The Mallett Chronicles

[mascho]

Per our boy Doug, Pats apparently are looking for a second rounder.
 
Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN  36s
Report: Patriots Want Second-Round Pick In Ryan Mallett Trade http://wp.me/p2AlCJ-1ejL 

 

[mpx42]

Don't think anyone's paying that price. But he is (A) the only viable backup and (B) that's possibly just what they're telling teams right now - doesn't mean they won't take a third rounder or less by draft day.

 

[mascho]

ESPN's Vikings blogger writes that Minnesota could be a landing place.
 

 
 
The Vikings would have had a chance to evaluate Mallett before the 2011 draft, when they took Christian Ponder, though three years learning behind Tom Brady can do wonders for a player's stock (it certainly helped Cassel when he got his chance to prove himself in 2008). Mallett and Adrian Peterson have a friendly relationship through a mutual coaching connection, and Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has done a number of deals with the Patriots. If the Patriots were open to moving him, it's possible the Vikings could take a look.

 

[dcmissle]

How many meaningful snaps in games that actually count?

Screw it, high second round pick it will be, but only after Pats decouple perhaps the greatest TE ever from his new CBS teammates and squeeze him into Pats uni.

Cause it is all about us.

 

[Stitch01]

Someone linked to a tweet by someone that covers the team with his view on what the Pats are asking for and the first response was "gee that price seems too high"
 
STOP BEING HOMERS EVERYONE

 

[dcmissle]

Ok, the Redskins are supposedly seeking a second rounder for Cousins, it was reported by a WaPost beat writer.

We ought then at least expand the title of this thread. Sellers' opening overtures for back up QBs that appear to be in no great demand.

 

[ifmanis5]

Sell, Mortimer, Sell! Anything for a pass rush.

 

[Stitch01]

Ok, the Redskins are supposedly seeking a second rounder for Cousins, it was reported by a WaPost beat writer.

We ought then at least expand the title of this thread. Sellers' opening overtures for back up QBs that appear to be in no great demand.

Start a thread if you like, the rest of us will be perfectly fine sticking to the topic of this thread.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Cause it is all about us.

 
Funny you mention this, because in like 95% of the threads you post in here, you somehow manage to make the conversation about you and your lack of reading comprehension skills.
 
Cause it is all about you.
 
 
As for the actual topic of this thread, I think the time has come to see what you can get for Mallett. Look for whatever you can get either in FA or later in the draft as a backup. I think you could see something like a swap of an early second rounder for a late third rounder, somewhere in that value range, maybe more if someone buys in. There are a few teams that seem could bite, if the price was right.

 

[Phragle]

ESPN's Vikings blogger writes that Minnesota could be a landing place.
 

 
Damn, there goes my Mallett for Peterson proposal.

 

[Stitch01]

 
Funny you mention this, because in like 95% of the threads you post in here, you somehow manage to make the conversation about you and your lack of reading comprehension skills.
 
Cause it is all about you.
 
 
As for the actual topic of this thread, I think the time has come to see what you can get for Mallett. Look for whatever you can get either in FA or later in the draft as a backup. I think you could see something like a swap of an early second rounder for a late third rounder, somewhere in that value range, maybe more if someone buys in. There are a few teams that seem could bite, if the price was right.

 Its worth exploring and it shouldnt take as much to move him as it would have last year.  He's almost certainly not the next starting QB for the Pats.  2nd round seems like a crazy high ask though, maybe the Pats value the year of a competent backup more than getting a 3rd or 4th rounder back and having to spend other resources on a backup

 

[mauf]

It's not a good time to be looking to move a QB.

Only four or five teams are likely to enter the 2014 season with a starting QB who wasn't on their 2013 roster -- the Texans, Jaguars, Browns, and Vikings for sure, and perhaps the Raiders. Bridgewater, Bortles, and Manziel will likely fill three of those spots. The other one or two teams will have a bunch of options. Mallett might be one of the better options, but if the price is a 2nd rounder (or even a 3rd rounder), aren't those teams more likely to keep that pick to roll the dice on a projectable guy like Zach Mettenberger or Aaron Murray? (Feel free to substitute Taj Boyd, A.J. McCarron, or another QB who isn't likely to go in the 1st round for Mettenberger or Murray if you think I'm overrating those two.)

There's another four or five teams that should be in the market (the Jets, Dolphins, Titans, and Cards, and arguably the Rams) that will likely stick with the incumbent for another year. The Rams might grab a QB with the #2 pick, which could force a QB-starved team into the trade market, but otherwise I don't see any of these teams either trading for Mallett or making a move that would affect his market.

In sum, I think Mallett is worth more to the Pats as a backup QB than as a trade chip.

 

[LoneWarrior1]

I wonder if the Texans might be willing to deal given their current roster. They had been decent the last two years prior to the 2013-14 melt down. Given the somewhat underwhelming QB class, it might make more sense to take a non-QB at number 1 or trade down to fill a couple of holes and trade for a more polished commodity in Mallett.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

One unlikely, but not impossible, scenario I could imagine is for one of the teams in need of a QB and thinking about it in the first round to trade (say) a 3rd for Mallett and not waste a first-round pick on what they view as a later-round talent.   Mallett isn't quite as sexy as a new 1st round QB, but there's about as much reason to think he'll succeed as those QBs, he costs less, and you get some (and I acknowledge only some) of the marketing benefit by playing up the apprenticeship.
 
If you are Oakland, would you rather have (say) Sammy Watkins and Mallett or Bortles and a 3rd round WR?   I'm not totally sure....these QBs do not get great grades and there is a lot of public/ownership pressure in a lot of places to bring in a new QB.
 
edit---geez, lost by four minutes on that point!

 

[mascho]

I wonder if the Texans might be willing to deal given their current roster. They had been decent the last two years prior to the 2013-14 melt down. Given the somewhat underwhelming QB class, it might make more sense to take a non-QB at number 1 or trade down to fill a couple of holes and trade for a more polished commodity in Mallett.

Not to side track that much, but why do you think this QB class is underwhelming?

If you ask me, this might be one of the deepest QB classes in a long
time.

EDIT: having re-read your post, it seems you are arguing that there isn't a true #1 overall sure-shot QB. And I would agree with that. With Manziel/Bridgewater/Bortles there are questions. But this class is deep. Someone will get a McCarron in the fourth round or so, which is crazy.

 

[thehitcat]

Mallett, Wallace and Humphries for Larry Fitzgerald and Milwaukee's unprotected first this year.  Get it done Danny!

 

[LoneWarrior1]

Not to side track that much, but why do you think this QB class is underwhelming?

If you ask me, this might be one of the deepest QB classes in a long
time.

EDIT: having re-read your post, it seems you are arguing that there isn't a true #1 overall sure-shot QB. And I would agree with that. With Manziel/Bridgewater/Bortles there are questions. But this class is deep. Someone will get a McCarron in the fourth round or so, which is crazy.

 
That was my point, but I should have been clearer.

 

[mascho]

 
That was my point, but I should have been clearer.

No worries. I think you are spot-on regarding the top of this QB class.

Manziel: Size
Bridgewater: Competition
Bortles: Arm and Competition

That is a quick "off the cuff" thought on each QB's weakness. Of the three, I actually like Bortles the most, I think he projects best in the NFL.

But back on point, does a team out there value Mallett over one of those three? Probably not. Although St. Louis is a thought. They will likely trade down out of two, and already announced they aren't extending Bradford now. Bring in Mallett for cam competition?

 

[Super Nomario]

No worries. I think you are spot-on regarding the top of this QB class.

Manziel: Size
Bridgewater: Competition
Bortles: Arm and Competition

That is a quick "off the cuff" thought on each QB's weakness. Of the three, I actually like Bortles the most, I think he projects best in the NFL.

I've read that Bortles has a better arm than Bridgewater, but Bridgewater has more refined mechanics. Also, there are definitely decision-making questions with Manziel; aside from the "no, no, YES!" plays that he probably can't get away with at the NFL level, Cosell called him out for not making anticipation throws. As for "competition," is that really a big concern? These guys didn't play in D-II, they played in what used to be the Big East. You can even argue it cuts the other way; Manziel played better Ds, but also had a WR and a LT that will be taken in the first 20 or so picks.
 
 

But back on point, does a team out there value Mallett over one of those three? Probably not. Although St. Louis is a thought. They will likely trade down out of two, and already announced they aren't extending Bradford now. Bring in Mallett for cam competition?

This makes sense. The other option is a team that misses out on one of the top three; if Houston (1st) / Jacksonville (3rd) / Cleveland (4th) all take signal-callers, as we might expect, what does that leave for Oakland (5th), Minnesota (8th), and Tennessee (11th)? Dealing a pick for a Mallett (or Cousins) might be more appealing than taking Derek Carr early. The other option that makes sense is Arizona; Mallett would seem to be a good fit in the deep-throwing Arians O, and Carson Palmer turns 35 during the season.
 
I see Mallett staying though. He's a legit backup and even though Brady's been very durable, it's tough to count on a 37-year-old QB to play 16 games.

 

[bsartist618]

I'm not saying it is the case here as Brady is clearly at least a few years away from retirement, but at what point do NFL GM's start viewing the Patriots shopping their young backup QB as an acknowledgement that the player is probably not a starting caliber QB?  The Pats have to be looking for their Steve Young / Aaron Rogers at some point.  You would figure if they felt Mallet was that player, they would not be looking to trade him.

 

[dcmissle]

I'm not saying it is the case here as Brady is clearly at least a few years away from retirement, but at what point do NFL GM's start viewing the Patriots shopping their young backup QB as an acknowledgement that the player is probably not a starting caliber QB?  The Pats have to be looking for their Steve Young / Aaron Rogers at some point.  You would figure if they felt Mallet was that player, they would not be looking to trade him.

And not only for the future, but for this year too. The white flag doesn't get raised by the Pats just because a key guy goes down.

Mallet has a few years in the system. Hoyer is not coming back here; nor is Cassel. So if you are willing to flip Mallet for, say, a third rounder, you're are making some sort of statement about the ability of someone else with no background in the system -- whether that be a journeyman or a rookie -- to give you, if not as much as Mallett, then something pretty darn close.

 

[Stitch01]

I'm not saying it is the case here as Brady is clearly at least a few years away from retirement, but at what point do NFL GM's start viewing the Patriots shopping their young backup QB as an acknowledgement that the player is probably not a starting caliber QB?  The Pats have to be looking for their Steve Young / Aaron Rogers at some point.  You would figure if they felt Mallet was that player, they would not be looking to trade him.

Not exactly.  Mallett is going to walk after this season even if he is Steve Young/Aaron Rodgers barring something terrible happening to Brady this season.  Mallett's value to the Pats lies almost entirely in what he's going to give them this season, so putting him on the block doesnt automatically scream "we think this guy sucks".
 
There's certainly value to that if the Pats like Mallett, they dont want the season to completely implode if Brady ends up out for six weeks midseason.

 

[Shelterdog]

I'm not saying it is the case here as Brady is clearly at least a few years away from retirement, but at what point do NFL GM's start viewing the Patriots shopping their young backup QB as an acknowledgement that the player is probably not a starting caliber QB?  The Pats have to be looking for their Steve Young / Aaron Rogers at some point.  You would figure if they felt Mallet was that player, they would not be looking to trade him.

I'm not so sure about that.  Brady has maybe three years left, Mallett is a free agent after this year, you're not going to franchise him and if I'm Mallett and I think I'm pretty good I jump ship no matter what the Pats offer because I want a chance to play before I'm an 8th year pro.

 

[mascho]

At the risk of annoying certain members (ahem dcmissle)...some rumors swirling on Twitter right now.  Arkansas has their pro day today and Mallett is doing the throwing.
 
Courtesy of Justis Mosqueda, who writes for Optimum Scouting, and who went on a big Mallett tangent today:
 
@JuMosq  14m
Scout I know was very close the Penn State program. Said Bill O'Brien absolutely loved Mallett.
 
@JuMosq  13m
Then there's the rumors about supposed trades in the past. From two sources, I have heard they have turned down a second for him, twice.
 
@JuMosq  13m
People like to ask what he's done since he left Arkansas...the fact that he's been able to keep himself out of trouble is huge.
 
@JuMosq  12m
Remember, some people thought he was the most talented QB in the class, just his off-field got in the way. Now that's "gone". So what now?
 
@JuMosq  11m
It'll be interesting. I think Mallett takes at least a second to move. Look at the second round QBs in this class, do you think he's better?
 
@JuMosq  11m
Awesome. RT @Ethanhamm I can confirm @JuMosq's statement about the Patriots turning down a Mallett for 2nd trade.
 
(Note: Ethan Hammerman writes for DraftMecca.com)
 
@Ethanhamm  2m
Can confirm. RT @JuMosq: Denver offered Tebow and a 2nd for Mallett at one point.
 
@Ethanhamm  2m
The Tebow offer came pre-Tebow mania, though. Beleedat.
 
JuMosq  8m
I think 33 would get it done. RT @scott_thrill @JuMosq how much do you think Bill could command in a trade with HOU?
 
Again, take all of this with a massive grain of salt.  But since I saw this on the Twitters I wanted to pass it along.  

 

[DJnVa]

If they are that high on Mallett, grabbing Clowney first, then trading that second rounder makes a lot of sense...

 

[NortheasternPJ]

If they can get the 33rd pick for mallett I'll buy him the plane ticket myself.

 

[DJnVa]

And then the Pats draft which QB? McCarron?

 

[E5 Yaz]

If they can get the 33rd pick for mallett I'll buy him the plane ticket myself.

 
As long as they trade for multiple pics this time and not give us Ras-IR Dowling II

 

[RedOctober3829]

And then the Pats draft which QB? McCarron?

McCarron, Mettenberger, or Murray would be nice. But they are also working out backup tOSU QB Kenny Guiton at the end of March too. All I know is that if they get Houston's 2nd rd pick for Mallett then they could bring Michael Bishop back and I wouldn't care. That would be a steal.

 

[mascho]

And then the Pats draft which QB? McCarron?

 
Yeah, although I think they're drafting McCarron regardless of whether Mallett goes or not.  If they trade Mallett, I would imagine they would bring in a FA QB as well to take a look at during camp.  Like a Colt McCoy or Brady Quinn type.  Or Jimmy Clausen, who is coming off surgery.  

 

[mascho]

McCarron, Mettenberger, or Murray would be nice. But they are also working out backup tOSU QB Kenny Guiton at the end of March too. All I know is that if they get Houston's 2nd rd pick for Mallett then they could bring Michael Bishop back and I wouldn't care. That would be a steal.

 
Mettenberger looks to be rising up draft boards, probably a early third or late second at this point.  I think McCarron is looking like a fourth unless someone is really blown away by him at this pro day, set for March 12th.  

 

[Phragle]

Never heard of this site or writer but it was retweeted by ESPN draft scout Louis Riddick.
 

 
The Houston Texans have been revealed as the team pushing very hard this week to acquire New England Patriots QB Ryan Mallett sources tell Pro Football Central.

 
http://www.profootballcentral.com/2014/03/08/texans-pushing-hard-for-mallett/

 

[dcmissle]

 
Mettenberger looks to be rising up draft boards, probably a early third or late second at this point.  I think McCarron is looking like a fourth unless someone is really blown away by him at this pro day, set for March 12th.  

If Mettenberger is taken there, he could be a steal in this draft. Teams want everything now, and they particularly want everything in vogue now. Guy will slide because he's coming off injury and does not fit the new supposed prototype

 

[JohnnyTheBone]

Get the 33rd pick plus a fifth and let's roll!

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Get the 33rd pick plus a fifth and let's roll!

Should probably shoot for their third so they can trade that for Revis.

 

[mascho]

But yeah, the though of having the 29th and 33rd picks in this draft?  I'll be calling my doctor later this afternoon.  So many possibilities.  

 

[soxhop411]

Never heard of this site or writer but it was retweeted by ESPN draft scout Louis Riddick.
 
 
http://www.profootballcentral.com/2014/03/08/texans-pushing-hard-for-mallett/

Nice... Lets get it done

 

[Dogman]

I'd do that in a heartbeat and then use the Pats slotted second for Revis (I know, I know).

 

[Super Nomario]

Mallett's gone after next year anyway, so dealing him for a second seems like a no-brainer. I'd probably do it for a third, frankly.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Mallett's gone after next year anyway, so dealing him for a second seems like a no-brainer. I'd probably do it for a third, frankly.

 
Agreed, it's not a time to get too cute. If the 33rd is indeed on the table, take it while it's there.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Agreed, it's not a time to get too cute. If the 33rd is indeed on the table, take it while it's there.

Waiting for Watt as a throw-in?

 

[mascho]

If Houston flips their 33rd for Mallett and takes Clowney #1, St. Louis is gonna be pissed.  Sitting at #2 they have to be hoping that Houston drafts a QB and then they can force a team to mortgage their future to trade up for Clowney.  

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

 
Agreed, it's not a time to get too cute. If the 33rd is indeed on the table, take it while it's there.

I'd even sweeten the deal if NE can get #33. Maybe Mallet plus a their 1st sixth round pick (#182) or fourth or fifth next season.

 

[Cornboy14]

How do compensatory picks work in the case of a career backup like Mallett? If he leaves as a FA and finds a starting job, would the Patriots be in line for a 3rd, anyway?

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

If theoretically, the Pats and Houston agreed on #33 for Mallett, why would it be in BoB's interest to let that be known before Draft Day? Houston seems best positioned by letting the world know they're keeping all options open for #1 as long as possible.

 

[tims4wins]

How do compensatory picks work in the case of a career backup like Mallett? If he leaves as a FA and finds a starting job, would the Patriots be in line for a 3rd, anyway?

Maybe, but that pick wouldn't be until the 2016 draft. Have to factor in NPV here.

 

[Hendu for Kutch]

If theoretically, the Pats and Houston agreed on #33 for Mallett, why would it be in BoB's interest to let that be known before Draft Day? Houston seems best positioned by letting the world know they're keeping all options open for #1 as long as possible.

 
Simple, to get Mallett in working with his coaches and teammates ASAP.  A guy who's never started before with a mostly new-to-him coaching staff and an entirely new set of teammates?  That extra month would be huge.

 

[soxhop411]

Nick Underhill ‏@Nick_Underhill  6s
On the Ryan Mallett-Houston rumors that are out there … Source says that the interest is real, but nothing is definite.
https://twitter.com/Nick_Underhill/status/442479534827646976

 

[Ed Hillel]

Should probably shoot for their third so they can trade that for Revis.

 
No, they trade Houston's third for Fitzgerald and use their own on Revis. Try to keep up.
 
Houston makes a ton of sense, and Houston's interest should be an indication of how well Mallett has looked behind the scenes, given BO'B has to be the guy making the push.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Ben Volin and Nick Underhill both think there's no shot the #33 is in play for Mallett.  As stated upthread, you look at the 2nd round options at QB.  Bridgewater, Manziel, Bortles, and maybe even Derek Carr are off the board by then.  Here's the QBs after those: Jimmy Garoppolo, AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray, Zach Mettenberger.  Every QB after that is a low, low round pick or undrafted FA's.  You mean to tell me someone wouldn't want Ryan Mallett who is a 1st round talent but fell due to "off-the-field" issues when those issues are total crap now over those guys?  2 of those guys are coming off ACL injuries, one played his career in the FCS, while the other is a legitimate option.  Bill O'Brien worked up close and personal with Mallett and knows a heck of a lot more about him than any other QB that will be available at #33.  He knows what his ceiling is and what limitations he has in a professional setting.  I think this rumor has smoke to it and would not be surprised at all if they get #33 for Mallett.