Clayton: Confident Sanchez has solid showing - Page 9

**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.''

KCwolf · 02-23-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

And what QB's are worth it, Sam Bradford right...blah...

I also think it's funny that anyone would just assume an underclassman will fail just cause.

You keep using the word "safe" like it's a negative.......8-8 blah blah blah.....we have alot more needs than just the QB position....I'm with U, the QB is the building block ..... but don't force it if the player is not on the board.

Mecca · 02-23-2009, 12:01 AM

And where did I say safe in that post?

**DeezNutz** · 02-23-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCwolf

You keep using the word "safe" like it's a negative.......8-8 blah blah blah.....we have alot more needs than just the QB position....I'm with U, the QB is the building block ..... but don't force it if the player is not on the board.

Let's forget the more controversial Sanchez.

If you don't think Stafford is worthy of the #3 overall selection, there will never, and I mean NEVER, be a prospect that you like enough to make the selection.

We're talking about a player with unbelievable tools and enormous upside, and these really aren't even arguable points.

ChiefRon · 02-23-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCwolf

Ya Know Ron.....I don't know. But I don't think there is an OUTSTANDING QB worth the #3 in this years draft and I don't think U reach for one. While I agree it is a HUGE Need .... IMO there is not a QB that warrants that high of a selection ..... regardless of importance. We have a ton of needs....including QB...but I do not believe drafting a underclassman @ #3 is worth the pick.

See that's the thing. QB. The most important position on the field. Define reach.

Do you really want to see Thigpen next year? I sure as hell don't want to drive 8 hours to watch Thigpen again...unless he's playing but our franchise QB is carrying a clipboard and learning the speed of the game.

We HAVE to get a franchise QB.

Mecca · 02-23-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Let's forget the more controversial Sanchez.

If you don't think Stafford is worthy of the #3 overall selection, there will never, and I mean NEVER, be a prospect that you like enough to make the selection.

We're talking about a player with unbelievable tools and enormous upside, and these really aren't even arguable points.

Only if he played in the Big 12!

ChiefRon · 02-23-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Let's forget the more controversial Sanchez.

If you don't think Stafford is worthy of the #3 overall selection, there will never, and I mean NEVER, be a prospect that you like enough to make the selection.

We're talking about a player with unbelievable tools and enormous upside, and these really aren't even arguable points.

I thought we were only arguing about Sanchez being a reach at #3?

Surely we're not suggesting Stafford is a reach at #3??

KCwolf · 02-23-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

And where did I say safe in that post?

not in this post...but condeming any other pick other than QB in many of your posts.....I'm on board with your QB being the most important component of the team.....just not on board with this draft being the time to find one.

**DeezNutz** · 02-23-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefRon

I thought we were only arguing about Sanchez being a reach at #3?

Surely we're not suggesting Stafford is a reach at #3??

He's said no quarterback is worthy of the selection, including Stafford.

ChiefRon · 02-23-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

He's said no quarterback is worthy of the selection, including Stafford.

And which kicker would he like us to take?

Mecca · 02-23-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCwolf

not in this post...but condeming any other pick other than QB in many of your posts.....I'm on board with your QB being the most important component of the team.....just not on board with this draft being the time to find one.

Let me guess you'd like to take Aaron Curry as 1 cover LB has been taken top 3 in the last 20 years....that's an awesome idea.

Mecca · 02-23-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefRon

And which kicker would he like us to take?

He wants us to take an OL I'm sure, this fan base has an OLine obsession 5 1st rounders!

KCwolf · 02-23-2009, 12:09 AM

So..... IF we do not draft a QB in the first round, most would be dissappointed????

**DeezNutz** · 02-23-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefRon

And which kicker would he like us to take?

Exactly.

KCwolf · 02-23-2009, 12:10 AM

Given this AWESOME class of QB's we have to choose from?

Mecca · 02-23-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCwolf

Given this AWESOME class of QB's we have to choose from?

What do you want to do.....you need to have a better informed take than just "Oh I don't want a QB" which is a fear post..

Tell me who's better.

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.''
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02-23-2009, 12:01 AM	#122
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-742950	And where did I say safe in that post?
Posts: 115,382

02-23-2009, 12:09 AM	#132
KCwolf Finisher Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland Oregon Casino cash: $3921116	So..... IF we do not draft a QB in the first round, most would be dissappointed???? __________________
Posts: 1,918

02-23-2009, 12:10 AM	#134
KCwolf Finisher Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland Oregon Casino cash: $3921116	Given this AWESOME class of QB's we have to choose from? __________________
Posts: 1,918