HeadtoHeadFootball -
NFL

Cam Newton, Dak Prescott show combine scouting isn't exact science

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Not ready to be an NFL starter. Bad footwork. Off-the-field issue.

These were things said about Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott following their respective NFL combines.

Both went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors; Newton in 2011 and Prescott this past season.

Newton, the first overall pick in 2011 out of Auburn, threw for 21 touchdowns and rushed for 14 more. Prescott, a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State, had 26 touchdown passes and six rushing scores.

Prescott had better team success as the Cowboys went 13-3 and made the playoffs in his rookie season. The Panthers were 6-10 in Newton’s first season and didn’t make the playoffs with the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner until his third year.

But both players quickly established themselves as the organization’s franchise quarterback despite what was said about them at the combine.

With the 2017 combine set to begin next week in Indianapolis, let’s look back at how Newton and Prescott compared:

Combine comp: Newton vs. Prescott
Category Newton Prescott
40-yard dash 4.56 sec 4.79
20-yard dash 2.60 sec 2.78
10-yard dash 1.58 sec 1.66
Vertical jump 35 inches 32.5
Broad jump 126 inches 116
20-yard shuttle 4.18 sec 4.32
Three-cone 6.92 sec 7.11
Wonderlic 21 (out of 50) 25

Newton obviously was the more athletic of the two. Neither scored great on the Wonderlic, a cognitive ability test the NFL uses to assess aptitude.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, the second overall pick last season, had a Wonderlic score of 40. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, the first overall pick, had a 34.

Not that you can put too much stock in that. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scored a 25, and he went on to become a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion.

Here’s what the NFL.com analysis said about Newton and Prescott after the combine:

Strengths

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.”

Despite Cam Newton’s athleticism, scouts at the 2011 combine worried about inconsistency and potential off-field issues. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Prescott: “Thick, muscular frame. Has proven over the last three seasons that he can withstand a pounding. Has enough natural arm strength and hip snap to fit throws into an NFL window. Stands tall and delivers a tight spiral with the over-the-top delivery. When pocket is clean, can deliver accurate strikes around the field. Played with improved vision and care for football this season and eliminated many of the ill-fated throws that turned into interceptions in 2014. Still a work in progress, but continues to show a level of growth as a passer. … Willing to extend plays outside of the pocket with legs, but look to finish the play with his arm. Mentally tough enough to carry a heavy offensive burden for the Bulldogs over the last three years.”

Weaknesses

Newton: “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.”

Prescott: “Beat up this year thanks to poor protection. When he wasn’t being sacked, he was being hit hard. Not as competitive a rusher in 2015. Sacks and usage in run game might be taking a toll. Increase in short pass attempts from 86 to 208 this year reason for higher completion numbers. Accuracy on intermediate and deep throws dropped sharply. Pocket poise has been compromised. Hyper aware of pressure around him and lacks awareness to slide and find a temporary shelter to make throw. Concern over pressure too often trumps ability to get through progressions. Must speed up the pace of his reads. Footwork is a mess. … Throws to target rather than leading or throwing them open on short/intermediate throws. Too respectful of underneath coverage, and must be more willing to challenge the defense. Needs to improve anticipation.”

Both quarterbacks obviously overcame their weaknesses. Newton was the NFL Most Valuable player in 2015 with a career-high 35 touchdown passes to go with 10 rushing TDs.

Prescott was so efficient in 2016 that veteran Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo never got his job back and is expected to be released.

It just goes to show that the combine isn’t an exact science.

NFL

Eric Berry should edge Tyreek Hill for Chiefs MVP

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There’s no telling how the Kansas City Chiefs would have finished in 2016 without either Eric Berry or Tyreek Hill, but it’s clear they wouldn’t have gone 12-4 or captured their first AFC West championship since 2010. They probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs at all.

That’s how strong Berry and Hill were for the Chiefs. Berry, the do-everything safety, made several big plays to help deliver victories to the Chiefs in close games. Hill, the rookie receiver and kickoff returner, led Kansas City with 12 total touchdowns. None of his teammates had more than five.

The Chiefs are scheduled to announce on Sunday their 2016 most valuable player and rookie of the year. When it comes to MVP, the choices occasionally surprise, so it wouldn’t be a total upset if quarterback Alex Smith, tight end Travis Kelce or cornerback Marcus Peters won or shared the award.

But Berry and Hill are the most deserving choices. If either one wins, justice is done.

Eric Berry has a knack for making game-deciding plays on defense and when he talks, his teammates listen. That makes him the Chiefs’ MVP. Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire

Berry is my pick. The Chiefs wouldn’t have won the division title without his knack for fourth-quarter big plays. His interception and spectacular return for a touchdown – Berry successfully completed two spin moves on his way to the end zone – ignited a late comeback in a November game against the Panthers. His interception and score on an Atlanta two-point conversion try in the final minutes gave the Chiefs the necessary points to take a 29-28 victory over the Falcons in December.

These and other big plays – between interceptions and forced fumbles, Berry had five takeaways, tied for second on the team behind only Peters – were in addition to his usual, steady, down-by-down presence.

Hill exceeded Berry in spectacular plays. Of his 12 touchdowns, eight were from longer than 34 yards, providing a much-needed boost to an offense that often struggled to put together long drives or score points. Hill had all three Chiefs touchdowns – one on a rush, one on a pass reception and one on a kick return – in a crucial November victory over the Denver Broncos, the final score coming with 12 seconds left. That touchdown, paired with the two-point conversion, sent the game into overtime, and the Chiefs won with two field goals.

Strictly going by on-field contributions, Hill deserves to win. But there’s an off-the-field component that Berry provides, one that neither Hill nor any of his teammates can match. Berry, a cancer survivor, is not only an inspiration in the locker room, but he’s the Chiefs’ voice of reason. When he talks, his teammates listen. Where he leads, his teammates follow.

Even if he’s not the MVP, Hill won’t be going home empty-handed. He’s overwhelmingly the leading candidate to be the Chiefs’ rookie of the year. Defensive lineman Chris Jones would have been a good choice in a normal year, but not in a season when Hill also debuted.

NFL

Chargers searching for a Tyreek Hill-type player to spark return game

SAN DIEGO — George Stewart understands the importance of finding a game-changer in the return game.

Recently hired as special teams coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, Stewart experienced first-hand how an electric return man can change the complexion of the game during his decade with the Minnesota Vikings. Speedsters Percy Harvin and Cordarrelle Patterson made many plays for Minnesota while he served as receivers coach there.

Isaiah Burse did some nice things as a kick returner last season for the Chargers, new special teams coordinator George Stewart noted, but Los Angeles needs more game-changing plays. Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire

Stewart said this week that the Chargers have to develop a playmaker like those two in the return game. He pointed to the Chargers’ AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, their dynamic playmaker, Tyreek Hill, and what a difference he makes.

The Chargers finished No. 27 in the NFL in punt return average and third-worst in the league in kick return average last season. The Chargers have not returned a kickoff or punt for a touchdown since 2012.

Stewart said he likes the skill set of pending unrestricted free agent Dexter McCluster as a punt returner, and pointed out that Isaiah Burse did some nice things as a kick returner last season for the Chargers.

“We have to develop that here,” Stewart said. “And that’s one thing we’re looking for going into the combine, going into the draft. Our biggest area [that we have to improve] is the return game, in terms of getting positive field position for [Philip] Rivers.

“Any time you get positive field position for your offense, you have a chance to be successful.”

Stewart said kicker Josh Lambo, while showing some inconsistency on field goals in his second season, has a strong leg and could be an asset moving forward. Lambo led the league in touchbacks with 67. However, he missed a 45-yard field goal at the end of the game in a 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns late in the season. Lambo also had a field goal and three extra points blocked, and was 0-for-3 from beyond 50 yards.

“You have to have an opportunity to rhythm up with your kicker,” Stewart said. “And what I mean by that is you have to be in the same flow and rhythm as them. Most kickers and punters are not your typical players, like your receivers or linebackers. They’re different, and you have to come at them differently. I’m not a psychology major, but there has to be some psychology with those guys.”

Stewart added that, like Lambo, punter Drew Kaser has a strong leg, exhibited by his 46.3 average per punt in 2016. However, Stewart said the rookie sixth-round selection out of Texas A&M showed fatigue as the season wore on.

“That’s something we will address in terms of his conditioning to obviously take some kicks off of him,” Stewart said. “I’m a quality kick guy instead of a quantity kick guy, in terms of a coach. He will have some quality kicks during the week. He will have some rest. But also he will be in that weight room getting his core squared away.”

Both Lambo and Kaser struggled with confidence last season. Stewart didn’t rule out adding competition at both positions in training camp, saying that’s something he has to discuss with head coach Anthony Lynn and the personnel department.

“I always say it’s like going back home to mama,” Stewart said about dealing with confidence issues. “We’ve all had mothers, and when you get in trouble, you don’t look for dad, you look for mom. And so that means going back to fundamentals and what was the situation that got you successful.

“So if you’re a field goal kicker, you start kicking field goals from 10 to 14 yards, where he can consistently see the ball go through the uprights. Then you start to back him up. The more success he has, the better he becomes.”

Even though Stewart has not coached special teams in the NFL since 1998, when he was with the San Francisco 49ers, he can lean on his past success for guidance. During his decade as a special teams coordinator in the NFL, Stewart’s group finished in the top half of the league seven out of 10 years, according to Rick Gosselin’s annual special teams rankings in the Dallas Morning News.

Stewart served as the special teams coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1989 to 1991, then took over special teams for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1991 to 1995 and served in that role for the 49ers from 1996 to 1998.

The Chargers finished last in Gosselin’s rankings for a second straight season in 2016.

“I’ve always taken over a team that’s been last,” Stewart said. “And obviously you get hired because it wasn’t good before. I’m not saying the guys in front of me did a bad job. It’s just the luck of the draw. We’ve been very fortunate to be a top-five team every place I’ve been, and hopefully with time, patience and with players, [that happens here].”

NFL

Should Vikings wait on a Sam Bradford contract, or do one soon?

With one year left on Sam Bradford’s contract, should the Minnesota Vikings feel a sense of urgency to address the quarterback’s status, or should they make him prove he’s worth a long-term deal? Our Twitter question of the week:

@GoesslingESPN: Good morning, everyone. We’ll spend some time today discussing one of the big issues the Vikings are going to face this offseason: What to do about the future of Bradford, their 29-year-old quarterback who posted the best numbers of his career after arriving in a Sept. 3 trade.

Bradford is to make $18 million in 2017, after hitting a playing time-related $1 million escalator in his contract. He’s due a $4 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year, but he obviously isn’t going anywhere; the Vikings don’t know what Teddy Bridgewater’s future holds, and Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman have talked about how remarkable it was for Bradford to put up the numbers he did, given how quickly he had to get acclimated to the Vikings’ offense.

“I think he’s just right now in the prime of his career,” Spielman said. “I can tell you that looking back on that trade with all the other options, that I would do that over in a mini-second to get a Sam Bradford on our football team with the circumstance that we were dealing with, because I think that he’s [got] a chance to be a pretty good player and quarterback in this league.”

Sam Bradford threw for 3,877 yards and 20 touchdowns last season for Minnesota. Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports

That sounds to me like a quarterback the Vikings plan to have around for the foreseeable future — though it should be noted that when Spielman was asked about a long-term extension for Bradford on Thursday, he said, “Everything’s in flux right now. I’ll just leave it at that.”

The Vikings certainly could wait until sometime during the season, or after the 2017 season, to get a deal done with Bradford. Part of the art of negotiations is, as it is in any business, managing relationships with clients (so to speak). If the Vikings wait to talk about an extension, they run the risk of irking Bradford and his agent, Tom Condon, who’s no stranger to deals with big-time quarterbacks. They still don’t know what the future holds for Bridgewater, as Spielman said on Thursday, and they already thought enough of Bradford — not just in the short term, but in the long term — to trade a first-round pick and a 2018 fourth-rounder for him in September. A trade like that already assigned a certain amount of value to Bradford; waiting to talk about a contract extension could then send mixed messages.

Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that Bradford capitalizes on a full offseason to work with his receivers and takes a step forward in Pat Shurmur’s offense. Say he goes out, surpasses 4,000 yards and throws 25 touchdown passes while keeping his turnovers low. Given the state of quarterback play in the NFL, a 30-year-old coming off that kind of year is going to have plenty of suitors in free agency, which would place a further premium on the Vikings’ price to keep Bradford. In general, NFL teams do deals on the early side to create cost certainty in exchange for giving the player guaranteed money sooner; it’s one of the reasons Spielman said Thursday that an extension for cornerback Xavier Rhodes figures to be coming in the near future. If the Vikings think Bradford is going to be their quarterback for the foreseeable future, they might decide it’s worth being proactive with someone who’s that important to their program.

It’s certainly possible the Vikings could wait on a deal for Bradford; there are sensible arguments for gathering more evidence before making such a substantial commitment to a quarterback. If you’re looking for the argument for doing a deal this offseason, cost certainty and a sturdy relationship with Bradford are two of the main points for said argument.

Page 268 of 334« First...102030267268269270280290300...Last »