Draft JJ McCarthy
Michigan is my 2nd favorite team (after LSU) and while I do like JJ, Michigan never really needed him to be engine that runs the team. Against Penn St. JJ only had 6 passes all in the 1st half. He had one pass in the 2nd half which was negated by a PI.
I’m not saying JJ can’t be a good NFL QB but I don’t think he’ll be year one ready. If the plan is to sit him behind DC and develop him to take over after DC’s contract then I can get behind it if we draft him in the 2nd but I would not use a 1st on him.
I can endorse your take Trey. I don't like McCarthy, because I'm a lifelong Penn State homer; but I can acknowledge what my eyes saw....a worthy opponent. I didn't watch him all season, but I saw the Penn State game; I watched the Michigan/Ohio State game; I watched the Big10 game against Iowa, where Iowa got destroyed. I watched that thriller against 'Bama. I rooted AGAINST Michigan each time (PSU/Michigan/OhioSt is like Saints/Falcons/Panthers rivalry), and each of those teams sported VERY STOUT defenses. McCarthy is calm, cool and collected...neither the game, nor the moment is too big for him. He is clutch in critical moments. He didn't CARRY the team, but he wasn't asked to...that defense and that run game (Corum?) was BRUTAL. But he did enough in the passing game to be considered dangerous....which kept the opponent's defense honest, and kept the running game open. He did what was asked of him, when it was asked of him, and he did it well.
Could he be a franchise QB in the NFL? I don't know. But I do know that he has the "intangibles" you look for in a franchise QB (at least the ones I consider relevant), which I consider MORE important than the physical tools. I wouldn't be upset if the Saints took him, as long as it was with a 2nd rounder. And of course, I'd start rooting FOR him, rather than against him.
OTOH.....considering what the 9ers staff did with 7th rounder Brock Purdy, I'd be anxious to know KK's thoughts about Haener. Seems like all the things that folks are noticing about Purdy's game.....the pre-snap reads; the anticipation; the quick decision-making....are all things that Haener has in his toolbag? The only knock against Haener that I'm aware of are his draft round and his size. But if there's anything Saints fans know, it's that a small QB isn't necessarily a problem? I wonder if KKs preferred QB isn't already on the roster? Don't know....but really want to hear KK speak on his vision.
But if Haener isn't a guy KK is intrigued with, this Michigan-hater could support McCarthy in the B&G for the reasons cited above. JMO...