As usual, my timing couldn’t be worse when it comes to predictions, projections or flat out just sharing my opinions on certain players or teams.
One day after I wrote this sparkling piece about how teams may regret passing on Ryan Mallett in next week’s draft, the National Football Post is reporting that the former Arkansas QB skipped his team visit with the Panthers earlier this month after “a late night on the town.”
Mallett apparently met Carolina officials for dinner on April 8, which was the first day he arrived in Charlotte. The bulk of his visit was scheduled for April 9, but he apparently called the Panthers that day and said he was sick, even though sources claim he was seen out on the town late the night before. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune and Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer both confirm the Post’s report.
This news does nothing to quell the concerns that Mallett has major character flaws. He was arrested for public intoxication in March of 2009, has admitted to at least experimenting with drugs in college, was perceived as arrogant when talking to the media at the scouting combine in February (when asked about his alleged drug use), and now apparently skipped a visit with a National Football Team. Even though he’s a prototypical pocket passer with great size and a cannon for a right arm, there’s a good chance he’ll fall out of the first round. And if he does, I hope all of the partying he has reportedly been doing was worth it because it’ll wind up costing him millions in the pros.
I’m going to contradict what I wrote yesterday, which I feel inclined to do after reading this report. But if you’re a NFL GM, why even bother with this kid? You can’t baby sit your franchise quarterback because he likes to do drugs and party. Granted, Brett Favre was a wild-child in Atlanta before being traded to Green Bay, so players can change. But again, why even bother? Let someone else deal with him and once he gets cut from his first NFL team, scoop him up when he’s matured and humbled.
