The Armchair QB's Notebook

Disclaimer: I am not a draft expert.

These are merely layman's observations from a fantasy football writer and former high school QB. A big thanks goes out to the fine folks at draftbreakdown.com for enabling me to ditch work for amateur hour film study. I'll be updating and adding to my QB notes throughout the draft process.

1. TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, LOUISVILLE
Games Watched So Far: Ohio, Miami

- 6'3", 205 lbs.
- Natural, smooth.
- Athletic, but not a runner. Uses mobility to extend plays/pocket, where he throws very well on the run (both directions).
- Pinpoint darts into small windows at short/intermediate levels.
- Not as dependable on deep throws.
- Poised, smart.
- Easily the most polished QB prospect in this class.
- A Day 1 starter wherever he lands.

VIKINGS SLANT: He's the only guy I'd be happy with at No. 8, and I'd endorse a trade up if he begins to slide.

2. BLAKE BORTLES, UCF

Games Watched So Far: Penn State, Louisville, UConn

- 6'4", 227 lbs.

- Size/athleticism is A+.

- No fear. Competitor. Totally unflappable.

- I've seen Andrew Luck comparisons, and physically I can buy it, but he has a major flaw: his lower body mechanics are a mess. Instead of stepping into his throws and driving the ball, he opens up and loses his hips, causing loss of velocity and inconsistent accuracy/ball placement. 

- His actual arm strength is hard to even judge, because he doesn't get his lower half into his throws.

- I would think this is coachable, but as of now he's a project who's nowhere near Sunday-ready. He'd be a pick-six magnet the way he floats his out routes.

VIKINGS SLANT: Because of the physical potential, he's somebody I'd be fine moving back into the late-first round for, but you'll need to have a Band-Aid in place for 2014.

3. DEREK CARR, FRESNO STATE

Games Watched So Far: USC, New Mexico, Rutgers

- 6'2", 215 lbs.

- Golden arm. This kid can spin it.

- Athletic/mobile enough.

- Unlike Bortles, seems very flappable. Get pressure in his face and he resembles Cutler: overconfidence in supreme arm talent resulting in back-foot idiot throws. I'm not sure that this flaw is coachable.

- Only saw him in shotgun.

- He's gonna make people drool in shorts. Expect stock to rise as draft nears.

- I think if you can keep the pocket clean he could be a stud. 

VIKINGS SLANT: I'd be very happy with him at 2.08, and wouldn't be against moving up a bit if he's sliding. Would compete for a Day 1 starting job.

4. JOHNNY MANZIEL, TEXAS A&M

Games Watched So Far: Alabama, LSU

- 6'0", 205 lbs.

- I could be totally wrong on this.

- He's going to get killed.

- Joystick mobility. I feel like I'm watching Madden. Ultra-rare ability to extend plays.

- Thrives on broken plays and improvisation, often escaping out the back of the pocket. He's simply too fast for college defenses. Will these things translate to the next level?

- Oozes competitiveness and leadership.

- The Russell Wilson comparisons don't compute at all for me. Wilson plays controlled, and within himself. Manziel is the exact opposite.

- Wants to put the team on his back, and will singlehandedly win or lose games. 

- Will flip field position—either direction—on any given play. 

- Good enough arm, but throws it up for grabs too much for my liking (Mike Evans).

- You can't rein him in, or he's no longer JFF. The chaos is who he is. Ride or die.

VIKINGS SLANT: I'm not willing to take him at No. 8, and he's unlikely to be there anyways. I'm worried that the speed of NFL defenses will neutralize what he does best. Rick has one more chance to get it right at QB... JFF would take some serious balls.

Protect the Pig!

Minnesota @ Iowa Preview

By Jason Rossow

The 4-0 Golden Gophers travel south to take on the 2-2 Hawkeyes on Saturday. The past dozen years, it seems like the Hawkeyes have been riding momentum into this rivalry game, while Minnesota has been in a tailspin. Well, 2012 sees the rolls reversed, as the Gophers are off to their best start since 2008, and the Hawkeyes come limping into the Big10 season at 2-2 after losing at home to Central Michigan last week. Despite all of that, Iowa is a 7-point favorite.

The key matchup of the game is how Minnesota’s front seven will do against the Iowa running game. Despite their struggles, Iowa’s running game is its usual downhill, well-oiled self. This year’s feature back (after the first eight guys went down) is Mark Weisman. He came into the fall camp as the 3rd string fullback, but since being named the starter has gone for 330 yards and 6 touchdowns in just 2 games. Meanwhile, the Gophers defense is built on speed, and has sacrificed size to do so. The Gophers defensive ends are very small, and their linebackers are also on the small side. Both starting safeties are listed at under 200 pounds, which is small in today’s world. The ability to stop the run and put eight or nine in the box will be the second most important aspect of the game (after the turnover battle).

Injuries are another big piece for the Gophers, as it appears Max Shortell will make his second consecutive start in the absence of MarQueis Gray. Gophers center Zach Mottla is doubtful, left guard Tommy Olson is doubtful and nickel back Martez Shabazz is out.  Patching together the O-line is going to be difficult against a solid D-line. If a third starter goes down along the line during the game, it could get real ugly up front.

If the game is close, and low scoring, Iowa gets my nod as the favorite, as they have one of the best kickers in the country and a solid punter. Meanwhile the Gophers are one of the worst kicking and punting teams in the nation.

Both teams are at the crossroads…. a win for Iowa over rival Minnesota puts them back on track with a 1-0 conference start, and momentum heading into the Big10 season despite the poor the start. A loss leaves them at 2-3 overall, and a trophy case empty yet again. 

For Minnesota, a loss to a struggling Iowa team will leave the fan base second guessing what progress Kill has actually made. A win really cranks the momentum to new levels. The Gophers would go into their bye week 5-0, and ranked—or right on the edge of—the Top 25. Moreover, they will have secured Floyd of Rosedale for the third consecutive year, and notched their first win at Iowa since 1999. With just 12 games a year, and eight Big10 games, Week 1 of Big10 play reinforces just how important each and every week in college football can be.

#ProtectThePig