Blythe signs with Saints

Steve · 04-27-2008, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

The sad thing is the two things holding him back, blocking and route running, aren't things you can't improve and they were both things that people have been saying for years. One of the major reasons Jordy Nelson is so good is that he runs crisp, clean routes.

I wonder if Blythe would have benefited from having a position coach with a true wide receiver background. He spent 4 years working with Mike Grant and one with Jay Rodgers. Both are former QB's who never coached WR's before arriving at ISU. I know that many believe that a good coach can adapt to any position, but I have to believe that a former WR would be better at passing on some of the little things that make a difference.

Another issue is that Mac's passing attack wasn't really modeled after a pro scheme. Pros expect to be able to hit guys in stride and get significant YAC. Blythe and other ISU receivers more often curled into a spot and tried to out-position the defender for the ball. I'm hoping that Chizik's stated goal of wanting more explosive plays changes this approach.

I'm not trying to re-start a coaching war, just trying to explain an issue that I believe Blythe has to contend with.

Kyle · 04-27-2008, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

The sad thing is the two things holding him back, blocking and route running, aren't things you can't improve and they were both things that people have been saying for years. One of the major reasons Jordy Nelson is so good is that he runs crisp, clean routes.

I don't think his blocking hurt him much at all, although his route running was probably a negative. Todd's lack of quickness is a big factor in that route running, and his not being drafted. Here's what they had to say about Todd on SI.com

POSITIVES: Reliable pass-catcher with marginal quickness and speed. Comes back to the ball out of breaks and uses his frame to protect the pass. Gets vertical and out-jumps defenders for the high ball. Nicely adjusts to the errant throw, plays with good body control, and extends to make the reception away from his frame. Gives effort and gets results as a blocker.
NEGATIVES: Not quick releasing off the line, shows almost no burst, and a one-speed wideout.
ANALYSIS: Blythe is a competitive and hard-working prospect who could find a home as a possession receiver in the NFL.

flynnhicks03 · 04-27-2008, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

The sad thing is the two things holding him back, blocking and route running, aren't things you can't improve and they were both things that people have been saying for years. One of the major reasons Jordy Nelson is so good is that he runs crisp, clean routes.

I don't disagree with you at all, but it should be said that Meyer's inabliity to get him the ball certainly didn't help. One of the few (if not the only) long touchdown pass he caught last year was thrown by Arnaud, and that was a problem for the last couple of seasons. Again, I'm not blaming Meyer completely, but a combination this, and what you said certainly allowed him to fall "off the map" the last couple of years. I'm not bitter at Meyer, but I still think Flynn got a raw deal.

PolkCityClone · 04-27-2008, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by JonDMiller

If someone would have told me two years ago that Blythe would have gone undrafted, I would not have believed it.

If someone would have told me two years ago that Jon "Hawkeye" Miller would have 588 posts on an ISU board, I would not have believed it.

cyclonenum1 · 04-27-2008, 11:47 PM

Speed and quickness, or lack of, is why guys like this do not get drafted and will likely not make a pro squad. Just as only the quickest and fastest HS players make it to college...only the quickest and fastest college players make it to the pros. I would highly doubt that he makes either a roster or even a taxi squad for any pro team. I don't think his skill set would work in the Arena league. NFL Europe is dead. Maybe he can try Canada. Did he get his degree? What is it in? He'll probably be looking for a "real job" by September as I see it.

d4nim4l · 04-27-2008, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by PolkCityClone

If someone would have told me two years ago that Jon "Hawkeye" Miller would have 588 posts on an ISU board, I would not have believed it.

Now why do you have to say that? Jon made an excellent point.

Blythe's draft stock after his sophomore year in 2005 would have been very high.

GoldRule · 04-28-2008, 12:12 AM

The Saints should have a good young receiving core. One of Blythe's main criticisms was maintaining his downfield blocks and better explosion to separate himself from NFL press-coverage defense. Blythe definitely has ability to go up and catch a jump ball in the NFL!

kingcy · 04-28-2008, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

Speed and quickness, or lack of, is why guys like this do not get drafted and will likely not make a pro squad. Just as only the quickest and fastest HS players make it to college...only the quickest and fastest college players make it to the pros. I would highly doubt that he makes either a roster or even a taxi squad for any pro team. I don't think his skill set would work in the Arena league. NFL Europe is dead. Maybe he can try Canada. Did he get his degree? What is it in? He'll probably be looking for a "real job" by September as I see it.

Do you ever have anything good or postive to say??

troyrew · 04-28-2008, 12:45 AM

That was a bad choice by him saints have Wrs he should have looked at Tennessee or Kansas City

timc243 · 04-28-2008, 01:45 AM

Good route running can take a WR a long ways. Rice was knocked on for not being fast but he was a technician when it came to his position and he turned out ok. Not comparing Blythe to Rice, just stating an example of a WR overcoming a stopwatch.

ajk4st8 · 04-28-2008, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

The sad thing is the two things holding him back, blocking and route running, aren't things you can't improve and they were both things that people have been saying for years. One of the major reasons Jordy Nelson is so good is that he runs crisp, clean routes.

Nelson was hands down better than Blythe. Hopefully they both have long NFL careers.

BryceC · 04-28-2008, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

Did he get his degree? What is it in? He'll probably be looking for a "real job" by September as I see it.

Previously it has been said that he might pursue law school if the NFL doesn't work out for him. Best of luck to him.

Rice was knocked on for not being fast but he was a technician when it came to his position and he turned out ok.

I agree with you completely but that's probably why Blythe didn't get drafted - he was neither a speedster or a technician.

Wesley · 04-28-2008, 08:36 AM

I do not think Bret was allowed/able to throw too many deep passes the last two years also so the passing game became 5-10 yards downfield. Not like a KState passing game. More like a West Coast passing game if we threw...this hurt Todd. We spoent too many plays where The Todd caught the ball in the air and the defender shoved him out of bounds for no catch.

bmuff · 04-28-2008, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by d4nim4l

Now why do you have to say that? Jon made an excellent point.

Blythe's draft stock after his sophomore year in 2005 would have been very high.

I don't believe that. He would have been hurt by the same things that hurt him this year. He's a one trick pony. Yeah, he's great at jump balls, but he really needed to improve route running and blocking. And if he is to be a possession receiver, a little added muscle wouldn't hurt. NFL SS's would break him in half. That being said, I think that there is a need for the things that TB does well and am surprised he didn't get drafted somewhere.

I do wonder about the Saints. I could think of half a dozen teams who could have used him more...just in the Midwest, the Vikes, Chefs and Bears all could use him. But at least he has a good QB in N.O...if he can make the team.

cybsball20 · 04-28-2008, 10:04 AM

Think how good Todd could have been IF he ran great routes. One of my favorite players to watch growing up was Chris Doering for the Gators. He MAYBE ran a 4.8 but he ran perfect routes and was always open. He was even able to play a couple years in the NFL despite having no speed.