Hadn’t Pondered That

[JustInTime]

The funny thing is the progression of my evaluation of McCarthy was the same as Ponder. Started off thinking Ponder would be a great Day 2 pick. After we traded that 3rd for Moss, I thought ok, a 2nd is a bit rich but doable. I can live with that.

Fast forward to 2023. Watched as many QBs as I could during the college season. Saw McCarthy several times and thought he’s ok, but man you just don’t see the volume. Can this guy win a shootout? No evidence of that at all. 

Draft season progresses and there’s talk of McCarthy going in the first and I’m like this is Ponder all over again. I’m texting with MB and another friend sharing my concerns but MB is pretty sold on JJ but I’m not there yet. This goes on for weeks if not months. 

First milestone is I get to the point where I believe he’ll be available at 11 but definitely not worthy of 11 but because of the position and the need yada yada yada, it’s probably the most likely outcome. I’m still holding out for Penix despite the injury history and his ability to throw deep.

Second milestone is after more texts and more discussion with MB I’m convinced JJ is going in the first and please 8 lbs 6 oz baby Jesus be there at 11 if  Penix is gone. This is probably 2-3 weeks before the draft. So now all we have to do is wait.

Draft day comes, Atlanta is surely picking Dallas Turner here to fix their anemic pass rush. Oh shit there goes Penix. Fuck. Now I’m convinced that massive pos from Denver Sean Payton is jumping in front of us to grab McCarthy and we’re going to be stuck with Nix, who I hated. Trade gets announced with the 10 slot open, here it comes…and it’s US! 

And that boys and girls was my journey to getting sold on JJ. Now all he has to do is live up to the massive expectations we all have.

[StickierBuns]

I think the issue with some on McCarthy is we've had so long to ruminate about him because of the injury and just getting the smallest taste of what he might be like as a player. He's an unknown quantity. And for some, the longer you put something under the microscope, the more likely is the probability to poke some holes. As much of a fan boy as I am (Mama McCarthy) about JJM, I understand he has to produce at the position. We don't know anything yet. I just want him to have the opportunity to start, get first team reps and lets see what we've got. Him sitting behind somebody like Aaron Rodgers is just stupid for his development AND seeing what's under the hood when the bullets are live.

[MaroonBells]

That's right. I'd forgotten that early on you were not at all a fan of JJ. I got there sooner than you did, but Sticky and some others on this board were on him much earlier than I was. 

We still don't know what kind of NFL QB he's going to be, but I like his chances. What started to sell me was that I started to see his negatives as a potential positive. It's the Diggs thing. Lost at Maryland, where would he be if those incredible feet played at Ohio State? 5th rounder probably goes in the 1st round. 

So, what if this game manager, system QB at Michigan played in an LSU offense? Does he have the tools for it? Wow, yes he does. The 40 time, the accuracy, the velo numbers, the character comments from Harbaugh, and it starts to come together. By the time the draft rolled around, I wanted JJ even more than Drake Maye.

[StickierBuns]

The funny thing is the progression of my evaluation of McCarthy was the same as Ponder. Started off thinking Ponder would be a great Day 2 pick. After we traded that 3rd for Moss, I thought ok, a 2nd is a bit rich but doable. I can live with that.

Fast forward to 2023. Watched as many QBs as I could during the college season. Saw McCarthy several times and thought he’s ok, but man you just don’t see the volume. Can this guy win a shootout? No evidence of that at all. 

Draft season progresses and there’s talk of McCarthy going in the first and I’m like this is Ponder all over again. I’m texting with MB and another friend sharing my concerns but MB is pretty sold on JJ but I’m not there yet. This goes on for weeks if not months. 

First milestone is I get to the point where I believe he’ll be available at 11 but definitely not worthy of 11 but because of the position and the need yada yada yada, it’s probably the most likely outcome. I’m still holding out for Penix despite the injury history and his ability to throw deep.

Second milestone is after more texts and more discussion with MB I’m convinced JJ is going in the first and please 8 lbs 6 oz baby Jesus be there at 11 if  Penix is gone. This is probably 2-3 weeks before the draft. So now all we have to do is wait.

Draft day comes, Atlanta is surely picking Dallas Turner here to fix their anemic pass rush. Oh shit there goes Penix. Fuck. Now I’m convinced that massive pos from Denver Sean Payton is jumping in front of us to grab McCarthy and we’re going to be stuck with Nix, who I hated. Trade gets announced with the 10 slot open, here it comes…and it’s US! 

And that boys and girls was my journey to getting sold on JJ. Now all he has to do is live up to the massive expectations we all have.

And you have every right to question him. Nobody really knew (outside of Michigan and Ohio State fans) about his arm strength and total athleticism until the Combine shattered some misconceptions. I followed his whole career at Michigan (being a Wolverine fan), but he also was a 5 star high school QB and Top 25 player overall the year he came out....and Michigan didn't get those kinds of QB recruits so he was a big deal for Wolverine Nation. He was STRONGLY recruited by Ohio State and others and only backed out when the Buckeyes coaching staff lied to him about recruiting another QB (Kyle McCord) and he then went to Michigan and had a chip on his shoulder.

[Canthony]

That's right. I'd forgotten that early on you were not at all a fan of JJ. I got there sooner than you did, but Sticky and some others on this board were on him much earlier than I was. 

We still don't know what kind of NFL QB he's going to be, but I like his chances. What started to sell me was that I started to see his negatives as a potential positive. It's the Diggs thing. Lost at Maryland, where would he be if those incredible feet played at Ohio State? 5th rounder probably goes in the 1st round. 

So, what if this game manager, system QB at Michigan played in an LSU offense? Does he have the tools for it? Wow, yes he does. The 40 time, the accuracy, the velo numbers, the character comments from Harbaugh, and it starts to come together. By the time the draft rolled around, I wanted JJ even more than Drake Maye.

Very much was higher on JJ than Maye before the draft.

[JustInTime]

That's right. I'd forgotten that early on you were not at all a fan of JJ. I got there sooner than you did, but Sticky and some others on this board were on him much earlier than I was. 

We still don't know what kind of NFL QB he's going to be, but I like his chances. What started to sell me was that I started to see his negatives as a potential positive. It's the Diggs thing. Lost at Maryland, where would he be if those incredible feet played at Ohio State? 5th rounder probably goes in the 1st round. 

So, what if this game manager, system QB at Michigan played in an LSU offense? Does he have the tools for it? Wow, yes he does. The 40 time, the accuracy, the velo numbers, the character comments from Harbaugh, and it starts to come together. By the time the draft rolled around, I wanted JJ even more than Drake Maye.

You getting there was my trigger to look a little closer. Even then I was naw, still like Penix better. I'm sure we were into nearly April until I started to come around.

---

And you have every right to question him. Nobody really knew (outside of Michigan and Ohio State fans) about his arm strength and total athleticism until the Combine shattered some misconceptions. I followed his whole career at Michigan (being a Wolverine fan), but he also was a 5 star high school QB and Top 25 player overall the year he came out....and Michigan didn't get those kinds of QB recruits so he was a big deal for Wolverine Nation. He was STRONGLY recruited by Ohio State and others and only backed out when the Buckeyes coaching staff lied to him about recruiting another QB (Kyle McCord) and he then went to Michigan and had a chip on his shoulder.

I was watching Alabama Michigan mostly for Roman Wilson and Mike Sainstril, who I loved, and there's that throwback pass to JJ with Turner bearing down on him and that was probably the first spark. 

The volume thing was the only thing I could ever really pin on him as a negative. That and being a little light. Then I go watch Washington and Penix is lofting deep ball after deep ball. I think at one point I had MB swung a little on Penix to the extent he's researching Penix's career long rush.

[Canthony]

I think the issue with some on McCarthy is we've had so long to ruminate about him because of the injury and just getting the smallest taste of what he might be like as a player. He's an unknown quantity. And for some, the longer you put something under the microscope, the more likely is the probability to poke some holes. As much of a fan boy as I am (Mama McCarthy) about JJM, I understand he has to produce at the position. We don't know anything yet. I just want him to have the opportunity to start, get first team reps and lets see what we've got. Him sitting behind somebody like Aaron Rodgers is just stupid for his development AND seeing what's under the hood when the bullets are live.

I don't see why this Rodgers thing is still a thing. Maybe we are waiting for mini camp and KOC is planning to throw the book at JJ to see what he does. How he plays, reacts, and responds. Who knows, maybe ROdgers will wait till TC. I just feel we need to roll with JJ. We have a team set up for a young QB to succeed. Best way to help out a young QB, build a team around him. Well, Kwesi did just that. Give him plenty of props for what hes done in FA in his tenure, being that I am not a huge fan of his. 

JJ has many things you can't teach, along with his talent. 

1. Pressure situations, phenomenal 3rd down stats in country from 1-3, 4-7, 7-9+, 9+
2. Leadership
3. Natural football IQ
4. Character
5. Football junkie that never stops studying
6. Processing the game is an underrated trait that he has
7. Toughness, he is not only mentally tough, but his physical toughness goes unnoticed
8. Fundamentals are more than solid
9. Takes control of the offense and thrives in that role
10. HOW TO WIN

[StickierBuns]

Two things that bothered me about Penix, athough I liked him were:

Heavily reliant upon receiving talent winning jump balls. He wasn't always accurate. And his production/consistency would plummet when forced to throw outside the pocket, which doesn't bode well for the modern NFL.

[comet52]

Ponder didn't have the arm to complete a typical NFL out route. JJM does.

JJM looks like one of those athletes who lives and breathes the game - guys who can be the best. Ponder looked like a guy who was happy to be here.

Also, the scouting department told Rick not to take Ponder, but Rick found some i.q. test that CP scored well on and decided to overrule them. Because CP had brains. He just didn't have an NFL arm. You'd think old Slick Ricky would make sure about important stuff like that before he leapt, but... nah.

[purplefaithful]

I watch a bunch of SEC football and Daniels was the QB I really wanted, but no way Washington was coming off that pick.

Watching that first rd last year unfold, I would have bet the farm the Giants were taking a QB at 6....They hiccup'd and at that point I figured we'd have our choice of 3 QB's at pick 11.

The shirt collar started to get a bit tight when ATL surprised the world at 8. I liked Penix too, cannon for an arm - but my biggest concern was (is) the medicals.

I supported the Vikings/Jets swap, I too was watching for that shit bag Peyton to make a move.

Fingers crossed we got the right guy. As MB says, it KOC can get what he got from Darnold, Passtronaut and other's? Imagine what he can do with this piece of clay?