Cassel > Cutler by Mel Kiper Jr.

[EyePod]

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."

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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.

[MahiMike]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Good God, Cutler was throwing to Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. Together they're EASILY on Moss and Welker's level.

I agree. Throw in Stokley and it's a pretty good trio.

[lazepoo]

Cutler's in charge of a potent offense, but without a solid team, he won't win anything. He's got the Broncos at a mediocre level, and unless they make strides in conditioning and on their defense, they're maxed out right now.

It's no different than the Cards last year: They were one dimensional and only made the playoffs thanks to a miserable division, and they posted a pretty meh record despite having a HOF QB because they had no running and no defense. If the Donx had caught fire at the end of the season, they could have made a similar run. Their offense was really good, but their D was KC level bad. Honestly, Cutler is the difference between Denver having the season they had last year and them competing with us for draft position in the top 5.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Going back to Elway, Elway was probably one of the most overrated QB's of all time.

[Saul Good]

Cutler's Jake Plummer part deux. He makes so many great plays that his teams will never be terrible, but he makes so many terrible plays that his teams will never be great.

[Hammock Parties]

Kiper didn't really convince me. I was expecting some sort of breakdown of Cassel's skills, or attributes.

[Que Card QB]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

You're reeruned.

WTF? You countered a W/L argument (Cassel vs. Cutler) with a W/L argument (difference of 3 games).

I agree that's not a measure by which to compare QBs so don't use "a difference of 3 games" to do it.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Cutler's Jake Plummer part deux. He makes so many great plays that his teams will never be terrible, but he makes so many terrible plays that his teams will never be great.

He's far and away nothing like Plummer back there... he has a lot to improve on though, the guy has a lot of talent.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Claythan

Kiper didn't really convince me. I was expecting some sort of breakdown of Cassel's skills, or attributes.

Again, he's a little bitter that Leinart and Young are warming the bench for journeyman QBs pushing 40.

[wild1]

I wonder if the bloom will ever come off Shanahan in Denver? Sure, he's an OK coach, deserves credit for those super bowls 10 years ago with Reeves' team. But how many poor free agent signings did they make, how rarely did it seem that anything they drafted worked out?

And this Cutler situation along with, obviously, Shanahan's firing, shows that Bowlen is not high on him at all and may have come to the same conclusion, that nobody ever made as good a living off anyone as Shanahan has made off of Elway. Except maybe the living Carl Peterson made off Marty

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Is this a sick joke? LOL

You're serious, aren't you?

Welker had 7 more receptions than Marshall. Marshall had 100 more yards. Marshall had double the number of touchdowns.

Royal had 91 receptions to Moss' 69 and one less 100 yard game, despite the fact that he's a rookie.

Marshall and Royal are EVERY BIT the duo that Moss and Welker are. To pretend otherwise is laughable.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Last time I checked, quarterbacks don't play defense. You have to have it on both sides. Nothing Trent Green could of done for the defense. If Trent Green had the old Baltimore Ravens defense the Chiefs probably would of won 3 super bowls. It wasn't all Trent either, you coulda put alot of QB's into that system and had great success.

Going back to Elway, Elway was probably one of the most overrated QB's of all time. While he was a great player, he can thank his two super bowls to TD, who is by all accounts, one of the most dominating players ever in the short span where he was good.

Elway went to the Super Bowl 3 times without Terrell Davis. At least 2 of those teams wouldn't have come close to the Super Bowl without Elway. He's one of the best 2 or 3 QB's in the history of football, dude.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by wild1

I wonder if the bloom will ever come off Shanahan in Denver? Sure, he's an OK coach, deserves credit for those super bowls 10 years ago with Reeves' team. But how many poor free agent signings did they make, how rarely did it seem that anything they drafted worked out?

And this Cutler situation along with, obviously, Shanahan's firing, shows that Bowlen is not high on him at all and may have come to the same conclusion, that nobody ever made as good a living off anyone as Shanahan has made off of Elway. Except maybe the living Carl Peterson made off Marty

You're insane... Shanahan took over in 1995, the teams he won with were not built by Dan.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You're serious, aren't you?

Welker had 7 more receptions than Marshall. Marshall had 100 more yards. Marshall had double the number of touchdowns.

Royal had 91 receptions to Moss' 69 and one less 100 yard game, despite the fact that he's a rookie.

Marshall and Royal are EVERY BIT the duo that Moss and Welker are. To pretend otherwise is laughable.

This is why I think Cutler will do well in this system once the drama stops... it's lingering way to long. Bowlen needs to call a code red on both of them.