***Official Cardale Jones*** - Newest Charger (4 Viewers)

[MAC_32]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

 

[amnesiac]

interesting.

Meyer had to have at least promised him a QB competition next year.

 

[ShamrockPride]

I've never watched a college QB battle as intensely as I will be watching this one at OSU next camp. I'm a big fan of this guy. Excited to see what he can do for an entire season if he gets the chance.

 

[Bobcat10]

FWIW, Miami once had Bernie Kosar, Jim Kelly and Vinny Testaverde on their team at the same time. That seems like a better trio to me. At least at this point in time.

You couldn't put them all on the field at the same time...

 

[Dr. Octopus]

interesting.

Meyer had to have at least promised him a QB competition next year.

Of course, why wouldn't he at least promise him that? He earned the right to at the very least compete for the starting job.

 

[Faust]

Cian's Corner: Cardale Jones

 

[Bracie Smathers]

BTW, Jones didn't make a million quick decisions last night, and faced no pass rush. It's not like last night was some amazing audition for the NFL. He sat there, and sat there, and sat there, and then slung it 30 yards to a WR.

He won't be able to do that in the NFL any more than Mariota will be able to screen his way down the field in the NFL.

I know you've already back tracked some from this statement so I'm not trying to beat you up but wanted to address this from an article that Cian Fahey did at Roto World. This is a great write-up on Cardale's game where Cian addressed how Cardale faired while under pressure and yes he did face some pressure against the Ducks who have some legit defensive linemen.

Go to the link for the full read and to see the play photographs that clearly show the play of Cardale in the pocket while under full pressure and how he stepped up into the pocket while keeping his eyes peeled downfield. Both crucial NFL skills. He did not take off at the first sign of pressure or drop his eyes focusing on the rush.

Once again go to the link to see the photos and full breakdown. Great stuff by Cian, he's already done one on Jamies Winston the other day that was also great stuff.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51653/349/cians-corner-cardale-jones?pg=2

...Against Oregon in the National Championship Game, Jones wasn't consistently put under pressure. In fact, he was often given too much space and time in the pocket by the defense. However, when he was pressured, he often reacted in a way that will be encouraging to NFL scouts.

On this play, the defense rushes four defenders after the quarterback. It was a rare play when Ohio State's pass protection broke down quickly in multiple areas. Jones has his eyes downfield through his drop and he is late to recognize the edge rusher who has beaten his blocker with relative ease while accelerating around the corner.

The edge rusher is essentially unblocked as he arrives to Jones. Jones slides away from him to use the defender's momentum to take him out of the play. While doing so, he protects the football by moving it away from the defender's outstretched arm. Because of how the pass rush won at multiple spots, Jones doesn't have a pocket to step up into. Instead, he has to quickly set his feet and throw the ball from a tight area. He doesn't perfectly reset his feet after initially stepping up, but he also doesn't panic completely so he has established a decent base to release the football from.

Importantly, Jones never dropped his eyes throughout this play. When he released the ball, he located an open receiver down the field.

Unfortunately for him on this occasion, his pass floated just past the receiver out of bounds. This inaccuracy was likely a result of his unstable base within the pocket. Considering everything positive that Jones did on this play, that should be considered a minor, fixable issue. What was most significant was that he didn't panic when pressure came.

Although he missed his open receiver on that play, Jones was able to complete some impressive plays from the pocket against closing pressure.

On this play, Jones angles his drop while looking downfield. He doesn't escape into the flat completely, instead he establishes a base at the top of his drop just inside his right tackle. As pressure comes off of the edge, Jones shuffles his feet subtly to reset further infield. This gives the blocker outside the chance to push the edge rusher away with ease. As Jones releases the football, a second pass rusher comes free and crashes into him just after he has released the football. Jones reacted slightly, but not enough to prevent him from completing the ball to the sideline with precision and timing.

This play highlighted Jones' arm talent as well as his poise in the pocket.

Jones made a similar play when he was intercepted. On this occasion, he dropped back in the pocket and was confronted by an unblocked edge rusher. The rusher was coming from the side of the field that Jones was looking to, so he was able to stop his momentum and push back upfield. He shuffled his feet slightly to reset and alter the angle of his throw just before the pressure closed in on him. Jones delivered the football from an uncomfortable, but balanced position as he absorbed the hit from the defender.

His pass was perfectly accurate and once again showed off impressive controlled velocity. However, his receiver tipped it straight to a defender.

The above only covers the portion of the article where Cardale faced pressure, go to the link for how he ran with the ball when he did decide to run and more that goes over his arm.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Two NFL sources speaking with CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd said Ohio State redshirt sophomore QB Cardale Jones' draft ceiling would have been Round 4 had he entered.
"Developmental project," one source said. "Should go back and clean up all the details so OSU coaches can advocate his maturity and leadership." We aren't so sure Jones wouldn't have gone higher. Jones himself told Sports Illustrated that he had an opportunity "to be picked in the second or third round of the 2015 draft," an assessment that seems more plausible, given the dearth of QB talent available in this draft. NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang follows this line of thinking, saying Jones could have been a top-four QB taken as high as Round 2.

Source: CBS Sports
Jan 18 - 4:34 PM

 

[cvnpoka]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

 

[lod01]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

He can still declare for the supplemental draft can't he?

 

[Deamon]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

still lots of time before the draft. My only thought is that he isn't confident he will do great in workouts/combine/etc. He could slip majorly to be a late round pick if he has bad workouts, rather then play a year, develop, and be an actual 2nd rounder

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

What if he has a great season?

His draft stock could certainly be higher. It's very possible that, despite the hype here, Jones would have been a 4th round pick this year. He could be a first rounder after a full season where he shows he's for real. He could stand to make himself millions and millions of dollars if his gamble pays off.

 

[massraider]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

You have zero idea if any of that is true.Zero.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

What if he has a great season?

His draft stock could certainly be higher. It's very possible that, despite the hype here, Jones would have been a 4th round pick this year. He could be a first rounder after a full season where he shows he's for real. He could stand to make himself millions and millions of dollars if his gamble pays off.

His primary competition for the starting job won't be healthy in the spring so Cardale will go in as the starter for the spring and then unless he completely craps the bed he should hang onto the job for the lay-up opener and then the Bucks schedule isn't very tough so he has a great chance to go undefeated as the starter for the first nine games before he faces any challenges.

Urban Myer's system is not a pro-ready or developmental system. Cardale will have easy reads and he'll have a strong running game to take heat off of him but even with a great running game in the college championship game he still faced third and longs and pressure on a big stage and he was able to handle it and make some great throws.

He knows what is at stake now so I think he'll keep the starting job and be successful and he'll be able to show more of what he showed in the college championship game. I don't see Urb changing his system but I don't see Cardale losing ground. Questions he has now will remain about his ability to read the field and go deep into progressions but I think he can firm-up the positives of his game and his stock will go as high as Jamies Winston's this year.

The only reason they say 4th round developmental guy is due to having only 3 starts and virtually no track record.

He should start and get the experience to prove his skill set so long as he doesn't suffer any major injuries he should be a first round prospect this time next year. Nobody knew what sort of ability this kid a few weeks ago, now everyone knows.

 

[Faust]

Report: Cardale Jones could have been top 10-15 draft pick

 

[MAC_32]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

im a big fan on betting on one's self. He needs more seasoning, so him declaring would be telling me he just wants the paycheck. Going back and getting more experience may get him more than just that paycheck, could be a career.

 

[ShamrockPride]

Report: Cardale Jones could have been top 10-15 draft pick

Yeah I'm not buying that. Nice job by the scout on trying to grief this kid. I don't think anybody but this scout believes that.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

He can still declare for the supplemental draft can't he?

I had mentioned it in this thread but was shot down however their is some debate as to the specifics of eligibility and the NFL supplemental draft.

http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=41531

No going back?: Conceivably, Jones could change his mind. Or unforeseen circumstances could change his mind.

There is that bail-out known as the NFL supplemental draft. It is held in July for college players who opt for the NFL after the regular draft has been held. There are flimsy rules for eligibility. Suffice to say, if Jones had a pressing desire to make himself available for the supplemental draft – for whatever reason – he could make it happen.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6861571/terrelle-pryor-wants-state-case-eligibility-nfl-supplemental-draft

...The rules that govern eligibility for the supplemental draft state simply, "To be eligible for a supplemental draft, a player's petition for special eligibility must be approved by the League office and his name promulgated to clubs."

One of the ways to petition for eligibility is financial hardship and it has been reported that Cardale's background was harsh and their was poverty. One reporter mentioned something about his mother not being able to support him up to age 14 but nothing specific came with that report other than hinting his background had serious issues surrounding money and from what Browns beat reporter Tony Grossi hints, the rules for eligibility are malleable enough where he could petition the league but it seems he won't.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Report: Cardale Jones could have been top 10-15 draft pick

Yeah I'm not buying that. Nice job by the scout on trying to grief this kid. I don't think anybody but this scout believes that.

The quote in question from the story:

Here's another surprise: according to one NFL team executive, Jones could have been drafted as high as the top 10 or 15 picks.



"Maybe he would have gone in the second round," the executive told foxsports.com, "but I think it's just as likely (he) could have gone in the top 10 or 15. Look at that body, that arm -- and look at his competition (in the draft)."

I didn't see where a scout provided that information. Unless these two different reporters are quoting the same guy, this comes from a different source:

http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=41531

...How high would he have gone?: Had Jones opted to enter the draft, the early projections already had moved from mid- to late rounds to second- to fourth-round. About an hour before Jones’ announcement I spoke to one NFL source who may have reflected where this was headed.

“He is as impressive as any college quarterback I’ve ever seen, in terms of size. He just needs more experience … get somebody to take him and groom him,” said the source, who is not a talent evaluator but a respected professional inside the NFL. “This kid has good mechanics, posture in the pocket, savvy. He’s going to get overdrafted, yeah.

“He’s 6-6, 250 pounds, throws the ball like nobody’s business and shown he’s got (no fear). For a guy that talented, there’s no such thing as over-drafted.”

This 2015 NFL draft features two quarterbacks who have won the last two Heisman Trophies and should be top-five picks – Jameis Winston of Florida State and Marcus Mariota of Oregon – and then a drop-off to the second round for the next echelon of quarterbacks. This source believes that Jones would have joined that twosome by the time the April 30 draft occurred.



“I would take him over Marcus Mariota,” said the source. “He can do things that Mariota can’t do physically. He has way better pocket mechanics … a bigger kid. The kid’s a beast. Even his incompletions are right on the money. And look at the desire. You see Mariota sliding after runs, and understandably so. But on a few of those third down runs by Jones, he knew he had take on (defenders) and Jones took them on.

“This kid was built to play in the AFC North. If I needed a quarterback and I had a top 10 pick and if the kid checked out mentally and socially, I would have no hesitation picking him. I do know in a short period of time he was able to digest whatever the game plan was and beat people on a neutral field. The kid had no nervousness or anything.

“He’s got the package and it’s just a matter if he can apply himself at the next level. A lot of guys are talented. Josh Freeman was talented. When you lead, you have to set the work ethic example.”

Ask yourself if Cardale Jones compares with Blake Bortles because many people were shocked that Blake went so high in last year's draft and the reason why is because he had prototypical NFL size and a big arm and could move around some in the pocket but was considered a raw developmental guy who checked out mentally and socially.

Cardale has the size and arm and can move so if he checked out mentally and socially then the big difference is Bortles came from a smaller school and never faced the level of competition that Cardale did in only three starts but that is the issue with Cardale. Three starts.

 

[cvnpoka]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

What if he has a great season?

His draft stock could certainly be higher. It's very possible that, despite the hype here, Jones would have been a 4th round pick this year. He could be a first rounder after a full season where he shows he's for real. He could stand to make himself millions and millions of dollars if his gamble pays off.

if he has a great season, then...he still goes in the 4th.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

What if he has a great season?

His draft stock could certainly be higher. It's very possible that, despite the hype here, Jones would have been a 4th round pick this year. He could be a first rounder after a full season where he shows he's for real. He could stand to make himself millions and millions of dollars if his gamble pays off.

if he has a great season, then...he still goes in the 4th.

What?

 

[Hankmoody]

I had mentioned it in this thread but was shot down however their is some debate as to the specifics of eligibility and the NFL supplemental draft.

http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=41531

No going back?: Conceivably, Jones could change his mind. Or unforeseen circumstances could change his mind.

There is that bail-out known as the NFL supplemental draft. It is held in July for college players who opt for the NFL after the regular draft has been held. There are flimsy rules for eligibility. Suffice to say, if Jones had a pressing desire to make himself available for the supplemental draft – for whatever reason – he could make it happen.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6861571/terrelle-pryor-wants-state-case-eligibility-nfl-supplemental-draft

...The rules that govern eligibility for the supplemental draft state simply, "To be eligible for a supplemental draft, a player's petition for special eligibility must be approved by the League office and his name promulgated to clubs."

One of the ways to petition for eligibility is financial hardship and it has been reported that Cardale's background was harsh and their was poverty. One reporter mentioned something about his mother not being able to support him up to age 14 but nothing specific came with that report other than hinting his background had serious issues surrounding money and from what Browns beat reporter Tony Grossi hints, the rules for eligibility are malleable enough where he could petition the league but it seems he won't.

You're probably referring to my post, and it was in the "other" Cardale thread

I didn't exactly "shoot it down", at least that wasn't my intent, sorry if it came off that way. It's just not correct that a player can just get a free out and declare for the Supplemental Draft if he changes his mind later. He needs to petition and be declared eligible. I've never heard of a hardship exception, but I tend to doubt he'd qualify unless there's a lot more to what we know about him, and that's not what Grossi was insinuating anyway.

 

[MAC_32]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

What if he has a great season?

His draft stock could certainly be higher. It's very possible that, despite the hype here, Jones would have been a 4th round pick this year. He could be a first rounder after a full season where he shows he's for real. He could stand to make himself millions and millions of dollars if his gamble pays off.

if he has a great season, then...he still goes in the 4th.

and he has a full offseason getting first team reps as well as another 13 or so games of experience for when he makes the transition to the pros.

 

[lod01]

Dude should just declare for the supplemental draft right now. The Browns will take him for a 2nd if not a 1st.

 

[MAC_32]

Dude should just declare for the supplemental draft right now. The Browns will take him for a 2nd if not a 1st.

so he gets one small contract, but never cashes in on the big second contract?

 

[lod01]

Dude should just declare for the supplemental draft right now. The Browns will take him for a 2nd if not a 1st.

so he gets one small contract, but never cashes in on the big second contract?

If he's good, he won't have to wait for his 1st contract to expire. I'm assuming he wants to play for his hometown team. IF he blows up big this coming college season, the Browns may not get him....although they look like they will go back to stinking again.

 

[MAC_32]

Dude should just declare for the supplemental draft right now. The Browns will take him for a 2nd if not a 1st.

so he gets one small contract, but never cashes in on the big second contract?

If he's good, he won't have to wait for his 1st contract to expire.

it's a bit more than just being good.More than three games of experience and being developed in a good organization with a plan is how one makes a career.

He doesn't have that experience and the Browns are a dumpster fire.

 

[ShamrockPride]

Dude should just declare for the supplemental draft right now. The Browns will take him for a 2nd if not a 1st.

so he gets one small contract, but never cashes in on the big second contract?

If he's good, he won't have to wait for his 1st contract to expire. I'm assuming he wants to play for his hometown team. IF he blows up big this coming college season, the Browns may not get him....although they look like they will go back to stinking again.

They stopped?

And God Bless the poor, uninformed soul that ever states publicly that they would prefer to play for the Cleveland Browns.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Dude should just declare for the supplemental draft right now. The Browns will take him for a 2nd if not a 1st.

so he gets one small contract, but never cashes in on the big second contract?

If he's good, he won't have to wait for his 1st contract to expire. I'm assuming he wants to play for his hometown team. IF he blows up big this coming college season, the Browns may not get him....although they look like they will go back to stinking again.

They stopped?

And God Bless the poor, uninformed soul that ever states publicly that they would prefer to play for the Cleveland Browns.

What's your problem? You take shots at the Browns to make your pathetic miserable existence mean something? You think it makes you look smarter or stronger huh? Doesn't matter what team you root for because if you kick anyone when they are down it shows that you are a loser.

 

[CalBear]

What's your problem? You take shots at the Browns to make your pathetic miserable existence mean something? You think it makes you look smarter or stronger huh? Doesn't matter what team you root for because if you kick anyone when they are down it shows that you are a loser.

Kicking the Browns when they're down has been the only option available for about 70 years.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

What's your problem? You take shots at the Browns to make your pathetic miserable existence mean something? You think it makes you look smarter or stronger huh? Doesn't matter what team you root for because if you kick anyone when they are down it shows that you are a loser.

Kicking the Browns when they're down has been the only option available for about 70 years.

I guess that is what some people who are young believe.

 

[Bobcat10]

What's your problem? You take shots at the Browns to make your pathetic miserable existence mean something? You think it makes you look smarter or stronger huh? Doesn't matter what team you root for because if you kick anyone when they are down it shows that you are a loser.

Kicking the Browns when they're down has been the only option available for about 70 years.

70 years works if we're talking about Berkeley football. How's that been going for you?

 

[Dan Hindery]

My educated guesses as to how this all plays out...

-Cardale Jones will be the starting QB in 2015 as long as he continues to work hard. Definitely not a given that he will, but I think his decision to come back indicates a real belief in himself and his long-term future. The lazy move would have been to leave now and try to grab whatever money he could in the draft. He absolutely could work his way into the first round with a good season and I think that is what happens.

-JT Barrett should be the backup as a sophomore but will then have two years to start in 2016 and 2017 after Jones goes pro. His lack of height and mediocre arm strength don't make him a great pro prospect or early entry candidate. Could have a long pro career but profiles more as a backup in my opinion. Will be a Heisman candidate in 2016 and 2017.

-Braxton Miller won't know how his shoulder will respond until summer. If his arm feels strong then, he will look into transferring to somewhere that he has a shot to start immediately. If his arm strength doesn't come back to a level where a pro QB career is a possibility, then he will make the move to the H-back/slot WR position and stay at Ohio State. He'll then compete with Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson for playing time. If he pursues QB, it won't be at OSU. If he decides to switch to WR, then it will be as a Buckeye.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Im shocked.

And think he made a great decision.

he made a horrid decision. just completely brutal. and that is assuming the meyer promised him the starting gig and is trustworthy. but he gains nothing by going back to school other than a chance to get injured and expose his flaws. his draft stock will never be higher than it is right now. it may stay the same, but it sure aint gonna increase and appreciable amount.

What if he has a great season?

His draft stock could certainly be higher. It's very possible that, despite the hype here, Jones would have been a 4th round pick this year. He could be a first rounder after a full season where he shows he's for real. He could stand to make himself millions and millions of dollars if his gamble pays off.

if he has a great season, then...he still goes in the 4th.

What?

 

[Faust]

Cardale Jones launches 74-yard pass in quarterback competition

 

[Super King]

Cardale Jones launches 74-yard pass in quarterback competition

Jebus.... One small crow hop, then launches it.

 

[Hankmoody]

I was there, it was pretty ridiculous. He didn't even wait for them to finish announcing him, he just grabbed the ball and let it fly, kinda like he knew he was gonna out-throw the measley 67 and he just wanted to get back to the locker room.

 

[cstu]

I was there, it was pretty ridiculous. He didn't even wait for them to finish announcing him, he just grabbed the ball and let it fly, kinda like he knew he was gonna out-throw the measley 67 and he just wanted to get back to the locker room.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWMpIMiF7gw

 

[Faust]

Will Cardale Jones start in 2015? Seeing means believing for now

 

[GroveDiesel]

I was there, it was pretty ridiculous. He didn't even wait for them to finish announcing him, he just grabbed the ball and let it fly, kinda like he knew he was gonna out-throw the measley 67 and he just wanted to get back to the locker room.

Yeah, the big arm is nice, but the exclamations that he has the lead for the job because he threw a 74 yard pass in a QB competition is pretty silly. Anyone that thinks that Urban is going hand someone the reigns based on that is foolish. Poise, accuracy and reading defenses are much much more important than sheer arm strength. Barrett threw it 60 yards which is fine and Miller threw it 67 even though he probably has a couple of more months before he is 100%.

 

[Dan Hindery]

I was there, it was pretty ridiculous. He didn't even wait for them to finish announcing him, he just grabbed the ball and let it fly, kinda like he knew he was gonna out-throw the measley 67 and he just wanted to get back to the locker room.

The 2nd thrower who threw 67 yards was Troy Smith not Braxton Miller. Braxton is still just playing toss at shorter distances at this point. Braxton did participate in the fastest Buckeye contest at halftime with Ezekiel Elliott and a handful of students. He looked fast and in fantastic shape but Zeke won the race.

The arm strength is pretty important and definitely a major factor in the decision. It adds certain elements to the playbook and makes things easier for the WRs in terms of the amount of separation needed to complete a pass. Nick Saban mentioned a couple times that he was really impressed with OSU's playmakers at WR but that their talent wasn't quite as obvious on tape with Barrett/Miller at QB vs. the game film with Jones. And I don't think it was puffery, but a legitimate and accurate interpretation of things. Devin Smith, Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall in particular were more dangerous in the downfield passing game with Jones than with the previous QBs.

It's still going to be a real battle in late July and early August (I think Urban has said he wants to name a starter by 8/15), but Cardale is the leader in the clubhouse based upon a strong spring, his 3 game performance in December/January and his elite physical tools.

 

[Hankmoody]

I was there, it was pretty ridiculous. He didn't even wait for them to finish announcing him, he just grabbed the ball and let it fly, kinda like he knew he was gonna out-throw the measley 67 and he just wanted to get back to the locker room.

No one has said any such thing.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Todd McShay mocked Ohio State redshirt junior QB Cardale Jones to the Jets at No. 7.

"First he has to win the Buckeyes' starting job in 2015," McShay added as a caveat. "But if he can gain more experience and improve his ability to read defenses and take care of the football, he has the potential to rise up teams' draft boards. He has a big, strong frame and the arm strength to easily drive the football down the field." Rotoworld's Josh Norris slotted Jones No. 9 to the Cardinals. "I am so happy we will have more than two games to evaluate Cardale," he wrote. "After re-watching both, the Oregon contest was more impressive than his game against Alabama. His evaluation is a bit of a mystery right now: will Cardale continue to escape out of the back of the pocket? Can he progress past being a see-it, throw-it passer?"

Source: ESPN Insider
May 9 - 6:06 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

QB coach George Whitfield was told by an NFL offensive coordinator that Ohio State redshirt junior QB Cardale Jones "would've been a second-round pick in this year's draft based off those performances."

"He's raw and not as refined as an intermediate passer, but he can drop the ball in between corners and safeties," said an AFC general manager. "Teams in this league will take note of that and take a chance on him if he continues to grow. People say he doesn't have enough experience. I say he played well in the conference championship, the national semis and national title game. That's more big-game experience than most guys get in a career." The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones will compete with J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller for starting duties. "If I had to guess, I would [pick] Cardale just because his momentum is going uphill right now," said former Ohio State WR Devin Smith, drafted by the Jets in the second round.

Source: ESPN.com
May 8 - 9:21 PM

 

[Faust]

What Cardale Jones Must Prove to NFL Scouts to Become Top QB in 2016 Draft

 

[TDorBust]

When is my 2016 rookie draft? I am ready and on board.

 

[cstu]

What Cardale Jones Must Prove to NFL Scouts to Become Top QB in 2016 Draft

Against Alabama, probably Jones' most critically acclaimed game, he was praised for two deep touchdowns. The first came halfway through the first quarter, while the second came at the beginning of the third quarter. What you'll notice is that both times the receiver had to turn around for the ball, rather than catch it in stride over his shoulder. This is consistent through all of Jones' reps.

That first pass wasn't a TD - Devin Smith went out at the 1.

The TD in the 3rd quarter was to - guess who? - Devin Smith.

Devin Smith caught 4 out of the 5 TD's Cardale threw in the last three games of the season.

The one TD he threw in those games that wasn't to Smith was a 1 yard TD to Nick Vannett against Oregon.

 

[GroveDiesel]

What Cardale Jones Must Prove to NFL Scouts to Become Top QB in 2016 Draft

The idea that Jones doesn't have a very strong arm seems downright silly.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Cardale Jones - QB - Buckeyes

ESPN's Mel Kiper noted that Ohio State redshirt junior QB Cardale Jones' stock "is as volatile as it gets."

Kiper ranked Jones as the No. 25 prospect entering the season. "Jones has some great physical tools and a dream stretch of games to build on," Kiper wrote. "But he's also not a guarantee to be a starter in 2015, and not starting would change everything, because those three games then become less of a dream stretch and more of 'just three games.' In a nutshell (no pun intended, Buckeyes), Jones needs polish, which means reps. So he belongs here if he wins the job. If not, we need to back off a bit on the draft expectations." The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones is competing with J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller for starting duties. The Buckeyes are so loaded that whoever wins the job immediately becomes a Heisman frontrunner.

Source: ESPN Insider

May 17 - 12:26 AM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Cardale Jones - QB - Buckeyes

Big Ten Network's Sean Merriman ranks Ohio State redshirt junior QB Cardale Jones as the conference's No. 4 pro prospect.

"The most physically gifted quarterback in the nation, Jones has an absolute cannon for an arm and has shown he can win on college football’s biggest stage," Merriman wrote. The analyst slotted Jones just behind fellow stud QBs Christian Hackenberg and Connor Cook. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones will compete J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller for starting duties in a competition that will be worth the price of admission.

Source: Big Ten Network

May 18 - 10:42 PM