4/17/10
2010 NFL Draft E-mails – Where Will Jimmy Clausen Go?
I was wondering if you think there is any chance that the Chiefs draft Jimmy Clausen, because you said the Chiefs would be able to cut Cassel after the season before his 7.5 million option or bonus and I was just thinking if they did that why would they wait till next year to get someone when they could have Clausen who they’re already familiar with. I just wanted to know what you think.
–> In theory you would be right – it would be a good move for the Chiefs to do this – but Scott Pioli gave Matt Cassel a big signing bonus last year, and cutting him after one bad season would be telling ownership that he made a mistake. That’s the whole principle behind the new regimes mean new quarterbacks philosophy; old regimes generally don’t take new quarterbacks because they’re tied to the guys they brought in.
You’re too quick to dismiss the idea of Undead Al drafting Jimmy Clausen.
The Raiders were only too happy for speculation to build about the possibility of Donovan McNabb being traded to the Raiders. if the Raiders really were committed to Russell, two things would’ve happened this offseason:
1. The Raiders would’ve denied interest in McNabb.
2. More importantly, Tom Cable would’ve been fired for benching “a great player.”
–> I think that’s different because McNabb is an established veteran. Clausen is just another rookie who could possibly bust as well. Getting McNabb wouldn’t be closing the book on Russell; McNabb is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, and Al could say that Russell might learn from McNabb. Drafting Clausen would admit error – which is something Al Davis doesn’t do.
So I just happened to be watching some of the North Carolina spring game on ESPN today, and came within about an inch of throwing something through my television. Mark May was commentating on the game (Because the UNC spring football game draws THAT much star power), and he started badgering the other talking heads there about their thoughts on the upcoming draft. When asked about Jimmy Clausen’s draft range, he called him a late first-round or high second-round pick.
Now, when the other two commentators asked him to explain his reasoning, he declined to talk about Clausen’s stats, pro system, or even (thankfully) his perceived lack of intangibles. His reason for projecting Clausen that low? He didn’t see where the UPSIDE was. I’ll repeat that. He didn’t see where the UPSIDE to Clausen, the most polished QB in the draft. He actually said, and I quote, “Is this as good as he’s going to get?” He later went on to declare that he’d absolutely take Bradford at No. 1 in a heartbeat, although he gave no reasons as to why.
–> I’ve learned to stop listening to Mark May a long time ago. Listening to May for long periods can result in: bloody noses, insomnia, stomach pains, vomiting, cramping, spontaneous combustion, seizures and death.
Seriously though, this is just another example of people having no clue what they are talking about. Even if Clausen busts in this league, he’s still a top-10 prospect because he’s a strong-armed quarterback who can make all of the throws coming out of a pro-style offense. Mark May just hates Notre Dame, which is why he doesn’t like Clausen as a prospect. The only reason May still has a job at ESPN is because he’s articulate and well-spoken. But he has no clue what he’s talking about 99 percent of the time.
I never gave you credit when you were writing articles on the bias against Jimmy Clausen a few months back. But after the write-ups I’m seeing on his pro day, I’m convinced. Bradford misses only two passes, and it’s proof his arm is perfectly healed. Clausen misses two passes, and people are talking about how his toe still raises questions. The negative spin is incredible.
I really can’t explain it. In previous years, everyone seems to look for the crack in the armor of the number one pick, but I don’t hear anyone really talking down Bradford. Well, except for Trent Dilfer, whose agent represents Colt McCoy.
I still don’t understand what motivates the Clausen hate. But I am hoping he’ll slip into the 20s and someone like the Cardinals or Vikings will take him. Makes him a nice late first round pick in my dynasty league.
–> I think the anti-Notre Dame bias is what has precipitated all of this Clausen hate. With all of these idiots on TV bashing him, there’s a good chance he could fall on Draft Day. And if he does, some lucky team like the Cardinals or Vikings will get him and win multiple divisional titles at the very least with him at quarterback.
I see the Rams are poised to take Bradford with the number 1 pick. Personally I would much rather see them take Clausen. My question is, how many college spread qb’s are successful in the pro’s? I can’t think of one. It never seems to translate. Why do GM’s continue to draft them so high? Am I missing something? Heck, I would rather have Suh and Colt McCoy than Bradford. At least McCoy can run around and buy time behind the Rams pourous line and since its only a 2nd-round investment, it wont hurt as much when he fails. Yes, I’ve been a Rams fan a long time.
–> You’re right – spread QBs have a remarkably high bust rate in the NFL. I just thought about it, and off the top of my head there aren’t any successful starting NFL quarterbacks right now who came out of a spread aside from Vince Young (if you want to call him successful).
Jimmy Clausen would be the better pick for the Rams. I wrote this a while ago – that the Rams passing on Clausen for Bradford is almost similar to 2005, when the 49ers drafted Alex Smith over Aaron Rodgers. Bradford will be better than Smith in my opinion, and I’m not sure if Clausen will be Rodgers, but it’s the same principle – a team is taking a spread-shotgun quarterback over a polished pro-style quarterback.
I’d just like some insight on what the Vikings chances are at drafting Jimmy Clausen, and what they would have to do to accomplish that.
–> I doubt Clausen will be there at No. 30, so the Vikings will have to trade up. For them to do so, Buffalo will have to pass on Clausen, because moving up to No. 7 (the Raiders don’t trade down, so forget about that) will cost too much.
The Jaguars may take less in return to move down to No. 30 because their owner lost $200 million last year. The Vikings could also move up to No. 14 if the 49ers pass on Clausen; the Seahawks have so many holes on their roster that they would love to move down.
Say Buffalo passes on Clausen at #9 for Dan Williams or an offensive lineman. Where do you see Clausen falling and why not Jacksonville? From what I’m hearing, Jags fans arent happy with Garrard’s play. I know Tebow is the talk for JAX, but theres a risk he wont be there if they trade down, where as if Clausen is sitting there at 10, he is a sure pick. He could sit for a year or so until Garrard is let go.
–> If the Bills pass on Jimmy Clausen, I think Clausen goes to either the Jaguars or 49ers. The Jags could cut Garrard and get out of that contract. The 49ers, meanwhile, just fired the guy who drafted Alex Smith, so no one in the front office has any sort of allegiance to Smith.
2011 NFL Draft Mailbag Archive:
2011 NFL Draft Mailbag Home
Post-Round 1 E-mail - April 29
Hate Mail Volume 7 - April 10
Crackhead Mail Volume 2 - April 10
Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 5 - April 10
Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 5 - April 10
Hate Mail Volume 6 - April 3
Crackhead Mail - April 3
Trade and Prospect Speculation - April 3
Hate Mail Volume 5 - March 28
Cam Newton Mailbag - March 28
Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 4 - March 28
Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 4 - March 28
Hate Mail Volume 4 - March 13
Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 3 - March 13
Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 3 - March 13
Random Questions and Comments - March 7
Hate Mail Volume 3 - March 7
Combine Questions and Comments - March 7
Combine Hate Mail - March 7
Hate Mail Volume 2 - Feb. 22
Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 2 - Feb. 22
Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 2 - Feb. 22
Quarterbacks - Feb. 15
Hate Mail - Feb. 15
Random AFC Questions and Comments - Feb. 15
Random NFC Questions and Comments - Feb. 15
NFL Picks - Dec. 15
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
