QB Combine Thread

[Ruff]

I don't get the whole speaking in third person thing. It just doesn't really make sense to me.

And, I do hate that as soon as someone brought up the whole "entertainer and icon" thing, he, of course, said that it was taken out of context, and he should've specified what he was talking about. What the hell could he have meant?

"Hey, I'm an entertainer and icon."

"So, you think you're an entertainer and icon already?"

"That's not what I mean. I meant that I'm very humble, and I think that I will fit in well with my teammates."

"Wut?"

[Mr. Scot]

Likely hurt our chances of getting the best possible trade down offer :(

[teeray]

So he thinks about himself in the third person or something? Still don't like it at all.

I mean it in the sense that he says things like, "I want to be the best person that Cam Newton can be."

He isn't saying it in arrogant ways like , "Cam Newton is going to play football the way cam Newton wants to play football." It isn't that kind of stuff. I get it rubs some people the wrong way but I think that it is petty to criticize the guy over it.

[jks85]

it's not petty when you look at the mentality of most people who refer to themselves in the 3rd person. sure it might not matter at all, but idk how it could be a good thing so we are looking at something that is neutral in the best case which is disconcerting. mix that in with the entertainer and icon talk and yeah, have to worry where his head is

[mav1234]

ehh. Still sounds weird.

It's one thing if he's like "Analysts are always saying things about me like Cam plays in a spread" but this isn't that kinda stuff..

[YoungPanthers89]

do not want

[mountainpantherfan]

I've been looking over the top QB last night and today. I'm not a scout so everything I'm gathering is the words of people who play scouts on TV. With that said here is what I've gathered on the top 4 QBs.

Cam Newton: Newton is a big physical QB who has a good arm and great athleticism. He is a bit raw as it comes to working with progessions and reading defenses before the snap. The one big comment that I've seen that has stood out to me was that Newton must "see his recievers in a window" in order to throw them the ball. That isn't so much a negative in general as it is just a trait that he has but one that is hard to reteach at this point in his career and one that doesn't fit well within the Air Coryell / Zampesse / Turner offense. That type of mindset is a better fit with a West Coast offense. Comparable QB would be Steve Young and Donovan McNabb.

Blaine Gabbert: Gabbert has a lot of good qualities but he also has his weaknesses. The biggest of which is that his accuracy is horrible when he is asked to throw deep or over the middle. Again this doesn't mean he can't be a good QB in the NFL but not in a ACO. He could fit into a WCO but would be the best fit in a EPO as his biggest strength is that he is very good before the snap, readind defenses and going through his progressions. Comparable QBs would be Kyle Orton and Matt Cassel.

Jake Locker: Locker is a very athlectic and accurate QB with a strong arm. His decission making has been his biggest weakness so far and his size isn't as ideal as it could be. His arm suggests a great fit in an ACO but his size could be an issue. Comparable QBs would be Drew Brees and David Gerrard.

Ryan Mallett: Mallett has the size and arm stregnth of your prototypical franchise QB. He's not that mobil or athletic but he isn't a statue either. He most accurate when throwing over the middle and down the field. Maturity has been a concern but if your looking for a QB to fit into the ACO that this team will probably run then Mallett fits that mold to a T. Comparable QBs would be Phillip Rivers and Troy Aikman.

Mallett is the best fit for Chud's offense. That doesn't mean he should be drafted #1 overall though but when talking about all of the QB prospects he is the best match. So it also doesn't mean he shouldn't be the #1 overall.

But again, just my opinion and that is of a guy that doesn't even play a scout on the internet...

[monstercat]

Who said Locker was accurate? His lack of accuracy has been the knock on him from the start.

[pantherclaw]

Cam has great mechanics, quick release, nice follow through.

He needs to work on his footwork. What did you expect with him working on it since the first of the year?

[panthers55]

I've been looking over the top QB last night and today. I'm not a scout so everything I'm gathering is the words of people who play scouts on TV. With that said here is what I've gathered on the top 4 QBs.

Cam Newton: Newton is a big physical QB who has a good arm and great athleticism. He is a bit raw as it comes to working with progessions and reading defenses before the snap. The one big comment that I've seen that has stood out to me was that Newton must "see his recievers in a window" in order to throw them the ball. That isn't so much a negative in general as it is just a trait that he has but one that is hard to reteach at this point in his career and one that doesn't fit well within the Air Coryell / Zampesse / Turner offense. That type of mindset is a better fit with a West Coast offense. Comparable QB would be Steve Young and Donovan McNabb.

Blaine Gabbert: Gabbert has a lot of good qualities but he also has his weaknesses. The biggest of which is that his accuracy is horrible when he is asked to throw deep or over the middle. Again this doesn't mean he can't be a good QB in the NFL but not in a ACO. He could fit into a WCO but would be the best fit in a EPO as his biggest strength is that he is very good before the snap, readind defenses and going through his progressions. Comparable QBs would be Kyle Orton and Matt Cassel.

Jake Locker: Locker is a very athlectic and accurate QB with a strong arm. His decission making has been his biggest weakness so far and his size isn't as ideal as it could be. His arm suggests a great fit in an ACO but his size could be an issue. Comparable QBs would be Drew Brees and David Gerrard.

Ryan Mallett: Mallett has the size and arm stregnth of your prototypical franchise QB. He's not that mobil or athletic but he isn't a statue either. He most accurate when throwing over the middle and down the field. Maturity has been a concern but if your looking for a QB to fit into the ACO that this team will probably run then Mallett fits that mold to a T. Comparable QBs would be Phillip Rivers and Troy Aikman.

Mallett is the best fit for Chud's offense. That doesn't mean he should be drafted #1 overall though but when talking about all of the QB prospects he is the best match. So it also doesn't mean he shouldn't be the #1 overall.

But again, just my opinion and that is of a guy that doesn't even play a scout on the internet...

Actually what I heard listening to the combine and watching it was that Newton struggled throwing it to a spot or picking a window through which he throws. Today like always he wanted to complete a pass to the receiver not throw to a spot. So a WCO would be a bad idea and total the opposite of what he should be in which is a vertical passing game where his arm strength can be used as a significant weapon particularly if he can use his legs to buy time in the pocket in order for the receiver to clear. Comparable quarterback is a fast Ben Roethlisburger.

Gabbert has a decent arm but needs touch. He can make many of the throws and will only get better. He could be a choice for us or someone in the top 10.

Locker will get picked before Mallet because substance abuse accusations that aren't put to rest immediately send off clanging red bells. If Clausen fell to the mid second round, Mallet could fall farther. No telling where he ends up but it won't be here.

[scpanther22]

From what I read people have been saying Locker would be better in a vertical passing offense..I doubt he falls to the fourth but if he did I would draft him.

[TheRealDeal]

Cam has great mechanics, quick release, nice follow through.

He needs to work on his footwork. What did you expect with him working on it since the first of the year?

We were led to believe he had no flaws and needed no work.

Any work that he did need he had already fixed in two weeks because he is Cam Newton.

On a serious note he still needs to quicken the transition from his last step of his drop to the start of his throwing motion. It takes him too long to shift his weight.

Also, 4.58? I thought he was as fast and quick as Vick?

[mav1234]

Cam can run through NFL defenders. He played in the SEC. Everyone knows they're nearly the same thing. Duh!

[mountainpantherfan]

Actually what I heard listening to the combine and watching it was that Newton struggled throwing it to a spot or picking a window through which he throws. Today like always he wanted to complete a pass to the receiver not throw to a spot. So a WCO would be a bad idea and total the opposite of what he should be in which is a vertical passing game where his arm strength can be used as a significant weapon particularly if he can use his legs to buy time in the pocket in order for the receiver to clear. Comparable quarterback is a fast Ben Roethlisburger.

Gabbert has a decent arm but needs touch. He can make many of the throws and will only get better. He could be a choice for us or someone in the top 10.

Locker will get picked before Mallet because substance abuse accusations that aren't put to rest immediately send off clanging red bells. If Clausen fell to the mid second round, Mallet could fall farther. No telling where he ends up but it won't be here.

This isn't based on the combine but on reviewing Newton on coaches tape.

Newton is one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks in draft history. Possesses a quick, clean release, enough arm strength to complete the deep out, prototypical size, and is a dangerous threat outside of the pocket. However, he has a ways to go before turning into a productive, reliable NFL starter. Was not asked to make pro-style reads or move through progressions in college. Footwork is sloppy and accuracy is inconsistent. He's competitive and vocal on the field, but has had several off-the-field issues and his character is in question. Despite the risk, Newton's talent will likely prevent him from lasting past the middle of the first round.

Newton has a rare blend of height, strength and speed. Fierce competitor and emotional leader. Flashes the ability to zip the ball into tight spots. Has a quick, over-the-top delivery. Puts a ton of revolutions on the ball and can make all the throws. Frequently evades the rush for second-chance opportunities. Threat to pick up large chunks when he tucks.

Not proficient at going through his progressions or making NFL reads. Doesn't anticipate receivers getting open, must see them in a window. Inconsistent accuracy due to poor footwork and falling away to avoid a big hit. Despite athleticism, needs to improve his drop mechanics and the finer points of pocket mobility. Numerous off the field issues worth investigating.

To me that reads like a WCO QB in the likeness of a Steve Young or Donovan McNabb. I get the comparisons with the Big Ben but you can't go on just physical traits alone.

Mallett's off field issues may just do what you are suggesting, I'm not trying to deny that. I was just pointing out that of the top QBs Mallett is the one that reminds me the most of the prototypical QB that runs the ACO.

And Monstercat you are correct about Locker and I should have added that. Locker can be accurate but his accuracy has been very unreliable pointing to a possible lack of concentration or focus to be the issue since his inaccuracy isn't consistent.