I know, right? Given the current trend, that may be just where we're headed. Facetiousness aside though, I will say this Daron Bryden kid is somewhat a different case, as the boy has clearly got an obvious gift, that being an arm which is borderline incredible for a kid his age. I watched when he beat Matt Hasselbeck in the throwing accuracy competition back when Daron was 10-10 1/2 years old, and that was legit. It was not a gimmick, as Hasselbeck was clearly trying to win, but as stated, this boy is just truly gifted when it comes to the art of throwing a football. It's not all that different really than the case of John Elway, Todd Marinovich, and others I'm sure, as the buzz around them really kicked into high gear back when they were around the same age as this boy is. I think talent like that so far beyond their calendar ages just kind of naturally generates such levels of buzz as that, so that's understandable enough. My son plays in a youth league composed of 10 and 11 year olds, and these kids rarely (and I do mean RARELY) ever even attempt to pass, because it's really fricken hard to do at that age, at live game speed to be able to get on the same page (or sometimes even in the same zip code) as a receiver in order to complete a pass to him. It's so much easier simply just to ground and pound, and so that's generally what these boys do. So to see a kid like Bryden, with the ability to throw accurately and deep, with touch as well as zip when needed in order to get the ball into a seam, and all these things despite his age and size, well, it's just really, really impressive. It is semi-ridonkulous to try and be projecting the future of a boy that small slinging around a youth sized football, but part of that whole deal is that his father stands 6'7, so if Daron follows in those footsteps, well then there's your size, and he's already got the terrific arm and natural football talent. So assuming he keeps developing and maintains his interest, focus, and dedication to football, well, therein lies the stuff of much intrigue regarding this boy's future. Personally I root for him. He's got an interesting back-story in that both his parents are deaf, and he and all his siblings are hearing, and he just seems like a really nice kid. He's got a good head on his shoulders, highly intelligent and has a sense of humor, including the ability to laugh at himself. There's not a singular hint of arrogance, cockiness or entitlement about him, as he understands that he's been blessed with a gift, and is humble about that and grateful for it. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens with young Mr. Daron Bryden, as he's got another 60+ months of youth, middle, and high school level football ahead of him, heh.
