiders take Russell. That is the worst team to play for. Screw the 1st pick, it means nothing if you have to play for Al Davis. I wish BQ the best, and there has to be something better for his career than the Raiders.

I just read that Russell ran a 4.84, which isnt bad for his size. They said Heisman ran a 4.77, which could doom his as a punt returner! I haven't seen an official number but I'm thinking BQ could run a low 4.7.