Sep 14, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Central Florida Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Central Florida defeated Penn State 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
One of the things that I’m looking forward the most during the NFL Combine is the day Blake Bortles throws the football.
In an ESPN.com article by Tania Ganguli, she wrote about how Bortles, a potential No. 1 pick by the Houston Texans, is taking a different route at the combine than Johnny Manziel as Manziel isn’t throwing the football at the combine.
As for Bortles and throwing at the combine, she wrote:
"“There can be a risk to throwing at the combine. It’s a high-pressure, high-stress environment where a lot is out of a player’s control.”"
I agree, but what I like about Bortles throwing at the combine, compared to Manziel not throwing at either the combine or his pro day, is how Bortles is willing to take on that extra pressure of performing in front of a very critical audience. An audience which will be probably looking for more of what he does wrong, than what he does correctly.
• Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle’s Ultimate Texans blog wrote about how Mike Maycock of NFL.com evaluated players for the NFL draft this week.
On of the players he mentioned was Bortles.
Smith wrote on the blog, quoting Maycock:
"“Former Central Florida QB Blake Bortles could be a work in progress once he becomes a pro.”"
Maycock said Teddy Bridgewater is the best QB in the draft and I have to agree 100 percent with him. Let’s face the facts though, any QB in this draft will be a work in progress at some level for the simple reason the NFL is a completely different game than what any of them are used to at the collegiate level.
I still believe if the Texans keep the No. 1 pick they should draft Bridgewater, but if they trade down and he’s off the board, they should hope Bortles is left to select.
• Dave Zangaro of CSN Houston says the Texans are unlikely to use the franchise tag in 2014 in an article on CSN Houston.
The Texans reporter wrote:
"“First, they haven’t really used the tag in the past. They last used it for Dunta Robinson in 2009 … And second, they don’t really have any players who are worthy of a tag this year.”"
I agree what that above statement. There is no reason to use the franchise tag any player this year.
• Don’t forget, the latest mock draft by the Toro Times has been posted. Click here to read it. This mock draft takes a look at how the first round would play out if the Texans trade the No. 1 overall selection.
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