Combine: Mallett Self-Destructs

[az jam]

From NFL Draft Countdown

Mallett Self-Destructs?

• It’s rare to see a prospect damage their draft stock at a press conference but Ryan Mallett of Arkansas may have done just that today. In what should have come as no surprise, Mallett was repeatedly asked about the widespread drug rumors that have been swirling around him for more than a year. Mallett steadfastly refused to talk about the subject and said NFL teams knew what they needed to and that he’d discuss it with them. All Mallett had to do was deny the rumors were true and it would’ve been over but he didn’t despite multiple opportunities. Frustrated by the line of questioning, Mallett reportedly ended the presser rather abruptly and left the podium. In his first real taste of intense national media scrutiny, Mallett certainly did not respond well. It’s a good thing he’s not interviewing for a high-profile job like NFL quarterback! Mallett had to have been prepared by his people to expect those types of inquiries so the way he handled the situation is extremely troublesome.

 

[Buckybird]

Supposedly an NFL team in the interview process didn't like Newton's answer of why he ignored coaches orders to down the ball before the winning FG of the BCS title game also. He was caught off guard by the question & if I'm the Cards I'm not touching any QB in rd 1.

 

[PJ1]

Very Ryan Leafish.....

 

[Buckybird]

Very Ryan Leafish.....

Yep

I wouldn't be suprised if his supposed drug issues were true. There's just something about Mallet's personality I don't care for as my QB & that was before this came up.

 

[devilalum]

Very Ryan Leafish.....

Oh yeah, Cryan Leaf Jr.

Real cool under pressure.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I watched the video and the OP is a bit of an exaggeration.

IMO he didn't handle it well, but it was an example of the boorish press continually asking him a question he said he was going to talk about. Very early on in the interview he said that it was just silly rumors and that he wasn't going to address, and then members of the media kept asking him about it and he started to get a little flustered.

If I were up there I would likely start cursing them out...

 

[Chopper0080]

I don't think he handled it poorly, and I think it was natural for him to get frustrated having to answer the same question over and over after he has said that he won't talk about it.

The issue is that he has questions concerning drug use, not whether or not he addressed those issues in an interview with REPORTERS. If he tried the same bit or glossed over the issues with coaches would be a problem.

 

[D-Dogg]

From NFL Draft Countdown

Mallett Self-Destructs?

• It’s rare to see a prospect damage their draft stock at a press conference but Ryan Mallett of Arkansas may have done just that today. In what should have come as no surprise, Mallett was repeatedly asked about the widespread drug rumors that have been swirling around him for more than a year. Mallett steadfastly refused to talk about the subject and said NFL teams knew what they needed to and that he’d discuss it with them. All Mallett had to do was deny the rumors were true and it would’ve been over but he didn’t despite multiple opportunities. Frustrated by the line of questioning, Mallett reportedly ended the presser rather abruptly and left the podium. In his first real taste of intense national media scrutiny, Mallett certainly did not respond well. It’s a good thing he’s not interviewing for a high-profile job like NFL quarterback! Mallett had to have been prepared by his people to expect those types of inquiries so the way he handled the situation is extremely troublesome.

He takes this [stuff] seriously!! This isn't a joke to him. Nothing's funny. That's fine. That's fine. That's fine. That's fine. That's fine.


I will gladly stop seeing Mallett as DA as soon as he stops acting and playing like him.

 

[RedViper]

Good stuff. Its actually very useful for teams to know if they are drafting someone that's going to go all Derek Anderson when the media gets nasty. I don't think its scripted but it probably should be. Especially for the QB position. You're going to have to stand up there and take the heat son. Its part of the job. Time to take the diapers off and putting down the bong probably wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Longcolts]

I agree, I don't think he handled it poorly at all. You also have to remember that the person that wrote that opinion of how Mallet could have stop the question that was repeatedly asked by reporters after having been told numerous times that he wouldn't discuss it with them was written by a reporter. There's a big surprise, that a reporter thinks it was a mistake not to answer a question posed by reporters.

 

[Shane]

This was a complete exaggeration by the original poster.

I saw the video and it wasnt bad at all. In fact the NFL crew and specifically Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick stated they were impressed with the way he handled himself and happy to see he didn't air it out in public.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Everything I hear is that in Private Team Interviews, Mallett came across much more sincere, contrite and forthright than Newton. Newton just knows how to work the media. I'm sure Mallett was just showing some of the natural frustration of the day.

 

[Southpaw]

Everything I hear is that in Private Team Interviews, Mallett came across much more sincere, contrite and forthright than Newton. Newton just knows how to work the media. I'm sure Mallett was just showing some of the natural frustration of the day.

Newton is an icon.

 

[The Commish]

Newton is an icon.

But are you not entertained?

 

[azsportsfan01]

I don't think Mallett handled this poorly at all. Say he has used drugs in the past and he got up there and denied. Once it comes out then the media would just turn around and said he lied and isn't trust worthy. If he truly came clean and was sincere to the teams in the private meetings (which by all accounts he did) then it is a moot point. Once he is drafted I am sure we will know everything.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Everyone who knows Mallett personally has gone to bat for him.

Watch him on the field, his enthusiasm is infectious. He's constantly running to his teams and congratulating them and cheering on his defense. He's very much an emotional leader, and that's apparent in this interview.

 

[Southpaw]

But are you not entertained?

Only in a demeaning sort of way.

 

[Stout]

Glad to see that this was all much ado about nothing. I like this kid the most out of all QBs in the draft. I don't want him at 5, but in the 2nd round? Sign me up.

 

[lobo]

This was a complete exaggeration by the original poster.

I saw the video and it wasnt bad at all. In fact the NFL crew and specifically Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick stated they were impressed with the way he handled himself and happy to see he didn't air it out in public.

Totally agree. I am not a fan of any of the qb's this year BUT I too believe he handled it the way it should have been. A guess only...kid probably did some stuff, but as he said so many times he would discuss that issue with teams that talk to him. What do people and the stupid press want him to say??? He is a 5/6 round choice in my book if Cards took him..We got one like him already and he is an honest 3rd string qb

 

[WildBB]

I don't think he handled it poorly, and I think it was natural for him to get frustrated having to answer the same question over and over after he has said that he won't talk about it.

The issue is that he has questions concerning drug use, not whether or not he addressed those issues in an interview with REPORTERS. If he tried the same bit or glossed over the issues with coaches would be a problem.

That's the thing, there is nothing he could have said because it's true, he partied. He wants into the NFL as a QB but he acted like a regular college kid and had his good times.

He was in a no win situation with the questions, and talking face to face with the teams who want answers is really the only way he'll come off genuine and truthful about those times.

Now he just needs to quell concerns about if it's going to be a continuing issue and if he's mature enough to have in an NFL locker room.

 

[WildBB]

Everyone who knows Mallett personally has gone to bat for him.

Watch him on the field, his enthusiasm is infectious. He's constantly running to his teams and congratulating them and cheering on his defense. He's very much an emotional leader, and that's apparent in this interview.

He'd be tough to pass if he's sitting there when we pick in round 2.

He's definately going in that round. Where and to whom is the question.

 

[splitsecond]

Apparently his actually performance was pretty good:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/27/ryan-mallett-gets-rave-reviews-for-combine-effort/

 

[splitsecond]

That's the thing, there is nothing he could have said because it's true, he partied. He wants into the NFL as a QB but he acted like a regular college kid and had his good times.

He was in a no win situation with the questions, and talking face to face with the teams who want answers is really the only way he'll come off genuine and truthful about those times.

Now he just needs to quell concerns about if it's going to be a continuing issue and if he's mature enough to have in an NFL locker room.

What is ridiculous is that most everyone parties in college, and then hang it up when life calls for it. The media just loves to hound these guys when they come in just to see what kind of a reaction that can get. If I went into a job interview out of law school and they asked me if I had partied, I wouldn't answer the question either, and if they asked it repeatedly I would walk out of the interview too.

 

[vinnymac]

I like Mallet. If the Cardinals picked him at #5 I wouldn't be disappointed. When you are picking at #5 every position is a need. The only way the Cardinals could screw this pick up is by picking Cam Newtown. That is just my opinion.

 

[joeshmo]

His throwing performance today was about as spot on as you can get. Power, tight spin, accuracy.

Locker wasn't to far behind by the way.

I would take either one in the 2nd.