Headlines today relate to the FBI investigation of college basketball recruiting and that Kansas has been put in the focus. One writer suggested that the FBI probe might be the event that ends Kansas’ run of 14 consecutive Big 12 basketball championships. However, please read the statement released by Kansas on this matter:
“Earlier today we learned that the University of Kansas is named as a victim in a federal indictment. The indictment does not suggest any wrongdoing by the university, its coaches or its staff. We will cooperate fully” … and so on
The indictment alleges that someone paid money to people connected to two recruits who would up going to Kansas. Allegedly, one of those recruits was Sylvio De Sousa who was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school.
So, let me get this straight…
- The University of Kansas is a victim of a federal crime because they had a 5-star recruit “decide” to enroll there and play basketball for the Kansas’ team.
This seems to me to be just a tad ass-backwards. Imagine someone coming up to you and drawing a gun on you. Then, this assailant reaches into his pocket and gives you a hundred-dollar bill, tells you to have a good day and walks on. I would not characterize you as a victim in that situation – and that is about what happened to Kansas.
Anyone who has read these rants even for a short time knows that I think “Mock Drafts” are as bad – if not worse – than “Bracketology” ruminations. Around this time of the year, anything that you hear directly from an NFL owner, GM or coach related to the upcoming draft is at best duplicitous and it is only from those sources that anyone could write a meaningful analysis or predict the outcome of the upcoming draft. Yesterday, there was a “report” based on unnamed sources that the Cleveland Browns will draft Josh Allen as their next franchise QB and pass on Sam Darnold.
I think both of those guys can play QB in the NFL – albeit I only saw Allen play one full game and one partial game. What I am about to say has nothing to do with which is the better prospect; however,
- Picking Josh Allen at the top of the draft is potentially very damaging to whatever is left of the Browns’ image as a professional football franchise.
The last QB for the Browns who could properly be described as “above average” was Bernie Kosar and he stopped playing for the Browns in 1993. Not only have the Browns lacked a very good QB for the last 25 years, their draft picks at the QB position have been underwhelming to be sure. Here are some of the QB selections made by the Browns:
- Colt McCoy
- Brandon Weeden
- Johnny Manziel
- Cody Kessler
- DeShone Kizer
Compare that list with this list of QBs that the Browns could have had in the draft but did not take:
- Carson Wentz
- Dak Prescott
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Deshaun Watson
Look, fans will be mightily upset if the Browns take a QB early in this draft and he washes out. However, they might be less rabid in their criticism if the guy was from USC; after all, he came from a big-time program and the football gods just did not smile on him at the pro level. But if he comes from Wyoming and washes out, the kindest and gentlest criticisms will probably begin with the question:
- What the [BLEEP] were you thinking?
Finally, since I mentioned Kansas basketball at the outset, let me close with this query from Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times:
“If Kansas’ basketball coach takes a photo of himself, is that a Selfie squared?”
But don’t get me wrong, I love sports………
Curm – while I agree the Browns should probably take Darnold, they have no credibility, but saying a QB is from USC is a plus? It’s Tailback U, not QB U. ESPN asked of there was a QB jinx- their recent first round QBs – Mark Sanchez, who slides face first into a guard’s ass. Matt Leinert, most famous for hot tub photos, Carson Palmer, admittedly a good QB, and RoboQB Todd Marinovich. Or later rounds Sean Salisbury, Rodney Peete.. career backups. …and Cody Kessler….
Want a run? Alabama in the 50s and 60s. In about 15 years they gave Bart Starr, Joe Namath, and Kenny Stabler, 3 guys destined for Canton.
Ed:
I think that USC has sufficient “cachet” as a provider of talent to the NFL that a team’s fans would be willing to “forgive” a swing and a miss there. Wyoming has no such “cachet” and if the Browns were to swing and a miss there, fans would likely be more angry. ESPECIALLY since the Browns had a shot at Carson Wentz – also from a school with no “cachet” – and passed over him.
Bottom line: Browns need a competent QB and they have the #1 pick in this year’s draft. If there is a “competent QB” out there in this draft class, the Browns have to find him.