football karma
Happy in the pretense of knowledge
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- Jul 22, 2002
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Looking at the totality of the moves made by Keim -- I think they point to taking Lamar Jackson in the draft. My rationale (in no particular order) :
1. Signing both Bradford and Glennon provides a QB situation where the rookie taken is in no hurry next year to play -- a guy who if all goes well, can learn for two years before moving into the starting role.
2. Steve Wilks came from Carolina where he watched Cam Newton --a non traditional QB used in a variety of ways (both drop back, but also designed runs, etc) to good effect.
3. Steve Keim has watched Russel Wilson torment for years with his ability to improvise, run, etc --
4. All the moves this offseason have signaled a two year roster "refresh" before getting back to playoff contention -- as an example: taking Badgers full dead money cap hit this year, rather than pushing it off.
5. Keim values draft picks. I think he isnt inclined to give up the haul necessary to get a top four guy, but would rather trade down 6-8 spots, pick up an extra 3rd and take a Jackson.
6. Jackson fits the Keim formula: a superior athlete with all tools, but is a draft bargain because of "x". The "x" in this case is that Jackson needs NFL QB development as a passer. My prediction: if they take Jackson, Keim will say something like "If Lamar stayed for his senior year, and, showed the same passing development he did in the last year, he would be the first guy taken overall in next years draft"
7. They have Mike McCoy -- who got the Denver Broncos into the AFC Divisional playoffs with Tim Tebow as QB. They have a guy who designed an offense that used a running QB who wasnt near the passer a Jackson is.
So i think ( and again, pure speculation on my part) -- if one of the top 4 slides to them, or, comes within range where the trade up is relatively cheap ( 1st + 3rd + next year's 2nd) they do it. But if not, they have the freedom to take a Lamar Jackson, develop him for a couple offseasons and training camps before they have to play him.
1. Signing both Bradford and Glennon provides a QB situation where the rookie taken is in no hurry next year to play -- a guy who if all goes well, can learn for two years before moving into the starting role.
2. Steve Wilks came from Carolina where he watched Cam Newton --a non traditional QB used in a variety of ways (both drop back, but also designed runs, etc) to good effect.
3. Steve Keim has watched Russel Wilson torment for years with his ability to improvise, run, etc --
4. All the moves this offseason have signaled a two year roster "refresh" before getting back to playoff contention -- as an example: taking Badgers full dead money cap hit this year, rather than pushing it off.
5. Keim values draft picks. I think he isnt inclined to give up the haul necessary to get a top four guy, but would rather trade down 6-8 spots, pick up an extra 3rd and take a Jackson.
6. Jackson fits the Keim formula: a superior athlete with all tools, but is a draft bargain because of "x". The "x" in this case is that Jackson needs NFL QB development as a passer. My prediction: if they take Jackson, Keim will say something like "If Lamar stayed for his senior year, and, showed the same passing development he did in the last year, he would be the first guy taken overall in next years draft"
7. They have Mike McCoy -- who got the Denver Broncos into the AFC Divisional playoffs with Tim Tebow as QB. They have a guy who designed an offense that used a running QB who wasnt near the passer a Jackson is.
So i think ( and again, pure speculation on my part) -- if one of the top 4 slides to them, or, comes within range where the trade up is relatively cheap ( 1st + 3rd + next year's 2nd) they do it. But if not, they have the freedom to take a Lamar Jackson, develop him for a couple offseasons and training camps before they have to play him.
