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Big C scouting the Bengals: QB Tyrod Taylor worth a look
Speculations are running rampant on whether or not the Cincinnati Bengals will use the fourth overall pick in this month’s draft to select a quarterback. That being said, it might make more sense for the team to go after a veteran quarterback such as Kevin Kolb or Donovan McNabb. The window of opportunity is closing quickly and the Bengals want to win now.
Everything, of course, hinges on what will take place with starter Carson Palmer, but this we know. The Bengals will select a quarterback at some point in the draft.
Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on in the middle rounds. He would be an ideal fit for the Bengals’ offense.
Teams have been sleeping on Taylor’s passing skills due to his ability to make plays with his legs. After watching film on the player, it’s evident he possesses all the tools to play quarterback in the pros. But some folks are skeptical of him as a passer and view him as nothing more than a gadget passer.
“The aggravating part of this process is hearing people in the media trying to move me around to play other positions,” Taylor said. “That’s not what I’m hearing from most coaches. The things that the media have made up during this process are exactly that, made up. But I have fought through that and ready to get on a team and play. I have no doubt that I can be successful playing quarterback at the next level.”
Taylor playing a different position in the pros may be media driven, but two teams at the NFL Combine had the testicular fortitude to ask if he would consider catching punts and running receiver routes.
The player’s agent, Adisa Bakari, quickly put the kibosh on that scenario declining any request to do position drills other than quarterback and rightfully so.
“Should Ty fail at playing quarterback, his athleticism would allow him to do other things,” Bakari said. “Point is, he’s not thinking about failure. He intends to be successful as he was in grade school, high school and college. But should he prove to be inadequate as a pro quarterback, it’s then and only then would he consider playing something else.”
What’s the obsession with always trying to turn an athletic quarterback with speed into the next Josh Cribbs? There is nothing wrong with your quarterback being the most athletic player on the field.
“That’s what I’ve been stressing to folks,” Taylor said. “Quarterback is the most important position on the field and it takes a lot of training to play the position. It’s not something I just started doing when I got to college. I have been playing quarterback since I was 5 years old. I’ve been going to passing camps across the country every year for specific quarterback coaching. I have always been viewed as a quarterback, despite my athletic ability.”
Taylor was elected to take part in the Elite 11 passing camp for the top quarterbacks coming out of high school. He participated in the event alongside Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Taylor was asked back to counsel the program last summer. His list of career accomplishments is longer than a Lindsay Lohan rap sheet.
Taylor received some valuable information from Peyton Manning when attending the player’s quarterback camp his sophomore year at Virginia Tech.
“I watched a lot a film before going to Peyton’s camp, but it was something he said to me that stood out,” Taylor said. “Peyton told me that he watches just as much film of himself than he does of opposing teams in order to make him a better player on the field. That’s something I do a lot of and what I learned from him was invaluable.”
Taylor was a standout performer at VT producing over 8,900 yards of total offense in his college career. He has the record for the most wins by a quarterback in school history. Taylor also holds the records for career passing yards and total offense. He finished his senior season passing for 2,743 yards with an incredible 24/5 touchdown to interception ratio.
Should a team like the Bengals draft Taylor they could develop him slowly to eventually take over the reins in the starting lineup. Team quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese would be just the man for the job. Zampese is one of the best in the business at developing players.
The quarterback worked out for all 32 teams at his pro day and since then has worked out privately for Miami, St. Louis, Buffalo and San Diego.
Taylor understands that his chance to play may come later down the road and have no qualms biding his time.
“I have no problem sitting behind a quarterback for a few years and learning the system,” he said. “I think that’s the best thing to do coming into the league is learn from a guy who has been there. It’s kind of like a redshirt year in college. On the other hand, I don’t have a problem learning on the go and getting the opportunity to play.
“Personally, I think I’m the best quarterback in the draft. I have no doubt that I can be successful at the next level. I have everything that one could ask for in a quarterback and willing to learn. I know the best situation for me right now would be learning behind a veteran. But when that time comes, I want to be the best player on the football field and let everyone know it.”
Big C’s scouting report
The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Taylor is blessed with unique athletic skills for the quarterback position. He has the ability to make big plays with his arm and legs, running a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. Taylor has a strong arm with quick release and can make all the throws with a flick of the wrist. He demonstrates poise in the pocket, quick drop back, good ball placement, touch and accuracy.
The quarterback’s superb mobility allows him to elude the rush and extend plays. He does an outstanding job maintaining his composure and keeping his eyes up field when flushed out the pocket. He shows a decent play action, reads coverage and throws well on the run.
The intangibles are there - he’s a competitor, commands the huddle, exhibits toughness and a strong work ethic.
However, Taylor must show that he can consistently throw the ball to his receivers out of the backfield at the next level. He wasn’t asked to do much of that at Virginia Tech.
Taylor studies an abundance of film on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees to further improve his passing skills. There are some similarities between the two quarterbacks and Taylor could become the same type of passer with the proper development and system.
Watch hightlight of Taylor in action…
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Comments
By Reggie
April 13, 2011 1:56 PM | Link to this
This year a lot of the Draft Day attention has been monopolized, and rightfully so, by Auburn’s Heisman-winning Cam Newton and his now “controversial” smile – not to mention his 6’7” frame and cannon-like arm. Add a BCS National Championship title, a SEC Championship, an undefeated record, and a host of other accolades to his body of work. Bear in mind that was all in one college season’s worth of work. Several spots down the list of the top rated QBs for this year’s draft is Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor. Taylor, a starter for most of his collegiate career, steadily improved his game in each of his four seasons but is being sought by pro teams as a WR. To close out his senior campaign he doubled his junior year’s TD total to post a career-high 24; in accomplishing that feat, he threw the same number of interceptions – a respectable five. In contrast, Blaine Gabbert of Missouri threw eight less touchdowns in 2010 and totaled nine picks. Gabbert is being touted as one of the first two QBs to come off the board… Taylor’s combine stats closely resemble those of Florida’s Tim Tebow with the exception of the former Hokie’s faster 40-yard dash of 4.5. The 6’ 2 ¾” Tebow is the taller of the two, as Taylor stands 6’1”, which is better than current NFL QBs Drew Brees, Michael Vick, and potential Redskins starter Rex Grossman. Tebow went on to be drafted 25th overall by the Denver Broncos, and while he mainly was the recipient of some spot duty, he managed to notch a 300-yard passing game in a late-season victory. Taylor’s experience and skill set should serve him well as an NFL QB – a position he’s been groomed to play since he was five years old – even if it’s as a back-up. However, he should not be confused with one-hit wonder Akili Smith; furthermore, he should be allowed to hold a clip board as long as career back-ups Jim Sorgi (Giants), Patrick Ramsey (Vikings), and A.J. Feeley (Rams) have been allowed to do. How’d things work out for J.P. Losman? It’s funny how names pop up come NFL Draft time, that were all but unheard of during the college season, and Missouri’s Gabbert is one of those guys. That may be a product of east coast bias. However, despite having a WR corps that is about as recognizable to the sports world as Usher’s band members, Taylor has posted some promising stats. Chad Henne’s draft status wasn’t marred by his home lost to Appalachian St as a senior at Michigan – neither should Taylor’s loss to James Madison. Hopefully teams continue to take a look at Taylor’s measurables, give the kid a look, and maybe we’ll see if there’s enough room in the NFL for another, younger #5.
By Rich
April 13, 2011 2:14 PM | Link to this
Taylor wouldn’t be a bad pick for the Bengals. Remember Jeff Blake? This kid has more potenial. The team’s first pick should be A.J. Green, second pick OL, third pick DB and fourth pick QB.
By Big Daddy Weave
April 13, 2011 3:50 PM | Link to this
Big C, we’ve talked about this. Taylor has to show he can run a pro style offense. I believe that Taylor is a project qb. Trading for a Donovan Mcnabb who would give you a few years for Taylor to be groomed would be a good choice. The Bengals have many holes and qb is just one of them. They take AJ Green in the first round and grab a Ryan Mallet or Christian Ponder in the 2nd round. Many scouts believe that Ponder is the most pro-ready qb in the draft.The Bengals have the 4th pick don’t overthink this. Take Green who has all-pro skills and plays faster and bigger than Julio Jones. There will be QB’s available in the mid rounds but I believe that Taylor is too much a project. Spread QB’s don’t make it in the pro’s. Defense is too big and too fast.
By Bobby
April 13, 2011 5:24 PM | Link to this
Weave, come on man! know your offenses. Tyrod played in a Pro style offense that allowed him to showcase his escape ability. He’s doing great things without great WR’s (they dropped 22 balls this year), and doesn’t have a tackle who is a high draft pick. He’s won everywhere, what more do you want?
By Joe
April 14, 2011 7:54 AM | Link to this
“testicular fortitude”? You mean “they had the balls”?
By BIg Daddy Weave
April 14, 2011 8:15 AM | Link to this
Bobby, Taylor didn’t run out of a traditional pro style offense….ie taking the snap from under center. When you’re lined up in the shotgun over 50% of the time that’s not a “pro-style offense”. Most QB’s who run run that sort of offense in college can’t get out of the RB’s way in the pros. They aren”t used to handing off in the traditional sense. He had 130 rushing attempts….pro style offense. Right. Look at his stats against top competition, it was hardly stellar. Im just saying he’s a project and not close to playing at the next level. He is 3-4 years minimum away from being a NFL QB.
By Akili Smith
April 14, 2011 8:43 AM | Link to this
If you watched the combine then you know Tyrod is seriously deficient in the skills needed to run a “pro Style” offense. His drop is slow and his timing and receiver anticipation is poor at best. The good news is he is obile which Cinci needs since they cant block the pass past a 2 count.
By Bengal Dad
April 14, 2011 10:43 AM | Link to this
WOW! This kid made some major league throws in the highlight reel. I would use a 5-6 round pick on the guy. He’s worth developing in the West Coast offense.
By Bruce
April 15, 2011 9:48 AM | Link to this
Big C, Where were you when Chris Ivory was playing at Tiffin University and somehow this stud RB ends up playing for the NO Saints? How does Ohio whiff on that gem?
By CJ
April 22, 2011 9:07 AM | Link to this
I’m always a little miffed every year when ACC products somehow rise up as “these talents.” The ACC is like a mid-major football conference and every year way too many are picked in the first round of the NFL draft and all too often they are borderline NFL talent. Tyrod is another example.