DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted April 24, 2017 Disclaimer for the try hard TGP hipsters: Everybody and their mom know I'm not an actual scout. Yes I'm an armchair scout, yes my opinion doesn't matter, etc etc etc. This is mostly for fun and in the spirit of arguing. So chill out and take the "LMAO YOU THINK YOU KNOW MORE THEN REAL SCOUTS!!" datway ------> LET'S GET IT Let's talk about this guy: As I said in the chatbox, I've been watching this guy for 2 years now, and while the arm strength is crazy impressive, and he has some great tools, and based on this, it has led some people to believe that the guy is 1st rd. talent, whom with time can develop into a good QB. Mayock recently said he believes regardless of where he gets drafted he's one of the most promising QBs in this draft. I'm not going to touch on the off the field stuff, and the fact that he has a laundry list of injuries that have injuries. I'm a little shocked that that, along with the off the field stuff isn't enough for people to stop thinking he'll amount to anything. But there are people who believe that on talent alone he makes a solid argument for being the most (or second) talented QB in this class, and the best chance of becoming great. Imo, this is objectively false. For starters, simply from a physical perspective, he's 6'2. And I know what you're thinking, "ugh, height and weight isn't everything, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, etc", but consider this. With Chad Kelly there's a long standing tradition of getting his passes tipped and batted down at the LOS. Watch the game against Alabama, the closest thing to an NFL defense he will face and he had like, 3? 4? tipped passes at the line of scrimmage. In the 2015 game, his first pass was batted, and his second was almost which makes me question where all the people who claim he changes his throwing motion around a lot to account for defenders get that from. Same with the game against FSU. Combine poor decision making with short stature and you get situations like the one against Garrett where he tried to throw over his head, and you can probably guess how that turned out (poor decision making, a theme in this story). He lacks ideal size and he insists on getting out of the pocket and making plays with his feet or with off balance throws where he gets wacked consistently, occasionally losing the ball. Does any of this sound familiar? Any QBs come to mind? "But D-Mac, talented arm, gunslinger" You know who else is a gunslinger? Stafford, Jameis, etc. Difference between them and Kelly is that they haven't trademarked the throwing off balance while leaning back. And in general, there's a difference between being a gunslinger and just being a poor decision maker, throwing into triple coverage when you think a guy can win a 50/50 ball is gunslinging (and to his credit, he does that), I like that in a quarterback. But this is just poor decision making, and it's something he does often. And I know what you're thinking, "but Deemac, that throw ended up being a touchdown", well, another QB made a lot of fluky plays like that when he was in college and found significantly worse results in the NFL trying it, guy was also known for being a complete tool in college, ring a bell anyone? Additionally, the big arm argument can be used for a variety of QBs. Yes, Chad Kelly has a great arm, but guess what? So does Kizer, Kaaya, my boy Mahommes, Torgersen, etc. And I'm failing to see what else he does that truly sets him apart from them. I have also seen claims online about his great mechanics, and anticipation as well as his "poise and ability under pressure"- or "pocket presence". To which I do agree that he's shown that he can have great mechanics. And that he's very good at pre-snap reads, and throwing with a certain level on anticipation. Emphasis on the "can" part. But here's the issue with these kinds of claims. 1. To his abilities to anticipate: Ole Miss runs an incredibly simple offense with specific reads, which was actually done on purpose by the offensive coordinators to help limit Kelly's interceptions. Simple Reads Lead to Easy CompletionsRebel first-year quarterback Chad Kelly is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the SEC. With a dual threat ability and an exceptional arm, Kelly is first in the SEC in passing yards this season. However, he also is tied for second in the conference in interceptions with 12. Head coach Hugh Freeze and co-offensive coordinators Matt Luke and Dan Werner have been able to give Kelly simple passing concepts to keep these interceptions at a minimum. So far, Kelly has flourished in this offensive system. You'll see a number of elementary passing plays like stick, flood or four verts, usually paired with a play action or a bootleg. The Rebel coaching staff is also smart enough to use strategies in an effort to keep Kelly out of unfavorable situations. As mentioned earlier, there are many simple passing concepts installed within the Rebels' run plays. Sb Nation Granted, that was 2015, his first year, but if you watch him play the next year, you will see that not much changed. So yea, it's great to acknowledge the reads he makes, etc, but it's important to keep that into perspective considering the kind of offense he ran, and how often times simplistic offenses is used to dismiss the abilities of other QBs, Watson, Kizer, Mahommes, etc. Additionally, watch what happens when he can't rely on the play action or zone reads... He gets skiddish. Would you like to know a key giveaway that a guy may not be as good at quarterbacking as he appears? When he comes out firing in the first half, and then in the second half when teams have adjusted to what the offense is doing he plays worse. Kelly's second half woes are well documented. 2. Relating to his mechanics: I don't necessarily have a strong argument against this, he has shown that with time in the pocket he can make very good throws using his whole body. Same with when he rolls out of the pocket. But these instances are few and far in between, and he's inconsistent enough with it to the point where I question (when you add up his other problems) how much better he will actually be. 3. Relating to his pocket presence: this one is downright laughable imo. I'm not quiet sure where people see this, but if you want to prove me wrong on this, step right up to the plate and get ready to take an L. The second the pocket starts to break down he panics, he runs into sacks in the pocket, and as this guy showed, he struggles with pressure and in late downs. And I'm not a playa hata. I know it may seem like it, but, no. $wag Kelly never stole my girl, never beat any team I cheer for, and I don't know him personally, and he's not going to help or hurt me do better in architecture school... Neither will this post. This could of been about a lot of players, I simply chose to focus on Kelly because a lot of people are seeing him as a late round gem. A lot of people are seeing him as one of those guys who a team will grab in the late rounds or as a udfa and will get praised because they got a potential future star, and I'm here to shut it down. And for the cornballs who will call me out on this post because I've committed "so much time to it", you should know that I recreationally watch a lot of tape and analysis from other on a lot of players while I'm chillin, doing work, and this is all just an accumulation of my "notes" on Kelly. Anybody can get it. If $wag Kelly ever becomes a truly consensus top 20, or a consensus serviceable starter, you can change my username to DMac-Hold-This-L... Or Joel-Hold-This-L, whichever sounds more embarrassing. Lol. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) I think part of why I like his pocket presence is the fact he doesn't have any fear when releasing the football under pressure. Granted, that can get him into some sticky situations when he starts throwing off his back foot and not following through on his motion properly. For a 6'2" guy, he handles pressure in the pocket like a 6'4" guy and from what I saw he keeps his eyes down the field. I'm also in love with his mechanics when he puts it all together, and when he has the time to make a proper throw he can show great accuracy due to proper weight transition from lower to upper body. That said, I entirely agree about the decision-making being a huge flaw. He can showcase great anticipation at times, but that is counteracted by the fact he will continually try to forces passes that shouldn't be forced. He can go through his reads if he doesn't get too cocky, but you really have to rein that in if you want him to ever be anything but a turnover machine. I disagree with holding Wharton's charting against Kelly, as many of the other quarterbacks are far worse at being unable to complete passes on third and fourth down. That's not always that high of a completion percentage down anyways due to the defense anticipating it on long yardage situations IMO he is very similar to Jameis Winston as a prospect. As prospects, both had serious issues with their mechanics and the inconsistencies in their weight transitioning. Both can showcase top tier arm talent, and great anticipation, but they are way too quick to lock onto a single target and force the ball. Both play with serious balls under pressure, and aren't afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit if it means getting the pass off. Both have off-the-field issues that are pretty serious and need to be thoroughly vetted before consideration. Also, I don't think anyone is going to go after you for putting so much time into this. I run my own website and have 350+ prospect reports FFS, and I've gotten only positive feedback in terms of the time and effort I dedicate to it. Edited April 24, 2017 by Chernobyl420 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BJORN 679 Posted April 24, 2017 TLDR; lolDmac nice essay bro JK. Honestly, I don't really disagree with anything you have said. Here is the thing. The traits that you have given Kelly credit for go a long way in the NFL. Strong arm, accurate, and can make anticipation throws. The thing that jumps out on tape is that he is willing to throw into tight windows and can make those throws. Obviously, it is a blessing and a curse with the decision making issues. And yes, based on the tape or his individual talent, I do think he is one of the better prospects in the draft. He is my personal favorite talent due to his arm and his gun-slinging play style. That being said, as far as his draft value is concerned, my opinion is different. My biggest concerns are his dedication/work ethic, his maturity or character, and the injury history. These alone make him untouchable prior to the 4th or 5th round. Disclaimer: I am no expert nor will I pretend to be. See: Hackenberg, Prescott, etc. However, this is the first year where I have sat down and actually watched tape instead of skating by on what I had seen on TV or read. Building off of this, I just do not understand how you can be so vehemently against Chad yet Mahomes is your boy? Inaccurate with a big arm, how many times have we seen that play out? I mean the kid couldn't hit a out route or a deep ball without pads on at the combine... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omerta+ 1,206 Posted April 24, 2017 So DMAC is saying Chad Kelly is what a guy named Jim McMahon was out of BYU 35 years ago? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted April 24, 2017 TLDR; lolDmac nice essay bro JK. Honestly, I don't really disagree with anything you have said. Here is the thing. The traits that you have given Kelly credit for go a long way in the NFL. Strong arm, accurate, and can make anticipation throws. The thing that jumps out on tape is that he is willing to throw into tight windows and can make those throws. Obviously, it is a blessing and a curse with the decision making issues. And yes, based on the tape or his individual talent, I do think he is one of the better prospects in the draft. He is my personal favorite talent due to his arm and his gun-slinging play style. That being said, as far as his draft value is concerned, my opinion is different. My biggest concerns are his dedication/work ethic, his maturity or character, and the injury history. These alone make him untouchable prior to the 4th or 5th round. Disclaimer: I am no expert nor will I pretend to be. See: Hackenberg, Prescott, etc. However, this is the first year where I have sat down and actually watched tape instead of skating by on what I had seen on TV or read. Building off of this, I just do not understand how you can be so vehemently against Chad yet Mahomes is your boy? Inaccurate with a big arm, how many times have we seen that play out? I mean the kid couldn't hit a out route or a deep ball without pads on at the combine... I didn't put any stock into the throws at the combine, I was more curious about velocity and release there. His accuracy on the long ball is lacking, but he has shown improvements every season across the board, and I'm convinced he could continue to do so in the league. But this is all relative, because realistically, I'm not really sold on many of these QBs amounting to much beyond good backup QBs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted April 24, 2017 Kelly on the right team, WILL be the best QB in this class. His decision making can be worked out with proper coaching and the proper mentor. If he ended up behind a QB like Rivers, Bree's, Ben for a couple years it'd do him some good. I would take him before any other QB in this class if it wasn't for his mental games, but physically he has it all more so than anyone else in the draft. My brother and me always think the same Share this post Link to post Share on other sites