The quarterbacks didn’t get a ton of TV time at the NFL combine, and most of what they do is just a few basic dropbacks and throws. You get a better look at the receivers than you do the quarterbacks, but there were a few interesting things I took away from what I saw.
- Matt Stafford – Didn’t throw, but I was really pleasantly surprised at how fast he was and the shape he was in. He ran the 40 yd dash in like 4.84 and was lookin fit and trim. I was expecting a clumsy, chubby guy – but he definitely did not run like a quarterback – he looked really good.
- Mark Sanchez – Sanchez is always in perfect shape – and he was today, too. Ran fairly quick and smooth at like 4.88, but did not throw the ball very well. Missed a number of receivers and underthrew a few. Did not have a very confident look to him. The analysts also noted that his footwork was a bit slow with long strides and his release is long, looping, and slow. But to end on a good note – he smiles a lot. There ya go.
- Josh Freeman – a huge guy, but not nearly as athletic as I was expecting. The official time in the 40 yd showed 4.97 – but they said 4.85 on the unofficial clock. Not sure why. Either way, he’s a huge dude – but didn’t throw all that great and he’s not all that fast. Inconsistent in college – he’d be a long-term project and you’d be putting your job on the line drafting this guy in the first round.
- Nate Davis – They didn’t show him throwing the ball much, but they did show him running the 40 yd dash. For being someone who is billed as very athletic, he ran like a 4.9 – that’s not gonna turn any heads. Not only that, but he was a clodhopper – his running style is clumsy and his feet were pounding the turf like he was wearing boots. He also wore loose shorts and T-shirt so you couldn’t see that “highly athletic” body. I was shocked by his akward, clumsy running style and lack of speed. Not gonna light em up on the run, that’s for sure.
- Pat White – Here was the surprise of the combine. Pat White looked fantastic! His footwork was really quick, he made a bunch of awesome throws, and has a surprisingly strong arm. Nobody was surprised by his athleticism and speed – he ran an unofficial 4.5 – but he impressed everyone with his quarterbacking skills. He said he’s willing to play any position, and at his pro day he’s going to run some routes and do some receiver drills. Pat White wins my award for the best showing of the day. He just may turn out to be a real quarterback!
- Graham Harrell – plain ol’ fat. Nice gut. Looked like a beer commercial in tights. Well, what the hell – just cuz you’re not rated very high doesn’t mean you should try to get in any kind of real shape for the NFL scouts. Even one of the analysts remarked, “He looks like a backup guard.” Hopefully he got his degree from Missouri. He’s probably going to need it.
Well, to get any further analysis you’re going to have to go to ESPN or the NFL sites – they were there – they saw it all. This is just what I could see on TV.
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