Christian Hackenberg

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Just starting this as there isn't a repository thread for him yet...

I am not for or against him. I am all over the place on him, kind of like his accuracy. :zing:

Gruden says he will be shocked if he doesn't go in the 1st round. I think Gruden is going to be shocked...

Talk amongst yourselves.

Xoxo

[BryanBusby]

You're an idiot. Hack is total ****ing shit.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

That's the point. Can he call a llay in the huddle, take a snap under center, or read a defense? Any yes puts him ahead of Bray jr.

[BryanBusby]

I'm sure he could get rid of the football before his spleen explodes. Hack couldn't figure it out after years at Penn State.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Better than Lynch possibly though

Without a doubt.

[Dragonocho]

If he was any good wouldn't O'Brien draft him?

[Red Dawg]

A brain of a QB.

[Otter]

If the Chiefs draft him I'll be be ecstatic. If this guy lands into the right situation I think he can be the next Big Ben. And if by some miracle the Chiefs draft him I call the adopt a Chief signing.

Strengths: Strong arm
Quality size
Can make all the throws
Field vision; works through his progressions
Capable of brilliant passes into tight windows
Good mechanics
Flashes good pocket presence
Throws well to the sideline
Experience in a pro-style system
Experience working under center
Three-year starter
Toughness
Delivers passes while taking hits
Has played hurt
Football I.Q.
Good teammate
Leadership
Upside




Weaknesses: Inaccurate as a passer
Consistently misses routine, easy check-down completions
Statue in the pocket for the NFL
Can get rattled by the rush
Sometimes holds the ball too long
Accountability; excuse-making issues


Summary: After a star-crossed collegiate career, Christian Hackenberg is one of the most discussed, debated and scrutinized prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was a top recruit for current Texans head coach Bill O'Brien while at Penn State, and Hackenberg was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year playing for O'Brien in his pro-style offense. With some good talent around him like the Jacksonville Jaguars' young play-making wide receiver Allen Robinson, Hackenberg completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,955 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2013. He also ran for four touchdowns. That season had NFL scouts and executives thinking Hackenberg could become an elite "top of the draft" quarterback prospect.

However as a sophomore and junior, Hackenberg had rough seasons playing for James Franklin. He was misfit in Franklin's college read-option attack, and the sanctions for the Penn State scandal led to a horrific offensive line that allowed Hackenberg to be sacked over 80 times across those two seasons. In 2014, Hackenberg completed 56 percent of his passes in 2014 for 2,677 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Hackenberg completed 54 percent of his passes in 2015 for 2,525 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. He had terrible games against Rutgers and Temple, but good outings against Buffalo, San Diego State, Indiana and Illinois. Sources say that Penn State head coach James Franklin beat Hackenberg down and handled him terribly. Team evaluators say that Franklin has a preference for "his guys" and Franklin had a chip on his shoulder against Hackenberg - among others. Teams admire that Hackenberg could have transferred in the face of a lot of adversity for the program, but he stayed committed to trying to help get things headed in the right direction in Happy Valley.

For the NFL, Hackenberg is a difficult evaluation. He has a good arm with size and field vision to work though his progressions. In every game, Hackenberg would make beautiful throws deep downfield into tight windows that beat good coverage. Unfortunately for him, a lot of those impressive throws were dropped by inadequate receivers. Hackenberg has the arm talent to be a dangerous pro quarterback who can make money throws.

There also are a lot of flaws to Hackenberg. His accuracy is inconsistent, and he misses badly on far too many routine completions. Hackenberg has a habit of overthrows on check downs to the flat, while in the pocket, he is a statue who can get rattled by the rush. The steady pass-rushing bearing down on Hackenberg at Penn State caused him to make some bad decisions. That was an issue as a sophomore especially, and he did show improvement at avoiding interceptions as a junior.

At the combine, sources say that Hackenberg had mixed interviews. He did well for teams from an X's and O's perspective, plus showed a quality football I.Q. and play recall. The things sources didn't like was they felt that Hackenberg made too many excuses and passed too much blame elsewhere for some of the troubles over the past two years.

Hackenberg has the physical skill set to be an NFL starter. His best fit would come in a downfield pro-digit offense that lets him throw the ball vertically and to the sideline. It would be best if Hackenberg was paired with a strong running game as he does well throwing off play-action. The West Coast system has a lot of high-percentage quick passes to move the chains, so it might not work well for Hackenberg because of his inaccuracy.

For the 2016 NFL Draft, Hackenberg could go as high as the second round and as low as the fourth round. In speaking with sources, some teams grade Hackenberg on the third day of the 2016 NFL Draft as a fourth-rounder, but others have graded him in Round 3. Even the teams that graded him after the third round expect him to be selected on the second day. Hackenberg could at least be a quality backup and a developmental project who has the skill set and upside to become a good starter.



Player Comparison: Carson Palmer/Brandon Weeden. If things go well for Hackenberg, I think his ceiling would be a Carson Palmer-type quarterback. Palmer is a strong-armed pocket passer who can excel with talent around him. That was Hackenberg as a freshman.

If Hackenberg is a bust, I think he would resemble something like Weeden; a player who struggles with accuracy and lacks mobility. However, both have more natural arm talent.

Perhaps the most likely outcome for Hackenberg's career is being somewhere in between those extremes, which could be a rather mediocre NFL quarterback and more of a backup-caliber signal-caller.

NFL Matches: Cleveland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, New York Jets, Buffalo, Dallas and Kansas City

There are a lot of teams in the NFL that are in need of a franchise quarterback. The Browns' quarterback odyssey looks poised to continue. Hackenberg isn't good enough for Cleveland's first- or second-round pick, but he could be in play in the third or fourth round if the Browns take position players in the first two rounds. But, in speaking with sources, it sounds like Cleveland is likely to take North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz.

The 49ers are in the market for a starting quarterback with Colin Kaepernick potentially on his way out of San Francisco. Also in California, the Rams continue to have a big need at quarterback. However, Hackenberg isn't a good fit for Chip Kelly.

In the early going, Hackenberg appeared destined for Houston, but that was before the Texans signed Brock Osweiler to a big contract. They could still consider Hackenberg in the third or fourth round as a backup to Osweiler. Obviously, Hackenberg is a good fit for Houston's offense and Bill O'Brien.

The Bills and Jets need a long-term answers at quarterback. Both teams have been scouting the position hard. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan was the college scouting director for Houston when O'Brien when arrived from Penn State, so Maccagnan heard O'Brien rave about Hackenberg after his freshman season.

Dallas could consider Hackenberg as an understudy to Tony Romo on the second day. The Chiefs also could look for some competition behind Alex Smith.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Will have to watch it later as I am at work.

Just clicked ahead to the 19 minute mark and I liked what I saw.

Ill take him.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

NFL Matches: Cleveland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, New York Jets, Buffalo, Dallas and Kansas City

[Red Dawg]

QB has to have a lot of skills obviously but I put a premium on brains and he has that. I don't think Cook and Paxton do as much.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

QB has to have a lot of skills obviously but I put a premium on brains and he has that. I don't think Cook and Paxton do as much.

I met him and spoke with him for about 20 minutes last year. Granted it's tough to size someone up in such a short period of time but the guy seemed very intelligent. Penn State had sanctions and no talent coming in because of that dirt bag sandusky and he hung in there and dealt with it like a champ. This guy might be a steal and I'll have a 2nd favorite team if the Chiefs don't draft him.

I'm also an admitted homer.

[mcaj22]

they also had James Franklin, who is a terrible coach

[BryanBusby]

Hackenberg is nothing but intangibles and hype coming out of HS. He looked rancid on the field way too often.

Okay your team and coach is shit, at least recognize that and learn to throw the ball away quickly. Don't stand there looking confused while Michigan ****s you in the ass raw dog.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

NFL Matches: Cleveland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, New York Jets, Buffalo, Dallas and Kansas City

So, every team that has no idea how to find a good QB.

[Red Dawg]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

Hackenberg is nothing but intangibles and hype coming out of HS. He looked rancid on the field way too often.

Okay your team and coach is shit, at least recognize that and learn to throw the ball away quickly. Don't stand there looking confused while Michigan ****s you in the ass raw dog.

NFL QB's don't throw the ball away as much as the older guys did. It's all about looking down field while moving and making a play. That's what Big Ben, Rogers, Wilson and Brady all try and do. Move around, escape and make a play is what happens these days. That's what is expected in today's game.