Bleacher Report - Articles by Austin Arnold

NFL Draft: A Closer Look at the Combine's Quarterbacks

Austin Arnold — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:43:33 -0400

We all know that the combine has produced great failures and great players; this is my diagnoses of the combine.

I will start with the quarterbacks. Please read my next article on the halfbacks.

This year's quarterback bunch is going to be weak compared to next year, but it's still pretty strong.

Rhett Bomar, 6'2", 225 lbs.

The ex-Bearcat is an amazing athlete, who threw for 3,355 yards, 27 touchdown passes, and lead the Bearcats to Holiday Bowl as a redshirt freshman.

Positives: Bomar has a quick release and big arm. He keeps defenses honest and has good mobility.

Negatives: He is a bit cocky, stays on one receiver too long, and tries to force things.

NFL Potential: He will be an adequate starter in the NFL.

Nate Davis, 6'1", 226 lbs.

Nate Davis is a little difficult to get a grip on, with 9,233 yards and 74 touchdowns. Nate "The Great" Davis played in a spread offense, which inflated his stats.

Positives: Davis has a big arm, leadership, poise, and NFL accuracy to all levels of the field.

Negatives: He has to convert to a pro-style offense. He also has a learning disability and is shorter than most scouts like.

NFL Potential: He will someday be a great quarterback but needs time to develop.

Mark Sanchez, 6'2", 227 lbs.

Mark Sanchez is an excellent talent, but it's hard to see what he will do at the next level because of all the talent that was around him at USC.

Positives: Sanchez reads defenses well and rarely throws into coverage. He has shown rare accuracy on the roll out and distributes the ball all over the field.

Negatives: He doesn't have much experience. He runs a bit hot and cold: He has a tendency to score touchdowns in bunches. He isn't a finished product yet.

NFL Potential: He needs time to develop, but Sanchez will be a great quarterback.

Matthew Stafford, 6'2", 225 lbs.

Matthew Stafford was a top quarterback in college and has all the potential to be in the NFL. Stafford will most likely be drafted in the top three for sure.

Positives: Stafford has excellent bulk and strength. He can perform with a leaky line. He is durable.

Negatives: He can get fundamentally lazy and has shown sloppy footwork. He needs to work on judging receiver distance.

NFL Potential: Stafford can be a five-star quarterback.

Pat White, 6'0", 197 lbs.

Pat White is an amazing athlete who can get points on his feet or in the air. Many draft experts have said he should switch to receiver.

Positives: White has excellent speed and vision with the ball in his hands. He will also take and deliver big hits, despite his wiry frame. He will look off the safety before throwing to his primary target. He is a leader.

Negatives: White lacks prototypical quarterback size and is not strong enough to take a lot of hits. He does not always secure the ball and will keep it in his strong hand, even when he runs right. He lacks patience in the pocket.

NFL Potential: He can be a starter in the league, but he needs time to develop.

Carolina Panthers' Real Dream Team

Austin Arnold — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:49:32 -0500

This post is an reponse to The Carolina Panthers' "Dream Team" If there were no salary cap and I could have anyone I want from any team these are the people I would pick. I respect the Carolina Panthers and would not want anything to change on the real team. THIS I JUST FOR FUN.

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Free Agents: The Linebacker

Austin Arnold — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:30:09 -0500

Linebackers are some of the most feared positions, with talents like DeMarcus Ware, Ray Lewis, James Harrison, and Karlos Dansby. Linebackers have the ability to change an game in its entirety, whither its stopping an third down conversion, touchdown, or intercepting an ball and returning it for six. This year the talent is sky rocket.

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Free Agency Defensive Line

Austin Arnold — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:27:29 -0500

The anchor in an good defense defensive line is the defensive line. You need them to fill in all the gaps and get in the back field whenever possible. This draft class has some good ones.

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NFL Free Agency: O-Line

Austin Arnold — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:25:30 -0500

The offensive linemen are the focal point on every team if you like to admit it or not. They have the power to give the quarterback six seconds or one, they have the power to give the running back negative three yards or brake out for an home run. So wither you like it or not the big uglies are the backbone of your team.

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NFL Free Agency: Owen Daniels Leads List of Tight Ends

Austin Arnold — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:35:37 -0500

Tight ends are some of the most underrated guys on the field, it really takes the catching ability of the Wide Receiver, with the blocking ability of a full back, plus the footwork of an lineman. I mean its a difficult job some times. This class is not the best mixed with mostly blocking tight ends and a few catching ones.

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NFL Free Agent Wide Recivers

Austin Arnold — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:17:23 -0500

In today's NFL, wide receivers play an important role in most offenses. There is the possession, deep threat, and number one targets. This year is with third slot receivers , and sprinkled with a couple of nice possession receivers.

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NFL Free Agent Running Backs

Austin Arnold — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:57:12 -0500

The Running Back free agency is the place to be, weither you want a little speedy back, or a big power trucker, a blocking back, or a 3rd down back, what ever you want its in the Running Back free Agency.

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NFL Free Agents: Quarterbacks

Austin Arnold — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:50:46 -0500

The NFL Free Agent period is open on Feb. 27, and there are some pretty big names available. If your team needs to add a heavy hitter on D or a potential game breaker for the offence,then your lucky because the '09-'10 free agency is full of every thing.

Jeff Garcia (UFA):

Garcia is about to turn 39, the question is will age hurt his overall ability. Garcia is at the top of his game, with his style of "out of the pocket passing" will his mobility go down.

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Strengths: Out of the pocket passing | Strong Arm|

Weakness: Out of the pocket passing | Not to Accurate|

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Pos. Raking *** (4th)

Career Potential: |Retired|

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Kurt Warner ( UFA )

With Kurt Warner getting up there in age the Cardinals will probably not resign him because of the young talent of Matt Leinart.

Strengths: Big Arm|Knows where receivers are|Cool under pressure

Weaknesses: |Older|

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_Pos. Rating ***** (1st)

Career Potential:| Backup|

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Kerry Collins (UFA):

Tennessee had the best record last season thanks to Kerry Collins, but is this just a fluke or is Kerry a real top notch quarter back. Kerry has always been a streaky starter. Some years having over a 80+ passer rating, some hardly getting a crack over 70+ passer rating.

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Strengths: | Strong Arm|

Weakness: | Can't find the open guy|Inaccurate

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Pos. Ranking *** (3rd)

Career Potential:|Retirement|

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J.P Losman (UFA):

Losman finished the season with a 62.3 rating, below his career mark of 75.6. The promising 2006 season in which he was trending upwards now looks a very long ways away and looks like nothing more than a career backup at this point.

Strengths: |Big Arm|

Weaknesses: |Holds ball to long| Turns ball over to much|

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Quick Stats |2 TD's| 5 INT| 584 yards |62.3 RTG.|

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Pos. Ranking ** (5th)

Career Potential: |Back-up|

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Rex Grossman Career Potential Sign with another team |#2 QB|

Kyle Boller Career Potential |#3 QB (within next two years |Retirement|)|

Charlie Batch Career Potential |#2 QB|

Patrick Rasmey Career potential |#2 QB|

Was DeAngelo Willams the Best Running Back in the NFL?

Austin Arnold — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:13:04 -0500

Who's the best running back for the season? Adrian Peterson, DeAngelo Williams, or Micheal Turner? Well, if this is a popularity vote Adrian Peterson would win, but it isn't, so who is it?

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

With his second Pro Bowl on the way in just two years, Adrian Peterson lead the league in rushing yards with 1760 yards. Peterson became the fifth running back to rush for 3000 yards in two seasons. He rushed for 10 100-yard games, averaging 110 yards per game. Ten TD's, but Adrian couldn't hold on to the ball he fumbled nine times.

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons

Turner amazed everyone when he blasted on to the seem. Not only did he get 1699 he did it against eight man fronts. His power and speed earned him the second highest rushing yards with 1699, but also the second highest rushing TD's with 17 TD's.

The only thing that limited turner was his inability to catch and run with only six receptions and 70 yards, in other words when Turner is in expect the run.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

You watched DeAngelo Williams throughout the season, Since you're likely a football fan. He scored more, protected the ball more, more consisting, he made more home run plays.

With 1,515 yards DeAngelo was third in league rushing, but was first in league Touchdowns with 20, last in league fumbles with zero, averaging 5.5 yards a carry. In my mind, DeAngelo Williams is the best, not only in stats, but for his team.

Carolina Panthers 2009 Draft Predictions

Austin Arnold — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:31:22 -0500

With one of the best seasons in Panthers history, and one of most unexpected losses in the playoffs, who expected Carolina to be looking for a position to fill in the off-season?

Not me, but we are, with Julius Peppers leaving. The question now is: What position will be filled: QB, RB, WR, who knows?

NOTE: These picks will be available if Julius Peppers is franchised with the team and traded away for a first-round pick.

Starting with the commander of the field, the quarterback. With that embarrassing playoff game against the Cards, will we replace Jake Delhomme? I don't think we will just yet.

Obviously we don't need another running back, with the best running back tandem in the NFL.

With a pretty good receiving corps, and the type of two-wide receiver offense, we won't be getting another wide receiver.

I personally think Delhomme could use another target out there, but not compromising the style of offense us Panther fans are used to.

So I think we should get Cornelius Ingram with our first pick. Ingram is big enough to block any rusher and fast enough to out-run any middle linebacker, and is a big target for any quarterback to throw to.

The "Big Uglies" are anchored down on the offensive line. They offer gap control for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

The O-line is doing a perfect job of giving Delhomme some time.

Must I say it again? No players needed.

Since Peppers has decided to go, the Panthers have a tough decision to make. They could get Tyson Jackson, who's a terrific "Run Stopper" and has average speed, but isn't really a pass rusher.

On the other hand, if they want a pass rusher they can get Michael Johnson, who's very quick and agile (more like Peppers). But, on the other hand, he has average strength and is not a good run stopper.

Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis are holding it down there.

OLB and MLB

We're pretty good in the linebacker position and won't need to fill anything.

We don't really need a new corner. But with Peppers gone, it could force more time for the corners to defend. A good filler for that problem is Victor Harris; he has average speed, but can jam receivers at the line and has very good hands.

Our safety positions are decent.

Who Has Dibs on "Smash and Dash?"

Austin Arnold — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:04:43 -0500

Who owns the title " Smash and Dash?" The Cat duo DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, or Titans duo LenDale White and Chris Johnson?

Let's start with the original "Smash and Dash." White and Johnson, the Titans' duo first created the title after a brilliant performance in Kansas City in Week Three. White says, "Made it up." White and Johnson combined for 1768 yards, to help Tennessee to a 12-1 record

Then to the Carolina Panthers. After another performance in Kansas City, where the duo ran for 195 yards on the ground, Steve Smith called Stewart and Williams "Smash and Dash." Stewart and Williams rushed for a combined total of 1,840 yards. The Carolina Panthers have a 10-3 record in when the two run for 100+ yards Carolina win the game.

My take is DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart should get the title. The two have combined for more yards and carries. Also, they're more essential to Carolina.

Panthers-Buc's: Battle of the NFC South Best

Austin Arnold — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:00:17 -0500

Panthers and rival Bucs square off in a NFC Monday night rivalry game. With playoff hopes on the line for both teams, this will be an important one to watch. Panthers are 3-2 in this series, but in the last meeting Jake Delhomme threw three interceptions, allowing the Bucs to win 27-3.

This game will come down to Delhomme's ball security. He threw three picks in the first meeting, making the game look like a tip drill. If Delhomme can make smart and accurate throws, the Panthers have a chance of beating the Bucs. Also, the receivers have to hold on to the ball, it'll make it a lot more comfortable for Delhomme.

Antonio Bryant must have his way with Ken Lucas. Antonio Bryant can have a big day if the Panthers defense doesn't get on track. Last week against Green Bay the defense blew assignments, often allowing Donald Driver and Greg Jennings to find gaps in zones and even spots in man coverage.

Look for the Bucs to come out passing early and often, trying to get the Panthers down early. When down, the Panthers rely on their passing game. They are 22nd in the NFL in passing, and seventh running (You weigh the options).

Look for the Panthers to rush the pass. Garcia has been sacked nine times in last two games. With Julius Peppers the Panthers aren't afraid to blitz him.

Outcome: Panthers win, 14-7.

Panthers-Packers Must Need Win! (Who Will It Be)

Austin Arnold — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:00:16 -0500

The Panthers, Bucs,and Falcons are one of three teams running for 1st place of NFC South. So each game is equally important for the rest of the season.

The Panthers Jake Delhomme has faced defenses in the top 10 this season, and both time he has thrown a total of seven interceptions (Three against the Tampa Bay Buc's, and four against the Oakland Raiders). This could prove to be a challenge against a sixth ranked Green Bay defence. With ball hawking corner Charles Woodson and Safety Nick Collins both lead the league in picks.

Good, for Delhomme sake their injures will slow them down some, so star receiver Steve Smith can get some position on them and have a big game. If panthers can get their run game started early, look for them to take advantage of Green Bay six out of 11 injured starters, in which three of the six injured starters is a corner, two free safeties, and two strong safeties.

Look for the run to work to with middle linebacker starter Nick Barnett out and Desmond Bishop to be in. Bishop only had one tackle against the Bears. Look for some half back draws to Bishop and the 26th ranked defence in the league.

This is not only an important game for the Panthers this is an important game for the Packers as well. There one game behind the Bears and Vikings for first place of the NFC North. The good thing for the Packers is their playing at home. Panthers are 2-3 away from home.

The Packers will have to find a way to slow down Steve Smith, while still not paying to much about the pass to stop the run. DeAngelo Williams has had four straight 100+ yard games, I'm looking for him to have his fifth.

The Carolina's defence has not had it done against the run either. With being the 17th ranked defence in the league. They gave up big runs to Detroit Lions Kevin Smith and Atlanta's Michel Turner. If Ryan Grant can get the wheels turnin early you can look for a big game from him also.

Arron Rogers may have a big game but, the only team the Panthers gave up 300+ passing yards to is the Arizona Cardinals, and only allowed eight passing touchdowns allowed.

This Weeks Predictions:

AT AT

Panthers (small win) Titans (Big win)

AT AT

Cowboy (Big win) Cardinals (small win)

AT AT

Bills (Big win) Ravens (Big win)

AT AT

New York (small win) Buc's (small win)

AT AT

Colts (small win) Miami (Big win)

AT AT

Falcons (Big win) Kansas City (small win)

AT AT

Pats (small win) Jets (small win)

AT AT

Vikings (small win) Jaguars (small win)

Carolina's Two-Headed Panther

Austin Arnold — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:25:02 -0500

Just like the Giants' three-headed monster of Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, and Brandon Jacobs, Carolina's doing it up with the two-headed monster DeAngelo Williams and rookie running back Jonathan Stewart.

The two have combined for a total of 1411 rushing yards. The two have been a havoc for run defenses—or any defense, for that matter—to stop. With starter DeAngelo Williams (lighting) and rookie Jonathan Stewart (thunder), they have been a one-two hit combination. With Delhomme throwing poorly, they have bailed Carolina out for four touchdowns, in previous games against Detroit and Oakland. In those two games alone Williams rushed for 260 yards and Jonathan Stewart rushed for 150 yards, for a combined total of 410 yards.

The main part of this one-two combination, DeAngelo Williams, has had a break-out year. Already having put up a career high of 883 yards on the ground; he is not only putting down yards, he has put up an other career-high seven touchdowns.

In Carolina's Week 10 game vs. Oakland, break-out DeAngelo Williams rushed for 140 yards. Against Detroit, Williams kept the Lions caged. Again Williams has five more touchdowns than the league average. Even though the loss at Atlanta, DeAngelo Williams has rushed for his fifth 100+ yard game. This week against an 26th ranked Green Bay rush defence, I'm sure his is ready to make it his sixth straight 100+ yard game.

The other part of the two-headed monster, Jonathan Stewart, has had a nice rookie year. He's one of only two rookies to be one the top 25 running backs in the league, not to mention he's a backup and he has a impressive 528 yards and six touchdowns on the grass. Last week he had a bad 28 yards rushing, but once more look to bounce back on the 26th ranked rush defence.