There seems to be this notion that AR can sit behind Geno for a year and then magically become a quality starting QB in the NFL. I strongly disagree with this. As raw as he is, I think he is at least two years away from seeing significant playing time. Once he does start playing he is going to suck for at least two more years. So you are talking about taking a player at #5 who is four or five years away from positively impacting your team. This is a significant opportunity cost when compared to taking the best available defensive player who should start contributing in year one. This opportunity cost is even higher if you trade multiple picks to move to #3 to take AR.
Would you say how AR has performed at Florida has been a lack of quality coaching or the kid isn’t talented enough to post great numbers?
That’s the conundrum.
That’s what the Seattle brass has to decide.
Playing in the right environment is paramount for reaching a players full potential.
Carroll has gone on record to say a player can take a while before they fully understand and can play very well.
There’s no hiding, Seattle, is interested in the pure athletic gifts and physical stature of AR as they should be.
The difference is Seattle has a front office that fully believes they can harness a players entire potential which is why they have consistently and historically brought in players that has these “red flags” about them. That’s no secret.
Lynch, Harvin, Graham, Adams, Geno, etc. Seattle isn’t afraid to do the outside thinking and Carroll views himself the coach that can employ a player to transcend what they have been and be better. Of course, it doesn’t always work out, but having some faith in a player can mentally push that player to being better than they have been elsewhere.
A strong and positive environment equipped with a pedigree such as Carroll’s as a players coach can have a profound impact on a players psyche and elevate them to another level. A great example of this is Geno.
Smith has said he may have been out of the league if it wasn’t for Seattle.
Admit it, who here thought, Smith, would be a good QB for Seattle. That was all Carroll. And Smith’s ceiling is definitely not as high as Richardson’s is.
We know Carroll’s offense is simple, control the clock with an effective run game and throw deep often. Richardson’s physical gifts can thrive with this approach especially under the tutelage of Carroll.
If Richardson didn’t post great numbers at Florida, imagine what he can do when Carroll puts a system around him that Richardson believes in and is great with?
That’s why I believe Seattle differs from other organizations, Carroll, always believes he can bring out the best in a player and if that player is Anthony Richardson and AR becomes that guy, man, the league would be in serious trouble.
But this is all speculation, we shall see!
This draft is so exciting and fun!
We don’t know what to expect!
