| Chiefnj2 |
02-21-2013 04:55 PM |
Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray found some, adding a stunning 24 pounds to measure in at 6-foot-6, 232 pounds in front of scouts on Thursday at the combine.
Bray was wearing the same loose-fitting NFL-issued apparel as the other prospects who have filtered in through the media room at Lucas Oil Stadium, but the weight looked evenly distributed. He plans to participate in the drills, including throwing, in Indianapolis.
While Bray physically looked the part, he was noticeably nervous at the podium. He looked interviewers in the eye when answering questions but was surprisingly soft-spoken and short with many of his answers.
While Bray's nerves certainly don't mean he won't be successful as an NFL quarterback, he lacked the field-general persona that some scouts expect at the position. This is surprising considering the aggression with which he has played throughout his career with the Volunteers.
To put it simply, Bray possesses as much arm talent as any quarterback in this draft class. His combination of arm strength, accuracy and willingness to throw through tight windows against quality competition has drawn comparisons to fellow former SEC standouts Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt) and Ryan Mallett (Arkansas). Bray attempts -- and often makes -- throws that no other quarterback in this draft class (and few in the NFL) will try.
Due to a lack of mobility and a number of acts off the field that have led to questions about his maturity, Bray ranks as NFLDraftScout.com's No. 7 passer in this draft. But as Dane Brugler pointed out here, he has the tools to leap up the board this week.
Having operated in pro-style attacks under Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley, Bray completed 58.5 percent of his passes for 7,444 yards and 69 touchdowns against 28 interceptions.
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