QB Zach Mettenberger (1 Viewer)

Film Room: Cosell Breaks Down The Draft's QB's

In the first segment of our 'Film Room' series previewing the top prospects at the quarterback position in the NFL Draft, Bo Wulf is joined by NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell to help dive into the top signal callers of the class ....

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... The main attraction Wednesday, however, was Mettenberger. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear last year and had surgery to repair it at the beginning of January. Despite the medical issues, he impressed scouts when he strapped on the shoulder pads and helmet -- a la Johnny Manziel -- and tossed the football around.

"I thought he looked great. I've been at almost every top level quarterback pro day this year and he threw the ball with as much velocity, arm strength, accuracy as any quarterback in the draft," said Mayock. "You're going to hear a lot of people talking about how even though he's only 13 weeks out (of ACL surgery), that he could be a quarterback that goes at the top of the second round."

Insider Albert Breer was also at the workout and tweeted one interesting comparison for Mettenberger he heard from evaluators: former New England Patriots pro bowler Drew Bledsoe. Mettenberger won't come close to Bledsoe's draft position this year -- Bledsoe was the No. 1 overall pick in 1993 -- but the similarities between the two are certainly intriguing.

Among the notable head coaches in attendance to see Mettenberger zip the ball around were the Vikings' Mike Zimmer, the Eagles' Chip Kelly and the Steelers' Mike Tomlin. NFL Media analyst Gil Brandt has all of the details of LSU's pro day here.

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The case for Zach Mettenberger

...Palmer isn't the Cardinals' long-term answer. Neither is Stanton. Neither is third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley.

Sure, Palmer could play for another two seasons. But at what point do the Cardinals look toward the future? It needs to happen this year and former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger is the place to start.

The Cardinals don't need to draft a quarterback in the first or even the second round. It's not that high of a priority, but Arizona needs to select a quarterback who it can mold into what Arians wants. Someone who they can give time to learn the offense.

"You go into every draft looking for the young franchise quarterback," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim told SiriusXM NFL Radio from the combine. "Although, Carson gives you the luxury of not having to force [a pick]. Sometimes, when you don't have one, you get into a situation where you have to force a pick and that sets you back two to three years.

"Carson gives us some stability, but at the same time we'll always be aggressive in our approach and in our mindset that you're always looking for the next young quarterback."

There are few NFL-ready quarterbacks in this year's draft and even fewer who'll be sitting around on the second or third day. But Mettenberger has the physical traits Arians likes. He's 6-foot-5, 224 pounds with a big arm and already knows how to play in an NFL scheme. His offensive coordinator at LSU was former NFL coach Cam Cameron.

Mettenberger threw for 3,082 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2013 before tearing his ACL in the Tigers' regular-season finale. He wasn't able to do any of the drills at the combine, which could make his stock drop -- right into the Cardinals' lap.

"Without the injury, I still don't think he's going to be a first- or second-round pick," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. "I think what he is and what worries me a little bit on tape is I think he stares down some of his intended receivers, I think the ball comes out late sometimes. He's not a guy that I think can start Day 1 in the NFL anyway.

"So, if you ask me how much it would impact him, the injury, I don't think quite as much as you might think on the surface, because I do believe he's got a lot of learning to do. I like his size, I like his ability and I like his arm strength. It's more just a matter of his footwork, being more consistent with the ball, his feet being lined up, getting the ball out and some of the reads he makes. I think he just doesn't get the ball out quickly enough and I think that's something that a young quarterback has got to develop."

Mettenberger sounds like the perfect project for quarterback guru Tom Moore. Mettenberger likely won't be ready for training camp and may not even be 100 percent for Week 1. But then again, the Cards don't need him to be.

They can place him on the injured reserve/non-football injury list, which would allow Mettenberger to be activated at some point during the second half of the season. By November, Mettenberger's knee would likely be healed -- ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said last week that Mettenberger's recovery is progressing faster than expected -- and he can start taking reps in practice.

Even though Keim said at the combine that he's always looking for a quarterback, he also has said, according to the team website, that the only way a quarterback can mature is by playing.

"The only way to grow as a player is to get those full-speed reps," Keim said. "You don’t get those in practice. You have to learn on the job. Obviously [Green Bay quarterback] Aaron Rodgers was a different circumstance, and it's not a bad circumstance to be in, but at the same time, if you want to win now and you want significant improvement early in their career, I think it's in their best interest to play early."

Arians shared a similar philosophy.

"I don’t believe in drafting quarterbacks thinking they can learn a damn thing holding a clipboard," Arians said, according to the team site.

But holding a clipboard is exactly what Stanton has done for the past three seasons, two of which have been spent learning Arians' scheme. He hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since 2010. Yet, Arians still believes he's capable of coming in, if needed, and leading the Cardinals to a division title?

While Rodgers is the ultimate example of what a quarterback can do after learning for few seasons behind the starter, Palmer isn't far behind. He was drafted No. 1 overall in 2003 and didn’t play a down his rookie season, learning behind starter Jon Kitna. And Palmer has turned out all right. What better player to mentor Mettenberger than a guy who went through the same thing?

Which is why the Cardinals would be better off long term if they drafted a quarterback like Mettenberger and let him learn from Moore, Arians and offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin and then let him take over in 2015.

The future will be here before Arizona knows it and it looks like Zach Mettenberger.

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Ben Goessling ‏@GoesslingESPNBy end of Mettenberger's workout, according to league source, #Vikings OC Norv Turner was calling out routes he wanted Mettenberger to throw

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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Just 13 weeks removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL, LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger impressed a packed house full of NFL coaches, general managers and scouts by going through a full pro day workout on Wednesday.

By most accounts, Mettenberger helped to boost his draft stock with a display that would have been considered solid even if had never been injured. He's projected as a possible second- or third-round draft choice.

"It says a lot about him. And his doctor," said New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who was one of five NFL coaches in attendance for LSU's talent-rich pro day. "It's pretty impressive. You know, 10 years ago you couldn't do that. I thought he did a real good job."

Mettenberger, who had surgery on Jan. 2 to repair his left knee, threw nearly 125 passes and made every throw while wearing a helmet and shoulder pads -- the new trend started by fellow prospect Johnny Manziel last month.

The 6-foot-5, 224-pounder moved in the pocket and threw on the run at times. And he consistently showed off a big arm that many analysts consider to be among the strongest of this year's draft prospects.

Naturally, Mettenberger showed some signs of fatigue with a few mistimed throws. But observers said he threw even more balls than quarterbacks usually do. And his arm strength remained intact through the workout.

"I thought he did outstanding. Almost miraculous," said LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the longtime former NFL coach who directed the workout. "Thirteen weeks after surgery, to come out here and throw more than a hundred balls and complete 90-plus percent of them. ...

"He was grinding today. We could have come out, made it a nice, easy workout, 50 balls. I've been to a couple of these, guys threw 40 balls and called it a day. But I think arm strength matters, and I think arm endurance matters."

Mettenberger was a little harder on himself, saying, "I wasn't too pleased with myself on some of those throws today. But sometimes I hold myself to an almost unrealistic standard. ... All things considered, I thought I did OK, but I still have a lot of room to improve on."

Mettenberger said he thinks Wednesday's workout will also encourage more NFL teams to invite him in for private workouts, since he had been told teams were hesitant to work him out because of the uncertainty over his health.

Mettenberger said his first visit is lined up for Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars, followed by a Saturday trip to visit the Detroit Lions.

"You know, I've been saying for a couple weeks now that I was healthy and good enough to go, and I don't think y'all believed me," Mettenberger said. "I think the biggest thing I wanted to do was show that I could go out there and take an explosive drop like everyone knows I can."

Mettenberger estimated that he is about 85 or 90 percent healthy and that he expects to be 100 percent in time for rookie camps in mid-May. LSU trainer Jack Marucci backed up that optimistic timetable by saying that Mettenberger's knee is already showing 95 to 97 percent strength on the Cybex machine that's used to test such injuries.

Mettenberger's surgery was performed by LSU team orthopedist Dr. Brent Bankston, who prefers to use a hamstring tendon instead of a patellar tendon. And Marucci said many LSU players in recent years have returned under similar timetables. Both procedures are common, with different surgeons having different preferences.

ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell (who did not attend Wednesday's workout) said the type of work Mettenberger did Wednesday should certainly be considered a good sign. However, she cautioned that the knee is still going through the healing process and no one should consider his workout as a sign that he is now fully healed.

The bigger tests will come down the road when he is under duress -- either taking hits or escaping pressure, etc. It is possible that Mettenberger could be playing for a team in the preseason, though.

"I think I showed that I'm not gonna start the season on a PUP list," Mettenberger said. "I think I showed that I'm gonna be healthy enough to practice and compete for a job. And by the time the season rolls around, I'm gonna be fully healed, no question."

Mettenberger's injury came in the final regular-season game of his breakout senior year with the Tigers, in which he threw for 3,082 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Mettenberger's career got off to a bumpy start. First, there was an off-field arrest for misdemeanor sexual battery that led to his dismissal from the Georgia football team.

Then it took him a while to shine consistently at LSU. But he started to bloom under Cameron's tutelage in a pro-style offense last year. It's possible Mettenberger could rise up high into the second round of the draft, though opinions on the "second tier" of quarterbacks seem to be all over the map.

ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski, for one, said recently he thinks Mettenberger is the second-best quarterback prospect in this year's class behind only Central Florida's Blake Bortles.

Payton and other NFL talent evaluators consistently mentioned how much they enjoyed the workout that was put together by Cameron, who said he modeled it after a typical LSU practice session.

Receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry also appeared to strengthen their draft prospects. Beckham, a dynamic athlete who could crack the top 20 overall picks, shined during the passing drills. He didn't need to run the 40-yard dash since he had already posted a time of 4.43 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.

Landry, meanwhile, posted a badly-needed 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds, according to the school. Landry, a possible second-round pick, had run a surprisingly-slow time of 4.77 seconds at the combine.

Beckham said he has individual visits lined up with the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills among other teams. He also had dinner with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday night and was planning to have dinner Wednesday night with members of the Saints' contingent, which always comes to LSU's pro day in full force since it's an hour away from New Orleans.

Other NFL coaches in attendance Wednesday were the New York Jets' Rex Ryan, Steelers' Mike Tomlin, the Philadelphia Eagles' Chip Kelly and the Minnesota Vikings' Mike Zimmer.

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BATON ROUGE, La. – It sounds like a novel idea in today’s NFL. But if a team is actually willing to draft a quarterback and give him a full year to develop before thrusting him into the starting lineup, then LSU’s Zach Mettenberger might just be their guy.

Six months, at least.

Mettenberger certainly wouldn’t agree with this idea. He’s so adamant to prove that he’ll be NFL-ready as a rookie that he went out and performed a grueling and impressive pro day workout Wednesday just 13 weeks after having surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Mettenberger insisted he’ll be 100 percent by next month’s rookie minicamps and ready to compete for a job by training camp.

Maybe he’s right. It’s hard to doubt him after the grit he showed on Wednesday, throwing roughly 125 passes in a fast-paced workout that many NFL talent evaluators said would have been impressive even without the injury.

But even if Mettenberger and his supporters – including LSU offensive coordinator and longtime former NFL coach Cam Cameron – are being overly optimistic, then Mettenberger could still be worth a second- or third-round pick for a team that believes he has the potential to be a starter in 2015 and beyond.

ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski certainly feels that way. He tabbed the strong-armed, 6-foot-5, 224-pounder as the second-best QB prospect in this year’s entire class, behind only Central Florida’s Blake Bortles. Jaworski is one of many who has compared Mettenberger to the Baltimore Ravens’ Joe Flacco – including Cameron, who has coached both of them.

“I think his skill set translates extremely well to that league,” Cameron said. “Some guys want ‘em taller or [some want] more athletic. But the bottom line is a guy’s gotta be tough, football-smart, distribute the ball to everyone on the team under pressure, in tight windows. Zach can do that.

“You can win a world championship with Zach Mettenberger. That I know. And that becomes the final evaluation. You don’t draft a guy unless you think this guy can ultimately lead our organization to the Super Bowl. Not just win games. And he is on par with guys that I’ve known since his age that have won Super Bowls.”

LSU coach Les Miles echoed that confidence, describing Mettenberger as “a guy that can really play in a very high level in the NFL.”

Still, there are some question marks about Mettenberger that have nothing to do with his surgically-repaired left knee.

He only had one great year in a turbulent college career, which required a lot of maturing both on and off the field.

Mettenberger started out at Georgia, but was dismissed from the team after an arrest for two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. After a year in junior college, he transferred to LSU. But he didn’t really shine as a backup his sophomore year or as a starter his junior year. He was sometimes criticized as too laid back, as both a leader and a decision-maker.

Last year, however, Mettenberger showed rapid development in Cameron’s first year on the job. He thrived in a pro-style offense (and throwing to pro-caliber receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry). He threw for 3,082 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions before suffering the injury in LSU’s regular-season finale.

“When he showed up here and really did not play a lot, he was kind of in the background. Not necessarily did we feel his presence,” Miles admitted. “When we turned to him and he became that player, he really stepped into a role of leadership.

“Really, we felt like he needed to take on more of a position of team leader than necessarily quarterback. He did that. He’s one of the toughest guys on our team. He continued to improve through his last snaps.”

Cameron hinted at a similar assessment, saying, “We’re all maturing, hey, to some degree. And he’s no different.”

“It’s been refreshing to me coming back to college and watching how much these guys can mature in six months, a year,” Cameron said. “And remember, Zach’s still a young guy. He’s not even two-thirds the way to where he’s gonna be at some point in time. And I think his game translates extremely well to the NFL.”

Mettenberger said his first two individual workouts with teams are scheduled for this week – the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday and the Detroit Lions on Saturday – with more to come after that.

Cameron said teams have picked his brain, but he said they don’t have too many pressing questions.

“The film speaks for itself,” Cameron said. “The one thing I know about scouts, they’re gonna look at the film first. Theyre gonna look at the game at Georgia or the game at Alabama. The games against quality opponents on the road. Zach obviously played extremely well.

“Some may ask, ‘Is there anything about him we wouldn’t know?’ And I tell them he’s one of the best, if not the best practice players I’ve been around. Just like [Landry and Beckham], because of the standard Les sets here.”

Mettenberger might not be ready to immediately lead his next team into the playoffs as a rookie like fellow big men Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger have done in recent years.

But if his growth in 2013 was a true indication of his potential, then he might well develop into one of the better investments in this year’s draft class.

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Mettenberger has some off-field concerns after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual battery (not rape) his freshmen year at Georgia. Mettenberger was removed from the team afterwards, and spent a year at Butler Community College before transferring to LSU. http://thevikingage.com/2014/04/07/vikings-meet-zach-mettenberger/

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Faust said:

Bracie Smathers,

Would you mind changing the thread title from Zack to Zach? It makes it easier when using the search function later on.

Best regards,

Faust

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Zach Mettenberger underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL just a few months ago. On Wednesday, he wowed scouts with his quick recovery, donning shoulder pads and a helmet to throw dozens of passes during a Pro Day workout in front of representatives from every NFL team.

The workout, which was orchestrated by former Miami Dolphins head coach and Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator Cam Cameron (who now serves as LSU's OC), wasn't an easy one, I'm told. While Mettenberger elected not to compete in measureable drills, he surprised onlookers with his willingness to throw while on the move, completing several passes after rolling to his right.

The 6-foot-4, 229 pound Mettenberger boasts impressive arm strength, though he clearly tired as the workout went on. His accuracy wasn't ideal either, especially on shorter passes.

Given the fact that his injury took place in LSU's final regular season game, however, the fact that he's advanced enough to compete at all likely endeared him to some of the big names who attended the workout, including head coaches Chip Kelly (Eagles), Sean Payton (Saints), Rex Ryan (Jets), Mike Tomlin (Steelers) and Mike Zimmer (Vikings). A number of general managers were also on hand including Ruston Webster of the Titans, Jerry Reese of the Giants, Rick Spielman of the Vikings and Mickey Loomis of the Saints.

Mettenberger reportedly met with representatives of the Oakland Raiders last night and has plans to visit with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions next.

While the strong-armed quarterback certainly was the star attraction Wednesday, his talented former teammates also drew plenty of interest.

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The main attraction Wednesday, however, was Mettenberger. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear last year and had surgery to repair it at the beginning of January. Despite the medical issues, he impressed scouts when he strapped on the shoulder pads and helmet -- a la Johnny Manziel -- and tossed the football around.

"I thought he looked great. I've been at almost every top level quarterback pro day this year and he threw the ball with as much velocity, arm strength, accuracy as any quarterback in the draft," said Mayock. "You're going to hear a lot of people talking about how even though he's only 13 weeks out (of ACL surgery), that he could be a quarterback that goes at the top of the second round."

Insider Albert Breer was also at the workout and tweeted one interesting comparison for Mettenberger he heard from evaluators: former New England Patriots pro bowler Drew Bledsoe. Mettenberger won't come close to Bledsoe's draft position this year -- Bledsoe was the No. 1 overall pick in 1993 -- but the similarities between the two are certainly intriguing.

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Former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger had surgery for a torn ACL on Jan. 2, but says he doesn't have any physical limitations and will prove it Wednesday with his workout during LSU's pro day.

"The biggest milestone I want to hit is when the lights are on and all the coaches are here, do explosive five-step drops, be able to redirect in the pocket and still throw downfield, roll out, throw the ball on the move, and show that my knee is not going to slow me down," Mettenberger told NFL Media reporter Albert Breer. "I'm not going to be on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list to start the season. I'm going to be ready to go for rookie camp."

Breer reported via Twitter that LSU trainer Jack Marucci said they tested Mettenberger's reconstructed left knee Friday and that and it came back at 97 percent. Marucci also said that if the national title game were Thursday, Mettenberger would be able to play.

Mettenberger measured in at 6-foot-5 and 224 pounds at February's NFL Scouting Combine, but was unable to work out at the event. His prototypical size and strong arm has led to speculation that he could be drafted as early as the second round in May's draft; he is expected to be off the board by the end of the second day (Rounds 2-3).

His workout will be heavily scrutinized by NFL decision-makers. One AFC personnel director told Breer that Mettenberger "can make all the throws" and has one of the stronger arms in the draft. But there are issues.

"I really think, on the field, his accuracy is the issue" the personnel director said. "He can get cold, and you can't answer that between now and the draft. That's a coach saying, 'We can fix this, tweak his fundamentals and reads.' With his accuracy, he's streaky; he'll get hot and rip off nine straight, or come out and look terrible."

There also are some concerns about his lack of mobility. In addition, there are some off-field issues: He was dismissed from Georgia as a freshman for an incident that led to him eventually pleading guilty to sexual battery charges. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service and spent the 2010 season at Butler (Kan.) Community College.

"This kid was living the life. He lived it at Georgia, he was still like that at community college and he came in out of shape and heavy to LSU (in 2012)," an AFC area scout told Breer. "That lifestyle will do that to you, especially if you're a big body like his. But those guys can grow up, and he matured at the rate you'd expect of a college kid. ... If it wasn't for the incident, none of the stuff he's done is that bad. ... And I think he probably learned his lesson."

Mettenberger threw for 3,082 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2013 before tearing the ACL in his left knee in LSU's regular-season finale against Arkansas. He had knee surgery Jan. 2 but began throwing again early in February. Mettenberger has had mechanical and accuracy issues, though former NFL head coach and assistant Cam Cameron's hiring before the 2013 season helped Mettenberger improve in those areas.

"This being his first year in a pro offense, I think he thrived, playing in a system that emphasizes all the things we do -- dropback passing, play fakes, making progressions in the pocket," the AFC area scout told Breer. "He did a nice job. The only thing that limits him is his mobility: He's a traditional, old-school pocket passer. And in today's NFL, with the all the speed out there, for a throwback pocket passer to be successful, they have to be an absolutely tremendous passer and they have to be able to function if moved off (their) spot."

Breer reported Mettenberger already has met with New England, Oakland and Tennessee, and will travel to Jacksonville to meet with Jaguars representatives Thursday. He will work out for Detroit on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.

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ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper agreed on the "First Draft" podcast that they "aren't sold" on LSU QB Zach Mettenberger.

"Big arm/tall guys that can't move very well and had wide receivers that were exceptional and made a ton of plays for you and an offensive coordinator that made your life really easy... those guys don't tend to fare well in the National Football League," McShay said. The analyst believes that on many plays last season, ball placement was determined by the coaching staff. McShay loves Mettenberger's arm and character, but that's about it.

Apr 6 - 8:50 PM

Source: ESPN's First Draft Podcast

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NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes LSU QB Zach Mettenberger is the best prototypical pocket passer in this class.
"Now the question becomes, 'do you value that?'" Cosell asked. "He's essentially a big, strong armed, intermediate and vertical pocket passer with a natural toughness to look down the gun barrel." Cosell also gave some credit to Mettenberger's ability to move, saying he is not a statue and can create a bit of space, and his willingness to make tough throws. He tends to fit what the Vikings and Norv Turner are (likely) looking for.

Source: Fantasy Guru Podcast

Mar 31 - 11:16 AM

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ESPN's Ron Jaworski believes LSU QB Zach Mettenberger is the No. 2 prospect at the position.
"This is the wildcard in this draft," Jawroski began. "When you watch him on tape, this guy has an NFL skill set... very similar traits in Zach Mettenberger as Joe Flacco." Other than last offseason's glowing praise of Colin Kaepernick, Jaworski tends to be very traditional in his quarterback evaluations, meaning passers who predominantly win in the pocket. Blake Bortles is Jawroski's No. 1 quarterback.

Source: ESPN

Mar 28 - 10:28 AM

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Scout Inc.'s Todd McShay grimaced when asked if LSU QB Zach Mettenberger could be an early second-round pick on ESPN's First Draft podcast.
McShay made a guttural noise and said, "No. I think no." McShay handed Mettenberger a fourth-round grade. "It's not really about the durability, though that doesn't necessarily help him," McShay said. "He doesn't move well." The analyst believes that on many plays last season, ball placement was determined by the coaching staff, not the quarterback. With so many elite offensive weapons, it's not an outlandish theory. McShay loves Mettenberger's arm and character, but he didn't seem enamored by anything else.

Source: ESPN's First Draft

Mar 12 - 8:55 PM

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Although LSU QB Zach Mettenberger ranks at the top of NFL Films' Greg Cosell's "second-tier QBs", the analyst is concerned by his pocket mobility.
"This would have been a concern even if he didn't tear his ACL," Cosell said. "You have to be able to move. You don't necessarily have to be able to run around and scramble, but you have to be able to move." Cosell referenced Dan Marino as a good example of "ballet-like feet" from a stone-legged signal-caller. The analyst added that Mettenberger's arm and athleticism are both below those of Joe Flacco.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

Mar 6 - 10:42 PM

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LSU QB Zach Mettenberger was ranked by at least one team as the No. 1 QB before his ACL injury, reports NFL.com's Albert Breer.
"Mettenberger is going to entice teams," tweeted Breer. Mettenberger measured in at 6-foot-5 and 224 pounds at the NFL Combine, but didn't work out because of his knee injury. Mettenberger underwent ACL surgery at the beginning of January and will take a "redshirt" season in the NFL. The first-round talk has subsided, but a team that embraces risk might choose to roll the dice on the draft's second day.

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

Mar 3 - 3:01 PM

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LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron credited QB Zach Mettenberger's altered mechanics as a reason for his continued development in 2013.
"I watched his lower body and he was, basically, a little too elongated. He'd overstride. We worked on getting his feet up underneath of him and make everything he was doing more compact. What happened is that he got better balance," Cameron said. "We had him flex his knees a little more... He was more accurate. The ball came out quicker. He could move in the pocket better with the subtle movements you need. Everything was just streamlined." Mettenberger's development did start the previous season, but a perfect combination of great receivers, a balanced offense, and time in the pocket certainly helped. Fit will be an important part of Mettenberger's success at the NFL level.

Source: Shreveport Times

Feb 7 - 9:12 AM

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NFL.com's Bucky Brooks ranked LSU's Zach Mettenberger as the No. 5 QB in the class.
Mettenberger is an "old-school pocket passer with a big arm and rapidly improving game," Brooks writes. "The ACL injury will send him down the charts a bit, but watching his work in Cam Cameron's system will make him a favorite of proponents of the vertical passing game." Brooks lists Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, and Derek Carr as the top four passers. Brooks previously called AJ McCarron a first-round pick, so we are wondering if that has changed now.

Source: NFL.com

Jan 16 - 2:06 PM

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Plorfu said:

The sports talk guys out here want the Cardinals to draft this guy so bad they're pretty much exploding. Think he's around late second round?

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Arizona

Matt Scott of Arizona was another quarterback who stood out during his pro-day workout on Thursday.

The strong armed signal caller delivered upwards of 85 passes and all but seven ended up complete. Three of his throws were dropped while a few were over thrown by Scott. Initially he was slated to throw 93 passes but when receiver Dan Buckner injured his hamstring during the forty and was unable to run routes, Scott scaled back from the original plan.

Everyone we spoke to mentioned how athletic and accurate Scott was all day. He accommodated both the NFL coaches on hand as well as a few former Arizona receivers who participated in the workout with the hopes of getting another shot in the league.

Scouts we spoke with also mentioned how personable Scott was and how he comes across as a leader and quality person. The inevitable comparisons to Russell Wilson are already being made, though on film we see a bit of Colin Kaepernick in his game.

The thought process during the workout was Scott had moved himself into the third round, something we posted earlier today. When the day was done a number of coaches were of the opinion Scott could actually sneak into the late part of round two.

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Shanahanigans said:

I just watched almost all of LSU's games on youtube and Mettenberger might be the best QB of this draft when it's all said and done. Cannon arm with pocket presence.

This guys a straight shooter with upper-management written all over him.

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Soulfly3 said:

Shanahanigans said:

I just watched almost all of LSU's games on youtube and Mettenberger might be the best QB of this draft when it's all said and done. Cannon arm with pocket presence.

This guys a straight shooter with upper-management written all over him.

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After his clean bill of health, Im game on for the Browns taking him at 1.26 if they feel he's the right fit.

Got him at #2 behind Bridgewater.

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mr fancypants said:

Soulfly3 said:

Shanahanigans said:

I just watched almost all of LSU's games on youtube and Mettenberger might be the best QB of this draft when it's all said and done. Cannon arm with pocket presence.

This guys a straight shooter with upper-management written all over him.

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After his clean bill of health, Im game on for the Browns taking him at 1.26 if they feel he's the right fit.

Got him at #2 behind Bridgewater.

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I'm with you Soulfly. I think this is Farmers guy.

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Plorfu said:

The sports talk guys out here want the Cardinals to draft this guy so bad they're pretty much exploding. Think he's around late second round?

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CollegeFootball 24/7 ‏@NFL_CFB

Mayock: Will be very surprised if Mettenberger doesn't go in 2nd round.

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Anonymous scouts shredded LSU QB Zach Mettenberger while speaking to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"He can't do it," one scout said. "He's slow-footed and methodical. He's got all those receivers and running backs, they should have been national champions were it not for him. He was the guy holding them back." Right, but he has a bazooka arm, don't forget about that. "Just an arm," another scout said. "He has no other quarterback qualities." A third scout referenced the "cannon" but added "he's a statue." The 6-foot-5 and 225-pound Mettenberger, once thought destined for Round 2, now might slide into the third stanza.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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As LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger prepares for the draft, he has a complication to the process unrelated to his torn ACL.

Mettenberger generated a dilute urine sample at the Scouting Combine.

The NFL’s drug-testing policies typically treat a diluted sample as a positive sample.

Mettenberger’s physical therapist, Jason Eliowitz, attributes the positive test to efforts to combat dehydration. Eliowitz explains in the letter to Dr. Lawrence Brown that Mettenberger “was experiencing frequent muscle cramping during the day as well as at night while trying to sleep.” Thus, Mettenberger was advised to drink “as much as 1 to 1.5 gallons of of water per day, to increase his consumption of foods high in potassium, and to increase his sodium intake.”

It’s unclear whether this will shield Mettenberger from the substance-abuse program upon arrival at the NFL. More importantly, it’s unknown whether teams will accept the explanation and not regard the outcome as a red flag regarding efforts to mask either drug use or, given his effort to recover quickly from a torn ACL, the use of performance-enhancing substances.

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CSNBayarea.com's Matt Maiocco reports that the 49ers could consider LSU QB Zach Mettenberger if he's available on the third day of the draft.
"If big-armed Zack Mettenberger (LSU) is around on the third day of the draft, he is a legitimate option for the 49ers as he rehabs from ACL surgery he underwent on January 2," Maiocco wrote. Jim Harbaugh will definitely try to bring in a fourth quarterback for training camp to compete for a roster spot. If the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mettenberger slides in the draft, look for him to be on the 49ers radar.

Source: CSNBayarea.com

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Several NFL teams have medically flagged LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger over a back condition called spondylolysis, although surgery is not required, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

» Mettenberger shaped by rocky road to 2014 NFL DraftFor NFL clubs, the concern would be long-term durability if Mettenberger becomes an NFL starter and absorbs hits on a regular basis, but LSU trainer Jack Marucci told Rapoport the problem was a non-issue throughout Mettenberger's senior season at LSU.

"Did it flare up in his career? Yes. We would treat it and he'd be fine," Marucci said. "It wasn't something we thought was a chronic disc or something. He doesn't need surgery. There's no surgery for it. He's worked with our doctors. This shouldn't be a big deal as long as you treat it, we did some core stabilization. His senior year, we didn't even talk about it."

Marucci indicated the affliction is a common one for athletes and constitutes tiny fractures in the back area. Marucci said Mettenberger's case was less of a problem after LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron joined the Tigers staff last year and enlisted Tom House to make some changes to Mettenberger's throwing mechanics.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.

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Already under the microscope for character questions and doubts about his maturity, LSU fifth-year senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger was dented twice this week and could be shaping up as a risky pick even in the middle rounds.

Mettenberger's drug test sample at the NFL Scouting Combine was diluted. The results raise a pre-existing red flag with Mettenberger, with whom evaluators already had concern about past recreational drug use.

Wednesday, NFL Network reported the test wasn't the only bad news for the LSU quarterback.

Mettenberger was flagged medically for spondylolysis, a back condition that is essentially multiple microfractures treatable without surgery.

According to LSU, the condition was never problematic -- at practice or in a game -- and much of the potential for concern could be alleviated by adjustments in throwing mechanics.

As a singular worry for scouts and GMs, spondylolysis would not sink Mettenberger's ship.

But here's what NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler said about him before this week's double whammy:

He isn't a bad athlete, but his naturally slow feet are a concern, appearing clunky when trying to escape pressure and struggling to reset and deliver. Mettenberger has steadily shown an improved feel for the position with more reps and his confidence was boosted by success, but it also plummeted with mistakes. He has the NFL size and arm strength and has flashed the improved decision-making and anticipation to be a potential starter in the NFL – still developing and has the psyche that needs to be massaged some. The ACL injury and maturity concerns are red flags and potentially damaging to his draft stock, but his natural traits will likely put him in the 2nd-3rd round range, close to my grade of 3rd-4th round.

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Zach Mettenberger isn't one of the top quarterback prospects in this year's draft, but it wouldn't be a shock to see the former LSU standout, a 6-foot-5, 225-pounder, hear his name called sometime in the first three rounds.

But Mettenberger was found to have a diluted sample at the NFL combine's drug test, and about 36 hours before the draft's first round is to begin, NFL.com reported Wednesday morning that a number of NFL teams have medically flagged him because of a back condition called spondylolysis.

But CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora writes that Kevin Dunn, who trained Mettenberger in Feburary and March, said there are no lower back issues and that Dunn suspects there's been a "smear campaign" against Mettenberger.

Mettenberger hasn't needed -- and reportedly won't need -- surgery for the condition that flared up during the 2012 season. LSU trainer Jack Marucci told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport that altered mechanics, thanks to former Ravens offensive coordinator and current LSU OC Cam Cameron, helped make the condition less of an issue in 2013.

"Did it flare up in his career? Yes. We would treat it and he'd be fine," Marucci told NFL.com. "It wasn't something we thought was a chronic disc or something. He doesn't need surgery. There's no surgery for it. He's worked with our doctors. This shouldn't be a big deal as long as you treat it, we did some core stabilization. His senior year, we didn't even talk about it."

According to WebMD.com, spondylolysis is "a defect or fracture of one or both of the wing-shaped parts of a vertebra. These "wings" help keep the vertebrae in place. When a "wing" is absent, defective from birth, or damaged, a vertebra can slide forward or backward over the bone below, sometimes pressing on the spinal cord or a nerve root. This slipping, called spondylolisthesis, usually happens at the base of the spine. Symptoms of spondylolisthesis can include back pain and numbness or weakness in one or both legs, sometimes leading to a loss of leg function."

Mettenberger also is coming off a torn ACL, and his representation has had to do damage control since his failed drug test came to light earlier this week. There was "zero trace levels" of any illegal substances in his urine test at the combine, and his agent, Joe Linta, told La Canfora that Mettenberger was following doctor's orders to hydrate himself as he recovered from ACL surgery and was experiencing serious cramping.

"The kid didn't do anything wrong," Linta said. "He was doing what the doctor told him to do."

Meanwhile, Dunn told La Canfora that although Mettenberger has general weakness in his core from his ACL injury recovery, he didn't have any back problems.

"As far as his back, there were absolutely no indications whatsoever of any back issues," Dunn said. "There were not any limitations we placed on his lower back at any time. I was one-on-one with Zach everyday -- he was never a part of a group -- and there were no issues with his back ... Zach has a will to win like nothing I've ever seen."

La Canfora writes; "Dunn is in the process of emailing all 32 teams detailing his time spent training the prospect and the lack of issues, and Dunn suspects Mettenberger's draft stock is rising, prompting either teams who like him or agents of other quarterbacks for trying to circulate this sort of stuff about him."

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Paul Kuharsky @PaulKuharskyNFL

.@GregCosell on @Midday180: Sat with Jaws and Mettenberger and was very impressed with him.

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According to the Baltimore Sun, three teams have LSU QB Zach Mettenberger "rated in top half of the second round."
The teams are unknown. It's a sign Mettenberger isn't plummeting down all draft boards. Recovering from a torn left ACL, Mettenberger has reportedly been "red-flagged" by several teams because of a back condition. He also failed a drug test at the Combine by providing a diluted sample. Mettenberger has a huge arm, but is a veritable statue in the pocket. He'd do very well to come off the board in round two.

Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

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Donnybrook said:

I am not buying that even a bad NFL front office is going to pass on more talented players to reach for Mettenberger or Savage for that matter. I feel pretty confident that Mettenberger won't get drafted until the fourth round.

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SaintsInDome2006 said:

Would the late breaking drug test information have any impact?

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Mike Loyko ‏@NEPD_LoykoI was told the other day "The stuff scouts have on Zach Mettenberger makes Ryan Mallett look like Tim Tebow"

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Donnybrook said:

Mike Loyko ‏@NEPD_Loyko

I was told the other day "The stuff scouts have on Zach Mettenberger makes Ryan Mallett look like Tim Tebow"

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WHOA!

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Titans selected LSU QB Zach Mettenberger with the No. 178 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
Mettenberger (6-foot-5 1/4, 224) was a four-star recruit to Georgia, but got kicked off the team following a misdemeanor sexual battery conviction, and spent one year at JUCO before landing at LSU. He made 25 starts, compiling a 19-6 record, 35:15 TD-to-INT ratio, and 61.8 completion rate. Mettenberger is built like Joe Flacco with plus hand size (9 3/4") and a big vertical arm, but he's a literal statue in the pocket with slow feet and a long delivery. He also tore his left ACL late last November, although Mettenberger is expected to be ready for camp. Due to his lack of pocket mobility, Mettenberger will likely have to be well protected to become a successful NFL starter. With Jake Locker in the final year of his deal and no successor on the roster, Mettenberger could be coach Ken Whisenhunt's quarterback in 2015 if everything breaks Mettenberger's way. He could even make starts this year.

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A lot of folks believed the Tennessee Titans could draft a quarterback early to challenge Jake Locker for the starting job this season. Tennessee passed on Johnny Manziel in the first round. They were set to take Derek Carr in the second round according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, but the Raiders nabbed Carr.

In Round 6, it was finally time.

LSU's Zach Mettenberger finally saw his draft slide end when the Titans grabbed him with the No. 178 overall pick of the NFL draft. Mettenberger has struggled with a back issue and is coming off a torn ACL. He also faced plenty of off-field questions.

While he has an impressive release and skill set, many scouts thought he was the reason LSU lost a lot of big games in the last two years.

Mettenberger believed that he matured plenty in college, but NFL teams were ultimately scared away. With that said, he's in a good position for a sixth-round pick. Jake Locker's contract ends in 2014 and the Titans are unsure if Locker is their guy long-term. Charlie Whitehurst is in place, but he's a career backup. New coach Ken Whisenhunt does well coaching up quarterbacks of all shapes and sizes, and Whiz now has an investment in Mettenberger.

It's not about where you are drafted; it's often about the opportunity when you get there. Mettenberger is at least in a spot to make some noise.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" provides instant reaction to all the wild happenings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

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Craig_MiamiFL said:

Titans get their Andrew Walter. Good going Ken.

Best of luck to you continuing to develop a young QB.

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Craig_MiamiFL said:

Titans get their Andrew Walter. Good going Ken.

Best of luck to you continuing to develop a young QB.

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Zach Mettenberger admitted his surgically-repaired left knee isn't close to 100 percent yet.
Mettenberger tore his ACL while playing for LSU in November. He was allowed to throw at last week's non-contact rookie minicamp, but was not moving well. Pocket mobility was the biggest red flag on Mettenberger even before his injury.

Source: Nashville Tennessean

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Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Zach Mettenberger admitted his surgically-repaired left knee isn't close to 100 percent yet.

Mettenberger tore his ACL while playing for LSU in November. He was allowed to throw at last week's non-contact rookie minicamp, but was not moving well. Pocket mobility was the biggest red flag on Mettenberger even before his injury.

Source: Nashville Tennessean

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Zach Mettenberger Wants To Be In The Mix To Be Week 1 StarterJuly 1st, 2014

Zach Mettenberger slid to the sixth round of the draft due to his ACL injury and concerns about a lack of production in big games at the college level.

Mettenberger told SiriusXM NFL Radio he plans on fighting for the Titans starting job from the beginning, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

“If I was drafted and Jake Locker is the vet, I’m coming for his job from Day 1,” Mettenberger said. “That’s my attitude. If I don’t win the job, I’m pushing, in this scenario, pushing Mark to be the best guy for the job. I’m going to make Jake work that much harder, make Charlie (Whitehurst) work that much harder, ’cause I’m coming every day. And I’m bringing my best effort and my hardest work to the facility every day to show that I shot be the guy playing.”

“I think that’s the approach any guy worth his salt has,” Mettenberger said. “You’re not only thinking about the short team, but you also have a long-term view of yourself as a player and a person. We don’t play this game to ride the bench, you don’t play this game to just get a paycheck — at least the good ones don’t. You play this game because you love it, you love competing, and you wanna play. That’s what I’m doing.”

“I’m trying to do whatever Coach (Ken) Whisenhunt asks of me, trying to show that I play mistake-free football and can lead long drives,” Mettenberger said. “That’s all I can control. And if my time comes this year, next year, four years, it doesn’t matter. When that opportunity comes, I have to take advantage of it, and be patient until that time comes.”

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