This article takes care of the whole process: http://www.pigskinheaven.com/content.php/813-I-Don-t-Want-to-Compete-Draft-Me-Anyway
Thanks. So what is the logic behind a quarterback choosing not to throw in the combine? Surely it shows a lack of confidence in his skills which can only be a negative mark against him?
No its more agent driven and the logic is that the QB doesn't know the guys he's throwing to, so he may have a ball sail or the timing isn't down to make him look good. Its bullshit logic. They'd rather have that prospect throw at his pro day where he knows the receivers and he'll be more comfortable throwing the route tree. They have nothing to lose, but to me its always been more of their agents decision to not have a QB throw. But if the prospect was smart, he'd override that decision and come out throwing.
Thanks, that makes sense. Or rather it doesn't, as you'd think that a) an NFL scout would take into account the fact that the guy is throwing to receivers he isn't used to, and that b) an ability to hit new receivers whose routes he isn't particularly comfortable with would be a big plus mark for the QB given the dynamic nature of a play. Still, I guess these guys know more about it than I do.
Well from what I've heard/read, football guys don't take it into account if the WR doesn't make the QB look good. The FOs want to see footwork, they want to see you compete, they want to see that the prospect is excited about this opportunity to show off his skills. But some agents prevail. It really has nothing to do with the WRs when he throws the ball 35 times in one day and he's throwing a simple route tree. It truly makes no sense to not throw during the combine. Its not going to make a top 5 QB drop to 12 and lose 30 million or more. As for non-QBs, they better have an injury to not be there.
It really comes down to top players not wanting to do anything to hurt themselves. Take Da'Quan Bowers, he's only lifting because he'd rather not risk putting up some bad agility tests and having people question his value for a nonsense reason. He'll likely do them best on his own field, so he really doesn't have any reason to do them at the combine. If he were a mid/late first guy, outperforming his positional counterparts would mean a lot, but he doesn't really have much to gain. For the QBs, it'd be nice if they all did everything, but no other position is as dependent on familiarity during these drills as they are. QBs have to adjust to 25 different WRs, all with different speeds and ability running routes, and that can lead to some shaky days. Yes, the scouts understand this, but if they think they can do that much better with their own guys then I can't really blame them.
Can QBs really gain anything by throwing at the combine? For the reasons you guys mentioned it kinda seems like a pointless exercise that can only hurt a prospect. I mean for a prospect like Cam Newton it probably helps for him to run the 40 and do some agility drills to see if his speed will translate to the NFL.
brick had questions about his strength, so he didn't lift at the combine. What would have happened if he put up 225 14 times? We may have drafted Leinart!
See, I can sort of see the logic about a QB not wanting to throw to unfamiliar receivers on unfamiliar routes, but a lineman not lifting because there are questions about his strength? If the player himself doesn't want to show his strength then you have to assume that it's because he doesn't believe it's as good as it's made out to be, so surely that can only damage his draft prospects? As a scout you'd have to assume worst case scenario.
one other thing popped into my head: Blaine Gabbert is a spread offense QB. 5 and 7 step drops need work. He's erring on the side of caution and is probably working on that flaw and wants it to be ready at his pro day.
