What to do about Jonathan Dwyer?

[dryheat44]

Phenomenally productive running back, who was the #1 rated RB from last April until this February. You can't argue his production, and he seems to understand the position and have as good or better on-field vision than any RB in this draft.

Yet when you look at the numbers, he's at the very bottom of the list in every single Combine/Pro Day "test" (with the exception of Wonderlic...which he may or may not be).

So the question, to me, becomes:

1) Is he going to wash out of the NFL, because he doesn't have the athleticism to compete, or

2) Is he going to be a productive NFL running back, since he dominated the NCAA without relying on any athletic advantage he had over the competition?

Does anybody (Looking in Chickie's direction) remember a running back succeeding with such poor measurables? Last year James Davis and Glen Coffee put up relatively bad ones...but still significantly better than Dwyers.

 

[PatsCanDoIt]

I'm not a huge fan of Dwyer's; however, I think he was out of shape at the combine. That might explain his poor measurables to some degree.

 

[stevedogc]

I'm not a huge fan of Dwyer's; however, I think he was out of shape at the combine. That might explain his poor measurables to some degree.

if thats the case I think it calls into question his character and commitment. I never could understand how certain players cant seem to show up to the combine, or pro day, and not be in tip top shape. Their career, as well as paycheck, are dependant on a good showing at the combine. Its not like its a random drug test, they know the date and should already be in somewhat good shape from the college season. If they are unable to maintain that, I question how they will do the same week to week in the NFL or during the off season programs.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I am not a fan. If you watch his tape, he runs in the triple option, which means he has a running start when he gets the ball. He is not fast enough to run out of a traditional offense, and as stated before, you have to question his work ethic, commitment to football, and intelligence if you show up to the biggest job interview of your life out of shape.

 

[dryheat44]

I am not a fan. If you watch his tape, he runs in the triple option, which means he has a running start when he gets the ball. He is not fast enough to run out of a traditional offense, and as stated before, you have to question his work ethic, commitment to football, and intelligence if you show up to the biggest job interview of your life out of shape.

True, if you think he was out of shape. I'm not sure he wasn't performing to the best of his athletic ability. As far as the triple option goes, I don't think it really helps RBs as much as it helps minimize garbage QBs. I mean, don't RBs have a running start on every single play? They do line up 8 yards behind the quarterback. Every stretch play is taken on a gallop.

Again...I don't know which way to go on this one. Typically with RBs at major conferences, game tape pulls more weight with me. And while I haven't studied a ton of GT tape, the fact that he's been the #1 rated running back from last years draft, through to the season, right up until the Combine speaks volumes.

I'll patiently wait for ACC specialist Ochmed to weigh it...

 

[Ochmed Jones]

True, if you think he was out of shape. I'm not sure he wasn't performing to the best of his athletic ability. As far as the triple option goes, I don't think it really helps RBs as much as it helps minimize garbage QBs. I mean, don't RBs have a running start on every single play? They do line up 8 yards behind the quarterback. Every stretch play is taken on a gallop.

Again...I don't know which way to go on this one. Typically with RBs at major conferences, game tape pulls more weight with me. And while I haven't studied a ton of GT tape, the fact that he's been the #1 rated running back from last years draft, through to the season, right up until the Combine speaks volumes.

I'll patiently wait for ACC specialist Ochmed to weigh it...

Actually in 2008 my company produced more ACC games than SEC games for the first time ever, then in 2009 we did SEC games exclusively.

So my ACC expertise is aged, but here is what I have.

I am not a fan of Dwyer's. I think he benfited greatly from having a running QB as the pitch man. I think this overinflated his college stats. I did not get to see him take it up the gut much at college, but when he did, I saw decent vision, decent balance and even some cutback ability.

First step suddenness, speed, blitz pickup and pass receiving remain a question in my book.

I did not see him put the rock on the turf that much, unlike Gerhart (5 times) and Tate of Auburn.

The fact that he showed up to the combine out of shape makes me wonder if football is important to him and if it not, then he won't be on BB's draft board.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Wouldn't take him in the 2nd round, but the 4th, sure. He won't last that long though.

 

[mgteich]

A player with this kind of risk is worth a 4th in this year's draft. There are many others that are worth more.

 

[Nonentity]

From NFLDraftScout:

03/15/10 - The highly touted prospects from Georgia Tech are proving well worth the acclaim so far this morning, according to league sources at the scene. Defensive end Derrick Morgan, the highest rated Yellow Jacket, has looked good in positional drills. His burst upfield and lateral agility have been especially impressive. Running back Jonathan Dwyer, who may have had the most riding on today's performance after a disappointing workout at the Combine, helped his cause by clocking in at 4.51 and 4.54 in the 40-yard dash. Dwyer, who had dropped several balls at the Combine, was significantly improved as a receiver today. Dwyer's times and improved hands were especially impressive considering it was pretty wind, I am told. Safety Morgan Burnett also helped himself by clocking in at a 4.43, according to one scout's watch. He also showed great explosiveness with a 40" vertical and 11'0 broad jump. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, as expected, was unable to participate due to the broken foot he suffered preparing for the Combine. Thomas, who is still in a walking boot, is hoping to work out for scouts prior to the draft. - Rob Rang, The SportsXchange, NFLDraftScout.com

03/15/10 - Jonathan Dwyer looked lighter and ran faster for NFL scouts and coaches on Monday. Dwyer's draft status was on the line at Georgia Tech's pro day. It's little wonder he said he didn't sleep well on Sunday night. He could make — or lose — millions of dollars based on his performance on the Yellow Jackets' campus. Dwyer dropped out of the first round on some mock drafts following a disappointing 40-yard dash at last month's NFL combine. He said he was relieved after being clocked at 4.52 seconds on Monday, an improvement from his 4.59 time at the combine. "A lot better. I'm very pleased," Dwyer said. Dwyer said he suffered a toe injury in Georgia Tech's Orange Bowl loss to Iowa and had too little time to train for the combine in Indianapolis. "I think everybody wanted to see my 40 time over again," Dwyer said. "It was just me going out and competing at the combine but here was just showing what I'm really about." Some questioned Dwyer's decision to run the 40 at the combine. "My trainer was like 'I don't think you should do it' and I was like 'No, I'm going to compete,'" Dwyer said. "That's just how I am." NFL coaches Mike Smith of Atlanta, Lovie Smith of Chicago and Ken Whisenhunt of Atlanta and a large turnout of NFL scouts watched Dwyer, defensive end Derrick Morgan and four more Georgia Tech players in the workouts. Morgan is widely regarded as a high first-round pick. Smith said he appreciated Dwyer's decision to run at the combine. - AP Sports

 

[TriplecHamp]

Id use a second on him. Its really funny how if you go back and look at the RB rankings at the end of the season and how people were pretty high on him and now a poor combine and he's Sh*t lol. Then go look at how many people knew who odrick was and now everybody and their mother want to use a first round pick on him. Pats fans make fun of al davis but in reality we have alot of Al Davis type posters on this board. Its now more about what have you done in the Senior bowl and combine than what have you done on the field.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

I don't care too much for Dwyer. Good player but I think there are better options. I like Ben Tate. I am also a fan Of Jahvid Best's speed. Getting CJ Spiller at 22 is the best option (Doubt it happens, someone else will grab him before he slips to us).