Frankenchief
08-29-2014, 10:08 PM
OK, maybe I used the word 'fan' a bit too loosely here. Maybe a better phrase would have been 'Tyler Bray hopeful.' But last night, while watching him in action a couple of unpleasant thoughts crept into my opinion of him.
First a bit of background in his/my history:
Two years ago about this time of the year, frustrated with Pioli's man-love for Matt Cassel I started daydreaming about his dismissal, and Cassel's departure from the chiefs. In that spirit I started reading up on young college QBs that could be eligible in the following year's NFL draft. The best combination of potential, physical attributes, and (yes) QB sounding name in the group that kept popping up was one TYLER BRAY. I started wishing that he would fall to us in the 1st round. Then there were write ups about his immaturity that cooled me off and then I got to watch a couple of his games. I saw someone with a lot of potential.
Well you know the rest. He was not even drafted due, allegedly, to his immaturity. But when we signed him post-draft I jumped with joy seeing nothing but KARMA. This, I thought, was our QBOTF!!
Back to last night, here are my concerns. Correct me if they are not legit:
1- I could not once read 'poise' in Tyler Bray's face, or posture. He just does not read like a QB who is sure of himself. He IS our youngest QB and if he is still maturing mentally, he has not arrived at that yet. Granted he did repeat his previous week's feat of leading a TD drive after a dumb, costly interception. But should making that dumb, costly interception always be a prerequisite to his better performance? I would like to see that post INT performance as soon as he takes the field. That's how good QBs put their teammates butterflies to rest. He is the youngest QB on the Chiefs roster, so maybe it will eventually come, but how long will the Chiefs be patient?
2- He looked awfully immobile. His drop backs looked slow and he stood stationary too often in the pocket.
3- His wind up is too slow and too deep. Muhammad Ali defeated powerful, physically superior, unbeatable, George Foreman taking full advantage of his slow wind up. Rushing defenders can do the same to QBs like Bray. IMHO, Bray does not have to wind up that far back to toss the ball 40 yards. He has enough arm strength and wrist strength to do this. Are the coaches seeing this? can they coach it out of him for a much quicker release? I hope so.
4- The aforementioned arm strength is IM-pressive. The drawback is he seems to have not yet brought it under control. This affects his touch. He tends to overthrow passes or trow bullets on short passes that are hard to catch. 'TOUCH' baby, 'TOUCH.' He needs to really really work on that.
I still hope Reid looks at Tyler Bray as a worthy project and keeps developing him.
First a bit of background in his/my history:
Two years ago about this time of the year, frustrated with Pioli's man-love for Matt Cassel I started daydreaming about his dismissal, and Cassel's departure from the chiefs. In that spirit I started reading up on young college QBs that could be eligible in the following year's NFL draft. The best combination of potential, physical attributes, and (yes) QB sounding name in the group that kept popping up was one TYLER BRAY. I started wishing that he would fall to us in the 1st round. Then there were write ups about his immaturity that cooled me off and then I got to watch a couple of his games. I saw someone with a lot of potential.
Well you know the rest. He was not even drafted due, allegedly, to his immaturity. But when we signed him post-draft I jumped with joy seeing nothing but KARMA. This, I thought, was our QBOTF!!
Back to last night, here are my concerns. Correct me if they are not legit:
1- I could not once read 'poise' in Tyler Bray's face, or posture. He just does not read like a QB who is sure of himself. He IS our youngest QB and if he is still maturing mentally, he has not arrived at that yet. Granted he did repeat his previous week's feat of leading a TD drive after a dumb, costly interception. But should making that dumb, costly interception always be a prerequisite to his better performance? I would like to see that post INT performance as soon as he takes the field. That's how good QBs put their teammates butterflies to rest. He is the youngest QB on the Chiefs roster, so maybe it will eventually come, but how long will the Chiefs be patient?
2- He looked awfully immobile. His drop backs looked slow and he stood stationary too often in the pocket.
3- His wind up is too slow and too deep. Muhammad Ali defeated powerful, physically superior, unbeatable, George Foreman taking full advantage of his slow wind up. Rushing defenders can do the same to QBs like Bray. IMHO, Bray does not have to wind up that far back to toss the ball 40 yards. He has enough arm strength and wrist strength to do this. Are the coaches seeing this? can they coach it out of him for a much quicker release? I hope so.
4- The aforementioned arm strength is IM-pressive. The drawback is he seems to have not yet brought it under control. This affects his touch. He tends to overthrow passes or trow bullets on short passes that are hard to catch. 'TOUCH' baby, 'TOUCH.' He needs to really really work on that.
I still hope Reid looks at Tyler Bray as a worthy project and keeps developing him.