The Great Unknowns: QB

[Mitch]

* QB Matt Barkley---Keim traded his 2016 7th Round pick for Barkley, a player he showed interest in when Barkley was entering the draft. When the trade was made, the feeling at the time was that Keim wanted to add a viable #3 QB who could step in and play should the 2014 QB injury scenario repeat itself. The sense was that Barkley would be an upgrade over Ryan Lindley. While the coaches never had to turn to Barkley last season, they have openly stated that they still aren't quite sure of what they have in Barkley. This pre-season will be Barkley's opportunity to show that he can be productive and efficient in the system, and that he is worthy of another roster spot this season. On the surface, it would appear that Barkley does not quite fit the mold of a Bruce Arians QB, as he lacks the size and big arm that BA covets. Thus, Barkley will have to showcase his timing and accuracy, which at times were commendable at USC, although at other times, his decision making was questionable. Interestingly, USA Today back in the their 2013 NFL Draft Preview had the Cardinals taking Barkley with the #7 pick. Here is what they said: "Barkley has been on the Cardinals' radar since he was the number one recruit out of high school. His productivity at USC might not have been up to the standards that people expected, but his intangibles are hard to ignore. he has excellent mechanics such as footwork, pump fakes, poise and pocket movements and he has a quick release and outstanding touch." Now---we all know that Barkley slipped in the draft and the USA Today Draft Preview was printed before the Cardinals cut Kevin Kolb and traded for Carson Palmer, thus the Cardinals were no longer considering QBs early in that draft. (Note of interest: USA Today also predicted DE Alex Okafor going at #31 to the Falcons and LB Kevin Minter going at #32 to the Ravens).

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* QB Jake Coker---with such a QB starved league, it is quite remarkable that the starting QB of the CFP NCAA Champion Crimson Tide, a player who won every big game down the stretch, while throwing 11 TDs and not a single interception (versus top defenses in Florida, Michigan St. and Clemson), would be totally ignored and passed over in the draft. Truth is, Coker fits BA's QB profile---he's 6-6, 236, has a strong arm (mitigated somewhat by a wind-up throwing motion, which will need to be quickened) and is actually more mobile than what one would expect for a player his size. The problem with Coker is that he languished on the sidelines behind Jameis Winston at FSU and then, after he transferred to Alabama, when he had the chance to win the starting job following A.J. McCarron's departure, he couldn't beat out Blake Sims. This past year as a senior he was replaced early in the season by Cooper Bateman who started the Mississippi game. When Bama fell behind and Bateman was struggling, Nick Saban turned back to Coker who led a furious comeback (pass ing for 3 TD, 2 INTs and rushing for 1 TD), albeit in vain. However, from that point on Coker had won the job and Saban's confidence. The rest of the way Coker went 12-0 and finished 14-0 in his starts. While there are parts of Coker's game that need refinement, there is no question how gritty he is. He never quits on a play and at times refused to go down, trying to keep plays alive with his feet and his arm. He throws well on the run and scans the field well. Like most young QBs he locks in too long on some receivers, but that's when he will make a move to avoid pressure and then try to find an open receiver. When one goes back and looks at Coker's play in the NCAA playoffs---man, he was extremely impressive in both the 38-0 win over Michigan St. and the 45-40 win over Clemson in the CFP National Championship Game.

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Conclusion: This competition is fascinating because Barkley and Coker are such completely different players. Barkley tries to deceive defenses with pump fakes and look-aways and he is adept at hitting receivers in stride with his quick release, whereas Coker is a big presence pocket passer who wants to hit his #1 option and, if and when that is taken away, he wants to escape the pocket, peruse the field and either run for the sticks or hit open men downfield.

Accuracy: Barkley
Footwork: Barkley
Release: Barkley
Touch: Barkley
Reads: Barkley
Experience: Barkley
Size: Coker
Arm Strength: Coker
Long and 50/50 Balls: Coker
Escapability: Coker
Toughness: Coker
Improvisation: Coker

 

[kerouac9]

Possibility with Barkley: He's spent the last two years working on his body and core to improve his downfield strength.

I remember Drew Brees was believed to be unable to throw the deep ball during his early career with the Chargers—one of the reasons they drafted Phil Rivers. He spent two seasons working furiously to develop his core and lower body, and he's since become one of the best deep passers in NFL history.

 

[oaken1]

* QB Matt Barkley---Keim traded his 2016 7th Round pick for Barkley, a player he showed interest in when Barkley was entering the draft. When the trade was made, the feeling at the time was that Keim wanted to add a viable #3 QB who could step in and play should the 2014 QB injury scenario repeat itself. The sense was that Barkley would be an upgrade over Ryan Lindley. While the coaches never had to turn to Barkley last season, they have openly stated that they still aren't quite sure of what they have in Barkley. This pre-season will be Barkley's opportunity to show that he can be productive and efficient in the system, and that he is worthy of another roster spot this season. On the surface, it would appear that Barkley does not quite fit the mold of a Bruce Arians QB, as he lacks the size and big arm that BA covets. Thus, Barkley will have to showcase his timing and accuracy, which at times were commendable at USC, although at other times, his decision making was questionable. Interestingly, USA Today back in the their 2013 NFL Draft Preview had the Cardinals taking Barkley with the #7 pick. Here is what they said: "Barkley has been on the Cardinals' radar since he was the number one recruit out of high school. His productivity at USC might not have been up to the standards that people expected, but his intangibles are hard to ignore. he has excellent mechanics such as footwork, pump fakes, poise and pocket movements and he has a quick release and outstanding touch." Now---we all know that Barkley slipped in the draft and the USA Today Draft Preview was printed before the Cardinals cut Kevin Kolb and traded for Carson Palmer, thus the Cardinals were no longer considering QBs early in that draft. (Note of interest: USA Today also predicted DE Alex Okafor going at #31 to the Falcons and LB Kevin Minter going at #32 to the Ravens).

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* QB Jake Coker---with such a QB starved league, it is quite remarkable that the starting QB of the CFP NCAA Champion Crimson Tide, a player who won every big game down the stretch, while throwing 11 TDs and not a single interception (versus top defenses in Florida, Michigan St. and Clemson), would be totally ignored and passed over in the draft. Truth is, Coker fits BA's QB profile---he's 6-6, 236, has a strong arm (mitigated somewhat by a wind-up throwing motion, which will need to be quickened) and is actually more mobile than what one would expect for a player his size. The problem with Coker is that he languished on the sidelines behind Jameis Winston at FSU and then, after he transferred to Alabama, when he had the chance to win the starting job following A.J. McCarron's departure, he couldn't beat out Blake Sims. This past year as a senior he was replaced early in the season by Cooper Bateman who started the Mississippi game. When Bama fell behind and Bateman was struggling, Nick Saban turned back to Coker who led a furious comeback (pass ing for 3 TD, 2 INTs and rushing for 1 TD), albeit in vain. However, from that point on Coker had won the job and Saban's confidence. The rest of the way Coker went 12-0 and finished 14-0 in his starts. While there are parts of Coker's game that need refinement, there is no question how gritty he is. He never quits on a play and at times refused to go down, trying to keep plays alive with his feet and his arm. He throws well on the run and scans the field well. Like most young QBs he locks in too long on some receivers, but that's when he will make a move to avoid pressure and then try to find an open receiver. When one goes back and looks at Coker's play in the NCAA playoffs---man, he was extremely impressive in both the 38-0 win over Michigan St. and the 45-40 win over Clemson in the CFP National Championship Game.

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Conclusion: This competition is fascinating because Barkley and Coker are such completely different players. Barkley tries to deceive defenses with pump fakes and look-aways and he is adept at hitting receivers in stride with his quick release, whereas Coker is a big presence pocket passer who wants to hit his #1 option and, if and when that is taken away, he wants to escape the pocket, peruse the field and either run for the sticks or hit open men downfield.

Accuracy: Barkley
Footwork: Barkley
Release: Barkley
Touch: Barkley
Reads: Barkley
Experience: Barkley
Size: Coker
Arm Strength: Coker
Long and 50/50 Balls: Coker
Escapability: Coker
Toughness: Coker
Improvisation: Coker

Nice positive write up Mitch. Almost a Brees Vs Favre choice, lol.

I like both of these guys but IMO Coker will need to be amazing in order to displace Barkley. As we have seen, BA puts high stock in knowledge of the system, and Barkley has a year head start on Coker. That time obviously didn't help with our last young QB.... but Barkley is a different player and his mind and work ethic have never been a question. Combine that with Palmer(another USC guy) mentoring and helping him out and I think Barkley takes the position while Coker goes to the PS.
We had a top offense last season. With the changes that have been made one can only see it getting even better. If this is the case it is not a stretch to think we may see in season games in which our backups get some garbage reps. Having a young QB in the wings, BA is just the type of coach who might just throw the kid in there for a series or two if we are up by three or four scores. I realize it would be normal for Stanton to get those garbage reps,...and he may... but BA knows what he has in Stanton, and Drew already has game experience in this offense.... so it would make more sense to throw the third string guy in the mix and see what he can do in live fire with limited pressure to win a game.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I think both QBs have a shot at becoming a starting QB and not just a backup. Granted, that potential is by no means huge but it is there... programs like USC and Alabama get studs compared to other college programs and QB is very important on the hierarchy of football on any level

 

[Cardiac]

Nice positive write up Mitch. Almost a Brees Vs Favre choice, lol.

I like both of these guys but IMO Coker will need to be amazing in order to displace Barkley. As we have seen, BA puts high stock in knowledge of the system, and Barkley has a year head start on Coker. That time obviously didn't help with our last young QB.... but Barkley is a different player and his mind and work ethic have never been a question. Combine that with Palmer(another USC guy) mentoring and helping him out and I think Barkley takes the position while Coker goes to the PS.
We had a top offense last season. With the changes that have been made one can only see it getting even better. If this is the case it is not a stretch to think we may see in season games in which our backups get some garbage reps. Having a young QB in the wings, BA is just the type of coach who might just throw the kid in there for a series or two if we are up by three or four scores. I realize it would be normal for Stanton to get those garbage reps,...and he may... but BA knows what he has in Stanton, and Drew already has game experience in this offense.... so it would make more sense to throw the third string guy in the mix and see what he can do in live fire with limited pressure to win a game.

The 3rd string QB won't be active on Sundays and BA will want Stanton active to step in if CP gets banged up.

I'll be shocked if either of these guys becomes a starter for us but as everyone else I hope one of them is our QBOTF.

 

[TJ]

I think both QBs have a shot at becoming a starting QB and not just a backup. Granted, that potential is by no means huge but it is there... programs like USC and Alabama get studs compared to other college programs and QB is very important on the hierarchy of football on any level

They get studs at almost every position other than QB. Alabama is known for its big, physical players and USC produces tons of athletes. Aside from Carson Palmer, what USC QB has had recent success in the NFL? Alabama hasn't had a relevant QB in the NFL in decades.

 

[Reign Blood]

Is Barkley the man for real or are we all high on Coker?

 

[Carolinacacti]

Coker will not pass waivers

 

[TJ]

Coker will not pass waivers

You truly think he'll be on someone's 53-man roster in Week 1?

 

[Brak]

Is Barkley the man for real or are we all high on Coker?

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[Reign Blood]

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Lol!

 

[Carolinacacti]

You truly think he'll be on someone's 53-man roster in Week 1?

He we be on the Cardinals roster.

 

[Jetstream Green]

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