NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Dan Reeves is a big fan of Cam Newton, and told the Charlotte Observer that he thinks the Cats should take Newton with the #1 overall pick.

Former NFL head coach Dan Reeves thinks the Carolina Panthers should retain the top pick and pick a quarterback according to Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer. “If I’m them, I’m taking Cam Newton,” former Falcons and Broncos Coach Dan Reeves said. “I think that guy is going to be a great player. “You can’t win without one, and trust me, when I lost them, I got fired.” “I can teach a guy to get up under center,” Reeves said. “But I can’t teach a guy to throw. He has a tremendous arm, and I think he’s going to be really effective no matter what he was doing in college. “I mean, how many times do you see Peyton Manning or Tom Brady in the shotgun? A lot.”

While I certainly think that the quarterback position has to be the Vikings top offseason priority (as evidenced by my lopsided draft analysis), it is important to keep in mind a variety of other needs including along the offensive line and in the secondary.

That is why it is notable that TFY Draft Insider is reporting that USC left tackle Tyron Smith is high on the Vikings draft board.

Here is what they had to say:

"Where will Tyron Smith/OT/USC end up in the draft?  It looks more and more like he won't get out of the top twenty picks.  Sources have told us the Minnesota Vikings are seriously considering the athletic tackle with the 12th selection if they can't come away with a quarterback.  The other team that ranks Smith high on their board are the New York Giants."

The Vikings reportedly set up a private workout with Smith and if nothing else it might do some good to put Bryant McKinnie on notice.

With the Carson Quitter situation still no where close to resolved,  it is painfully apparent that the Bengals will use at least one draft pick on a quarterback.  Thus, the question becomes:  Who is the best QB for the Bengals?  Size, arm strength, athleticism, college scheme, and won-loss record all play a major role in determining who is the best fit, and at what round.  Collecting and analyzing as much hard data as possible is the first step in any evaluation.

One more data point was released by Chris Mortensen recently:  Their Wonderlic results.  These intelligence evaluations are important for any position, but are arguably most essential when specifically evaluating quarterbacks.  The Bengals are the team that drafted Pat McInally, the Harvard QB and punter who scored a perfect on the test.  They've drafted a few signal-callers with lower scores too.  Akili Smith leaps to mind.

So with that in mind, here are the scores:

• Greg McElroy (Alabama): 43
• Blaine Gabbert (Missouri): 42
• Nathan Enderle (Idaho): 38
• Colin Kaepernick (Nevada): 37
• Christian Ponder (Florida State): 35
• Ricky Stanzi (Iowa): 30
• Andy Dalton (Texas Christian): 29
• Ryan Mallett (Arkansas): 26
• Cam Newton (Auburn): 21
• Jake Locker (Washington): 20

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Thoughts and prayers from NFL Gridiron Gab go out to NFL Films president Steve Sabol, as the AP reports he will undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment after doctors discovered a tumor on the left side of his brain.

NFL.com cites an NFL Films statement Friday about the 68-year-old Sabol, who was hospitalized March 5 in Kansas City, Mo., after suffering a seizure.

"(Sabol) will begin treatments soon," the company's statement said. "Steve is in good spirits and is deeply appreciative of everyone's good wishes."

Sabol has worked with NFL Films since 1964. His father, Ed, was elected on the day before the Super Bowl last month to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.