What Is Up With Matt Barkley?

[DcmRulz]

Having an inaccurate deep throw is a fairly common issue. It's the type of issue that separates an all-star QB from a franchise face QB, but as flaws go, it's fairly common.

[bigbluedefense]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

On that last Hail Mary play, Barkley threw the ball 60 yards in the air easily.
I'm beginning to agree that Barkley's problem isn't throwing the long ball, it's throwing long with accuracy where he struggles.

The biggest misconception about arm strength is when we judge it based on the deep ball.

The deep ball isn't an accurate measure of arm strength. Noodle arms can throw it deep.

The true test of arm strength, test of an NFL caliber arm is the intermediate out patterns. If you can throw it on a rope 15 yards down the field to your right (if you're righty) with accuracy and zip, you have an NFL arm thats not limited.

[y.f.s.]

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

The biggest misconception about arm strength is when we judge it based on the deep ball.

The deep ball isn't an accurate measure of arm strength. Noodle arms can throw it deep.

The true test of arm strength, test of an NFL caliber arm is the intermediate out patterns. If you can throw it on a rope 15 yards down the field to your right (if you're righty) with accuracy and zip, you have an NFL arm thats not limited.

Yup.

The second test is velocity/accuracy when you don't have functional space and can't fully stride into the throw.

Makes a huge difference when you can plant off that back foot and drive into the throw vs when you're resetting and throwing flat-footed with your shoulders square to the LOS because the rush made you move off your spot.

[Armchair Scout]

Barkley can throw with excellent zip when he can step into his throws, but he doesn't fair nearly as well when he doesn't have a clean pocket. He does have issues with deep throws, though, which do stem in part from arm strength issues. He doesn't just lack consistently effective ball placement on deep throws; he floats his deep balls too much and doesn't show a particular aptitude on sideline throws of any kind beyond 15 yards.

This isn't to say he can't be a top 5 pick, but it will because of his excellent decision making both pre- and post-snap, his accuracy on short and intermediate throws, his polished footwork, and his ability to throw on the move, not his downfield throwing ability.

[kwilk103]

17/34 257yds 3td 2 int vs ucla

up to 15 int on the year

[MassNole]

Barkley is just god awful, in 6 games he's thrown 2+ interceptions. If he was like Matt Ryan and had to force throws because his receivers sucked, it would be one thing. But he has 2 AA caliber WRs and a good stable of RBs. He just sucks and whatever GM drafts him should already be drafting a letter of apology to their fans.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by MassNole

Barkley is just god awful, in 6 games he's thrown 2+ interceptions. If he was like Matt Ryan and had to force throws because his receivers sucked, it would be one thing. But he has 2 AA caliber WRs and a good stable of RBs. He just sucks and whatever GM drafts him should already be drafting a letter of apology to their fans.

You missed an A in AAA.

[TACKLE]

Originally Posted by descendency

You missed an A in AAA.

Awesome All Americans?

[Halsey]

So are ya'll just looking at box scores and counting interceptions, or is Barkley actually playing as bad as some are making it out as? I haven't really watched him much this year, but fans always make a big deal when a QB throws more than 1 int in a game, regardless of his overall play.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by TACKLE

Awesome All Americans?

Triple-A rating?

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Halsey

So are ya'll just looking at box scores and counting interceptions, or is Barkley actually playing as bad as some are making it out as? I haven't really watched him much this year, but fans always make a big deal when a QB throws more than 1 int in a game, regardless of his overall play.

From what I've seen and read, he's been that bad.

[MassNole]

Originally Posted by Halsey

So are ya'll just looking at box scores and counting interceptions, or is Barkley actually playing as bad as some are making it out as? I haven't really watched him much this year, but fans always make a big deal when a QB throws more than 1 int in a game, regardless of his overall play.

He's regressed to his Freshman form. He makes bad decisions and forces far too many passes. He now has 15 INTs this year, only games he didn't throw picks in were Utah, Hawaii, and Colorado.

[Iamcanadian]

Lane Kiffin and his father Monte, just are not good college coaches and should be fired. The team has loads of talent and there is no way the defense should stink that bad.
The pressure on Barkley to score every time he's on the field is making mistakes come easier. This team was the consensus #1 pre-season college team and now will likely not finish in the top 25. When a QB has to put up 50+ points to win a game, interception are bound to follow. Geo Smith is in the same boat.

[SickwithIt1010]

Lane is just fine as a college coach. Is he a better OC than a HC? Yes absolutely, but the guy deserves to be a head coach, me may have gotten the SC job before he was ready but they went out and got a guy they knew would be able to recruit at a high level under sanctions. Monte, he is not cut out for the college game and we need to move on from him.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by SickwithIt1010

Lane is just fine as a college coach. Is he a better OC than a HC? Yes absolutely, but the guy deserves to be a head coach, me may have gotten the SC job before he was ready but they went out and got a guy they knew would be able to recruit at a high level under sanctions. Monte, he is not cut out for the college game and we need to move on from him.

From the post Rey Rey, Cushing, Matthews era the defense hasn't been any good so not sure i'd blame Monte for all that much.

[Ozzy]

SickwithIt1010 Lane is just fine as a college coach. Is he a better OC than a HC? Yes absolutely, but the guy deserves to be a head coach, me may have gotten the SC job before he was ready but they went out and got a guy they knew would be able to recruit at a high level under sanctions. Monte, he is not cut out for the college game and we need to move on from him.

It is kind of strange, but the defensive line and linebacker positions, there are almost not there, almost no prospects at those spots. It is like they do not even have a front seven because so few of them make an impact on the game defensively. Sure 91 is ok but he is nothing elite. Is it Monte Kiffin's fault? Who knows, but all I know is with Pete Carroll they were gang busters on defense, now they are just like any standard offensive college team with little to no defensive help. Sure say it is Monte's fault but fact is they have no players and no coach could make some of those guys look good. Sure they are a fine defensive front seven for an average team but nothing compared to what they used to have in their front seven.

There is a reason why UCLA will beat them in years to come, UCLA plays defense, USC at the moment does not and I am not sure it is only because they have scholarship taken away and lack depth. If I was a top prospect I would pick UCLA over USC right now, I know that much. There is a toughness issue and I think that mindset comes right back to the head coach. I would get Kiffin out of there real fast and get an iconic coach with an actual backbone and character. Not just the son of one of the most famous NFL defensive coaches in history. Easy to blame Monte but Monte has accomplished things in his coaching career, Lane has really accomplished nothing as a head coach, nothing.

[SickwithIt1010]

Dion Bailey is the best player on our defense it'll just be interesting to see what he projects as in the NFL. Pullard is solid but hasnt been playing as well of late.

[Ozzy]

SickwithIt1010 Dion Bailey is the best player on our defense it'll just be interesting to see what he projects as in the NFL. Pullard is solid but hasnt been playing as well of late.

Dion Bailey I would project him at safety in the NFL in my book, no one will have a 210 pound linebacker, and as a safety I would say what average at best. TJ McDonald, however he might be not as great as most want him to be, is by far the best prospect on the defense followed by Roby I feel. McDonald's ability to play in the box close to the line of scrimmage as a safety is impressive, a very rangy aggressive athlete but not as dominating in coverage as most would like but few are. He could start on a lot of teams at safety in the NFL I feel, not many good safeties are out there.

Pullard is underachieving I agree as is Dawson, sure they get tackles but who cares if you give up the points and yards they have been giving up, of course one will get tackles. They do not impact or change the game most of the time. And sure Breslin is productive with sacks but really who cares, he gets dominated in the run game as does that entire front most of the time.

Quite a shame considering where that defense came from under Pete Carroll.

[SickwithIt1010]

Yeah, I was just saying as far as how he is playing with Bailey. Prospect wise is most definitely TJ.

Lane has made it a point to sacrifice size for speed, which is something we never did with Pete because the guys we had were just as fast but much bigger/stronger. He's trying to come up with something to match Oregon's speed and it obviously isnt working, something has to change.

[Ozzy]

SickwithIt1010 Yeah, I was just saying as far as how he is playing with Bailey. Prospect wise is most definitely TJ.

Lane has made it a point to sacrifice size for speed, which is something we never did with Pete because the guys we had were just as fast but much bigger/stronger. He's trying to come up with something to match Oregon's speed and it obviously isnt working, something has to change.

Florida State is doing that same thing with small linebackers at around 215 with Telvin Smith and Terrance Smith that have speed, but they are also tough. However they have big linebackers as well and an outstanding defensive line, the packups on Florida State on the defensive line would easily all start on USC, every single one of them.

[soybean]

I'm still under the belief that Kiffin is an offensive genius. That doesn't necessarily mean his play calling is awesome but he at least knows how to get the most out of the offense.

Monte Kiffen and the defense has been horrible. Under holtz in 2008 we only gave up 7 passing tds all year with arguably a worse secondary.

Like I said in ther other thread, we can score with anybody in the country. If it weren't for our ****** penalties (last in f***ing college football...) and dumb turnovers, we'd have only one loss this year.

Seeing the transformation of Jonathan Crompton during the course of the season 4 years ago was nothing short of miracle work.

[pierce2walker]

There's nothing better than $C ******** the bed. It's been a while, but the rivalry could finally be turning tides. Not to overreact to one game, but Mora looks like he has really straightened out the program and brings a no nonsense program that is basically the exact opposite of Neuheisel. Plus it looks like Hundley will be the QB to ride with for the next few years. I was really impressed with Hundley's composure in a rivalry game in the rain...certainly outplayed Barkley.

Turning back to the Barkley topic, I've watched him a few times this year, but obviously paid the most attention on Saturday as a UCLA fan. Going into the game I thought he would torch us with those receivers and the fact that UCLA's defense has been fairly average all year and has definitely given up some big plays. Both of Barkley's picks were pretty awful throws. He seems to throw a pretty accurate deep ball, but he doesn't get a lot of velocity on his throws. I'm sure he can be a solid pro, but he doesn't strike me as the stud many think he could be.

[MassNole]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

Florida State is doing that same thing with small linebackers at around 215 with Telvin Smith and Terrance Smith that have speed, but they are also tough. However they have big linebackers as well and an outstanding defensive line, the packups on Florida State on the defensive line would easily all start on USC, every single one of them.

4 LBs see most of the playing time at FSU, Telvin Smith is barely 215 in pads, but Christian Jones, Nick Moody, and Vince Williams all go 240+. That said, watching 5-6 USC games this year, no one on USC's DL would even begin to see playing time at FSU.

[onejayhawk]

Originally Posted by descendency

From what I've seen and read, he's been that bad.

The criticism that really sticks is that he is another Leinart.

He has a lot to like. Very clean, polished mechanics. Understands the game. Good leadership. But,

Mediocre NFL arm. Not someone you want throwing a timing pattern to a tight window. Has never had to handle real adversity. with any kind of pressure his range is 15 yards tops. He is supposed to be from an "NFL offense", but his decision responsibilities are minimal. Does not improvise well.

J

[Halsey]

Originally Posted by onejayhawk

The criticism that really sticks is that he is another Leinart.

He has a lot to like. Very clean, polished mechanics. Understands the game. Good leadership. But,

Mediocre NFL arm. Not someone you want throwing a timing pattern to a tight window. Has never had to handle real adversity. with any kind of pressure his range is 15 yards tops. He is supposed to be from an "NFL offense", but his decision responsibilities are minimal. Does not improvise well.

J

What type of adversity are you talking about? What adversity have other QB prospects had to face that Barkley hasn't? That criticism seems like more of a hollow stereotype about USC QBs than actual fact.

And where is the evidence that his responsibilities are minimal?