WVU: QB Geno Smith

This year's NFL draft is going to be exciting to watch. For the first time in school history, a WVU player is in contention to be the first overall pick.  During WVU's pro day in Morgantown, 28 NFL teams were represented and QB Geno Smith and WR Tavon Austin were the star attractions.

NFL scouts typically like to evaluate a QB's "down-the-field" passes (25 yards or longer).  They like to see accurate high velocity throws and accurate touch throws while in the pocket and while on rollouts.  Following Geno's solid performance at the scouting combine, he completed 60-of-64 passes with two drops by Stedman Bailey and demonstrated all of the above at WVU's pro day.  If he continues to impress, Geno could go number one in this year's NFL draft.

My evaluation: In my opinion, after re-watching games and highlights, Geno greatest weaknesses are progressing through his reads and his footwork could be a little better.  He seems to be slow at it, and his passes are often late because of it.  Geno will need to speed up his anticipation if he wants to be successful in the NFL.  On average, an NFL QB has three seconds to drop back, go through his reads, and pass the ball before defenders are in his face.  The good news is that Geno's weaknesses are coach-able, and he possesses the God given talents that can't be coached.  I think that is why NFL teams are looking at drafting him early.

To give a little comparison, if Geno was in last year's QB rich draft, I don't think he gets drafted until the second or third round.  So my question is, does this year's draft include a lack of options at the QB position?

Teams showing interest and their first round pick: Chiefs (1), Jaguars (2), Raiders (3), Eagles (4), Browns (6), Cardinals (7), and Bills (8).

I look for Geno to be drafted by the Raiders (3) or the Eagles (4).  The Bills (8) are a close third if he is still available and assuming they don't trade up to snag him.

Then again, I could be WAY off....

Sh   





      

NFL New Rule(s)

First, thanks for visiting my first blog post!  Secondly, I assume you have some interest in my thoughts regarding the NFL rules, but please know that I am only an expert about being a fan.  Lastly, I welcome any comments, positive or negative, on the topic.  With that said, let us begin...

I completely understand how fans feel.  I have read and heard many fans of the sport say, "This isn't football anymore" and "The new rules make no sense".  What was once a very physical sport, has become less violent and some refuse to watch as a result.  We, as fans, must realize that the NFL is more than a sport.  It is also a business, and as we all know, a very expensive and lucrative business.  With any business there is risk; risk of injury, risk of selling enough game tickets, and the risk of a member of the organization stabbing her spouse and getting arrested (Brandon Marshall pun).  These are examples of accepted risk, and are in part the reason why we are seeing what we are seeing.

We are in the wake of the NFLPA lawsuit aimed at player compensation for injuries/illnesses caused by playing football in the NFL some 20 years after the fact.  This is costing the NFL team owners millions of dollars and the fans then feel it in their wallets.  So the questions is, "Can it be prevented?"  The NFL and team owners not only think it can, they also believe there is a way to preserve player health.  How? By creating new rules that prevent injury. 

Change frequently meets resistance, initially.  I honestly believe that once the league and fans break through the initial resistance barrier, these new rules will benefit the NFL, team owners, players, and ultimately the sport.

"Its not personal, its strictly business...."  ~ The Godfather.