Leach Rips Dallas for McGee Pick

There are usually a few surprises over the course of the NFL Draft. Maybe I watch too much college football, but I was stunned during the fourth round Sunday.

That was when the Dallas Cowboys selected Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee with the 101st overall pick. I understand that college stats don't mean much when it comes to having NFL-caliber talent, but this seemed quite odd to me.

McGee played in a run-first system at A&M through the 2007 season. When Mike Sherman took over for 2008, he brought a pro-style offense with him, but McGee's season was derailed by injuries.

Meanwhile, A&M rival Texas Tech had a marvelous season, coming within one win of making the Big 12 Championship and contending for a spot in a BCS bowl.

Their quarterback, Graham Harrell, set countless NCAA passing records in his career. While McGee threw for under 5,500 yards in his college career, Harrell threw for over 5,100 in 2008 alone. He topped 15,000 for his career, and threw 134 career touchdowns to McGee's 28.

Not surprisingly, given his reaction to talk of Michael Crabtree being a "diva", Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is miffed.

"I'm happy for Stephen McGee," Leach told The Dallas Morning News. "The Dallas Cowboys like him more than his coaches at A&M did."

Leach ... said the NFL has a long track record of picking its quarterbacks poorly. "The truth of the matter is that the NFL drafts quarterbacks notoriously bad," said Leach, according to the Morning News. "That's indisputable. ..."

Ouch.

The sad thing is that Leach is correct in a way. The NFL is still trying to figure out what to do with spread-style quarterbacks. The Dolphins and the evolution of the Wildcat formation took a nice first step, but it isn't nearly enough. With more and more college football programs using variations of the spread, and putting their quarterbacks in the shotgun on virtually every snap, the era of pro-style quarterbacks being readily available may slowly be coming to an end.

Guys like Harrell absolutely have value at the next level. He's a tough guy, durable, experienced, and has a very accurate throwing arm. He oozes passion for the game, and the Cleveland Browns were smart to bring him in for a tryout.

As for McGee, the Cowboys would be smart to use his athleticism while he develops as a quarterback. While Harrell doesn't project as a running threat, that could be McGee's best asset.

NFL Draft Photos

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2007, file phto, Miami Dolphins quarterback John Beck throws a pass as he warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami. Beck was released Monday, April 27, 2009, by the Dolphins two years after he was taken in the second round of the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

The NFL Draft's #1 pick Matthew Stafford visits "Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on April 27, 2009 in New York City. Matthew Fox, Kiefer Sutherland And The All-American Rejects Visit "Late Show With David Letterman" - April 27, 2009 Ed Sullivan Theater New York, NY United States April 27, 2009 Photo by Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage.com To license this image (57300613), contact WireImage.com

Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage.com

Michael Crabtree, the San Francisco 49ers' first-round NFL draft pick, listens during a news conference at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, April 26, 2009. Crabtree was a wide receiver for Texas Tech. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Michael Crabtree, right, the San Francisco 49ers NFL football first-round draft pick, holds up his new jersey with head coach Mike Singletary, left, during a news conference at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, April 26, 2009. Crabtree was a wide receiver from Texas Tech. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Aaron Maybin, Buffalo Bills first-round NFL football draft pick, pauses before answering a question during a news conference at the Ralph Wilson Stadium complex in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Maybin is a defensive end from Penn State. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

Eric Wood, Buffalo Bills first-round NFL football draft pick, listens to a question during a news conference at the Ralph Wilson Stadium complex in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Wood played center at Louisville. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

Russ Brandon, center, Buffalo Bills chief operating officer/general manager, stands with the team's first-round NFL draft picks, Aaron Maybin, left, and Eric Wood at the Ralph Wilson Stadium complex in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Maybin, 11th-overall pick, is a defensive end from Penn State and Wood is a center from Louisville. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels talks about this weekend's NFL draft at its conclusion at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, right, listens as Rutgers receiver Kenny Britt answers questions at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, April 26, 2009. Britt was selected as the Tennessee Titans No. 1 NFL football draft pick. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-27-2009 @ 10:11PM

Alex said...

Will somebody please tell Mike Leach to shut up. You coach college football dude, stop worrying about things that don't concern you.

4-27-2009 @ 10:44PM

wpr94z71 said...

Do people not realize that he was ranked 5th among all the QB's? He impressed at the combine enough that he was thought to go somewhere in the 3rd/4th rds. The Cowboy's needed a QB and he most likley would've been gone if they hadn't taken him. Nobody knows how good or he's gonna be but his upside is tremendous. obviously thought more highly than Harrell seening that he wasn't even drafted.

4-27-2009 @ 10:58PM

tom said...

I wonder if some of this ire Leach is firing is a recruiting ploy. A way to get potential recruits to think "this coach looks out for his players and wants them to make money at the pro level."

4-28-2009 @ 12:03AM

Mr.G said...

Leach ... said the NFL has a long track record of picking its quarterbacks poorly. "The truth of the matter is that the NFL drafts quarterbacks notoriously bad," said Leach, according to the Morning News. "That's indisputable. ..." - Now really,that's a pretty dumb statement considering the NFL drafts ALL of their QB's from the college ranks.Maybe if some of these so-called College Coaches had these guys better prepared in a Pro-Style Offense,there wouldn't be such a high failure rate at the next level.Leach is a hick dooshbag looking to make a name for himself at others expense.He talks like he is actually relevant to what the NFL thinks.That's a laugh,this guy's a joke.

4-28-2009 @ 12:40PM

Michael said...

so you mean that these nfl COACHES can't get a kid that plays in one of those systems ready for the NFL? i think if they took more time to develop some of the qb's, they actually turn out ok. develop an offense that suits the qb's strenghts instead of trying to force them into your system. NE does a pretty good job running a spread offense in the nfl, so why can't somebody else??
and stop rushing them on the field if they're not ready. patience is a virtue!

4-28-2009 @ 7:29AM

BlueStarDude said...

I wasn't crazy about the McGee pick, but Harrell absolutely does not have a pro arm.

4-28-2009 @ 8:35PM

harrill7 said...

Chad Pennington doesn't either, but Jeff George can throw a FB through a block wall. Sometimes being a winner is better than the cannon arm.

4-28-2009 @ 8:01AM

RANDY said...

What an embarassment Jerry Jones is to the Cowboys. This egotistical fool wouldn't know a football player if he was up his ...! There were 5 quarterbacks in the Big 12 alone better than McGee, who is very mediocre. To think he could make it as a quarterback in the NFL is beyond belief! Lots of people in NFL who know how to judge talent are laughing at Jerry again as he continues to make a fool of himself in front of the whole world. Can't wait to hear Bill Parcell and Jimmy Johnson's comments on this debacle. I can't stand looking at Jerry's smiling face. What an idiot!

4-28-2009 @ 8:41AM

Sully said...

I have said it before and I'll say it again! The Cowboys should have waited till next year and done whatever is necessary to draft Tim Tebow.
He is smart, doesn't make mistakes, is a leader, and can run with the ball when forced to. In other words, the complete opposite of Tony Romo.
You don't need to throw it 50 yards in the air to win. With the offensive talent the Cowboys have, they need a leader. The Ravens won the Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer. The Bears won it with Jim McMahon. Peyton Manning is a phenomenal QB, but most of all, he is a "leader", as is Roethlisberger. Tom Brady the same. You don't necessarily need a lot of talent like Manning and Brady have, but you do need a leader that won't make mistakes and is smart, and Tebow is that guy!I agree with Randy! Jones is an embarassment and doesn't know the first thing about football talent, but get him on TV and he will make you try to make you think he is a genius! If Phillips was allowed to make the picks, like he should be, their draft would have been considerably better. I also doubt Phillips would have given up a 1st round pick, plus two more this year and one next year for Roy Williams.

4-28-2009 @ 10:55AM

txmack75904 said...

..anybody has to be better than the idiot that walks around humping jessica simpson's leg...(i swear if i have to see this supposely grown man wear that cap backwards next yearill throw a shoe at the tv..)

4-28-2009 @ 11:34AM

ocjo2 said...

Come on, Harrell is an incredible qb. Ya , he was in a spread offense at tech but 15000+ yds, seriously you cant doubt his ability. Not the strongest arm but probably one of the most accurate. Hes game tested and proven with more throwing experience than anyone in the draft. Watch him in cleveland solely turn that program around in the next couple of years. REK'EM TECH

4-28-2009 @ 1:04PM

Nate said...

One reason so many college qbs enter the NFL poorly prepared for the pro-style offense is that it isnt the college coaches job to develop pro players. His job is to win games and to win them now. Athletic Directors are getting more impatient all the time and are quicker to fire coaches who they think arent getting the job done. It takes time to develop a competent pro-style qb and many coaches arent guarenteed that they will have that time. Consequently, it is in the coaches best interest to focus on the things that will get quicker results. Thus the prevelence of spread style and running qb style offenses in college football. It is relatively easier, not easy, mind you, but relatively easier to find players who possess the qualities necessary to be successful in those systems and takes less time to yeild good results.
Also, elite 4 year college players are becoming increasingly rare, especially at the "skill" positions. So, even if you are fortunate enough to have a qb with pro-style skills and potential, and you invest the time to coach him up properly, it's likely you wont have him for more than a couple of years before he goes early entry.
So it wouldnt be very smart for a coach to have an offensive system that is overly reliant on a type of player that is very hard to find in the first place, takes a lot of time to develop in the second place and, once he starts showing promise,probably wont stick around long in the third place.

4-28-2009 @ 4:00PM

tdawg said...

I am from Burnet and have been watching McGee play since he was in high school. He is a natural leader, and has the drive and determination to succeed in the NFL. This kid is the real deal. You will all be eating your words in a few years.

4-30-2009 @ 1:13PM

scot said...

Yes Jery Jones is an idiot, The city of Dallas out to sue has ass for embarrassment. Tony Romo is a loser and always will be. Sorry Tony, its true.

As for all of this hipe about spread offenses not translating to the NFL.
If you ever played in college and the Nfl you'd know the problems is a NEW SYSTEM, same as any vetran changing systems in mid career. That is what makes a QB look like a bust. It takes time and always will, in the old days before free agency a QB was drafted and learned for yrs before starting.

The few sucess's are the ones going from college to the pros into the same are close to the same system and terminology.

As for mcgee, true not the stuff, sorry.

Harrell, without a doubt the Best QB EVER to come out of college. And I hate Tx Tech.
The kid is clearly witout a doubt the most accurate passer to ever play the game. Better than Aikman are Brady, ask Aikman.
Harrell's ability to read defenses, and coverages, both before and after the snap, (if you played you'd know they ability to see the progression of coverage after the snap is the most important.)Harrell's progresion thru recievres and accuracy delivering the ball is unmatched, and the best I've ever seen.

The "system stigms" is the reason he was not properly evalauted. Study his film and you'll see it, it's obivious to anyone who looks. I see Leach's complaint, The talent is there, his sytem is there knock.

I guarantte Harrell will be the best Qb in the Nfl in 2 yrs. Clevland will have him starting by mid season, and will be in the probowl the 2nd yr. They said the same about Brees, Who wouldn't want him now.

5-01-2009 @ 11:34PM

GOD said...

I have made a deal with the devil. Harrell will not do anything with his career just live every other QB out texas Tec. Mike Leach needs to get a beat down, which will come next year, 4th week. I just want to make it clear Harrell really does suck. Yep its official mike leach also sucks the big donkey dong. Ohh and by the way Lubbuk is full of sluts, drunks and sand. Ohh and they all suck testes.
Yes I SAID IT email me hoe.