NFL Draft conference call with Todd McShay

[PonyPride]

ESPN draft guy Todd McShay held a conference call with members of the media about the upcoming NFL Draft, in which he had this to say:

"In the third or fourth round, there are steals to be had there, like Emmanuel Sanders from SMU ... he played in that June Jones offense, and you worry about the system, but he's quick, he's fast, he catches the ball. He just just gets open and catches the ball, and has the ability to make a lot of plays. I could see him sneaking into the end of the second round, or going in the third or fourth."

[Cadillac]

Considering McShay's total man-crush on Sanders, I'm surprised that he doesn't mention that Sanders was breaking school records for two years BEFORE June Jones came to SMU.

-CoS

[expony18]

Yeah but OTP has been following scout and the draft since 2004

[SMUfiji43]

I agree with McShay. Although I am confused about the part where he says "you worry about the system". I understand there will always be speculation about QB's coming out of JJ's offense as "system QB's"(not Padron, he's the best QB ever...yes, ever ) , but can it really hurt a receiver? I can see inflated receiving statistics due to the majority of the plays being passing plays, but I feel like JJ's emphasis on precise route running, reading the coverage and learning a complicated offense would help a receiver as he made the transition to the NFL. Does anyone else feel this way?

[The PonyGrad]

I agree with McShay. Although I am confused about the part where he says "you worry about the system". I understand there will always be speculation about QB's coming out of JJ's offense as "system QB's"(not Padron, he's the best QB ever...yes, ever ) , but can it really hurt a receiver? I can see inflated receiving statistics due to the majority of the plays being passing plays, but I feel like JJ's emphasis on precise route running, reading the coverage and learning a complicated offense would help a receiver as he made the transition to the NFL. Does anyone else feel this way?

I imagine if you are just looking at the receiving yards and TDs then you might worry about the system and how real those numbers are. Other than that, I agree with you. Unlike QBs there should be no issue.

[Stallion]

there have been several stories some posted here that Emmanuel Sanders had a big adjustment to make at NFL camps because he had never actually run some of the basic pass routes run in traditional Pro Offenses. Instead Sanders at SMU was asked to "read Defenses" and adjust routes accordingly. That I believe is what they are talking about.

[Stampede]

to Sanders, the "pro system" might be a little boring....simply having to run routes and not "read" anything.

[Alaric]

there have been several stories some posted here that Emmanuel Sanders had a big adjustment to make at NFL camps because he had never actually run some of the basic pass routes run in traditional Pro Offenses. Instead Sanders at SMU was asked to "read Defenses" and adjust routes accordingly. That I believe is what they are talking about.

Stallion, Sanders specifically said he'd never ran a hook pattern at SMU (while under JJ or PB). You say "patterns", plural. Did you hear him talk about others? I don't think he did nor did any scouts I heard.

I too think it's more about guys having gaudy numbers who don't necessarily have the talent to make it in the NFL though JJ's offense has more reading than specific routes so there are differences for sure.

[Garret]

One thing that helps Sanders is that Davone Bess has been productive in the NFL in his 2 seasons. Bess had the 3rd most receptions of any rookie WR in 2008 and was Miami's leading receiver this season (4th highest reception total in a season in Dolphins history). Bess was #2 in the NFL in 3rd down receptions for first downs last season.

Bess and Sanders are different types of receivers, but Sanders does have a productive NFL receiver that played in JJ's system to point to.

[SMU21TCU10]

Considering McShay's total man-crush on Sanders, I'm surprised that he doesn't mention that Sanders was breaking school records for two years BEFORE June Jones came to SMU.

-CoS

lol I agree on McShay having a man crush on ES. Its made me really like McShay since he is constantly bringing him up!