'bonesman said:
I think that since he was moved to WR he picked up WR skills and they pop-up when he drops back in the pocket.
I think you're going to have to be a little more specific.Some analysts are praising Tannehill's pocket presence and ability to make subtle adjustments to the rush to find angles and climb the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield.
I think it was Waldman that broke down a specific play on the RSP blog highlighting this. He also highlighted, in great detail, other QB skills he utilized like pump fakes and going through his progressions.
Can we get an illustration of these "WR skills" that are hindering his play?
I point out something that will prevent him from what I feel will prevent him from developing good pocket presence. Even Tannenhill's most ardent supporters are saying the same thing, he's raw and needs time to DEVELOP.
I see a flaw where I believe its not a matter of having a guy who has QB skills that need to be developed.
I think he's been drilled and honed as a WR.
I'm not about to go do research for others. I've done mine and made my conclusions and shared them. I don't expect you to believe me so do your own research and take a look at the guy when he's got pressure coming at him.
Instead of deftly moving up in the pocket, ALA Tom Brady who makes it look easy or a Petyon Manning or a Drew Brees, this guy's footwork goes cablooey. He DOES keep his eyes up as he scrambles but he leaves the pocket. He doesn't move up or escape pressure with ease he reverts into WR mode IMHO where he takes off like a jack rabbit in the face of pressure. I don't see deer-in-head-lights, I see a WR who has just caught a ball and feels DBs closing in and he's looking for the sidelines.
He makes many of his mistakes in two areas, one is on deeper routes and the second is after he's gotten out of the pocket and is looking downfield waiting for a receiver to seperate, that is when he hesitates to pull the trigger on those slow developing plays.
Waldman pointed out that Tannenhill keeps his eyes up and is looking downfield instead of looking down trying to find a seam to run and that he'll continue to look downfield and that he'll make plays under pressure, all true and good but I'm talking about what happens at the very first sign of pressure and how guys like a, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, didn't have those WRs instincts where their first instinct wasn't to take off out of the pocket.
They feel the pressure but they don't react like WRs, they side-step and move-up in the pocket, they don't react and take-off. I understand where scouts look at the athletic skills and the mobility and think that is great. It is but its a two-edged sword IMHO because this particular guy was trained as a WR and his first instinct under pressure is like a WR who is about to get hit so he's looking to take off. He does keep his eyes up but I think his WR insticts are going to hinder him.
I also really hate his inability to pull the trigger. Its bad. That alone gives me the heebie jeebies but I would take him as a second or third round long-range project if I didn't have to start him and had time to break him of those WR instincts.
I've said my piece on this subject a few times and can't make it any clearer.
Don't take my word, go see for yourself.