Tomahawk Notes 03/12/11

Wow. He can already cover just about everyone in the ACC one-on-one. He could be amazing at safety for us!

The big thing is evaluation. We’re already evaluating 2013 prospects.

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding…

With their academics, they have the ability to sign good, great, or maybe even elite offensive players. But those same academic standards also prevent them from signing elite defenseive players too. I think if Duke wants to have a winning program in football, they may want to consider going as a FBS Independent program from here-on-out.

Maybe the diva recruit/bust player theory is coming to fruition. I believe the only thing that can hold Henderson back from success is himself.

I saw this on another sbnation blog

http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/3/11/2044794/50-in-50-christian-ponder-qb-florida-state-2-of-50

Pretty negative Ponder review and says basically says he cost us a shot at the 2009 National Tittle, which is ummm a tad missinformed

FSUBIT (McLean)


Who is going to back up EJ at QB for the noles. He is injury prone

Heather Dinich (1:18 PM)


That’s one question that should be answered this spring. Could be Rick Trickett’s son.

I dont see EJ as injury prone….

Quarterback seem [sic] perhaps the 49ers [sic] largest area of concern. There’s little doubt that if Alex Smith is re-signed that he will be the only egg on the Niners [sic] basket.

In evaluating this years [sic] quarterback class, it seems like the consensus would suggest that there aren’t too many viable options to go after as the starter for years to come.

Did you evaluate the quarterbacks or the draft experts’ analysis?

However, sometimes stars emerge from the mid to late rounds… and even as undrafted free agents from time to time like Tony Romo and Kurt Warner.

So what you are saying is, “Most of he quarterbacks in this year’s draft suck. But, sometimes those sucky players turn out to be studs.” Great thesis.

Last year, there were several quarterbacks that I profiled. If you didn’t get a chance to look at any of the posts from the last off-season, you can go here to check them out and see how I did with the predictions. There were a few that I was off by a few rounds but for the most part, I was really accurate.

If the analysis last year is anything like this year, I am blocking off a 1/2 day on the calendar to indulge.

With that, let’s take a look at the Florida State quarterback…

Here are a few highlights of Ponder. Most of these come from his junior year before he started piling up the injuries. Remember, in viewing these that they are only his highlights.

All highlight films show the highlights. That’s why they are called highlights. Andy Dalton’s highlight film shows highlights. Cameron Newton’s highlight film shows highlights. You might not believe it, but even Ryan Leaf had highlights that were shown on his highlight film. Notice a trend?

If you were more thorough, perhaps you would have found film of Ponder in 2010. Or found raw film of him that exposes his weaknesses.

What you are saying is, “Here’s a terrible quality video I found by searching YouTube that shows Christian Ponder’s highlights from 2009. Nevermind his performance in the video, as it is simply highlights. He sucks way more than this film shows. Actually, I’m not sure why I bothered to show you this film, because I’m trying to convince you that he sucks. Seriously, he’s bad.”

He makes some pretty sound throws, but there’s been too many low lights to suggest that Ponder can be a starter in the NFL.

Which low lights? Is that it? “Trust me, I watched like 20 minutes of FSU football in the last 2 years and saw Ponder play a lot. He sucks.”

I watched Ponder for the last few years relatively closely.

Relatively closely? What does that mean? You watched him on a blurry YouTube video and looked at some box scores?

At first, he was an intriguing prospect to me until he started blowing games in the 4th quarter single handedly.

Really? What about the second-half comebacks and late rallies to win? Do they count too?

The one that sticks out the most to me was 2009’s opening game against Miami. I happened to watch the entire game that year, so I know just how terrible the throws were to Fortson. If you would like to see for yourself, you can check here to reference the play-by-play.

I’m glad to know someone other than FSU and Miami fans still watch that game. Anyway, wow. You watched the whole thing. And from that, your analysis is, “Ponder made terrible throws to Fortson.” I assume that you also knew when WRs blew their routes and missed assignments, right? Because throwing an incomplete pass is always a reflection of the quarterback, right? Right.

Wait… did you just direct readers to evaluate a player’s performance by looking at a box score?!??! Hahahaha. Really? "Look how bad Ponder is..

3rd and Goal at MIA 2 Christian Ponder pass incomplete to Jarmon Fortson.

“Did you see that?!?! INCOMPLETE! He’s horrible.”

I cannot believe this is a legitimate SB Nation blog.

Florida State was ranked 18th in the nation and looking to make a run at a National Championship that year. But at the hands of Christian Ponder, it was nearly an impossible feat.

Now I feel like I’m being punked. Have you ever been introduced to the worst defense in BCS conference history? Did you bother to even look at the results that year? FSU held an opponent to under 10 points just once (Jacksonville State) and under 20 just twice (aforementioned Jacksonville State and South Florida).

My overall evaluation of Ponder is not completely negative because he does do some things well.

Ok, great. What are Ponder’s better qualities as a QB?

However, he doesn’t do enough things good [sic] for me to consider him as ever making it in to that elite category.

Wait, weren’t you going to explain the things he does well?

In my estimation, I believe that Ponder will never amount to more than a career back up at the next level.

Based on what? That he does some things well, but too many bad things? What are these things you keep discussing?

If he had as many struggles as he did at the college level, then how is he going to be any better as a pro?

Good point. Because he was lined up with a NFL-caliber offense and a swarming NFL-esque defense backing him up. Seriously, do you understand how evaluating players works? You have to remove many variables to be able to focus on the player. Just saying that “he struggled” in college doesn’t work.
 

Here are a look at Christian Ponder’s career stats and last years season stats:

“…of which I will offer no analysis at all.”

Summary: Ponder lacks exceptional footwork which can be seen in the video above.

When did you mention footwork above? Is this a summary or just more analysis? Where is the video is his footwork suspect?

As Bill Walsh used to express many years ago, footwork is the key element in success with the West-Coast offense which is why it’s strange that there have been a few in the national media that have speculated that he would be a good fit with a team that runs it.

Maybe it’s strange that only you have concerns about his footwork?

His timing on routes at Florida State were a bit behind, in front of, high, or low as well.

You can attribute a good portion of that to poor route running.

The lack of proper footwork can be attributed to that.

I stand corrected (no pun intended).

Overall, as mentioned above, I think that Ponder is going to make a career out of carrying a clipboard and drinking Gatorade.

Exceptional analysis.

Beyond that, he may see mop up time and filling in for injured elite quarterbacks.

Oh, is that what backups do?

PREDICTION: 3rd – 4th Round. It’s possible that Ponder could sneak in to the back half of the 2nd round but anything beyond that would be considered a gigantic reach.

After reading this I figured you would say undrafted free agent. I’m not sure your “analysis” matches your prediction. According to you, he:

A) is a 4th quarter choker
2) has terrible footwork
D) throws behind, in front of, below, and above receivers
IV) does too many bad things

that might be worse than any Biachi article Ive ever read.