ESPN Say's Newton To Enter Draft

[Dirtbag59]

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On a slightly different subject, I have new peanut gallery notes on Locker and Gabbert.

In watching Locker recently there were a few more specific things that bothered me. For starters he looks to run an awful lot when things break down. Ideally you'd want a guy that would use that mobility to reposition himself and find someone downfield while picking up a first down or two with their feet. But very rarely am I seeing Locker look down the field for other options. In fact he rarely seems to look down field to begin with opting for mostly short passes (all the more reason to be worried over his subpar completion percentage). Had trouble noticing if he was looking for separate options on the other side of the field

Gabbert on the other hand surprised me. On the field he was the exact opposite of my concerns with Locker. While not as mobile Gabbert is certainly capable of moving about. And not only does he move around but when he can he takes a moment to reposition his feet. He's also not afraid to take shots downfield and is confident in his arm. Most impressive part of his game might have been his ability to look off coverage and find second and third options.

The Performance itself is not all to impressive. However while watching Gabbert it's easy to catch the little things he's incorporated into his game. Remember to look for readjusting after scrambles, willingness to take shots downfield, and the ability to look off defenders. Still can't get over the fact that his numbers, while respectable, are no where near Chase Daniel.


Locker on the other hand reminds me of a kid playing with a Mobile QB on all Madden. All to frequently he seems to zone in one guy and rarely looks downfield opting for throwing short to mid range passes when he's not scrambling for yards. Maybe his supporting cast was just that bad but Steve Sarkisian is a respected offensive mind so it's not like he was in some po dunk SEC 3 yards and a cloud of dust Wing T system.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

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On a slightly different subject, I have new peanut gallery notes on Locker and Gabbert.

In watching Locker recently there were a few more specific things that bothered me. For starters he looks to run an awful lot when things break down. Ideally you'd want a guy that would use that mobility to reposition himself and find someone downfield while picking up a first down or two with their feet. But very rarely am I seeing Locker look down the field for other options. In fact he rarely seems to look down field to begin with opting for mostly short passes (all the more reason to be worried over his subpar completion percentage). Had trouble noticing if he was looking for separate options on the other side of the field

Gabbert on the other hand surprised me. On the field he was the exact opposite of my concerns with Locker. While not as mobile Gabbert is certainly capable of moving about. And not only does he move around but when he can he takes a moment to reposition his feet. He's also not afraid to take shots downfield and is confident in his arm. Most impressive part of his game might have been his ability to look off coverage and find second and third options.

The Performance itself is not all to impressive. However while watching Gabbert it's easy to catch the little things he's incorporated into his game. Remember to look for readjusting after scrambles, willingness to take shots downfield, and the ability to look off defenders. Still can't get over the fact that his numbers, while respectable, are no where near Chase Daniel.


Locker on the other hand reminds me of a kid playing with a Mobile QB on all Madden. All to frequently he seems to zone in one guy and rarely looks downfield opting for throwing short to mid range passes when he's not scrambling for yards. Maybe his supporting cast was just that bad but Steve Sarkisian is a respected offensive mind so it's not like he was in some po dunk SEC 3 yards and a cloud of dust Wing T system.

Dude has all the tools and played in a Pro style offense, Yeah he scrambles to much but Shanny will fix that problem IMO. His accuracy isn't as bad as some think either. Is he Brees? No but he's not Jason Campbell either

[30gut]

I think that both Locker and Gabbert are good QB prospects.
I've watched several of both of there games and w/ a coaching buddy of mine have charted some of their games.
I've actuall charted Gabbert's game vs Illinois and although he was very productive I think disagree w/ assessment and think you choose the wrong games to prove your points.

BTW-Locker was outstanding in the Oregeon State game:
5 TDs 1 INT w/ 60 yds rushing in a 35-34 overtime win.

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

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In watching Locker recently there were a few more specific things that bothered me. For starters he looks to run an awful lot when things break down. Ideally you'd want a guy that would use that mobility to reposition himself and find someone downfield while picking up a first down or two with their feet. But very rarely am I seeing Locker look down the field for other options......In fact he rarely seems to look down field to begin with opting for mostly short passes (all the more reason to be worried over his subpar completion percentage).**Had trouble noticing if he was looking for separate options on the other side of the field

If we're gonna attempt to talk specifics, which plays are you refering to?

Of the 2 QBs i thought Locker handled a crumbling pocket better then Gabbert.

In general I think that both through a mix of their preference and offensives systems greatly favor their 1st reads(which is common for college QBs)
and both offenses favor short routes as evidenced by the fact that both have sub 7.0 YPA.
Locker's offense by design is about 60/40 mix of 1 step or quick 3-step and get the ball out quickly from a pro-set and roll out, sprint out, dash outside the pocket stuff.
Gabberts is a shotgun spread with mainly half-field but some full field reads.
Imo Gabberts offense lends itself more easily to making multiple progression reads because there are more options per play.
**The graininess of the Oregon State game makes it harder to read Locker's helmet direction.

In fact he rarely seems to look down field to begin with opting for mostly short passes (all the more reason to be worried over his subpar completion percentage).

Actually I think its the other way around its spread offenses lend themselves to a more a high comp% then pro-style offenses.

Gabbert on the other hand surprised me. On the field he was the exact opposite of my concerns with Locker. While not as mobile Gabbert is certainly capable of moving about. And not only does he move around but when he can he takes a moment to reposition his feet. He's also not afraid to take shots downfield and is confident in his arm. Most impressive part of his game might have been his ability to look off coverage and find second and third options.

I didn't see this at all.(I'll post my passing chart and game assessment)

Still can't get over the fact that his numbers, while respectable, are no where near Chase Daniel.

That's because you're ignoring the reasons that contribute make his numbers lesser then Chases; although part of the difference is WR talent.

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Originally Posted by darrelgreenie

I've simplified my format.
KEY:

OT: (+/-)on time/in rhythm
TAR- (+/-) on target catchable ball (above the waist not above the shoulders within arm's length)
IS- (+/-) in stride
**Good plays/NFL ability
Sienna color negative plays

Any pertinent information will be metioned-

[video=youtube;Q5nGYHLeB2g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5nGYHLeB2g[/video]

1) OT- TAR- probably a missed read
2) Screen OT+ TAR+ IS+
3) Scamble TAR-
4) Screen OT+ TAR+ IS+
5) 1st read covered looking leftside stayed w/ too long and didn't see the open slot slant Scramble
high throw OT- TAR- (a bit high) @48s
6) (R) sideline cover 2 beater fade route nice throw into small window OT+ TAR+ IS+ @ 1:06
7) Screen OT+ TAR+
8) Zone read keeper tried to cutback, not a natural runner
9) Zone read QB keeper shows willingness to run w/ toughness FUMBLE! 1:38s
10) Slot out (L) OT+ TAR+ a little shoulder level 2:04
11) Slot comeback (L) OT+ TAR+ tight window good throw 2:22
12) Missed flare out (R) --->scramble OT+ TAR- underthrown 2:27
13) Slot out OT+ TAR+
14) Hot route blitz beater OT+ TAR+ IS+ 3:06
15) Quick In OT+ TAR+
16) Slot out (handles bad snap) OT+ TAR+ a little high 3:27
17) batted ball
18) Quick pressure starts to scramble finds RB in flat OT+ TAR+ IS+ 3:59
19) TE hitch OT+ TAR+
20) Slot hitch OT+ TAR+
21) WR slant-dig OT+ TAR+ nice throw 4:36
22) batted ball
**23) Near slot (R) pump middle slot post OT+ TAR+ IS+ dropped great throw
24) Scrambled, held ball should have thrown it away
25) Slot slant OT+ TAR+ IS+ 5:30
26) Slot swing pass OT+ TAR+ IS+
27) Slot screen 5:25
28) Slot (L) comeback OT+ TAR+ a little high
29) Quick hitch (L) OT+ TAR+
30) Sprint (R) turns down quick slant to middle slot, throws back of the endzone OT+ TAR- 6:32
31) Swing (R) OT+ TAR+ IS+
**32) Looked like he had slot (R) open on slant instead scrambles keeps head up fires a strike on the run to the back of the endzone--started heating up after this TD
**33) Turned down slot out (L) resets throws across the field to far sideline comeback w/ a good strong throw OT+ TAR+ dropped
**34) Everyone looks covered scramble. finds TE corner another nice throw OT+ TAR+ IS+ 7:3
35) Skinny post/deep slant (R) OT+ TAR+ IS+ 8:00
36) Swing pass OT+ TAR+ IS+
37) Swing " "
38) PA zone read WR fly/go (R) w/ bodies around make deep sideline throw from the 55 to the 1 yard line OT+ TAR- (i thought it was mis-played/judged a good WR makes that grab
39) TE Slant (R) OT+ TAR+ a little behind 8:48
40) Near slot square in OT+ TAR+ IS+ 9:00
**41) Looks (R) scrambles (L) hits sideline comeback OT+ TAR+ IS+ nice throw 9:09
42) lot hitch (L) OT+ TAR+ a little high 9:22
43) QB draw picks up yards but not a natural runner
44) Fake WR screen middle slot fade OT+ TAR+ IS+ TD!!
45) Slot out (L) OT+ TAR+ IS+
46) RB screen (L) OT+ TAR- IS- underthrown short incomplete
**47) Deep comeback sideline nice throw OT+ TAR+ IS+ 10:22
**48) Looks (L) scrambles resets throws deep post (R) OT+ TAR+ a little high IS+ dropped 10:32
49) Swing
50) Had time scrambled around, found receiver in middle of field heaved it up -caught- but OT- TAR+ a little high 11:00
51) Missed/turned down near slot hitch (R) goes for middle slot go route OT- TAR- IS- 11:17
52) Wide slant hitch (L) OT+ TAR+
53) Scramble throw away
**54) Slot out very tight window OT+ TAR+ big hit forced drop 11:56
55) Pinkel's version of a kneel? Gabbert scrambles around then goes down
-

Originally Posted by darrelgreenie-January-25th-2011

From the passing chart in post #63

Missed pass incomplete: 1,30,(38),46
Scramble/on the move incomplete: 3,5,7,12
Caught passes that were off target (keep in mind these are caught passes) 28, 42, 50
Drops/(receiver misplay/effort): 23,33,(38),48, 54
Throw away: 53
By my count that's 11 off targets pass, 3 that were still completed from a sample of 48 passes
**Even if you include the caught passes that were off target that would only make 16% of his pass attempts off target

my grade for the game:
Instincts+Intuition-2 (got off to a slow start and had some early happy feet)
Competitiveness-4 (came back from being down the entire gameplan was based on his right arm)
Arm Strength-5 (self evident)
Complete Inventory of passes-4
Quick delivery-4
Touch-3 (missed a few throws)
Read defense-2 (mainly half field read offense, but graded down for the happy feet)
Mobility+Avoidance-3 (made some good plays, but often scrambled needlessly)
Function while injured- N/A (?) may have been playing hurt?
Not easily rattled-3 (graded down for happy feet)
Spontaneous decision/play making-3 (nice play in the endzone helped bump him up to 3)