Clayton: Confident Sanchez has solid showing - Page 2

**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
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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.''

ArrowheadMagic · 02-22-2009, 07:47 PM

maybe he isnt used to throwing to WR's that actually have speed.

**chiefforlife** · 02-22-2009, 07:49 PM

I didnt think he looked good at all. He did nothing to separate himself from the other QBs.

B_Ambuehl · 02-22-2009, 07:57 PM

I think his attitude and demeanor during the workout overshadows any less than stellar throws he might've had. He had a lot of pressure on him but was out there joking around and staying loose. What scares me about Stafford is he seems to get overly stressed in the heat of the moment and appears quick to get a deer in the headlights type aura about him.

**Shaid** · 02-22-2009, 08:11 PM

Sorry, he sucked today. Hopefully he can display some skill at his Pro Day. If not, we'll see if it affects his draft stock. I personally think it hurts him a little especially with the low number of starts he's had. Someone who started 4 years and then had a bad day at the combine probably doesn't need to worry so much. When you only measure 6'2" and make bad throws all day, your stock starts to go down pretty fast. It's disappointing because I kinda like the kid.

**dirk digler** · 02-22-2009, 08:12 PM

So did he suck or did he do good?

**chiefforlife** · 02-22-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

So did he suck or did he do good?

He did not do well, Pat White had the best day for QBs.

kc rush · 02-22-2009, 08:20 PM

He sucked and proved that he was immature and needs at least two more years in college to show that he can perform in the NFL. It is too much of a risk to take Sanchez in the first 7 rounds. The Chiefs should only draft him if he falls to them in the 9th or 10th round. I would rather have an ok kick-off specialist that an immature sexual predator who needs to have his brother as an agent like Sanchez /SensibleChiefsFan

**DeezNutz** · 02-22-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc rush

He sucked and proved that he was immature and needs at least two more years in college to show that he can perform in the NFL. It is too much of a risk to take Sanchez in the first 7 rounds. The Chiefs should only draft him if he falls to them in the 9th or 10th round. I would rather have an ok kick-off specialist that an immature sexual predator who needs to have his brother as an agent like Sanchez /SensibleChiefsFan

This assumes that the specialist listens to his mommy, of course. Not doing so is a terrible sign of immaturity.

Now I need to go to my room.

**dirk digler** · 02-22-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfl

He did not do well, Pat White had the best day for QBs.

Pat White seriously?

MIAdragon · 02-22-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

most of that stuff is timing with the WR's and the QB, knowing the speed of the WR and how he breaks. Which is why the Stafford didn't throw.

Stafford didn’t throw because he didn’t need to throw.

**dirk digler** · 02-22-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc rush

He sucked and proved that he was immature and needs at least two more years in college to show that he can perform in the NFL. It is too much of a risk to take Sanchez in the first 7 rounds. The Chiefs should only draft him if he falls to them in the 9th or 10th round. I would rather have an ok kick-off specialist that an immature sexual predator who needs to have his brother as an agent like Sanchez /SensibleChiefsFan

Just curious why you think that having a semi-bad day at the combine = him being immature?

Kind of sounds silly to me.

**Tribal Warfare** · 02-22-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

So did he suck or did he do good?

He did a solid job.

MIAdragon · 02-22-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

So did he suck or did he do good?

Def not something to hang his hat on Dirk.

NickAthanFan · 02-22-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Pat White seriously?

Best thing about Pat White is you can get him late, and Pioli will draft franchise QB's in the 6th round every year. /true fan

**DeezNutz** · 02-22-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Just curious why you think that having a semi-bad day at the combine = him being immature?

Kind of sounds silly to me.

***Cross-thread humor alert***

02-22-2009, 07:08 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3037187	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: 43,455

02-22-2009, 07:47 PM	#16
ArrowheadMagic Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OPKS Casino cash: $7853465	maybe he isnt used to throwing to WR's that actually have speed.
Posts: 3,874

02-22-2009, 07:49 PM	#17
chiefforlife Colorado Chief Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $5493147	I didnt think he looked good at all. He did nothing to separate himself from the other QBs.
Posts: 5,717

02-22-2009, 07:57 PM	#18
B_Ambuehl Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Casino cash: $9705405	I think his attitude and demeanor during the workout overshadows any less than stellar throws he might've had. He had a lot of pressure on him but was out there joking around and staying loose. What scares me about Stafford is he seems to get overly stressed in the heat of the moment and appears quick to get a deer in the headlights type aura about him. __________________ Who's decision was it to fire Romeo" - Coleman C Hunt: "It was my decision but it was one that Scott agreed with" LOL
Posts: 2,613

02-22-2009, 08:11 PM	#19
Shaid Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $1485783	Sorry, he sucked today. Hopefully he can display some skill at his Pro Day. If not, we'll see if it affects his draft stock. I personally think it hurts him a little especially with the low number of starts he's had. Someone who started 4 years and then had a bad day at the combine probably doesn't need to worry so much. When you only measure 6'2" and make bad throws all day, your stock starts to go down pretty fast. It's disappointing because I kinda like the kid.
Posts: 5,715

02-22-2009, 08:12 PM	#20
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $104644	So did he suck or did he do good?
Posts: 67,119

02-22-2009, 08:20 PM	#22
kc rush Blah Blah Blah Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: In front of the computer. Casino cash: $1989559	He sucked and proved that he was immature and needs at least two more years in college to show that he can perform in the NFL. It is too much of a risk to take Sanchez in the first 7 rounds. The Chiefs should only draft him if he falls to them in the 9th or 10th round. I would rather have an ok kick-off specialist that an immature sexual predator who needs to have his brother as an agent like Sanchez /SensibleChiefsFan
Posts: 12,593