Hadn’t Pondered That

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.

MaroonBells wrote:
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.

MaroonBells wrote:
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.

StickierBuns wrote:

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.

StickierBuns wrote:
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

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.

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?

WOW: Rams Head Coach Sean McVay tried to trade up for JJ McCarthy 😳

"According to Jets GM Joe Douglas, the reason Minnesota traded up was because another team was aggressively trying to trade up to get their future QB. That team was the rams."

WOAH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lcapPz9toq

— Cam (@42Cyc) March 27, 2025

And there it is.

That makes sense. Goes to show you how the best offensive coaches viewed our QB. That says a lot about JJ IMO.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/42cyc/status/1905083125769658830?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

And there it is.

Did you catch that the Alabama player who was closing in rapidly on McCarthy was none other than Dallas Turner?

Montana Tom wrote:

Did you catch that the Alabama player who was closing in rapidly on McCarthy was none other than Dallas Turner?

Oh yeah. Big time

comet52 wrote:
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.

Ponder had the IQ and a photographic memory if my old memory serves correctly.  But processing that on the field was the issue.  He couldn't handle the pressure or speed in the NFL.

We will see with JJM, but I think as someone else said, Kwesi has built a much better team around him.  Who did Ponder have at WR to help him flourish?  Berrian?  A Chicago reject at WR?  JJM has JJ, Addison, Hock and hopefully a much improved O-Line.  My biggest question is on KOC, will he give JJM a consistent running game?

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/42cyc/status/1905083125769658830?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

And there it is.

Well now we know. That much maligned move up from 11 to 10, even though it cost us a 4th and a 6th, was not only necessary, it may have saved the future of this franchise.

Here I was watching for Denver the whole time...Raiders too.

greediron wrote:

Ponder had the IQ and a photographic memory if my old memory serves correctly.  But processing that on the field was the issue.  He couldn't handle the pressure or speed in the NFL.

We will see with JJM, but I think as someone else said, Kwesi has built a much better team around him.  Who did Ponder have at WR to help him flourish?  Berrian?  A Chicago reject at WR?  JJM has JJ, Addison, Hock and hopefully a much improved O-Line.  My biggest question is on KOC, will he give JJM a consistent running game?

No he could not. Got happy feet if his first choice was not available 

Maddening...

The D in his years was god awful too. Essentially they had AP.

StickierBuns wrote:
I think last year's QB class was very unique and will stand the test of time. 6 QBs in the first 12 picks is actually pretty incredible. For all of them to have some kind of success, certainly some more than others, is another complete anomaly but I think that will be the case. Not every team will get their first selection or highest rated QB in that scenario obviously, but that is the essence of the Draft every year for every position.

As far as this quote from 'Cam', have we seen that anywhere else? I thought there was video of McVay talking to KOC on the phone during the Draft and asking him 'are you taking your guy here?' meaning JJM. I thought the rumor was the Rams were trying to move up for Brock Bowers? Rams did more than fine sticking and picking Jared Verse.

NY Post story from June last year. 

I know the Colts were desperate to move up for Bowers.

The Jets almost picked far later in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

A video released by the NFL’s social media account Friday showcased that the Rams made a strong push to acquire the Jets’ No. 10 overall pick.

More specifically, the Rams offered picks Nos. 19 and 52 in exchange for No. 10.

JustInTime wrote:

NY Post story from June last year. 

I know the Colts were desperate to move up for Bowers.

The Jets almost picked far later in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

A video released by the NFL’s social media account Friday showcased that the Rams made a strong push to acquire the Jets’ No. 10 overall pick.

More specifically, the Rams offered picks Nos. 19 and 52 in exchange for No. 10.

Holy shit, we got lucky here too. Jets could've easily taken that Rams offer. A 2nd rounder for moving down 9 spots is tempting. But apparently the Jets didn't want to move that far down. They took the tackle Fashanu at 11 and the Rams of course took Verse. Makes me wonder if the Rams would've taken Turner over Verse if we didn't jump ahead of them.

MaroonBells wrote:

Holy shit, we got lucky here too. Jets could've easily taken that Rams offer. A 2nd rounder for moving down 9 spots is tempting. But apparently the Jets didn't want to move that far down. They took the tackle Fashanu at 11 and the Rams of course took Verse. Makes me wonder if the Rams would've taken Turner over Verse if we didn't jump ahead of them.

I would have taken that in a second. Thank goodness they really liked and needed Fashanu