Let's Talk About Chris Conley

[WUnderhill]

Any Georgia fans or otherwise that can give us some insight on why this physical freak is not projected higher?

 

Take a look at these off the chart numbers:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/chris-conley?id=2552652

 

His hands were inconsistent at the combine, catching well in some drills and not so well in others. Anybody watch him in college have a good grasp on whether this is an issue?

 

Interested to know what round we should be taking a realistic look at this kid. His measurables scream top 10, and by all accounts he's a high character guy, so I'm beginning to be pretty interested in the second round as long as his hands aren't stone.

 

Flowers/Collins/Fisher in the first and Conley in the second or third? What say you Huddle?

[Nate Dogg]

Stephen Hill has measurables off the charts as well. Luckily for us it seems like Gettleman has a good eye for which prospects have the X-factor.

[WUnderhill]

Stephen Hill has measurables off the charts as well. Luckily for us it seems like Gettleman has a good eye for which prospects have the X-factor.

 

Exactly why I'm wondering what it is that drops him down the draft boards.

[mr beauxjangles]

He's known in Georgia (from high school days too) as having great work ethic. He got more time on the field while Malcolm Mitchell dealt with his ACL. Reliable guy but I've been watching Georgia football closely for the last six years thanks to the allegiances of my wife. He was never a guy that I thought "wow, I would love for the Panthers to give this guy a look." Previously UGA players that I have said that about: Brandon Boykin (damn I wanted us to draft him so bad) and Bacarri Rambo (yeah, looks like I was wrong on that one).

[tiger7_88]

Conley has worse hands than Sammie Coates.

[LinvilleGorge]

He simply cannot catch. They should've given him a shot to move over to the defensive ball.

[WUnderhill]

Just looking at this Byron Jones broad jump now, too.

 

...w...t...f...

 

There's some freaks out there.

[WUnderhill]

Conley has worse hands than Sammie Coates.

 

Yikes.

[WUnderhill]

He's known in Georgia (from high school days too) as having great work ethic. He got more time on the field while Malcolm Mitchell dealt with his ACL. Reliable guy but I've been watching Georgia football closely for the last six years thanks to the allegiances of my wife. He was never a guy that I thought "wow, I would love for the Panthers to give this guy a look." Previously UGA players that I have said that about: Brandon Boykin (damn I wanted us to draft him so bad) and Bacarri Rambo (yeah, looks like I was wrong on that one).

 

His draft profile indicates he might be the type of player to take the top off the defense based on his straight-line speed and high ypc, but lacks the agility for underneath routes. Does that seem accurate?

If so, he might be decent grab for us in the later rounds, if he lasts that long.

[LinvilleGorge]

Conley has worse hands than Sammie Coates.

 

I just don't get it.  There are so many college WRs with terrible hands.  I get it that you want to try to give your best athletes a chance to get the ball in their hands, but when you look at this year's safety class and it is so weak, imagine if they'd given a guy like Coates the chance to play FS. 

 

It just seems like we have the exact opposite phenomenon with WRs/DBs compared to OL/DL.  It seems like all the good jumbo athletes are playing DL.  There is a serious lack of athletic OTs coming out these days and that's one thing that really drives those guys up draft boards.  On the flip side, look at the safeties this year.  Hot trash.  Meanwhile, there are several tremendous height/weight/speed guys trying to play WR who just can't catch a football.  Those guys used to be DBs.

[tiger7_88]

I just don't get it.  There are so many college WRs with terrible hands.  I get it that you want to try to give your best athletes a chance to get the ball in their hands, but when you look at this year's safety class and it is so weak, imagine if they'd given a guy like Coates the chance to play FS. 

 

It just seems like we have the exact opposite phenomenon with WRs/DBs compared to OL/DL.  It seems like all the good jumbo athletes are playing DL.  There is a serious lack of athletic OTs coming out these days and that's one thing that really drives those guys up draft boards.  On the flip side, look at the safeties this year.  Hot trash.  Meanwhile, there are several tremendous height/weight/speed guys trying to play WR who just can't catch a football.  Those guys used to be DBs.

 

I've watched Coates for 3 years now and I swear that the kid needs glasses or contacts.  I've often wondered whether that is true or not. 

 

He's a damned beast that can fight for a contested ball, outjump the highest jumpers for a ball up top, beat the poo out of press man coverage, fast enough to take the top off of a defense... but when the ball is in the air, he has difficulty tracking it.  Its the damnedest thing I've ever seen.

[WUnderhill]

I just don't get it.  There are so many college WRs with terrible hands.  I get it that you want to try to give your best athletes a chance to get the ball in their hands, but when you look at this year's safety class and it is so weak, imagine if they'd given a guy like Coates the chance to play FS. 

 

It just seems like we have the exact opposite phenomenon with WRs/DBs compared to OL/DL.  It seems like all the good jumbo athletes are playing DL.  There is a serious lack of athletic OTs coming out these days and that's one thing that really drives those guys up draft boards.  On the flip side, look at the safeties this year.  Hot trash.  Meanwhile, there are several tremendous height/weight/speed guys trying to play WR who just can't catch a football.  Those guys used to be DBs.

 

I'd say it has to do with glamour and earning potential. The WR makes more money and is more glamorous than DB. The DL makes more money and is more glamorous than OL. A lot of the best athletes want to be the most recognized and/or best compensated.

[LinvilleGorge]

I'd say it has to do with glamour and earning potential. The WR makes more money and is more glamorous than DB. The DL makes more money and is more glamorous than OL. A lot of the best athletes want to be the most recognized and/or best compensated.

 

Not sure if that necessarily hold true or not.  Elite LTs get PAID.  So do elite DBs.  Bottom line, if you're elite, you're gonna get PAID.

[WUnderhill]

Not sure if that necessarily hold true or not.  Elite LTs get PAID.  So do elite DBs.  Bottom line, if you're elite, you're gonna get PAID.

 

Well yeah, but elite DEs and WRs get paid more, and overall the position is better compensated.

 

I don't think it's a factor for everybody, and it might not always be a conscious decision, but I think the glamour plays into it significantly. More kids growing up dream of catching the game-winning touchdown pass than dream of deflecting it.