Bruce Arians: Haason Reddick was better than any QB on draft board

[BullheadCardFan]

Bruce Arians: Haason Reddick was better than any QB on draft board


When the Arizona Cardinals were on the clock during the first round of last month's NFL draft, there was little -- if anything -- that would've dissuaded them from selecting Temple linebacker Haason Reddick.

Two weeks after the Cardinals made Reddick the No. 13 overall pick, coach Bruce Arians told ESPN that it wouldn't have mattered if any or all of the top quarterback prospects were still on the board as long as Reddick was still available.

Mitch Trubisky. Patrick Mahomes. Deshaun Watson. None of them would have been picked next by the Cardinals.

"There wasn’t a quarterback near him on the board," Arians said. "And you can’t reach at that point in time."

Though Arians said the desire to draft a quarterback this year was real, it had to be the "right one." And as long as Reddick was still available, none of the quarterbacks were going to fit that bill.

As the draft unfolded, the Cardinals never found themselves in a position to draft a quarterback -- whether by choice or by how the board looked -- delaying for at least another year the discussion about who will replace Carson Palmer whenever his time in Arizona ends.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Speaking of draft picks. I thought I read somewhere that we were signing all of our draft picks on Thursday before practice. Anybody heard of any signings?

 

[Solar7]

If true, and not just coachspeak, good to know.

Probably would have cost a TV or remote for the Solar7 household on draft day if true, and one of the three were there.

 

[robert ethan]

I think Bruce likes Gabbert better than any of the guys in the draft. Blaine is bigger and tested better than any of them in all the Combine events I think. Plus he nearly doubled their Wonderlic scores. His arm is as good as any of them and he has a quicker release. Notable that Arians said the "quarterback of the future" could come "in the next five days" the day before they signed Gabbert.

 

[juza76]

I think Bruce likes Gabbert better than any of the guys in the draft. Blaine is bigger and tested better than any of them in all the Combine events I think. Plus he nearly doubled their Wonderlic scores. His arm is as good as any of them and he has a quicker release.

Gabbert,really?

 

[Reign Blood]

Gabbert,really?

Yes really I'd rather have Gabbert than a option read qb. Other than Trubisky the qb class was very short.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I think Bruce likes Gabbert better than any of the guys in the draft. Blaine is bigger and tested better than any of them in all the Combine events I think. Plus he nearly doubled their Wonderlic scores. His arm is as good as any of them and he has a quicker release. Notable that Arians said the "quarterback of the future" could come "in the next five days" the day before they signed Gabbert.

We get it, you really really really dig Gabbert. You are about as bad as the guy who was posting continuously about getting Daryl Washington back and that damn sacking of Michael Vick video... and this is coming from a guy here who approves of the Gabbert signing

 

[robert ethan]

We get it, you really really really dig Gabbert. You are about as bad as the guy who was posting continuously about getting Daryl Washington back and that damn sacking of Michael Vick video... and this is coming from a guy here who approves of the Gabbert signing

Well, it's nice to get a little confirmation from a guy who probably qualifies as one of the top three judges of NFL QB talent on the planet. Right?

Stop and think of what it would mean to the franchise if Gabbert delivers on his potential. The difference between trading the next two drafts to move up high enough in the draft order to get a player with comparable talent, (as several teams have done in recent times) then waiting for 3 years on the guy, (regardless of how awful he might be over that time), before you get to take another shot. If you take all the QBs drafted first overall in the past 10 years, I don't think they compiled an overall winning record this past season. Lots of clunkers in the top 5 picks as well.

 

[cardncubfan]

I wish I was 19 again at times.

 

[BleedRed]

The only QB I liked in the first round was Watson. I think he'll be a solid starter for a long time. He's a leader. I think he went to the perfect team in Houston and will be the starter week 1. Trubisky is a super high risk at #2 and personally I think he'll be a bust. Mahomes is raw and will need at least a year if not more to develop. I don't think he'll pan out either. I'm very happy with our draft and am probably overly optimistic that Gabbert could be the guy to step in when Carson is done and keep us at contender status.

 

[Reign Blood]

Well, it's nice to get a little confirmation from a guy who probably qualifies as one of the top three judges of NFL QB talent on the planet. Right?

Stop and think of what it would mean to the franchise if Gabbert delivers on his potential. The difference between trading the next two drafts to move up high enough in the draft order to get a player with comparable talent, (as several teams have done in recent times) then waiting for 3 years on the guy, (regardless of how awful he might be over that time), before you get to take another shot. If you take all the QBs drafted first overall in the past 10 years, I don't think they compiled an overall winning record this past season. Lots of clunkers in the top 5 picks as well.

Ethan I enjoy enthusiasm dude I hope you stick around.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Well, it's nice to get a little confirmation from a guy who probably qualifies as one of the top three judges of NFL QB talent on the planet. Right?

Stop and think of what it would mean to the franchise if Gabbert delivers on his potential. The difference between trading the next two drafts to move up high enough in the draft order to get a player with comparable talent, (as several teams have done in recent times) then waiting for 3 years on the guy, (regardless of how awful he might be over that time), before you get to take another shot. If you take all the QBs drafted first overall in the past 10 years, I don't think they compiled an overall winning record this past season. Lots of clunkers in the top 5 picks as well.

I may not agree totally with what you're saying, but you seem like a good addition to the board!

 

[Mitch]

Haason Reddick was #3 on the Cardinals' draft board. I am guessing that Solomon Thomas and Jamal Adams were #1 and #2.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Haason Reddick was #3 on the Cardinals' draft board. I am guessing that Solomon Thomas and Jamal Adams were #1 and #2.

Why would you assume that the veritable consensus #1 overall pick wouldn't be in their top 2?

 

[Mitch]

Why would you assume that the veritable consensus #1 overall pick wouldn't be in their top 2?

It's not an assumption, OZC, it's a guess. I heard that Myles Garrett was not in the top 5 of some teams' draft boards. Some felt he underachieved and should have been more dominating. He only had 2 sacks in the SEC games last year. Inconsistent effort. For example, Willie McGinest of NFL Network did an elaborate comparison of Garrett to Solomon Thomas and arrived at the conclusion that Thomas is the superior player.

 

[cardsfanmd]

It's not an assumption, OZC, it's a guess. I heard that Myles Garrett was not in the top 5 of some teams' draft boards. Some felt he underachieved and should have been more dominating. He only had 2 sacks in the SEC games last year. Inconsistent effort. For example, Willie McGinest of NFL Network did an elaborate comparison of Garrett to Solomon Thomas and arrived at the conclusion that Thomas is the superior player.

I'd also throw out there that he may not be as much of a scheme fit, leadership or offer the same position versatility as Adams or Thomas. We have two entrenched starters at his position and we know how Keim and Arians value leadership, i.e. Being a team captain.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Both valid arguments. It would've shocked me if they didn't take him.

 

[cardpa]

It's not an assumption, OZC, it's a guess. I heard that Myles Garrett was not in the top 5 of some teams' draft boards. Some felt he underachieved and should have been more dominating. He only had 2 sacks in the SEC games last year. Inconsistent effort. For example, Willie McGinest of NFL Network did an elaborate comparison of Garrett to Solomon Thomas and arrived at the conclusion that Thomas is the superior player.

I don't remember where I saw a video of Garrett but it was a video that did not impress you after watching it.. It showed him taking a lot of plays off and a general lack of hustle or effort on his part. Some of the plays shown made you wonder why the guy would be drafted at all. Now I agree with the argument that you could cherry pick video of almost any player but some of them were really bad where he had the play right by him and his effort was totally lacking. Cleveland better hope they can light a fire under his ass or else they will end up with another bust.

 

[football karma]

Calvisi reported they had Reddick at 3rd overall on their board --which IIRC is need adjusted

That Reddick was higher than any QB doesn't surprise -- the entire vibe pre draft was that none of the QBs really should be round 1 guys

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Well, making statements like that are a sure way to put yourself under pressure, especially if one of the QB's does surprise and we can't find a replacement for Palmer.

 

[robert ethan]

Curious if they contacted Gabbert before or after the draft. Given Bruce's age, and some health concerns, I imagine the last thing he wants to do is start over with a rookie QB. Fitz won't stick around with a rookie, either. I think they have a lot more hope for Gabbert than the general public does. Starting from scratch is for a new coaching staff.

 

[juza76]

Curious if they contacted Gabbert before or after the draft. Given Bruce's age, and some health concerns, I imagine the last thing he wants to do is start over with a rookie QB. Fitz won't stick around with a rookie, either. I think they have a lot more hope for Gabbert than the general public does. Starting from scratch is for a new coaching staff.

Gabbert signed 1 year deal and is what they offered since off season started
1 year deal to take confidence with the playbook and be an option next year with a draft pick
I know u like gabbert a lot , many of us are more then skeptical, but lets see if he can change his career in arizona

 

[Brak]

I don't remember where I saw a video of Garrett but it was a video that did not impress you after watching it.. It showed him taking a lot of plays off and a general lack of hustle or effort on his part.

When Markus Golden was drafted a couple of years ago, there were knocks on him, but one thing that was a huge positive was the guy's motor. ALWAYS getting after it, right up to the whistle, and never taking plays off. True to form, that's exactly how he's performed for the Cards, and is a budding superstar.

 

[robert ethan]

Gabbert signed 1 year deal and is what they offered since off season started
1 year deal to take confidence with the playbook and be an option next with a draft pick
I know u like gabbert a lot , many of us are more then skeptical, but lets see if he can change his career in arizona

I imagine if the team were to play badly enough to get a high draft pick next season, that would probably be it for Palmer, Fitzpatrick, and Arians. Keim is young enough to start over with a rookie QB, but Bruce will be 65 with health issues. He'd either retire voluntarily or be replaced, I would think. That would also mean that Gabbert would move on. Blaine isn't at the point where he wants to caddy for a top draft pick, and a new staff would probably want their own guys.

It's going to be a strange season in a lot of ways. Everyone standing around waiting for the music to stop. I think they have to win a dozen games and a playoff game or two in order for the coaching staff and any of the top veterans to return.

 

[TJ]

Well, it's nice to get a little confirmation from a guy who probably qualifies as one of the top three judges of NFL QB talent on the planet. Right?

Stop and think of what it would mean to the franchise if Gabbert delivers on his potential. The difference between trading the next two drafts to move up high enough in the draft order to get a player with comparable talent, (as several teams have done in recent times) then waiting for 3 years on the guy, (regardless of how awful he might be over that time), before you get to take another shot. If you take all the QBs drafted first overall in the past 10 years, I don't think they compiled an overall winning record this past season. Lots of clunkers in the top 5 picks as well.

What would it have meant for Gabbert to have delivered on his potential in Jacksonville? San Francisco?

There's a reason he is on Team #3 at age 27. He's simply not that talented.

While we can agree that this 2017 QB class was mediocre at best and likely wouldn't have produced the QBoF we need, we can also agree that Gabbert is a known commodity going into his 7th season in the NFL--a first-round bust hoping to stick around the NFL and add to his pension as a career backup.