NFL Combine: Sunday Impressions

Criner and McNutt are the 2 best fits in the offense IMO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpQgifLH8u8

40 yard dash time is the most statistically significant event at the combine, followed by the 3 cone.

83% of starting WRs in the league have above average speed in the 40. That’s important.

on the McNutt bandwagon

TWSS

Overview

McNutt was a top-50 quarterback recruit out of high school, choosing Iowa over Missouri, Wisconsin and Nebraska. After redshirting in 2007, he was listed as the third-string quarterback in 2008 as a redshirt freshman and saw limited action in three games. McNutt made the full transition to wide receiver prior to 2009 and made an instant impact there as a sophomore with five starts, finishing with 34 catches for 674 yards (19.8) and 8 touchdowns. He started every game in 2010 as a junior (13 starts), recording a team-best 53 receptions for 861 yards (16.2) and 8 scores, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. McNutt had his best season in 2011 as a senior with 13 starts, finishing with 82 catches for a conference-best 1,315 yards (16.0) and a school single-season record 12 touchdowns, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors and was named the conference’s receiver of the year.

McNutt is a talented all-around athlete and was a stand-out prep performer, receiving scholarships for baseball, basketball and football — didn’t play football until his sophomore year in high school because of asthma. He played quarterback all through high school and didn’t accept the transition to wide receiver until his redshirt sophomore season at Iowa — still learning the nuances of the position, but had a near-flawless transition and has a natural feel as a receiver. McNutt isn’t a sudden or explosive athlete, but was productive in a traditional passing offense and has just enough long-striding speed to keep the defense honest — will be valued more by certain teams and could find a fit as a strong, possession target with his hand-eye coordination, body control and soft hands.
Analysis

Strengths: A tall, long big-bodied athlete with a solid upper body — long arms and uses his upper body limbs to beat press coverage. A long strider and gliding athlete with build-up speed. Does a nice job using his size to create separation with good body control to shield defenders — fearless in traffic. Has outstanding body control and ball skills, showing very good hand-eye coordination with large, soft hands — won’t drop many balls and plays confident. Highpoints the ball well and makes many of his catches away from his frame — strong possession target who can move the chains and make some “wow” one-handed, acrobatic receptions. Tracks the ball very well to make tough catches look easy and shows very good awareness, always knowing where the sticks are. Has the physical nature and toughness to fight for every yard after the catch. Still improving as a route runner, but does a nice job of using head fakes to hold defensive backs. Showed steady progression at the position and improved each season — a natural, despite only three years at the position. Was consistently productive (28 career TDs), leading the Hawkeyes in receiving the past two seasons and finished his career with several single-season and career records.

Weaknesses: Not a sudden or dynamic athlete and is more of a one-speed guy who lacks natural burst. Not explosive and appears herky-jerky in his actions, lacking the quick-twitch movement skills to quickly change directions and create consistent separation. Still maturing as a route runner and needs to sell routes better to keep defenders off-balance — will round off and tip his intended route. Needs to use his body to be effective and shows streaky focus at times. A former QB, McNutt has only three years at receiver and is still developing and learning the ins and outs of the position — quiet final two games of his career lined up against two very good cornerbacks (Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska and Jamell Flemming, Oklahoma). Has some durability concerns, battling wrist and shoulder injuries as a senior — also has asthma and struggled managing this condition early in his career.

NFL Comparison: Roy Williams, Chicago Bears

— Dane Brugler

Well Brady could just throw the 3-step fade to Hill and let him burn away after :)

Brady is not as good a deep ball as he once was, but a receiver like that can help with that. Of course route running would be a huge part of it. That said WR needs to see what Brady sees, and run the route Brady wants him too. And that in itself is very tough.