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NFP - Sanchez: Do We Believe The Hype?


TheLongshot

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Matt Bowen brings up some very good questions...

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/04/sanchez-do-we-believe-the-hype/

Every year during the week leading up to the NFL Draft, one player begins to ascend the charts at a record pace. This year, that title belongs to USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. Is this a true indication of the ability and potential of Sanchez, or are we looking at the next example of someone who is drafted too high as a result of the hype?

The Early Questions

Why is Mark Sanchez the hottest name on NFL draft boards?

That’s the question we should ask ourselves today as we scour the Internet for the latest draft buzz and rumors. Why Sanchez and not Aaron Curry or Beanie Wells — two guys who might be losing steam as we inch our way toward Saturday?

Remember the Rose Bowl in Pasadena against Penn State? Sanchez went into that game as a solid college quarterback who might make a move in his senior season and head in to the 2010 draft as a possible a top-10 pick.

Well, that was before the game — before he annihilated the Big Ten champs in the Rose Bowl. It wasn’t just some throwaway game against Washington State.

Reminds me of someone from the University of Texas who had a pretty good final game in Pasadena. A guy by the name of Vince Young, who opened our eyes against — wouldn’t you know it — USC in the national championship. Yes, a different style of player, but the idea is still there. One big game on a national stage and we all fall for it. How’s that working out, Titans fans?

Remember JaMarcus Russell? Went down to the Sugar Bowl and carved up a below-average Notre Dame secondary to put himself on the national stage — and followed it up with a nice pro day. A guy who was a good college player became the No.1 choice in the NFL Draft.

Do you see where I’m going here.? Those games for Young and Russell — like Sanchez — started the hype, and they jumped on the wave and rode it all the way to Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

Let’s look at the numbers for all three in their final college games:

Young (Rose Bowl): 30 of 40, 267 yards; 19 carries, 200 yards, 3 TDs

Russell (Sugar Bowl): 21 of 24, 332 yards, 2TDS, 1 INT; 5 carries, 16 yards, 1 TD

Sanchez (Rose Bowl): 28 of 35, 413 yards, 4TDs; 7 carries, 16 yards, 1 TD

All three were good college quarterbacks who had a lot of negatives against them, ranging from accuracy and decision-making to college systems and arm strength.

For Sanchez, some began to believe he was a one-year wonder, a guy who struggles on the road and a guy who couldn’t make all the throws. He was pegged as someone who would come back for his senior season, get another year of starting experience under his belt and move forward in the 2010 draft.

But then the Rose Bowl happened and he started to show up on everyone’s radar. USC coach Pete Carroll wanted him to stay, but Sanchez saw the writing on the wall — he would never have a game like the one he had on a national stage, where he could carve up a slow, overrated Penn State secondary for everyone to see.

But not everyone was sold. He was pegged as a mid-to-late first-round draft choice. A guy who had limitations in his arm, experienced some injury issues in his only season as a starter and even a guy who had some off-the field distractions early in his career.

He was a solid first-round pick — but not a franchise quarterback.

And the suddenly, that wave started to get bigger.

More in the link

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I think he's nailing it.

I'd dare to say that no QB will have ever done LESS to be drafted in the top 5.

I think he could be good, but you never know. In his case you REALLY never know because of the sample size.

What I don't get is that it's not like someone will get him at an incredible value. It's not like he's a 3rd round pick this year but he'd be the first overall next year. He's going top 5 (likely) this year. He's already being rewarded as a guy who performed consistently over his college career.

Even if he is good, he's being over-hyped right now. Big risk, big reward.

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There are 2 players that have jumped up draft boards in the past 2 weeks...Sanchez and Robert Ayers...Most mock drafts had Ayers going 11 to BUF but with them trading Jason Peters they also need a LT...so Ayers could be there at 13 for us...funny how we might end up with 1 of the 2 of the most overhyped guys in the draft. Figures. Anyway I would take Ayers.

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I love how people just completely dismiss the guy because he looks like someone else, went to the same school as someone else, or had a similar game as someone else.

Did you read the whole article? That isn't everything.

By that aspect, we should distrust the hype around Ayers as well, which has been equally a big jump for him.

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I love how people just completely dismiss the guy because he looks like someone else, went to the same school as someone else, or had a similar game as someone else.

He's not completely dismissing Sanchez, he does say that Sanchez looks the part and could turn out to be a franchise QB that so many teams are craving. But Bowen also brings up legit facts about the history of QBs who have short amounts of starts at the collegiate level and shoot up draft boards. You compare him to guys like Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, and Carson Palmer who played many starts at their respective schools and had a longer chance to become seasoned and better QBs.

For the most part, history has shown that players at the NCAA level, especially QBs, who use a bowl game to get their stock up the highest and declare for the draft afterwards haven't performed well.

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Wasn't Matt Leinhert or however it's spell much better than him and has great WRs but couldn't win the job in Zona so why would Sanchez be a saviour here

Lienart was pretty good in school, but it's a different scenario because Kurt Warner was the right man for the job in AZ.

Skins don't have a vet like warner to fall back on, I mean that guy is probably headed to Canton.

Lienart is in a good situation because he's the QB of their future in 1-2 years then you can compare and contrast the two but as far as comparing them now it's pointless. Just because Lienart couldn't win the job in AZ has nothing to do with Sanchez projecting in the NFL.

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im starting to get a REALLY bad feeling about saturday. making it even worse im watching the draft w/ a good friend of mine whose a giant fan. im sure the giants will make some great moves and although danny should be taking notes he'll go ahead and throw away multiple picks to select a player that DOESNT FILL A SINGLE hole for this coming year. if you ask me snyder WANTS zorn and campbell to fail.

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