I don't compare his game to anybody, but simply saying "he can't play the position" or "he can't make some of the necessary throws" with absolutely no substance behind it is lazy. Does he need to improve his game? Without question. Needs to improve his accuracy (having NFL receivers who don't drop the ball will help) and he'll have to adjust to reading NFL defenses, like anybody else.

 

I'm still waiting for anybody to SHOW me why he can't play the position.

 

 

No one can show it to you until there is evidence that he hasn't succeeded. Lamar would hardly be the first quarterback to be extremely successful at the college level and not translate well to the NFL. He'd not even be the first Heisman winner. You are likely going to grow tired of reading comparisons to Robert Griffin III leading up to and past the draft, but that's likely one of the more prominent names Jackson is going to be paired with in projecting his ability. Can Lamar become a pocket passer? Maybe, who can say at this point. But there is no denying that what has made Lamar so great so far is his overwhelming threat to take off at any time, and history has shown us repeatedly that quarterbacks who have to have that dimension in the NFL do not survive for long. Cam Newton is an exception, and even he has had ups and downs and is much more built for the grind.

 

As you said, it will come down to his ability to make pre-snap reads, an adjustment most have to make. But for longevity at the position, he will have to become more of a pocket passer. I haven't watched Louisville enough to know how he does in the pocket for long stretches at a time.

Lamar’s been a QB since middle school. If we’re concerned about his limited ability to adapt to that position in the NFL, what makes people think he can run a route or catch a pass, things he’s literally never been asked to do?

 

Maybe this is why people are concerned about him playing QB at the next level. It's been thrown out there by both sides that accuracy is a main concern about his game. If he's been working on it since middle school, then what makes anyone think he's going to all of a sudden improve enough to be a successful NFL QB? He has a career 57% completion percentage in college. None of the top QBs in the NFL had a sub 60% completion percentage in college.

 

And to add to this based on the post above, Griffin was a 67% passer in college.

Maybe this is why people are concerned about him playing QB at the next level. It's been thrown out there by both sides that accuracy is a main concern about his game. If he's been working on it since middle school, then what makes anyone think he's going to all of a sudden improve enough to be a successful NFL QB? He has a career 57% completion percentage in college. None of the top QBs in the NFL had a sub 60% completion percentage in college.

 

And to add to this based on the post above, Griffin was a 67% passer in college.

 

Well I don’t want to get bogged down in Griffin because a lack of ability isn’t what undid his career. The magnificence of that rookie season speaks for itself.

 

Jackson’s completion percentage was up this season after having the highest receiver drop rate in all of Division 1 in 2016. He had things to work on and I feel like he did better at a lot of them.

 

I don’t know if he’ll be a reliable starter in the league because that’s a REALLY hard thing to do, even for other great QBs, but I can’t agree with anyone making the notion that he’s some how not worth a relatively high draft pick.

Not surprised but will miss seeing him weekly.

Well I don’t want to get bogged down in Griffin because a lack of ability isn’t what undid his career. The magnificence of that rookie season speaks for itself.

 

Jackson’s completion percentage was up this season after having the highest receiver drop rate in all of Division 1 in 2016. He had things to work on and I feel like he did better at a lot of them.

 

I don’t know if he’ll be a reliable starter in the league because that’s a REALLY hard thing to do, even for other great QBs, but I can’t agree with anyone making the notion that he’s some how not worth a relatively high draft pick.

 

But that's the whole point - Griffin was fantastic, and then he got hurt doing what made him fantastic. When he couldn't do that and had to focus more on being a pocket passer - and the reduced threat of him running came into play - his effectiveness dramatically dropped. RG3's attempts jumped up, his completion percentage dropped, his touchdown completions went down and interceptions more than doubled, and he rushed for about60% of what he had the year before, with no touchdowns. Washington went 3-10 in his starts that year.

 

Dual-threat quarterbacks are deadly, until the hits pile up.

Maybe this is why people are concerned about him playing QB at the next level. It's been thrown out there by both sides that accuracy is a main concern about his game. If he's been working on it since middle school, then what makes anyone think he's going to all of a sudden improve enough to be a successful NFL QB? He has a career 57% completion percentage in college. None of the top QBs in the NFL had a sub 60% completion percentage in college.

 

And to add to this based on the post above, Griffin was a 67% passer in college.

 

Over the past two seasons, Rosen has completed 61%, Lamar 58%. One may be the first pick in the draft and the other is being questioned whether he can even play the position... How? I'm not buying that at all.

Black QBs are never expected to succeed in the NFL and black QBs are always compared to other black QBs. A year ago no one expected DeShaun Watson to light the NFL on fire like he did. I think Lamar is talented enough to make it in the NFL but he like most QBs coming out of college needs an opportunity to learn and adjust to the NFL game and not be thrown into the fire and expected to be the savior right away. I want to see him on the Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Chargers, Giants....one of those teams. I’d be fine with the Jaguars also. If he ends up on a crappy team and has to start from day one I don’t think it would ideal for his growth as a QB.

Over the past two seasons, Rosen has completed 61%, Lamar 58%. One may be the first pick in the draft and the other is being questioned whether he can even play the position... How? I'm not buying that at all.

That's a really good comparison and valid point. Their numbers are very close for this past season.

Black QBs are never expected to succeed in the NFL and black QBs are always compared to other black QBs. A year ago no one expected DeShaun Watson to light the NFL on fire like he did. I think Lamar is talented enough to make it in the NFL but he like most QBs coming out of college needs an opportunity to learn and adjust to the NFL game and not be thrown into the fire and expected to be the savior right away. I want to see him on the Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Chargers, Giants....one of those teams. I’d be fine with the Jaguars also. If he ends up on a crappy team and has to start from day one I don’t think it would ideal for his growth as a QB.

No expects any rookie to come in and light it up like DeShaun did until he got hurt, regardless of color. That said I think most expected him to be a really good NFL QB because his legs weren't a huge part of his game. Lamar has destroyed teams with his legs and that just doesn't work in the NFL. That, IMO, is what gives people pause on how good he will be at the next level. He's never had to do it with just his arm. I think he can be really good but regardless of color QB success in the NFL is a crap shoot. There's plenty of white guys that were huge busts.

But that's the whole point - Griffin was fantastic, and then he got hurt doing what made him fantastic. When he couldn't do that and had to focus more on being a pocket passer - and the reduced threat of him running came into play - his effectiveness dramatically dropped. RG3's attempts jumped up, his completion percentage dropped, his touchdown completions went down and interceptions more than doubled, and he rushed for about60% of what he had the year before, with no touchdowns. Washington went 3-10 in his starts that year.

 

Dual-threat quarterbacks are deadly, until the hits pile up.

 

I have my own opinions about what happened to Griffin and both he and the Redskins organization share some blame for the complete destruction of his body. He had no business playing in a lot of those games.

 

But yeah, athleticism is a harsh mistress and when she leaves, she takes a great deal with her.

Over the past two seasons, Rosen has completed 61%, Lamar 58%. One may be the first pick in the draft and the other is being questioned whether he can even play the position... How? I'm not buying that at all.

 

You asked to be shown why he won't be effective at the next level, and I threw out a stat that you can see. Whether he can make it at the next level or not is purely a matter of opinion. Those opinions can be based on stats, eye test, history, gut feeling, etc. There's no way to show you why he will not be successful, just like there's no way you can show doubters why he will be successful.

Over the past two seasons, Rosen has completed 61%, Lamar 58%. One may be the first pick in the draft and the other is being questioned whether he can even play the position... How? I'm not buying that at all.

 

For what it's worth, I don't think Rosen is going to be a very good NFL QB either. I think a lot of what made Jackson so successful at UL was his ability or just the threat that he could take it to the house on any play. He won't be able to do that near as much in the NFL. He is a great athlete so I wouldn't rule anything out, but he is going to have to improve his pocket passing quite a bit to succeed at the next level.

He's got the arm for it. If he can corral it, then he'll be a pro. If not, he won't. Probably as simple as that.

You asked to be shown why he won't be effective at the next level, and I threw out a stat that you can see. Whether he can make it at the next level or not is purely a matter of opinion. Those opinions can be based on stats, eye test, history, gut feeling, etc. There's no way to show you why he will not be successful, just like there's no way you can show doubters why he will be successful.

The history I lean on is the overwhelming majority of QBs drafted can't cut it. Not sure I like any of the QBs in this draft class.

Based on what exactly?

 

You gotta remember Brian Brohm couldn’t read an NFL D and was a much better passer. Lamar is also coming off of his worst career start with 4 INTs. I think he is the ultimate wildcard, will get a GM fired if he goes to high, or will get a GM an extension if he goes to the right place and figures it out.