Football and Fútbol: Coaching loyalty a world apart

As a Real Madrid fan, I would make a strong argument that we have the best manager in the world in José Mourinho.

The man dubbed “The Special One” is a stalwart in the upper echelon of historically successful managers. His track record includes a ridiculous 150 straight victories at home, 17 titles and two Champions League victories while patrolling the sidelines of some of the highest-profile clubs in the world.

I celebrated his move to Madrid and hope his run continues for my beloved Blancos, but I find it odd how different the world of coaching loyalty is for Fútbol versus Football.

Imagine Bill Belichick, widely considered the best NFL coach of the 2000s with the Patriots after winning three Super Bowls, openly speculating on his new job after he is done in New England.

His bosses, fans and players would lose faith in his commitment and he would be jettisoned from his job as soon as the team fell from grace. He would be openly chastised in the media and his loyalty would be questioned to no end in the intensely scrutinized world of the NFL.

Yet, this speculation is commonplace with Mourinho. He is linked with new jobs constantly, sometimes only weeks after he has just taken one, and has never spent more than four consecutive years in one place.

Mourinho made references Wednesday that he would like to return to manage a club in England soon. He would not indicate if he would leave Madrid at the end of this season or wait for the deal he inked with the Spanish giants to expire.

This kind of uncertainty amazes me as a huge fan of both sports, that Mourinho seemingly has no team loyalty, but loyalty only to his own success and comfort at each stop he makes along his premier club world tour. I consider myself lucky to follow a team coached by someone of his clout, but it’s frustrating to know he may leave at a whim.

Ultimately, I would sacrifice holding on to Mourinho for victories against Barcelona in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and especially the Champions League. At the end of the day, all that matters is which trophies are brought home to Madrid, especially in a city where each match is treated with unparalleled significance.

The priority is pleasing the fickle fans of Madrid and ending the title drought plaguing a futbol obsessed city. Hopefully Mourinho does so. Then he can carry his resume and tactics to the next team, looking to immortalize himself in a new city and country with every chance he gets.

Loyalty be damned.

Leave the NFL draft prospects alone

Imagine you are a college graduate, coming out of school as the most qualified and most prepared for the job of your dreams.

You are a top-20 talent prospect in the entire nation at your craft, gifted enough to be considered as an employee for the flagship corporation in your profession.

This is more than a job for you, it has been an obsession and a life style from the time you were born. Countless hours have been dedicated to honing your skills through each stage of your life. You can’t imagine doing anything else and came into college knowing you were one of the best.

Colleges recruited you with full-ride scholarships and promises most applicants only dream of. You choose the best school based on what you know will help you succeed at the next level, always striving to get better.

After four years of 24/7 dedication, you know you are ready. The next step is passing through the gauntlet of months of high-profile interviews and scrutinizing analyzation of your skills. Your studies and track record seem to matter less with the months your potential employers have had to pick apart your weaknesses.

Despite all of the doubters and competition, you survive as a top prospect. You are a lock for a six-figure position at your dream company and will be announced in front of everyone by the CEO as the company’s new star.

However, multiple veterans of the company are asking you to boycott your introductory event. They say the CEO has been cheating them out of money and has been planning to lock-out employees for years to show them who is boss. They say your high-profile absence from the event will show the company they can’t treat any of their employees unfairly, regardless of seniority.

You are confused and can’t see why this will help anything. There have been rumors of labor strife and public arguments for months between the employees and owner and you just want to work. However, the veterans want to use you as a weapon towards a company that is already supporting them with substantial pay checks and benefits while you are waiting for your part of the pie.

At the same time, the veterans are also negotiating with the owner, asking incoming employees to be paid less and earn their way to the top. They say it is only fair to lower your paycheck until you can prove your worth to the company and to raise their already bloated salaries.

You realize there is no way to win in this situation. You are being forced to boycott your own incarnation as a future star while ultimately sacrificing money you have been promised and earned through hard work and dedication.

Welcome to the reportedly newest request by the NFL Player’s Association, to keep 2011 top draft prospects from participating in the annual draft event in New York.

This is not only dumb, but insulting. How will it help any of the negotiations? It seems to me like a high-profile way for the NFLPA to continue their grade school antics against the NFL. “Oh yeah, if you won’t compromise then we won’t let you have prospects at the draft.”

As a fan, I think I speak for the millions that we just want football. Right now the only sure event is the draft, a chance to satiate our need for a sport we may not see for months if the NFL and NFLPA can’t reach an agreement soon. However, the NFLPA may take that morsel away from us too.

Keeping the draft prospects away from the draft doesn’t help anything. There is no need to take that glory away from the players or the enjoyment away from the fans just to spit in the face of the NFL owners one more time.

Mock Draft #1 (Picks 1-16)

The purpose of all NFL draft websites comes down to analyzation, prediction and mostly guessing as to where the draft prospects will actually end up. With that in mind, NFL Draft Diagnosis presents a look at where each player may end up in the first ever NFL Draft Diagnosis mock draft.

1. Carolina Panthers- Clemson Defensive End Da’Quan Bowers

Panthers fans everywhere thought they would get their next franchise quarterback before Andrew Luck chose to stay in school. Bowers isn’t a bad second prize though with a monster 16 sack season last year at Clemson and will fill the massive void left by Julius Peppers when he defected for Chicago. Look for new defensive minded head coach Ron Rivera to draft his franchise defensive player first overall.

2. Denver Broncos- Auburn Defensive Tackle Nick Fairley

The Broncos have struggled in the defensive front seven the last few seasons and new head coach John Fox plans to shift back to a 4-3 defense next year. Fairley was a beast for National Champion Auburn last season, disrupting opposing rushers and racking up 12 sacks. Fairley could come in and make an immediate impact to rejuvenate a maligned Broncos defense.

3. Buffalo Bills- Missouri Quarterback Blaine Gabbert

There is no clear cut frontrunner for the best quarterback in this draft, but Gabbert seems to be the leading prospect. The Bills, who have not made the playoffs since 1999, have to define who their franchise quarterback will be soon to avoid fan mutiny. Gabbert passed for 40 career touchdowns at Missouri along with 6,822 yards and should be the Bills’ solution at the most important position in football.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- Georgia Wide Receiver A.J. Green

The Bengals will probably lose both Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens this offseason and have a bevy of unproven talent at the wide receiver position with Jordan Shipley, Andre Caldwell, Quan Cosby and Jerome Simpson. Carson Palmer has also demanded a trade from Cincinnati that would set the franchise back for years unless they can nab Green with the fourth pick. Green scored 23 touchdowns in three years at Georgia and would infuse immediate talent and star power into the Bengals pass catching corps.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Texas A&M Outside Linebacker Von Miller

The Cardinals struggled with underperforming veterans at the linebacker position last year and need quality players in their 3-4 system. Miller dominated for the Aggies, with 28 sacks in the last two seasons alone and 178 tackles in his four year collegiate career. The Cardinals desperately need a quarterback but look for them to sign or trade for a short-term veteran answer and take Miller.

6. Cleveland Browns- Alabama Defensive Tackle Marcell Dareus

The Browns released nose tackle Shaun Rogers earlier this week and are in need of an inside presence for their defense. Dareus could step right in and contribute, coming from a stellar Alabama defense and 11 sacks in the last two seasons for the Crimson Tide.

7. San Francisco 49ers- LSU Cornerback Patrick Peterson

The 49ers would be elated to grab Peterson at this spot to replace aging and overpaid veteran, Nate Clements. Peterson only had seven interceptions as an LSU Tiger, but that stat is a product of no one throwing his way. He also racked up 135 career tackles, a rarity for a position that usually shies away from contact and is a threat in the return game, scoring two touchdowns in 2010.

8. Tennessee Titans- North Carolina Defensive End Robert Quinn

The Titans are set to lose Jason Babin and Dave Ball at this position if free agency occurs this offseason and Quinn could come in and contribute immediately. Despite being suspended last season by the NCAA for reportedly receiving improper benefits, Quinn had 11 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2009 and could be an answer for a Titans team that always seems to draft defensive line depth.

9. Dallas Cowboys- Boston College Offensive Tackle Anthony Castonzo

The Cowboys struggled in pass protection and run blocking at both tackle positions last season, including one missed block that led to a broken collarbone for franchise cornerstone Tony Romo against the Giants, effectively ending Dallas’ season. Castonzo started three seasons at left tackle for Boston College and is listed at 6-7, 308 pounds. This pick would solidify the Cowboys offensive line for a decade and would allow them to run the ball more effectively with Felix Jones and Marion Barber.

10. Washington Redskins- Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton

The Redskins took an ill-advised chance on veteran Donovan McNabb last season that became a year long soap opera with little positive results. Newton is a physical specimen who willed the Tigers to a National Championship last season and can beat defenses with his arm or legs. After scoring 50 touchdowns in one season as a starter, Snyder will look past Newton’s college scandals and take a chance on the electric quarterback.

11. Houston Texans- Nebraska Cornerback Prince Amukamura

The Texans secondary was embarrassing last season, ranking dead last in giving up 267.5 yards per game through the air. Amukamara had five interceptions and 155 tackles at Nebraska in a four year career and could fill the void left by Dunta Robinson when he left for Atlanta in free agency. The Texans hired defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to get them over the playoff hump for the first time ever and Amukamara could be the another building block for a struggling Houston defense.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Washington Quarterback Jake Locker

Locker had terrible accuracy in college, but was a four year starter and is incredibly athletic with a cannon arm and the ability to scramble. Minnesota was hung out to dry last year when Brett Favre showed his age and suffered a wave of injuries. The Vikings were then left with Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb as starting options, destroying any chance of a playoff berth. The Vikings have stated the need for a quarterback this offseason and Locker could be the franchise’s building block if a quarterback coach works closely with him to improve his accuracy.

13. Detroit Lions- Colorado Offensive Tackle Nate Solder

The Lions are finally emerging from the doldrums of the NFC North, but need better pass protection for their fragile franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford. Solder would shore up the line with his 6-8, 314 pound frame and was impressive at the Senior Bowl. Look for the Lions to take their left tackle for the next decade in Solder this April.

14. St. Louis Rams- Alabama Wide Receiver Julio Jones

The Rams began to emerge in 201o as a legitimate playoff contender in the lowly NFC West on the arm of Sam Bradford and legs of Steven Jackson, but lacked any kind of pass catching threat all season. Danny Amendola is a great slot receiver and Mark Clayton and Donnie Avery may come back successfully from injury, but Jones could be special and is a consistent pick in most mock drafts for the Rams. At 6-4, Jones will be a physical, big target for Bradford in 2011 and beyond.

15. Miami Dolphins- Alabama Running Back Mark Ingram

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams aren’t getting any younger and both are  free agents this year. The Dolphins learned they can’t rely on Chad Henne to win games, so the logical pick is to take the 2009 Heisman winner, who rushed for 42 touchdowns and 3,261 yards for the Crimson Tide. Ingram will bring a physical running style and will help the Dolphins when they have to travel to New England, New York and Buffalo during the winter months of the season.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Purdue Defensive End Ryan Kerrigan

The Jaguars will continue attempting to improve their defensive line by drafting the player they thought they were getting when they spent a pick on Derrick Harvey in 2008. Kerrigan was impressive at Purdue, racking up 33 sacks, 210 tackles and four forced fumbles and should help the Jaguars pressure Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub along with last year’s first round pick, Tyson Alualu.

Mock Draft #1 (Picks 17-32)

17. New England Patriots- California Outside Linebacker Akeem Ayers

The Patriots have a bevy of picks in the early rounds of the 2011 draft and will use their first one on Ayers. Ayers was an all-around great player at Cal, posting 15 sacks, 215 tackles and six interceptions in his career there. Paired with 2008 NFL defensive rookie of the year Jerod Mayo, Ayers would be a great fit for the Patriots 3-4 defense.

18. San Diego Chargers- California Defensive End Cameron Jordan

The Chargers run a 3-4 and Jordan would be an excellent addition to rush the quarterback and stuff the run in rushing situations. He was a consistent tackler at Cal with 161 tackles and also had 17 sacks and could add the inside presence the Chargers need on their line to stop the running games of their division rivals.

19. New York Giants- USC Offensive Tackle Tyron Smith

The Giants battled inconsistent offensive line play in 2010 and Smith could be the heir to either side to replace Kareem McKenzie or David Diehl. Smith is an athletic tackle that measures 6-5, 280 pounds and could be played at multiple positions on the line.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Iowa Defensive End Adrian Clayborn

Clayborn had an up-and-down senior season at Iowa, but would be a great addition to the Tampa Bay defensive line. The Buccaneers don’t have a premier pass rusher and Clayborn could team with last year’s draft picks Gerald McCoy and Brian Price to make a youthful and talented Tampa front four.

21. Kansas City Chiefs- Missouri Outside Linebacker Aldon Smith

Smith is an under-the-radar prospect but could be the missing link to bring the Chiefs defense to elite along with young cornerstones Brandon Flowers, Eric Berry, Tamba Hali, Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. Smith has great size at 6-5, 260 pounds and can rush the passer with 17 sacks in two seasons at Missouri along with 108 tackles.

22. Indianapolis Colts- Wisconsin Offensive Tackle Gabe Carimi

Colts general manager Bill Polian expressed regret during the season on missing out on Indiana tackle Rodger Saffold, who went on to start 16 games as a rookie for the Rams. Carimi could become the player that wipes away the regret at 6-7, 327 pounds. He could start at either tackle spot, which has been a problem area for the Colts lately, and become a bodyguard for Peyton Manning for a long time.

23. Philadelphia Eagles- Mississippi State Offensive Tackle Derek Sherrod

The Eagles should go into the draft looking to protect Michael Vick, who absorbed a tremendous amount of punishment last year after he was sacked 52 times. Sherrod could solidify the right side of the line at 6-6, 305 pounds and could protect the blind side of the left-handed Vick for years to come.

24. New Orleans Saints- Wisconsin Defensive End J.J. Watt

The Saints don’t have any glaring needs, but another pass rusher would be a great addition to the roster. Alex Brown is a good player, but he is getting older at 31-years-old and only managed two sacks last season. Watt had eleven sacks as a Badger in two seasons and had 106 tackles. He would also be an asset to a Saints team that needs to get pressure on rival quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Arkansas Quarterback Ryan Mallett

The Seahawks are relying on a declining Matt Hasselbeck and an unproven Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback, so Mallett is a great gamble this late in the first round. He has ideal size at 6-6, 238 pounds and a great arm, in the mold of Ben Roethlisberger. After passing for 8,388 yards and 69 touchdowns in his college career, Seattle should draft him to be their signal caller of the future.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Colorado Cornerback Jimmy Smith

The Ravens secondary was decimated by injuries last season, exposing their lack of depth at cornerback. Smith could come in as an immediate contributor after only giving up 11 completions in man coverage over his junior and senior seasons. Smith also racked up 183 tackles and sixteen pass deflections at Colorado, making him an ideal fit for an elite and physical Ravens defense.

27. Atlanta Falcons- Boise State Wide Receiver Titus Young

Young’s stock sky-rocketed at the Senior Bowl when he drew comparisons to Eagles star Desean Jackson and would provide the Falcons offense with a vertical threat to pair with Roddy White. Young had 25 touchdowns in four years at Boise State and had 3,063 yards on 204 receptions. He has game breaking ability to take the top off of a defense and could have value in the return game too.

28. New England Patriots- Illinois Running Back Mikel Leshoure

The Patriots have shied away from star running backs in the past few seasons, but Leshoure could be too tempting to pass up. Leshoure had 17 touchdowns in 2010, averaging six yards per carry after rushing for 1,697 yards. He is explosive and physical and could take away the need for the current running back committee in New England.

29. Chicago Bears- Florida Guard Mike Pouncey

The Bears struggled in pass protection and run blocking last year and Pouncey could be the perfect solution. Current right guard Roberto Garza is 31-years-old and could allow for Pouncey to ease into a starting role. Pouncey is athletic and started 46 games in college, providing an ideal late round pick for the Bears.

30. New York Jets- Illinois Defensive Tackle Corey Liuget

The Jets current starter Kris Jenkins has only started seven games in the last two seasons because of knee injuries and seems to be on the sharp decline. Liuget could be groomed as the Jets next nose tackle after starting three seasons at Illinois with 125 tackles and eight sacks. Liuget is strong and quick and could be a nice addition to the Jets defense.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers-Miami Cornerback Brandon Harris

The Super Bowl exposed a flaw in the normally stellar Steelers defense at cornerback. Current starters Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden are both older players and the Steelers need a player that can be groomed as a nickel corner and eventually move to a starting spot. Harris had 132 tackles, five forced fumbles and four interceptions at Miami and could be the physical corner the Steelers need.

32. Green Bay Packers- Ohio State Defensive End Cameron Heyward

The Packers are one of the deepest teams in the NFL and general manager Ted Thompson has done a fantastic job stock piling talent, but Heyward would be a fine addition. Heyward is 6-5, 288 pounds and could be a strong run stuffer in the Packers 3-4 defense. He would bring 15 career sacks from Ohio State to Green Bay and would improve the depth of a defense that can always use more pass rushers.

My thoughts on Jerry Sloan

Taking a departure from normal NFL draft posts, I felt the need to write this post as a Jazz fan. Take a look if you want and if not, I’ll be getting back on track with NFL stories soon:

As a sports fan, I am lost.

Regardless of what team you support or who your favorite player is, there is always one sports figure you can tie memories to in a way that nothing else in life really measures up to.

This person, to me, is the now former head coach of the Utah Jazz, Jerry Sloan.

It may sound odd that a 68-year-old basketball coach, who never won an NBA title, could define so much of who I am.

But he does, coaching from 1988, three years before I was born to a family of Jazz fans in tiny Morgan, Utah, until Wednesday when his fire and patience ran out.

I have never known a Jazz team without the strategy, look and genius of Jerry Sloan. I am lost.

I can recall some of my youngest memories tied intrinsically to the Jazz.

My grandpa and I watching Stockton-to-Malone happen, night after night.

My cousin and I shooting around in the driveway, trying to emulate some of the plays that lit up the Delta Center and Utah as a whole, especially in 1997 and 1998 when the team I love reached the NBA Finals.

As the years went by, Stockton and Malone became Williams and Boozer but Sloan never changed.

He transferred the same system he taught Jeff Hornacek in the 90s to Ronnie Price this season, always producing a top offensive team and perennial playoff contender.

He was the rarest of all breeds in professional sports, a man that spent the better part of 23 years with the same mid-market team, reaching 1,000 wins in Utah in Nov. 2009.

He led the Jazz to six division championships and ten seasons of 50 or more wins on his way to 2,024 overall wins. His number four is retired by the Chicago Bulls and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Stockton in 2009.

Amongst his well-deserved accomplishments, Sloan was the Jazz. He was as constant as any figure in my life, bringing joy and frustration, wins and losses, and most importantly, the love of basketball I have today.

I know it had to happen some time. Every coach retires or leaves eventually and Jazz fans were spoiled with how long he chose to coach in Salt Lake City.

I know the Jazz will move on, well positioned to make another playoff run this season, but this time the team is without its iconic coach.

The legacy, the record and the mystique of Jerry Sloan will never be matched again whether it be in Utah, in the NBA or in my own heart.

As a sports fan, I am lost.

Getting Defensive

The philosophy of many NFL teams during the draft is to build their teams from the inside-out, starting with the offensive and defensive lines. While some defensive lineman become franchise building blocks for years to come, others are as dependable as a two dollar watch. Here is a list of the five best defensive lineman to be drafted since 2005 along with a list of the five worst:

Best

1. Mario Williams, Houston Texans (#1 overall pick in 2006)

Williams was the first player selected in 2006, over offensive stars Vince Young and Reggie Bush, and the Texans were heavily criticized by other teams around the league. The critics have been silenced, however, by Williams’ appearance in two pro bowls and a monster 2007 season with 14 sacks and 43 solo tackles. Williams has averaged 9.6 sacks per season over his career and is a defensive leader for the Texans year in and year out.

2. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions (#2 overall pick in 2010)

Suh came into the league with a ton of hype but managed to exceed expectations as the best defensive rookie in the NFL. He dominated pro offensive lines from his first snap as a starting defensive tackle, racking up 10 sacks and 49 solo tackles at a position that typically takes a few years of adjustment. Despite just one year of stats, Suh is the real deal and will only continue to get better as a franchise player.

3. Chris Long, St. Louis Rams (#2 overall pick in 2008)

As the son of Hall of Fame inductee Howie Long, Chris came into the league with significant hype. He struggled along with a terrible St. Louis team in his first two seasons, but seemed to hit his stride in 2010 by producing 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Long has 17.5 sacks and 91 tackles in his career and seems to be on the verge of becoming a pass rushing and run stuffing star.

4. Sedrick Ellis, New Orleans Saints (#7 overall pick in 2008)

Despite a noticeable drop off in talent from Suh, Ellis has been a solid contributor at defensive tackle for the Saints. Ellis has collected 12 sacks in his career, with half coming in 2010, along with 76 solo career tackles. He won a Super Bowl with New Orleans last year and could become an under the radar leader for the Saints defense for the next decade.

5. B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers (#9 overall pick in 2009)

Raji has been part of an elite Packers defense since he was drafted and continues to get better as a nose tackle in Dom Capers’ 3-4. He has 7.5 sacks in his career and 48 solo tackles and just won Super Bowl 45 with the Packers, despite only registering five tackles and one sack in the 2010 postseason. Look for Raji to emerge as a top ten defensive tackle in the next few seasons.

Worst

1. Vernon Gholston, New York Jets (#6 overall pick in 2008)

Gholston is the epitome of a disappointing top ten pick and may go down as one of the biggest busts in NFL history. Despite being surrounded by an elite defense and top defensive players in New York, he has yet to register a single sack in three seasons. He has been benched and inactive for several games in his tenure with the Jets and has barely made an impact with 24 tackles, or eight per season. Gholston should be on his way out as a Jet this off-season after disappearing from the moment he was drafted.

2. Tyson Jackson, Kansas City Chiefs (#3 overall pick in 2009)

Jackson was overhyped coming into the draft and was drafted to be a defensive cornerstone of the Chiefs rebuilding effort. However, he has yet to produce anything close to his expectations, recording four sacks and 46 solo tackles in two seasons. The jury is out on his short career so far but Jackson will have to produce monster stats in the next few seasons to justify his draft position.

3. Glenn Dorsey, Kansas City Chiefs (#5 overall pick in 2008)

Dorsey is another member of the Chiefs’ defensive draft disappointments. He was expected to become the defense’s franchise player and a top defensive tackle in the league, but looks more like a role player at best so far. He has been a solid tackler with 124 solo stops in his three year career, but is not disruptive enough in the back field with only four career sacks. Dorsey is hardly what the Chiefs envisioned he would be as their top choice in 2008.

4. Jamaal Anderson, Atlanta Falcons (#8 overall pick in 2007)

Anderson hasn’t been terribly disappointing as a decent tackler but has not justified his top ten selection. He was drafted by the Falcons to pair with veteran John Abraham to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but has only collected 4.5 sacks in four seasons. With two sacks and 21 tackles in 2010, Anderson doesn’t look like he will ever develop into a premier pass rusher.

5. Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville Jaguars (#8 overall pick in 2008)

Rounding out the trio of 2008 letdowns along with Dorsey and Gholston, Harvey has underperformed for the Jaguars. He has produced eight sacks in three seasons, ranking him lower than the others on this list, but is nowhere near  top ten draft pick talent. Jacksonville spent another top ten pick on Tyson Alualu in 2010 to add to their defensive line but doubts remain about Harvey’s abilities as an NFL defensive end.

Franchise Quarterback Formula

Last year, Sports Illustrated contributor John Lopez wrote an article summarizing the 26-27-60 formula to determine if college quarterbacks will translate into successful NFL starters.

Barring some exceptions, the formula is based on college quarterbacks scoring at least a 26 on the Wonderlic intelligence test at the combine, starting 27 games and completing at least 60 percent of their passes in college. Lopez’ theory is a surprisingly accurate yardstick of the difference between quarterbacks becoming franchise faces or flops.

Using Lopez’ theory minus Wonderlic scores that won’t be available until April, here is a look at how the top five projected quarterbacks in the 2011 draft may fare after they begin their NFL careers:

1. Blaine Gabbert, Junior QB Missouri

• Strengths: Gabbert has the size (6-foot-5) and intelligence to succeed at the next level. He also has a good arm and will be able to make most of the throws against NFL defenses.
• Weaknesses: Gabbert may be the product of hype and a weak “elite” quarterback class after Stanford’s Andrew Luck chose to stay in school. Scouts are also worried about transitioning from Missouri’s spread offense to the pro style NFL game if he is rushed into a starting role.
• Starts: Gabbert started 26 games from 2009 to 2010 and played spot duty in 2008 behind Chase Daniel in three games, leaving him one game short of the formula requirement.
• Stats: His completion percentage from his two years as a full time starter average at 61.2 percent, along with 6,822 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career at Missouri.
• Conclusion: After his Wonderlic score is calculated, it seems like Gabbert will become a solid NFL starter and has the potential to develop into a star based on Lopez’ theory. However, he will have to adjust quickly to a team that will likely expect him to play early if he is the first quarterback taken in the draft.

2. Ryan Mallett, Junior QB Arkansas

• Strengths: Mallett has a large frame (listed at 6-foot-6) and has a great arm. He was a winner in the perennially tough SEC and will have the strength to stay upright in the pocket while avoiding hits.
• Weaknesses: Mallett’s body type also raises questions of his durability and he can look clumsy at times. Scouts are also concerned with his decision making, as he throws off his back foot under pressure and occasionally makes bad decisions with the ball. Some are also concerned with his attitude and maturity, as he was never selected to be a captain as a Razorback.
• Starts: He started 26 games while at Arkansas and played in several games while at Michigan in 2007. Mallett led the Razorbacks to a 10 win season in 2010 and a berth in the Sugar Bowl.
• Stats: He also completed an average of 60.2 percent of his passes throughout his collegiate career while tossing 62 touchdown passes as a Razorback.
• Conclusion: Mallett projects as a good NFL starter if he can avoid injuries and use his size to his advantage. He will also have to convince teams during the evaluation process that he is mature and can handle NFL responsibilities.

3. Jake Locker, Senior QB Washington

• Strengths: Teams are enamored with Locker’s athletic ability, as he has a cannon arm and can scramble to make plays with his feet. He has typical NFL size (6-foot-3) and has extensive experience in Steve Sarkisian’s pro style offense at Washington.
• Weaknesses: Locker’s draft stock plummeted after he chose to stay in college for his senior season instead of leaving for the draft as a junior. He was plagued with accuracy issues all year including a horrendous performance against Nebraska and never cracked the 60 percent completion rate with the Huskies.
• Starts: Locker started 40 games at Washington despite missing most of his sophomore year with injuries, meeting Lopez’ requirement and ranking among the most seasoned quarterbacks in the draft.
• Stats: He only managed an average 53.7 percent completion rate with the Huskies while only winning 15 games over four years, including a winless Huskies season in 2008 when Locker sustained a season-ending injury.
• Conclusion: Locker has the physical skills to become a good NFL starter with the right coaching but his accuracy problems may scare several teams away in the draft. He will have to get the most out of his athleticism and work to improve his accuracy every chance he gets.

4. Cam Newton, Junior QB Auburn

• Strengths: Newton is charismatic, athletic and has the leadership qualities to become a franchise NFL quarterback. He is also very athletic and can beat defenses with his arm or his legs while showing the ability to carry his team and come back in several games this season.
• Weaknesses: Newton only started one season at Auburn after bouncing around through several schools. He is also a polarizing figure after enduring several scandals at Auburn, leaving scouts to question his maturity and problems off the field. Some believe he could turn out to be a one-season wonder and will have a tough time adjusting to reading NFL coverages and defenses.
• Starts: He only started 14 games at Auburn but managed to go undefeated in the gauntlet of the SEC while winning the 2010 BCS National Championship.
• Stats: Newton had a 66.1 percent completion percentage in 2010 while scoring 50 touchdowns rushing and passing at Auburn.
• Conclusion: Newton passes the completion section of Lopez’ test but it will be interesting to see how his lack of starting experience and his pending Wonderlic scores contribute to his draft stock and NFL future. Newton will be more of a project and should be eased into a starting roll to maximize his ability to learn the pro game.

5. Ricky Stanzi, Senior QB Iowa

• Strengths: Stanzi looks the part of an NFL quarterback at 6-foot-4 and is regarded as an intelligent passer who understands the game.
• Weaknesses: Stanzi was more of a game manager at Iowa and made questionable decisions occasionally with the ball.
• Starts: He started three seasons and 37 games at Iowa, including three bowl births.
• Stats: Stanzi had a 59.8 completion percentage while passing for 56 touchdowns as a Hawkeye.
• Conclusion: Stanzi passes the starts requirement for Lopez’ theory and is just short of the completion percentage. With the jury out on his upcoming Wonderlic test, Stanzi projects as more of a middle-to-low-end starter in the NFL who would probably be better as a back-up for a season or two to develop.