Post by scorpion42 on Mar 23, 2009 12:39:17 GMT -7
The Star Press
Ex-BSU QB Davis throws well in his pro day workout
By DOUG ZALESKI • dzaleski@muncie.gannett.com • March 21, 2009
MUNCIE -- Former Ball State player Nate Davis and passing skills guru Steve DeBerg expressed disappointment Friday that nearly all of the NFL teams skipped the quarterback's pro day workout. But that didn't prevent Davis from turning in a sharp passing display at Scheumann Stadium.
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The Indianapolis Colts were the only NFL team to send a scout to the workout, which featured Davis throwing passes to former teammates Darius Hill, Louis Johnson and former Indiana wide receiver Brandon Walker-Roby.
"I was very disappointed (only one team showed up), but you only need one team to fall in love with you," Davis said.
DeBerg, a veteran of 17 NFL seasons who now tutors young quarterbacks on refining their skills, conducted the workout.
Davis completed 61 of the 70 passes he threw on drills that included short, medium and long tosses down the field. Five of the nine incompletions were drops by receivers.
"He threw the ball like he always does -- outstanding," said DeBerg, who worked with Davis for about five weeks starting in January at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa Bay, Fla. "He made all the throws -- short, deep, intermediate. I was very happy, and impressed as always. It's fun to work with a quarterback who has as much talent as Nate does."
Davis showed his trademark arm strength on many throws, the ball zipping into receivers' hands with a profound "thump." He also showed the classic touch he displayed during his career on high-arcing deep passes down the middle of the field.
He completed 20-of-23 passes that were thrown more than 20 yards down field, and two of the three misses came on catchable balls that were dropped.
Davis has been preparing for the draft at Ball State since his NFL Combine workout ended Feb. 22. When Ball State was on spring break last week, Davis and Hill went to San Diego to work out with San Diego State players, whose program is now led by former Cardinals coach Brady Hoke.
Davis spent his pro day Friday throwing after taking snaps under center from former Cardinal Dan Gerberry.
"Everybody said all we ran was the shotgun offense (with the Cardinals), so I didn't throw at all from the shotgun today," Davis said. "I wanted to show I could go under center and make all the throws."
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Davis' draft stock appears to be slipping. Once thought to be a second- or third-round possibility, draft analysts have moved him into the late rounds.
Mel Kiper Jr., predicted last week on ESPN Radio that Davis would be taken in the sixth or seventh round. Yahoo Sports ranks Davis the No. 9 quarterback available in the draft.
Todd McShay of Scouts Inc., wrote recently on ESPN.com that Davis is "a playmaker with an upper-echelon arm and overall athleticism." McShay added, "Unfortunately, Davis' stock has taken a big hit thanks to growing concerns regarding his marginal size, ball-security issues and scheme transition from college to the NFL. Davis is likely to slip to the final few rounds, when a team can rationalize his risk as a long-term developmental project."
DeBerg said Davis can't let himself be affected by views of the analysts.
"All you really want is an opportunity," he said. "He's got first-round talent. His ability to throw the football is first-round talent."
Davis echoed the same thought.
"All I want is a chance to prove I can make it," Davis said. "It doesn't matter how high I go. Yeah, it's a dream to be picked high, but I just want a chance to play."
Ex-BSU QB Davis throws well in his pro day workout
By DOUG ZALESKI • dzaleski@muncie.gannett.com • March 21, 2009
MUNCIE -- Former Ball State player Nate Davis and passing skills guru Steve DeBerg expressed disappointment Friday that nearly all of the NFL teams skipped the quarterback's pro day workout. But that didn't prevent Davis from turning in a sharp passing display at Scheumann Stadium.
Advertisement
The Indianapolis Colts were the only NFL team to send a scout to the workout, which featured Davis throwing passes to former teammates Darius Hill, Louis Johnson and former Indiana wide receiver Brandon Walker-Roby.
"I was very disappointed (only one team showed up), but you only need one team to fall in love with you," Davis said.
DeBerg, a veteran of 17 NFL seasons who now tutors young quarterbacks on refining their skills, conducted the workout.
Davis completed 61 of the 70 passes he threw on drills that included short, medium and long tosses down the field. Five of the nine incompletions were drops by receivers.
"He threw the ball like he always does -- outstanding," said DeBerg, who worked with Davis for about five weeks starting in January at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa Bay, Fla. "He made all the throws -- short, deep, intermediate. I was very happy, and impressed as always. It's fun to work with a quarterback who has as much talent as Nate does."
Davis showed his trademark arm strength on many throws, the ball zipping into receivers' hands with a profound "thump." He also showed the classic touch he displayed during his career on high-arcing deep passes down the middle of the field.
He completed 20-of-23 passes that were thrown more than 20 yards down field, and two of the three misses came on catchable balls that were dropped.
Davis has been preparing for the draft at Ball State since his NFL Combine workout ended Feb. 22. When Ball State was on spring break last week, Davis and Hill went to San Diego to work out with San Diego State players, whose program is now led by former Cardinals coach Brady Hoke.
Davis spent his pro day Friday throwing after taking snaps under center from former Cardinal Dan Gerberry.
"Everybody said all we ran was the shotgun offense (with the Cardinals), so I didn't throw at all from the shotgun today," Davis said. "I wanted to show I could go under center and make all the throws."
Advertisement
Davis' draft stock appears to be slipping. Once thought to be a second- or third-round possibility, draft analysts have moved him into the late rounds.
Mel Kiper Jr., predicted last week on ESPN Radio that Davis would be taken in the sixth or seventh round. Yahoo Sports ranks Davis the No. 9 quarterback available in the draft.
Todd McShay of Scouts Inc., wrote recently on ESPN.com that Davis is "a playmaker with an upper-echelon arm and overall athleticism." McShay added, "Unfortunately, Davis' stock has taken a big hit thanks to growing concerns regarding his marginal size, ball-security issues and scheme transition from college to the NFL. Davis is likely to slip to the final few rounds, when a team can rationalize his risk as a long-term developmental project."
DeBerg said Davis can't let himself be affected by views of the analysts.
"All you really want is an opportunity," he said. "He's got first-round talent. His ability to throw the football is first-round talent."
Davis echoed the same thought.
"All I want is a chance to prove I can make it," Davis said. "It doesn't matter how high I go. Yeah, it's a dream to be picked high, but I just want a chance to play."