Page 16 - aruba-today-20230425

A16 SPORTS
Tuesday 25 april 2023
NFL draft back to being all about QBs at the top

By ROB MAADDI organization? And that’s
AP Pro Football Writer the process that we go
Quarterbacks are back on through. But, everything is
top in the NFL draft. a consideration. ... It’s also
A year after the first 19 a consideration (with) his
picks were non-QBs and playmaking ability, his ac-
Kenny Pickett was the only curacy, his leadership, his
signal-caller selected in the instincts. It’s the same thing
first round, this draft class is with C.J., Levis, Richardson,
loaded with potential fran- all of those guys. You look
chise players. at every single one of those
Bryce Young and C.J. things, and it’s a sliding
Stroud have been the cen- scale on how you evaluate
ter of attention since be- them.”
fore last year’s draft even Stroud was a finalist for the
took place. They could be- Heisman the past two sea-
come the ninth pair of QBs sons at Ohio State. He has
selected 1-2 in the Super the prototypical size at
Bowl era. 6-foot-3, 214 pounds and
Anthony Richardson and is a precision passer who
Will Levis should make it four makes smart decisions. He
QBs in the top 15, which has didn’t do too much outside
happened only five times the pocket but showed su-
previously. If they all go in Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws the ball during the first half of the team’s NCAA perior playmaking ability in
the top 10, it’ll be the sec- college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. a College Football Playoff
ond time ever. Associated Press semifinal loss to Georgia.
Then there’s Hendon Hook- The Panthers have been on in the long run. You better at the combine has been “The old scouting adage is
er, who may end up be- the clock since they made be right. You better have drafted in the first round. if you can do it once, you
ing a late first-round pick a blockbuster trade with conviction if you do move But Young is too talented to can do it. So you know he
despite his age and knee Chicago in March, leap- up. But when you do that, slip beyond the Panthers or does have that ability.”
injury. ing from No. 9 to have their you’re all-in.” Young has Houston Texans at No. 2. NFL Network draft analyst
There’s no consensus at No. choice of QBs. all the tools. He excelled “If you just looked at it ana- Daniel Jeremiah said. “He
1 this year like there was in “You go get the guy that in a pro-style offense, can lytically, how many guys at is the purest thrower of the
2021 when everyone knew you want,” Panthers gen- make the necessary throws, that size have (become) bunch. Just accurate. If you
Trevor Lawrence was go- eral manager Scott Fit- has strong pocket aware- superstars as undersized value decision-making, ac-
ing to Jacksonville but mo- terer said at the combine. ness and the ability to cre- quarterbacks?” Panthers curacy, as pretty much ev-
mentum has been building “If you have conviction on ate off-schedule plays. The coach Frank Reich said. erybody does, C.J. Stroud is
toward Young going first to a guy, you go get him. It’s biggest concern surround- “And there are some, like really, really solid in that.”
Carolina. The 2021 Heisman pretty simple that way. If ing Young is his size. He Drew Brees ... and it all Levis has the size, 6-foot-4,
Trophy winner at Alabama you don’t know and you’re measured at 5-foot-9, 204 goes back to that recipe. 229 pounds, that teams de-
is an overwhelming favorite going to give all these re- pounds at the combine. How much are we going sire and experience play-
to go No. 1, according to sources to go up and get No quarterback who to weigh that? How im- ing in a pro-style offense at
FanDuel Sportsbook. it, you’re hurting your team weighed under 207 pounds portant is that to us as an Kentucky. q

AP source: Jets agree on deal to acquire Aaron Rodgers

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. an isolation retreat in Or- manager Joe Douglas to
AP Pro Football Writer egon while fans and media Rodgers’ home in Southern
After six weeks of waiting, speculated about what he California in early March. A
Aaron Rodgers is leaving would decide.He emerged few days later, Rodgers de-
behind his brilliant legacy in and deliberated some cided he wanted to con-
Green Bay and heading to more before deciding on tinue his playing career by
the bright lights and mas- March 10 he intended to joining the Jets.
sive expectations of the Big play again and for the Jets. Several weeks of nego-
Apple. The New York Jets And then he and the sports tiations appeared to be

have agreed on a deal to world waited and waited stalled at times, with fans
acquire the four-time NFL for the Packers and Jets to and the teams wondering
MVP from the Packers, ac- finally complete a deal. when or if the trade would
cording to a person with “I’ve made it clear that my be completed.
knowledge of the trade. intention was to play and “We’re anxious,” John-
The person spoke to The my intention was to play for son told reporters at the
Associated Press on the the New York Jets,” Rodg- league’s annual meetings
condition of anonymity ers said during an appear- on March 28.
on Monday because the ance on “The Pat McAfee “I guess, as we look for-
teams have not officially Show” on YouTube and ward, we’re optimistic. But
announced the deal. Sirius XM on March 15. we have a plan, so we’re
The 39-year-old Rodgers The Jets sent a contin- willing to stick with our plan.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to spent a few days in Febru- gent that included owner And I don’t think anybody
pass in the second half against the Detroit Lions during an NFL ary contemplating his life Woody Johnson, coach is hyperventilating at this
football game Nov. 6, 2022, in Detroit.
Associated Press and playing future during Robert Saleh and general point.”q