Quote:Clowney had no array of moves. Clowney was only so good in college because he overshadowed everyone with his physical ability. Stronger and faster for his size. Idk what you were watching.

 

I think that this is the true thorn in the side for anyone who is trying to evaluate talent at the collegiate level. What you care about isn't really what they do, hence the statement about how "stats don't tell the whole story for a college player", but rather who they do it against and how will those moves work when they are in the League. It's not whether or not a Defensive Lineman has a good Rip move, or whether or not a Wideout can beat the jam, or if a Lineman has a quick first step, but rather how those moves will work when you are playing against other professional football players.

 

How good is your Rip when you're facing off against Dave DeCastro? Or how effective are you breaking press coverage from Richard Sherman? Or just how quick is that first step when you face JJ Watt? Typically, you are watching these guys perform against players that may not even make it into the NFL, so the environment that you are viewing them in is inherently flawed.

 

To me, that's why the Draft is always about big guys that run fast and move well. It's not that those things mean they will be productive, but it gives the individual a better shot at learning how to be effective once they play against grown men. Talking football is a ton of fun, but would you really want your job to hinge on whether or not a 20 year old guy can play at a high level?

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