Well, count me in the category of liking the pick. I completely understand those that are concerned about his injury issues, and preferred the Vikes address the OL and CB needs in that spot. Especially with Prince sitting there, who would have been a great addition. But I think there are many positives in this pick, and as of now I will remain positive about it. My reasoning:
I love gambling on a kid who has a great mind, great confidence because of that, and has great mechanics and QB intangibles like pocket presence, good footwork, leadership, etc. He's had bad games, sure, but some of that could be due to playing hurt - which he'll have to do in the NFL. But the positives in this kid put me in the mind of some other QBs who came in with concerns or were not highly rated Montana, Brady come to mind - and this kid is the same kind of body type and mental game. These are rare, of course, but nobody valued those guys early at all. Anyone remember a kid named Aaron Rogers that evidently a lot of teams didn't value all that highly? Not the same thing, of course, but who really knows what QB prospect will turn out to be special? I would have loved to see them make a play for Gabbert, even with a #1 and #2, but our record last year signals we have more needs than just a QB prospect that this year more than any I remember have the experts wondering about them.
I personally am not excited about selling the farm and the future on Kevin Kolb, let alone Carson Palmer. I don't think a McNabb stint would benefit the club in the long run, but that's an option if you want to both win (maybe) and better prepare the kid. I kind of liked Dalton, too, but you'd here more of the same kind of concerns and others. If you wanted to take a risk on Mallet, that's your choice. I'll take a kid like Ponder on a reach over Mallet, considering some of our QB reaches of late.
We already have an athletic kid who probably has trouble reading defenses and won't develop into a good QB in Webb. So, what are your options in addressing the most important position on the team that has been SO frustrating for us for so long? I see this as a sensible attempt.
This draft is reportedly deep at the OL position. Hopefully a decent guy can be found in round two or three and I think that's what they need next. I also think a solid CB would be needed with so many questions there and considering the division they now play in where people sling the ball around the field like they do. Again - I probably would have gone with Prince, but I am fine taking a chance here instead of wondering incessantly about what they plan to do.
I realize my position is not shared by most, and I understand the unhappiness. But I have no problem putting my faith in Studwell and the scouts who have produced draft picks like Peterson (remember the injury concerns there?) and Harvin (remember the Ganja concerns there?) and decided to package a draft to obtain Jared Allen - all decisions that were risky and key for the club. I'll stay optimistic until this kid has proven to be a bust, and will hope for the best.