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Despite a less than stellar season for the Texas Longhorns last year, Texas continued its trend of churning out NFL talent, as four Longhorns were selected in this year’s NFL Draft. All were defensive players. Going first to the Buffalo Bill…
Colt McCoy’s past and future are about to collide in an extraordinary way in the coming weeks.
On October 30th, Colt will have his number 12 Texas Longhorn jersey retired, on a day Texas plays in-state rival Baylor.
This Sunday however, Colt will make …
Two things have become apparent in scouting the quarterback position for the 2010 NFL Draft : that all the top quarterbacks face some serious questions, and after Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen there is quite arguably a dramatic drop-off.
However, in reference to Colt McCoy , when talking about pure ability and results, that isn’t particularly the case.
McCoy certainly has some questions regarding his durability, notably the shoulder injury that knocked him out of the NCAA title game and throwing drills at the 2010 NFL Combine .
But is he getting a raw deal from scouts?
Strengths
Despite huge knocks against his size and durability, there is a ton to like (if not love) about McCoy, as he’s an extremely athletic and mobile quarterback with good speed for the position.
He has the ability to make things happen with his feet at any time, but also has great pocket awareness and an uncanny ability to get his head up and find the open guy, even when on the run and/or being chased down.
While McCoy doesn’t have the strongest arm in the world, he still has adequate strength, and puts nice zip on his ball.
He worked out of an offense that beefed up his numbers (as most college passers do), but he still has shown great awareness and accuracy against elite competition, suggesting that he’s not nearly as overrated in these areas as many would have you believe.
McCoy has an outstanding body of growth, leadership, and production. He ran into an unfortunate circumstance this year in the BCS Championship game, but otherwise has come through in big games throughout his career, and has proven to be a tougher quarterback than he appears.
Weaknesses
McCoy faces the same criticism as every other college quarterback, as he operated out of a very quarterback-friendly offense. This may have protected his moderate arm strength or questionable accuracy.
While he’s still likely on the NFL level in these two areas, these are still questions that need to be answered.
Despite those hrows, and that he doesn’t have any major accuracy issues. Durability and strength, howeconcerns, McCoy has proven through game tape and in big games that he can make all the tver, are two things that are huge question marks, and won’t be going away anytime soon.
McCoy is marked down as 6’3” by some scouts, while others have him closer to barely 6’1”. Considering his small stature and thin frame, McCoy’s height could actually play into him losing ground as a top-five passer in this draft.
A height hovering around just six feet could pigeon-hole McCoy as a small, weak, athletic-dependent passer, and could also have many teams viewing him as a guy with little potential, average arm strength, and injury concerns.
Overall
Considering his shoulder injury, inability to throw at the Combine, and his already questionable accuracy and arm strength, McCoy is currently being packaged as a pre-determined bust version of Alex Smith (also arguably considered a bust).
And until we can see him prove all his doubters wrong, there isn’t a lot to say those skeptics would be wrong.
However, with his value hovering somewhere around a second-rounder, and possibly even dipping as far as the fifth round, McCoy could actually end up being the steal of the draft at the quarterback position.
In terms of overall athleticism and production at the college level, he is still easily one of the most talented prospects in this year’s class. A laundry list of questions, however, continue to hold him back.
NFL Player Comparison: Alex Smith
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With many big and physical receivers in the 2010 NFL Draft, it is tough to imagine someone being more productive in a position known as the slot. The slot receiver has become one of the most effective positions in all of football, and if players are used in such a manner they could become very successful for many years.
When players are ready to be drafted into the NFL, the first instinct people have is to compare the player being drafted to a player currently in the NFL. Jordan Shipley, a former standout wide receiver from the University of Texas, is no different.
Shipley has been compared to the Patriots’ Wes Welker since 2008. After 89 receptions in 2008, Shipley proved his wealth as a number one receiver in 2009 with 116 receptions. Shipley went over the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season in ’09, and was a major contributor to Big 12 Champions on both offense and special teams.
Shipley, a starting receiver, punt returner, and holder, is ready to prove the comparisons to Welker are not only similar, but almost identical. Shipley could only hope to turn into the player that Welker has become, but it won’t be easy as even Wes found out.
Welker came out undrafted in 2004, and at 5’9″ scouts thought he was too small. Welker was sure-handed in college, where he returned punts as well. Coming out of Texas Tech, Welker played in an open, passing offense—close to the spread offense Shipley has played in over the last four seasons.
After struggling to find his identity, the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins both released Welker. Welker, who was just hoping to make a roster, ended up making second team All-Pro with the New England Patriots. Welker proved that in the right system he could be one of the best in the business.
Jordan Shipley is projecting to be a late round two or round three selection in April’s draft. However, how does one get compared to a two time All-Pro and get such little respect in such projections?
Shipley needs to end up in a system as did Wes Welker. Welker is paired with one of the best quarterbacks in the game, along with a wide out that has the ability to go up top and require double coverage. Welker, then, is terrific at catching the ball from the slot position, over the middle, and getting yards after the catch.
The slot receiver position is becoming more and more important as teams start using a spread out, shotgun attack. Shipley could thrive in the right slot position for the right team. Here are five teams that could take Shipley and have an immediate impact slot receiver:
1. Houston Texans: The Texans would be a great fit for many reasons. Of course, based in Houston, Shipley would remain in Texas, where he has lived all of his life. However, the main reason Shipley could thrive in this offense is because of All-Pro Andre Johnson.
The Texans are in dire need of a play maker to go along side of Andre Johnson. Johnson stretches the field and opens the middle for other players, such as tight end Owen Daniels. However, the Texans are missing a speed receiver who can start in the slot and make plays in the middle of the field. Shipley could be a missing link to an already great offense.
2. Dallas Cowboys: With the recent success of Miles Austin, it will make the middle of the field more open for Tony Romo to find receivers. Again, it is almost too much of a perfect fit for a team in Texas to keep Shipley at home.
With Roy Williams on one side, Jason Witten, a top tight end, and Austin streaking down the field, the middle could be wide open for a speedy, sure-handed slot receiver such as Shipley.
3. New England Patriots: The team that brought Wes Welker to prominence could bring Shipley in as well. With uncertainty around Welker’s knee for the 2010 season, the Patriots could take Shipley and put the 24-year-old right in the slot position as a rookie.
Shipley is an experienced and smart player who can learn an offense and step in right away. With a vacancy at the slot position to start the season, and a mentor like Welker to help him, Shipley could be packing his bags for New England come April.
4. Detroit Lions: Let’s face it, Calvin Johnson is a beast. Johnson requires a double team all over the field, and needs a compliment—or anyone to take the pressure off him.
However, Johnson wouldn’t be the player that benefits the most from Shipley. Instead, that would be second year quarterback Mathew Stafford.
Stafford is going to be a big-time player in Detroit. He has a lot of tools and with some time, could turn into a Pro Bowler. However, Stafford needs a Plan B when he is rushed in the pocket, or when Johnson is double—or even triple-teamed.
Shipley could provide a safety valve for Stafford and the Lions future.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals found a running back for the next couple of years. Cedric Benson provided a much-needed run game for Carson Palmer and head coach Marvin Lewis.
Palmer has top-target Chad Ochocinco, who is coming off a Pro Bowl year. Ochocinco spreads the field well, and, with another older target in Laveranues Coles, Shipley could provide some youth to a veteran receiver corps.
In the playoffs, when Palmer was pressured, Ochocinco was lost on Revis Island, and Coles was efficient, but not great. Shipley could provide a check down target that could put the Bengals offense back to prominence.
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As the NFL Combine quickly approaches, many college players will be looking to impress NFL scouts to move up the draft boards.
One of those college players looking to impress is Texas’ wide receiver Jordan Shipley.
Shipley has begun to get many comparisons to New England Patriots’ starter and superstar slot receiver, Wes Welker.
Both are of comparable size with Shipley at 6’0″ 190-pounds and Welker at 5’9″ 185-pounds.
Besides the fact that Welker was undrafted and Shipley will most likely get drafted there are more similarities in both of their college stats, with Shipley ending his career with 248 receptions for 3,191 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Welker ended his college career with 259 receptions for 3,019 yards and 21 touchdown.
Both have also scored touchdown returning kicks and punts at the college level too.
A big difference between the two is that Welker was an undrafted free agent and Shipley is currently projected as a second or third round pick pre-NFL Combine.
Also, Welker’s 40-yard dash time has been clocked at around 4.65, but Shipley is a little quicker with a 40-yard dash time around 4.47.
Many teams would love to have a talent like Welker on their team and even though Shipley may not be one of the premier receiver names in the 2010 draft, look for him to possible move up to a middle or upper second round projection post-NFL Combine.
Is Shipley the next Welker?
Only time will tell, but if he lands on the right team with the right quarterback, then Shipley may indeed be a major impact at the NFL level with so many teams needing a solid slot receiver.
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