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Current NFL starting quarterback says 'if you want to win, you draft Blake Bortles, not Johnny Manziel' http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/02/current_starting_quarterback_i.htmlBy Glenn Moore, Northeast Ohio Media Group on February 24, 2014 at 5:24 PM, updated February 24, 2014 at 5:31 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ask people around the NFL -- from executives to coaches to media members -- about who the top quarterback in the upcoming draft is, and three names are mentioned: Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater and UCF's Blake Bortles. One current NFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft. "If you want to win, you don't draft (Johnny) Manziel. You draft (Blake) Bortles." The Cleveland Browns own the No. 4 pick overall in May and are looking for a franchise quarterback. But the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars are ahead of the Browns in draft and are looking for a long-term answer at quarterback as well. Manziel's height was a topic of discussion over the weekend in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine. He measured in at 5-foot-11 on Friday, shorter than his 6-foot-1 listing at Texas A&M. The below-6-foot height measurement doesn't faze Manziel. "I play with a lot of heart, I play with a lot of passion," he said Friday. "I played like I'm 10-feet tall, so the measurement to me is just a number. '' While quarterbacks in the NFL are around the same height as Manziel - like Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks - Bortles fits the same kind of mold as Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck: A tall, strong player who can run and throw deep. Bortles measured in at 6-foot-5 and 232 pounds. Browns head coach Mike Pettine talked about how quarterbacks don't need to be a specific size to win, and it's more about who they surround him with. "They come in all shapes and sizes,'' he said Saturday morning in Indianapolis. "We’re looking for one that’s going to maximize our ability to win. Even though the quarterback’s a priority, we don’t want to put ourselves in a position where the quarterback has to win the game. I think that’s where some teams make mistakes." The question is can Bortles be a starter in the fall of 2014 and help the team that drafts him win right away? Some would say he needs a year on the bench to learn the NFL before becoming the starter. No one knows what the Texans or Jaguars will do with their picks, but judging from their comments at the combine, it seems like height won't be a factor. "I look for what's best for the team," said Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien, whose team holds the top overall pick in this year's draft. "There's no way that you just label yourself that you like this type of quarterback over that type of quarterback. In my career, I've been around quarterbacks that are 6-foot-5 and I've been around quarterbacks that were 5-foot-10, and both types of quarterback were very successful in some of the things we did offensively." Gus Bradley, head coach of the Jaguars, has three components when it comes to scouting a quarterback. And height is not one of them. "I think for us, if you put down traits that we're looking for in a quarterback, some of the things that keep popping up are timing, accuracy and decision-making," Bradley said. "Obviously there are some things, some people look at height and things, but the three major components are those things and that's what you evaluate on film." New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (6-foot) and Wilson (5-foot-11) are the two most prominent examples: both have led their respective teams to a Super Bowl title in the past five seasons. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll joked Friday at the combine that, "size doesn't matter." To some, size doesn't matter, as much. (end)
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"One current NFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft." - Who is this unnamed source? I demand to know!  
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Quote:
"One current NFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft."
- Who is this unnamed source? I demand to know!
Brandon Weeden
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
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“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
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There are some misconceptions out there. Although Bortles is bigger, I think his arm is the weakest of the top three.
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yeah, I am a big fan of Bortles, but I was disappointed with his arm.
Probably strong enough for the NFL, but I expected more, given his size... I should know better as size really does not necessarily equate to a strong throwing arm.
That said I still take him at 4 if he is the only one left: TB, JM, BB in that order...
Last edited by texaslostdawg; 02/24/14 08:27 PM.
#gmstrong
A smart person knows what to say.
A wise person knows whether or not to say it.
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Good point. I probably wasn't clear.
Some people say he has a weak arm. I don't agree w/that. His arm is adequate. It's not like McCarrons or Fales'. It's decent.
I was just looking at the article that pretty much said he had the better arm. They combined his size and arm strength together. Well, that simply is not true. I wasn't really bashing the guy, just trying to set the record straight for the people who may not have watched him as much as some of us.
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I hope Bortles skyrockets up the draft..
I hope Houston either falls for Manziels playmaking/marketing ability and Jacksonville gets sold on Bortles...
If I were the Browns I would start having people leak stories that Bortles and Manziel are better than Teddy, that no one in the top 5 really wants him...
So I could take him at 4...
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Quote:
Quote:
"One current NFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft."
- Who is this unnamed source? I demand to know!
Brandon Weeden
It stated that the source was a STARTING QB. 
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j/c
Bortles can't read a defense?
He calls his own plays in the huddle. He adjusts his play calls. He definitely can read a defense.
I think he does a decent job of beating the blitz, not as well as Teddy, but pretty good.
Problem with Bortles is that his accuracy isn't very good as far as his ball placement. He tends to throw too high.
you had a good run Hank.
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I think he reads defenses just fine. I do agree that he throws too many high passes. I do think that he struggles at reading coverages and doesn't do a good job of looking off the safety. He is not as bad as Carr or Mettenberger in those areas, but he is not equal to Manziel and is light years behind Teddy. But, most will still concetrate on the measurables and ignore the intelligence. 
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I thought Bortles would be faster. 4.92 is pretty slow.
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Not too worried about that Combine stuff. Bortles is an effective runner. He eludes tackles and can pick up first downs. He also seems to have some innate abilities that helps him sense the rush and know when to escape.
I would not classify him as a dominant runner, but I would say he is an effective runner.
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Quote:
Quote:
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"One current NFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft."
- Who is this unnamed source? I demand to know!
Brandon Weeden
It stated that the source was a STARTING QB.
hmmm....okay, Jason Campbell
#gmstrong
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
"One current CFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft."
- Who is this unnamed source? I demand to know!
Brandon Weeden
It stated that the source was a STARTING QB.
clearly there was a spelling error. I fixed the error in white for accuracy.
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
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I thought Bortles would be faster. 4.92 is pretty slow.
well, the good news is that we won't have to worry about him getting injured running down field with the football.
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
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Why not? He won't make it to the sidelines...lol
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off!
Go Browns!
CHRIST HAS RISEN!
GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
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j/c
Bortles can't read a defense?
He calls his own plays in the huddle. He adjusts his play calls. He definitely can read a defense.
I think he does a decent job of beating the blitz, not as well as Teddy, but pretty good.
Problem with Bortles is that his accuracy isn't very good as far as his ball placement. He tends to throw too high.
That's where good coaching comes in. And if people want a QB that can take off and run, Bortles is that kind of QB. He can tuck it and run if he has to without getting demolished.
Which begs the question: Should there be a 'slide' drill at the combine for QBs?
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
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"One current NFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft."
- Who is this unnamed source? I demand to know!
Brandon Weeden
It stated that the source was a STARTING QB.
hmmm....okay, Jason Campbell
Maybe so. Maybe so. Could as easily be Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, etc. You know, guys that know how to play the position.
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
"One current CFL starting quarterback, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told cleveland.com that if an NFL team wants to win, it should take the taller and bigger Bortles in the upcoming draft."
- Who is this unnamed source? I demand to know!
Brandon Weeden
It stated that the source was a STARTING QB.
clearly there was a spelling error. I fixed the error in white for accuracy.
I don't think it was a spelling error or typo. I'll stand by my earlier comments (going on months now) that Bortles is the best of the QB class, including Manziel & Bridgewater. He should be the first QB taken. With all the hype surrounding Manziel & Bridgewater, I don't know if he will be, but he should be.
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Why not? He won't make it to the sidelines...lol
I don't know if Bortles will care about where the sidelines are unless he's trying to save time near halftime or the end of games.
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Do people want Bortles because he can't start right away? I am not sure I understand the Bortles love as he is not ready to start according to him and his college coach.
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You know those words everyone loves so well that mean so little often times..... Upside and potential.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
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Do people want Bortles because he can't start right away? I am not sure I understand the Bortles love as he is not ready to start according to him and his college coach.
I doesn't matter which QB we draft, as i don't think any of them are ready to start right away. You start Hoyer if he's healthy enough and you let the rookie set the first year. As for Bortles i think he has the most upside of the QBs.
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Live, Love, Laugh
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I'm not as high on Bridgewater as some are. It worries me that on the Cleveland site Cherry was saying that he was surprised that Teddy was so slight of frame. I think you have to stear clear of him. I see a RGIII waiting to happen. He will miss more games cause of injury and it does not matter how much talent you have if your on the table.
Dawginit since Jan. 24, 2000 Member #180
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Comparing Teddy to RGIII isn't a good comparison. RGIII was injured in college, TB wasn't. TB moves well in the pocket, RGIII doesn't, RGIII is a scrambler, TB isn't.
As an aside, RGIII also isn't a good comparison with Manzeil. RGIII is a straight line runner. Manzeil is a cutter slasher when he scrambles.
With how well TB moves in the pocket, he rarely takes a big hit. When he does, he has shown that he will pop right back up.
A side hit to the knee? Everyone goes down. Doesn't matter how big you are.
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
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Ok, point taken. I just would like Bortles.
Dawginit since Jan. 24, 2000 Member #180
You can't fix yesterday but you can learn for tomorrow
#GMSTRONG
I want to do it as a Cleveland Brown because that's who I am.”
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Blake Bortles is rapidly becoming the most fascinating player in the 2014 NFL draft. For awhile Johnny Manziel was that player; then, briefly, Michael Sam took the baton. But for the last few weeks, Bortles – body by Roethlisberger; requisite head-turning girlfriend – has risen as high as No. 1 overall if you believe some of the pundits.
I wrote about Bortles in January, when the fascination over the Central Florida QB began in earnest. Nothing I’ve seen or heard since about Bortles has changed my mind: I’d feel much more comfortable taking him in the 2nd round than the 1st. (And yes, I still believe Zach Mettenberger is the better pro prospect.) Last week, ESPN’s Todd McShay had Bortles going 1st to Houston. Thursday, Mel Kiper Bortles going 4th to Cleveland.
[RELATED: 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Bowl Game Edition]
What’s amazing is that there’s been almost nothing negative written about Bortles. It’s all been glowing – from what his college coach said, to his size, to his stats. For example, McShay on February 5th: “… I’ve yet to hear one negative thing as it pertains to his mental makeup and intangibles.” Is everyone right about Bortles, or is this just embarrassing groupthink?
Well, here’s Matt Richner of Prediction Machine chiming in with some interesting stats:
He has only played against four ranked opponents these past two seasons. 50 percent of his career interceptions (9) have come in these four games.
So you’re saying he carved up the American Athletic Conference and struggled against the big boys? Yeah, but Ben Roethlisberger, Tony Romo and Joe Flacco put up big numbers in small conferences in college and became fine pro QBs. This is only mildly interesting. What else you got?
On first down he completed 70.6 percent of his passes, 75 percent on second down, and 54.3 percent on third down. This reflects a drop of almost 20 percent from second to third down…Russell Wilson, in his lone season at Wisconsin, completed 71.7 percent on first down, 71.8 percent on second down, and 75.3 percent on third down. The great quarterbacks don’t have a significant drop in production and none of them were anywhere close to having a 50 percent completion rate on third down.
Bortles’ numbers compare favorably to a couple of other former first round draft picks, Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker. In Gabbert’s final season at Missouri he completed 71 percent on first down, 68 percent on second down, and a dismal 44 percent on third down. In Locker’s final season at Washington, he completed 55 percent on first down, 62 percent on second down, and 51 percent on third down.
Oh.
Oh.
I wonder if we’ll see more data in the coming weeks about this 3rd down stat. Can somebody get me some Mark Sanchez third down numbers from his time at USC?
http://thebiglead.com/2014/03/14/when-bl...ecause-of-this/
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It's just that time of season where all of the pundits shake up their boards. In the end, things will look a whole lot more like they did in December than they do in March.... they always do.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Bottles and Manziel are both guys who should be taken in the 2nd or 3rd, but will probably go in the high first.
I wouldn't touch either unless they plummet.
And is it me or does Blake Bortles just scream Jacksonville?
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Bottles and Manziel are both guys who should be taken in the 2nd or 3rd, but will probably go in the high first.
I wouldn't touch either unless they plummet.
And is it me or does Blake Bortles just scream Jacksonville?
I think Manziel screams Jacksonville and Bortles screams Minnesota.
I am on record saying I would take Manziel. He is electric and has great instincts on the field.
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I think Bortles screams Texans
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
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Blake Bortles will be the 1st QB drafted. Will it be #1, #3, or #4? That will be the question.
Teddy Bridewater will be drafted top 10 but I do not see hin being a top 5 pick. To many questions.
Johnny Manziel lost alot of money when he measured in under 6'0. He will be this years player that falls in the draft like Brady Quinn to the 20's.
I said it the entire college football season the best QB's in college last year were both Freshman Jamious Winston and Christain Hackenburg. If they were draft eligible they would both be selected before any of this years top 3.
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What questions are there about Bridgewater?
There is NO way Manziel falls to the 20s...
Am I the only one that pronounces hyperbole "Hyper-bowl" instead of "hy-per-bo-le"?
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Can he hold up for an entire 16 game season?
A very small frame with very little bulk and not tall QB for a top 5 pick. 6'2 and has never played a game over 200lbs. Long term duribilty is a huge concern.
Can he perform in cold, snowy, or windy weather?
Played poorly vs Cincinnati in poor weather conditions. He has very small hands.
Can he extend plays vs NFL defenses?
Not an elusive scrambler. Struggles escaping a pass rush and buying time with his feet.
Can he perfrom against NFL defenses?
Louisville plays in a weak conference. Can he perform when making a huge jump in talent.
Was his stats padded due to style of college offense?
He throw tons of screens and short passes vs down field throws.
All legit questions that will probably knock him out of the top 5. Especially the fact he does not look like a top 5 QB.
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Bortles is a classic case of measurable beating out film...
Bridgewater and Manziel have great film...Bortles has great size. Do you want measurables or film...
Jamarcus or Wilson
Gabbert or anyone not named Gabbert
"It has to start somewhere
It has to start somehow
What better place than here?
What better time than now?"
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Bortles film work is just a good if not better than Bridewater and Manziel. None of these QB's compare well to past years top QB's. Sad to say. Bortles is the best of the bunch.
Measurables do matter if they didn't they would not measure.
I was predicting from what I have watched and what scouts are saying as to where these QB's will be drafted. Bortles will be top 4. Bridewater wil be top ten but not top 5. Manziel will fall to 20 because he is under 6'0.
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Listening to NFL radio and NFL network scouts breaking down players. There is a reason why he is not the sure fire #1 pick. Those are the reasons. Mainly he does not have the look of a #1 or top 5 QB. To small a frame, too short, and too small of hands.
I also have watched quite a bit of film on him, Manziel, and Bridewater. With all things being equal you go to the size.
A good big man will beat a good small man everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.
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What NFL Network scouts? Mayock has Bortles third. Jeremiah has Bortles 18th overall on his big board (with Bridgewater 9th and Manziel 10th). Charles Davis has Bortles going #1 in his mock ( link). But he has said that is only because he thinks that who the Texans like and not that he is the best QB. Are you making things up?
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Forums The Archives 2014 NFL Season NFL Draft 2014 Blake Bortles
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