I have been following the latest Pat White buzz closely for two reasons: 1)
With respect to Major Harris, Pat White is considered by some to be the best
football player to play in Morgantown, and 2) He is a former Miami
Dolphin. Combine these two reasons with an email that I received from my
wife stating she engaged in a WVU football conversation with a client this
morning that said he thought Miami gave Pat White a raw deal, gave me a formula
for my next blog post.
First let me say that I am excited for Pat White. Not too many players
get a second chance so it is going to be interesting to see him play IF
he makes the Redskins' 53-man roster. Washington now has four QBs under
contract and it is doubtful all four will remain in September. White
produced Combine results similar to Russell Wilson (SEA), but weighed 13 pounds less and was an inch taller than Wilson going into their rookie years
respectively. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I think player
"thickness" (insert shrewd comment here) is huge in the NFL. I
associate it with a player's ability to absorb and recover from the physical
damages caused by playing the game. White showed his ability or lack
thereof when he took an aggressive "hit" from Ike Taylor (PIT) in
2009. Also, he played in 13 games for the Dolphins in 2009 but did not
complete any of his five passes. My questions are; was he ready to play
in the NFL? What is different this time
around?? Well, according to sources, White has bulked up and I am a true
believer in hard work pays off. White is facing long odds but I will be
rooting for him 100% during training camp!
The other hot topic surrounding Pat White is his involvement in a concussion
lawsuit against the NFL. I must be honest and say this makes me question
his character a bit. Twice in 2012, White sued the NFL in federal court. The first lawsuit
claimed NFL approved equipment didn't protect him from head injuries. He
claimed multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI), resulting in chronic
headaches, mood swings, speech issues, memory loss, depressions, and
sleeplessness. White's second lawsuit accused the NFL of fraud and
negligence. He claimed the NFL concealed the long-term consequences of
head injuries. All this disappeared when the
possibility of an NFL contract materialized this week. According to federal
court records, White dismissed the first lawsuit on Tuesday and the second lawsuit on Wednesday. Weird. Was he miraculously healed or were his
injuries not quite as bad as he claimed?? Either way, the plaintiff’s case
is weakened and the NFL's defense got stronger in the concussion lawsuit.
Ultimately the players that are actively suffering from TBI may not get the
help they need as a result.
Sh
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
WVU: QB Geno Smith
This year's NFL draft is going to be exciting to watch. For the first time in school history, a WVU player is in contention to be the first overall pick. During WVU's pro day in Morgantown, 28 NFL teams were represented and QB Geno Smith and WR Tavon Austin were the star attractions.
NFL scouts typically like to evaluate a QB's "down-the-field" passes (25 yards or longer). They like to see accurate high velocity throws and accurate touch throws while in the pocket and while on rollouts. Following Geno's solid performance at the scouting combine, he completed 60-of-64 passes with two drops by Stedman Bailey and demonstrated all of the above at WVU's pro day. If he continues to impress, Geno could go number one in this year's NFL draft.
My evaluation: In my opinion, after re-watching games and highlights, Geno greatest weaknesses are progressing through his reads and his footwork could be a little better. He seems to be slow at it, and his passes are often late because of it. Geno will need to speed up his anticipation if he wants to be successful in the NFL. On average, an NFL QB has three seconds to drop back, go through his reads, and pass the ball before defenders are in his face. The good news is that Geno's weaknesses are coach-able, and he possesses the God given talents that can't be coached. I think that is why NFL teams are looking at drafting him early.
To give a little comparison, if Geno was in last year's QB rich draft, I don't think he gets drafted until the second or third round. So my question is, does this year's draft include a lack of options at the QB position?
Teams showing interest and their first round pick: Chiefs (1), Jaguars (2), Raiders (3), Eagles (4), Browns (6), Cardinals (7), and Bills (8).
I look for Geno to be drafted by the Raiders (3) or the Eagles (4). The Bills (8) are a close third if he is still available and assuming they don't trade up to snag him.
Then again, I could be WAY off....
Sh
NFL scouts typically like to evaluate a QB's "down-the-field" passes (25 yards or longer). They like to see accurate high velocity throws and accurate touch throws while in the pocket and while on rollouts. Following Geno's solid performance at the scouting combine, he completed 60-of-64 passes with two drops by Stedman Bailey and demonstrated all of the above at WVU's pro day. If he continues to impress, Geno could go number one in this year's NFL draft.
My evaluation: In my opinion, after re-watching games and highlights, Geno greatest weaknesses are progressing through his reads and his footwork could be a little better. He seems to be slow at it, and his passes are often late because of it. Geno will need to speed up his anticipation if he wants to be successful in the NFL. On average, an NFL QB has three seconds to drop back, go through his reads, and pass the ball before defenders are in his face. The good news is that Geno's weaknesses are coach-able, and he possesses the God given talents that can't be coached. I think that is why NFL teams are looking at drafting him early.
To give a little comparison, if Geno was in last year's QB rich draft, I don't think he gets drafted until the second or third round. So my question is, does this year's draft include a lack of options at the QB position?
Teams showing interest and their first round pick: Chiefs (1), Jaguars (2), Raiders (3), Eagles (4), Browns (6), Cardinals (7), and Bills (8).
I look for Geno to be drafted by the Raiders (3) or the Eagles (4). The Bills (8) are a close third if he is still available and assuming they don't trade up to snag him.
Then again, I could be WAY off....
Sh
Thursday, March 21, 2013
NFL New Rule(s)
First, thanks for visiting my first blog post! Secondly, I assume you have some interest in my thoughts regarding the NFL rules, but please know that I am only an expert about being a fan. Lastly, I welcome any comments, positive or negative, on the topic. With that said, let us begin...
I completely understand how fans feel. I have read and heard many fans of the sport say, "This isn't football anymore" and "The new rules make no sense". What was once a very physical sport, has become less violent and some refuse to watch as a result. We, as fans, must realize that the NFL is more than a sport. It is also a business, and as we all know, a very expensive and lucrative business. With any business there is risk; risk of injury, risk of selling enough game tickets, and the risk of a member of the organization stabbing her spouse and getting arrested (Brandon Marshall pun). These are examples of accepted risk, and are in part the reason why we are seeing what we are seeing.
We are in the wake of the NFLPA lawsuit aimed at player compensation for injuries/illnesses caused by playing football in the NFL some 20 years after the fact. This is costing the NFL team owners millions of dollars and the fans then feel it in their wallets. So the questions is, "Can it be prevented?" The NFL and team owners not only think it can, they also believe there is a way to preserve player health. How? By creating new rules that prevent injury.
Change frequently meets resistance, initially. I honestly believe that once the league and fans break through the initial resistance barrier, these new rules will benefit the NFL, team owners, players, and ultimately the sport.
"Its not personal, its strictly business...." ~ The Godfather.
I completely understand how fans feel. I have read and heard many fans of the sport say, "This isn't football anymore" and "The new rules make no sense". What was once a very physical sport, has become less violent and some refuse to watch as a result. We, as fans, must realize that the NFL is more than a sport. It is also a business, and as we all know, a very expensive and lucrative business. With any business there is risk; risk of injury, risk of selling enough game tickets, and the risk of a member of the organization stabbing her spouse and getting arrested (Brandon Marshall pun). These are examples of accepted risk, and are in part the reason why we are seeing what we are seeing.
We are in the wake of the NFLPA lawsuit aimed at player compensation for injuries/illnesses caused by playing football in the NFL some 20 years after the fact. This is costing the NFL team owners millions of dollars and the fans then feel it in their wallets. So the questions is, "Can it be prevented?" The NFL and team owners not only think it can, they also believe there is a way to preserve player health. How? By creating new rules that prevent injury.
Change frequently meets resistance, initially. I honestly believe that once the league and fans break through the initial resistance barrier, these new rules will benefit the NFL, team owners, players, and ultimately the sport.
"Its not personal, its strictly business...." ~ The Godfather.
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