The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine quarterback analysis
What did we learn from the day two of the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine? Which quarterback improved his draft stock the most from the interviews and physical tests and evaluations?
Well one thing that we did learn is that Ryan Mallet can’t do the broad jump. He fell about two feet shorter than Cam Newton.
Mallet, also known as “Big Tex,” is a quarterback from the University of Arkansas. What Mallet can do is take the snap and throw the ball with precision and velocity, which was displayed at the Combine. He was very comfortable in the three step and five
step drop, which is taught at Arkansas, and his location was great. He had a live arm and a live football, which is essential to do well in the NFL. He has a lot of tools to work with athletically even though he was a bit nervous. However, his arm strength
really improved his draft stock.
First of all, let’s take a perspective of what the quarterbacks want to do, how they play the game and their decision making abilities. You really have to judge these characteristics off tape and in the interview process. But the only thing that really matters
at the Combine is having a live ball. When it goes out of the quarterback's hands, you have to take note of its velocity, angle and pitch.
Take a look at Collin Kaepernick. The quarterback from Nevada really has a live arm and was another impressive quarterback during Sunday's Combine. He is a big player with a strong arm but needs to tighten up his release, mechanically. However, that is something
that he will be able to work on since he has already improved tremendously in that area.
Scouts who watched the quarterbacks perform all named one quarterback who they felt stood out above all of the others in the tests, evaluations and interviews. Blaine Gabbert performed exceptionally well in the physical strength tests and the disappointment
created when he said that he would not throw was overcome by his splendid performance.
Gabbert is expected to excel in all of the tests and evaluations at the Combine. It’s not exactly a professional style offense that he plays in, but instead a passing offense that he understands the concepts of, which is a very high stepping stone in becoming
a professional quarterback. Gabbert is one quarterback that is always going to be a challenge for opposing teams. He has everything in front of him and, athletically, he was very impressive.
The main deciding factor for most prospects is the interview process. Each team is allowed 60 interviews of 15 minutes each, which become 12 minutes of actual interview time. So teams try to cram a lot into those short 12 minutes and their first impression
of the prospect is always the best impression. Gabbert probably had the best first impression in the entire Combine. A lot of teams said that Gabbert was number one and every other prospect, as far as interviews and performance, was second, even though Mallet
also had a very good performance. Coaches and scouts came away with a good understanding of the players and can only wait for the draft now.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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