So how about Cardale Jones? Everyone, including Jommy, wrote Ohio State off in the college playoff because they were playing with their third-string quarterback. There was talk that they shouldn't have been in because they didn't have a chance with their third guy out there.
So naturally all of the talk today is about whether or not Jones should enter the draft. I am not sure what the right answer is, but here are a few things to consider:
-Just because he goes back to school doesn't mean he will automatically get better. Sure, more time in college should help him improve his skills, but it doesn't always work that way. Jones might be as good as he will ever be right now.
-There isn't even a guarantee that he is a starter next year. Ohio State has Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Miller was considered by many to be the front-runner for the Heisman before injuring his shoulder before the season started. Barrett led the Buckeyes to the Big 10 Title Game before getting hurt against Michigan. You have to figure one of those guys will transfer, but that is going to be a heck of a battle this spring.
-Where would Jones go in the draft if he entered? A lot of that would probably depend on his performance at the combine and at his pro day, which is a little bit ridiculous, but you really don't have much more to go on in this case. The #draftTwitter consensus seems to be that Jones would go sometime on day 3 if he entered. Now the argument can be made that learning under an NFL coach and getting paid (well, presumably more than he is making at Ohio State, HIYO!) would be better than sitting on the bench in Columbus. While that is true, it is not as much as he would make next year if he plays well for the Buckeyes and becomes a first round pick...again, there is no guarantee that happens if he goes back to school.
This argument is circular. No one knows what the right answer is right now. That can only be determined in time. What I will say about Jones is that he looks like he has a lot of the tools needed to be a good quarterback in the NFL. He is big, has a strong arm, and can throw it from the pocket. Come to think of it, that sounds like a Ken Whisenhunt type quarterback. So, since this is a Titans blog and all, if Jones does come out, would you want the Titans to take a flyer on him in the 5th round or later?
My answer is yes. Let me hear yours in the comments.