168 replies to this topic

[weeba]

From the comments of the Gruden video. It's long, but good.

http://weblogs.sun-s...lies_and_1.html

Draft Winds: Lies, damn lies and Ryan Mallett

By Dave Hyde March 29, 2011 11:43 AM

Draft Winds is an impeccably researched, refreshingly thorough, immeasurably long and Dolphin-centric look at the upcoming draft compiled by Simon Clancy, Chris Kouffman and Richard Lines of UniversalDraft.com . This week's entry continues the fantastic quarterback series with a study of Ryan Mallett. Follow the boys of Universal Draft on Twitter at @siclancy and @ckparrot.

[Groovenstein]

Just read the transcript of his conference call after being picked. This guy is the anti-Newton. Lots of emphasis on preparation, loves the game, ready to get started. Among my favorites:

Q: You said you're excited to learn from Tom Brady, but you're used to playing. How much will your patience be tested by having to learn and wait behind Tom?

RM: As a competitor, I want to play, but this gives me the advantage to prolong my career by playing behind Tom and learning all the little dinks and dunks from him and getting as many thoughts from him as I can.

...

Q: Do you see yourself as the successor to Tom Brady a few years down the road? Is that your plan?

RM: I mean, I think that's any players' plan that's a backup - to take over once the guy in front of him is done, or whatever. So that's what I'm going to work to do. I'm going to prepare myself every week of the season like I'm the starter. That's how you've got to be as second or third string. You never know what's going to happen. There have been teams that lose two or three quarterbacks in one game, so every week I'll prepare myself like I'm starting the game.

[RoyHobbs]

This guy is the anti-Newton. Lots of emphasis on preparation, loves the game, ready to get started...

Not to threadjack, but I'm still chuckling at the blatant narcissism and self-absorption Newton displayed when he sat down for the Armani ad...er, interview, with Deion Sanders.

His quote: "No offense to those guys [Brady and Manning], but preparation is not God-given."

In other words, anyone can prepare. Anyone can watch film. Anyone can study, any ol' person can work hard. But only special people like me, Cam Newton, have God-given talent. I have been touched by the hands of God.

And then one contrasts such bombast, such audacity, with the Mallett quotes. Even if Mallett says these things because the words follow the script of what a kid who just got drafted is supposed to say, he still nevertheless demonstrates (unlike Newton) that he "gets it."

Have fun, Jerry Richardson. One DB deserves another.

[Lose Remerswaal]

Ryan Mallett ran a real pro offense in college against the best defenses in college, and racked up unreal numbers by passing the ball. This is something Gabbert, Locker, Kapernick, Dalton and Newton did not do. Mallett is the real deal, and he has no drug problem. It's going to be awesome watching him in pre-season games and blowouts.

You've tested him? Or partied with him?

[Marciano490]

If his off the field character was a concern and the reason for his slipping, I suppose he'll have a better opportunity to prove personal growth as a backup than as a starter. If he's able to stay clean, humble and hungry while sitting on the bench I'd imagine that would inspire more confidence in him.

[SoxFanSince57]

I'm the biggest Ryan Mallett homer in the world, but I truly thought he was the best QB in the draft and all the negative stuff was terrible slander.

Seriously check out this link from a Miami columnist who actually researched Mallett!! I love it!!!

http://weblogs.sun-s...lies_and_1.html

Thanks for that article. It was very, very enlightening.

[TeddyBallgame'sDirtbagSon]

One small bonus that Mallett brings that hasn't been mentioned here yet is that he is a capable backup punter. Perhaps one day we will be talking about him breaking Randal Cunningham's record. I'm not saying he will be the next Tom Tupa or anything like that but he should provide a little extra depth in case something were to happen to Zoltan.

[MarcSullivaFan]

The Media. The hype of all the character issues (which as far as I know was just alcohol/pot) is pretty stupid, I'm assuming the vast majority of us have been to college, are you going to sit here and say you've never drank or smoked pot? I think we get into this habit of believing that since these guys are on TV and will be making millions of dollars that they should all have the character of Tebow. He made mistakes, and deserves a 2nd chance. I think at worst this guy will be Jeff George, so in the 3rd round I actually don't mind this pick. Hes not a finished product, he has height and a cannon for an arm. He could be our future at this spot...or he could be cut in training camp either way its a good gamble.

I could care less about the fact that a college kid smokes pot or drinks. Reasonable people expect that most college kids do (at least the drinking part).

For me, it's about risk, not morals. Any kid can make a mistake, but a kid with really bad judgment is likely to keep making them. From what I've seen of him, Mallett strikes me as a kid with enough social awareness that he can be molded by Belichick and Brady. While his "respectfulness" in the clip with Gruden bordered on annoying, he is at least is smart enough to understand what's expected of him. He struck me as sincerely wanting to please and impress Gruden, which is a good sign.

In any event, he had better be ready to take direction, because he sure as hell is about to get some.

[TeddyBallgame'sDirtbagSon]

You've tested him? Or partied with him?

You'll have to forgive my fellow Razorback fan. We're just a little overzealous about the fact that our boy went to the very best situation that he possibly could have. Before he rolled up in here last night with exclamation points a blazin', he had just been riding down the emotional slope of watching Mallett's stock plummet into the late 3rd round. He just wants to do his part in trying to set the record straight on all of the misconceptions that have been created by lazy and irresponsible media reporting and speculation. When Hog fans see labels like 'drug problem' and 'off field/character issues' attached to Mallett loosely by a reporter then we tend to get a little bit defensive, we can't help it. You see, for the past 3 months or so we have seen Mallett's name slandered all over the internet and radio by these mouth breathers who can't even claim they have anonymous sources to back up their claims. They can't even specify on what off filed issues they are rumoring aside from the PI charge from his sophomore year. I believe the article above from a Miami writer does a good job of separating the substance from the myths.

That said, when you see this much smoke there usually is some fire. And I do believe that to be the case here as well. I just feel like it has been distorted between the time said "incidents" allegedly happened to the time they were reported. I think there are some writers who read some message board stories that go like "I met Ryan the other day and he was such a douche" and then write a story about how he is a locker room cancer. Or one that says "I was partying with Mallett last night and he was so drunk he dropped my glass 3 footer and broke it..." and then turn it into a column about rumors of Ryan being a meth head.

My take on all of the message board urban legends, and believe me when I say I've read it all, is that Ryan is a first class D-bag. He is smug, brash, arrogant, and full of himself. When the camera is on he is able to flip the switch and present himself well. Then when you run into him on campus he looks and talks down on you like the pee-on that you are. I think it is likely that most of this is true because there are just too many of these types of stories for it not to be at least close to accurate. I dont think all of these people are smearing him just to do it. Unlike the media they don't have a motive to do so other than to be like "hey look at me, I'm cool, I met Ryan Mallett."

Now, while I am disappointed in Mallett that he has the character of a person that I would loathe if i knew him personally, I don't believe that these character issues should be alarming as it pertains to his football career. Everything that I have heard or read about his character from a football perspective has been positive. He is a great teammate and a leader in the huddle and the locker room. He does not point fingers during the times that things are not going well for the team. He was elected team captain during the year he had to sit out after transferring from Michigan. He is a hard worker in his preparation and is never satisfied with what he has accomplished. He truly loves the game and wants nothing more than to be excellent. These are the character traits that matter. The other stuff will hopefully subside as he matures. If not, we will have another Ben Roethlisberger on our hands.

[Sille Skrub]

I was hoping that the Bengals would grab Mallett as I thought he was the best QB prospect in the draft going in.

I am ecstatic that the Pats took him.

[Maalox]

This is totally Bill taking a guy in the third round and spinning him off for a higher round pick in a year or two. If Bill can turn him into a first round pick, it would be totally worth it.

I would be very surprised if he ever plays a meaningful down for the Patriots.

You know what happens to a new car the second you drive it off the lot, right?

[Mystic Merlin]

You know what happens to a new car the second you drive it off the lot, right?

Except this one has a pile of cocaine in the trunk and a CarFax as long as your nightgown.

[ishmael]

Here is another Mallett video of all his throws from the pocket.

Notice Mallett is playing the best defenses in the country. Ohio St., Alabama, LSU.

http://www.youtube.c...player_embedded

Wow, Arkansas receivers dropped a ton of passes in that Ohio St. game...

[Maalox]

Except this one has a pile of cocaine in the trunk and a CarFax as long as your nightgown.

I've stopped wearing nightgowns. I'm into silk teddies now.

[EddieYost]

I've stopped wearing nightgowns. I'm into silk teddies now.

TMI

[5dice]

Except this one has a pile of cocaine in the trunk and a CarFax as long as your nightgown.

Could you point me to the cocaine related stories that you have read? I realize there is some baggage, but didn't know it was to that extent. Thanks.

[Mike in CT]

Can someone explain how the Patriots can "cash in" on Mallett (or Hoyer, for that matter)? What body of work do they or will they have over the next several years aside from preseason games and garbage time snaps? Kolb and Cassel played snaps in actual meaningful games and succeeded, but only due to starter injuries. Mallett is only going to get a chance to showcase himself on the field if Brady gets injured again or something catastrophic happens to his playing ability... and what aside from showcasing their ability on the field is going to entice teams to make a big move to get either of these guys? If other teams think Mallett is that good without seeing him play in real games, they would have drafted him. I'm just not understanding how they can become higher commodities than they already are from the Patriots' trading point of view.

Some teams that have franchise/decent QB's now (and therefore, like New England, could not take Mallett high in this draft) might be back to square one at the QB position 2-3 years from now.

Further, if Mallett's stock fell with some teams simply because of off-field rumors, he has a chance over the next 2-3 years to remove that risk, if he does the right things.

Edited by Mike in CT, 30 April 2011 - 12:35 PM.

[RoyHobbs]

Could you point me to the cocaine related stories that you have read? I realize there is some baggage, but didn't know it was to that extent. Thanks.

Search "mallett cocaine" and count on zero hands the credible sources that show up from online sources. I'm not aware of these allegations appearing in print, either.

He may or may not have done worse than pot (to which the only sourced story I've seen, the one in the Globe today, alludes) but I don't see it on the record. Anyone?

[dcdrew10]

Does anyone think that BB would hesitate to trade Brady in 3 years if BB thinks Mallett gives the Pats a better chance to win? As a hypothetical, lets say three years out Brady's performance has dropped off because of all the nagging injuries he has had throughout the years and Mallett shows promise (lets say Brady missed some games and Mallett came in with no drop off) and a team comes to BB with a Godfather offer. We could easily see Brady in another uniform if Belichick decides he is better off with Mallett and draft picks in the long run. BB takes the long view and Mallett could be the future.

[Maalox]

Seriously check out this link from a Miami columnist who actually researched Mallett!! I love it!!!

http://weblogs.sun-s...lies_and_1.html

If only it were in English. I started perusing the piece and stopped. It is less readable than the average message board post: scatterbrained to the point of bare intelligibility, grammatically shoddy. Sentences begin and then morph into unrelated sentences instead of finishing. Snippets of expressions are shoved into the middle of unrelated ideas. It reads like the stream of consciousness of a particularly educated ADHD sufferer. Gammons's columns read like math textbooks compared to this freak.

Trying to read this thing ruined my day.

[Lose Remerswaal]

You'll have to forgive my fellow Razorback fan. We're just a little overzealous about the fact that our boy went to the very best situation that he possibly could have. Before he rolled up in here last night with exclamation points a blazin', he had just been riding down the emotional slope of watching Mallett's stock plummet into the late 3rd round. He just wants to do his part in trying to set the record straight on all of the misconceptions that have been created by lazy and irresponsible media reporting and speculation. When Hog fans see labels like 'drug problem' and 'off field/character issues' attached to Mallett loosely by a reporter then we tend to get a little bit defensive, we can't help it. You see, for the past 3 months or so we have seen Mallett's name slandered all over the internet and radio by these mouth breathers who can't even claim they have anonymous sources to back up their claims. They can't even specify on what off filed issues they are rumoring aside from the PI charge from his sophomore year. I believe the article above from a Miami writer does a good job of separating the substance from the myths.

That said, when you see this much smoke there usually is some fire. And I do believe that to be the case here as well. I just feel like it has been distorted between the time said "incidents" allegedly happened to the time they were reported. I think there are some writers who read some message board stories that go like "I met Ryan the other day and he was such a douche" and then write a story about how he is a locker room cancer. Or one that says "I was partying with Mallett last night and he was so drunk he dropped my glass 3 footer and broke it..." and then turn it into a column about rumors of Ryan being a meth head.

My take on all of the message board urban legends, and believe me when I say I've read it all, is that Ryan is a first class D-bag. He is smug, brash, arrogant, and full of himself. When the camera is on he is able to flip the switch and present himself well. Then when you run into him on campus he looks and talks down on you like the pee-on that you are. I think it is likely that most of this is true because there are just too many of these types of stories for it not to be at least close to accurate. I dont think all of these people are smearing him just to do it. Unlike the media they don't have a motive to do so other than to be like "hey look at me, I'm cool, I met Ryan Mallett."

Now, while I am disappointed in Mallett that he has the character of a person that I would loathe if i knew him personally, I don't believe that these character issues should be alarming as it pertains to his football career. Everything that I have heard or read about his character from a football perspective has been positive. He is a great teammate and a leader in the huddle and the locker room. He does not point fingers during the times that things are not going well for the team. He was elected team captain during the year he had to sit out after transferring from Michigan. He is a hard worker in his preparation and is never satisfied with what he has accomplished. He truly loves the game and wants nothing more than to be excellent. These are the character traits that matter. The other stuff will hopefully subside as he matures. If not, we will have another Ben Roethlisberger on our hands.

This is a great post, and I love your username

Search "mallett cocaine" and count on zero hands the credible sources that show up from online sources. I'm not aware of these allegations appearing in print, either.

He may or may not have done worse than pot (to which the only sourced story I've seen, the one in the Globe today, alludes) but I don't see it on the record. Anyone?

It ain't coke that he did. But no matter what he did, he's in a good position to turn himself around. As long as the Pats don't bring Ty Law back.

[SoxFanSince57]

There could be a certain "son of a coach" experience that help BB and Mallett relate to each other and if lucky could create a nice bond.

Belichick said he enjoyed the predraft conversations he had with Mallett.

“He’s definitely a football guy,’’ Belichick said. “He’s a great kid to talk to. He’s very into football. His father is a football coach and he’s grown up in a football family and I can definitely relate to that. Either you get sick of it or you marry into it and you love it. It’s one of the two.

“He’s a kid that’s eager to learn and has a thirst for knowledge and for football and his position.’’

http://www.boston.co..._not_passed_up/

[Bradyblack]

Thank You Teddyballgame'sdirtbagson! He summed things up very well. I was a little excited, and I did speak in a measure of hyperbole. However, I have been to parties that he also attended in a private setting. I worked with people who partied with him in his redshirt/transfer year and partied with him after, when he became starting QB. He drank a little too much and smoked a little weed his sit-out year. However the same guys said he stopped smoking, and drank very little. I've asked all my sources about the coke and meth rumors and everybody says the same things. Never seen or heard about it from anyone. If he is a coke head, he is doing a really good job covering it up in a very small town where everyone thinks they are detectives. I was on campus as a returning graduate student for his sitout/transfer year and his first year as a starter and encountered Mallett many times. He is sort of a douche and a cocky bastard but I've seen way worse. He was the biggest sports star in the entire state.

[ragnarok725]

My take on all of the message board urban legends, and believe me when I say I've read it all, is that Ryan is a first class D-bag. He is smug, brash, arrogant, and full of himself. When the camera is on he is able to flip the switch and present himself well. Then when you run into him on campus he looks and talks down on you like the pee-on that you are. I think it is likely that most of this is true because there are just too many of these types of stories for it not to be at least close to accurate. I dont think all of these people are smearing him just to do it. Unlike the media they don't have a motive to do so other than to be like "hey look at me, I'm cool, I met Ryan Mallett."

Now, while I am disappointed in Mallett that he has the character of a person that I would loathe if i knew him personally, I don't believe that these character issues should be alarming as it pertains to his football career. Everything that I have heard or read about his character from a football perspective has been positive. He is a great teammate and a leader in the huddle and the locker room. He does not point fingers during the times that things are not going well for the team. He was elected team captain during the year he had to sit out after transferring from Michigan. He is a hard worker in his preparation and is never satisfied with what he has accomplished. He truly loves the game and wants nothing more than to be excellent. These are the character traits that matter. The other stuff will hopefully subside as he matures. If not, we will have another Ben Roethlisberger on our hands.

Great post.

We need to remember when talking about "character issues" that the only relevant ones are the ones that pertain to their ability to play football and contribute to the success of the team, not who we'd like to get a beer with. Belichick himself is regarded as a douche by many, and has certainly had personal things go on off the field that would indicate that he may not be your favorite person in the world were you to ever meet the guy.

Edited by ragnarok725, 30 April 2011 - 02:32 PM.

[moly99]

Search "mallett cocaine" and count on zero hands the credible sources that show up from online sources. I'm not aware of these allegations appearing in print, either.

No one will put it into print because they don't want to get sued. These days nobody will publish that kind of thing if there isn't a police report. I don't remember any pre-draft stories about Ryan Leaf sleeping with his teammates' girlfriends at WSU, but he did.

That said, I have no objection to taking him with a 3rd round pick. The Pats have plenty of picks and they can cut him if he proves to be another Matt Jones.

EDIT: I'm not saying that Mallet does cocaine. I'm just saying that it wouldn't necessarily appear in print if he does.

Edited by moly99, 30 April 2011 - 04:25 PM.

[SouthernBoSox]

He's a guy who would have been drafted in the top ten if not for the persistent rumors he did drugs and has trouble in the locker room (and he acted like an asshat at the Combine). He gets his wake-up call right away, unlike Ryan Leaf.

BB felt he could draft two piece-work running backs on day two. Obviously there's room to take a flier on this immense talent.

The bolded has literally NEVER been an issue with Mallett. I'm not even sure where you got that? Did you make it up.

Mallett had a drug problem with pain killers when his foot was injured. It's something I think he is over.

[Patsfan1983]

Long time non-registered lurker here. I will tell you this. Went to school at U of A. Roomates with a few other Razorback football players. Mallett was a few rooms down. He got busted once, when Fayetteville police pulled him over(my roomate was in the car with him), they found over an ounce of weed, cocaine and he bombed a breathalyzer Arkansas covered it up with just saying DUI(meant to say public intox), which is not the first time they`ve done this. Matt Jones, Cedric Cobbs and even Darren McFadden had stuff covered up as well. U of A is just that big a deal in Arkansas. After this, he straighted up tho, drank like any other college student and other small stuff. Hung out with them prior to the Liberty Bowl as we went out to a local Memphis mall, and he wouldn`t even drink while other players got hammered.

Edited by Patsfan1983, 30 April 2011 - 08:08 PM.

[Bradyblack]

Sorry. Patsfan1983 is throwing out a lie or confusing him with Matt Jones or just being a troll for some reason. That arrest sounds like Matt Jones arrest almost exactly, but that is even inaccurate. I also went to the University of Arkansas the same time as Ryan Mallett, and he never got a DUI. He had a public intox. I know the complete details of the night and arrest. He wasn't in a vehicle. He was walking on Dickson St, which is THE nightlife of Fayetteville which is also right next to campus. Fayetteville Cops and U of A police cover up for no athletes. They are notorious for busting as many athletes as possible.

No need to make up stories.

[Patsfan1983]

Sorry. Patsfan1983 is throwing out a lie or confusing him with Matt Jones or just being a troll for some reason. That arrest sounds like Matt Jones arrest almost exactly, but that is even inaccurate. I also went to the University of Arkansas the same time as Ryan Mallett, and he never got a DUI. He had a public intox. I know the complete details of the night and arrest. He wasn't in a vehicle. He was walking on Dickson St, which is THE nightlife of Fayetteville which is also right next to campus. Fayetteville Cops and U of A police cover up for no athletes. They are notorious for busting as many athletes as possible.

No need to make up stories.

He was busted 3 times and only the public intox was released. I know Dickson St. well. Maybe you know one of my roommates Jeremey Dawson, who was close to many players on the team. He got in trouble a ton with those guys before he transfered to UALR and later Weber State. This is not lie. A number of his friends and family from Texarkana cover for him too. And to his credit it was Little Rock Police that covered for McFadden at Ernie Biggs The University itself got Mallets stuff covered up.

Edited by Patsfan1983, 30 April 2011 - 06:21 PM.

[Maalox]

I went to Ole Miss for three years. One day Mallett drove to Oxford from Fayetteville, stoned out of his mind, and stole my hat.

[Patsfan1983]

I honestly debated even posting it because i had never posted. I just had always read. If no one believes me thats fine. I had kinda figured that might happen anyway, but i put it out there.

[Bradyblack]

Sorry. Patsfan1983 is throwing out a lie or confusing him with Matt Jones or just being a troll for some reason. That arrest sounds like Matt Jones arrest almost exactly, but that is even inaccurate. I also went to the University of Arkansas the same time as Ryan Mallett, and he never got a DUI. He had a public intox. I know the complete details of the night and arrest. He wasn't in a vehicle. He was walking on Dickson St, which is THE nightlife of Fayetteville which is also right next to campus. Fayetteville Cops and U of A police cover up for no athletes. They are notorious for busting as many athletes as possible.

No need to make up stories.

I do know of Jeremey Dawson,we have mutual acquaintances. The fact that it was him who told you that makes me stick by my original answer only I'll add "someone told him a lie."

[EddieYost]

I went to Ole Miss for three years. One day Mallett drove to Oxford from Fayetteville, stoned out of his mind, and stole my hat.

What color hat?

[SpacemanzGerbil]

There wouldn't happen to be a 31 Flavors on Dickson St., would there?

[Bradyblack]

There wouldn't happen to be a 31 Flavors on Dickson St., would there?

Nope there isn't.

[Patsfan1983]

I do know of Jeremey Dawson,we have mutual acquaintances. The fact that it was him who told you that makes me stick by my original answer only I'll add "someone told him a lie."

Someone else i know just asked about it. Says you must either be Blake or Lil Jeremy heh.

[RedOctober3829]

Looks like Ryan Mallett brought together a redneck reunion.

[Starburah]

Hey what's goin on on this side?

[Rocco Graziosa]

[Beomoose]

I went to Ole Miss for three years. One day Mallett drove to Oxford from Fayetteville, stoned out of his mind, and stole my hat.

Not your laptop?

[Bradyblack]

Thank you, Thank You... Arkansas is always available to be a butt of a Redneck/hillbilly joke, but no, not me. Not from Arkansas and I'm not blake or lil jeremy. I Just lived in Arkansas for awhile, and Deliverance is Georgia.

[absintheofmalaise]

Please make more dumb ass redneck jokes. Being from Arkansas, I find them highly amusing and after tonight, I really need a good laugh.

[TeddyBallgame'sDirtbagSon]

The Fayetteville PD are known for targeting high profile athletes. If they were involved then a cover up is unlikely.

[Todd Benzinger]

Can someone explain how the Patriots can "cash in" on Mallett (or Hoyer, for that matter)? What body of work do they or will they have over the next several years aside from preseason games and garbage time snaps? Kolb and Cassel played snaps in actual meaningful games and succeeded, but only due to starter injuries.

I think the most salient thing in the Reiss post is that Hoyer becomes an FA in after this year (if I'm reading this right). So, if Mallett looks good to the coaching staff, they can let Hoyer walk without worries. If Hoyer continues to look strong in training camp etc, maybe they can flip him for a draft pick or something.

I think the potential for a huge "cash-in" is probably being wildly exaggerated, while the need for a potentially excellent QB as a back-up is being overlooked a bit.

[Salva135]

I think the most salient thing in the Reiss post is that Hoyer becomes an FA in after this year (if I'm reading this right). So, if Mallett looks good to the coaching staff, they can let Hoyer walk without worries. If Hoyer continues to look strong in training camp etc, maybe they can flip him for a draft pick or something.

I think the potential for a huge "cash-in" is probably being wildly exaggerated, while the need for a potentially excellent QB as a back-up is being overlooked a bit.

I was sold pretty quickly on the point by others that Mallett is considered a first-round talent by a lot of NFL GMs but was passed on primarily for character issues, so he could still be a valuable commodity in 2 years if he held the clipboard and kept his "nose" out of trouble and showed the rest of the league that he "gets it." Basically, the Pats could profit by playing the role of good babysitter.

Mallett is likely to turn out to be more than just an "excellent QB as a backup, though." I agree with the Pats' assessment that he was the best QB in this draft. With a HOFer in front of him, it's an embarrassment of riches. But as Andy Reid said of the Vick-Kolb controversy (paraphrasing), "it's a great problem to have." Something will be done at some point, and it will benefit this team.

[MarcSullivaFan]

I was sold pretty quickly on the point by others that Mallett is considered a first-round talent by a lot of NFL GMs but was passed on primarily for character issues, so he could still be a valuable commodity in 2 years if he held the clipboard and kept his "nose" out of trouble and showed the rest of the league that he "gets it." Basically, the Pats could profit by playing the role of good babysitter.

Mallett is likely to turn out to be more than just an "excellent QB as a backup, though." I agree with the Pats' assessment that he was the best QB in this draft. With a HOFer in front of him, it's an embarrassment of riches. But as Andy Reid said of the Vick-Kolb controversy (paraphrasing), "it's a great problem to have." Something will be done at some point, and it will benefit this team.

Assuming he does nothing but hold a clipboard and play decently against second or third stringers in the pre-season, a couple years from now he may command a first or second round pick.

But I wouldn't assume that the Pats plan on trading him. Anything can happen--Brady could get hurt, or he could decline massively. Hopefully that won't happen soon, but if/when it does, Mallett may be the man for the job. The more I think about it, the more I love this pick.

Edited by MarcSullivaFan, 01 May 2011 - 10:46 AM.

[Todd Benzinger]

Mallett is likely to turn out to be more than just an "excellent QB as a backup, though." I agree with the Pats' assessment that he was the best QB in this draft. With a HOFer in front of him, it's an embarrassment of riches. But as Andy Reid said of the Vick-Kolb controversy (paraphrasing), "it's a great problem to have." Something will be done at some point, and it will benefit this team.

Right--what I was trying to get at is that Hoyer is likely departing, and having a back-up with the potential to be an excellent starter is (as MarcS says) only getting more important as Brady ages.

So the visions of cashing in Mallett are likely overblown--plan A is probably keeping him around.

[dcmissle]

I love this pick and really hope the kid does well for everyone's sake. But recognize this is fraught with risk. The riskiest period may be right now until the labor situation is resolved, during which he could dearly use a babysitter but won't have one. A lot of down time and the stuff he's been associated with, fairly or not, do not mix well. I hope he understands that he is one significant screw up from his NFL career being over before it starts. Weed, blow, a DWI -- he'll quickly be cut, and then even Jerry Jones won't touch him.

Leave it to the contrarian BB to view the risks differently. A day or two ago, in a press conference, BB basically said that the team has been playing with fire by going only with 2 QBs recently. This is, he said, a recipe for jeoparding the season. You have to figure he never found 3 worth keeping, but now that has obviously changed.

This should be very exciting for all of us. Hope it's not too exciting.

EDIT -- there are QB "problems", and then there are QB problems. Via PFT.com --

So it’s still a need for the Dolphins, one they will try to fill with a veteran. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald says they tried to fill the need with Ryan Mallett in the third round, before the Patriots took him.

“We were willing to take him, we just couldn’t get our hands on him,” a source told Salguero. ”We tried, but we couldn’t do it. He’s going to be a good quarterback.”

Hmm. They couldn’t have tried that hard. Miami didn’t see Mallett as someone worth taking in the first two rounds, so it seems odd they wanted to move into the top of round three to get him.

Consider that the Dolphins traded their third- (No. 79), fifth- (No. 146) and seventh-round (No. 217) picks to move up for running back Daniel Thomas at No. 62. Were they really going to give up another group of pick to get Mallett?

Something just smells odd here. The Dolphins clearly didn’t want Mallett that much, which is fine. 30 other teams agreed. Calling him a “good quarterback” after the fact sounds like covering your ass.

Edited by dcmissle, 01 May 2011 - 11:28 AM.

[Salva135]

Why do people keep saying that the Pats should start planning for the future because Brady isn't getting younger? He's 34, still in his prime (albeit the back end of it), and is repeatedly on record talking about wanting to play for a long time. And yet, all of a sudden this year, after he just came off an MVP season, pundits are talking about the wisdom of drafting Brady's backup, as if he's about to fall off a cliff. Does Mallett have a reasonable chance to start for the Pats in the next 3 years? I just don't get why the talk started now. I know that Peyton has been an ironman, but he's a year older than Brady and has more mileage on him, yet the Colts have never even remotely addressed grooming a QB of the future, and no one discusses the Colts needing to plan for the future, as if Peyton will be playing until he's 50. We're talking about Brady's successor while the Colts are prepping to hand Manning the biggest contract in NFL history that probably takes him to 40.

What is the difference between these situations? Brady's injury history?

[dcmissle]

Why do people keep saying that the Pats should start planning for the future because Brady isn't getting younger? He's 34, still in his prime (albeit the back end of it), and is repeatedly on record talking about wanting to play for a long time. And yet, all of a sudden this year, after he just came off an MVP season, pundits are talking about the wisdom of drafting Brady's backup, as if he's about to fall off a cliff. Does Mallett have a reasonable chance to start for the Pats in the next 3 years? I just don't get why the talk started now. I know that Peyton has been an ironman, but he's a year older than Brady and has more mileage on him, yet the Colts have never even remotely addressed grooming a QB of the future, and no one discusses the Colts needing to plan for the future, as if Peyton will be playing until he's 50. We're talking about Brady's successor while the Colts are prepping to hand Manning the biggest contract in NFL history that probably takes him to 40.

What is the difference between these situations? Brady's injury history?

Polian discussed this very explicitly and at length a couple of weeks ago.

Where would you like to be -- selecting a successor too early and having to flip him, or following in the footsteps of the Vikings on Day 1?

This is the way QBs used to be groomed. Successfully. The Packers reminded people of that.