Clayton: Confident Sanchez has solid showing - Page 13

**Tribal Warfare** · 02-22-2009, 07:08 PM

Confident Sanchez has solid showing
A ball of nervous energy, USC QB Mark Sanchez had a good throwing performance Sunday at the combine.

ESPN.com
Archive

INDIANAPOLIS -- One of the neat things about having a top quarterback participate in the combine is seeing how his personality is exposed before scouts, coaches and GMs for 32 teams.

USC's Mark Sanchez clearly showed his competitive nature Sunday.

Sanchez was in a group that featured 10 quarterbacks, but the only one who didn't throw was Matthew Stafford of Georgia, a close friend of Sanchez's who is competing with him to be the top pick in the draft.

Instead of throwing at the combine, most potential first-round QBs elect to hold their own throwing session in March at their college campuses with receivers they know. Peyton Manning, one of the most competitive quarterbacks in the game, skipped the combine workouts when he turned pro in 1998 and advised Stafford to do the same. Stafford did only the running drills and vertical drills Sunday.

Sanchez, a ball of nervous energy during the drills, elected to do all of them.

"That's just me," Sanchez said Friday, two days before his workouts. "I've got to do this. I feel like I want to do it. I'm a competitive person. I want to win, and that's what I'm about. It would kill me not to throw.''

Sanchez wasn't great in the throwing drills, but he was good enough. He proved he could make all the necessary throws to be a top NFL quarterback. His slant passes to his right were the strongest. He held the ball high and displayed good mechanics. He completed both of his go passes to the right side at 31 and 32 yards. His 40-yard go patterns to his left were accurate and had nice arc. Very few of his passes hit the ground, showing that he has a catchable ball.

I could tell this week that the competitive fire within Sanchez still burns after he had one of the best games of his career in the Rose Bowl. Sanchez completed 28 of 35 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-24 victory over Penn State. He was ready for his next challenge, so he applied for the NFL draft and skipped his senior season.

"I feel like this really was the right time for me," Sanchez said. "That was obviously the pinnacle of my career. I felt very tuned in, dialed in for that game. I visualized things very well, and we played at heck of a game as a team first. We peaked at the right time, and it was a good way to go out."

Sanchez showed confidence in his throwing motion and mechanics Sunday. He also had a good fan base, led by, of all people, Stafford, who cheered Sanchez when he ran his 40 and encouraged him during the throwing session. Although Stafford didn't throw, he took time to help Sanchez loosen up before the drills. Their friendship goes back to the Nike Elite 11 camp in high school.

Stafford edged Sanchez in the 40-yard dash, running 4.84 seconds twice. Sanchez ran a 4.88 and 4.97. Sanchez topped Stafford in the vertical jump, leaping 32.5 inches to Stafford's 30.5.

Should Sanchez go ahead of Stafford in the draft?

"Absolutely," Sanchez said. "I'd better think that. And I think he should think that, too. That's what we've got to think. As a competitor, that's all I want to do is be the best that I can be. And the best you can do in this draft is be No. 1.''

Reerun_KC · 02-23-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Careful that’s a double edged sword you’re wielding there

Your right, it is... I just read up on these two... Then make an assesment on whom I would like to see in Chiefs Red and Gold...

But just like 99.9% of this board, I have zero clue what the NFL Coaches and GM's are saying or thinking about either...

But as a fan of this team since 1988, I have zero clue on what it takes to build a championship team or develop a QB. I can tell you exactly how to build a 9-7 team and how to give the fans Hope... But a Championship? Not a clue...

This place is going to meltdown, server shutdown, suicide options, when the draft actually takes place regardless of whom is drafted...

TRR · 02-23-2009, 11:23 AM

It's pretty hard to judge a QB when he only throws the ball 15 times or so. And as we all know, anyone can look good when there isn't defenders in their face, and they are standing there weilding the football in tshirts and shorts.

Ebolapox · 02-23-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Pat White seriously?

heh, his username is literally CFL. as in, canadian football league

Brock · 02-23-2009, 05:26 PM

Sanchez sharp in NFL Combine passing drills
Posted: February 22, 2009
Russ Lande
Sporting News

INDIANAPOLIS -- Wide receivers gave teams an opportunity to evaluate their talents in Feb. 22's workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. They weren't alone. Here's a look at how other players helped or hurt their value:

Quarterbacks

Southern Cal's Mark Sanchez helped himself in passing drills and tests. He showed a quick, compact delivery and release. He drove into his passes and the ball exploded out of his hand. His throws had good velocity and a tight, clean spiral. With Georgia's Matthew Stafford choosing not to throw, Sanchez proved their competition to be the draft's top quarterback is far from over. Teams were impressed that Sanchez decided to throw and did not look nervous or anxious.

West Virginia's Pat White was impressive as an athlete and showed that he has the quickness, burst and ability to contribute at running back or wide receiver. White was much better throwing the ball than people expected after an inconsistent week at the Senior Bowl.

Running backs

Virginia's Cedric Peerman showed quickness, acceleration and speed, which teams had questioned before the Combine. He ran the fastest 40 among the running backs, which is more impressive because he is well built and muscular with good all-around skills.

Wide receivers

Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey could benefit from Nicks' injury. He had a strong day and likely jumps into the late first-round slot Nicks filled. Heyward-Bey is tall and well built, but his eye-opener was his 40-yard dash time -- the fastest among wide receivers. Scouts times ranged from 4.28 to 4.33. He also excelled with a 38.5-inch vertical jump and a good broad jump. Heyward-Bey showed the quick burst of acceleration and elite playing speed he flashed in college. Teams now are more confident he will develop into a big-play receiver.

Mecca · 02-23-2009, 05:46 PM

Bey was always getting drafted before Nicks so I don't really understand that.

Chiefnj2 · 02-23-2009, 06:24 PM

Russ Lande must have spent the morning sniffing glue.

02-22-2009, 07:08 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Clayton: Confident Sanchez has solid showing Confident Sanchez has solid showing A ball of nervous energy, USC QB Mark Sanchez had a good throwing performance Sunday at the combine. ESPN.com Archive INDIANAPOLIS -- One of the neat things about having a top quarterback participate in the combine is seeing how his personality is exposed before scouts, coaches and GMs for 32 teams. USC's Mark Sanchez clearly showed his competitive nature Sunday. Sanchez was in a group that featured 10 quarterbacks, but the only one who didn't throw was Matthew Stafford of Georgia, a close friend of Sanchez's who is competing with him to be the top pick in the draft. Instead of throwing at the combine, most potential first-round QBs elect to hold their own throwing session in March at their college campuses with receivers they know. Peyton Manning, one of the most competitive quarterbacks in the game, skipped the combine workouts when he turned pro in 1998 and advised Stafford to do the same. Stafford did only the running drills and vertical drills Sunday. Sanchez, a ball of nervous energy during the drills, elected to do all of them. "That's just me," Sanchez said Friday, two days before his workouts. "I've got to do this. I feel like I want to do it. I'm a competitive person. I want to win, and that's what I'm about. It would kill me not to throw.'' Sanchez wasn't great in the throwing drills, but he was good enough. He proved he could make all the necessary throws to be a top NFL quarterback. His slant passes to his right were the strongest. He held the ball high and displayed good mechanics. He completed both of his go passes to the right side at 31 and 32 yards. His 40-yard go patterns to his left were accurate and had nice arc. Very few of his passes hit the ground, showing that he has a catchable ball. I could tell this week that the competitive fire within Sanchez still burns after he had one of the best games of his career in the Rose Bowl. Sanchez completed 28 of 35 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-24 victory over Penn State. He was ready for his next challenge, so he applied for the NFL draft and skipped his senior season. "I feel like this really was the right time for me," Sanchez said. "That was obviously the pinnacle of my career. I felt very tuned in, dialed in for that game. I visualized things very well, and we played at heck of a game as a team first. We peaked at the right time, and it was a good way to go out." Sanchez showed confidence in his throwing motion and mechanics Sunday. He also had a good fan base, led by, of all people, Stafford, who cheered Sanchez when he ran his 40 and encouraged him during the throwing session. Although Stafford didn't throw, he took time to help Sanchez loosen up before the drills. Their friendship goes back to the Nike Elite 11 camp in high school. Stafford edged Sanchez in the 40-yard dash, running 4.84 seconds twice. Sanchez ran a 4.88 and 4.97. Sanchez topped Stafford in the vertical jump, leaping 32.5 inches to Stafford's 30.5. Should Sanchez go ahead of Stafford in the draft? "Absolutely," Sanchez said. "I'd better think that. And I think he should think that, too. That's what we've got to think. As a competitor, that's all I want to do is be the best that I can be. And the best you can do in this draft is be No. 1.''
Posts: 43,454

02-23-2009, 11:23 AM	#182
TRR The Priest and I Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: CO Casino cash: $9420185	It's pretty hard to judge a QB when he only throws the ball 15 times or so. And as we all know, anyone can look good when there isn't defenders in their face, and they are standing there weilding the football in tshirts and shorts.
Posts: 7,371

02-23-2009, 05:26 PM	#184
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Sanchez sharp in NFL Combine passing drills Posted: February 22, 2009 Russ Lande Sporting News INDIANAPOLIS -- Wide receivers gave teams an opportunity to evaluate their talents in Feb. 22's workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. They weren't alone. Here's a look at how other players helped or hurt their value: Quarterbacks Southern Cal's Mark Sanchez helped himself in passing drills and tests. He showed a quick, compact delivery and release. He drove into his passes and the ball exploded out of his hand. His throws had good velocity and a tight, clean spiral. With Georgia's Matthew Stafford choosing not to throw, Sanchez proved their competition to be the draft's top quarterback is far from over. Teams were impressed that Sanchez decided to throw and did not look nervous or anxious. West Virginia's Pat White was impressive as an athlete and showed that he has the quickness, burst and ability to contribute at running back or wide receiver. White was much better throwing the ball than people expected after an inconsistent week at the Senior Bowl. Running backs Virginia's Cedric Peerman showed quickness, acceleration and speed, which teams had questioned before the Combine. He ran the fastest 40 among the running backs, which is more impressive because he is well built and muscular with good all-around skills. Wide receivers Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey could benefit from Nicks' injury. He had a strong day and likely jumps into the late first-round slot Nicks filled. Heyward-Bey is tall and well built, but his eye-opener was his 40-yard dash time -- the fastest among wide receivers. Scouts times ranged from 4.28 to 4.33. He also excelled with a 38.5-inch vertical jump and a good broad jump. Heyward-Bey showed the quick burst of acceleration and elite playing speed he flashed in college. Teams now are more confident he will develop into a big-play receiver.
Posts: 47,314

02-23-2009, 05:46 PM	#185
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-722950	Bey was always getting drafted before Nicks so I don't really understand that.
Posts: 115,380

02-23-2009, 06:24 PM	#186
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6654388	Russ Lande must have spent the morning sniffing glue. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,541