Bomani Jones & His Strawman Argument

Don't we all hate strawman arguments? It seems like it's the stock-n-trade argument of the GOP. But this is not about those loons.

This is about Bomani Jones, ESPN.com columnist and guest panelist this week on Jim Rome is Burning. Yesterday, they were discussing the draft prospects of Cam Newton and Mr. Jones said this:

Look at the names you're going to hear come out (about being the) #1 pick. You're gonna hear some talk probably about A.J. Green by the time it's all over. A wide receiver. Somebody will bring this up before it's all over. If we have a draft where you can consider taking a wide receiver at #1, that tells you there is no guy out there that's just this can't miss definite star player.

Now, technically, he may be correct. Somebody probably will bring up A.J. Green. This person will not be a credible person (for example: see this and this). Are you supposed to factor in every crackpot with an opinion when evaluating this draft?

By the way, Bomani also said:

The only quarterback in this draft that has#1 pick potential is Cam Newton just because of what the upside could possibly be.

Of course, Mel Kiper released Mock Draft 3.0 this week with Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert as the #1 pick. I am going to say Kiper is a more reliable source - although this a guy who seemed to advocate teams using a Top 10 pick on Jimmy Clausen, so I am willing to concede that Mr. Kiper's opinion is not the least bit infallible.

Another dissenting opinion comes from New York Giant defensive lineman Justin Tuck. He said:

Would I take (Newton) at #1? Absolutely not. In this league, the athletic quarterbacks don't last long. It's the quarterbacks that can sit in the pocket and take the picture of whatever defense we're in. It's those guys that teams are looking for and I don't think Cam is that player yet.

I like... I like. Sounds like a better evaluator of talent than Matt Millen for sure. And I don't mean that to damn him with faint praise - I mean, quite frankly, who isn't better than Matt Millen?

All that said, I admit I don't know what make of Newton at the NFL level. It really could go either way. (Consider that my CYA addendum so some a-hole with a blog won't link to this in three years if Cam Newton does turn out to be good!)