Reason no. 8,310 why I love Mike Leach

if they go through all the quarterbacks available, they're bound to find one who can perform

 

Remember, the NFL was the same league that sat around and debated taking Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning.
Scouts fall in love with the numbers. The combine warriors have been around since the start of the draft and Mike Mamula being one recent and notable example. He is far from the only one though.

 

I don't think you'd have a problem with that if you were getting the money he's getting.

 

Well, the counter to that would be Jevon Kearse. Wasn't considered a superstar at Florida, stood out at the combine and was the goods.

 

Sammy Morris is probably second on the list. I tend to agree with Leach, though, on Crabtree.

 

The draft, like all sports drafts, isn't about figuring out who the best pro will be, it's about identifying the lowest risks in relation to team needs. The safest bets are determined by measuring a player against those enjoying current success in the league (body type, quantifiable skills etc.). Scouts and coaches need to back up their opinions with facts. The days of "going with your gut" are done (outside of Oakland). I agree with Leach though, I can't think of one key play Matthew Stafford made, I can think of a few that Harrell did.

 

"Backing up their opinion with facts" is a nice way of saying "covering their asses with conventional wisdom."

 

Leach loves to gig the Aggies but his comments about McGee were a case of "mind your own business, coach." You don't hear Leach making snide comments about UT or OU because those teams regularly kick his ass. He feels like he rip A&M because the Aggies have sucked for most of the time Leach has been in Lubbock.

 

Crabtree and Harrell were lucky to have a coach that will still go to bat for them after they are gone.

 

Good stuff - agree with Leach that Harrell should have been drafted. As far as Crabtree goes his ESPN story did him no favors. I do think though he will be a great pro in the right offense.

Surprised Rylen Reed was not drafted.

 

On a related note, I wonder what Leach's "summer project" is. After last year, I wonder if the government contacted him for his expertise on pirates.