NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Shelton Quarles, coordinator of pro scouting for the Tampa Bay Bucs, was arrested for DUI early Friday morning. He refused to submit to testing and was sitting in jail as of 6:00 AM. The Bucs are reviewing the incident and Quarles had just been promoted on January 20th.

Quarles was driving his 2011 Audi, and was pulled over hitting 79 mph in a 55-mph zone. Quarles has been well-known for his involvement in the community. His Impact Foundation performs home makeovers for and gives other resources to at-risk single-parent families.

To raise funds, they have the Shelton Quarles Celebrity Waiter Night (just raised over $130,000), and the Shelton Quarles Celebrity Pro-Am, part of the PGA Transitions golf tournament in Palm Harbor.

Former Buc Jerramy Stevens was arrested today as well, on felony battery charges, his second arrest in less than five months.

Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com reported that the Houston Texans agreed to a four-year, $22 million deal with tight end Owen Daniels.  Daniels was tendered yesterday as a restricted free agent.  He will make $13 million within his first two years of his four-year deal.  The former Pro Bowl tight end was an integral part to the Texans' early 2009 success, but he was hampered with knee-surgery recovery and a hamstring injury throughout 2010.  However, when healthy Daniels is Kubiak's go-to tight end in the Texans' offense.

The Houston Chronicle confirmed that the Texans also officially signed running back Derrick Ward and, newly appointed nose tackle, Shaun Cody.  Ward will make a total of $1.75 million in salary and bonus next year.  Cody received a two-year, $5.75 million contract with $1.5 million guaranteed.  Both players were standout role players for the Texans in 2010.

As all NFL eyes seem fixated on the ongoing CBA drama, here in the land of Stripes we maintain an equally close stakeout on another circus-like spectacle: Carson Watch 2011.

As the Number Nine Whine moves into its second month, we here at the Gab are getting an opportunity to further analyze Palmer's motives and scrutinize his actions.  We made the point last week that in retrospect his leadership skills are not on par with the best in the business  and his mental toughness-once unquestioned-is now up for a healthy debate.

After all, Palmer's legitimate complaints about the back asswards ways of the Brown family aside, he is still a starting NFL quarterback.  There are only 32 of those jobs, they are in high demand, pay a mint, and come with them a huge amount of responsibility and power. To cast such a unique opportunity aside—one that takes a lifetime of effort to attain—without a spoken word and with such apparent nonchalance is disturbing.

We chewed over his long-standing reputation for being "calm" and "level-headed," and while that attribute has been generally lauded by the "experts" it can be argued that it is not a desirable trait in one of those 32 jobs.

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Quarterback

1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas, 6′6 238
- Scouting report available

2. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri, 6′5 235
- Scouting report available

3. Jake Locker, Washington, 6′3 226
- Scouting report available

4. Cam Newton, Auburn, 6′6 250
- Scouting report available

5. Christian Ponder, Florida State, 6′3 227
- Scouting report available

Best Technique

Christian Ponder, Florida State

-Very sound overall and shows quick footwork in his drop and when settling in the pocket. His release is high and compact with a full stride and bends into his throws naturally.

Arm Strength

Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

-Will immediately possess one of the top three arms in the NFL. He shows exceptional rotation on downfield throws, and his passing ability won't be affected much by harsh conditions. Mallett has stated that he once threw a football 85 yards at a football camp while in high school.

Accuracy

Pat Devlin, Delaware

-Shows pinpoint accuracy and great ball placement, especially in the short/ intermediate area. Consistently keeps his receivers in stride and knows when to lighten or tighten his throws.

Reading Coverage

Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

-Frequently changed plays at the line of scrimmage and shows sideline to sideline field vision. Mallett does a nice job finding the openings in zone and takes quick advantage of single coverage.

Running Ability

Cam Newton, Auburn

-Very good with his legs; Newton runs faster than many tight ends and is a threat to take it 50 yards if you allow him to get past the second level.

Intangibles

Jake Locker, Washington

-Shows a highly competitive nature and is team oriented. Locker inspires confidence and plays the position with a linebacker's mentality.

Upside

Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

-Gabbert has prototype measureables and physical ability; he's just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. If he can pick up professional pass concepts naturally, he could be very good.