The terrible falibility of NFL scouts, Part IV

Well, friend, we have reached the final chapter in the scouting saga. We're going to talk about recent undrafted QBs who have turned out pretty well. Consider the following names:

1. Kurt Warner undrafted 1994
2. Jeff Garcia undrafted 1994
3. Jake Delhomme undrafted 1997
4. Tony Romo undrafted 2003

There are a bunch of Pro Bowl elections shared by the four men on that list. In particular, Warner is a two time league MVP, Super Bowl MVP, Pro Bowler, and considered a future Hall of Famer. Jake Delhomme also piloted his Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance... and a near victory. Unfortunately, a need for Tommy John surgery destroyed his career.

When you stop to think that both Heath Shueler and Trent Dilfer were drafted high in the 1st round while both Warner and Garcia were undrafted in 1994, you recognize that another massive scouting failure took place. Mel Kiper jr... What can I say about that guy. He was clearly on duty in 1994. You can go back to the ESPN vaults and see him licking Shueler's balls. You won't find him talking about Warner or Garcia in 1994.

Why is that? His methodology is bad, that's why! If he had a valid approach to doing business, he wouldn't miss quarterbacks like this. Let's just admit it. Regarding quarterbacks, Kiper jr gets it wrong much more than he gets it right. You should not pay any attention to what this dude says. He is a false prophet.

The NFL's all-undrafted team

So did you see the outstanding piece on FoxSports.com today regarding the NFL's undrafted? They decided to configure an all-star lineup out of nothing but undrafted free agents. I would say that this great list constitutes a minor embarrassment for the talent scouts. Not a major embarrassment, but a minor one.

For the record the names on the list are these:

1 QB Kurt Warner

2 HB Willie Parker

3 HB Ryan Grant

4 FB Leonard Weaver

5 TE Antonio Gates

6 WR Wes Welker

7 WR Lance Moore

8 OT Jason Peters

9 OT Donald Penn

10 G Brian Waters

11 G Stephen Neal

12 C Jeff Saturday

13 DE Adewale Ogunleye

14 DE Shaun Smith

15 DT Pat Williams

16 DT Tommy Kelly

17 LB Bart Scott

18 LB Antonio Pierce

19 LB London Fletcher

20 LB James Harrison

21 CB Jabari Greer

22 CB Leigh Bodden

23 S Ryan Clark

24 S Brain Russell

25 K Adam Vinatieri

26 P Brian Moorman

27 KR Joshua Cribbs

If we played this team on the field, would they win the Super Bowl? It is possible but unlikely. The unit is extremely thick on running backs and linebackers. You could make a formidable West Coast offense and a formidable 3-4 defense with this crew. That is a truly nasty linebacking corps. Probably the ugliest aspect of this team if you are the enemy unit.

However, the offensive line is a bit thin. Jeff Saturday is the one great offensive lineman in this crew. That ain't enough to guard Warner. Of course, if we are running a bunch of shallow crossing routes and quick releases to the running backs, maybe the line will hold. Joe didn't hold the ball long in 1981, and the 49ers didn't give up many sacks.

I am not wild about our receiver corps at all. Warner has had much better targets than this. Antonio Gates is the only great receiver in the corp. I would have to press Joshua Cribbs into service as a reciever. I am sure he would love to catch a few passes from Warner.

I am not in love with the safeties. I think Ryan Clark and Brian Russell can be beaten. I have personally witnessed Warner lighting-up both of those guys. Do your recall how Larry Fitzgerald scored on the long run with 3 minutes to go in the Super Bowl? Yep, I think that was actually Ryan Clark's sector of turf he ran through.

So what is the moral of the story? Don't draft Linebackers and Running Backs. There are damn good ones availible on Monday after the draft. Don't draft a kicker either. You can get a hall of fame kicker for free.