Is the Read-Option here to stay? Colin Kaepernick probably hopes so. He shredded the Packers defense in the playoffs last year and will get the chance to do more damage as the 49ers open the 2013 season at home against Green Bay.

As I sat drinking my coffee and anxiously awaiting the schedule release last night, I couldn’t help but notice our beloved Green and Gold play at San Francisco again this year.

While the Packers faithful have 579 total reasons to forget their season ending there, this does make me wonder just how long this infamous “read-option” will be around? Mr. Aaron Rodgers was quoted a few months back as saying it’s more of a passing trend than anything. Maybe, maybe not. But after being beaten as soundly as the Packers were, I am curious as to whether or not this will have any bearing on the draft.

Isolate and attack. That’s really what it came down to as Colin Kaepernick isolated outside linebackers Eric Walden and Clay Matthews, waiting for their first misstep to run the opposite way en route to 181 rushing yards. The finger can be pointed every-which-way for such a loss as many fans were even calling for Dom Capers’ head after this blowout.

In the end it simply comes down to execution and Kaepernick executed far better than the Packers defense did. We do need to give credit where credit is due as Kaepernick is an outstanding all-around athlete. In the same light, he almost seems to be spearheading this new wave of quarterback, paving the way for other all-around athletic quarterbacks such as Geno Smith.

Will Kevin Sumlin help Dom Capers’ defense stop the read-option?

For a defensive unit to be dealt such a blow, Mike McCarthy wasted little time in getting his defensive staff up to speed, sending them to College Station to learn from Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin about defending the read-option. While probably not a bad move, it’s safe to say this one definitely caught many of the Packers Nation by surprise.

So what bearing (if any) will this have on the draft? Ted Thompson’s strategy and philosophy have both been well documented as he has always stuck to his guns. But has Thompson encountered a hurdle such as this before a draft?

This is truly a unique scenario as McCarthy went so far as sending his staff back to college. I can’t help but wonder if it will be enough to sway draft strategy one way or another. The majority of the projections out there seem to emphasize filling the void left by Charles Woodson more so than not. Overall speed would probably be the one trait to look for to defend a read-option.

West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith has received subjective criticism from the media that could impact his livelihood. Is it warranted or just another bashing of a black quarterback? Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

By P.J. Root

Special to Lombardiave.com

There are topics that are inherently difficult to broach in our society and in sports – namely the NFL – even as the world becomes more tolerant.

However, two major topics continue to raise their heads – the stigmas of both black quarterbacks and homosexuality in the game of football.

An overwhelming abundance of criticism directed toward black quarterbacks, in addition to the evolving culture change have polarized the league on multiples levels.

Each expanding discussion has turned ugly , oftentimes underhanded, or in some cases blatant concerning both topics in either approval of stereotypes or prejudice of sexual preference.

Rush Limbaugh

Lighting-rod radio host, Rush Limbaugh, years ago dove into the unspoken ideal that African-Americans cannot grasp the quarterback position.

“I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern,” Limbaugh said on ESPN in 2003. “I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.”

The quarterback Limbaugh was singling out happened to be Donovan McNabb.

Was it based on McNabb’s merit as a mobile and efficient playmaker? Was it based on his Pro Bowls or consistent performances in the brutal NFC East?

No.

It was based on the color of his skin.

McNabb would eventually lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC Championship that very year, and eventually the Super Bowl, yet these words cheapening McNabb’s achievements have lingered.

Cam Newton.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

These evaluations have become combative concerning attitude with black quarterbacks, especially by Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly.

“Very disingenuous — has a fake smile,” Nawrocki wrote. “Comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.”

There has been a sophomore slump,  but Cam Newton has ignited a franchise by having the ability to create yards through a haymaker arm and punishing feet. None which was mentioned by Nawrocki for the future NFL and Offensive Rookie of the Year.

When speaking of West Virginia’s first round draft prospect Geno Smith, Nawrocki continues down the same path of assessment.

“Nonchalant field presence,” Nawrocki wrote.  ”Does not command respect from teammates and cannot inspire.”

Pretty bleak there – almost brutal.

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel further expressed viewpoints from unnamed scouts that Redskins QB Griffin  had a “selfish streak,” and questioned the Baylor star’s interpersonal skills.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Was Griffin selfish when hobbling against the Seahawks in the dead marshes of FedEx Field? Battling through constant stabbing pain, Griffin ignored his own security up until his knee finally buckled in his final game of last season. The image of Griffin grasping his lineman’s hand and screaming in pain, fulfilled every cliché about leaving every ounce of one’s self on the field.

Not to mention he was Rookie of the Year.

White quarterbacks, in comparison, have received far less scrutiny in a majority of cases. Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears, for starters, is not the warmest or best postured of field generals in the league.

Just ask the Chicago offensive line if Cutler exudes selfish, aloof or communication deficiencies. Better yet, ask future Hall of Famer John Lynch. ESPN columnist Rick Reilly wrote that Lynch was forced to hurl Cutler’s phone jut to receive the basic pleasantry of Cutler’s eye contact.

Even Brett Favre in his rowdy early days never encountered the microscopic lens applied to his black counterparts. Stories of late nights, and hung-over mornings are legend around the city of Green Bay, yet stories, if they were written were buried in the hinterlands of newspapers, barely reaching the light of day.

Jay Cutler is known for being aloof.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Cutler and Favre may have been scrutinized for their actions, but those criticisms came long after the draft, instead of during the period of time where every action could and does bring calamitous consequences for future income.

Sometimes skill and personality is not even considered when critiquing a minority QB. Take former ESPN commentator Rod Parker, and his comments about Redskins QB Robert Griffin III.

“Is he a (black) brother, or is he a cornball brother,” Parker said on ESPN First Take. “He’s not one of us.”

The sound byte originated around Griffin’s fiancé, (who happens to be white) which was evidence enough for Parker that Griffin did not fulfill the unwritten requirements of being an African American.

Parker is black.

The level of criticism and constant barrage of commentary creates mirroring parallels to the struggle of a gay teammate in football. Instead of pundits screaming from soapboxes, the passive-aggressive attitude of silent slights and clamped mouths have been just as loud as any publicized denouncement.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The collective mindset of NFL locker rooms can be seen between the lines in commonly abbreviated answers meant to settle the minds of future investments or advocacy groups. Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski illuminates the majority in his recent interview with ESPN.

“Everyone has their own ways to live their life,” Gronkowski said. “…as long as he’s respecting me, keeping distance … I’ll respect him back.”

When referring to distance, what is Gronkowski alluding to? Personal distance? Sexual distance? Emotional distance?  Does the distance apply to QB Tom Brady?

No one is looking for Freudian discoveries from Gronkowski, but when keeping distance is applied to a team member in a sport which demands constant contact and participation, toleration is not enough (e.g. Terrell Owens).

Maybe Gronkowski wanted the distance that Notre Dame Linebacker Manti Te’o wanted when asked if he was gay.

“Faaaarrrrrrr from it.”

Two players known for doing the dirty work on their respective teams, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and punter Chris Kluwe, have advanced social awareness of acceptance and understanding of gay players. Both players going as far as becoming involved with overturning California’s Proposition 8, which prohibits same-sex marriage.

Yet, players who also participate in similar advocacy are not as passionate or willing to share their image with the homosexual community as are Ayanbadejo and Kluwe.

Ahmad Brooks of the 49ers and Isaac Sopoaga now of the Eagles appeared in a viral video for the “It Gets Better Project” combatting bullying. When asked about how important the message was for LGBT kids, Brooks and Sopoaga denounced their participation.

San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“I didn’t make any video,” Brooks said. “It was an anti-bullying video, not a gay video.”

Sopoaga simply said he was never there.

Well, Sopoaga and Brooks were there, and so was teammate Donte Whitner.

“The San Francisco 49ers are proud to join itgetsbetter.org to let all LGBT teens know that it gets better,” Whitner says in the same video. “On behalf of the entire 49ers organization, we are on your side. And we promise: It gets better.”

The two stigmas attached to each subject create interesting conversations. On one hand African Americans are past the “Jackie Robinson” barrier, meaning that the acceptance in the league is real. Homosexuals have reached that barrier, but will the community have to encounter the same baseless criticisms the African American QBs are currently encountering?

Menander once wrote,  “Conscience is a God to all mortals.”

Here is to hoping the NFL and its’ affiliates believe.

With NFL free agency news slowing to a trickle, it’s time to turn our attention to the next phase of the offseason cycle  - the NFL Draft.

The 2013 NFL Draft is less than a month away, so I called friend and draftnik Greg Trippiedi to help answer five questions about this year’s draft class. Greg has covered the draft for more than a decade, and his work is one of the best reads on the Internet.

Now, without further delay, here’s our Q&A:

What player drafted outside of the top 10 will end up playing like one, ala Clay Matthews?

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree does a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Hirschhorn: Alec Ogletree and it’s not close. His off the field troubles have been well documented, but they’re not kind of problems that tend to keep players off the field. His coaches at Georgia say he was never a problem in their locker room, and he has the reputation as a hard worker. While that doesn’t guarantee Ogletree will fix his problems, those types of players usually turn things around. If you judge him based solely on football concerns, Ogletree has top tier athleticism for his position and makes all the plays an elite inside linebacker should. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that in a few years Ogletree is in the same discussion with Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman for best at the position.

Southern California Trojans receiver Robert Woods (2) is pursued by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Chris Salvi (24) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Trippiedi: I’m going to give you two names here, both playing the same position: wide receivers Robert Woods of USC, and Keenan Allen of Cal.  I think Tavon Austin is the best offensive specialist in the draft, but Woods and Allen are top ten level players who will be available after the 16th pick in the first round.  Both are fluid athletes who can score from anywhere on the field, and really high point the football on 50/50 balls despite neither really being viewed as much of a height/weight/speed specimen.  Plus, I feel more comfortable projecting receivers than I do defensive pass rushers. But as a footnote to the last comment, I think the player that reminds me the most of Matthews coming out of USC is Jarvis Jones of Georgia.  And he’s likely to be available when Green Bay picks.

What player drafted in the early rounds is most likely to get a general manager fired?

Jason: Ah, the commemorative “who would Scott Pioli draft?” category. The answer is Mike Glennon. Drafting a quarterback early is nearly always a career defining move for a general manager. Making the wrong choice is a surefire way to earn the selector a one-way ticket out of town. While evaluating any player comes with considerable challenges, quarterbacks present many additional hurdles for general managers.

Senior Bowl north squad quarterback Mike Glennon of North Carolina State (8) throws against the Senior Bowl south squad. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s where Glennon could end some poor GM’s tenure. With his rocket arm producing high volume yardage and touchdowns, Glennon cuts the figure of the perfect pocket passer. In a year where there is little agreement regarding the best quarterback, Glennon stands out to some teams with his traditional drop back passer capabilities. What seems to get lost in the shuffle is Glennon’s lack of accuracy and passing discipline. Watching his tape, it’s clear Glennon’s never seen a double covered receiver he didn’t like. Glennon is too trusting in his arm strength, leading to 29 interceptions over the past two seasons. Those mistakes will only be magnified in the pros.

Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah does lineman dirlls during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Greg: Assuming that “whoever Jeff Ireland drafts” isn’t an option here? No? Darn. With the easy answer off the board, it’s worth pointing out that the only picks that are directly responsible for getting GMs fired are quarterbacks, and no quarterback in this class is getting overdrafted.  So this is a very safe draft to be a GM.  There are two buyer beware players at the top of the first round who will be overdrafted on potential: LB Dion Jordan of Oregon, and DE Ziggy Ansah of BYU.  And it’s not that either won’t be good players.  But if I’m oh, I don’t know, Martin Mayhew or Mike Lombardi, I’d feel much better going with Kenny Vaccaro or Dee Milliner than I would with Ansah or Jordan.  Probably buys me an extra year on the job.

Ireland can take whomever he wants to at this point.  I don’t think anything can save him now.

Five years from now, who is the best quarterback from the 2013 draft class?

Southern California Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) is pressured by Oregon Ducks linebacker Tyson Coleman (33) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Jason: In five years, I think a lot of people will be wondering how their team let Matt Barkley slip past them. That’s not to say he’ll become the next Aaron Rodgers, because that wouldn’t be reasonable or fair. However, Barkley possesses enough characteristics of a successful quarterback to negate his shortcomings. The arm strength issue is overblown. Barkley has already demonstrated the ability to make the difficult out throws. What’s often overlooked is Barkley’s decision-making. As a freshman, he completed nearly 60 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,735 yards and 7.8 yards per attempt. That’s better than most of this year’s quarterback draft pool. Barkley’s best year was as a junior, where he was extremely efficient (5.6 touchdown to interception ratio, 69.1 percent completion) and extremely productive (3,528 passing yards, 39 touchdowns). That year is closer to the real Matt Barkley than his “down” 2012.

Right now, Barkley is viewed as a late first round selection (though we’ll address this more later). If that holds true, he’ll be given what few highly-drafted quarterbacks ever receive: time. It’s easy to see how a four-year starter who gets a year or two to build up his body and knowledge of the offense could flourish. Hopefully for Barkley, this is how his career plays out.

West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) drops back to pass against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. West Virginia defeated Iowa State 31-24. Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Greg: Geno Smith is the correct answer here, no?  He’s going to get the most chances. Thing is, it’s probably the kind of year where you want to take the field.  Someone is coming out from deep in the draft to make an impact as a starter.

And this isn’t really a prediction, but I think that given the five year time frame you allow here, Landry Jones could disappear off the face of the earth just long enough to re-emerge as a starting quarterback in this league, not dissimilar to what happened to Matt Moore in the 2007 draft.  With a player like Jones, you just have to think that his weaknesses as a college quarterback became so obvious to scouts over the last two seasons that whatever team gets him in camp is probably going to try to stash him away on the roster for a few years, at which point, they’ll be left with a guy who was sacked less than 1 in 40 college pass attempts and completed 63.6 percent of his college passes.

In the meantime, the answer is Geno Smith.

Who is the first quarterback off the board, and which team selects them?

Jason: The answer is Geno Smith, right now. Remember, Matt Barkley didn’t work out at the combine and has yet to have his pro day. While pre-draft work shouldn’t affect draft stock as much as it does, we’ve seen time and time again how a good workout can propel players to higher selections. And when’s the last time a quarterback had a bad pro day workout? Hint: never.

So the question becomes whether a team that runs a west coast-style offense will draft a passer before a team that wants a little more mobility and athleticism from their quarterback does. Oakland is the x-factor, as they’ll legitimately consider Geno Smith at the third pick. If they pass, the next team that might go quarterback is Arizona. The Cardinals are better suited for Barkley’s skill set.

So in the end I give you two scenarios: Smith to Oakland or Barkley to Arizona.

Greg: Geno Smith will be the first quarterback taken, and he’s going between pick no. 2 and pick no. 4 in this draft.  I think Jacksonville has a 30 percent chance of taking him with the second pick.  Oakland has a 45 percent chance of taking him with the third pick, if he’s available.  And then I really don’t think he gets past Philadelphia with the fourth pick.  It’s hard to put a plurality on this because looking at the overall percentages I just used, it breaks down to something like 30-30-30-10 as to where Smith lands, so I’m going to split the difference and say the Raiders will take him at third overall.  I’m 100 percent sure this will happen 30 percent of the time.

The interesting scenarios come if Jacksonville takes Smith at no. 2, because I think that puts Matt Barkley in play for the Raiders at 3.  You can’t have percentages on that event.  Absolutely not.

Finally, put yourself in the shoes of Ted Thompson. Of the players reasonably likely to be available when the Green Bay Packers pick, who would you select and why?

Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman D.J. Fluker does bag drills during Alabama pro day at the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility. Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

Jason: This question really is “who is the best player available at the Packers’ selection?” I think there’s a decent chance Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker is still on the board at 26. If he is, I can’t imagine a better selection. Fluker is a mammoth tackle who created giant holes for three 1,000 yard rushers the past two years. Read that again, three 1,000 yard rushers in two years. Most of those runs came behind Fluker, who is one of the strongest linemen in the draft. With Fluker lining up next to Josh Sitton, the Packers would have the ability to run effectively for the first time in years. This would also free Bryan Bulaga, the team’s best tackle, to move to the left side where he played so well at Iowa. Green Bay could reasonably go from the second most sacked team to the top third of the league.

I also think it’s likely that if no great value exists at 26, Ted Thompson will trade back. The strength of this draft class is in the second and third rounds. Smart teams will be swinging trades to maximize their selections in those rounds.

Akron Zips quarterback Clayton Moore (8) runs during the first quarter as FIU Golden Panthers defensive back Jonathan Cyprien (25) prepares to make the tackle in the game at InfoCision Stadium. Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports

Greg: I think the two players who make the most sense for the Packers (but there’s at least a chance one if not both will not be there) are TE Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame, and FS Jonathan Cyprien of Florida International.  In the modern NFL, you have to be good in the middle of the field.  I think the Packers are perfectly well off at the tight end and safety positions for 2013, but the NFC is getting into an arms race for the kind of talent that can create scoring opportunities (Eifert) and limit scoring opportunities (Cyprien), and I don’t see the Packers being in a position to pass either of these first-rounders if available when they select in round one.

Today’s contributors:

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Greg Trippiedi writes about the Washington Redskins at Redskins Hog Heaven and runs LiveBall Sports which covers current events in sports with a slant toward sports analytics and the business side of the sports world.  His teams go to the playoffs sometimes, which is a refreshing change from most years when they do not win anything. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/GTrippiedi.

November 25, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) paces the sidelines during first quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) started the game instead of Smith. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Yesterday, the San Francisco 49ers sent backup quarterback Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs. In return, San Francisco receives the 34^th overall pick in the upcoming draft and a conditional third round selection in 2014 that could convert to a second rounder depending on Smith’s playing time. That’s a large haul considering the dearth of demand around the league.

But it’s a robbery considering Smith’s low volume production.

While Smith finished with his most efficient year as a pro (he led the league in passer rating at the time he was benched), the former 49er has yet to produce a single season with 3000 or more yards passing and 20 or more touchdowns. Even Smith’s 2012 projected out to a full season – 2779 yards, 21 TDs, and 8 INTs – wouldn’t provide 3000/20 volume.

For the 49ers, Smith was more of a passenger of the ship than its captain. It begs the question: is a quarterback that is only efficient when he doesn’t take risks worth such a major investment?

There aren’t any great comps for the Smith trade, which is easy to understand. Teams with quarterbacks of any discernible quality rarely allow them to leave. Of the few occasions when a team did trade a quality quarterback, only the trades of Brad Johnson and Matt Cassel provide any insight into what the Chiefs can expect with Alex Smith.

Even though he lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl, Brad Johnson was never the most imposing passer.

In 2001, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired Brad Johnson from Washington. An off and on starter, Johnson was a moderately efficient passer who the Buccaneers felt could optimize their talented but underachieving roster. In comparison to Smith, Johnson was a higher volume passer but less efficient. Regardless, Johnson was no one’s definition of a franchise quarterback. Rather, he was a quality short term solution to a prolonged quarterback shortage in Tampa. In Johnson’s first season as a Buccaneer, Tampa actually regressed, falling to 9-7 and third in the NFC Central. That led to head coach Tony Dungy receiving his walking papers and Tampa trading a truckload of draft picks for Jon Gruden. A year later, Tampa improved to 12-4 and won their first championship in franchise history. While that might imply the Johnson trade was a sterling success, it’s important to remember how much Tampa relied on their defense. That year, the Buccaneers lead the NFL in yards given up, points allowed, and points scored by a defense. By comparison, the Tampa offense finished 24^th in yards and 18^th in points scored. While Johnson provided leadership, he didn’t provide all that much in the way of an aerial attack. If Johnson’s performance is any indication of what the Chiefs can expect from Alex Smith, the Chiefs’ defense will have to improve dramatically, especially given the high draft picks Kansas City parted with.

November 18, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (7) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) and defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

More recent was the case of Matt Cassel. Cassel barely played in college or in New England prior to 2008. That was the year Tom Brady tore his ACL in week 1, clearing the way for Cassel’s first meaningful snaps since his senior year of high school. To the surprise of many, Cassel played well, throwing for almost 3,700 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record. By the following season, Brady had healed and Cassel had been acquired by Kansas City. As with Brad Johnson, the early returns were disappointing. Cassel had as many interceptions as touchdowns, and the Chiefs went 4-12. In 2010, Cassel’s touchdown total increased by more than 10 while his interceptions were reduced by over 50%. Not coincidentally, the Chiefs won the AFC West for the first time since 2003. Unfortunately, that’s the best it got for Cassel in Kansas City. His next two years were a cocktail of injuries and unmet expectations, finally culminating in the aforementioned Alex Smith acquisition. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, both Brad Johnson and Matt Cassel suggest that this was a bad trade for Kansas City.

Now, the more pressing question for Green Bay: how will this trade affect the Packers? Or more specifically, how will the trade affect the Packers’ draft?

Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) warms up prior to the start of the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Syracuse Orange at Yankee Stadium. Syracuse defeated West Virginia 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

As I wrote about earlier this month, the Packers will be greatly benefited or hurt by how many teams select quarterbacks in the first round. Any quarterback taken before the Packers’ selection will be a reach in terms of raw value, not to mention it keeps a player the Packers may desire on the board. Prior to the Smith trade, Kansas City was widely believed to be a possible destination for a rookie quarterback. The Chiefs had been connected to West Virginia’s Geno Smith, a quarterback with both speed and pocket passing skills not too unlike new Kansas City coach Andy Reid’s old protégé, Donovan McNabb.

Now with the Chiefs out of the quarterback market, it stands to reason that one less quarterback will be selected prior to Green Bay’s pick. The consequences of this are too remote to decipher at this time, but as we’ve seen it only takes one player to fall to change a franchise. Take the Packers for instance. In 2005, due to a confluence of a favorable draft order and quarterback demand, Aaron Rodgers fell from the top 10 to the mid-20s. The Packers snatched him up, and three years later the Packers were rewarded for their foresight and patience with a true franchise quarterback. But the Packers struck again in 2009, when B.J. Raji fell to pick 9 due to false reports of a positive drug tests. In just two years Raji became the most important defensive lineman on Green Bay’s Super Bowl winning roster.

There is another angle to the Alex Smith trade. The strength of the 2012 draft lies in the second to third round, where there is little to no drop off in value from player to player. Smart teams will try to maximize the amount of picks they can get for those rounds through trades. Had Kansas City not traded for Alex Smith, they might have drafted Geno Smith at number one. They also might have drafted another player and tried to trade back into the late first for another shot at a quarterback. The Packers were in prime position to be that team that trades back for more picks in that uber-valuable draft range. While that could still happen, there’s one less team vying for the Packers’ pick.

Today, Sunday, Feb. 24, the NFL struck on a brilliant idea – showcase the Combine with the skill position players – you know, the guys who run, catch and throw the ball. Doing this on the third Sunday since the conclusion of the season with Super Bowl XLVII – another football-less Sunday when the fan base is starving for news about the league – was simply brilliant.

And the players-to-be aren’t disappointing the audience. You’ve got two wideouts, Tavon Austin out of West Virginia and Marquis Goodman out of Texas who burned up the Lucas Oil Stadium turf by matching one another’s 4.25-second mark. They both just missed tying or beating Chris Johnson’s 4.24 record in the 40.

In addition, you’ve got a quarterback, Geno Smith, also of West Virginia, who pasted a 4.56 mark onto the board.

Also burning up the carpet were Michigan wide receiver Denard Robinson (4.34), Louisiana Tech’s Quinton Patton (4.46), and Tennessee’s Cordarrelle Patterson (4.37).

If these guys can translate their speed in shorts with the ability to catch the football in traffic on the National Football League gridiron, then there’s no question this could be a very good draft for wide receivers – at least for fast wide receivers.

These guys are clearly some talented athletes, but are they football players?

That remains to be seen.

For the videos of these guys burning things up, see below:

WR Tavon Austin & Marquise Goodwin 4.25 NFL Combine 40-yd dash

WR Denard Robinson NFL Combine 40 yd dash

WR Cordarrelle Patterson NFL Combine 40-yd dash

Geno Smith 40-yd dashes NFL Combine

Jan 23, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Senior Bowl north squad quarterback Zac Dysert of Miami OH (7) , quarterback Ryan Nassib of Syracuse (12) and quarterback Mike Glennon of North Carolina State (8) during the Senior Bowl north squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Theoretically, the best available player is selected with every pick. Such an approach to the draft insures the greatest accrual of talent, and over the course of a few drafts teams can transform their fortunes. Yet, we all know this doesn’t occur in practice. Part of the cause is misevaluation, but part of that is positional demand. Most commonly, quarterback prospects are drafted far above where their relative abilities should place them. For a team like the Packers which already has a franchise quarterback and selects later in each round, this dynamic can push back more valuable prospects.

The 2013 draft pool presents an interesting predicament. Unlike the past couple of years which each featured four quarterbacks drafted in the first round, there is little to no consensus on how many quarterbacks will go round 1 this year. How many are taken will directly affect who the Packers select.

This year’s QB draft pool will go one of a few ways with results ranging from a significant value loss for Green Bay to rewarding them with an elite prospect. We address each scenario below:

Scenario 1: One or Fewer Quarterbacks are Selected in the First Round

November 17, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) sets to pass in the first half of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

How it happens: This is the worst case scenario for Green Bay. While Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon, Tyler Wilson, and Ryan Nassib each could go in the first round, none are locks to be taken that early. Teams may order them differently, but it’s unlikely that many feel there’s a significant discrepancy between the top and bottom player on their list. Because there are so many quality quarterback prospects – but no elite ones – teams could wait to select a passer in favor of selecting a better overall player.

Likelihood of happening: We’ve seen this happen before. In 2000, the league as a whole drafted as though there were no elite prospects. Instead, only the New York Jets selected a quarterback in the first round (Chad Pennington), while the rest of the NFL waited until the third round to take a passer. This happened again the following year when after Michael Vick went number one overall, the run on quarterbacks didn’t begin until the second round. In terms of QB value distribution, those classes mirror the 2013 class very well. While more likely scenarios exist, this outcome has a strong chance of occurring.

Scenario 2: Two to Three Quarterbacks are Drafted in the First Round

Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) prepares to pass the ball during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Syracuse defeated West Virginia 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

How it happens: Similar to scenario 1, the QB needy teams take a conservative approach to drafting a quarterback. The difference this time around is a few decide to go that route sometime before the Packers select at number 26. Depending on your count, there are 6-9 teams that will draft a quarterback in the first few rounds this year. There aren’t that many “top” prospects at the position, so two to three teams may choose to grab one in the first.

Likelihood of happening: This is the most typical distribution of quarterbacks over the last 10 drafts. As such, it’s the most likely outcome. While not the best result for Green Bay, it would at least afford the Packers a decent shot at receiving proper value for the 26^th pick by pushing down a few better prospects.

Scenario 3: Four+ Quarterbacks are Taken in the First Round

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad quarterback Tyler Wilson of Arkansas (8) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

How it happens: We’ve already discussed how similar in value the quarterback prospects are, but what we haven’t covered is how these prospects differ. Mike Glennon and Tyler Wilson have strong arms and play with a gunslinger’s mentality, Geno Smith is a sneaky good athlete in the mold of Russell Wilson, and Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib are West Coast style passers. The teams in need of quarterbacks don’t all intend to use the same system. It’s not impossible that each team targets only the players that match their desired offensive style and thus aggressively pursues a prospect. In such a scenario four or more could go off the board before the Packers pick and allow Green Bay to select a player graded as a top 20 prospect.

Likelihood of happening: Unfortunately, this isn’t terribly likely. This outcome requires a perfect storm, and the draft is anything perfect. It requires all top quarterback prospects to have teams that value them as first round picks, and the chances of that are very, very low.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.