Kinda OT: Troy Smith height argument

[Smooth]

I think the height arguments are WAY overrated for Troy Smith... Look at guys like Michael Vick, Drew Brees, Mark Brunell... All of those guys have been successful in the NFL despite the height descrepancy...

Now the big problem with small quarterbacks is being able to see over the lineman, correct? Well do you guys realize that Troy Smith managed to be one of the BEST quarterbacks in the country despite having one of the TALLEST offensive lines in the country? Let's take a look at this, shall we?

Alex Boone = 6'8
Kirk Barton = 6'6
TJ Downing = 6'4
Steve Rehring = 6'8
Doug Datish = 6'5

That's the starting Buckeye line right there... They average a height of 6'6 feet per starter... Now let's take a look at the Brown starting offensive line... (As of opening day, including Fraley instead of Bentley)

Kevin Shaffer = 6'5
Joe Andruzzi = 6'3
Hank Fraley = 6'2
Cosey Coleman = 6'4
Ryan Tucker = 6'6

That's the starting Browns offensive line, tentatively... They have an average of 6'4 per offensive lineman... Well hmm... That's 2' inches shorter than, on average, an Ohio State lineman... The tallest offensive lineman for the Browns is Nat Dorsey, who stands 6'7... That's no where near the Buckeye offensive lineman who are taller than that starting...

Using the "height" argument on Smith is stupid considering how successful he has been at the college level despite one of the taller offensive lines in the country...

Now when you think about that, do you really believe that his height would be that much of an issue? I mean come on.. There's no reason why his height should be looked at as a huge negative or a thing that should keep him out of the top half of the first round... Because he's got all the talent the top quarterbacks have, maybe even more, but the stupid height argument is the thing that people look WAY too much into...

 

[James]

First off...its not all that simple...yea the numbers make sense, but you didnt put the average height for defenders. Smith is like the same height as most DBs in the NFL, and you named 3 good QBs...out of those 3...there have been 100s of worst case scenerios play out. I know he is the "hometown hero" but you act like you know something scouts dont know, if he was as good as people on here make him out to be, he wouldnt be around until whatever pick you get him at.

 

[CornerThree]

Because he is shorter, he won't have the same release angles available to him that taller QB's have. His release point is probably more important than his height, but if he has an average release point for his height his ability to make certain throws out of the pocket may be limited. Something like that may take a few years for him to develop shortcuts, so that is why he is not projected as a first round pick. He doesn't have the althetic ability of Vick, so that's another strike against him.

In short, he can succeed as a pro, but he may need a longer developmental time.

 

[TheAdmin]

add in that he will have to play more under center instead of the shotgun in the NFL and his height will become a factor.

 

[Smooth]

add in that he will have to play more under center instead of the shotgun in the NFL and his height will become a factor.

It all depends on what system he is drafted into... If it's more of a spread system, then I don't it will be as big of a problem compared to a more strictly running team...

But I'm sure that a team with the right system will draft him...

 

[Maximus]

So Smooth, you say it's not much an issue. You say it's a stupid argument. Then why do the greatest football talent evaluators on the planet have him going in the second or third round if height isn't the issue??? Why in some mock drafts is Quinn going 80 selections before him? Smith is the Heisman Trophy winner and the QB on the only undefeated team in the country. If it's not height, then why Smooth?

One more thing, Smith is nowhere close to the athlete Vick is. Smith is nowhere near the passer that Brees is. Brunell was measured officially at 6-1 1/2", which is about 2" taller than Smith.

It's already been said, but you mention nothing about the defenses which will be much taller and faster in the NFL.

 

[CornerThree]

Brunell was a 5th round draft pick who didn't play for 2 years, and only got to play in a starting capacity due to expansion. Troy smith could have a favorable career, like Brunell, but he will take awhile to develop, which is why he should be a 3rd rounder.

 

[CornerThree]

Wuerffel had a similar height to Troy Smith, for instance.....he racked up a million passing yards in college, in a pro type system. And still was drafted in the 4th round. Granted his arm strength was the major issue, but he absolutely killed in college, and got shunned in the draft.