Tebow, Haden, Spikes need to show scouts some NFL talent. Matt Bowen
Three of the draft’s bigger name prospects will work out for pro scouts today in Gainesville, Fla., on the University of Florida campus. And although we know that most of the attention — from a media perspective — will be on QB Tim Tebow, there’s plenty of talent to talk about.
Let’s take a quick look at the three top dogs for the Gators, including CB Joe Haden, a possible top-10 pick, and discuss what scouts will be looking for in players’ individual workouts.
Tim Tebow, QB
Tebow is going to be considered a unique talent, regardless of what he shows today, but for a QB who skipped out on throwing at the NFL Combine, it will be all about his new mechanics and footwork. Scouts will put Tebow through an entire playbook of routes, but the most important thing they’ll want to see is his release. Did he tighten it? Can he throw the deep out and the deep comeback? That will lead to his footwork, and how he can set his feet on each individual throw. The actual motion Tebow uses to throw the ball isn’t the issue; it’s the way it comes out of his hand with speed and timing that scouts want to see, critique and grade. Tebow can answer plenty of questions and show he has the QB mechanics the NFL is looking for.
Joe Haden, CB
The knock on Haden in Indy was simple: speed. The No. 1 CB prospect in the draft ran a 4.58 and immediately started to slide down draft boards — depending on whom you listened to. But when scouts watch the tape, they’ll see a player who can close on the football, turn his hips and run downfield with top speed. Reports say Haden was nursing a back injury in Indy, but the fact remains that he ran a slow time for a player who has top-10 talent. Haden doesn’t have to run in the 4.3 range today to cement his slot in the top 10 come April, but he does have to improve on his time to allow NFL teams to feel more comfortable paying him top dollar. He has the unquestioned skills of the top CB prospect in the draft, and his positional workouts will assure that. Now, he just needs to post a better time — and all the questions will disappear.
Brandon Spikes, ILB
Spikes isn’t a first-round talent, but he is an intriguing prospect because he was so productive in the SEC. The problem with Spikes is the positional drills — where he looked stiff and almost unathletic at times in Indy. He isn’t going to turn heads when we talk about numbers, and posting a time under 4.8 in the 40 is considered good for the former Gator, but what he does when scouts ask him to do the on-the field positional work will go a long way to improve or drop his draft stock. Can he plant and drive downhill? Can he drop into coverage? And can he turn his hips with a fluid motion and look like an NFL linebacker. Spikes is likely a third-round talent, but he’s someone scouts will want to get a better look at today.
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Tebow's pro day throws are going to be such a controlled and carefully choreographed production what can scouts really gain? It reminds me of what a former coach said about highlight films, given the right conditions anyone can look great. You learn more by seeing what people do when things aren't going right. When the circumstances aren't comfortable. And that's the environment Tebow's going into in the NFL. More reads, more complex defenses, better, bigger, faster athletes, and so on.
I'm not interested in him throwing pre-determined route in a cool, comfy practice facility.
I'm interested in how he reacts when Jared Allen is in his face, Ray Williams is breathing down his neck and he's got to fit the ball in a tight space to a receiver that broke his route to find an open space in the coverage that is different than the pre-snap look indicated.
I don't see Spikes dropping out of Rd 2. Kid has the ideal size and skill set to be a 3 down thumper at the NFL level with his ability to drop into coverage.
What holds more water, this work out or the years of tape on him?
I PRAY that some stupid team snatches Tebow up in the 1st round, that will cause good players to fall down to the Packers.
@South Texas:
Your points are well-made, though I assume you mean Ray Edwards or Roy Williams, and not Ray Williams, the journeyman NBA player fron the 80s. Although Tebow likely wouldn't handle Ray Williams breathing down his neck very well, either.
I'll eat crow on Spikes, if he really ran a 5.02 and 5.08 as reported, I'm not touching him on the first two rounds. 4.8 is one thing, but 5.0+ is unacceptable to me, good instincts or not.
Hey beauli, "unacceptable" to you? And you are???? I'm guessing you are an undercover NFL scout who can the difference between 4.8 and 5.02 40 yard dash with your naked eye. That's basically 2 tenths of second difference, which I understand can be the difference between a tackle, catch, incompletion, or whatever. However, let me know when you become the GM of anything other than your sad life. You all should remember this is just a draft. It has no relevance on future success of any player selected in the 1st, 2nd, or last round in the draft. It’s only the hope and opportunity to get players at the right time and right price to benefit a team. Yes, we are all fans, but no matter our “fanhood” we can’t control the future. I wish all players the best of luck in their future careers and all “arm-chaired” prognosticators to stop their petty and useless dribble.
@Travis:
It's "drivel". I'm sure you'll remember that once you calm down. But based on the progression of your paragraph you don't seem to possess a coherent thought process.
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Aaron Hernandez and David Nelson tried futilely to embarrass Senator Tebow on Wednesday.
But Reverend Tebow was more than up to the challenge, firing bullet after bullet straight between the numbers of Hernandez and Nelson.
Fox News Analyst Tebow proved again that He is the Chosen One who will lead the NFL to the Truth and glory.
All hail Preacher Tebow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To Thom:
Thank you for your catch and response. Although dribble and drivel have similar meanings, I completely misplayed my word choice and admit to my error. However, the second half your post perplexes me. As an educated person, that I believe you to be, I would’ve imagined that you would’ve understood what the rant was for. First, the slamming of a fellow commenter for the frivolous evaluation credentials he/she may or may not possess. Secondly, my main point is that none of what happens in the draft can be used as an indicator in future stardom or greatness. This is accomplished over a long and debated career that none of us will even have a direct impact on. So why put out stupid comments? I guess I can ask the same for myself.
Personally, I put out stupid comments when I get bored at work. This happens often. But now it's 4 o'clock, and time to enjoy the holiday. As someone once said, "All y'all be safe outthere!"
To all you Tebow haters , time will tell . I see a lot of good potential in him and can just as easily find faults with every qb prospect in this draft , so keep your hatemongering to yourselves . He has been a very productive player and that is the only fact anyone knows for sure , so stick to the facts .
These pre-draft snotty comments are ridiculous. If a player is injured then he;s injured and the time is meaningless.Duh. What's so difficult about understanding that concept.
Last year Hackeem Nicks was injured and fat. Guess what, he was a pretty darn good rookie, duh!
I'd like to see you sports writers take the blunderduck test.
gjecat,
Couldn't have said it better about Senator Tebow. If all them damn Yankees would just realize that Rev. Tebow is what's good and true about our country, everything done be ok, yessiree Bob.
It's just those Bible fearin' types who rip down Fox News Analyst Tebow and expect him to produce on the field. Preacher Tebow ain't got to show you people nothin'.
Like Rev. Pat and Rev. James said, Tebow's done here to put things right and put 'em in their place. Just like Sarah Palin.
Amen to you, gjecat! Amen!
All the Gator Haters in the world, drinking their famous Haterade.
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Mar 17, 2010
10:23 AM
Haden is the only player who will have an impact in the NFL. Tebow, Spikes were great college players, but just another jersey in the league.