Freethinker
Hall of Famer
Hoge seems like a blowhard who likes to have strong, "controversial" opinions on particular players he "doesn't like". Now he has strong words on Geno Smith. Maybe he's an equal opportunity hater?Professional Tebow hater Merrill "the Hog" Hoge is now bashing Matt Barkley, along with pseudo-"expert" Greg Cosell:
After a five-game study of USC QB Matt Barkley, ESPN's Merril Hoge believes Barkley is a "project" who deserves to be drafted in the third or fourth round. NFL Films' Greg Cosell recently called Barkley a "fourth-round talent" on tape. "He's a flat-footed thrower, which I haven't seen (before), quite honestly," said Hoge. "And that really affects his ability to drive the football. And he doesn't have a big arm anyway. He's very sloppy and erratic in the pocket, as well. And that combination is a little disturbing when you're transitioning to the NFL. ... At the line of scrimmage, I didn't see a guy who really understood the protections and all the pressures. Made a lot of mistakes, threw a lot of bad balls. And those type of things would concern me."
Geno Smith - QB - Player
ESPN's Merril Hoge lit into West Virginia QB Geno Smith on NFL Live Wednesday, insisting there "ain't no way" the Cardinals will draft him at No. 7 overall.
Hoge compared Todd McShay mock-drafting Smith at No. 7 to Mel Kiper hyping up Mike Williams before the 2005 draft. "In recent memory, I have never seen a more inconsistent thrower than Geno Smith," said Hoge. "Receivers that are wide open, (he) absolutely completely misses them. I got frustrated by watching him. ... You cannot be that inconsistent in college and then fix that in the NFL. Decision making, I thought under pressure he was below, below average. ... There ain't no way the Cardinals are gonna draft him. If Bruce Arians has anything to do about it, he will look at (Smith) and say there is no possible way."
In this one instance, I'd have to agree with The Hog.