The debate about quarterbacks will continue until the draft is over. The Redskins need one, but will they take one? And how high? Should they gamble on Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton? Or should they wait until the second round?
Either way, if the Redskins don’t exit the draft with a quarterback of the future, it won’t be wise.
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“Everyone else in the division has one, and the Eagles have two,” one scout said. “The Redskins have to figure out something. … When you don’t have a quarterback, you don’t have much of a chance.”
But he added, “It’s a really bad year to be desperate for a quarterback.”
There are more questions than answers among this group. Here are key names to focus on during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis over the next several days:
Cam Newton
The key for him is the interview. Says the scout: “He’ll be prepped how to interview. The key for the NFL is to get him off his game and get past the coaching part and see what he really is about. … But he’s too big and too strong and plays such a critical position that someone will take him [in the top 10].”
Blaine Gabbert
He’s the other likely first-round quarterback. He’s a good athlete like Newton. The scout liked him but wants to see more. However, Gabbert’s athleticism fits well in an era when defenses use more exotic blitzes than ever.
Jake Locker
The scout didn’t like him. “He’s so far away. The guy didn’t complete a pass until the third quarter of his bowl game. … He looks like a baseball player.”
Christian Ponder
Scout: “A great second-round pick to develop and be the eventual starter. He’s the one that’s most interesting to me. He seems to be more of a pro-style type.”
Colin Kaepernick
“He has great physical skills, but he’s faced lower-level competition. He rears the ball back so far and has to shorten that, but that can be tweaked.”
Andy Dalton
Scout: “Seems like an average guy, more of a backup. But that’s not based on a full study yet.”
