Mark O

ESPN's Jon Gruden's top choice among the 2013 QB class is Ryan Nassib, but he thinks Cleveland Browns should stick with Brandon Weeden


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, on a pre-draft conference call today, said Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib would be his top choice among the 2013 passers, but thinks the Browns should stick with Brandon Weeden as their starter.

"Are we saying that the Browns are going to change quarterbacks again?'' Gruden said when asked which of the QBs might fit in Cleveland. "There’ve been a lot of quarterbacks go through Cleveland since they’ve been back. I know it would be great if Weeden can solidify himself and really, really be outstanding. I really like Brandon Weeden, I’ll be honest with you. I liked him last year when he was here, I think he fits Norv Turner’s scheme tremendously, great down-the-field passer. Hopefully they get some wideouts that they think can go down the field and get it for him. I like Weeden, I really do.''

But if he had his own team to pick for this year, Nassib would be his guy -- ahead of Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, EJ Manuel and the rest.

"I selfishly really like this kid at Syracuse, I've said it a couple of times,'' said Gruden. "He's a nuisance runner, I think he can scramble for first downs, if you want to run the read-option, I think he could execute those plays, I really think he's sharp mentally, he's a guy that's been trained by (former Syracuse and current Bills coach) Doug Marrone, formerly of the New Orleans Saints. He's been in a really ambitious offensive scheme, taking care of the ball, he's tough, durable, I like his upside.''

Gruden, host of ESPN's popular QB Camp series, started out the 50-minute call praising Nassib and never let up.

When asked at the outset for his two or three favorite quarterbacks, he cited Nassib and Manuel right off the bat.

"That's a great question,'' he said. "It depends on what kind of system you run. Obviously with the game changing the way it is, the option coming into the NFL, we saw what Kaepernick did, Russell Wilson, RGIII, you see that going around the league, Chip Kelly coming to the Eagles. If you're in the NFC, the read option, the option itself is a prevalent part of the game. Guys like EJ Manuel, Ryan Nassib of Syracuse, I think those are the two players in this draft that are equipped to run that style of offense. I like Nassib a lot as a sleeper in this draft because he can run the option. He did it at Syracuse, he managed a no-huddle offense. He has size, athleticism, and he has an NFL pedigree from having played for Doug Marrone. I like EJ Manuel obviously because of his size, and his running ability. But outside of that, there are some very good pocket passers if that's your cup of tea. Guys like Matt Barkley, Landry Jones have hung in the pocket and made a lot of completions during their career. A Geno Smith, those three guys in particular throw the ball very well. But I would say it depends on the kind of offense that you run and what you're looking for. There's a lot I think interesting prospects that can help a team in this draft.''

Other quick hits from the conference call:

On if there can be another Russell Wilson, the Seahawks former third-rounder: "I don't know if there's another Russell Wilson. I think what he did as a rookie is unprecedented really for a third-round draft choice. But as I said earlier, I really like this kid out of Syracuse. I like Ryan Nassib because he's an athletic kids, he's functioned in a couple of different offenses, what they did at Syracuse this year, changing their offense two weeks before the regular season, says a lot about this kid's ability to adapt. Former 400-pound bench-presser. They were 2-4, trailing Stonybrook College at halftime and I thought he was really good at the end of games and helped Syracuse go to a bowl game. I just like his body of work at Syracuse.''

On if Nassib can command an NFL huddle with his laid-back demeanor: "Yeah, I think so. I don't think a lot of these quarterbacks are type A personalities. I like a calm, cool customer. A man that can handle a lot of situations with a lot on his plate from a football standpoint. They gave him a lot of freedom at Syracuse, reading progressions, changing plays. Most players that I've been around, they like playing for a quarterback that knows what he's doing, that's in control of the game. That one thing that impressed me the most about Ryan Nassib, he's already got his degree. He's all business all the time and I think he's going to know what to do when the game starts.

On the surprising part of Nassib's game: "He threw some tight-window completions and that's hard to find sometimes in college football. You don't see a lot of really contested tight windows under duress. I thought Nassib proved that he could make the difficult plays when it wasn't a clean pocket. He didn't have a great supporting cast, no disrespect to Syracuse, but there were times Nassib had to make something happen for Syracuse to win and I thought he did that enough to prove that he can do it at the next level.''

On how much system is a factor in a QB decision: "If you need a quarterback, if you're certainly counting on one of these players to come in and start, you're going to take the man that you think has the most versatile skill set or you're going to need to be able to adapt your offense to that quarterback. That's why I like Nassib. As I said earlier, I think he can run just about any play that you can think of, whether it be an option, a full-field progression, you want to move the pocket, you want to throw the quick gain underneath the center or in the shotgun, you want to go no-huddle, you want to come up with 10 or 12 new plays this week, I think he can handle it. I think he's proven he can handle it.  So to answer your question, that's why I like Nassib as much as I do. I do think there are some other quarterbacks that will develop, but I don't think they're as ready as Ryan Nassib is because of the pedigree he has at Syracuse.''

On where he sees Geno Smith fitting in at pro level: “I like that about him the most – I think he’s as complete from a versatility standpoint as there is anyone in this draft. He can run 4.55. I’ve seen him drive the ball accurately down the field. I’ve seen him throw the ball with touch and accuracy, make quick decisions and I’ve seen him be dominant at times. Obviously down the stretch, I think the young man had to win a couple football games. They didn’t play very well on defense. They got in a situation where they had to score basically every time they had the ball. That’s a hard way to play quarterback. People have to remember also that West Virginia switched conferences. That’s a real challenge on a quarterback when you show up your senior year and you’re playing a lot of opponents you’ve never seen before in stadiums where you’ve never been. So I credit Geno Smith with not only being productive, but I think his skill set is very versatile. I think he’s going to adapt nicely to any system that you want to run.”

On Smith criticisms – pocket awareness (32 career fumbles) and deep-ball accuracy: “I don’t know who are the critics. I haven’t heard all the critics. I know he’s got a number of them as most of these quarterbacks do. Ball security is an issue. There’s no question about that. But they don’t use a tight end. They don’t use a lot of maximum protections. They really don’t. This is to a large degree a high-risk offense. It’s a pass-first offense really. The quarterback is vulnerable back there. But I’m not making excuses for him. I think he’s got to do a better job taking care of the football, managing the game on a snap-by-snap basis, that’s something we talked a long time about. It’s not about the yards and the number of snaps. It’s about the execution of every individual play. I think sometimes that gets away from you in this up-tempo style of college football. But ball security is an issue. I had him on the field. I really was impressed with his deep ball. I wouldn’t buy into that criticism personally. I think he’s an excellent deep-ball passer.”

On the ideal scheme fit for EJ Manuel: “I like EJ a lot because I think you can call just about any scheme you want to call. I’ve seen him run the direct quarterback runs. He’s a presence inside the 10-yard line much like Cam Newton in Carolina is. I’ve seen him run various option plays and we know that’s certainly a major point of emphasis in the NFL right now. I know he can bring a lot to the table from an athletic standpoint. He’s a really fun kid to be around. The players like him. He helped the Seminoles win 12 games and an Orange Bowl. I think he can improve as a passer. I think he can improve his protection awareness and understanding. I don’t think he’s anywhere near to a finished product, but I do think he has a big upside, and I think he has a tremendous skill set that allows him to do a lot of different things. If you’re with a creative offensive coach, look out. He could be a good player.”

On how he projects Matt Barkley in the NFL: “I think Barkley’s going to be a starter in the league at some point. Obviously he’s coming off an injury [shoulder]. I think he’s done an excellent job rehabbing that. I saw him make all the throws personally with my own two eyes. I think Matt is going to have to function as a pocket passer. I don’t think he’s going to be a scrambling, option-style quarterback. Obviously, I think he’s going to be a guy that relies on his system, complete execution around him. I think his supporting cast is going to be important to him. But I’ve seen Matt Barkley throw the ball extremely well and in tight windows, and he’s done it for four years. What I love about Barkley is his experience, not only at USC, but he also started for four years in high school at a pretty good doggone high school program at Mater Dei. So you’re getting a kid that can function in the pocket, that has great anticipation and accuracy and I think he has enough arm strength to be very, very good throwing the ball down the field.”

On pass-rusher vs. corner for Browns: "Al Davis used to ask me that question. Do we value a pass rusher or a corner, and I would say, ‘well, who’s better?’ If it’s Deion Sanders, I’d probably say corner. That’s a tough question. I think Cleveland fortunately is going to be sitting in a position to get an outstanding outside linebacker. I love Barkevious Mingo at LSU, he’s one, one of favorite players in this draft. I think he could convert to the outside linebacker position and be a every-down force rushing the passer. I’ve seen him drop in coverage, he has an electrifying inside move. I really think he’s got a huge upside. And to have Dee Milliner on the other side of (Jode) Haden would be outstanding as well. So Cleveland’s going to get a good player. I’m not saying they’re going with the outside ’backer or with the corner, but they’re going to get a really good player should they go that route.''

‏@JasonLaCanfora2m
The Browns have dealt QB Colt McCoy to the 49ers. Another QB on the move

Reportedly for a late round pick.

Just read it on twitter...

Weeden is being traded to the Cardinals and Colt will be taking the first team reps when the OTA's start.

http://profootballmo...onal-rivalries/

http://profootballmock.com/?p=5438

it's well worth the read and also not safe for work...