Could Draft Day Be a Long One for Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen?

A familiar scenario is developing for a highly touted Notre Dame quarterback in the NFL draft.

Prognosticators have Quarterback Jimmy Clausen selected as high as the fourth overall pick, yet a Brady Quinn like plunge could be looming.

The trade of Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins all but eliminates the team that Clausen spent most of last weekend visiting. The move may push the former Irish QB out of the top ten.

Sam Bradford is all but cemented at the top of the draft. Following Bradford's very solid pro day, which erased any concern of lingering effects of his season ending shoulder injury, the Rams released long time starter Mark Bulger.

The move seems to indicate that Bradford should invest in some good, long term, disability insurance, as he's about to become the "franchise" quarterback of the porous-lined St. Louis Rams.

Following the Rams are Detroit, who drafted Matt Stafford a year ago; Tampa Bay, who also used a first round pick on a QB who is starting; the aforementioned Redskins; Seattle, who traded for Charlie Whitehurst; and Kansas City, who has Matt Cassel and is probably not looking for another QB just yet.

Intrigue begins at the 7th pick, as the team that ended Brady Quinn's own draft day, before destroying him, awaits.

Lately, the Cleveland Browns are where quarterbacks go to die.

Cycling through Tim Couch, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia, Trent Dilfer, Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, and Brady Quinn along with four head coaches, five general managers, and five offensive coordinators since returning in 1999, the Browns have hardly been the model of offensive continuity.

In the offseason, they cast off both of last season's starters, Quinn and Anderson, and picked up Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.

Certainly, neither are long term solutions at the QB position, but a large enough investment to probably prevent a first round QB selection this season.

Add the quarterback acquisitions to the fact that new football czar Mike Holmgren simply doesn't draft quarterbacks early; you can expect the Browns to pass on Clausen in order to fill another area of need.

Another draft day enigma awaits following Cleveland...

The Oakland Raiders.

Certainly Al Davis is capable of drafting another first round quarterback, but it would more likely be Tim Tebow. Also, Davis has something resembling an obsession with JaMarcus Russell. With needs all over the offensive line, a quarterback should wait.

Buffalo is next at No. 9 and while Mel Keiper feels strongly that the Bills will be the taker for Clausen, word from Buffalo is quite the opposite.

The Buffalo News reports that the Bills are likely to use their first round pick on Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and look for a quarterback in the second round.

They also speculate that the Bills are strongly considering Tim Tebow.

Following Buffalo, are the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In need of a "quarterback of the future", or rather, anyone to ignite the fan base to sell some tickets, the Jags are likely to spend a high pick on a quarterback.

Unfortunately for Clausen, they believe that taking Tebow could cement their franchise and bring fans back to the field.

Tebow at No. 10 is a huge reach, an Oakland Raider sized reach, but not an altogether impossibility.

A smart Jacksonville front office would consider Clausen, because drafting to fulfill the whims of the fan base rather than the good of the team is a sure way to wind them up as the Los Angeles Jaguars.

Should the Jaguars pass, Clausen will undoubtedly fall past Quinn's new team in Denver, as well as Miami, at No. 12.

At No. 13 sits San Francisco, who has a young first round quarterback in Alex Smith, to whom they have just recommitted.

Still Clausen is a California kid, and the last time a Notre Dame quarterback came to Candlestick some pretty good things happened.

Still with Smith and recently acquired David Carr the quarterback coffers seem full.

Beyond the 49ers are the Seahawks, with their second first round selection.

Whitehurst could have been a safety-net pickup. With an aging starter and a young backup, drafting another quarterback with a second first round pick is not out of the question.

Consider also that the new head coach, Pete Carrol, recruited and respects Clausen.

Still, adding two young inexperienced quarterbacks to bet the farm on is a dangerous move for a first year coach with a sorted NFL past.

Should Clausen get passed the Seahawks at No. 14, a string of teams awaits.

The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans hold No. 15 and No. 16. The 49ers follow with their second first rounder at No. 17. If they weren't interested at No. 13, expect them to do so again at No. 17.

As long as Big Ben isn't in prison, Pittsburgh at No. 18 won't be a taker.

Neither will Atlanta, Houston, Cincinnati, New England, Green Bay, Philadelphia, or Baltimore.

At No. 26 sits Arizona, who will find it hard to fill the shoes of retiring QB Kurt Warner. They have, as of yet disappointment, Matt Lienart, and have signed Cleveland's other recently released quarterback, Derek Anderson, but there is a possibility that they could be interested.

Past the Cardinals, there are the Coyboys, Chargers, and Jets who will not be drafting a quarterback.

At No. 30 is Minnesota.

Potentially a blessing in disguise, falling to No. 30 could be the best thing to happen to Clausen.

Sure he'd lose millions in guaranteed money, but not longterm. Sitting for a year behind Brett Favre and stepping into a title contender with a bonafide offensive line and running game as opposed to a total disaster (sorry St. Louis, Cleveland) is not a horrible thing.

He'd fit well into Brad Childress' version of the west coast offense.

The Vikings could be interested in Clausen, considering that they are currently working with one foot in, one foot out, 40-year-old Favre, unimpressive Tavaris Jackson, and journeyman, Sage Rosenfels.

Past Minnesota is basically the second round, as neither Super Bowl team will be interested in replacing their quarterback any time soon.

Before Jimmy Clausen panics and returns the Bently to the dealership, he should remember that all of this is before he was able to throw.

Tomorrow (Friday, April 9th), Clausen will finally step out onto the field in front of the NFL's scouts, coaches, and management.

As stupid as it sounds, come NFL draft season, a player is only as good as the sum of his pro day and combine.

Tim Tebow was rated a low third round pick at best. After showing that he had learned how to take a snap from center and throw a ball without corkscrewing himself into the ground, some have him elevated into the first round.

With a solid workout, one of the teams who aren't sold on Clausen may find themselves ready to select him, or move up to get him.

While most believe that Clausen is a pro-ready quarterback with all the talent needed to succeed in the NFL, given the number of teams who are set at the position and the fact that a couple of veterans are still available in Marc Bulger and Jason Campbell, a draft day drop could befall a Notre Dame quarterback once again.