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Most Accurate Analysis of Clausen I've Seen

Ricky Spanish

By Ricky Spanish,
in Carolina Panthers

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Ricky Spanish Grand Master

Ricky Spanish

Posted
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http://seahawksdraft.blogspot.com/2010/01/jimmy-clausen-debate.html

I posted this in another thread but thought some people might want to read it. jesus this guy hit the nail on the head. it's scary how right he was.

Clearly these are impressive numbers. However, I have a theory that puts some context to the matter. Amongst my previous concerns with Clausen has been his lack of range in the passing game. Against Stanford, he registered thirty pass attempts. Of these, thirteen were short slants to the left or right to one of Michael Floyd or Golden Tate. Two were shovel passes and two were check down's through the middle. Clausen threw five screen passes.

The remaining eight attempts were a combination of a failed hail mary to end the game, three deep corner routes, a pass thrown away, an end around trick, a fade left and a 20 yard attempt down the middle.

I've noticed that a lot of throws made by Clausen are outside slants to Floyd or Tate. Although Clausen doesn't play behind the greatest offensive line, he did throw to two of the best receivers in college football who simply outclassed the Stanford defensive backs in this game (they scored all five passing TD's). Nearly 50% of his passes were this high percentage outside slant, quickly thrown off the snap to one of the talented receivers in a lot of space. 73% of his throws were ten yards or shorter. The stats for the year are very good, but when you're throwing a lot of high percentage throws for short yardage in a quick hitting offense - it's no surprise. You're going to complete passes, you're not going to throw interceptions.

But of more concern is that Clausen will become predictable and easy to gameplan if he can't make 'all the throws'. A top ten quarterback needs to be able to get the ball downfield as well as show great short range accuracy.

Before I go onto discussing his deep passes, I want to briefly talk about mechanics. Clausen's throwing action is quite slingy with a low side arm release. Clausen is listed at 6'3". He doesn't look 6'3" on tape, but watching him stood next to 6'5" center Eric Olsen and 6'1" safety Kyle McCarthy for the coin toss - I think it's accurate. However, the ball is being released at around shoulder height. Compare this to Ryan Mallett, who at 6'7" releases the ball well over his head. The advantage of this is you avoid a lot of tipped passes. Mark Sanchez had a similar issue with a slingy release (although not as exaggerated as Clausen) and he made a big effort to show he'd corrected this at the USC pro-day last year.

In one Notre Dame game, I actually watched Clausen throw the ball into the back of his own center's helmet. He has a lot of passes tipped because the ball struggles to get over the scrum of lineman in front of him. Against Stanford, he again had a tipped pass loop into the air - fortunately an offensive lineman scooped it up before the interception could be completed.

To compensate for the low release point, when Clausen throws deep he tries to put a lot of air on the ball. In the Stanford game, of the three deep corner routes thrown by Clausen - two were under thrown and one had to be batted down by Michael Floyd to avoid an interception. The ball looped up high into the air in a floaty manner, with little zip or torque. This is either evidence of a lack of arm strength or a technique problem, or possibly a combination of both. During the year, a lot of his deep passes are 'up for grabs' because of this. I just don't see a great passing range when I scout Jimmy Clausen. A lot of high percentage short throws - which he does well throwing to good receivers. When he's asked to throw downfield or be a little bit creative, he's just not shown he can do it at a NFL level.

When I take all this into account, I ask myself not whether I think Pete Carroll and the Seahawks would take him, but where I think a prospect with his skill set should go in the draft. My answer would be - second round. Late first round maximum. In a good team with good receivers and a running game, he could have some success quickly. He doesn't, however, look like the type of prospect who will single handed lead the St. Louis Rams out of the wilderness as a first overall pick.

scary right.

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Proudiddy Grand Master

Proudiddy

Posted
Posted

http://seahawksdraft.blogspot.com/2010/01/jimmy-clausen-debate.html

I posted this in another thread but thought some people might want to read it. jesus this guy hit the nail on the head. it's scary how right he was.

scary right.

Great find. Is this just a regular guy/blogger... If so, somebody, namely our FO needs to give this guy a job in scouting.

So, he's had all this special coaching since he was very young. How did he end up with such bad mechanics?

I've wondered this myself. Could be a case of, if his family has money, they were gonna spend it to try and build him up... The coach sees the kid doesn't have very much going on, but he still worked with him b/c he was paid to. Then that self-fulfilling prophecy thing works out for the coach too - works really in-depth with the most gifted QBs because he sees their potential and doesn't work as in-depth with the scrubs because he doesn't think they're going to amount to much. Just speculating, but who knows???

What's weird though, is I don't recall not one of these "draft experts" saying anything about these mechanics and deliveries, and habits to checkdown instead of throwing it deep... Even Mayock, who's my favorite, seemed unsure of him but thought he would be fine, but he didn't mention any of these concerns.

Sounds pretty dead on... from day 1 folks were saying Clausen is best suited (and maybe only suited) to be a WCO QB.

I agree. It's very possible that he works out in a WCO, but that delivery is still a huge question mark. Then again, you have guys like Rivers with awkward deliveries... Kerry Collins has made a pretty long career despite his, although I think both of these guys are a legit 6'5".

Like I said in the thread yesterday, it's telling that Clausen's avg. yds/att. is less than Bradford's, even though Bradford plays in a legit WCO. Clausen just isn't suited for any system that requires long developing/deep routes on a regular basis. I just don't know how our front office could've overlooked what many of us have been seeing from day one.

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