ChiefsPlanet - Chiefs Cassel > Cutler by Mel Kiper Jr.

Tuesday with Mel Kiper Jr.

Mel says Cassel is better than Cutler

  This week, Jay Cutler's moaning has distracted Mel Kiper Jr. from his usual draft content. "Talk about whining and complaining -- this is at the top of the list," Kiper says.
Kiper: Cassel > Cutler

Cutler's complaining came about because the Denver Broncos tried to trade Cutler in a three-team deal that would have brought over Matt Cassel from New England. But when the trade fell through, Cutler started to complain. 

 Kiper says Cassel would have been an "upgrade" over Cutler and that Cutler is, to put it mildly, overrated. "[Cutler] throws one pass, he's a Hall of Famer," Kiper says. "I've seen the media put him in the Hall of Fame. I had to run to the bathroom quick. It was making me ill. I've been hearing this overhype. "This guy was overhyped at the combine, he was overhyped at Senior Bowl week, he's been overhyped before he was drafted. The media, they love Jay Cutler. Jay Cutler can do no wrong. I've been saying he's overrated since day one. Everyone's been pounding their chests saying, 'Oh, I love Jay Cutler, I'm a genius.' They have egg on their face now." Kiper points out that Cutler has yet to lead the Broncos to a winning record or a playoff appearance. Also, Kiper says, "[Cutler] makes throws that leave you scratching your head, which I said on draft day when he was picked. Yeah, he's got a strong arm, but my daughter knew he had a strong arm. She could've written that report."

 ESPN First Draft: 3/10

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Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay tell Ryen Russillo all about players with buzz and those without it. Plus, the Scouts Inc. crew has a couple of mid-round steals for you to consider.
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 Kiper compares Cutler to Jeff George. "Jeff George had a great arm, and Jeff George had a lot of great games in this league, and people were putting Jeff George in the HOF early in his career," Kiper says. "So I'm just telling you, this is ridiculous." Also, Cutler once said he had a better arm than John Elway. Not surprisingly, Kiper isn't a big fan of that comment, either. "So what? Who cares? Why would you make a comparison to John Elway? That could be taken like you're in a position to critique the quarterback that is a legend."
Cornerbacks

Back to discussing the draft. "There isn't that one true shutdown cornerback available this year," Kiper says. "And after the subpar 40 times run by the defensive backs at the combine workout, this position isn't really as strong or as deep as originally anticipated." Michael Jenkins, Ohio State: "Jenkins is barely maintaining his spot as the No. 1 cornerback," Kiper says. Although Kiper points out that Jenkins "brings a ton of experience and sound technique to the position," he ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the combine, which makes Kiper worry whether he's worthy of first-round consideration. Vontae Davis, Illinois: Davis is on Jenkins' heels as the top cornerback in this class. But "he lacks the necessary consistency and is still a work in progress," Kiper says. "But physically, he has the awesome physical talent you look for to warrant a first-round grade." D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt: Kiper says he has impressive cover skills, good return skills, smooth hips and good ball skills, but he lacks good recovery speed. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest: "The 5-9, 193-pounder would be a first-round lock if he were a few inches taller and a bit faster," Kiper says. Darius Butler, Connecticut: Butler is a multiskilled athlete with outstanding recovery speed, Kiper says. Butler also saw action on offense, with nine receptions, and is a solid kick returner.

Underrated: Donald Washington, Ohio State: Washington left school early, a move that many people questioned, but Kiper says he is a solid second-rounder and will draw consideration in the latter portion of Round 1. "He has the physical skills you look for," Kiper says.

Others with early-round potential

Jairus Byrd, Oregon
Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
Brandon Hughes, Oregon State
Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina
Sean Smith, Utah
Asher Allen, Georgia
Jerraud Powers, Auburn

Safeties

Because USC's Taylor Mays opted to return to school, there isn't a true star at safety in this draft, Kiper says. William Moore, Missouri: After his junior season, in which he made eight interceptions, he was considered a first-round pick. But Kiper says a foot injury early in his senior season caused him to have just one pick last season. However, he ran an "impressive" 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. "He could turn out to be a steal in Round 2," Kiper says. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan: "A true ball hawk at free safety." Rashad Johnson, Alabama: "Had a spectacular year in the SEC, evidenced by his three-interception performance against LSU back in early November," Kiper says. He adds that Johnson is smart and instinctive, with his only weakness being a lack of ideal size (5-foot-11, 202 pounds). Others with early-round potential

Emanuel Cook, South Carolina
Patrick Chung, Oregon
Sherrod Martin, Troy
Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
David Bruton, Notre Dame
Michael Hamlin, Clemson

Outside linebackers

"While there are several high-profile inside linebackers, there's no question the outside linebacker spot is much better when it comes to talent and overall depth," Kiper says. He predicts that as many as four outside linebackers could be chosen in Round 1 of the draft. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest: Curry is the top player on Kiper's draft board. The multidimensional linebacker gets "high grades in all aspects of outside linebacker play." Kiper says he is destined to be a perennial Pro Bowler. Brian Cushing, USC: Kiper says Cushing is able to perform effectively in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. Also, he is more "proven and battle-tested" than his teammate Clay Matthews. Clay Matthews, USC: Matthews is in the Mike Vrabel mold and excels as a pass-rusher, Kiper reports. He is rocketing up draft boards after one season as a starter at USC. Larry English, Northern Illinois: "He was a force to be reckoned with with the Huskies." Clint Sintim, Virginia: "He has the talent and wingspan to operate on his feet or shift to a down defensive end position." He likely will be drafted in the second round. Inside linebackers

Rey Maualuga, USC: "He ranks as one of the hardest-hitting tacklers you will ever come across." James Laurinaitis, Ohio State: "He isn't flashy and lacks awesome computer numbers, but he gets extremely high grades in the consistency department." Kiper believes he needs to be protected by quality defensive tackle play. Others with early-round potential

Jason Phillips, TCU
Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
Gerald McRath, Southern Mississippi
Darry Beckwith, LSU

T.O.'s replacement?

With Terrell Owens gone, Kiper thinks Roy Williams will have to step up and be the No. 1 receiver in Dallas. "When he was at [the University of] Texas, he had great talent -- he flashed it time and time again." But Kiper believes Williams needs to be more assertive. "Don't be necessarily T.O. or Randy Moss. But you've got to go out there and have a little bit of an attitude -- a little chip on your shoulder," Kiper says. So who will play opposite Williams? Kiper says the Cowboys could find a quick slot receiver in the second round, like Brian Robiskie from Ohio State or Juaquin Iglesias from Oklahoma. Or they could roll the dice and go for Pat White from West Virginia, a quarterback whom many teams view as a wide receiver. Kiper says White could be the next Antwaan Randle El. But those are the Cowboys' options only if Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina) and Kenny Britt (Rutgers) are off the board by the time the Cowboys make their first pick of the draft in Round 2.

LOL. Cutler fans have egg on their face.... hahaha what a great insult.