Don't be surprised if...

Still makes me smile to think of the Faiders picking him up at #7.

He has proven to be pretty accurate (but not overly so – and last year was his first year over 60%) , and I do agree with your assessment of Newton to an extent (too many stationary tagets at his pro day and on the field). But Mallet can’t move in the pocket. One of the biggest knocks on Mallett has roots in his last college game versus Alabama – a team that runs an NFL defense. He had a decent first half versus ’Bama (1 TD/1INT), but as soon as ’Bama decided to turn the pressure up, Mallett melted down, especially in Q4. 40% passing and 2 picks killed him.

The bigger issue though, in all likliehood, is the risk factor of drafting Mallet in the 1st round and, right or wrong, the parallels to Ryan Leaf that keep making their way into articles about Mallett.

I side with you in that there is much hypocricy in regard to the pundits’ assorted takes on Newton versus Mallett, but when looking at Newton’s questionable character, there isn’t anything other than maturity issues and a supposedly opportunisic parent to question. With Mallett, there are much more serious and ominous allegations. There are (alleged) drugs/narcotics issues there, some unwillingness to talk about it in public, and heavy rumors of addiction. Maybe if Mallett was a Tebow-like choir boy, he’d be a top 10 pick, I don’t know. Perception can be reality around this time of the year for many teams.

He could go in the first round, you’re absolutely correct there, but he is a pretty big gamble as a 1st rounder. If he’s taken in the 2nd round, drafting him isn’t a fireable offense if he does flame out.

Maybe he’s a post knee-injuries Kenny Stabler or maybe he’s a Ryan Leaf. It’s hard to say. So to summarize – I agree that he could go in rd 1, but I think that it’s less risky from a career perspective, for a coach/GM to draft Mallett in round 2.

In my opinion, Cam Newton is a more accurate version of VY. And I think that’s enough to get him drafted in the top 10. He does have some manageable mechanical issues (less than Tebow did), but he can make plays, steps up in the clutch, and can move the chains with his feet and his arm.

The Newton thing is similar to Tebow coming out of school – can you blame Chizik (or Meyer) for running a system that highlights your QB’s strengths and leads to more team victories or do you build a pro style offense so your QB can learn how to play within it so the NFL knows what they’re actually getting (but the cost is likely a national championship run)? No – you can’t and won’t blame him, because he did the right thing for the team. I dislike when media personalities question the college guidance and coaching that these college athletes playing within the spread offense get. The coach didn’t get hired to get his QB drafted #1 overall, he got hired to finish the season ranked #1 overall.

The Mallett situation is worth noting. Let’s revisit this in 3 years.

the Tebow fans including myself are right about him being the Mile High Savior and we keep him.