The number two Quarterback in the draft has yo-yoed in the minds and on the mock draft boards of experts for weeks. Initially, this year’s QB crop was rated poorly, with only Bradford slated to sneak into the first round. Things have changed since then – Clausen has leapt up the charts and is no not only a first-rounder, but a pretty likely top-ten prospect.
He lacks the intangibles possessed by Tebow (who seems to be shaping up as the number three QB, though whether that is for his skill at the position, or his general footballing brain, is as yet unclear), but he does have stacks of leadership, and a tendency to play the game with his head – in his final season at Notre Dame he threw only 4 interceptions against 28 touchdowns.
This kid was highly touted out of high school. He was so good that he won all 42 games he started in high school and won the Hall of Fame trophy in 2006. He comes from a strong footballing heritage – both his brothers played Division I football in Tennessee. He has the background. The only thing that kind of goes against him is his relatively recent return to the form that say him rated nationally as the top QB out of college. His first two seasons at Notre Dame were unremarkable – his second solid enough, but his third was off the charts. His ball protection must be his biggest selling point. That and his pedigree – coached by Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame, he is ready for a pro-style offense.
The Browns, who are looking for a QB for the future, could take him at 7, but Holmgren has gone o record saying he doesn’t like him much, and wish he did more. That pretty much locks them into Berry, but where will Clausen fall?
Washington shored-up their situation with the stellar addition of Donovan McNabb so they’re out of the mix. Buffalo need a guy, so do Jacksonville and Seattle. I’m sure Belicheck would love him in New England as a future project, but the chances of him trading up when Brady looks good for another few years yet seem unlikely.
I’m going to wager that the Jaguars will take Clausen tenth. I think the Bills will shoot for Tebow early in the second or try and move-up and take him in the first. He is more robust than Clausen, whose first college season was marred by niggling injuries sustained as a result of a school-record 34 sacks.
The Jaguars can protect the young guy and give him a chance to shine. He may be the piece that Jack Del Rio needs to save his job.
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