Representing the San Diego Chargers, killetjt with the 49th pick in Arrowhead Pride's 2012 NFL mock draft...
Initially, I was going to pick an offensive lineman for the Chargers, but general manager A.J. Smith has forced this pick to go a different direction. It all started when the Chargers cut longtime backup quarterback Billy Volek. This left a vacancy at backup quarterback. To fill the backup role the Chargers went out and found a clone of Tyler Palko in Charlie Whitehurst.
CHARLIE WHITEHURST = TYLER PALKO
What is the only worthy thing that Palko did in Kansas City? He helped get Todd Haley fired. As a Chiefs fan I am grateful to not see Hailey in red anymore.
If Philip Rivers suffers an injury that keeps him out of a few games, then the Chargers will not have a shot at the playoffs. "But, Rivers never gets hurt". The same was said of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. The Patriots were smart and drafted lots of quarterbacks. In 2008 Matt Cassel took over for Brady and led the team to an 11-5 season. In 2011 when Manning missed the season, the Colts who had not invested in a backup used a slew of players. None of them worked out, and now the Colts have the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft. The Chargers have had the Colts attitude of "Why draft a quarterback when we already have a great one?" Brett Faver is the only top quarterback that has not missed time. Even with the reliable Faver leading the Packers, they went out and used a first round pick on Arran Rogers. Teams that invest in quarterbacks when they have a great one do not take a year or two off.
IF WHITEHURST STARTS AS MANY GAMES AS PALKO DID IN 2012, THEN NORV TURNER AND A.J. SMITH WILL BOTH BE LOOKING FOR NEW JOBS NEXT YEAR.
Can the Chargers find a backup quarterback in free agency? Since the draft is just around the corner, there is not much left.
Top Free Agent Quarterbacks Remaining:
Dennis Dixon, QB, Steelers. Age: 27
Billy Volek, QB, Chargers. Age: 36
Donovan McNabb, QB, Vikings. Age: 35
Vince Young, QB, Eagles. Age: 29
Matt Leinart, QB, Texans. Age: 29
Byron Leftwich, QB, Steelers. Age: 32
A.J. Feeley, QB, Rams. Age: 35
J.P. Losman, QB, Dolphins. Age: 31
Kyle Boller, QB, Raiders. Age: 31
Luke McCown, QB, Jaguars. Age: 31
Jake Delhomme, QB, Texans. Age: 37
Mark Brunell, QB, Jets. Age: 41
Kerry Collins, QB, Colts. Age: 39
Kevin O'Connell, QB, Jets. Age: 27
Curtis Painter, QB, Colts. Age: 27
Max Hall, QB, Cardinals. Age: 26
When looking at the list of free agent quarterbacks there are three things that come up; the guy is old (Collins, Brunell), the guy is hurt all the time (Leinart, Young), or the guy just plain sucks (Losman, McNabb). There are two players on this list that I like. One is Billy Volek who the Chargers just cut; so that is not an option. Volek was sold when he started ten games for the Titans in 2004 having 18 TDs and 10 INTs. Volek followed that up in 2008 with a playoff victory when Philip Rivers went down. If you're a Chargers, fan hope that Smith brings back Volek. Otherwise, the Chargers will have to draft a quarterback.
The other guy is Dennis Dixon. Dixon has shown promise for the Steelers even though he has been in a crowded QB field. The best part about Dixon is he is only 27. Dixon has what it takes to be a good backup in the NFL for at least five more years. Dixon was born in Oakland, CA and played college ball at Oregon, so he likes the West Coast. Dixon has seen some interest from teams as he worked out with the Rams, Broncos, and Ravens. Thus, Dixon will either sign before the draft or shortly after the draft. The Chargers have shown no interest in Dixon. Thus, they must look to the draft to find a backup quarterback.
The two best quarterbacks left in the draft are Brandon Weeden and Kirk Cousins. Brandon Weeden is a great prospect, but not the right fit for the Chargers. Weeden is in a hard spot because he will be 28. The system at Oklahoma State is not like any pro system, as it is all hurry-up no huddle where the coaches on the sideline are calling the plays. Weeden will need a yare or two to sit. After that, a team needs to start him or his age will pass him up. The Chargers will not be looking for a new starter at quarterback for about five years. Weeden's best fit is Denver were he can sit on the bench for a couple of years, and then take over when Manning hangs it up.
With the 49th pick of the 2012 NFL draft the San Diego Chargers Select Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State.
Cousins dose not compare well to anyone in the NFL. Instead there are three major aspects of two players that make up the football player Cousins. Cousins' has leadership abilities that rive those of Tim Tebow. Like Tebow, religious faith is the bases of Cousins' leadership. Cousins' leadership ability was show off with a speech he presented at the 2011 Big Ten media day. The speech is a YouTube hit as it has been played over 300,000 times.
Cousins' work ability rivals that of Tim Tebow. Both Tebow and Cousins succeed, because they refused to give up. Both players have been told a number of times that they don't have what it takes to be a great quarterback. Every time, these two players have succeeded by their willingness to work harder than anyone in the locker room. There are glaring differences in their quarterback styles. Cousins is a pro-style pocket passer while Tebow is an option quarterback. The reason Cousins will not be a first round pick is his skill set. Cousins' skill set is similar to that of Matt Cassel.
Kirt Cousins = Matt Cassel Skills + Tim Tebow Leader and + Tim Tebow Effort
Other info on Cousins
- Posted a 3.68 GPA in kinesiology : the study of human movement. This is some of the stuff that they use on sports science.
- One of just 16 players in program history to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors four-straight years.
- MSU's career record holder in passing touchdowns (66), passing yards (9,131), completions (723), passing efficiency (146.1 rating), total offense (9,004 yards) and 200-yard passing games (26)
- Ranks among the Big Ten's all-time Top 10 in completion percentage (tied for sixth at .641), passing efficiency rating (seventh), passing yards (10th) and TD passes (tied for 10th)
- Only the second three-time captain in MSU history (Robert McCurry, 1946-48)
- On third downs, led the FBS with 1,071 passing yards, connecting on 80-of-135 third-down throws (.593); 51 of those completions resulted in first downs and 12 for touchdowns; those marks on third down also ranked among the FBS leaders (tied for third in touchdowns and completions)
Final I will leave you with a few YouTube videos.
Kirk Cousins - Spartan Highlight Video (2008-2011)
Gruden's QB Camp: Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins NFL Draft Analysis - 2010 Season
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Previously (with approval results)...
1. Indianapolis Colts - Baylor QB Robert Griffin III (42%)
2. Washington Redskins - Stanford QB Andrew Luck (72%)
3. Minnesota Vikings - USC OT Matt Kalil (89%)
4. Cleveland Browns - Alabama RB Trent Richardson (70%)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - LSU CB Morris Claiborne (84%)
6. St. Louis Rams - Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon (91%)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Stanford G David DeCastro (33%)
8. Miami Dolphins - Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill (73%)
9. Carolina Panthers - South Carolina LB/DE Melvin Ingram (Forgot to do a poll)
10. Buffalo Bills - Stanford OT Jonathan Martin (73%)
11. Kansas City Chiefs - LSU DT Michael Brockers (35%)
12. Seattle Seahawks - Boston College LB Luke Kuechly (66%)
13. Arizona Cardinals - Iowa T Riley Reiff (88%)
14. Dallas Cowboys - North Carolina DE Quinton Coples (68%)
15. Philadelphia Eagles - Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox (79%)
16. New York Jets - Alabama DE/LB Courtney Upshaw (83%)
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd (68%)
18. San Diego Chargers - Penn State DT Devon Still (42%)
19. Chicago Bears - Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick (51%)
20. Tennessee Titans - South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore (63%)
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Georgia OL Cordy Glenn (64%)
22. Cleveland Browns - Arizona QB Nick Foles (21%)
23. Detroit Lions - Alabama S Mark Barron (67%)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Memphis NT Dontari Poe (62%)
25. Denver Broncos -- Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy (64%)
26. Houston Texans -- Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill (68%)
27. New England Patriots - North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins (58%)
28. Green Bay Packers - Illinois OLB/DE Whitney Mercilus (70%)
29. Baltimore Ravens - LSU WR Rueben Randle (34%)
30. San Francisco 49ers - Stanford TE Coby Fleener (46%)
31. New England Patriots - USC OLB Nick Perry (64%)
32. New York Giants - Baylor WR Kendall Wright (48%)
33. St. Louis Rams - Ohio State LT Mike Adams (77%)
34. Indianapolis Colts - South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery (Forgot to do a poll)
35. Minnesota Vikings - Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower (62%)
36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Nebraska LB Lavonte David (71%)
37. Cleveland Browns - Wisconsin G Kevin Zeitler (65%)
38. Jacksonville Jaguars - Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu (72%)
39. St. Louis Rams - Boise State LB Shea McClellin (59%)
40. Carolina Panthers - Clemson DT Brandon Thompson (65%)
41. Buffalo Bills - Oregon RB LaMichael James (34%)
42. Miami Dolphins - Boise State RB Doug Martin (26%)
43. Seattle Seahawks - Marshall DE Vinny Curry
44. Kansas City Chiefs - Midwestern State OL Amini Silatolu
45. Dallas Cowboys - Wisconsin C Peter Konz
46. Philadelphia Eagles - North Carolina LB Zach Brown
47. New York Jets -- Notre Dame S Harrison Smith
48. New England Patriots - Connecticut DT Kendall Reyes
49. San Diego Chargers - Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins