Bucky Brooks on Jordan Matthews: Constructive Criticism

[top dawg]

Bucky Brooks, Panthers' ex-scout turned analyst, has provided some very objective information on Jordan Mathews (as brought to my attention from  NFL Spin Zone) Yes, many fans are drinking that Matthews Kool-Aid (for good reason), but from a technical standpoint, Matthews is going to have to prove a little more than he can just catch the ball, he is going to have to prove to scouts that he can gain separation, mainly by refining his technique at the line of scrimmage where he will be jammed by pro corners on a regular basis.

 

 

The trend of big-bodied receivers dominating the NFL will lead scouts to spend a lot of time studying Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews, but the SEC's all-time receiving leader will need to display better quickness and short-area burst in workouts to convince evaluators that he can develop into a No. 1 option at the next level. Watching Matthews throughout the week, he struggled separating from tight coverage at the top of routes. Although he would attempt to push, bang and box out defenders with his imposing frame (6-3, 206), Matthews hasn't mastered the art of using his body to create space. Additionally, Matthews needs to develop a better release against press-coverage to become a viable option on the perimeter against aggressive defenders. To his credit, Matthews was one of the most diligent workers in pre- and post-practice sessions, leading me to believe that he will carve out a nice pro career with his relentless work ethic. If he can work on the finer points of route running and separation, Matthews could outplay his draft status at the next level.

 

 

The question that I would have is if this need to refine this skill is so different from many other receivers that come out of the draft. I mean, they all need to work on something.  What does this mean for some of the others in this draft class, because Matthews is regarded as being one of the most pro-ready WRs in this draft class?  Though Matthews is apparently far from polished, Brooks hinted that Matthews' ceiling must be pretty high in his estimation if he said that Matthews "could outplay his draft status at the next level".  

 

Of course, I bring all of this up because in my estimation we have had WRs who have had problems getting separation. No need to draft a "big-bodied" WR if one of his best assets is going to be nullified before he gets a couple of yards off the LOS. Luckily for Matthews, he is reportedly smart with an impeccable work ethic, so hopefully he will learn fast, as opposed to being another slow developing project on our sidelines if we call his number (particularly at 28).

[panthers55]

The things he struggles with are teachable and with his work effort will improve.  Nothing there should stop someone from drafting him.  But it should give pause to the folks that think he is the answer to our problem and will come in and do great right off the bat.

[fieryprophet]

Separation is a difficult attribute to develop no matter who you are. Lot's of small receivers can't get off the line due to jams no matter how fast they are, and lots of big receivers can't run away from anyone. Work ethic can go a long ways.

[Mr. Scot]

Makes me wonder if he doesn't have great body control.

 

Legedu Naanee was a big bodied guy, but when he'd jump for a ball he looked like a flailing fish.  on the flipside, Michael Irvin looked smooth even making catches from ridiculous angles.  And although he's not technically a big receiver, the same is true of Steve Smith.

 

Body control is a big deal for a receiver.  A guy that's lacking it is one I might question some.

[Razeyfingers]

Makes me wonder if he doesn't have great body control.

 

Legedu Naanee was a big bodied guy, but when he'd jump for a ball he looked like a flailing fish.  on the flipside, Michael Irvin looked smooth even making catches from ridiculous angles.  And although he's not technically a big receiver, the same is true of Steve Smith.

 

Body control is a big deal for a receiver.  A guy that's lacking it is one I might question some.

 

Balance. . I know you did some scouting, but this is directly related to balance. No other physical trait controls your flight in the air like your balance. Legs was a stiff board in the air. . similar to Julio Jones. Of course Jones is much faster and has other physical advantages, but balance wise. . about the same. These types of guys are liabilities on the sidelines or wherever catches need to fit in tight spots.

 

I still like Cooks in the 2nd but Ive seen him disappear in games now that Ive watched a couple. I like Mathews though, Evans sounds good too. I wouldnt be opposed to either of them at 28 I guess.

[Mr. Scot]

Balance. . I know you did some scouting, but this is directly related to balance. No other physical trait controls your flight in the air like your balance. Legs was a stiff board in the air. . similar to Julio Jones. Of course Jones is much faster and has other physical advantages, but balance wise. . about the same. These types of guys are liabilities on the sidelines or wherever catches need to fit in tight spots.

 

I still like Cooks in the 2nd but Ive seen him disappear in games now that Ive watched a couple. I like Mathews though, Evans sounds good too. I wouldnt be opposed to either of them at 28 I guess.

 

I can't get into Cooks.  I know he's really good but I think for Newton and our offense we really do need a bigger guy.

 

Correct about balance.  Balance is what made Jonathan Stewart the runner that he was even more so than his power.  You had to wrap him up to get him on the ground.  Guys trying to just shove him or hit him and get him down that way had about as much success as they would trying to knock down a Weeble.

 

[Razeyfingers]

I can't get into Cooks.  I know he's really good but I think for Newton and our offense we really do need a bigger guy.

 

Correct about balance.  Balance is what made Jonathan Stewart the runner that he was even more so than his power.  You had to wrap him up to get him on the ground.  Guys trying to just shove him or hit him and get him down that way had about as much success as they would trying to knock down a Weeble.

 

 

Ya I know, I got that feeling about Cooks too. I dont recall watching Smitty at Utah, but I can tell the kid models a lot of his game after 89. His feet are super quick, I love that.

[Mr. Scot]

Ya I know, I got that feeling about Cooks too. I dont recall watching Smitty at Utah, but I can tell the kid models a lot of his game after 89. His feet are super quick, I love that.

 

Now if we got him and somehow also got a big dominant "box out" type of guy...

 

I wonder if Cooks will follow Smith's path of establishing himself on special teams first before succeeding as a receiver.

 

[top dawg]

  Balance is what made Jonathan Stewart the runner that he was even more so than his power.

 

Et tu, Mr. Scot.  "Was"? 

 

People have jumped off J-Stew's train like this guy jumping out the window:

 

[Razeyfingers]

Now if we got him and somehow also got a big dominant "box out" type of guy...

 

I wonder if Cooks will follow Smith's path of establishing himself on special teams first before succeeding as a receiver.

 

Yeah I could see him being treated similarly at the draft. Probably not as bad as 89 since he changed all that but I could see him getting passed over because of his height by more than a few teams. Listen to how the general rational of 95% of the people on this board is that Cam needs a big target. Im not sure what the answer is but I can tell you that if you take Smith out of the offense, bad things happen to us. . . therefor you need a guy that can at least do SOME of what Smitty can do. I guess thats why I like Cooks.

[LinvilleGorge]

Ya I know, I got that feeling about Cooks too. I dont recall watching Smitty at Utah, but I can tell the kid models a lot of his game after 89. His feet are super quick, I love that.

 

Pretty sure he's said as much.

 

Have seen very little of Cooks, but what set Smitty apart from other small receivers was his strength and leaping ability.  He had great leaping ability and great timing and that combined with his physical strength allowed him to play much bigger than his size.

 

I'm using the past tense here because Smitty is no longer that guy.  Age has finally caught up to him.  He's still a damn good receiver, but he's no longer what he once was which is true of damn near everyone who is in their mid-30s.

[beastson]

Intersting, hardly any receiver comes fresh out of college and create separation so easily unless yeah he fast as hell and can beat you deep on a simple go route, but running routes that take some time

 

I'm interested a little in 40 time, but more focused on the catching drill and vertical. Not every time you will create separation, you have to go up and grab that it out the air, something we've been missing

[Gabeking]

Et tu, Mr. Scot. "Was"?

People have jumped off J-Stew's train like this guy jumping out the window:

Scot's right, JStew could've been a multi-all-pro kinda player if he was 100% healthy and got more touches. Unfortunately didn't work out that way though.

[top dawg]

Scot's right, JStew could've been a multi-all-pro kinda player if he was 100% healthy and got more touches. Unfortunately didn't work out that way though.

 

Stew ain't finished yet, not with football, and not as a Panther. But back to Matthews...