Chris Simms is no stranger to against the grain quarterback takes, and Jared Goff truthers are sure to be triggered by what he said about Hendon Hooker.
The Detroit Lions made what was widely seen as a shrewd pick to secure their potential quarterback in the third round of the draft. If not for a torn ACL late in his final season at Tennessee, Hendon Hooker would likely have been a sure-fire first-round pick.
Over his final two years in college, Hooker had 58 touchdown passes and just five interceptions. Tennessee’s offense is considered elementary in comparison to an NFL offense, but Hooker is expected to make the transition easily and be capable of running the show once he’s healthy. He also adds an extra element with his legs, with 25 rushing touchdowns over his college career with Virginia Tech and Tennessee, and that should not be permanently derailed by a torn ACL.
The physical traits appear to be there for Hooker, and the question about his age (25) can be answered by saying he’s mature and quarterbacks can play into their 40’s these days.
Chris Simms is sure to trigger Jared Goff truthers with comments about Hendon Hooker
Based solely on his history with pre-draft quarterback rankings, Chris Simms is no stranger to against the grain quarterback takes. Last week, in a post-draft episode of “PFT Live”, the NBC Sports analyst compared Hooker to Jared Goff.
Hendon Hooker, yeah, he makes sense. He’s a no-nonsense football (player), tough, stands in the pocket, makes throws, does all that. And, like I said, he’s got more talent than Jared Goff,” “He’s a better thrower of the football, he’s a better athlete. Goff is good. Don’t get me wrong. But still, if you go back in the year and watch the year, they have to manage Jared Goff.”
Simms and I seem to be of the same mind regarding Jared Goff and his low ceiling.
Simms even finished his comments with a punch line I can get behind.
I’m not a believer in Jared Goff in the long-term, and I think with that pick there (Hooker), the Lions are kind of saying the same thing.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the need to consider who would succeed Goff under center, and drafting Hooker was the proof in the pudding.
The unknown of Hooker’s potential, and what we can see on his college tape, makes it easy to say he has more talent than Goff. But there’s also no denying Goff’s ceiling, or close to it, was last season. And that’s the crux of what Simms said, while propping up Hooker as a sensible pick by the Lions.