The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Trubisky ‘disaster’ as ’17 NFL No. 1
ESPN analyst Hoge praises Mentor grad as person but critical of instant success chances
Mitchell Trubisky made a mistake when he decided to enter the draft this year instead of returning to North Carolina for his senior season, according to outspoken ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge.
Hoge, who in 2014 ripped Johnny Manziel every chance he got — Hoge proved prophetic on that one — predicts “a disaster” if a team drafts Trubisky in the first round and tries to make him a starter immediately.
“If he’s drafted in the first round, and he’s implemented as a starter, it’s going to be tough,” Hoge said March 7 on Sports-Center. “It ain’t going to happen. It’s going to be a train wreck. It’s going to be a disaster.”
The Browns, 49ers, Bears and Jets are trying to upgrade their quarterback situation. The Browns pick first and 12th in the first round. The 49ers pick second, the Bears third and the Jets sixth.
Hoge isn’t the first to say Trubisky did not get enough experience in college.
“It ain’t going to happen. It’s going to be a train wreck. It’s going to be a disaster.” – ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge, on if a team drafts Mitch Trubisky and plans to start him immediately
Mike Mayock of NFL Network also criticized the Mentor High School graduate for turning pro after 13 college starts.
“That’s the guy who’s the least accurate of the ones we’re going to talk about right now,” Hoge said. “Here’s what troubles me more, bothers me more, and I still can’t figure out: Why do you come out? Well, people go, ‘Because the quarterback class was so bad.’ That’s fine, but eventually you gotta play.
“Eventually, if you can’t play, you get exposed and therefore you don’t play very long. Wouldn’t you rather hone your skill set, get better, then come out? And have a long career and be able to actually play in the NFL? I’m telling you, I worry about him if he’s
drafted in the first round because accuracy is a big issue, especially in critical downs.”
Hoge relentlessly criticized Manziel for personal problems and immaturity. Despite those issues, the Browns drafted Manziel 22nd overall in 2014. They released him after two seasons. No team was willing to touch Manziel last year, and he is still out of the league.
Hoge had nothing but praise for Trubisky as a person, but he did not sugarcoat what he perceives as shortcomings.
“Now he might be smart,” Hoge said. “I’ve heard he’s a super kid, and I like that. But that’s not a skill set. But 13 games with another year to come back and play? It’s like, ‘Who told him to come out? And then why did he come out?’ I’m going to tell you this, when you find out those answers, that could be a problem, too. Why is he coming
out like that? Because he’s not ready to play.
“Going through all six games I went through, it was red flag after red flag. Anticipation? Not there.”
Hoge said Trubisky would benefit being drafted by the Giants, Steelers or Chargers where he could sit behind Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger or Philip Rivers and learn.
“There are three quarterbacks you could sit behind for two to three to four years and work your tail off like an Aaron Rodgers and harness your skills and improve on your areas and you’ve got a shot,” Hoge said
The accuracy complaint doesn’t fit the numbers. Trubisky completed 304 of 447 passes — 68 percent — at North Carolina last fall. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes overall for the Tar Heels. Deshaun Watson completed 67.6 percent of his passes
at Clemson. DeShone Kizer completed 60.9 percent of his passes in three years at Notre Dame.
Trubisky believes he is ready for the NFL despite only 13 starts.
“I only have 13 starts, but I played in 30 games,” Trubisky said March 3 at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “I’ve come in off the bench and I’ve seen significant time. I was prepared really well at North Carolina by Coach (Keith) Heckendorf, a really good quarterbacks coach, and I’ve studied the game.
“I’m a student of the game and I’ve seen a lot of defenses, and I think that’s going to help me. And just my abilities, I feel like I’m in a really good spot right now to take my game to the next level, and I feel really confident.”
Trubisky threw 30 touchdown passes and six interceptions in his only season starting for the Tar Heels.