Ballard, Stanzi, Iowa football impress at Senior Bowl practices

tweeterhawk

tweeterhawk

Well-Known Member
Some very positive comments about two Hawkeyes and the Iowa program in general from Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta. Very nice to read in view of everything that has gone on this week (heck, the last two months):

National Football Post: With players like Jake Locker and Von Miller in this game, how deep is the pool of players at this game?

DeCosta: "Well, they’re a lot of good players. I think Steve Hale, who organizes this game, does a great job getting good players to come to this game. And this is really the best event for scouting every year in terms of the best all-star game talent. To be able to come down here and see players like Von Miller, Jake Locker, Christian Ballard, Ryan Kerrigan, some of the better players, to see them down here on this stage practicing hard every day is really an important part of the process."

NFP: We've seen Christian Ballard, the Iowa defensive lineman, dominate the one-on-one drills. What's your take on him?

DeCosta: "He’s a big guy with some athletic ability. He’s played tackle and he’s played end. He can rush the passer. He’s from one of the better football programs in the country. They have a very well coached program at Iowa. He’s a quality individual and I think his best football is ahead of him.â€

NFP: With Marc Bulger a free agent, are you in the market for a young quarterback to develop as a backup behind Joe Flacco?

DeCosta: “There’s always that chance with Marc being an unrestricted free agent. There’s always that chance we could bring somebody in. There’s some very good players. Jake Locker is a guy that obviously will get picked pretty high. Colin Kaepernick is an intriguing guy from Nevada, good size, athletic ability, real mobile guy. Ricky Stanzi played in a pro style offense at Iowa, very good numbers this year, very few mistakes, lots of touchdown passes, very few mistakes. Andy Dalton from TCU again had a great year this year for an undefeated team. Real smart guy, good arm, good prospect."

Eric DeCosta Q&A | National Football Post
 


Todd Mcshay (i know I know) said Rick had hurt his status thus far, because of a weak arm and not being able to make all the throws...
 


If I was a team I would be looking long and hard at Kaepernick and Dalton. These two guys can flat out play and look the part. From my understanding Kaepernick baskets stronger arm, but that is just what I have heard.

This isn't meant to bash Ricky, but I just see both of these guys as really strong prospects. Put Dalton in a controlled passing offense and will succeed.
 


patmyne said:
Todd Mcshay (i know I know) said Rick had hurt his status thus far, because of a weak arm and not being able to make all the throws...
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I don't think he's shown any weaknesses that weren't already out there. Thus, he hasn't really "hurt" his status, just hasn't improved it.
 


McShay is a tool bag who is riding this Locker bus to the ground because he touted him so high in the summer. Everything I've been reading about Rick has been pretty good so far.
 


hoffman22103 said:
McShay is a tool bag who is riding this Locker bus to the ground because he touted him so high in the summer. Everything I've been reading about Rick has been pretty good so far.
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I have been hearing that Stanzi might make a pretty good throw once and a rare while.

From what I heard Stanzi has been making inaccurate throws that cause receivers to have to adjust too much and slow them down. I have also heard that he has been pretty poor at throwing the deep ball. I had heard complaints that the QB's down there just are flat out not that impressive as a whole.
 


ICHAWK said:
I have been hearing that Stanzi might make a pretty good throw once and a rare while.

From what I heard Stanzi has been making inaccurate throws that cause receivers to have to adjust too much and slow them down. I have also heard that he has been pretty poor at throwing the deep ball. I had heard complaints that the QB's down there just are flat out not that impressive as a whole.
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That's basically what I've been hearing as well.
 


DexterMorgan said:
I don't think he's shown any weaknesses that weren't already out there. Thus, he hasn't really "hurt" his status, just hasn't improved it.
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I find it funny that 1 "draft expert" has Stanzi stinking it up while the rest seem to hold him up in high regards. I will predict this:

With their 5th round pick... the New England Patriots select... Richard Stanzi, QB Iowa
 
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I think someone will take a chance on Ricky as a project in the deep rounds. Ballard, by all accounts, has raised his stock considerably this week.
 


Its been hit and miss on what I have read about Ricky. Clearly he will need to be coached up with a good qb coach to stick around in the league. 3 or 4 months ago I thought he would get drafted somewhere between rounds 3-5. Now based on the info that is out there I'm thinking somewhere between 5-7.


I hope CB slides late in the 1st round to the steelers. Except for Ziggy Hood, everyone on the steeler DL are on the wrong side of 30. With his versatility CB would be a perfect fit for the Steelers and could step in and play within a year or two.
 




Anybody on the Locker bandwagon is an idiot at this point. Yes, he's still a freak athlete. And yes, he's still an average (at best) quarterback. Bust in the making.
 


TheBattman said:
I find it funny that 1 "draft expert" has Stanzi stinking it up while the rest seem to hold him up in high regards. I will predict this:

With their 5th round pick... the New England Patriots select... Richard Stanzi, QB Iowa
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Prediction-Super Bowl 52 (don't know roman numerals that well) MVP Rick Stanzi of the New England Patriots gives coach Bill Belichek another title!!! which will suck cuz i hate the patriots.
 


twinhawkfans said:
Prediction-Super Bowl 52 (don't know roman numerals that well) MVP Rick Stanzi of the New England Patriots gives coach Bill Belichek another title!!! which will suck cuz i hate the patriots.
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Stanzi's 4th quarter touchdown pass to DJK was the game winner.
 






Hmm...I read through most of the article linked in the OP. Very similar to Jon Gruden's analysis...every guy there has a good this, a great that, etc.

I've been hearing more about Stanzi being deficient in a few areas (locking on to WR's, erratic accuracy, lack of arm strength, etc) than I have from assessments like this.
 


I think the team that takes Stanzi is someone trying to develop a decent backup.

Colts, Pats, Bears, Jags, Giants maybe.

I don't think he could do too well ending up somewhere like Vikings, Cards, Skins, or Seahawks.
 


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