2012 Senior Bowl: Brandon Weeden looks sharp, but does it matter?

by Matthew Fairburn on Jan 25, 2012 9:01 AM EST in 2012 Senior Bowl

Brandon Weeden was the star of practice for the South team at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday, according to Alfie Crow, SB Nation's on site reporter in Mobile, Ala.

At 6-feet-4-inches tall and 218 pounds, Weeden possesses ideal physical attributes a team looks for in a quarterback. He delivers the ball with accuracy to all spots on the field and has a tremendous release. The problem, of course, is that he is already 28 years old.

If Weeden was five years younger, we may be talking about him as a first round pick. Sure, he comes from a spread offense, but his statistics are off the charts, and as I mentioned, few are questioning his skill set.

However, at 28 years old, Weeden's ceiling is limited. Any team that drafts him will likely get six years of the former Cowboy in his physical prime. Considering quarterbacks generally take two or three years to reach their prime, investing in Weeden seems futile.

To put things in perspective, Weeden is already older than a decent amount of starting quarterbacks in the NFL right now, including Aaron Rodgers. If Weeden takes half as long to develop as the Packers' signal caller, he'll already be north of 30 and nearing the end of his career.

Scouts and draftniks will be gushing over Weeden all week, and for the rest of the draft process. Some will say they saw this from him all season long, which they did. But none of that changes the fact that he is not worth investing a first, or even second round draft pick in. Picks in those rounds are for players with upside that you can build a franchise around.

Ignore the hype with Weeden. He's impressive, and Oklahoma State certainly owes much of its football success to him, but he is not the answer for any quarterback-hungry NFL franchise.

Poll

Would you draft Brandon Weeden in the first or second round?

Yes

226 votes

No

437 votes

663 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

What date and time is the game?

Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.

Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 25, 2012 9:15 AM EST reply actions

Hmmm

I think I would take him in the lat third but no earlier.

"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."

by Riddlah. on Jan 25, 2012 9:17 AM EST reply actions

A 3rd round pick for a team who needs a back up is the best bet

I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee

by BAMFSpecialOps on Jan 25, 2012 9:32 AM EST reply actions

It should matter

not every team will get Luck or RG3. Weeden should last until the 3rd or 4th at the highest, as a backup he could be pretty good. Does age really matter if he’s good? No, it doesn’t.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 25, 2012 10:31 AM EST reply actions

yes it does

if you make an investment in someone you want them to be around for more than a few years

I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was

by pcroadrage on Jan 25, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

and why wouldn't he be around for more then a few years?

His 28 is not the same as a player who’s been in football since they’re younger. If he’s any good there’s no reason he can’t play until he’s in his late 30s, or at worst just his rookie contract which is 4-5 years.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 25, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

he also has a much lower ceiling

being 28 means he’s probably peaked. players rarely improve from that point. this has happened before Weinke we amazing in college but he was 28 when he got drafted and he couldn’t succeed in the NFL

I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was

by pcroadrage on Jan 25, 2012 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

we have read this book before (Chris Weinke 4167 yards as a senior) = 4th round

Keep in mind, Weeden was forced out of baseball due to a shoulder injury, this reportedly ruined his career.
Now, clearly this is not effecting his ability to throw a football, but don’t underestimate how a medical report can effect a players draft stock.

by durst on Jan 25, 2012 10:37 AM EST reply actions

How is he diff than Flynn

Flynn will be 27 this summer, hasn’t started in the league but once. And teams will sign him to a significant contract this off-season. Weeden will not be a 10yr starter, so 1st or 2nd seems a little crazy. But if the guy can clearly play, why would his ceiling only be a backup and why is he worse off than Flynn? Because he didn’t hold a clipboard the last 4 years?! If Skins got him in the 3rd and made him the starter Day 1, I think they’d have the steal of the draft and he’d provide, for 6 years, what they haven’t had in 20, a QB they could build around.

by 44ever on Jan 25, 2012 10:55 AM EST reply actions

It is different than Flynn

I think you’re underestimating the difference between sitting and learning at a N.F.L. level with N.F.L. coaches throwing against N.F.l. players in practice/preseason

And being the most mature player in all of College Football. Weeden has a different mindset being 28 in college than a lot of 19 and 20 year olds, I think.

I think you have to factor in how much his age played a part in his poise, his size/strength and those factors which are different.

Quarterback enter their prime at about 28-33.

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me." Dudley Field Malone

Editor at nflmocks.com, contributor a newyork.sbnation.com

by Jesse Bartolis on Jan 25, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs