Andrew Hawkins Interview

I had a podcast on ESPN1530.com with co-host Tarren Bland. We had NFL Network's analyst and former Cincinnati Bengals' and Cleveland Browns' wide receiver Andrew Hawkins on to discuss who the Bengals should draft with the no.1 overall pick and more.

Jalen Hurts Reminds Me Of One Quarterback From the 2012 NFL Draft

 Jalen Hurts, the 2019-20 Heisman trophy runner-up from Oklahoma, prepares for the next level and next phase of his career as the NFL draft is now less than 10 days away. I don't expect for Hurts to be a top-10 pick, maybe not even a first-rounder, but I believe his value could be that high.

As of right now, there are four quarterbacks in the draft that are being mentioned as first-round picks: Joe Burrow (LSU), Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Justin Herbert (Oregon) and Jordan Love (Utah State). Hurts had a better or just as good of a season, statistically,  than all expect Burrow (Heisman winner).

In 2019 Hurts passed for 3,851 yards, 32 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions which got him a rating of 191.2 at the position. He also included 1,298 rushing yards on 233 carries and 20 touchdowns.

Hurts' draft stock seems to be slipping and I don't see the reasoning, he is believed to be drafted somewhere between the second and the fourth round. But I am a huge believer in him and believe that he has first-round talent. There was once a time that I didn't believe he would be an NFL starter. However, after what I have seen out him in the 2019-20 season, I am sold on his talent. The biggest difference that I was able to see is a quicker release in his passes, his ability and willingness to stand in the pocket and make throws over just pulling the ball down and running at every chance. Also, the biggest change, he was able to leave Alabama and an offense that I believe held him back. Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma Sooner head coach, produced no.1 draft selections for the past two years with Baker Mayfield (2018) and Kyler Murray (2019). Both are starters and have shown that they could be starters for years to come.  Hurts had comparable years to both in the years that they came out. They both won the Heisman trophy. Burrow had a historical season, at the quarterback position, and that was the only thing between Hurts in and that trophy.

Hurts reminds he a lot of one quarterback from the 2012 NFL draft.  A guy who wasn't really talked about as being a first-round pick. That quarterback being Russell Wilson. He [Wilson] played at a high level, made spectacular plays with his feet and his arm. Also, the one quality that I believe they have most in common, their leadership ability is something that I believe that makes them successful at every level Even after he [Hurts] was basically put in a situation to transfer from Alabama for his senior season, a lot of people didn't think he would have a good season. What did he do? just the opposite, he had the best season of his collegiate career. While I don't think he is as good as Wilson, naturally. I do see a lot of similar traits in their games and their character in the locker room.

Like in sport, I do believe that systems and surroundings can determine the outcome of a players success. I do believe that Hurts has the talent to be successful at the next level, I don't believe that he will be successful in any system.

Best Fit: Los Angeles Chargers - He would be in the spread majority of the time (like at Oklahoma), they have a lot of young weapons already there with receivers Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Tight End Hunter Henry. But, I wouldn't be surprised if the Chargers signed free agent Cam Newton to a short-term deal, even if they did draft Hurts.

Ideal team: Seattle Seahawks - He wouldn't be a starter (unless an injury happens to Wilson). But this would be a great way to groom your next quarterback after Russell Wilson's contract is up. Reminds me of the Green Bay Packers drafting Aaron Rodgers when they had Brett Favre.

Worst Fit: Any team playing power offense football. I believe Hurts is better when the offense is spread out, playing fast and when the ball is in his hands.

Jalen Hurts is getting ready to take the next leap of his career. As of right now, he is not projected to go first-round. However, that could all change, his talent shows he has first-round value. I believe that Hurts could be the next Russell Wilson of the league. A third-round pick who develops into a franchise quarterback. Will he drop that low? We will see during the draft weekend. The NFL draft is April 23-25. This will be the first ever virtual draft, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Is The Value of Andy Dalton For The Cincinnati Bengals?

 

  The NFL draft is just a few weeks away. The Cincinnati Bengals, more than likely, will use the no.1 pick on Quarterback Joe Burrow from Louisiana State University (LSU) and the franchise will be in new hands. However, as of this moment, Andy Dalton is still a Bengal and the clock is ticking on a decision to made about his future.

Andy Dalton has done nothing but make an impact in the community with his charity and his very sincere and kind gestures off-the-field. On the field, Dalton has helped the Bengals reach the postseason nearly fifty percent of his time with the Bengals. After Carson Palmer had demanded a trade and left the organization, during a time it seemed not many wanted to be a part of the Bengals organization, Dalton embraced the challenge and wanted to help change the culture. He helped to do just that during the earlier half of this past decade. 133 games played, 31,594 yards pass, 204 passing touchdowns and 118 interceptions; stats don't tell the whole story of Dalton's time in Cincinnati. There were some roller coaster plays, games, seasons but he never gave up on the team or the city. But we all know in professional sports, it's about winning. Though he [Dalton] did lead the Bengals to the playoffs five times, he also failed to lead them to a playoff win during his time. And like former head coach Marvin Lewis, it seemed that his time too is running out.

The Bengals have a decision to make the weekend of April 23-25 (NFL draft). The Bengals have to decide if they want to trade Dalton, even if it's to a place where he doesn't want to go, to acquire more possible picks. Or do they release Dalton before June 1, saving that $17.7 million in salary cap space. However, there's always the option to keep him for the final year of his contract, while not something fans would probably hope for, which honestly wouldn't be the worst thing for this team or Burrow. Look at history: Palmer sat for a year, behind John Kitna, and when he finally started he looked amazing and like he understood the game more.

If the decision is to trade Dalton come draft weekend, who are the realistic teams of interest? What are teams willing to give up for a former pro bowl quarterback? A few teams come to mind: The Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Chargers. Outside of that, I don't see the market being too big for Dalton. I believe the best case scenario for the Bengals would be to take a third-or-fourth-round pick on the Aging quarterback. I don't see the ceiling being any higher than it is for him. The Patriots, in my opinion, could have him looking like the 2014 version of himself (early MVP candidate) before the injury. But, are they willing to make an offer that would satisfy the Bengals?

In the next month or so, we will see what value the Bengals hold for a quarterback that embraced the organization, team and city when so many others doubted and didn't believe. He helped to re-energize a football organization that looked like it was trending down before he arrived in 2011. The NFL draft is April 23-25. More than likely, reigning Heisman-winner, Joe Burrow will be a Bengal after that weekend. But, will Andy Dalton?

Two Teams Jameis Winston Should Consider For Long-Term Success

  Jameis Winston, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, is on the free agent market still at the moment. There are two teams, I believe, would help Winston as far as gaining long-term success in the NFL and neither team is the Pittsburgh Steelers (who people believe are the team most interested).Winston, 26, has a huge decision to make during free agency. This decision could impact the rest of his career.

 After spending the first 5 seasons of his career in Tampa Bay, Winston is now an unrestricted free agent. And with the Bucs signing of Tom Brady, it was clear that the organization was looking to move in a different direction. It has been said that he[Winston] and his agent are looking for a long-term contract as Jameis is now looking into his second career contract, which is very understandable. But I believe Jameis shouldn't look for top dollar, and not even a necessarily a starting job in the league.

 The first team that I believe Winston should look at are the New Orleans Saints. I know, I sound crazy, why would he go backup Drew Brees? Right? Well. I'll tell you why. Winston is coming off a roll coaster of a season, it was both good and bad (As he was the first quarterback to pass for 30+ and 30 interceptions with having a career-high in passing yards of 5,109). With that being said, why not go to an organization that is consistent in winning, has championship pedigree, has a great starting quarterback that you can learn from and a system in place that seems to be very quarterback friendly. Just last season we saw Teddy Bridgewater take a backseat to Brees. He[Bridgewater] was able to start 5 games, due to a Brees injury. Now, he has found himself as the Carolina Panthers starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, signing a 3-year contract after many believed his career as a starting quarterback was over. If he takes the same mentality that Bridgewater had, it would benefit him tremendously. Learning behind the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, having Sean Payton as a head coach, having the reigning NFL reception leader of 2019-20 in Michael Thomas and former offensive rookie of the year in running back Alvin Kamara are just a few of things that he[Winston] would benefit from if he were to join the Saints.

The second team that Winston would benefit from joining is the New England Patriots (no surprise here). Clearly, he has always had the reputation of being a high-risk, high-reward player. If you limit the risks, it's just high-reward. What better system for him to do just that? Bill Belichick should get a lot of credit for the success that Tom Brady has seen. Brady, coming into the league didn't have as much potential or even natural talent than Winston. If it was anyone that could get consistent play out a quarterback and limit turnovers, it's Belichick! The Patriots offense uses multiple running backs, has very quick passing routes and plays, which limits hits and sacks on their quarterback. Also, in the past, Belichick has been known to develop quarterbacks to get starting jobs elsewhere - Matt Cassel, Brian Hoyer (who recently re-signed with the Patriots), Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett are just a few of the quarterbacks. I don't know if the Patriots will look to give a long-term deal or big money to the 26-year-old quarterback, but I believe it would be a great opportunity for the young quarterback to go and play under arguably the greatest coach of all-time, play for a winning organization and learn how to limit his mistake.

  Winston's decision for 2020 may be the biggest decision of professional career and could impact him long-term. In his first 5 season with the Buccaneers Winston passed for 19,737 yards, 121 touchdowns with 88 interceptions and 31 fumbles. Where he ends up, I'm not sure. But I believe if he ends up in either New Orleans or New England, he will see more success and possibly a long NFL career and earn a substantial amount of money. I don't believe his his career is close to being finished, i'm just interested in seeing the next chapter of his career.