Prospect of the Day: QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

[Big Bird]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

Jones arm strength is far superior to Barkley's. It's the rest of Landry Jones game that's the problem.

That's really the biggest thing I've been trying to stress is how good Landry Jones arm is. Basically everybody here is writing the guy off when he still has yet to play his senior season. Matt Ryan went from 15 TD's to 10 INT's as a junior to 3rd overall pick as a senior. Landry's arm is at least on level with Ryan.

I see a lot of similarities in there games. Again, Landry struggled at points last year, yes. But the guy flashes big time talent. People want to rip him for struggling a bit after losing his number one wide receiver and the NCAA's all-time leader in receptions mid-season? A quarterback struggling after his top receiver gets hurt is unheard of? Troy Aikman had 7 touchdowns in the first three games of the 1999 season. Michael Irvin got hurt in the fourth game. Aikman throws two touchdowns in the next four games. The last four games of the season, once Aikman has gotten more time under his belt in game situations with the other receivers, Aikman throws 6 touchdowns.

Landry Jones has things to work on. But the guy has a great arm and can make all the throws. To write him off because he struggled after losing his go-to guy for two and half years is a little ridiculous. All the talent is clearly there and he has this whole season to show whether or not he has improved and worked on his game. Again, to write somebody off with the talent level that he has before he has played a snap of his senior season is absolutely ridiculous.

[onejayhawk]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

Jones arm strength is far superior to Barkley's. It's the rest of Landry Jones game that's the problem.

If it was just arm strength that made someone an elite prospect, Jones would have been a top 5 pick this past April.

His arm is a pale shadow of Tannehill's, and far short of RG III and even Weeden. It is a solid arm, but it is not that good.

J

[jth1331]

Originally Posted by onejayhawk

His arm is a pale shadow of Tannehill's, and far short of RG III and even Weeden. It is a solid arm, but it is not that good.

J

What?
Seriously, I swear people think Landry has a noodle arm I guess.
Landry has some things to work on, but a lot of QB prospects do. Tannehil for instance?
Landry has a lot to like about his game, and just needs to hone it with coaching at the Pro level before taking over the reigns.

[SenorGato]

Seriously a touted guy being talked about so negatively based on very little...I think his wagon fills up during the season if he stays healthy. Tools are not an issue.

[D-Unit]

A popular name that seems to get bashed on. Nevertheless, I think he's a 1st round pick for some team.

[onejayhawk]

Originally Posted by jth1331

What?
Seriously, I swear people think Landry has a noodle arm I guess.
Landry has some things to work on, but a lot of QB prospects do. Tannehil for instance?
Landry has a lot to like about his game, and just needs to hone it with coaching at the Pro level before taking over the reigns.

Reread what I said. Tannehill had the best arm in the last draft class. Landry has a good arm. And yes, there is a lot to like about his game. At this point he has been dumped on so much he may be under rated.

None of above should be interpreted to mean I consider Landry a top 10 pick, but also not a day 3 pick. Some where in the 20 -100 range is close enough for now.

J

[A Perfect Score]

He goes in the first round IMO, but it'll be behind Barkley, Tyler Wilson and Bray (if he declares).

[Leon Sandcastle]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

I want to see how he does feeling pressure in the pocket and making decisions under fire this year.

This is my biggest question mark concerning Landry. Gets happy feet way too much for my liking.

Still think he can be a 1st Rounder but I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop to the 2nd-3rd either.

[Brent]

I'm a fan :\

[SolidGold]

Originally Posted by Brent

I'm a fan :\

me too (10 char)

[Bixby (Thumper)]

Landry Jones is available in every draft. He's not special but he's not a bum either. You all remember Ryan Lindley last year? Derek Anderson, Matt Moore, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Landry Jones. A guy with his skill set is available every year.

On the surface of things you've got a big guy with a strong arm who can make all of the throws; he passes the eye test. But he's athletically limited. Not very good at sliding around the pocket. Needs functional space to step into throws. Struggles when throwing on the move. Can't establish new throwing platforms and doesn't get the ball off at different arm angles. He's squeaky clean off the field and I'm sure he'll interview just fine so he's got that going for him.

If you're running an offense with lots of vertical routes like the Chargers, Cardinals or the Steelers, Landry Jones is a fit as far as skill set is concerned. Teams like that will place a higher premium on Jones because of his arm.

But my big concerns with him are mental. When Broyles got hurt he looked like a fish out of water, he was holding the ball too long, he looked really bad under pressure and his decision making was far worse. Look at his production when Ryan Broyles got hurt: 1114 yards, 6.4 YPA, 59.7%, 1 TD and 6 INTs. Plus there's the Belldozer. He also had some real stinkers in big games last year, he doesn't appear to be real mentally tough.

Coming out of Oklahoma with great production combined with his squeaky all american background and his arm strength would likely get him picked in the second or third round if the draft was held today. I think he's pretty clearly behind Thomas, Bray, Wilson, Glennon, Smith and Manuel at this point.

[onejayhawk]

Comparing Lindley to Landry is really far off base.

J

[FUNBUNCHER]

Originally Posted by onejayhawk

Comparing Lindley to Landry is really far off base.

J

LOL. Or Derek Anderson. Or John Skelton.

Landry Jones was a stud in 2010. I don't know what happened to him last season.

[SolidGold]

Jones is much further ahead than EJ Manual/Logan Thomas/Mike Glennon/Tyler Bray. He should be the third QB off the board behind Barkley and Wilson.

[Raiderz4Life]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

Jones is much further ahead than EJ Manual/Logan Thomas/Mike Glennon/Tyler Bray. He should be the third QB off the board behind Barkley and Wilson.

I'd put my money on Bray passing him and I wouldn't be surprised if Logan managed to pass him as well.

[Iamcanadian]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

Jones is much further ahead than EJ Manual/Logan Thomas/Mike Glennon/Tyler Bray. He should be the third QB off the board behind Barkley and Wilson.

He has talent but he will need an excellent senior season to move back up draft boards. He has a real shot to be the 2nd QB chosen just behind Barkley and still in the top 5 but he needs a good final year.

[jth1331]

Just wanted to make a comment on Landry here, I am no way saying he will be a top pick, I do feel he will be a 1st rounder, but I just think he will come in and become a great QB down the line. Get drafted probably mid to late round 1 to a team that will sit him most likely, have him get adjusted and coach him up, and then he can come in and be a really good QB for some team. No, he won't be passing for 35+ TD's or routinely for over 4500+ yards, I'm thinking I guess stats wise more along the lines of Matt Ryan.
Going to be interesting to see how he performs this year though.

[SolidGold]

Originally Posted by jth1331

Just wanted to make a comment on Landry here, I am no way saying he will be a top pick, I do feel he will be a 1st rounder, but I just think he will come in and become a great QB down the line. Get drafted probably mid to late round 1 to a team that will sit him most likely, have him get adjusted and coach him up, and then he can come in and be a really good QB for some team. No, he won't be passing for 35+ TD's or routinely for over 4500+ yards, I'm thinking I guess stats wise more along the lines of Matt Ryan.
Going to be interesting to see how he performs this year though.

I agree. Especially playing in the spread offense at Oklahoma - that should help him with all spread used in the NFL. He needs to prove he can be a good QB without Broyles - once he was lost Jones performance faltered. He does have the prototypical size and arm strength, has good production but needs to cut down on INTs. Mid first round is the highest he will go.

I was surprised he did not come out last year since the Belldozer is going to take away redzone snaps from him.

[soybean]

The problem I have with him isn't so much him per se as it is oklahoma. I just feel like they don't adequately prepare you for the NFL. I was watching the Rams vs. Cowyboys game replay and it was painfully obvious he's still stuck in the Oklahoma spread 5 receiver set offense.

The offense doesn't require you to make too many reads.

The reason Andrew Luck is so good isn't because he's faster, stronger or more accurate than every other qb out there. It's because he makes his reads and makes the right throw, regardless of interceptions.

When you're given a play call from the HC or OC, you don't know where you're going to throw the ball. You only have a set list of options. If the throw isn't there, don't throw it. If you're already predetermined where you're going with the ball before it's even snapped, you're gonna have a bad time.

[holt_bruce81]

Originally Posted by soybean

The problem I have with him isn't so much him per se as it is oklahoma. I just feel like they don't adequately prepare you for the NFL. I was watching the Rams vs. Cowyboys game replay and it was painfully obvious he's still stuck in the Oklahoma spread 5 receiver set offense.

The offense doesn't require you to make too many reads.

The reason Andrew Luck is so good isn't because he's faster, stronger or more accurate than every other qb out there. It's because he makes his reads and makes the right throw, regardless of interceptions.

When you're given a play call from the HC or OC, you don't know where you're going to throw the ball. You only have a set list of options. If the throw isn't there, don't throw it. If you're already predetermined where you're going with the ball before it's even snapped, you're gonna have a bad time.

Or maybe because it's Bradford's 3rd offense in 3 seasons ans he's not yet comfortable in it.

[duesouth]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

I want to see how he does feeling pressure in the pocket and making decisions under fire this year.

I think this is the big thing for him. When Florida State took away Broyles on the quick swing passes he was unable to calmly go through his progressions and looked poor. At times he doesn't reset his feet going when he has to go to his second target - then the accuracy suffers. Also, he doesn't always step into his throws - again accuracy is then a problem.

He doesn't have a great deal of talent returning at WR outside of Kenny Stills - his Center has retired and it will be a new LT. Will be very interested to see how he does this year. He's got some tools - but he's not as good as Bradford at this stage of his career and think he's 2/3 years away from starting in the NFL. Of course I didn't think Weeden or Tannehill were rookie starters and they've both been handed starting gigs on a plate!!

[SchizophrenicBatman]

Jones is a UDFA on my board. I've seen him enough to know he's not going to be a good NFL quarterback and that's all I need to know. Total waste of time to have him on your roster

[SolidGold]

meh I like him. He has the size/arm strength that coaches want at the position.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by duesouth

I think this is the big thing for him. When Florida State took away Broyles on the quick swing passes he was unable to calmly go through his progressions and looked poor. At times he doesn't reset his feet going when he has to go to his second target - then the accuracy suffers. Also, he doesn't always step into his throws - again accuracy is then a problem.

That's basically how most Oklahoma QBs are.

[PossibleCabbage]

I think the haters hate him too much, and the lovers love him too much. My personal take on Jones is a resounding "meh".

Shouldn't be a top pick, but he could do just fine if he lands in a good situation. He should certainly be in the round 1-2 range.

I mean, I like Landry Jones a lot more than I liked Osweiler, and Osweiler went in the second round.