(from February 22--might have already been posted) From "anonymous scouts" (so TIFWIW) Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA: 6-5, 255. Senior. "Really athletic," one scout said. "He's got pass-rush ability. The guy was a running back until two years ago, so he's got hands. Some of the toughness is still not there, but he's a great kid. Great effort. Top 10." Long, fast and productive on the rush. "Looks the part athletically but is not a football player at this point," another scout said. "More developmental. He'll get overdrafted." Blake Bortles*, QB, Central Florida: 6-5, 232. Fourth-year junior. "He's either the first or second quarterback (drafted)," one scout said. "Really good athlete. Great size. Above average to very good arm strength. Tough. Poised. Very productive in his last year." Completed 65.7% of his passes and started two years. "He's actually more of a runner," another scout said. "They ran him a lot and roll him out. He's raw. If somebody takes him and thinks he's going to be their franchise guy, they're going to get burned. He's not very accurate, and guys that are inaccurate don't really become that accurate. You can depend on him. He works his (expletive) off. He's a leader. He's won. He kind of raised the program. But I'm shaky with him." Teddy Bridgewater*, QB, Louisville: 6-2, 214. Three-year starter. "Louisville's success is because of Teddy Bridgewater," one scout said. "He's calm and composed, like you want in a quarterback. I'm not real crazy about his build. He has a linear build. I can't say he's a better scrambler than Russell Wilson, but he's not a statue, OK?" Ranked fifth in NCAA passer efficiency in 2013. Career completion mark of 68.4%. "I think you can win with him," another scout said. "He's not an elite talent but he's got a good enough arm, he's a good enough athlete and he's a leader. The big thing is his intangibles. He wins. He's clutch." Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State: 6-2½, 214. Broke all kinds of records in a spread offense. "Threw the ball 50, 60 times a game," one scout said. "Put up a ton of yards but has average size. He can start, no question. I thought he played well in the Senior Bowl." Career completion mark of 66.6%. Older brother David was top pick in 2002 draft by Houston and coach Dom Capers. "I don't trust him," said another scout. "In that system and against bad teams he can light it up. He's almost similar to his brother, where when things aren't going his way he just kind of folds." Wonderlic of 20. Jadeveon Clowney*, DE, South Carolina: 6-5, 266. Often compared to Mario Williams and Julius Peppers. "I don't know where people say he didn't play hard this year," one scout said. "Not in the games I watched. They hold him. Somebody asked if he could play linebacker. He'd be a great linebacker. He stands up now sometimes." Third-year junior and probable top-five pick. "I would not put my job on the line for that guy," another scout said. "Who has a profile like that that's been successful in the NFL? Lazy. Not playing hard....I think his physical talent is being overblown. At what point in his life has he had to push himself? Now you're going to give him this money and say, 'Do something you're never done in your life before. Against guys you just can't run over.' I would not do it." Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois: 6-2, 226. Four-year player at the same lower-level school that spawned Tony Romo. "He's an interesting cat," one scout said. "Gets the ball out very well. He's sort of like Carr. He doesn't have the same arm but he's got great feet, a quick release and he's accurate. He played with some very pedestrian football players." Played well in the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. "This guy has everything you're looking for," said another scout. "(A.J.) McCarron isn't even comparable." Wonderlic of 24. Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo: 6-2½, 251. "He's the real deal," one scout said. "He can rush the passer. He kicks (expletive). Tough guy. Got interceptions and forced fumbles. Great kid. It wouldn't even be a discussion taking him over Clowney." Was skinny coming out of high school and lightly recruited. "You put on the Ohio State game, he dominated like a quarter," another scout said. "That tackle (Jack Mewhort) who is supposed to be a good player, he just tore him up. Then he disappeared for a quarter. He can play off the ball, too, if you wanted him to. But I don't know if you want to do that, because he's going to be a big-play guy and rush the passer." Johnny Manziel*, QB, Texas A&M: 5-11½, 207. Third-year sophomore and two-year starter. Won Heisman Trophy in 2012. "Hit or miss? What the hell are they talking about?" one scout said. "He's a better passer than the guy (Russell Wilson) who won the Super Bowl, and he's got a better arm. Here comes the pressure, a guy breaks open and he finds the receiver. Does he have a gun? No. But he doesn't have a bad arm at all." Has had a colorful if not controversial career off the field. Nicknamed "Johnny Football." Said another personnel man with more than 15 years of NFL scouting experience: "I'm fine with him on the field. He's probably the most unique guy I've done at that position. Just the way he kind of controls the game when he's on. But it's the other stuff. He's not a worker. He doesn't show up. He does what he wants to do. They need him. Everybody just kind of shrugs it off. You try to pull some of the stuff he does in an NFL locker room and it's just not going to work." And some reported wonderlic scores (from the same article)ILB Chris Borland - 32 QB Derek Carr - 20 QB Jimmy Garoppolo - 24 DT Ra'Shede Hageman - 13 RB Carlos Hyde - 9 OT Zack Martin - 21
Edit--Cosell: Not a great QB class by any means. The mock drafts are fun but at this point, they don't mean anything. The combine is sometimes the first time {some of these} NFL coaches see these players. What are you looking to project, particularly at QB? I believe you must start in the pocket. Simple things like, when you take the snap, dropping straight back. If you drift to one side or another, you break down protection. You must be able to step into your throws with weight transfer. That dictates velocity. You must be able to navigate the pocket. If there is a little bit of pressure, the pocket starts to close down a little bit, you have to move around a little bit without losing your down field focus. Find a more quiet place to throw the football. Those are the kind of things you try to look for. Routes and route concepts. Is the QB throwing the ball where he should at the right time within the context of his offense. ... Accuracy is critical. Altered your traits based on the success of these mobile QBs? Certainly you look at more things. Now you have potentially the option element. The issue is the balance. Where do you fall on the debit/credit sheet? If you believe, and some do, if the game is moving towards mobility/movement, then you might weigh those more heavily. If you still believe that you have to throw from the pocket, those traits may not be as important. Very rarely, if ever, has there been a QB who has been a runner per se, a truly mobile guy who is also a master of pocket subtleties. What you need to do to master the pocket, guys who are great runners from when they're young, they don't get far in their development because they've always been able to rely on movement to bail them out. Usually those things don't go together. Who do you like the most (in skills that translate)? At this point in this time, and I'll do more work, the player I would probably say to be a good NFL QB is Blake Bortles. You start with size. Size is an attribute. He certainly has things he has to work on. Lower body mechanics, footwork and balance issues in the pocket. I think he has a good arm, not great but probably stronger than you see on film because I think it will become stronger if he can correct those flawed lower body mechanics. He doesn't drive the ball because of that. He does give you some read option & option elements if that's something you're interested in. He's a big kid. There were examples where he was able to shed blocks and maintain down field focus and throw the ball. I would say he's more of a finesse thrower than a power thrower at this point but there is a lot to work with Bortles. Ultimately, I think he's a pocket passer who can execute boot action. He can extend plays and run effectively. He's someone I would look to, given time, he can be a quality NFL starter. Teddy Bridgewater? I like Bridgewater. Bridgewater, you can easily make the point watching him on film that there is a great rhythm and tempo to his movement and overall play. He's a composed comfortable kid. He does understand a lot of subtleties of the position--how to manipulate safeties, how to move coverage. I think that his experience in a true pro style offense has helped tremendously. They asked him to do a lot at the line of scrimmage. He knows how to read fronts, how to read coverage before the snap, the instincts of a pocket player. The only problem you face with him, he's very slight. Not a big body. Good arm, not great. Theoretically, he can make every throw but making every throw when you have clean pockets is different from making every throw when you don't. He doesn't drive the ball. He's bit of a short-armer. I like Bridgewater. He bulked up to 214 for the combine. I've spoken to people who said that late in the year at Louisville he weighed 188. He probably bulked up just for the combine so the number would be good. That's something you have to think about. He's not a big kid. He's a slight kid. Unbelievable completion percentage. Is it real? In his case they are because the nature of his offense. He's not throwing a lot of bubble screens. He's not making a lot of easy throws. He's running a NFL offense. He has quick and light feet. He's accurate. I like Teddy Bridgewater. At the end of the day, it comes down to where he goes, what team. He's not a big physical specimen. He's not Andrew Luck that can put a team on his back like Luck has essentially done behind not a great offensive line and an up and down defense. He's not at that level of physical talent but for the most part, he has many attributes and traits you look for. Question is, how much does he need around him to be an effective player? So are you saying the only thing you like about Bortles from Bridgewater is that he's bigger? He's a bigger kid, so physically he's a better talent. Many people have different opinions on what is needed in the NFL. Many would say accuracy, ball placement, decision making are key traits and Bridgewater has that but I guess it's hard for me, if he's going to be maybe 190-195, I think that is small. Just because Russell Wilson won a Super Bowl, we have to be careful to assume size and height is unimportant. Seattle is a unique team because of how good they are in all areas. Johnny Manziel? He's a great example of how you try to project and transition from college to the NFL. What do you hang your hat on with Manziel? What stands out? Play-making. Making plays outside of structure, correct? Correct. So the question becomes for NFL people, you're the OC/QB coach, you spend all week breaking down the opposing defense, you spend all week putting together your game plan. If your QB goes out and does not execute that and steps outside of structure when he does not need to, and that's the critical point because that's what you see with Manziel on tape, is how many balls he does not throw to open receivers. In fact, I would make a reel of those and show him if I was a team and make him explain the plays to me. When you don't do that and step outside of structure when you don't need to, if that's the basis for why you believe he'll be a great NFL QB, based on my experiences, I would struggle with that as a reason for a guy being a great NFL QB. It's very hard in the NFL to live on the edge when you don't need to live on the edge. If you live on the edge too often, you'll fall off the cliff. ... There's a real balance and there's no answer to this question: I think there's a balance between the idea that you have to be mobile to play in the NFL now, which BTW has some validity, no one is saying movement is negative but it's when do you move, how do you move? Russell Wilson is a great example of someone who's movement is almost structured. When it's 3rd and 6 and Russell sees he can run for 8 yard and get a first, he runs for 8 and gets out of bounds. There is a purpose to his movement. I'm interpreting Manziel on film but when he moves, I see a guy who moves and then tries to figure it out. I'm not sure that works in the NFL.
Am I reading that right? He basically says Bridgewater is better at every aspect as a quarterback than Bortles except for size. How many times has drafting for size completely failed? He would take Bortles first but at the same time completely convinced me that it would be a terrible idea. Do not want a project QB who has good dimensions.
“I like Teddy Bridgewater and I also like Blake Bortles,” Moon said. “[Bortles] is a guy that I think is an up-and-comer. He comes out of a good system at Central Florida. I think Teddy Bridgewater because of the system he came out of at Louisville, a very advanced passing system, a west coast passing game, he’s probably the most prepared to play right away. Blake Bortles has a bigger upside.” Like I said, everyone has an opinion... Even Warren Moon. And he may know a good quarterback when he sees one. http://houston.cbslocal.com/2014/02...ld-pass-on-manziel-not-ready-to-start-in-nfl/
The latest from Cossell is that he thinks Bortles is the best QB in the class and that he'd take Sammy Watkins (among others) over any of them
I completely understand why people like Blake Bortles. If you were going to choose the "conventional wisdom" candidate, he'd be the guy. If you select Bortles and he craps out, you can say, "Well look at him! He had all the tools to succeed, how can you fault me for his failures?" If Bridgewater or Manzel fail, everybody will say, "What's the matter with you? How could you have thought that slender weakling or that pint-sized midget was going to succeed?" Bortles is the "safe pick". If he fails, there's less stigma. I don't think "conventional wisdom" is the way you win. Billy Beane in baseball and Darrel Morey in basketball have pretty much proven that to me. The way to be special is to discern what it is that conventional wisdom undervalues and boldly pursue it. But there are still a bunch of guys in basketball and baseball who rely on the "conventional wisdom" approach and toil on in anonymous mediocrity, but still employed.
Trainer says Jadeveon Clowney's upside is 'insane' Jadeveon Clowney hasn’t been able to escape questions about his work ethic at the University of South Carolina. But his preparation for the NFL Draft apparently hasn’t raised any concerns. Anthony Hobgood, who trained Clowney at EXOS (formerly Athletes Performance) leading up to last month’s NFL scouting combine, says the potential No. 1 overall pick was “actually one of the best guys in our whole combine class” when it came to his approach. “He’d be the first guy to show up in the morning. He’d be the first guy to breakfast,” Hobgood told USA TODAY Sports. “He got some bad media coverage this past year, and I honestly think he’s very misunderstood. He listened. He knew what we asked him to do. He worked hard.” Clowney confirmed he’s one of the draft’s most freakish athletes with his performance at the combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds and posted a vertical jump of 37½ inches and a broad jump of 124 inches, all at 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds. A decline in productivity as a junior in 2013 and less-than-flattering remarks from South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier have raised flags for NFL scouts. But Clowney’s rare physical gifts never have been in doubt. “His actual mechanics — he was so raw,” Hobgood said of his first impression of Clowney. “He’s good off of just sheer athletic ability, sheer raw talent. I told the guys, ‘If this guy gets in a good program, his upside’s insane.’” According to Hobgood, the focus of Clowney’s training for the combine was on making his movements more efficient to improve his speed and acceleration. Among other things, trainers adjusted Clowney’s stance for the 40, which he ran faster than any other defensive lineman. “He’s so powerful, when he pushes into the ground, his body travels a greater distance before the next time his foot hits the ground,” Hobgood said. “He was really a blank canvas when he got here, because there’s so many things we saw that we could improve upon. He’s just a natural athlete. “Whoever picks him up has yet to see his best — and it’s not because of his effort.” Brooks: Clowney critiques going too far I've been one of Jadeveon Clowney's harshest critics, but I believe the concerns about his work ethic and character have been greatly exaggerated at this point. While I certainly respect the dissenting opinion shared by an anonymous scout in a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story about the South Carolina star, I've been in enough war rooms to know the difference between a legitimate character concern and a case of complacency. After studying Clowney extensively for the past two seasons, there is no doubt in my mind that his inconsistent effort and energy is simply a case of an ultra-talented player lacking the self-awareness to understand his deficiencies. Now, I'm certainly not in love with Clowney's lackluster enthusiasm and hustle in some games, but I also understand that these poor habits were likely ignored on the practice field by the head coach, defensive coordinator and several defensive assistants. If the Gamecocks' coaching staff didn't emphasize running to the ball or playing from snap to whistle, I can't hold Clowney completely responsible for his actions on the field. He is simply doing what he's been coached to do without regard for the urgency and tempo needed to excel as a pro. That's why it's important for scouts to observe top prospects in practice to assess their work habits, while also seeing if they've been pushed or challenged by their coaches. This information is critical for decision makers because it provides context and perspective on where a prospect is in his development and how well he will fit into the culture of the locker room. Most importantly, it allows a general manager and head coach to determine whether they have the ideal position coach or coordinator to teach, motivate and encourage a talented prospect to maximize his potential. During my time with the Carolina Panthers, I watched John Fox and Marty Hurney take a similar approach with Julius Peppers. The eight-time Pro Bowler was regarded as a mercurial talent with a questionable motor when he entered the NFL in 2002, but the Panthers believed their locker-room culture and coaching staff would bring out the best in Peppers. The no-nonsense coaching styles of Mike Trgovac, Sal Sunseri and Jack Del Rio (who left Carolina after Peppers' rookie season) pushed Peppers to excel, helping him earn the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award at season's end. Additionally, the presence of veteran leaders Brentson Buckner and Mike Rucker created an environment of accountability in the meeting room that prompted Peppers to raise his level of performance to fit in with the group. With that in mind, I believe it's important for teams considering Clowney to understand the makeup of their coaching staff and locker room. If there is strong leadership present in both areas, Clowney will thrive and fulfill the lofty expectations that will accompany his arrival in league. The collective peer pressure will help him practice and perform at a level that matches his talent. Given Clowney's impressive physical dimensions, athleticism and disruptive potential, I'm confident the freakishly talented playmaker can become a dominant player in the league, if put in the right environment.
I can't imagine a much better environment than playing on a defense with the leadership of Cushing and Watt along with his former teammate Swearinger on a team with his former strength and conditioning coach who supposedly "always got 100%" out of him when he coached him in college.
I saw something interesting on BRB I thought I'd post here, apparently NFL scout Jayson Braddock has been putting in some work evaluating Clowney. Here's a series of tweets I saw posted elsewhere. [QUOTEI’ve just spent the last 2 weeks chasing ghosts. I’ve studied half of the games from Clowney’s freshman, sophomore, & junior seasons…. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 I keep waiting to see a game in which he took plays off. The UNC game led to a myth. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Against UNC Clowney was chipped, doubled, tripled, most of the night & wasn’t in his best shape. Outside of that game, I don’t see the ?s. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Clowney has had his tape of him at 18 yrs of age criticized more than 5th yr seniors coming out. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 In 2011 at 18, he didn’t play w/ great leverage or know how to use his arms well. The Georgia game vs Cordy Glenn & TE Orson Charles shows — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Jadeveon showed tremendous growth in this part of his game from his freshman to sophomore seasons. (Leverage / Arms) — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 In the UNC game he also played everything that USC asked him to. From the 1 tech to standing. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 If stats concern you w Clowney, watch a season of his games & pay attention to all the players that make plays as a reaction to his actions. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Offenses would set up chips, run majority of plays away from JC. Double or triple when running in the face of him, drag a WR to pull him. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 I noted during the Texans’ season that Mercilus & Brooks couldn’t separate from pulling OGs. Not an issue for Clowney. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 One team was running away from Clowney so often that USC asked him to “float” back to the middle to help vs the run. Hard to get sacks/ TFLs — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Clowney basically was an equivalent to a shutdown CB, closing off half the field vs the run or forcing 1/4 of the D to focus on him. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Clowney still can improve w/ his arms, but that makes him even that more scarier. He slams into the line at times, instead of using tech. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 When an elite OT starts to get the best of Clowney, he’s been asked to line up wide as far as the 9. In this space, his COD is a nightmare. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Clowney has an insane Change of Direction, speed, & size combo. He doesn’t have to rely just on speed rush or power. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Jadeveon’s first step is deadly, inside or out. This makes it impossible for an OT to cheat one way or the other. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Much like JJ Watt, he can’t be left unblocked on plays designed to go away due to their reach, size, quickness in pursuit. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 People question his heart & say that he quits. I studied the Florida game in which he was still destroying them in the 4th qtr, thou down 29 — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 He’s often too fast for the down block & too strong for a puller. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 I’ve also seen him chase a RB 20+ yds downfield & make the tackle after stunting to the opposite side of the center. Clowney — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 I haven’t seen him take play offs or play down, but I have seen him take his play up another notch in key moments or when he’s pissed. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Clowney needs to get rid of his swim move & his loses too often with it. Tends to get too high or running plays at times. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 The biggest improvement Clowney needs to make is on missed tackles in the backfield. He misses too often on straight line shots for TFLs. — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 Just my opinion & I haven’t watched everyone yet, but if I were the Houston Texans, there would be only 2 choices for me with the #1 pick… — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014 I would either select Jadeveon Clowney or trade it away for something massive. Like, two 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd in ’14, 1st in ’15 & 1st in ’16 — Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014][/QUOTE]
Did anyone hear the schtick one of the sports stations did this week, (someone) "on a mobile", idk who it was supposed to be, but sounded very effeminate, and ran down the texan's draft options- "clowney has all those speeding tickets, so he's out" lol. Bortles was eliminated because his girlfriend looked like trouble.
Braddock is awesome. Shameless self plug, but I'm excited that he has agreed to come talk Texans draft on our podcast in a couple of weeks.
I believe that was Bernie "the Wolf" Wolfson of Sensible Draft Discharge ERM Discourse on 790 with Matt Thomas. Bernie is from Team Friendship so clowney with those citations would clearly be on Team Debble. Look for more Bernie on Compuserve.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Finished watching a cutup of Manziel's TD's/INT's (2013 season)….Inside the pocket-26 TD/11 INT. Outside the pocket-11 TD/2 INT</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440231982912397313">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Watched a cutup of Bortles TDs/INT's for 2013… Inside the pocket 18 TD//8 INT. Outside the pocket 7 TD/1 INT.</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440240676937007104">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Finished watching a cutup of Bridgewater's TD/INT for 2013. Inside the pocket 26 TD/4 INT. Outside the pocket 5 TD/0 INT.</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440253330288168960">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
