ESPN Insider: Anonymous Execs weigh in on Bills picks and QBs

[racketmaster]

ESPN link

http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/insider/story/_/id/23374287/2018-nfl-draft-execs-unfiltered-every-team-picks-baker-mayfield-saquon-barkley-josh-rosen-lamar-jackson-more

 

Below are the comments that are Bills related or on the top 6 QBS. 

 

Baltimore Ravens

"Lamar Jackson at No. 32 was my favorite pick of the first round," an exec said. "You get a fifth-year option for a quarterback who has a chance to come in and unseat Joe Flacco in a hurry and is a dynamic playmaker. It's a genius first round for me because they kept trading back and still got the guys they wanted. We compared the tight end [Hurst] to Todd Heap, so the fit really could not be any better in Baltimore."

Another exec compared Jackson favorably to Michael Vick, whose former quarterbacks coach in Philly (James Urban) holds the same job in Baltimore.

"Can you teach a guy to see it quicker and become accurate?" an exec asked. "That will be the question with Jackson. The talent is there. He is probably a better scrambler than Vick. He probably has better passing technique than Vick had, and if you really want to look at it, Michael Vick was the first pick in the draft who had a good career."

Not everyone loves Jackson as a prospect, or else other teams would have been scrambling to select him earlier in the round.

"Thirteen test score [on the Wonderlic], and his mom is his agent," one skeptic said.

Another insider bristled over the gap between Jackson's college production and where he was selected, particularly with so many questions surrounding the other quarterbacks.

"We will take Rosen, whose teammates dislike him and who makes a fool of himself on TV," this insider said, "but there were only a few teams that would have taken Jackson, even though he could be the best quarterback in this draft."

 

Arizona Cardinals

"I was hoping they would stay at 15 and get Lamar Jackson, but I don't have a problem with what they did," an exec said. "Everybody recognizes the talent with Rosen, but he is not the top guy in the draft because nobody likes him."

The Cardinals were in a difficult spot. They needed a quarterback, but they couldn't realistically trade up high enough to have their choice. They would land whichever quarterback lasted long enough to reach within striking distance. Rosen was prickly out of the gates, saying he would not "come in and be an a--h--- and think that my s--- don't stink," despite being "pissed" that teams drafting ahead of Arizona made "big mistakes" in choosing other QBs.

Exec after exec said the same things about Rosen. One called the former UCLA quarterback a combination of Jeff George and Jay Cutler who would struggle to lead a team. Another worried that Rosen was not durable, comparing him to current Cardinals starter Sam Bradford.

"I think they have it set up right in Arizona because [offensive coordinator] Mike McCoy can speak the kid's language and talk fast enough to try to stay ahead of the kid so he does not get bored," an insider said.

An exec noted that quarterbacks coach Byron Leftwich, already considered future head-coaching material by former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, would become a shooting star if he could help mold Rosen into a success.

"Byron will be good for the kid if Rosen allows it," an insider said.

This insider then let out a chuckle.

"Byron in about a week will probably want to take a poke at him," this insider continued. "He's from f---ing D.C., and he ain't having a cake eater walk in and act like an a--h---."

 

Buffalo Bills

That is where Buffalo bet its future on Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

"It's a cold-weather quarterback who is big and strong, not frail and little, in a cold-weather city where it's windy," an exec said. "You are going to have to throw it through the wind and he can do those things. Good job for that. He is aw-shucks, likes football, makes his team visits with sweats and tennis shoes -- perfect for Buffalo. They don't need Baker Mayfield in f---ing designer clothes, OK? They need Jim Kelly."

For the Bills, this draft was about finding a quarterback and loading up on defense with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, cornerback Taron Johnson and cornerback Siran Neal in the first five rounds.

"The linebacker [Edmunds] is a play-making, run-around, off-the-ball 'backer," an exec said, "and guess what they play in Buffalo? A really simple scheme in which you make plays and run around. Perfect. Edmunds makes plays sideline-to-sideline, and can run through the line of scrimmage. He is raw, but has enough athleticism to defend the short-zone pass because guess what they play? Carolina's defense -- short-zone pass."

 

Cleveland Browns

What if someone told you two months ago that the Browns would select Baker Mayfield first overall?

"No F'ing way," said an exec. "I came to grips with it the night before, but I didn't fully come to grips with it until the card was turned in, and I was like, 'My God, what is going on here?'"

This exec said much of the quarterback evaluation process comes down to the feel a team has after meeting with a player.

"John [Dorsey] wants a leader of men," this exec said. "He must have thought Baker was a leader of men. The time teams spend with quarterbacks one-on-one really is a big factor."

Selecting Sam Darnold instead of Mayfield would have felt like the conventional play, but there was always the potential for someone to love Mayfield near the top.

"Do you trust Baker Mayfield or not?" one insider asked two weeks before the draft. "If you do, then Baker Mayfield would be No. 1 [among the quarterbacks]."

 

NY Jets

"It's like the biggest gift they have ever received," an exec said. "They may have played this thing perfectly. I almost wondered if they leaked that they liked Mayfield, which forced Cleveland to take Mayfield at 1 as opposed to getting him at 4. I do not know if that was the case, but if it was, that was masterful by them."

Another exec thought the Browns' hiring of Scot McCloughan played at least some role in steering the team toward Mayfield. However it happened, the Jets seemed to win.

"They are all-in at this point," this exec said. "If they don't get it right, they are all fired, anyway. You are all-in, and you got a really good quarterback. If he fails, they fail anyway. If they didn't get Darnold, look at the other quarterbacks. I think they would have been done because I think Darnold is probably the best one."

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

"I actually like Rudolph more than I like Josh Allen," this insider said. "Looking at the situation in Pittsburgh vs. the situation in Buffalo, I would almost bank on Rudolph's future more than Allen's future. Then, look at what the teams gave up to get a quarterback. The Jets are really happy Darnold was there for them, and it worked out great, and they need to be excited, but we cannot forget the No. 3 pick and three second-rounders they gave up to get him."

 

Not impressed with Pittsburgh's pick of Edmunds.   "His brother [Tremaine, chosen 16th by the Bills] is going to be awesome for Buffalo".

 

Washington Redskins

"I would have taken Tremaine Edmunds because he is 19 years old [20 as of Wednesday], and he is a three-down player no matter what. He can drop, he can pass rush, he can play the run. He could play inside linebacker, outside linebacker, defensive end -- you name it. And when he is 21-22 years old, he could be 245 pounds."

Edited May 4, 2018 by racketmaster

[racketmaster]

Biggest takeaways: 

1. There has to be something wrong with Rosen’s personality/character. Too many people don’t like the guy and in turn would pass on the player. 

2. Execs love the pick of Tremaine Edmunds and the fit in McDermott’s defense. 

[vorpma]

Just now, racketmaster said:

Biggest takeaways: 

1. There has to be something wrong with Rosen’s personality/character. Too many people don’t like the guy and in turn would pass on the player. 

2. Execs love the pick of Tremaine Edmunds and the fit in McDermott’s defense. 

Personality is my concern, but it took some time for the rough edges to wear off Jim Kelly too!

[jr1]

Rosen was impressive in the Cowherd interview though

[QB12]

A promising review @Bills...filled w/accolades all around.

[Alphadawg7]

17 minutes ago, racketmaster said:

 

Arizona Cardinals

"I was hoping they would stay at 15 and get Lamar Jackson, but I don't have a problem with what they did," an exec said. "Everybody recognizes the talent with Rosen, but he is not the top guy in the draft because nobody likes him."

The Cardinals were in a difficult spot. They needed a quarterback, but they couldn't realistically trade up high enough to have their choice. They would land whichever quarterback lasted long enough to reach within striking distance. Rosen was prickly out of the gates, saying he would not "come in and be an a--h--- and think that my s--- don't stink," despite being "pissed" that teams drafting ahead of Arizona made "big mistakes" in choosing other QBs.

Exec after exec said the same things about Rosen. One called the former UCLA quarterback a combination of Jeff George and Jay Cutler who would struggle to lead a team. Another worried that Rosen was not durable, comparing him to current Cardinals starter Sam Bradford.

"I think they have it set up right in Arizona because [offensive coordinator] Mike McCoy can speak the kid's language and talk fast enough to try to stay ahead of the kid so he does not get bored," an insider said.

An exec noted that quarterbacks coach Byron Leftwich, already considered future head-coaching material by former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, would become a shooting star if he could help mold Rosen into a success.

"Byron will be good for the kid if Rosen allows it," an insider said.

This insider then let out a chuckle.

"Byron in about a week will probably want to take a poke at him," this insider continued. "He's from f---ing D.C., and he ain't having a cake eater walk in and act like an a--h---."

 

 

Literally exactly what I have been saying about Rosen.  Nobody likes him.  I have said repeatedly he reminds of Jeff George and Jay Cutler with the body of Sam Bradford.  And here you have NFL execs making the exact same comparison.  

 

This is why 3 teams chose a different QB and 2 other teams who most believe could use a QB (NYG and Den) also chose other players.  He could prove those risks wrong, but when you are draft a QB high in the draft with lots of talented prospects, having serious personality question marks and durability issues makes your stock fall.  AZ could have gotten a steal, or they just got a lemon.  Only time will tell, but all the reasons here are why I liked the Allen pick over Rosen and why I felt Rosen would be the last of the big 4 chosen.  

 

I still would have backed him if we drafted him, no denying he's got a lot of potential, but he was the one QB I didnt want to pay a ransom for.  I would have been ok with him at 7, but I liked Allen better after he won me over in the offseason.  

[racketmaster]

2 minutes ago, vorpma said:

Personality is my concern, but it took some time for the rough edges to wear off Jim Kelly too!

That’s true. I just find it interesting that so many scouts and execs question Rosen’s character. It makes it seem like he is a real douchebag. 

[Alphadawg7]

6 minutes ago, jr1 said:

Rosen was impressive in the Cowherd interview though

 

Anyone can pull it together for one interview, especially when your PR person coaches you.  

Edited May 3, 2018 by Alphadawg7

[The Wiz]

1 minute ago, racketmaster said:

That’s true. I just find it interesting that so many scouts and execs question Rosen’s character. It makes it seem like he is a real douchebag. 

Well he probably comes off as a person that wants to make Bank but doesn't need to be in the NFL to do it.

 

When you're handed everything your whole life you end up rubbing people wrong.

[BuffaloBillyG]

4 minutes ago, racketmaster said:

Biggest takeaways: 

1. There has to be something wrong with Rosen’s personality/character. Too many people don’t like the guy and in turn would pass on the player. 

2. Execs love the pick of Tremaine Edmunds and the fit in McDermott’s defense. 

There have been multiple people that met with him during the draft process come out and say there just seems to,be something "off" about him. I never met him, so I dont know.

 

I will offer this though. Draft night after he was selected he came off extremely poorly. Here's a guy that "slipped" to 10 and acted like he fell to the 4th round. It wasn't just what he said either. His body language, eye contact and General presence was dare I say "Cutler-esqe". That's not the composure you hope to see from the face of your franchise. 

[st pete gogolak]

If we drafted Allen because he's a  "cold weather quarterback" or because he "fits the City of Buffalo" we're dumber than I thought we are.  If we drafted him because we were looking for a "Cam Newton type" who can run a Carolina offense, then we're still pretty dumb.  If, however, we drafted him because he has a lot of impressive physical tools and because in two or three years the FO believes he can be an elite-level NFL quarterback, then we may be pretty smart.  Man, NFL executives are idiots.

[racketmaster]

12 minutes ago, No Place To Hyde said:

There have been multiple people that met with him during the draft process come out and say there just seems to,be something "off" about him. I never met him, so I dont know.

 

I will offer this though. Draft night after he was selected he came off extremely poorly. Here's a guy that "slipped" to 10 and acted like he fell to the 4th round. It wasn't just what he said either. His body language, eye contact and General presence was dare I say "Cutler-esqe". That's not the composure you hope to see from the face of your franchise. 

Could not agree more. He faced some “adversity” and handled it poorly. 

[quinnearlysghost88]

i always love the cold, snow, wind reasoning for picking a QBs. Let's look at those blustery game conditions last year: 

sept 10- 67*

sept 17- 87*

sept 24- 90*

oct 1- Dome

oct 8- 71*

oct 22- 79*

oct 29- 44*

nov 2- 71*

nov 12- 42*

nov 19- 73*

nov 26- 65*

dec 3- 47*

dec10- 29* (snow game!)

dec17- 25*

dec24- 49*

dec 31- 75*

 

playoff: 55*

 

You don't draft a guy based on his ability to play in cold weather, when two of your games are below freezing. 

[Augie]

20 minutes ago, jr1 said:

Rosen was impressive in the Cowherd interview though

 

I thought so too, but at the same time he seemed to think he was above “the process”. The whole “you whine when people don’t give you squat, then you whine if I speak my truth” comes off as better than thou. Play the stinkin’ game if you’re smart. Cowherd got a kick out of it, but I can see how it would be off putting to many, and concern you as the face of the franchise.  

[US Egg]

Wish reporters would cut the crap.

 

Arizona was thrilled Rosen was there at 10 to trade up for and it cost them a lot less than what iffy Allen cost the Bills. 

 

 

[1billsfan]

21 minutes ago, jr1 said:

Rosen was impressive in the Cowherd interview though

 

I had the opposite reaction. I thought he came off pompous in that interview. He may have said the right things, but the way he said them came across as disingenuous and self-centered. I was never a fan of the Bills drafting either Rosen or Mayfield.

 

I originally wanted them to draft Jackson, but since the draft I've done a 180 and I'm very happy Allen was their guy. I honestly didn't do much research on Allen because I was so focused looking for the next DeShaun Watson, that was pretty foolish in retrospect.

 

[Augie]

5 minutes ago, Ifartalot said:

Wish reporters would cut the crap.

 

Arizona was thrilled Rosen was there at 10 to trade up for and it cost them a lot less than what iffy Allen cost the Bills. 

 

 

 

Aside from the personality questions, I would have cringed every time he got sacked and his head bounced off the turf. I freely admit, he was my first choice at 7 at the time, but personality and durability would have been concerns. 

[Skins Malone]

18 minutes ago, No Place To Hyde said:

There have been multiple people that met with him during the draft process come out and say there just seems to,be something "off" about him. I never met him, so I dont know.

 

I will offer this though. Draft night after he was selected he came off extremely poorly. Here's a guy that "slipped" to 10 and acted like he fell to the 4th round. It wasn't just what he said either. His body language, eye contact and General presence was dare I say "Cutler-esqe". That's not the composure you hope to see from the face of your franchise. 

Which i thought was strange considering before the draft Rosen said it wasnt about how high he got drafted but that it was going to the right place and having a long career.  Then he slips a bit and hes all pissed off.  Nothing against the guy but if hes as smart as he thinks he is everyone knows you have to play the game a little bit.  Common sense should have told he kid that he needed to play the game a bit to get drafted high.  He talks about how so many people hate him...so clearly he knows he rubs people the wrong way.

Now nothing wrong with him just wanting to be himself but then dont complain that you slipped a little bit.

[The Wiz]

7 minutes ago, Ifartalot said:

Wish reporters would cut the crap.

 

Arizona was thrilled Rosen was there at 10 to trade up for and it cost them a lot less than what iffy Allen cost the Bills. 

 

 

So thrilled that they tried to trade to 7 to take Allen.

[JoPar_v2]

These guys sound like morons. Does anyone actually give a flip what kind of clothes Baker Mayfield wears? That factors in? Really?

 

no wonder these waterheads insist on anonymity.

[swnybillsfan]

33 minutes ago, jr1 said:

Rosen was impressive in the Cowherd interview though

i really think rosen turns a lot of people off by not being all about football all the time. it's as if he really likes football, and wants to be great at it, but it is not the all encompassing, be all, end all. i think that for him, it is a piece of his life, and not his whole life. i really believe that most football guys are going to want a guy that eats, breathes, and craps football. and i don't think that rosen it that guy. having said all that, i loved this kid and wanted the bills to grab him. but i am all aboard the josh allen train now!

[TC in St. Louis]

Josh Allen's Pro Day Highlights

 

The Bills tested the bejeezus out of Josh Allen, and they think they've got their franchise guy.  They know a lot more about him than any media person or even the most ardent fan.  Weeks ago Josh said he loved Bills Mafia, and I thought that was pretty cool.  What I also thought was cool was his appearance on Josh Allen's Pro Day.  What an arm.  He will be our star for a long time.

[Aussie Joe]

Quotes from "Anonymous Execs"... are stuff reporters make up to pad out a story....

[Gugny]

45 minutes ago, racketmaster said:

Biggest takeaways: 

1. There has to be something wrong with Rosen’s personality/character. Too many people don’t like the guy and in turn would pass on the player. 

2. Execs love the pick of Tremaine Edmunds and the fit in McDermott’s defense. 

 

Going into the draft, I was an "either Josh will make me happy," guy.  But I'm glad we picked Allen and not Rosen.  I like some cockiness and arrogance in a QB; I think it's necessary.  I think Mayfield has a great level of it and I think Allen's is there, but more quiet.  But Rosen ... I think his level of arrogance is over the top.  I think he's going to have a hard time in the locker room and gaining respect on the field.  If there was anyone whoever fit the, "I'm God's gift to the earth," mold, it is Rosen.  I'm not wishing failure on the kid.  But I think his ego will get the better of him.

[Skins Malone]

14 minutes ago, JoPar_v2 said:

These guys sound like morons. Does anyone actually give a flip what kind of clothes Baker Mayfield wears? That factors in? Really?

 

no wonder these waterheads insist on anonymity.

Didnt people get like that with Mark Sanchez too? Or am imagining it

[Prickly Pete]

26 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I thought so too, but at the same time he seemed to think he was above “the process”. The whole “you whine when people don’t give you squat, then you whine if I speak my truth” comes off as better than thou. Play the stinkin’ game if you’re smart. Cowherd got a kick out of it, but I can see how it would be off putting to many, and concern you as the face of the franchise.  

 

He was on a "patch up your image" interview tour. They crafted a bunch of answers (and likely submitted the questions to the interviewers). 

He is well spoken. He is smart. No surprise he can do some good last minute interviews.

[Skins Malone]

29 minutes ago, quinnearlysghost88 said:

i always love the cold, snow, wind reasoning for picking a QBs. Let's look at those blustery game conditions last year: 

sept 10- 67*

sept 17- 87*

sept 24- 90*

oct 1- Dome

oct 8- 71*

oct 22- 79*

oct 29- 44*

nov 2- 71*

nov 12- 42*

nov 19- 73*

nov 26- 65*

dec 3- 47*

dec10- 29* (snow game!)

dec17- 25*

dec24- 49*

dec 31- 75*

 

playoff: 55*

 

You don't draft a guy based on his ability to play in cold weather, when two of your games are below freezing. 

Well Beane said that even if they played in a dome they still would have drafted Allen

[Prickly Pete]

1 minute ago, Skins Malone said:

Didnt people get like that with Mark Sanchez too? Or am imagining it

 

Then maybe there is something to it, huh?

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, racketmaster said:

Pittsburgh Steelers

"I actually like Rudolph more than I like Josh Allen," this insider said. "Looking at the situation in Pittsburgh vs. the situation in Buffalo, I would almost bank on Rudolph's future more than Allen's future. Then, look at what the teams gave up to get a quarterback. The Jets are really happy Darnold was there for them, and it worked out great, and they need to be excited, but we cannot forget the No. 3 pick and three second-rounders they gave up to get him."

 

His brother [Tremaine, chosen 16th by the Bills] is going to be awesome for Buffalo.

 

I'm confused by this bit.  It reads as though Rudolph is Tremain Edmunds brother.  Was there another Edmunds in the draft and chosen by Pitts or ??

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, OJABBA said:

 

He was on a "patch up your image" interview tour. They crafted a bunch of answers (and likely submitted the questions to the interviewers). 

He is well spoken. He is smart. No surprise he can do some good last minute interviews.

 

Absolutely true, and at the same time, I still got a mixed message. 

[Mat68]

59 minutes ago, jr1 said:

Rosen was impressive in the Cowherd interview though

Gotta take that with a grain of salt.  They are neighbors and with the bad press Colin was trying to give him a solid.  He wouldnt have treated Mayfield like that.

Edited May 4, 2018 by Mat68

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, racketmaster said:

Biggest takeaways: 

1. There has to be something wrong with Rosen’s personality/character. Too many people don’t like the guy and in turn would pass on the player. 

 

I think that Badlands Meanie brought up some interesting points in another thread.  There is something going on here.

 

We have guys who got arrested, who were accused of various kinds of assault and arguably "shielded" by the hometown police and college shirking the investigation, guys who were accused of academic fraud and stealing, all that jive.  And yet I can't ever remember a fraction of the kerfluffle.

 

I'll put it out there, I think this is all a "dogwhistle" for the "F*ck (presidential candidate)" hat and the various strongly expressed views about college athletics.

 

I think NFL owners are scared to death Rosen will build a name for himself in the league and then become Kaepernick 2.0.

 

And they just might have a point, and there really isn't anything he could say to put them at ease on it.

 

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Literally exactly what I have been saying about Rosen.  Nobody likes him.  I have said repeatedly he reminds of Jeff George and Jay Cutler with the body of Sam Bradford.  And here you have NFL execs making the exact same comparison. 

 

Yeah, so here's the paradox.  There have been plenty of QB who are arrogant a*holes.  Aaron Rodgers signed up for a couple years of hazing h*ll by walking up to meet Brett Favre for the first time and greeting him with "Hello, Grandpa!" (Seriously, Rodgers?  You called him "Grandpa" the first time you met?) You named 2 more.  Tom Brady isn't called "Tom Terrific" because he's beloved of all in the locker room, and Peyton Manning wasn't called "The Sherriff" because he was such a nice guy.

 

But can anyone recall a similar amount of kerfluffle about a guy's "likeability"?   That's what I thought, I can't either. 

 

It's not the QB job to be likeable, it's his job to play well and make the other team look like "fools with their pants on the ground".  Do that and your locker room charisma instantly elevates.

[Turk71]

1 hour ago, vorpma said:

Personality is my concern, but it took some time for the rough edges to wear off Jim Kelly too!

Rosen doesn't have rough edges like Kelly though, he has arrogant, obnoxious, entitled edges that rub people the wrong way. It would not surprise me if he gets Geno-ed by a teammate.

[CNY315]

17 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I'm confused by this bit.  It reads as though Rudolph is Tremain Edmunds brother.  Was there another Edmunds in the draft and chosen by Pitts or ??

Yes. Terrell at safety. First time ever two brothers have been drafted in the 1st round. Pretty cool

[Hapless Bills Fan]

 

37 minutes ago, JoPar_v2 said:

These guys sound like morons. Does anyone actually give a flip what kind of clothes Baker Mayfield wears? That factors in? Really?

 

no wonder these waterheads insist on anonymity.

 

21 minutes ago, Skins Malone said:

Didnt people get like that with Mark Sanchez too? Or am imagining it

 

All about Sanchez' clothes?  I don't remember that but maybe...good looking guy, liked to dress classy

Just now, CNY315 said:

Yes. Terrell at safety. First time ever two brothers have been drafted in the 1st round. Pretty cool

 

That is cool, thanks.  Did Pitt draft him?

[CNY315]

2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

 

 

  Did Pitt draft him?

Yep

Edited May 4, 2018 by CNY315

[Hapless Bills Fan]

7 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

Rosen doesn't have rough edges like Kelly though, he has arrogant, obnoxious, entitled edges that rub people the wrong way. It would not surprise me if he gets Geno-ed by a teammate.

 

It would surprise me.  Also if Brady Quinn were to "take a poke at him" as the one exec irresponsibly suggested.

Rosen is not Geno Smith, your team's struggling 2nd round draft pick.  He's the guy your team just traded up in the first to draft.

 

Unless you're dumber than a can of dried latex, they all should be able to do that math.

 

And yeah, I seem to remember Kelly having some pretty arrogant, obnoxious entitled edges when he walked into the Buffalo locker room.

He was coming off 3 seasons earning big money for the time with the USFL and had just signed the biggest QB contract ever with the Bills.

He was marketed successfully as Mr Blue Collar Guy from PA, but he was far from those roots by 1986.

[Turk71]

Living in Eugene and following Pac12 football, there were stories a few years ago about Rosen not being well liked. Long before this draft process and election cycle he had a rep as a douche in the Pac 12, as much as some like to think it, this is not something new made up for the draft or political atmosphere.

[Alphadawg7]

28 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Yeah, so here's the paradox.  There have been plenty of QB who are arrogant a*holes.  Aaron Rodgers signed up for a couple years of hazing h*ll by walking up to meet Brett Favre for the first time and greeting him with "Hello, Grandpa!" (Seriously, Rodgers?  You called him "Grandpa" the first time you met?) You named 2 more.  Tom Brady isn't called "Tom Terrific" because he's beloved of all in the locker room, and Peyton Manning wasn't called "The Sherriff" because he was such a nice guy.

 

But can anyone recall a similar amount of kerfluffle about a guy's "likeability"?   That's what I thought, I can't either. 

 

It's not the QB job to be likeable, it's his job to play well and make the other team look like "fools with their pants on the ground".  Do that and your locker room charisma instantly elevates.

 

I get what you are saying...(capital words below to emphasize, not yell)

 

Except you are grossly inaccurate on the comparison of what Rosen's personality issues are and those other guys.  People don't like Rosen for different reasons than you listed.  

 

Rogers and Brady have the complete respect of those guys in the locker room and side line.  They earned it and they are true leaders.  They are confident, and they fight to win for the team.  

 

There is a MASSIVE difference in how Jeff George and Jay Cutler carry their "confidence" or "a-hole" traits as you put it than Rogers, Brady and Manning.  If you cant see that, then I don't know what to tell you.  Rosen doesn't make people think of how those big 3 HOF QB's lead...he makes them think of Cutler and George.  Thats the issue.  He very well might turn out to be great and get passed it.  But there is an ocean of difference in how he carries himself and how Rogers, Brady, and Manning do.  And thats why people are turned off by him, because they are not yet convinced he can lead a group of men out on the field.  

 

You can be a smart ass, you can be cocky, you can be even an a**hole...but if the guys on the field don't like you unanimously, you wont lead them anywhere.  And everyone seems to think he is a HARD guy to like...Brady, Rogers, and Manning are not hard guys to like.  

 

And the biggest issue, is how will Rosens fake tough guy attitude respond to adversity in the NFL?  He already failed miserably at his first shot in his post draft interview.  It was 100% ok to say 9 teams made a mistake...thats confidence, thats a chip, thats motivation...Great.  But to literally say you sulked, were mad, and tuned out when you didnt go top 3 (and he wasn't even expected to really go top 3) and claim you were going to FAKE SMILE when drafted because of it...thats a mentally weak, bruised ego, p*ssy thing to say.  That is 100% what people don't like about him...its all about him...its about what he looks like...its about his frail ego.  

 

Aaron Rogers went from being debated at #1 to falling all the way to the 20's to GB...did you seem him say he tuned out, had to fake a smile, or any of that BS?  Nope, because its a weak, whiny, bratty thing to do.  You just got chosen in the first round of the NFL draft and about to do what millions wish they could do and get paid a lot to do it.  But no, it was being pissy that he wasn't taken a handful picks later to the point he planned to FAKE A SMILE.  

 

I have ZERO issue with him saying 9 teams made a mistake and he will take it as motivation.  I have ZERO issue if he thinks he's the best QB or best player in the draft, hell I WANT my QB to think that.  Its another to be so butt hurt that you don't even expect to be happy to get drafted in the top 10 and feel you need to fake a smile when it happens.  

 

Especially considering just about anyone with any common sense knew he wasn't going top 3 in the first place.  Cle came down to Baker or Darnold...it was pretty clear NYG were taking Barkley, and Jets were certainly gonna take Darnold at 3.  

Edited May 4, 2018 by Alphadawg7

[Hapless Bills Fan]

7 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

Living in Eugene and following Pac12 football, there were stories a few years ago about Rosen not being well liked. Long before this draft process and election cycle he had a rep as a douche in the Pac 12, as much as some like to think it, this is not something new made up for the draft or political atmosphere.

 

I don't disbelieve you a bit.  My point is that plenty of other talented college QB have been arrogant douches, or arrested, or investigated for assault, or rumored to use drugs, or all kind of things that, IMHO, sound way more troubling than being a hard-working talented douche, yet (at least to my memory) their drafts and pre-drafts and post-drafts were relatively ripple-free relative to Rosen