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Decided to break this out into its own thread on the NFL board.
Mariota is not a can't miss prospect. But when you have a top-5 pick, a glaring need at QB, and there is one available that matches your needs on offense and in the locker room.....you take the best QB available. You assume that your coaching staff can correct that QB's deficiencies and you make a calculated risk that could change your franchise and initiate some hope within your fan base and locker room.
Fuck trading down and fuck drafting some random "could be great" prospect at a position that isn't going to win you games. You pick the best player available at the most important position on the field to build your franchise around.
There's certainly something to be said for this strategy and it'd be interesting to look at the numbers over the years and see if the risk is worth the reward.
I assume you're talking about the Titans here and if so, I'm telling you that the situation is more complex than what you hear from ESPN. There's a lot of talent on this team but they're very poorly coached and morale is in the basement. Ownership doesn't even come to Nashville for games and they're exploiting the franchise just like Frank McCourt did the Dodgers. The Titans are nothing but an ATM machine to them. On and off the field they're angering, frustrating and alienating their biggest supporters. For the first time ever, fans booed and many are boycotting. Local radio guys, including Paul Kuharsky and George Plaster are calling for fans to stay away, or if they already have PSLs and are determined to support the players, go to the game but don't spend a dime. Local charities are giving tax deductions for donated tickets for those boycotting.
So, there's that.
Next is that there's real confidence in Zach Mettenberger. Don't listen to these clowns who haven't watched 2 mins of Titans football season because they don't know what they're talking about. Mettenberger is a prototypical NFL QB and has demonstrated steely mental toughness. He's got a rocket, he's loved by fans and teammates alike. There's little doubt he'll be the Week 1 QB for the Titans next season.
Then you have Whis. Factor in his short leash for QBs and that he knows he'll be fired next season if he doesn't win. He has to win now and his favorite position is QB. You can bet the Titans top pick will be an offensive player. Does he choose Amari Cooper to open up the field and compliment Mettenberger or is he convinced Mariota could turn the Titans into the Seahawks?
I love the draft this year. I can't wait but if the Titans squander this top pick, I'll be taking next season off and I won't be alone.
My preferences in order.
1.) Amari Cooper
2.) Trade down, take best-available WR and DE with those picks
I hope and pray the Titans have the top pick and a team I dislike is willing to mortgage the next 5-7 years of their franchise on Mariota, ala Daniel Snyder and Bobby Griffin III.