2011 NFL Draft: Five Mysterious Questions To Be Answered Before Draft Day
The upcoming NFL Draft is right around the corner, and set to happen, despite the NFL lockout controversy.
Draft day should be a perfect day in the eyes of college athletes who have worked their entire lives to hear their name called at the podium.
But, controversy exists within the prospects of the draft as well.
Questions must be answered.
Here are the five most pending questions we have to figure out before the first pick is announced.
Is A.J. Green Really Dumb?
1 of 5
News of A.J. Green's completely bombed Wonderlic Test has been the talk of the town here in Georgia country, as well as around NFL Draft followers.
Green had the worst Wonderlic score out of all WR prospects, and one of the worst scores out of the draft class.
So, is A.J. Green really dumb? This news is baffling, yet very intriguing, considering Green left a year early. He always preached academics, coming out of high school.
His Facebook page listed academic excellence as his number one priority. He's always appeared to be an intelligent kid—even despite the fact he sold his bowl jersey from 2010, resulting in a four-game suspension and one of the biggest hooplah-inducing stories of the past year.
He's never seemed dumb. And, he's always seemed like the most athletic guy on the field. He's already considered the best Georgia Bulldogs receiver of all time, despite numerous missed games (again, for various reasons).
Personally, I don't think Green's draft stock should be affected by this. But, I was under the impression Green had undeniable smarts and would be a mentally constructed player at the next level.
Is It Time We Re-Evaluate Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder?
2 of 5
These two quarterbacks aren't considered leading NFL Prospects, but it's hard to find reasons why they aren't.
Other top quarterbacks like Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, and Jake Locker have prototypical size and distinct athletic advantages that make them appear to valuable.
Ponder, of Florida State, and Dalton, of Texas Christian, never really showed off any type of insane athletic talent or feature in their arsenal that made them stick out, if you will.
But, the two quarterbacks have proven to be smart. And, they've proven to be winners. Ponder took some time to really help turn the FSU program back around, but he was always an efficient quarterback who did his part of the job very well. He followed his college tenure with a very impressive Senior Bowl.
Andy Dalton was the signal caller for the TCU Horned Frogs, who have become a national contender as a mid-major conference team. Dalton was nothing but a winner at TCU, culminating his success with a Rose Bowl victory. He's got good arm strength, not great, but his decision making and pocket presence cannot be ignored.
It seems like all three other top quarterback prospects, despite their high rankings, also have some alarming asterisk associated with their name.
Newton had the pay-for-play scandal. Locker could never win a game at Washington. Mallett is an apparent dope head.
You can't really find information on either Ponder or Dalton that make you second guess. So, what's really keeping these guys from being top quarterbacks? I would not be surprised if one of the two had a significantly better career than the men at the top of the list.
Will Ryan Mallett Ever Get Back to the Prominence We Expected Him to Reach?
3 of 5
Going into the 2010 season, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett appeared to be the perfect quarterback prospect (above average height, amazing arm strength) and was considered the No. 1 quarterback on most early draft boards.
Then came some guy named Cam Newton, who was nothing more than a transfer name before opening weekend. Then Blaine Gabbert of Missouri had a stellar season.
While those two quarterbacks rose to the top, Mallett seemed to quietly lead his Razorbacks to a Sugar Bowl, where they would lose to Ohio State thanks in part to a bad night for Mallett.
Having arguably the worst game of his career on the biggest stage, many started to knock down Mallett. He looked eratic in the game, and threw a lot of balls into the ground. It was a bad pass from him that would seal the deal, as the Buckeye's defense picked him off—again.
In addition to looking less impressive, rumors began to swirl that Mallett had been involved in drugs.
He never really seemed that endearing of a guy, when looking at his post game pressers.
Now he's been labeled as possibly a second, or even third round selection. Really? He had one bad game, and he might have gotten a hold of some grass in the past.
But, he doesn't seem like that bad of a guy, and his career numbers speak for themselves.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Will Any Major Prospects Side with NFLPA and Not Show Up?
4 of 5
The NFL Draft has become one of the biggest spectacles of the sports year.
Yes, hundreds of thousands of Americans sit down at their television every April to watch a bunch of men's names scroll across a television screen for hours on end.
Players walk up the podium, don't even say anything, and the crowd explodes with excitement and boos.
But, the truth is, the fans really don't care at all about the spectacle occuring. If the draft never came on television, many probably wouldn't be mad.
And, if the draft happens this year, on television, without any players there, most people would likely watch with a bowl of pop corn and a pack of beer and laugh at the hysterical situation.
That was the idea pitched to prospective NFL players, who are entered in this year's draft pool, by the National Football League Players Assocation in hopes of making a statement in their favor to the NFL owners.
Would that be a huge win for the NFLPA? Yes. Would it be great for college players? No.
The NFL Draft really isn't about our entertainment. It's all about the minds and hearts of the hopeful rookies who sit with their families in the backroom, waiting, anxiously, for their name to be called. Sharing that moment in the spotlight has become the pivotal point in each NFL dreamer's life.
There is no way a majority of the players opt out of taking in that moment.
But, some might. It will be very interesting to see who doesn't show up, and how not showing up could actually effect a player's draft status or future reputation in his professional career.
Will Cam Newton Possibly Become a Distraction?
5 of 5
BCS National Champion Cameron Newton might be the most controversial NFL Draft prospect ever. The junior quarterback opted out of a final year with Auburn to take his talents to the next level, amidst the scandal talk and numerous allegations against him and his father.
Many claim Newton's biggest red flag is the potential of him being a major distraction at the next level. Many think his head won't be in the right place, and cite his past incidents as proof of that claim.
Are you kidding me?
With scandal talk riding Newton's tail like a long sheet of toilet paper on the bottom of his shoe, Newton still managed to stay focused, say all of the right things in press conferences, and won a BCS National Championship.
And, had he not been there, Auburn likely would have been just as mediocre as they were the year before.
Cam Newton proved to us many things in 2010. He proved he has a rocket arm. He proved he has an undeniably endearing personality. He proved hes an athletic freak who constantly makes impact plays.
But, he also proved he's a mastermind when it comes to staying focused.
He single handedly took Auburn to the promise land, amongst the barrage that constantly knocked at his door.
I don't care if Newton is guilty of anything or not, or knew something he didn't tell the rest of us. That can be dealt with later.
But, it shouldn't be a problem, or distract him from the field. And he has too much talent to be left off the field.
I don't see Newton as a risk at all. He's flat out a great prospect.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
