Just a prediction here, but I'm guessing we'll be hearing a lot about Jimmy Clausen and Jake Locker this week. Both impressed in Notre Dame's 37-30 overtime victory over Washington today. The bandwagon had already started over the last two weeks - Walter Cherepinsky put Clausen as the #1 overall pick in his latest mock draft whilst ESPN's Todd McShay declared a solid performance from Locker against the Fighting Irish would make him the top QB for the 2010 draft.
Well, both were in impressive form. It stands to be a deep QB class next year, we could see 5-7 signal callers taken in the first two rounds. However, it's also a class looking for a standout candidate to go first overall. Many have touted Sam Bradford for the position, but he's been absent with a shoulder injury. No doubts today that Clausen and Locker are going to be added to the discussion, whether it's merited or not.
12 comments:
Rob, I watched the game with much interest in Clausen and Locker. They both looked very good. There was a striking difference. Clausen had very good O-line play and lots of time to pick apart Washingtons secondary, and few dropped passes by his receivers. His stats wound up being better. Locker, had poor O-line play, was rushed most of the time, had numerous passes right on the money dropped by his receivers, and still put up pretty good stats. From an NFL perspective, I think both have lots of potential and at this point I'd have trouble choosing one over the other. Assuming they declare for the draft (both could return for 1 more year of college) I'd be very happy with Seattle taking either one as the heir apparent to Hasselbeck.
One more thing, they both look like better prospects than other QB's I've seen, and I've watched several games of each of the others, Bradford, Snead, Pike, Tebow, McCoy.
Obviously, Bradford last year and during the BYU game. Looking forward to seeing his return and how he does this year. I don't think he has the arm of Locker, and playing in a spread offense, I don't think he shows NFl potential like Clausen. At this point I'd take Clausen over Bradford.
Thanks for the notes annonymous. I caught parts of the game on a poor quality feed and then eventually gave up for gametracker. What a difference now as I watch USC vs California in HD. I'll have a blog post with some thoughts on this game up by tomorrow morning.
I think credit has to go to Locker. Clearly Notre Dame and Clausen had everything going for them in terms of being at home, familiarity with the system, better receivers/o-line etc. For Locker to go out there and compete and nearly lead his team to an upset was exactly what the draft 'experts' wanted to see so they could put him top of their big boards on Monday.
The pundits are crying out for someone to step up to the plate. They wanted Jevan Snead to do it and he hasn't. I think we'll see a ton of hype thrown Jake Locker's way now, we'll see how he responds. More games like today though and it'll be increasingly hard for him not to declare - same goes for Clausen.
Bradford has shown a level of accuracy and that is always important. I'm not convinced however with his mechanics, the fact he doesn't put his body into his throws, his arm strength and ability to avoid pressure and throw on the run.
Clausen has a similar action in terms of it being very side arm. That's a negative on Clausen's behalf. I also don't like it when he throws off the back foot, the ball floats a bit and has no velocity. I want to see him do more under center to force his footwork to improve and hopefully indirectly get him to throw more off his front foot.
I was most impressed by Jake Locker. Who knew this kid could run? I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I want our next QB drafted next year, and honestly Locker really moved up on my list. I'm not as big on Clausen, but we'll see.
Hey Patrick, I'm just curious, have you ever seen Locker play before? Because statements like "Who knew Locker could run?" make me think no.
I understand Locker looks good in the new Sark offense, but we need a much bigger sample size before we declare him the #1 overall QB like McShay was saying earlier this week. He could really benefit from a Senior year, but the hype might be too much. He might have to strike while the iron is hot.
Kylerabcourt, Yeah, living in Florida makes it very difficult to watch Washington games. This was my first full game and I will admit I was surprised to see him run as much as he did. Does he use his legs a lot?
Patrick, Locker does not run as much this year as he has done in the past. As a redshirt freshman he ran for over 900 yards, which is a Pac-10 record for most rushing yards for a QB. He reachs top speed in just a couple of steps and I’ve heard he runs a low 4.5 40-yard dash. In the past he been known to deliver some hits to the defenders trying to tackle him, due to his powerful way he ran and his size. This year Locker does not run as much because he is becoming a better throwing QB under the tutelage of new Head Coach Steve Sarkisian.
I have to admit I’m on the Jake Locker bandwagon as a potential Seahawk. I’m a Washington Husky fan, so obviously a little biased, and have seen most of Jake Locker’s games (watched from a fans prospective and not from a scouting point of view). If he continues to play the way he been playing then I would want the Seahawks to select him in the 1st round, although I don’t think he will declare for the draft. Locker has a lot of the qualities that I like in a college QB; strong arm, good pocket awareness, puts a good touch on his passes, vocal team leader, makes good decisions with the ball, very tough, good mobility, great potential, good size, plays in a pro-style offense, and he has overcome some adversity.
I would like to get maybe a one game scouting report, from Rob or Kyle, on Locker’s throwing mechanics and whether or not he has a quick release, which are two things I’m not good at judging.
I wouldhonestly like to see Locker in a seahawks uniform calling plays for. Hasselbecks too injury prone and getting old and Seneca is now a joke. The other qbs "going" into the draft are good but come on, they come from spread offenses. Jake Locker will end up being Seneca and Hasselbeck together (referencing skills,not the bad stuff hehe.) Jake Locker for 2010!!!!!!! Throw in some Mays or Berry too.
Seems to me that Clausen wasn't all that good at feeling the rush from the back of his head. One thing I've seen experienced quarterbacks do is sidestep in the pocket well - even Seneca Wallace manages that at times. Mind you, I don't want my quarterbacks getting themselves hurt stupidly, either. Clausen just gave up because of the rush too many times for my liking, just too easily is what I mean. Otherwise - a pretty darn good game.
Jake's coming along, true. I'm certainly curious where he'll end up.
- Tim
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