2014-2015 Off-Season Player Movement Thread

[doubleblue]

We've added another QB to the roster. He's a former RB who converted to QB quite successfully, and was the starter for perennially powerful Alabama last year.

The NFL seems to regard him as not quite good enough at either position.

I was reading about Sims, when checking the Redskins website last week, to find out how Waud was doing. Thought that his credentials sounded like a CFL type QB, but didn't know who owned his CFL rights. Maybe down the road he could switch back RB as at 5'11 220 he has the size that I like to see at that position.

[Rich]

Maybe down the road he could switch back RB as at 5'11 220 he has the size that I like to see at that position.

Why on earth would we do that? He was the starting QB in the National Championship game, so he's not exactly a stiff at the QB position. Actually, he is a prototypical CFL QB. He loves to run the ball out of the pocket. If we need a 5'11 220 RB, then let's sign another RB.

[Wobbler]

I think the days of the "CFL-type QB" as an undersized guy who can run the ball productively are over. CFL QBs are basically the same as NFL QBs, as far as I can see.

[Rich]

I think the days of the "CFL-type QB" as an undersized guy who can run the ball productively are over. CFL QBs are basically the same as NFL QBs, as far as I can see.

Undersized guys who can run the ball productively? You mean like Russell Wilson? They're more in style in the NFL than they've ever been, and there's no reason they shouldn't be up here either.

[Will]

Yeah, if anything, the NFL is starting to adapt away a bit from the 6'4", 230 lbs pocket passer.

[Wobbler]

Undersized guys who can run the ball productively? You mean like Russell Wilson? They're more in style in the NFL than they've ever been, and there's no reason they shouldn't be up here either.

So what was your point? What makes Simm a "prototypical CFL QB" as opposed to any other type of QB?

[doubleblue]

Why on earth would we do that? He was the starting QB in the National Championship game, so he's not exactly a stiff at the QB position. Actually, he is a prototypical CFL QB. He loves to run the ball out of the pocket. If we need a 5'11 220 RB, then let's sign another RB.

We will have to see how good his arm is on a CFL field. Two NFL clubs thought enough of his running ability to bring him in as a RB which might give us an idea what they thought his best asset was. We have to hope it's both his arm and legs.

[Rich]

So what was your point? What makes Simm a "prototypical CFL QB" as opposed to any other type of QB?

Well, if you want to pick nits, my point was we've landed a QB with a huge upside, who plays with a style that used to be known as a prototypical CFL QB.

Two NFL clubs thought enough of his running ability to bring him in as a RB which might give us an idea what they thought his best asset was.

Of course those NFL guys are always right, aren't they? :-)

Actually, there's a school of thought that says that Alabama QBs are systemically underrated by the NFL, because many pro scouts and coaches believe Alabama's coaching and overall talent are responsible for the QBs looking good. Sims' predecessor A.J. McCarron also deserved better treatment from the NFL.

Incidentally, Sims played in the National Semi-Final in January, not the Final as I said earlier.

[AngeloV]

Sims' predecessor A.J. McCarron also deserved better treatment from the NFL.

I don't get what you mean by that. McCarron was drafted and is on an NFL roster, making NFL money. Other than just handing him a starting role, what better treatment should he have received?

[argolio]

Here's a guy who's played with poise under the kind of extreme pressure that few college QBs ever have. If he ever gets the nuances of the Canadian game, he will be our QB of the future. I'm peeing my pants with excitement.

No pants-peeing here, but I think he's a tough, competitive kid who's got a legitimate chance to make the roster.

[Neely2005]

I was reading about Sims, when checking the Redskins website last week, to find out how Waud was doing. Thought that his credentials sounded like a CFL type QB, but didn't know who owned his CFL rights. Maybe down the road he could switch back RB as at 5'11 220 he has the size that I like to see at that position.

This article specifically states that he has been signed as a Quarterback:

http://alabama.247sports.com/Bolt/Bl...nauts-37460514

[Rich]

I don't get what you mean by that. McCarron was drafted and is on an NFL roster, making NFL money. Other than just handing him a starting role, what better treatment should he have received?

He had a fantastic senior season and should have been drafted in the second round at least, not the fifth.

[Wobbler]

More transactions as we fine-tune the roster before main camp opens:

May 28 INT Released Jarvis West, WR, Iowa State
May 28 INT Released Chris Fauld, OL, LSU
May 28 NAT Signed Joe Circelli, OL, Western
May 28 INT Signed Blake Sims, QB, Alabama
May 28 NAT Signed Daryl Waud, DL, Western

Circelli is interesting. He was a third round pick of the Stamps last year (the next OL taken after Jaskaran Dhillon), but went back to school. I wonder whether the Stamps declined to sign him or whether we "poached" him.

[AngeloV]

He had a fantastic senior season and should have been drafted in the second round at least, not the fifth.

Really shouldn't matter what round he's drafted in. I'm sure he is not bemoaning the fact that he went in the 5th round. He's on a roster now, so the rest is up to him. He was the 8th QB to go in the draft. Maybe in breaking down film, it was noticed that his receivers were so much better than the DB's covering them that anyone could have put up those numbers. Who really knows, but people that pay way much more attention than you and I make these decisions.

[Wobbler]

One more signing: WR Branden Terry. He's a tall, fast track-star type who doesn't seem to have a whole lot of experience, having caught 23 passes in five years at Wake Forest.

[argolio]

Excellent speed for a guy who is 6' 5". Hope he can run routes and catch.

[KCargosfan]

Really shouldn't matter what round he's drafted in. I'm sure he is not bemoaning the fact that he went in the 5th round. He's on a roster now, so the rest is up to him. He was the 8th QB to go in the draft. Maybe in breaking down film, it was noticed that his receivers were so much better than the DB's covering them that anyone could have put up those numbers. Who really knows, but people that pay way much more attention than you and I make these decisions.

As usual, AV is spot on. McCarron played with NFL talent at most of the positions at Alabama. Honestly, I've never been really impressed with the recent Alabama qbs, and expect McCarron to be out of the league within 2 years.

[Rich]

As usual, AV is spot on. McCarron played with NFL talent at most of the positions at Alabama. Honestly, I've never been really impressed with the recent Alabama qbs, and expect McCarron to be out of the league within 2 years.

If you go back and look at the 2014 mocks, they all had McCarron going in round 2 or 3. There's a big difference in rookie salary between 2nd and 5th rounders. Personally I think he'll be a starter some day so we shall see.

[doubleblue]

Don't know why Barker keeps bringing In so many DE's where they are already good with Okpalaugo and Foley and at least 4 back ups, now that Ridge Wilson has been released. But better is better if that is what Moch is. Interesting stat about him is his 4.4 forty at the NFL Combine a few years ago. Third round pick in the NFL which generally means you're pretty good. Maybe he got tagged with that old bugaboo phrase "he's a tweener" at 6'1 248 for NFL thinkers.
I say Milanovich should try him at FB. Just the type of guy OV and I have been advocating. At least bring him in on short yardage. Coaches don't seem to think outside the proverbial box anymore though.

[Wobbler]

Actually there were several moves today:

May 30 INT Suspended Branndon Braxton, OL, Oklahoma
May 30 NAT Suspended Cleyon Laing, DL, Iowa State

May 30 NAT Signed Matt McGarva, DB, Windsor
May 30 INT Signed Brandon Underwood, DB, Cincinnati
May 30 INT Signed Aaron Kelly, WR, Clemson
May 30 INT Signed Dontay Moch, DL, Nevada

May 30 INT Released Ridge Wilson, DL, West Alabama
May 30 INT Released Charles Hunter, DL, Texas Christian

I'm going to make a separate thread about Underwood, who makes a surprise reappearance.