For Those That Like To Dream
February 8th, 2018
Steelers owner non-committal.
You mean there is still a chance?
While it seems unlikely the best running back in the NFL will be a free man when the free agency dinner bell rings in 34 days, the parties that will determine that outcome seem unmoved to close the door on the possibility.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, 25, is on the cusp of free agency. And while at the Pro Bowl recently in Orlando, he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he believes a deal could be worked out before teams start slapping tags on players. Bell has made no secret he is demanding to be paid. Big time.
Per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bell wants to be paid no less than $15 million a year. If he is tagged by the Steelers (which would be the second season in a row), Bell has threatened to retire. Last week on “Pro Football Talk Live,” seen weekday mornings on NBC Sports Network, Bell was adamant he wasn’t trying to be a wiseacre with the retirement talk.
Tagging Bell would give him about what he is seeking, some $15 million a year.
Bell recently told TMZ.com he would play for the Jets — if they coughed up $100 million.
Steelers owner Art Rooney III was asked about Bell’s status with the team and he was non-committal, saying he hoped a deal could be worked out and refused to “predict” what would happen, and that the Steelers would “do our best” to retain Bell.
So if one wants to dream, Joe will assume Bell would be the final piece of the puzzle for the Bucs offense.
The Bucs running attack was just downright lousy last year, largely because Dirk Koetter was hoping upon hope that the 2015 Doug Martin would reemerge. As a result of banking on Martin, the offense was terribly one-dimensional, which played right into the hands of defenses.
You want to fix the running attack? Run a forklift loaded with Team Glazer’s safe to Bell’s house and drop it on his front stoop. Instant running attack.
If Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht wants to be bold and shake up the football world, this would do it.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:03 am
I have to admit, add him and Nelson in the draft and all of a sudden this offense looks a lot scarier.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:07 am
Just what the Bucs need. Another RB with a tendency for dope and sloughing off. Great idea. Yes the Bucs need RB help, but not that guy. Bucs don’t have the coaches or player leaders to get enough production out of him.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:14 am
You mean like LeGarrette “Three Rings” Blount?
February 8th, 2018 at 12:15 am
You know, Joe is *not* on the bandwagon about drafting a guard No. 7 overall. But if somehow Bell finds his way to Tampa Bay, drafting a guard that high would change Joe’s mind.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:16 am
This draft has lots of good RBs. Draft a RB and spend that money on a Edge Rusher.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:17 am
Drop $15 million a year on Adrian Clayborn???
February 8th, 2018 at 12:22 am
Joe you’re my spirit animal. Luv u man.
Hey, imagine if you had a young RB on the roster. Someone cheap with fresh legs waiting for his turn to play. Perhaps said young RB had a red-shirt year. Perhaps a late round pick you could stash on the practice squad until he was ready to run. Sure would be a luxury to have someone like that available.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:22 am
You know, Joe is *not* on the bandwagon about drafting a guard No. 7 overall.
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I’m right with you on that one!!!!!!!!! and many won’t agree, but I want Minkah Fitzpatrick wearing that pewter and red!!!!!!!!!!!
February 8th, 2018 at 12:23 am
Maybe the final piece would be an offensive line that doesn’t completely suck
February 8th, 2018 at 12:23 am
LVB on our team..yeah it’s like a wet dream..Bucs aren’t smart enough to go after him..
February 8th, 2018 at 12:24 am
Le’veon Bell want a long term contract, 5 years or more. I wouldn’t commit to him for that length of time. I would wait until the 2nd or 3rd round and grab a Sony Michel, Nick Chubb or Derrius Guice. And maybe Jaylen Samuels in the 4th.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:26 am
Scared to death defensive coaches would ruin him, or any other corner drafted.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:27 am
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I don’t think the Steelers mind paying Bell $15mil for next year, but I doubt they have any intention at all of giving him a $15mil per year multi-year contract.
I think the Steelers will franchise him again and then make him available for trade if he refuses to play on the franchise tag … and I think if that happens there will be multiple teams willing to make a play for him.
I could see the 49’ers offering their 1st rounder (#9 or #10 overall depending on the coin flip), which we could beat if we offered the #7 overall … I don’t think any team would give a higher pick, though it wouldn’t exactly shock me of the Giants offered their #2 overall pick, especially if they plan to stick with Eli and Webb as their QBs and the Browns take Saquon Barkley off the board at #1 overall, or if the Colts offer the #3 overall pick if Barkley is off the board.
However, I could also see teams like the Seahawks, Packers and Lions offering their later 1st round picks along with an additional later pick or two.
So … if the Bucs want him, I think it will cost them the #7 pick … and maybe even something like the #7 pick and their 3rd rounder … that is A LOT TO GIVE UP for a RB … even Lev Bell.
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February 8th, 2018 at 12:31 am
Joe Says:
February 8th, 2018 at 12:26 am
Scared to death defensive coaches would ruin him, or any other corner drafted.
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Sad but true..I was DMing with a former player that now coaches..I went back and forth with him on Twitter last night..and he said something and of course I am keeping his name out of it..but he said, “you can take the Bucs entire defense coaching staff and place them in the current Jax or Philly team and the team would not get more than 5 wins”..
And I agreed…and Minkah would probably fail…UGH!!!!!!!
February 8th, 2018 at 12:32 am
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I’m still sort of dreaming of the team signing Carlos Hyde, Ziggy Ansah and Trumaine Johnson (or Malcolm Butler) and then trading the #7 for the #21 and #22 and drafting Arden Key and Derwin James in the 1st, Will Hernandez in the 2nd, Derrick Nnandi in the 3rd, Frank Ragnow in the 4th, Desmond Harrison in the 5th and DJ Reed and the best QB available in the 6th.
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February 8th, 2018 at 12:37 am
Ooops..I just went back and looked at my private DM’s..sorry he said the entire coaching staff..lol..not just defense coaches..ugh..
NFLNut..nice dream, but any of those guys want to come here??
February 8th, 2018 at 12:39 am
NFLNut
What about Dontari Poe?
February 8th, 2018 at 12:45 am
But joe I thought Bennett was as good as signed? Gmc got him to come back WITH a hometown discount!
As for drafting a guard at 7:
Tyron Smith #9
Jonathan cooper #7
Travis Frederick #31
Zack Martin #16
Le’al Collins *undrafted – 1st round grade
What do they have in common? Dallas oline. 🎤 💥
February 8th, 2018 at 12:46 am
I believe Dontari poe is the guy that the bucs should be after.
February 8th, 2018 at 12:52 am
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LIFEOFABUCFAN … I don’t think the vast majority of players care about winning at all … they care about $$$$ and Tampa has a ton of cap space and offers no state income taxes unlike the 49ers and Browns who are the only teams with more cap space I think, so, yes, I think all those players would be happy to sign with the Bucs … especially Ziggy as Detroit is like a 3rd world city …
LAKELAND … Poe or Justin Ellis in free agency would be great! If we got either one of them, we could use the 3rd round pick on another CB like Bama’s Anthony Averett rather than on a DT like Nnadi as well …
DB55 … I’ not sure why Joe is against drafting Quenton Nelson at #7 … he’s probably the safest player in the entire draft, projected to be a sure-fire All-Pro and scouts say he is way, way, way better than Zack Martin was who went #16 and is now an All-Pro … so … I’d be fine with Quenton at #7.
HOWEVER, whoever said Minkah would fail in Tampa … I don’t agree. Minkah does NOT need to be “developed”, he could instantly be the leader of the defensive backfield and the QB of the entire defense … I have no concerns with drafting him at all.
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February 8th, 2018 at 12:58 am
Nut
Why bills wanna trade 21&22?
February 8th, 2018 at 1:10 am
DB55, The Bills are desperate for a new face of the franchise QB and they’re not getting one way down at #21 or #22 imho … and if both Saquon and Chubb are off the board, I believe the Bucs trading down makes a lot of sense.
February 8th, 2018 at 1:11 am
👍🏽👍🏽
February 8th, 2018 at 1:22 am
It would be good if the Bucs can get both Ziggy Ansah and Dontari Poe. I would spend a 5th round pick on Antonio Callaway also. I know he has baggage, but the reward is worth the 5th round risk.
February 8th, 2018 at 1:57 am
NFLNUT…love your post!!!
February 8th, 2018 at 5:26 am
So Bell wants to be paid ‘no less than $15 mil a year’ huh. Different strokes for different folks, but there are way too many RBs available (FA, trade or draft) to be paying ANY RB that kind of money. Bucs wouldn’t pay Calais Campbell that kind of $$$ (for whatever reason), so why would they pay that for a RB? Fix the OLine & any one of a dozen RBs would look like Superman. And prefer to fix the OLine in FA or via a trade (LG, C & RB in that order).
And Joe, I wouldn’t draft a Guard at #7 either, even if some consider him to be a once-in-a-lifetime player. Wouldn’t draft an RB at #7 either. Reason: We’re either committed to fixing the defense or we’re not … going offense with our 1st pick tells me we’re NOT. Chubb is a player at #7, as is Minkah if he’s there. There are also several beastly DTs who could anchor our DLine for years (DTs like Vea & Payne). Any one of those (and in time, maybe several others) would instantly make our defense better.
February 8th, 2018 at 5:26 am
Its been established that RBs arent that hard to come by. I would love to sign Bell if we were 1 RB away from contending, but we arent. The draft is where we should be solving our RB issue. Day 2 of the draft to be more specific.
February 8th, 2018 at 5:31 am
@Defense Rules
I looooove Vita Vea. I’m on that bandwagon. He is what we thought Chris Baker would be. However, #7 overall for him is still a little too rich for me.
My dream draft right now is if Chubb is not there at #7, which is likely, is to trade back and get an extra day 2 pick. Coming away with a DT, LG, DE, and RB in the first 3 rounds this year would bw huge
February 8th, 2018 at 5:38 am
Trade back with a team like Redskins, Bengals, or Ravens. Dont want to trade back too far. Maybe get an extra 2nd round pick. Then this is what I would hope for:
Round 1: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Round 2: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
Round 2: Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest
Round 3: Rashaad Penny, RB, SDSU
February 8th, 2018 at 5:41 am
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DEFENSERULES … so you’d rather us take a DT projected to go in the 20s simply because he plays defense, rather than a G projected to go as high as #5 but only as low as #11 and who is also projected to be an All-Pro as a rookie? Hmmm …
JOEYPOPPEMS … if you put Lev Bell on that 2016 squad, we’d have had a legit shot at making it to the SuperBowl that year … he or a back like him (i.e. Saquon) could put us in the mix this year as well. However, I agree he may not be the best option considering we have a ton of needs and could use that money on a DT and SS or a stud DE like Ziggy or corner like Trumaine … as for a RB in the draft, I’d be thrilled with Saquon and fine with Guice/Michel and even okay with Chubb/Penny/etc but I’d prefer Carlos Hyde in free agency so we can use ALL our draft picks on more valuable defensive players.
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February 8th, 2018 at 5:54 am
My fear is the big RB free agency signing will be Sims.
My fav is still Jerick McKinnon. The more I see about him the more I root for the young man.
I hope Patricia decides to pass on franchising Ziggy Ansah (possible tho unlikely) or the Cowboys let Lawrence test the open market (less possible). If either is the case, Licht has my encouragement to put together an Olivier Vernon type of offer.
If the Bucs are now drafting players with the thought, they can’t draft player x because the coaches will screw them up, can they just stop now. Trade every draft pick for a veteran or a future pick when this crew is out of town.
February 8th, 2018 at 5:59 am
@NFL Nut
Its the offseason of the 2018 season. It doesnt matter what Bell wouldve done for this team 2 years ago.
As far as FA goes, I dont have high hopes. All the big name guys will most likely be tagged or resigned by their current teams. If we were to target a RB in FA I would hope it would be McKinnon to fill Sims role after we let him walk. Hyde scares me for 2 reasons. 1) he is approaching that magical number of 30. 2) Injury history.
Day 2 of the draft is the best spot for this team to add a productive RB for this year and for many years to come.
February 8th, 2018 at 6:12 am
Joe let’s stop calling it “team Glazers” loot and call it what it really is… the cash from holding the fans hostage.
February 8th, 2018 at 6:34 am
NO RB is worth $15M+ per – especially if multiple years are being guaranteed.
The Bucs will soon be paying a LOT for the young offensive talent Licht has already acquired (Evans, Winston, D. Smith, Marpet, Brate, Hump) who have all been dirt cheap thus far. No way can you add $15M for a RB to that mix as the bills are already coming due. Plenty of good backs coming out in the draft with young legs and cheap price tags for the next 4 years…
Best way to improve the run game is to FIX the OLINE!!!!
We need 2 new guards and a better developmental OT than Benenoch.
February 8th, 2018 at 7:24 am
If Chubb is there take him. If not, trade down and get 2 for 1. Bucs needs are many.
February 8th, 2018 at 7:31 am
Pickgrin,
“No RB is worth 15mil a year”, we’re not talking about just “any RB” this is the best RB in the league. Every year, there’s a position that resets the pay scale. This year will be no different. The Bucs have tried the low ball approach, they’ve tried to shop at the discount bin, they’ve tried to build thru the draft. Has anyone here been pleased by the results? Then why the neck do something different. Sign the absolute best player at his position in the NFL as opposed to hoping, praying,
or paying for Hugo’ s and expecting Ferrari’ s.
The Bucs have cap room, they can be creative with contracts. There’s a general consensus among GM’ s that teams are NO longer limited by cap space . (Google search before replying) If there is a desire to sign a player and said player is willing to work with the team then a contract can get done. If the Bucs signed Bell, they could still go out and acquire additional F.A.s ( jax spent huge on Campbell and still signed guys) and draft for need.
The biggest need F.A. wise isn’t a player but perception. One could change the other. Everyone who is a FA isn’t a potential player the bucs could sign. A player has to want to play for the Bucs. Only that group, players willing to sign, are potential signees. If the team signs Bell how many players who are FA now consider the bucs as a team they are willing to consider.
How much more attractive is the team to potential F.A.? I think it’s much more attractive. Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, DJax, Bell. That’s something that is appealing to guys as they look to sign. The offensive side is loaded they just need to solidify the D . If the team signed Bell I’m sure a defensive FA would have to reevaluate his position on the Bucs as a team of interest. Everyone wants to believe that they are the missing piece of the puzzle. With Bell how many Defensive players would be looking at the bucs thinking I’m that guy.
Right now, there’s no one looking at the Bucs thinking that they’re one or two guys away. Sign Bell and that is not the case. If you think that one player can’t be this influential……….Reggie White is one guy who did exactly what I’m proposing.
February 8th, 2018 at 7:52 am
Bell is a very patient runner however, this O-line could even make him look pedestrian, unless they improve. DTs taking hand-offs from J-miss occurs far too often and has to stop for any RB to be successful with the Bucs.
If it would take $100m for Bell to play with the Jets, that means it should only cost the Glazers roughly $98m to sign Bell….Oh wait, they had a better record with less talent!?
February 8th, 2018 at 8:15 am
You mean the bucs aren’t dumb enough to go after him. Yes the fans are more desperate than the bucs are. Any rookie can come in and give this offense juice. No to the drama with who will want to be the highest paid player on the team and demand certain amount of carries. Even Peyton barber got a 100 yard game behind this offensive line that would be a waste if money and this wouldn’t put us in the playoffs unless you’re one of the delusional fans out there that think we are something we haven’t been since Derrick Brooks left
February 8th, 2018 at 8:28 am
Nfl,
Ziggy has 6 sacks in the last 2 seasons, why are you so high on the guy?
The second DE for Dallas has more than that and hasn’t been injured.
February 8th, 2018 at 8:29 am
@NFLNut … “so you’d rather us take a DT projected to go in the 20s simply because he plays defense, rather than a G projected to go as high as #5 but only as low as #11 and who is also projected to be an All-Pro as a rookie? Hmmm.” This is only February; how do you know where everyone will be ranked come the draft? (Combine still to go, etc).
More importantly, Bucs can sign any number of LGs in free agency who’d improve our OLine. Same with Center (and yes, same with RB IF we choose to go that route). Point being … we can improve our offense in FA BEFORE the draft ever happens.
However, not so with our defense, which is where our PRIORITY NEEDS sit. Only a couple of DEs & DTs worth signing in FA (yes, IMO) but there are quite a few in this year’s draft (especially DTs it looks like). So many fans (and Licht too it seems) get so obsessed with PERCEIVED VALUE that we keep using high picks to draft admittedly good players (Jameis, ME13, OJ, etc) but try to build the defense with lower picks even though our defense needs BIG-TIME help. And we keep doing that over & over, somehow expecting different results. Right! Both Vea & Payne are excellent DTs who could help us right now, but they surely won’t be available in Round 2. So yes, I’m all for using a #7 pick (assuming that’s where we stay of course) to go D-E-F-E-N-S-E.
February 8th, 2018 at 8:30 am
Bell is great but he is not going anywhere. We dont need Bell to fix the RB position. We just need a young back to mix with Barber. We have our 3rd down back “specialist” per Koetter. lol
We need to trade up for Chubb, if needed. Nelson is a good second choice.
Barkley will be the bust of the draft. He has all the markings of a bust- hype with no real numbers v good teams. 44 yards/2.1 avg per carry v Ohio State- an NFL caliber D operated by Coach Schiano. I am sorry but I dont see the greatness. Michigan State 67 yards. Too risky at 7.
February 8th, 2018 at 8:46 am
No thanks…I hope he gets a HUGE payday somewhere !…
February 8th, 2018 at 8:49 am
No chance we get Le’Veon Bell.
February 8th, 2018 at 10:39 am
if nelson is there at #7 you draft him….simple as that…..kill 3 birds with 1 stone….protect the franchise….improve run game…add youth and talent to the oline…..
if I were the bills, id take a DT at #21 and lamar Jackson at #22…..he has big play ability and remind me of deshaun Watson…..any team QB needy team that passes on him in the first round would be dumb….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 8th, 2018 at 11:16 am
Nelson in the 1st and Sony in the 2nd would fix our running game and for far less money. Money that should be used on our defense and maybe another offensive tackle
February 8th, 2018 at 11:37 am
Funky,
You can get Nelson and Michel and it’s fixed for as long as they’re healthy. If they’re gone by the time the bucs pick …..is there a plan B.
Did the Vikings think one draft pick solved the problem? It’s not great plan to pick a rookie and think that solved the issue. BTW, JL has been doing that same thing…….to what result.
February 8th, 2018 at 11:42 am
Alterego,
No thanks on the #1 back in the NFL, unbelievable!!!!
BTW, I don’t believe He’s going to be available but that’s not really the point.
February 8th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
DUKE … your stats on Iggy are way off … look em up.
JOEYPOPPEMS … I hear ya and understand your point of view even if I don’t fully agree.
DONUTS … your comments always seem very strange to me. Barkley’s the best prospect since Barry Sanders and you predict he’ll be a bust … um, okay.
February 8th, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Foek this guy. Draft a younger cheaper RB this year. We’ll be fine there if we can draft a guy fairly early and pick up another guy in free agency. We have other places to spend the money.
February 8th, 2018 at 3:34 pm
NflNut,
Damn that crack!!!! I was going off memory alone, should have looked at his stats. I knew you had a reason and it is better than my not looking at his stats idea. Makes more sense now. Carry on.
Nut +1
February 8th, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Nfl,
I know you are a QB guy, so I’ll throw out a question I was asked yesterday by a couple of kids.
Who is the most talented QB coming into the league, all time?
They added it’s not pro ready or college stats just pure talent.
What would you have said?
February 8th, 2018 at 5:08 pm
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DUKE … in regards to who I think were the “most talented” QBs ever coming into the league were, off the top of my head, I’d say:
1. MICHAEL VICK
2. LAMAR JACKSON (2018)
3. RANDALL CUNNINGHAM
4. JOHN ELWAY
5. JOSH ALLEN (2018)
6. AARON RODGERS
Now, the above said … while I think Vick was undoubtedly #1 as he had the biggest arm on the above list, and by far the greatest athleticism, if you asked me who I think the “greatest prospects of all-time coming into the draft” were, my answer would have been different as reading defenses, accuracy, touch and even experience all would play into that sort of question.
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February 8th, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Investing in Bell isn’t a good idea since our offensive line will get him swallowed alive. Plus we have bigger fish to fry in my opinion.
February 8th, 2018 at 5:29 pm
By the way, if you’re wondering where I would have ranked Jameis on the above list … he’d be in with Andrew Luck (slightly more athletic than Jameis with a slightly weaker arm), Sam “White Jameis” Darnold and Carson Wentz and those four guys would probably have been ranked #7-10 in no particular order … the QB position has more overall “talent” now than it ever has … Elway was WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME but had that 1984 draft featured Elway, Rodgers, Luck, Wentz, Jameis and Josh Allen I could see a bunch of teams saying, “it’s no big deal if we don’t get the #1 pick for Elway as there are a bunch of guys with a ton of talent just like him” …
A cool question too would be who were the least talented QBs ever drafted in the 1st round … I think TeBow (who I love!!!) would make that top 10 list, hahahaha
February 8th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Hahaha NUT…….Your list is solid proof that talent is purely overrated. Especially at the QB position
February 8th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
I would Lionel for this team to get a rushing talent like Bell. The only thing that makes it a(possible) bad idea is how long of a guaranteed contract he will get offered. Not sure what that projection will be but I think there is a site that has that info. If he’s getting 5-6 years guaranteed it may not be in our best future interest. It’s just unfortunate he comes with too much baggage making it a large risk.
February 8th, 2018 at 8:32 pm
Nfl Nut,
I didn’t tell you my answer as to not influence you in any way.
My answer was Michael Vick as well. Lol, props!!!
BTW, the players who asked thought A Rodgers.
I don’t believe Lamar Jackson is talent wise is better than say Kizer or Dennard Robinson. I’d have Vinny Testeverde ranked up there . Cam Newton is got to be in the there, certainly higher than 10. But you’re right about the talent level Rise at the position. And other than Lamar that’s a solid list. That’s not a knock on him as it is recognizing other players.
Never thought about the least talented……….I’d have to think about that. Tebow wouldn’t be on my list only because there is such a great collection of talentless players who couldn’t throw or run. Tebow could run. Chris Simms heck..The bucs QB selection is a great list of bottom feeders.
February 8th, 2018 at 10:20 pm
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JIMMYJACK … you’re right, “talent” is NOT the end all and be all for QBs … Tom Brady isn’t even one of the 100 most talented QBs to ever play, but he’s the Greatest QB of the SuperBowl era.
DUKE … Lamar Jackson has a cannon of an arm … not Vick’s cannon but right up there. He’s also more athletic than anyone other than Vick as well … I do think he’s an incredible talent, yet I don’t think I’d even spend a first round pick on him even if I needed a QB as he’s wild, inaccurate and has never played in a pro offense … he may be a complete bust.
Vinny T had an arm for sure … but Cam, yeah, I just wasn’t even thinking about Cam … he’d be top 10.
Chris Simms was a 3rd round pick … I was just thinking of the least talented 1st round selections.
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February 9th, 2018 at 1:57 am
Nfl,
I agree that Jackson is really hard to exclude from a top ten. I have to say I’m kinda surprised that you didn’t include RG3 in the list. World class speed and a strong arm.
I did have a chuckle at the luck slightly better than Winston comment. Luck if you think athleticism Is best compared to Newton and RG3. Winston and Luck if you are talking football aptitude and intelligence. I am always amazed at the people who have the belief that Winston isn’t that smart when He’s actually far more intelligent than they are. I digress.
People may forget that Vinny T. was always right at the very top of his teammates In terms of strength. He looked awkward running but was fast and for a long time held the record for longest throw in the NFL . 72yds if I didn’t get all ziggy with it. Overall He was a athletically gifted strong armed I talian tank.
If you compare Jackson to Young I think it’s just as easy to make a case for Young. Then I have to include FSU’ s first Heisman award winning QB, Charlie Ward. Although I don’t believe that He’s top ten He’s was talented.
February 9th, 2018 at 7:27 am
^^^Vince young^^^^^