# Biggest NFL Draft Bust of 2014 Predictions **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 21, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629 "2014-04-21T20:17:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/21 "2014-04-22T14:31:25Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Clowney will be good, not game changer that folks think. He needs to focus his ego toward football motivation, not “look at me”. His impact will be like Mario Williams now with Buffalo. Mario Williams had 13 sacks last year, the 4th most in the NFL. I’d call that “game changing”. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/22 "2014-04-22T14:36:10Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > QBs are paid to be throwers, not runners. Thanks for calling me a racist BTW! I think the fact he blew up your “run first” quarterback (I’ll add the Bridgewater threw for the 10th most yards of all QB’s this year, and ran for 1.2 ypc) has made you a bit angry. Why on earth would you call him a “run first QB”, when he had 78 yards TOTAL for the whole year? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/23 "2014-04-22T14:45:15Z")
It seems to me his, along with Manziel’s biggest highlights, were him running down field. I admit I didn’t follow the “Big East” this year, so I only saw highlights. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/24 "2014-04-22T14:47:52Z")
Clowney is this century’s Brian Bosworth. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/25 "2014-04-22T14:51:44Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > It seems to me his, along with Manziel’s biggest highlights, were him running down field. I admit I didn’t follow the “Big East” this year, so I only saw highlights. Again, he had 78 yard TOTAL, all year. His longest run of the entire year was 20 yards. That’s it. Every highlight clip of him this year that I saw was all him throwing, not running. It just boggles my mind that anyone would call Bridgewater a “run first” QB when the stats and the games show that is so far from the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/26 "2014-04-22T14:53:06Z")
Yeah, at least he’s giving you credit for \*having \*a reason! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/27 "2014-04-22T14:54:04Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Incidentally, I have the exact same issues with Johnny Football. So stick your accusations of racism in your ear! The same issues? Let’s take a look at this: ```auto etv78's issue Manziel Bridgewater Small 6'1" 209 6'3" 196 "run first" 144 att, 759 yds 63 att, 78 yds "suspect" conf SEC AAC paid to be throwers 429 att, 4114 yds 427 att, 3970 yds ``` I’ll give you “small” and “run first” for Manziel. I’ll even give you a pass on small and suspect conference (whatever that’s worth) for Bridgewater. But none of the rest makes even a tiny bit of sense. Are you just trying to recreate [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578855), but hope that this time you don’t have to magically disappear once the facts start entering the discussion? ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/28 "2014-04-22T15:00:07Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Clowney has made ONE big play, a play that’s been re-played on ESPN a thousand times. But what else has he show us? THREE sacks as a senior? That STINKS, even if he WAS double-teamed. If he wasn’t slamming quarterbacks to the turf constantly in college, I don’t see him doing it in the pros. 24 sacks, 47 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, no senior year. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/29 "2014-04-22T17:00:41Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > 24 sacks, 47 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, no senior year. You’re right- strictly speaking, 2013 was not his “senior” year. He won’t have one. Fact remains, in 2013, his final (not senior) year with the Gamecocks, he was far less productive than in 2012. He had fewer tackles, fewer tackles for a loss, and only 3 sacks in 2013. > **[The Hype Is No Joke](https://www.si.com/nfl/2013/12/11/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-nfl-draft-2014)** > > But neither is Jadeveon Clowney’s subpar junior season. Once thought to be crown jewel of the 2014 NFL draft, the South Carolina defensive end has opened himself up to scrutiny about his work ethic and maturity. He doesn’t turn 21 until Valentine’s... The guy has phenomenal athletic ability, and didn’t do much with it last year, against far weaker competition than he’ll face in the NFL. . Which means he’d better get a coach who’s a master motivator, because he is NOT a self-starter. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/30 "2014-04-22T18:09:00Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Mario Williams had 13 sacks last year, the 4th most in the NFL. I’d call that “game changing”. Excellent year. How about the first year of the $100 million contract? Okay, I think 10.5, but he disappeared for long stretches and has an injury history. Remember the Texan’s let him go. His last season with them was inconsistent at best and their defense (Texas) improved after he was lost with an injury. Don’t get lost in the “sacks” statistics either. No arguement that he is very good - just not “game plan against” type player. That’s were Clowney will stand as well. I don’t think Williams has beaten the Patriots yet! ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/31 "2014-04-22T18:35:45Z")
In order to do a better job beating the Patriots, should Williams have caught some passes from Thaddeus Lewis, or should he have been throwing them to TJ Graham? > [@astorian](#): > > You’re right- strictly speaking, 2013 was not his “senior” year. He won’t have one. > > Fact remains, in 2013, his final (not senior) year with the Gamecocks, he was far less productive than in 2012. He had fewer tackles, fewer tackles for a loss, and only 3 sacks in 2013. Absolutely. His production was down because he was on cruise control and that’s a legitimate concern. Saying he made one big play and showed us nothing else is not. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/32 "2014-04-22T19:22:02Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Excellent year. Some would say game changing.[qutoe=smithsb]How about the first year of the $100 million contract? Okay, I think 10.5, but he disappeared for long stretches and has an injury history. [/quote] He started all Remember the Texan’s let him go. His last season with them was inconsistent at best and their defense (Texas) improved after he was lost with an injury. Don’t get lost in the “sacks” statistics either. No arguement that he is very good - just not “game plan against” type player. That’s were Clowney will stand as well. I don’t think Williams has beaten the Patriots yet! [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/33 "2014-04-22T19:35:16Z")
Boy that was a mess, just ignore it. Here’s what I meant: > [@smithsb](#): > > Excellent year. Some would say game changing. > [@smithsb](#): > > How about the first year of the $100 million contract? Okay, I think 10.5, but he disappeared for long stretches and has an injury history. He started all 16 games in 2012 and 2013. > [@smithsb](#): > > Remember the Texan’s let him go. His last season with them was inconsistent at best and their defense (Texas) improved after he was lost with an injury. Don’t get lost in the “sacks” statistics either. If the last couple years taught me anything is that he’s a much better 4-3 DE than a 3-4 DE/OLB, not that he’s not a very good DE. > [@smithsb](#): > > No arguement that he is very good - just not “game plan against” type player. He made the pro bowl, was 4th in the league in sacks, almost singlehandedly beat the Panthers, and [according to Pro Football Focus](https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/04/14/pass-rushing-bringing-numbers/)the Bills were the most efficient pass rushing team when bringing 4 rushers in the NFL. > [@smithsb](#): > > I don’t think Williams has beaten the Patriots yet! He’s on the fucking Bills with Ryan Fitzpatrick and EJ Manuel as his starting QB’s. I don’t think Deacon fucking Jones and Lawrence fucking Taylor would be able to beat the Patriots on the Bills. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/34 "2014-04-22T20:33:23Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > He’s on the fucking Bills with Ryan Fitzpatrick and EJ Manuel as his starting QB’s. I don’t think Deacon fucking Jones and Lawrence fucking Taylor would be able to beat the Patriots on the Bills. I think we can all mostly agree that JJ Watt is the most game-changing DE in the game right now. The Texans went 2-14. I think any time anyone makes a “but Player X hasn’t ever beaten Team Y!” argument, we just laugh at them. ---
**Author:** ![Kitten\_Mitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/35 "2014-04-22T22:28:40Z")
Taylor Lewan > [@astorian](#): > > If an offensive tackle isn’t pushing around collegiate defenders like rag dolls, then I wouldn’t make him a first round pick, no matter how much he can bench press. -48 yds rushing. 'Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/36 "2014-04-23T06:21:18Z")
I will admit that, as a Texans fan, Clowney makes me think of Williams, which isn’t a good thing. To answer Hamlet’s very cogent points about Williams’s sacks, all I can say is—and I apologize for this already—those sacks seemed to come at times that didn’t influence the game. If there’s such a thing as an NFL “stat accumulator” like seems to attach to NBA players like Carmelo Anthony (and Alex English, etc… before him), it’d be Williams. I’m happy he seems to be doing very well in Buffalo; it did not make sense for the Texans to give him the money he was going to make as a FA. I’d have been happy with Williams as a back part of the first round DE: he’s just not the transformative talent that Watt is, or that a top-flight QB would be. (Really, what should have happened was that the Texans should have swapped 1sts with the Jets—who’d just lost Curtis Martin to retirement—and picked up at least the Jets’s second 1st round pick. If they got more, great; if not, w/e. Then go draft “Brick” Ferguson and Nick Mangold, and perhaps David Carr might have done more than survive another year. Anyway, every potential top pick has issues: Clowney’s motor, Bridgewater’s accuracy, Bortles’s competition, Manziel’s being an entitled dickhead; etc… I’d much rather the Texans trade back and plug some holes with the extra picks. But I think Clowney’s 4.5 40 time is going to cement him as a Texan, with the thought being that a QB can be grabbed in Round 2, God help us all. I see him as Williams, which is nice, but I’d rather have Manziel if they are determined to stay with the #1 pick. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/37 "2014-04-23T17:40:06Z")
Johnny Manziel. Some are comparing him to recent Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson but I don’t see it. When I think of Johnny Manziel as a pro I see that _other_ Russell - JaMarcus, not Wilson! ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/38 "2014-04-23T17:49:09Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I think the thing that bothers me about Clowney is that he appears very entitled already. And everyone I can think of that came out of college with that attitude, without wanting to also work hard, has been a major disappointment in the pros. JaMarcus Russell comes to mind, as does a number of other guys that people thought were can’t miss. > > Some guys just want it more, and drive themselves to that extra level… Find that higher gear. When I think back to when LeBron James came on the scene, he was having his butt kissed since what, the 8th grade? And yet, he was still driven to succeed. And he still has that drive. That’s what makes the great players great. Clowney has all the ability in the world, and he is apparently a physical freak. But if he can’t think about anything or anyone but himself, worries about getting injured, and shows a general lack of maturity that he has shown up to this point, he will be a major disappointment. > > And the thing is, someone will take a chance on him, and pay him a big first contract. He will probably never have to work again in his life **if he manages his money properly**. Based on his senior season, I don’t see why he’d want to risk injury. And when you think about not getting hurt when you play, you often get hurt. > Re: Bridgewater. I have been saying for months now that he was not a first-round QB, and no one would agree. Now all of a sudden, Kiper has pushed him into the second round. Has something happened that hasn’t been widely reported? > > He was the number 1 pick by many,and even after his poor pro day, people weren’t dropping him out of the top 10. > > If Kiper is saying 2nd round, there must be some questions out there about him. I have questions, but I am not a draft or talent expert, and don’t pretend to be one. My feelings on Bridgewater are just that. Feelings. Kiper supposedly knows what he’s doing, at least more than I do. The feeling I get about most pro athletes is that’s a BIIIIG “if.” ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/39 "2014-04-23T17:50:06Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Johnny Manziel. Some are comparing him to recent Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson but I don’t see it. When I think of Johnny Manziel as a pro I see that _other_ Russell - JaMarcus, not Wilson! That’s an even worse comparison than Bridgewater is. Or do you just mean Russell’s bust status? ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629/40 "2014-04-23T17:56:26Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I think the thing that bothers me about **Clowney is that he appears very entitled already. And everyone I can think of that came out of college with that attitude, without wanting to also work hard, has been a major disappointment in the pros. JaMarcus Russell comes to mind, as does a number of other guys that people thought were can’t miss.** > > Some guys just want it more, and drive themselves to that extra level… Find that higher gear. When I think back to when LeBron James came on the scene, he was having his butt kissed since what, the 8th grade? And yet, he was still driven to succeed. And he still has that drive. That’s what makes the great players great. Clowney has all the ability in the world, and he is apparently a physical freak. But if he can’t think about anything or anyone but himself, worries about getting injured, and shows a general lack of maturity that he has shown up to this point, he will be a major disappointment. > > And the thing is, someone will take a chance on him, and pay him a big first contract. He will probably never have to work again in his life if he manages his money properly. Based on his senior season, I don’t see why he’d want to risk injury. And when you think about not getting hurt when you play, you often get hurt. > Re: Bridgewater. I have been saying for months now that he was not a first-round QB, and no one would agree. Now all of a sudden, Kiper has pushed him into the second round. Has something happened that hasn’t been widely reported? > > He was the number 1 pick by many,and even after his poor pro day, people weren’t dropping him out of the top 10. > > If Kiper is saying 2nd round, there must be some questions out there about him. I have questions, but I am not a draft or talent expert, and don’t pretend to be one. My feelings on Bridgewater are just that. Feelings. Kiper supposedly knows what he’s doing, at least more than I do. I think you make some GREAT points about Clowney. Although playing DE doesn’t involve as much, in terms of having to get used to the pro game, as playing quarterback does. The impression I got of him is just what you posted, that for him it’s “all about me” and that with all the “butt kissing” (as you put it) that he’s been given he probably thinks that all he has to do in the NFL is show up to be a star. As you stated that’s a risky attitude to have once you’ve gone on to the pros. I don’t watch the NFL as much as I used to these days and not NEARLY as much as I do college 'ball, but I’ll be curious to see how this “can’t miss prospect” does once he’s getting paid to play (at least officially). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-of-2014-predictions/686629.md?page=3)