You may or may not have played football, but on passing plays, my recollection is that the line doesn’t just stand there like a wall in an upright position. Usually, there are passing lanes created by the natural movement of the DL trying to get closer to the QB.

Look, I know its something you look at, but I’m sure that when Clemens was drafted that the Jets took his height into account when analyzing him.

Here’s the Eugene Register-Guard back in ’06 on KC’s draft prospect, note the criticism from his hometown paper and, of course, his height:

Kellen Clemens, QB, UO, 6-1 1/2 , 224. Projected round: Third. Scouts love his mobility, though wish he was more patient in the pocket at times.

http://rgweb.registerguard.com/news/2006/04/28/c1.sp.localdraftees.0428.p2.php?section=sports

And, on an unrelated note, if 6-4 isn’t a magic number, why did Brohm have his height listed at 6-4 (he measured a little under 6-3 at the Combine) and Brady Quinn has shrunk from 6-4 at ND to 6-2 on the Browns? It may be irrelevant to all of you wiseacres, but it’s not irrelevant to the QBs themselves (ot their agents), who know that pro scouts want tall QBs.

Then again, I did post this on February 26th…

“I had this thought about QBs…what if QB number one is 6?5? but has a bulbous, mad scientist-esque forehead and a wide stance in the pocket, whereas QB number two had a neaderthallic flat head and an upright stance in the pocket but was only 6?3?.

QB number one is clearly taller, but when you compare their eye level in the pocket, QB number two’s eyes are probably higher and therefore he would actually be able to see over the defensive line the better out of the two of them.

Maybe the size of someone’s head is proportional to their wonderlic score, so if a player did have this advantage (an eye-level that belied their lack of height), would this always be countered by their resulting level of intelligence being low?

Sean, do you think there is any way football outsiders could work these traits into their projection system?”

Great minds think alike!

According to Mcshay, less teams are calling McFadden a bad egg then previously thought. Even going as far to praise his football mentallity. I’ll do a quick post:
“…talked to four scouts and not one of them has an ounce of concern about McFadden’s character…”
Not a big number of scouts, no. Possible all from the same team?
They also said:
“…This is a good sign, as it comes after teams have done their due diligence in investigating his off-the-field incidents. One of the scouts we spoke with went as far as to say McFadden has elite football character, meaning he is a tough player and an excellent teammate.”
Here comes the smoke screen.(?):
“After hearing that, it came as little surprise to see Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum leaving the field and having a lengthy discussion with McFadden.”

I’m pro McFadden, obviously and could careless about drafting Ryan at #6 when we still have Chad. Who by the way can start for another 5-6 years for us if we cannot find a QB to replace him. That cannot be said of the Jones. Which should have a good year after a year under his belt in this offense and a better line to work with. but is still hitting the wall at 30 (possibly).

Are you going to start measuring the size of a QB’s forehead? What if a 6’4″ guy has a huge forehead with lower eyes… doesn’t that make his height useless? What about the height of the offensive linemen? If Calais Campbell is a DE in your conference, is a 6’6″ QB the only way to go?

Lets not forget that Romo and Favre could have won the Super Bowl last year if things broke their way. All of a sudden, the dynamics change.

QB’s and all other positions on the field are going to get bigger over the years… that doesn’t mean being an inch taller or 2 in today’s NFL makes it far more likely you’ll be able to win a Super Bowl because of inherent differences in ability… its just that far more guys are taller, making the percentage chances more likely that a taller QB will win it.

Last year was a bad year until Mangini played with the D at the bye (why it doesn’t work week one I don’t get) and still only the D got better. Young QBs need help that is also a fact. With Coles or Jericho hurt and our running game producing 4 TDs he couldn’t look great. I think they had him put the ball up too many times too. He needed good support like Brady and Big Ben got in their stand out first years instead of inheriting an offense that had no weapons. I still love his two minute drill and the fact that he makes reasonably smart decisions for a first time starter. I think our offense will be much improved this year and might even let our defense get some rest.

I just don’t like Matt Ryan. I hope this can be done. Lets get Mcfadden, Ghoulston, C. Long and Hardy or best WR available or the BPA. I just want to make it to the season b4 we start to tar and feathering our players. Thats for camp, the preseason, and the season. Let them play X box and swim in their money.

bassett, bent, etc.: i think it is officially time for the irrational spygate, irrational manning v. brady thread a/k/a matt ryan v. kellen clemens v. brian brohm thread. the debate is lively and sometimes intelligent, but i personally believe it is detracting from discussion of other issues and comments on the posts.

with that said, i can’t help myself from going slightly off topic too. (but hopefully not irrationally so.) i have to mention, in response to sack, that mike martz’s offense works well with tall qb’s as well as short–trent green and marc bulger both had good runs under martz. i can’t help myself when it comes to defending martz. he is such an amazing offensive mind that is unfortunately overshadowed by his poor decision making. i often think that he should just design offenses and plays and teach qb’s and WR but let somebody else call the plays. but that offense works with any qb who can make quick decisions and throw accurate slants and crossing routes.