Multiple NFL executives predicted to NFL.com's Albert Breer earlier this month that USC's Matt Barkley could catch West Virginia's Geno Smith as the top quarterback leading up to the 2013 NFL draft. After sitting out of passing drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, Barkley had an opportunity to dispel concerns about his arm strength at the Trojans' pro day Wednesday. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock would have liked to have seen a tighter spiral on throws that fluttered a bit against the wind, but noted that Barkley's deep-ball accuracy was a strong part of the workout. Everything underneath and between the hashes looked "great" Mayock said. Mayock timed Barkley at 4.95 seconds and 4.97 in the 40-yard dash. "There's no knock (against him)," Mayock added. "His arm strength is what I thought it was. It's good. It's just not elite." NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, a former NFL scout, wasn't as sold on Barkley's arm talent. "You just want to see a little more giddy up to use a baseball term," Jeremiah said. "You want to see a little more life on his fastball. "There was a widespread belief that, even with his intangibles and rare football IQ, Barkley would need a great pro day to put himself in position to be the first quarterback off the board next month." Source: NFL.com
hes better than sanchize ever was. Mechanically watching barkley he reminds me a TON of drew brees, but like drew brees he will have to grow into his arm
i mean i get the concern. Hes not a statue like palmer, hes not a movie star like lienart, and hes not freaking horrible like sanchez. Ceiling could be drew brees, but id expect him to be more like andy dalton or matt hasselbeck
I've always found it such lazy comparison to the other USC QBs. He doesnt even play for the same staff. Leinart failed because his cast made him look better then he was. Sanchez was a lock to fail just because very rarely do QBs only start one season in college and make it in the NFL. Nothing about Barkley suggests that he will fail, other then a lazy comparison to two completely different QBs, who fail for two completely different reasons under a complety different coaching staff Sent from my HTC Vivid
Barkley needs to gain some arm strength, sp if he goes to a team he can sit a year it would help him a lot.
he does need too, but with good coaching and core strength training he can refine his technique and grow into his arm like guys like brady and brees did. He is very brees like in the pocket, and hes a bit bigger
i understand what you're saying JJ. but even though we can't truly compare every usc qb because they play at different times with different regimes, there are a lot of similarities in the program, the environment, the schemes, the culture, and the competition/conference. the key factor, that can't really be disputed, is that USC is one of those power programs that is always loaded with excessive talent up and down the roster, similar to teams like Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Alabama, LSU etc. This undeniable talent level across the board typically makes the QB of those teams 'look' better than they actually are in reality. That is why the QB's on those teams don't necessarily thrive at the next level. maybe barkley can be the exception, but history really isn't on his side.
If Barkley can sit and learn, then he will have success, because Barkley did well with no talent while the sanctions were in effect.
eh, i'm not sure i agree that they had no talent at any point during barkley's time there, sanctions or not.
I like his mental makeup, his footwork, experience, etc. I dont like his decision making at times and i think some of the tight throws i've seen him make on the college level are gonna be picks at the NFL level. People have mentioned Brees and Peyton as guys that dont have elite arms that have been very successful but Barkley doesnt even have their arms or velocity imo. I think he's gonna have to go to a west coast type of scheme and he's gonna need real talent around him to succeed.
This kid been hyped up. Can he live 2 the next level? No he cant because he hasn't played well against good opponents and schemes that were complicated!
I'll take Matt Scott from Arizona over Barkley. Look at his stats. Passed for 4,921 career yards and rushed for another 1,138. Named second-team All-Pac 12 last season ahead of Barkley.
