per joe schad

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5995754

Maybe Harbuagh is staying too?

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Has any "consensus #1 pick" as a junior stayed in school and been drafted #1 the next year? I can't remember one of them.

Jake Locker wishes he didn't come back but is glad that he now moves up.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

This should have been it's own thread.

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I would have been first if he had actually posted a link.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Roughly translates to I don't want to play for Carolina and enter a league that might not have a season next year. Here's hoping he stays healthy and doesn't tank his stock like Jake Locker

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Team Cutler.

Wow. I thought he almost had to go out now with the potential for a severely reduced rookie pay scale. I guess playing for the Panthers must really sound awful.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

But Carolina already has Claussen. They are set at QB for the next decade.

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Sam Bradford was a top five pick, came back, was injured, and went #1. Suh would have been a top-10 pick also.

Luck will be fine. Locker was always bad and would never have been drafted as high as people were saying.

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Fire Phil Emery

I don't remember where it was but one of the pre-game shows mentioned that Andrew Luck told him that he enjoys the atmosphere at Standford where football is not the biggest thing at the university and he wouldn't like a place where he is the biggest star on campus.

That screamed to me "Won't be able to handle the pressure of the NFL" and I think this is evidence that he may not be ready to be the cornerstone of a franchise and the biggest star in a whole city.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Maybe he is just chasing as much tail as Tiger Woods while at Stanford.

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They came back and raised their draft stock. Wasn't Leinart likely to go #1 when he came back too?
It would not surprise me in the least if Luck doesn't go #1 next year.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

My guy Foles from Arizona will take the NFL draft by storm next year on his way to a hall of fame career.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Leinart probably hurt himself, but he was still drafted pretty high. If Vince Young doesn't explode, he probably goes #3 instead of VY.

Money wise it's obviously not a good decision, but happiness-wise it very well may be.

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Fire Phil Emery

Also, I have no clue who the #1 pick will be now. Somewhat surprisingly, this seems like it should be a weak class, at least at the top.

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Fire Phil Emery

Where do you have Cam?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

I suck at draft prognostication, and Carolina does need a QB, but that's a mighty big gamble.

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Fire Phil Emery

Cam Newton could do it if he has an amazing game. I think that's taking a big chance on a guy who may be Jamarcus Russell.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Ryan Mallett also just made millions on this decision.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I can see where that's coming from, but Russell had even more QB tools than Newton. I'll never understand why in the world people thought he was so obviously the #1 pick, but he did at least have a huge arm and decent-ish accuracy.

Newton is a better QB, but if Carolina is going to use him in the traditional (boring) offense, it might be a lot of five yard drop and a cloud of derp.

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Fire Phil Emery

I realize it's just 1 guys opinion, but the guy who's not Kiper on ESPN said he wouldn't use a #1 pick on Newton. Not the #1 pick, any #1 pick.

I don't get Luck's decision. To much risk with no upside, although the "rookie cap" angle would apply to this draft too, wouldn't it? I think the current deal ends with the "mr. irrelevent" pick, so all the signings will be under the new deal.

Ah yes the Dick Jauron offense

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If you are drafting for the NFL, I think you have to take Mallet over Newton.

The DE from Clemson (he has a name....) will be right at/near the top now.

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Even if he's still #1 next time he'll lose money on the rookie salary cap that will more than likely be in place. If Carolina starts Clausen every game they can just get Luck next year anyway.

In something that will make both me and Mud very sad, Andrew Luck's top 3 schools were Stanford, Northwestern, and Purdue in that order. He was supposedly close to going to Northwestern.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Da'Quan Bowers -- maybe. Nick Fairley will be up there too.

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Fire Phil Emery

If Carolina starts Clausen every game they should be sent to the UFL.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Andrew Luck is more Opie than Eli Manning. Seriously, whatever the kid makes is gonna be fine with him... you can just tell. He's not doing it for the money. He wouldn't have chosen Stanford if he did. Northwestern was on his short list too. He could have gone many other places.

Mel Kipers Board 2-25

Da'Quan Bowers * DE6-4277Analysis: A possible No. 1 pick if Luck opts to stay in school, Bowers has followed through on his talent. A former top-rated overall recruit. Last week: No. 2



Nick Fairley * DT6-5310Analysis: Fairley simply dominated, and has one more showcase game for scouts. He often was a force even while not 100 percent. A Top-10 lock currently. Last week: No. 3


A.J. Green * WR6-4207 Analysis: Not sure people realize what kind of route-runner he's become, Green has worked hard to become a complete WR. Last week: No. 4




Patrick Peterson * CB6-1211Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson doesn't just have safety size -- he'd measure up to a lot of RBs. Great total package -- cornerback and return game. Last week: No. 5





Prince Amukamara CB6-1202Analysis: Top marks for instincts, ball awareness and ball skills. It's like he's running the route sometimes. Immediate starter. Last week: No. 6

Marcell Dareus * DE6-3306Analysis: A solid penetrator, pass-rush skills trump run-stopping performance thus far. Best suited at 4-3 DT, needs to show consistent effort to scouts. Last week: No. 7
Robert Quinn * DE6-4267 Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. Still raw with time off, but scouts love his natural ability. Last week: No. 8

Blaine Gabbert * QB6-5232Analysis: Strong arm, good mobility, prototype in terms of physical skills. Ranked all year in my top QBs. Jumps with draft declaration, improved stock. Last week: NR

Von Miller LB6-3243Analysis: Miller proved that he's more than a sack artist this season. He showed coverage skills to go along with known pass-rush production. Edge burner. Last week: No. 9

Ryan Kerrigan DE6-4259Analysis: Led nation with 26 tackles for loss and became impossible to block, even against double-teams. Ideal as a 3-4 OLB but possible at DE in a 3-4. Last week: No. 14

Akeem Ayers * OLB6-4251Analysis: Exceptional athleticism makes him versatile. Ideal every-down 3-4 OLB who can rush the passer and cover. Top coverage skills of any OLB so far. Last week: No. 16

Cam Newton * QB6-6250Analysis: He has size and athleticism, but also underrated accuracy. Extends plays; good patience. Lacks experience and any time in pro-style scheme. Last week: No. 12

Julio Jones * WR6-4211Analysis: When healthy, Jones was impossible to stop; when not, he was still good in 2010. Overcame drop issues, improved route-running. Last week: No. 13

Justin Blackmon * WR6-1208Analysis: Underrated size, good instincts, size and speed combo with ability to set up defensive backs. Highly productive, and not just a possession guy. Last week: No. 15
Adrian ClaybornDE6-3282Analysis: Good size, capable of lining up as 3-4 DE. Good motor; batters offensive linemen. Needs to refine rush skills. Last week: No. 19

Ryan Mallett * QB6-7238Analysis: Mallett became far more than a big arm this season, but footwork and checkdown skills concern. Still a volatile stock. Last week: No. 11

Drake Nevis DT6-1289Analysis: Lacks top-end size, but he's an explosive, up-the-field tackle with good pad level and leverage. Ideal three-technique, he plays with passion. Last week: No. 10

Nate Solder OT6-9313Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length, ability to add bulk to chiseled frame. Will shine in workout phase, and draft is short on elite offensive tackles. Last week: No. 17

Anthony Castonzo OT6-7306Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, but could add lower-body strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 18

Cameron Heyward DE6-5291Analysis: On the Big Board most of the season, back on with dominating Sugar Bowl performance. Versatile, but ideal size to work as 3-4 DE. Last week: NR

Gabe Carimi OT6-7327Analysis: Had a fantastic fall, battling a number of likely high draft picks to standstills. Beaten by a speed rush in the past, his footwork improved greatly. Last week: No. 21

Janoris Jenkins * CB5-11185Analysis: New to the board last week -- he's had an up-and-down season, but the physical skills are there; he also comes from a good system. Last week: No. 24

Mark Ingram * RB5-10216Analysis: Production dipped from last season, but Ingram was still explosive and physical after being dinged early. Solid finisher; top-end speed is in question. Last week: No. 22
Jake Locker QB6-3228 Analysis: Off-the-charts skill set and intangibles; solid character. Accuracy and work against top opposition suffered. Wild card. Last week: No. 23