FB: Northwest Conference

[CamCat]

With many of us eager to see Brett Elliott get a shot at the NFL, what do you think about these comments from a message board poster with apparently a Bengals connection not knowing much about Elliott other than what he's read? 


Here's his take.

What's yours?[/color]

[frank uible]

CamCat:  Based on what I have read on Elliott (I haven't seen him live or on TV or tape except for a few inattentive glances during the 2004 Stagg Bowl),  that blog's content is fair enough - as far as it goes. What the blogger doesn't address at all is the question about Elliott's speed/agility -  Elliott's speed/agility numbers which I have seen are considerably poorer than average  for a QB and cast a major cloud over his ability to avoid, evade and escape from the rush (not to speak of his ability to turn a broken play into a positive rush by him). In my opinion it will be hard to justify expending more on him in the draft than a 7th round pick. Ordinarily DIII players are given one strike, and they're out (for good historical reasons). Elliott's apparent lack of speed would usually be that one strike, but he seems be getting some slack from the NFL scouts and pundits due to his high quality passing performance at Linfield during 2004 and 2005 (his Utah passing numbers are very pedestrian).

[CamCat]

CamCat:  Based on what I have read on Elliott (I haven't seen him live or on TV or tape except for a few inattentive glances during the 2004 Stagg Bowl),  that blog's content is fair enough - as far as it goes. What the blogger doesn't address at all is the question about Elliott's speed/agility -  Elliott's speed/agility numbers which I have seen are considerably poorer than average  for a QB and cast a major cloud over his ability to avoid, evade and escape from the rush (not to speak of his ability to turn a broken play into a positive rush by him). In my opinion it will be hard to justify expending more on him in the draft than a 7th round pick.

Frank, your point is well taken. He had the advantage of being so well protected at Linfield that he could launch his passing barrage in most every game that his relatively slow foot speed was not a factor.  Of course in the NFL with the bigger stronger faster defenses coming after him that the fraction of a second slower speed he has would likely work against him.

It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. 

I see nobody is talking about Casey Allen having any chance of playing in the NFL so it would appear to me that he doesn't.  Anybody have some thoughts on that?

[frank uible]

Cam: As I recall, the 40 time for Casey, which I saw, was in the 4.8 neighborhood. That number, if representative, is NFL disqualifyingly slow for a DIII WR. Remember, as a general proposition, for DIII prospects it's one strike, and you're out.

[RedandPurple]

Casey Allen (All-American)
6'3" - 225
2002-05 Stats:
Receiving Yards; 219 for 3550 yards
Pass reception TDs: 59

What's not to like about him?
I know the nfl isn't very interested in D3 players and blah , blah , blah.
That's too bad. He'll be a success in whatever he does in life. Hopefully he'll continue to play somewhere.

BRING BACK THE BAND!
BRING 'EM BACK AND TURN 'EM LOOSE!

[D O.C.]

I have more scrambling ability, maybe more than Lance," Elliott said. "I don't have the big arm Alex has, but I can make plays."

Ooops. I guess that's all some people who play the percentages need to hear.

['Cats Fa Natic]

Cam: As I recall, the 40 time for Casey, which I saw, was in the 4.8 neighborhood. That number, if representative, is NFL disqualifyingly slow for a DIII WR. Remember, as a general proposition, for DIII prospects it's one strike, and you're out.

Boy, I didn't think it was 4.8.  I thought it was more like 4.5 or maybe 4.6... Does anyone know this for sure?

[spiritof86]

My choice is between a winning streak with a couple of 5-4 seasons or a National Championship?

....let me get back to you when when I return from the southern Utah National Parks and the MGM Grand.

The '98 team was 7-2.

[RedandPurple]

More on Casey Allen from Don Hansen's Football Gazette:
Allen, a senior, from Newport, Oregon, was named to the Northwest Conference First Team. He set Linfield career receiving records for yards (3,550), catches (219) and touchdowns (59) and set Linfield single-season receiving records for yards (1,410), catches (90) and touchdowns (23) in 2004. Allen caught 78 passes for 1,314 yards and 22 TDs as a senior in 2005 and caught a school-record four TD passes three times.

BRING BACK THE BAND!
BRING 'EM BACK AND TURN 'EM LOOSE!

[Pat Coleman]

I think those are all facts already in evidence, none of which is at all relevant to the NFL.

Frank, the 40 time I saw on Casey Allen was 4.67, for what it's worth.

[swede]

Cam: As I recall, the 40 time for Casey, which I saw, was in the 4.8 neighborhood. That number, if representative, is NFL disqualifyingly slow for a DIII WR. Remember, as a general proposition, for DIII prospects it's one strike, and you're out.

4.67 at pro day down at Corvallis. Although this as well is slow compared to NFL standards he has as good as hands as most D1 receivers, gets good seperation on the shorter passes and  perhaps his strongest assest is is his strength once he catches the ball. I do think he would be a longshot to make an NFL roster but would give him a good chance to make a CFL team if he decides to pursue it. 

[RedandPurple]

LINFIELD: MARCH 17
Results from Brett's Pro Day Workout.
Player: Brett Elliott
Position: QB
Gil Brandt's comments: Elliott (6-2, 210) worked out at Portland State's Pro Day, which was held on a damp day outdoors on FieldTurf. Elliott threw 49 touchdown passes last season and was awarded the Gagliardi Trophy as the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. He ran two 40s in 5.13 and 5.18 seconds. He also ran the short shuttle in 4.59 and the three-cone drill in 7.68. In addtion, he had a 29-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot broad jump, and performed the position drills.

For more results click here: http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/individual_workouts

BRING BACK THE BAND!
BRING 'EM BACK AND TURN 'EM LOOSE!

[beancounter]

Camcat.....that guy who promoted Elliott on a Bengal fan board (of all things, because it ought to really excite nobody) had his facts wrong in at least one regard. 

Jay Locey never coached under Mike Riley.  Riley left Linfield after the 1982 season and Jay's first year was 1983.

Red and Purple...do you want an honest answer to your question "what is not to like (about Allen)"?    It ought to be obvious that those numbers (or any numbers from a d3 situation) are useless in evaluating the Linfield guys as professional prospects.

Swede....like everybody else, we are all hoping that "our guys" get their shot.  Nothing wrong with that...we're all there.    But it is a hard sell to say that Casey will get the same sort of separation at the pro level than he did at Linfield.   Your CFL thoughts are dead on....with all the motion they allow in Canada, Casey's strongest attributes are accentuated in the Canadian game as opposed to the NFL.

[swede]

Swede....like everybody else, we are all hoping that "our guys" get their shot.  Nothing wrong with that...we're all there.    But it is a hard sell to say that Casey will get the same sort of separation at the pro level than he did at Linfield.   Your CFL thoughts are dead on....with all the motion they allow in Canada, Casey's strongest attributes are accentuated in the Canadian game as opposed to the NFL.

Right on BC! As much As we'd like to see Casey on an NFL roster I'd have to be honest and say his chances are slim to none but he may fit in nicely up north. Who know's, If Brett doesn't make it either wouldn't it be nice to see them both on the same CFL roster.

[swede]

Just read in the local paper where BE ran a 5 in front of a Lion scout and Allen ran a 4.58. Workout was held at the catdome Wed. Allen is headed North to the Eskimo's for a workout. Good job guys!