The only question when Manning came out was whether or not he was going to go #1 or #2 in the draft. Most people thought #1 and they were right. It wasn't like that draft was lacking in talent either. There were 2 great defensive end prospects in Andre Wadsworth and Grant Wistrom, there was a great defensive back coming out of a national championship program in Charles Woodson, there were 2 strong runningbacks in Curtis Enis and Fred Taylor. It was a loaded draft. And yet Manning and Leaf stood out head and shoulders above all of that talent because people thought they were franchises in the making. My issue with Quinn is: if he's really that good (and his stats are Manning-like) then why is he not the consensus #1 or #2 pick in this draft? It feels to me like he's in the same situation Leinart was in, with Charlie Weis filling in for Norm Chow in the offensive genius category. I think he's a better prospect by far than Leinart, but I don't think he's a guaranteed franchise QB. That's why I don't want to spend a ton of value to go get him. If the Jets actually made the Vilma deal and got the 6 pick and Quinn fell to it, well maybe they'd have to go for him at that spot. But they'd really need to feel he was the whole package to do that. Rose-colored glasses cause Ryan Leaf type catastrophes.
I disagree about his popularity. The only people that disliked him are people that hate ND to begin with and didn't like him taking the team back to the national stage. ND fans love the kid and he gives a ton of reasons why. He was a great QB for ND and brought the team back. That's exactly what we wanted to see. Not to mention, he's an extremely humble kid. Doesn't get much better than that.
I think part of it has to do with the way the world has changed in the past 10years. Now, as fans, we have info available at all hours, and its ALOT more info than we've ever gotten before. Not to mention we see these guys more than ever, and are allowed to nitpick so much more than ever before. Quinn is "falling" (notice how everyone in the media says he's falling, but he's still a lock to make the top 10) IMO because he was good and getting his hype way too early (kind of like Leinart last year). In todays world where everyones looking for the next best thing, the newest shiniest toy (J. Russell) always comes ahead of the old favorite. ESPECIALLY when that new, shiny toy is bigger and stronger and faster.
The other possibility is that Peyton Manning was a can't miss superstar and Leinart and Quinn aren't. I think the one thing that separates the people who are viewed as can't miss prospects from the people viewed only as very good prospects is the arm. The people drafted 1 and 2 at QB have a rocket arm. This leads to strong armed failures like Ryan Leaf and Tim Couch but it's still the rule. My take is that Quinn's arm is a step below Manning and McNabb's and Leinart's is a big step below all of the above. It's still possible that somebody could trade up and make a play for Quinn in the top 4 but it's starting to feel like a longer and longer shot at this point. Note that it's not just arm that plays into that decision in the top few picks, however arm is an absolutely necessary part of the equation.
I have to agree with that Br4. Like, every single time the difference between a good or even very good QB prospect and a GREAT one is arm strength.
