With the 171st pick of the NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Nate Davis, QB, Ball State
by David Fucillo on Apr 26, 2009 12:49 PM PDT
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Well, the 49ers potentially have their QB of the future. Maybe they don't, but they've got a guy they can try and develop. Now I realize there are defensive needs and offensive line needs, but I like this pick. One thing it means is we probably shouldn't expect much time for Damon Huard in a 49ers uniform. He'll be a training camp QB and not much more.
And now, a Nate Davis scouting report:
Strengths: Outstanding arm strength...A smooth release...Nice accuracy...Great touch and timing...Anticipates well...Above average athleticism...Can throw on the run...Is able to make plays and buy time with his feet...Competitive...Good work ethic...Tough...Durable...Team leader.
Weaknesses: Has a learning disability...Does not have the ideal height that you look for...Questionable awareness...Mechanics need some work...Poor ball security...Accustomed to working out of the shotgun...Will gamble too much...An unconventional grip...Didn't face a lot of elite competition.
Some brief highlights after the jump.
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I like this
I really like this pick a lot. Someone young who the niners can develop. Thank goodness because I hate the thought of huard competing for the job.
"Of all the things in the world losing isn't so bad; it just starts to feel like it does when you do it for so long"
Jaws was talking about the grip on ESPN, and man it’s weird. Kinda funny though.
Bruce Bochy would like you to look at the career numbers and stop complaining.
I like the pick
But there are deeper needs for this team. Hopefully the needs will be addressed in the next few picks
Proud adoptive parent of the set-up man.
This is Howry do it!
not that i know anything about college football players...
…but…isn’t it a little odd for a QB to have this…
Has a learning disability
as a weakness? a RB (gore) having a learning disability is one thing..just give him the rock and point him in the right direction…but a QB? ummmm….
by (Florida) Danny Tuccitto on Apr 26, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions
He’s dyslexic, if I remember rightly. I think it’s overblown, but I could definitely see a front-office (in the manly-man NFL) get really concerned over a QB with a learning disaiblity.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
not sure if you realize this but...
learning ability is not the same thing as geomerty grades. just a minor difference. a qb has to learn an entire offense, and also has to read and react to what a defense is giving him. it’s obviously not good to be a slow learner when you’re a QB. that has nothing to do with whether he knows the equation or the area of an isosceles triangle.
by (Florida) Danny Tuccitto on Apr 26, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I never believed in that crap for football anyway.
Just look at Alex Smith, supposed to be boy genius, hasn’t translated to the football field what-so-ever. Thus far at least.
that's because he's shitty at...
…you know…throwing the football. that comes first. no amount of learning ability is going to overcome that. my point here is that, if you’re dan marino, say, with hall-of-fame talent, you can overcome getting a 13 on the wonderlic. if you have 5th round talent, it’s much more difficult at QB.
by (Florida) Danny Tuccitto on Apr 26, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Learning disabilities come in all shapes and sizes, and since I don’t know anything about his (except, I suppose, that cornball said he’s dyslexic), I wouldn’t say that it should necessarily be a concern. It might have no considerable impact in his ability to assimilate football knowledge.
Of course… wasn’t Ayoob dyslexic…?
/shudders.
Still, I love the pick. I was secretly hoping we’d deal nine picks to move up and grab Freeman, even though I knew it was psychotic, but I’m extremely excited to have somebody new on the roster who has potential and who can in no way preclude us from drafting another QB next season.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah...
…i don’t think having a learning disability is a dealbreaker. just that it has to be more of a concern with a QB than, let’s say, a RB. can you name any good QB that was taken on Day 2 that had a learning disability? just asking. seems to me that, if you’re going to overcome it in the NFL at QB, you have to all-world talent (ala marino).
by (Florida) Danny Tuccitto on Apr 26, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, I do agree with you, I just don’t really want to freak out about it. The nice thing about Davis is that we can be hopeful about him without needing to have too much in the way of expectation. He’s a fifth-round pick. He’s probably never going to be anything anyway. But he’s also not Damon Huard (or Alex Smith, or even Shaun Hill). And that’s really nice.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah...
…a 5th-rounder isn’t freakout worthy with respect to any of his attributes. if the scouting report said he wore an eyepatch and had a parrot on his shoulder, i still wouldn’t freak out given he’s a 5th-rounder.
by (Florida) Danny Tuccitto on Apr 26, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions
p.s.
nice job in the picks contest.
by (Florida) Danny Tuccitto on Apr 26, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
p.s.s.
if all it is is dyslexia, then i guess that’s no biggie.
by (Florida) Danny Tuccitto on Apr 26, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
If he's can handle a college playbook,
then the learning disability probably isn’t that big a deal. Sure the NFL playbooks are a little more complex but it’ll be a small adjustment to make rather than a big one. I don’t think it’s too much of a concern.
Learning Disability=Strong Work Ethic
As an English instructor at a JC, I come across folks with LDs pretty frequently, and they tend to be some very hard-working people, as they learned early in life they couldn’t skate by and had to put in a lot more effort than the person next to them to succeed. I would actually consider this a strength rather than a weakness for a position that requires so much technical training and concentration.
by VidaWantsYourCar on Apr 26, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh no
“unconventional ball grip…..didn’t face elite competition…..Accustomed to working out of the shotgun..” I know its unfair, but I’m having terrible deja vu here.
Thing A
Not only that
But I noticed he hesitates for a second thrown the ball, rolls an extra few steps outside, kind of a long throwing motion and small hands.
The evidence is in. Scott choose A. Smith . . . and did it again today.
So if they are worried about qb's in the shotgun
How is Harrell not rated above this guy? Don’t like the pick at all. He will not pan out.
Wow
I’m sure some will find this amusing…Barrows pointed to this from NFL Draft Scout:
Compares To: ALEX SMITH, San Francisco — Davis is a combination of Alex Smith and — because of his athletic skills — Baltimore’s Troy Smith, undersized passers who rely on their quickness, balance and feet to make big plays on the move. Davis is in the same situation as Alex Smith in that he would’ve greatly benefited from an additional year in college. If he is drafted into a rebuilding situation without a standout receiver or offensive line, Davis could quickly regress as Alex Smith did. How teams choose to handle Davis in his early NFL career will be critical. He could be devoured by unfriendly media and some are concerned that his last three performances, with Ball State aiming for an undefeated season and Davis looking to the NFL, showed he can’t handle immense pressure.
comparisons
Based on the comments, apparently we just drafted a cross between Alex Smith and JT O’Sullivan…that’s amusing in a perverse way
by David Fucillo on Apr 26, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
absolutley
I love this pick, Nate davis will be our QB in 2 yrs. Unless we pick Tebow, Bradford etc. next year, if we wanted to do that I don’t know why we’d draft davis. And BTW, who was the last black quarterback on the niners roster?
Play hard, then rock out even harder.
by TheBigLeburnski on Apr 26, 2009 12:54 PM PDT reply actions
-1
Meant to reply,
no mention of Tebow… please.
by Sultan of Seitan on Apr 26, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I dunno
I suspect that if Nate Davis is our starting QB in two years it will have been a very very bad 2 years.
Thing A
But
What if he’s good? got you there
Play hard, then rock out even harder.
by TheBigLeburnski on Apr 26, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I trult believe he can be a great NFL quarterback. That doesn’t really matter though.
Play hard, then rock out even harder.
by TheBigLeburnski on Apr 26, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Trent Dilfer is so wrong..
run run run throw it over there heads.. sounds like what the Ravens did all of last year.
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
I am definitely not an A Smith apologizer
But I do think the jury is still out on the kid. I think some will be suprised, I think he will turn into a seviceable back up at the very least
by SanFranSoldier on Apr 26, 2009 12:56 PM PDT reply actions
Pretty substantial feature article from ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=4047057
GRANT!!!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
This is just automatic now, isn’t it?
GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.
GROUG!!!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Good feet is a prime requisite for QB's...
as Bill Walsh used to say. How would someone rank his footwork?
Yeah, because he has drafted so many
And has had so many great opportunities to get a good one.
Aaron Rogers would have done the same thing here
by SanFranSoldier on Apr 26, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Well when Alex Smith Is Considered your biggest failure
You don’t draft the next guy down the pipe who is just like him to quiet the critics.
Kiper just said Mckillop was the best pick-up in the 5th
by SanFranSoldier on Apr 26, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
same thing
As in he would have done what Alex Smith did, or he would’ve done in SF what he did in Green Bay?
by David Fucillo on Apr 26, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
We can prove it now
Nate Davis now gives a chance to prove that theory. If we keep the same O-Coordinator for 3 years and Nate Davis takes the field without a clue on how to play in the NFL than we have our answer.
Seneca Wallace
Must be Scotty McC highest rated NFL QB. Lets just package our 1st round pick next year for him and get this over with.
ESPN has "in depth" profiled all our picks so far
i dont know what that means but its kinda cool…
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/team?team=sfo
I'm pretty much a professional lurk.
Just saw that
Interesting to say the least.
Pro-dog. Anti-Vick. In every way.
by Call It The Throw on Apr 26, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
tom brandstander gone
irrelevant with nate davis…but ppl wanted him late i think…
Nate Davis has a gun, though
If you follow this link,
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/nate-davis?id=80634#profiles-tabs:players-overview
and watch the video on the top right, he throws from his own 35 to the opponents’ 5 yard line in the air (it’s around 50 seconds in).
A Smith doesn’t have that kind of arm does he?
I also like his throwing motion—right over the top, which is good for a shorter QB.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
CB
I’d say Coye Francies. He’d need to bulk up a bit, but we need some secondary help anyways. Plus, he has an awesome name.
by Mr. Nice Guy on Apr 26, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea I’d say Francies or Follett, but I don’t recognize many names anymore, much less know anything about these guys at all
Thing A
Or Captain Munerlyn. It’d be nice to see him pop out of the helmet with a cape on a la Dwight Howard.
by Mr. Nice Guy on Apr 26, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
CJ Spillman
Does anyone know anything about this guy? The name sounds familiar but I can’t remember anything specific.
Tom will never be as cool as Joe
safety from marshall
ESPN ranks him 7th among safeties.
by David Fucillo on Apr 26, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
scouting report
Strengths: Very athletic…Good height…Adequate speed and quickness…Nimble feet…Excellent leaper…Fluid hips in coverage…Good range…Tough, physical and aggressive…Decent tackler…Willing in run support…A terrific special teamer…Has a lot of experience…Was very productive.
Weaknesses: Average bulk…Doesn’t have great hands or ball skills…Questionable awareness…Isn’t very strong…Struggles to get off blocks…Did not consistently face elite competition…Some minor durability concerns.
by David Fucillo on Apr 26, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice Timing
Looks like the run on late QB’s is starting
at least we grabbed for accuracy not mobility
What do you guys think of Rulon Davis in the 7th?
I’m a bit of a homer, but I really liked him at Cal.
well,
he was a Bear!
plus, the name Rulon just sounds intimidating.
have you ever met a rulon
who wouldn’t be able to kick your ass?
i'd take morrah for sure
but he is a receiving TE and i think we would take a blocking TE because we already have VD and delanie walker who are patch catching TEs.
wait… is VD considered a blocking TE or a pass catching TE. He has been a better blocker in the NFL than pass catcher, but his talents seem to indicate he could be an elite pass catcher.
by gogoldenbears on Apr 26, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
He should be a pass catching TE
but all he’s been good for so far is really good blocking
was Rulon
the guy that was in Iraq?
If so, then hell ya. Hell of a story I read on him.
MURS for President!!!!!!!
that's him
he’s physically mature too since he’s a bit older, so he could make some immediate contributions
I don’t know why there is so much “oh god it’s Alex Smith!” with the Nate Davis pick.
Alex Smith was a first round pick. BIG DIFFERENCE. It’s awesome to have a guy with potential like Davis who we don’t have to worry about dropping at the tip of a hat.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
Still drafted a guy with the same exact profile but considered less talented. Isn’t that kind of doing the same thing and expecting different results?
No. This pick is considerably different in more ways than one.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I seriously doubt Nate Davis will start anytime this year.
It’s the fifth round. You can take a risk.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.
Great pick
“Nate the Great”. Very accurate passer, avg. speed, and a rocket launcher for an arm.
3000+ passing yards the last two years in college ain’t bad either.
by MondayMorningMontana on Apr 26, 2009 1:14 PM PDT reply actions
Can't go wrong
He was a 5th round pick and I believe he was a solid 5th round choice. And unlike with the Alex situation our team is better, mr gq nolan is no longer our coach, and he will not be forced to play before he is ready like what happened to smith
yeah, I'm happy with it
Heck, maybe Alex would’ve developed if he’d been given some time.
Nobody’s expecting Nate Davis to be the face of the franchise.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
And hopefully Jimmy Raye will be a help to him. That is, if he can last.
by Mr. Nice Guy on Apr 26, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Alex was as raw as bloody steak when he came out....
but he had talent and there weren’t many QB’s to choose from. His rawness really showed up and it remains to be seen whether he “gets” how NFL offenses work now…
yeah
it was a pretty awesome decision to take a raw high upside prospect and then make him a starter halfway through his rookie season. /sarcasm
Sharlon Schoop - de favoriete Nederlandse honkbalspeler van McCovey Chronicles.
You always have to be one step ahead of your drunk friends
--Daisy Owl
i have a man crush on mark sanchez
if we ended up with a QB in round 1 there would be virtual rioting, but love mark sanchez. he seems like a great leader and person and says all the right things…
i think he’ll do fine with the new york media. as for how he does on the field, i’m not sure. but i think he is a much better prospect than stafford.
You’re really acting like this pick is going to hurt us somehow. If he completely flames out, it does us no damage. If he does well, it’s great. You’re really finding the nonexistent lose in a no lose situation.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions
1st, it’s a wasted pick because if we need a QB than Nate Davis won’t be the guy.
2nd, after 4 years with Alex Smith our GM goes out and gets the same exact profile. Suggests that maybe he didn’t learn anything.
No.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah and lets not forget alex smith did have a good year under norv. The right system can go along way. And if raye was hired to be here for as long as they say then if raye’s offensive system is the right fit for nate davis this could be a steal.
"Of all the things in the world losing isn't so bad; it just starts to feel like it does when you do it for so long"
I'm officially on the bandwagon.......
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/rulon-davis?id=71275
MURS for President!!!!!!!
What is everyone going to say...
if Alex Smith wins the starting job and the 49ers go 10-6 this year? I don’t understand why so many people have given up on him. Can’t you see that he was put it quite possibly the worst situation ever? Forced to start early on a terrible team with no offensive weapons, has a decent 2nd year with Norv and STILL no offensive weapons, gets played by Hostler and his horrible coordinating, thrown under the bus by Nolan then forced to come back early from an injury that never healed. Not to mention the switching of OC’s and digesting of new playbooks every year. I would put a million bucks on Tom Brady failing in that same situation. He has the tools, I bet he starts at some point this year and plays quite well. Especially given how much the offense has improved, the OL alone is so much better. He got a bum deal but is still only, what? 25? Give him another shot.
by Smithisstilltheanswer on Apr 26, 2009 1:22 PM PDT reply actions
So....
going from 1 TD and 11 INT’s his first year, to 16 TD’s and 16 INT’s his second year is not an improvment? How about the receivers he had that year? Otis Amey, Brandon Lloyd, Jonnie Morton, Rasheed Marshall, Marcus Maxwell, Arnez Battle… I mean come on… really? None of these guys would be a thrid option on a good team. Not to mention Barlow in the backfield, and a bum offensive line.
by Smithisstilltheanswer on Apr 26, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm giving Alex another shot
However, from what I have seen his problems have been more fundamentals and feel of the game than playbook. I’m also afraid even if he does it get it now his shoulder is too damaged to make a difference.
Unfortunately, Alex Smith might just be the new Noah Lowry.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
ahahaha – except Noah Lowry was cool
and he was actually a good player
"Those boos really motivate me to make something happen." - Bonds
How's this?
Alex Smith could just be like a clone of a clone of Noah Lowry.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Reminder =]
we have yet to address a need, all we have done is add depth
Do like Crabs and Nate though
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
NO!
somehow I don’t think “champion calf-roping skills” don’t translate onto the NFL playing field.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
ummmm who is this guy? Someone please tell me..i’m from the east coast and do not know anything about fresno players
"Of all the things in the world losing isn't so bad; it just starts to feel like it does when you do it for so long"
Blocking TE. Replaces Bajema and Ryan.
Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
yeah
did Coye Francies murder someone recently? Why the drop?
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
had a gun charge at OSU
then transferred to sjsu
by gogoldenbears on Apr 26, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Bear
Broncos bloggers seem to like him.
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/3/28/812947/tales-from-the-sunnyside-b
I hope not
I guess they really believe in Marvel Smith.
by Mr. Nice Guy on Apr 26, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
What if....
they make Bear a OT??
Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.
Bear New thread
Here’s the Bear Pascoe post with a short scouting report from Draft Countdown and some random YouTube:
http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/4/26/854686/with-the-184th-pick-of-the-nfl
As a Ball State alum..
I can say that Davis is a very good pick up for us. Yes he had a bad last two games, but I think his ball security issues will go away if he begins gripping the laces consistently. I also wouldn’t worry about his learning difficulties, as long as Singletary doesn’t make him take a geometry test before he sees playing time, he’ll be fine. The kid’s got a solid arm, worse case scenario is that he becomes a very capable #2 QB for us, best case is that he’s starting in two or three years from now.
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