Why mockers sending Locker to Redskins makes me bonkers

Whether it's my pal Evan Silva from Rotoworld, Russ Lande from the Sporting News or other national writers, it seems just about everyone is Locker-ing in on the Washington Redskins selecting the University of Washington quarterback in the first round.

As a lifelong fan of the Burgundy and Gold, allow me to use a quote from my grandmother to sum up what is either a growing factual consensus or a herd mentality: Oy Vey.

For the moment, let's put aside the fact that Redskins don't have a single area on offense they can hang their hat on (if you want to count tight end with Chris Cooley and Fred David, go for it). Let's look past their 31st ranked defense and that they are currently without picks in rounds three and four to help address their needs.

Instead, let's start with the first sentence Evan writes about Jake Locker. It reminds me of what draft-niks thought of another Pac 10 quarterback a few years back.

- Silva, on Locker: "Statistically, Locker grades out as an undrafted free agent with a 53.9 career completion rate, 15-25 record, and 6.65 yards-per-attempt average."

How can that line of thinking be equated with a player projected in the top-10?

(To be clear, not at all picking on Evan's take. The point of a mock draft is too simply do project what the NFL teams will do, not necessarily the path the author would take.

Now, here's the comparison to a previous first round QB.

-Pro Football Weekly, circa 2003. "Had poor stats on a poor team for his first three years, never completing 50 percent of his passes... Played for different offensive coordinators at Cal, but in '02 got to play for a new head coach, Jeff Tedford… putting him in a truly QB-friendly offense that generally required him to read only half the field. The result was Boller completed 225-421-2,815-28-10 (53.4 percent) and Cal had a winning season… Good size, speed and outstanding athletic ability for the position.

The mystery quarterback, Kyle Boller. Yes, scared me too.

The similarities to the Ravens bust are a little to close for my liking, even if some say Locker's accuracy issues are overblown.

Here's one more take on Locker, that quotes Scout's Inc. Matt Williamson. He's talking about rumors the local kid could get selected by the Seahawks.

- "He went to school in that area. It is easy to say that is a good fit, but I think Seattle is going more and more to a pure West Coast offense, and Locker doesn't fit the West Coast offense at all."

The Seahawks may not run an exact replica of the offensive scheme found in the page's of Mike Shanahan's playbook, but it's in the same general family.

Now back to Silva and the second line of his commentary: "Athletically, Locker is a picturesque fit for the Shanahans' scheme, which relies heavily on its quarterback making throws outside the pocket."

Williamson takes that aspect a step further - and also sounding a bit like he's describing the mobile passer who started 13 games in Washington last season):

- "Locker is pretty accurate outside the pocket," Williamson said, "but as far as going 1-2-3 and getting it out, having good footwork, hitting a guy in stride, he is terrible."

For more foreboding talk about Locker's pocket presence, check out NFL Films' Greg Cosell, here, here and here.

Most agree that Locker is going somewhere in round one and certain television analysts that love everyone really love Locker. So for some, taking a shot on a guy who a year ago may have been the overall number one pick is reasonable. But not for this team.

Santana Moss is a free agent and iffy at best to return. Ryan Torain is the top running back and he makes Austin Collie seem durable by comparison. The offensive line has one true building block (Trent Williams) and he's entering his second season. And the defense, well, let's just say that for all the hangups over Albert Haynesworth's attitude, this unit statistically was better with him.

Yeah, sounds like a great environment for a young passer to thrive in, right David Carr?

As for the other QB options, unless the eventual resolution to the ongoing labor situation leads to the Redskins being forced to keep Donovan McNabb, they won't. That leaves Rex.

Now, I know Grossman is a great punching bag for all the wanna-be comics out there, but he's fine for this team for this year. He has a decent arm, he can put up points. Sure he makes loads of mistakes, but he also gives the Redskins a puncher's chance, but more importantly Grossman can hold the fort while they put other much needed pieces in place.

It's ok to lose if there is a plan in place to get better, unlike what the last decade has wrought.

So where would I get a QB to groom? For now, look in the later rounds, but remember there is always next season. Right now, the focus should be on the offensive line and the defensive front-7.

Simply put, it seems like the Redskins drafting a not-so accurate quarterback at No. 10 is an awfully big risk with so many other needs available to address. Just a circa 2003 Ravens fan.