Anonymous NFL scouts on Cam Ward

[Hoyacane1620]

 

[Jonnyblaze]

You know the guy is old and crusty if they think 6’1 and some change and almost 220 is too small. Those are the guys who draft Anthony Richardson because he’s a specimen and can sling it everywhere, despite the fact that he can’t really play quarterback.

 

[hharvey09]

Aight I’ve coached from middle school, high school, and college, league champs to NFL to Super Bowl champs. A lot of these coaches don’t deserve to coach little league. A lot of these scouts don’t know ****. I’ve met them. It’s a **** crap shoot. 44% of QBs drafted in the first round become long term starters. After that round it drops significantly. All I know is this dude can play and he’s a leader. Shoot your shot!

 

[Canesfan1899]

wow to scouts 4-7....

I don't think Cam would disagree he can work on some stuff. But some of those comments are just nuts.
sounds like sour grapes to me.

Those guys sound really angry. I’m not sure there is a lot of validity to their assessments.

We hit on it here, his biggest flaws are playing hero ball or too much big game hunting. When he stayed on schedule he looked **** good. Also love his short memory.

 

[CaneFanWNY]

The height obsession scouts sound like they're from the Kerry Collins/Dan McGwire era of QB evaluation

 

[Yasuke]

Every year, Bob McGinn compiles quotes from anonymous scouts on the top prospects for golongtd.com. Below is the feedback for Cam Ward, his top-ranked QB prospect (I agree with the first guy):

1. CAM WARD, Miami (6-1 ½, 219, no 40, 1): First Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami since 2002. Finished fourth in the voting. “He’s the best by far — I don’t think there’s really a comparison between him and Shedeur,” one scout said. “I did him last year (2023) when he initially was going to come out. He was wild. Not a great feel. All over the place, really. But he’s gotten so much better this year. He’s a playmaker. He’s quick with his eyes and the decision-making. His release is quick. The arm is good. He can throw from all angles. He’s so calm and poised. When **** gets ramped up at the end of games he ratchets it up, too, where you see the competitor in him. He’s got (Patrick) Mahomes-like escapability. Very similar to Mahomes athletically. Mahomes doesn’t look like he’s a great athlete but he’s always getting away from people and running. That’s this guy. He’s got that backyard style but he has gotten so much better being on time and precise and with accuracy and quick decisions. Tennessee has to pick this guy (at No. 1).”

Started 19 games in two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word, compiling an NFL passer rating of 107.2. Started 25 games at Washington State in 2022-’23 before rewriting the Miami record book in 13 starts last year. His passer rating in Power 5 was 103.4. “He plays like a modern NFL quarterback,” another scout said. “He can play off schedule. He’s got some dynamic ability. There’s no doubt he needs some work. At this point, his physical traits outweigh his pure quarterback play but we have coaches. We can work with his feet and feel in the pocket and decision-making and processing. Fundamentally, he may not be perfect, but he’s fun to watch. I wish he was a little taller but he’s got a sturdy frame. I would say he’d be a 4.7 maybe.” Rushed 400 times for 486 yards (1.2-yard average) and 20 touchdowns.

“This will be the ideal kid if you can sit him for a year,” said a third scout. “It never happens except in Green Bay. I’ve watched him since he was at Incarnate Word. He’s got the most tools in this class and enough size to work with. It’s just the decision-making. Sometimes he doesn’t trust his eyes. Sometimes he trusts his arm too much. He needs a lot more coaching. He’s getting better but he still isn’t NFL-ready from the neck up.” His hands measured at 9 inches, tied for smallest at the position.

“He was a disaster at Washington State,” a fourth scout said. “I’m kind of laughing hearing he’s gonna go first. Two years ago, he was throwing interceptions like nobody’s business. Michael Penix and Bo Nix were no-brainers as NFL starters. Cam Ward is a backup to me. He better fit the system or it’s going to be a disaster. I’m really kind of flabbergasted he’s being talked about in the top five. That (desperation) is when you make those kinds of mistakes.” Outstanding high-school basketball player in West Columbia, Texas.

“The kid knows that if he’ll throw some sidearm shots outside like a second baseman or shortstop and loft a few deep balls with the scouts there everybody will be oohing and aahing,” said a fifth scout. “His arm talent has been his entrée ticket to every level, and the NFL will be no exception. Is he going to go where they’ll train him and coach him? Because I’m telling you, he’ll get sacked maybe 85 times his rookie year. He will set the record for sacks because he will not get rid of the ball. He just holds it and drifts around and the Wake Forest guy falls off him and the NC State guy can’t get him on the ground and the Louisville guy is just grasping at air. It’s laughable. It’s not even real. Bad body, lazy. This guy’s so unpolished. You recognize the arm talent but it begins and ends there.”

A sixth scout said Ward wasn’t as good a prospect as Baker Mayfield and wasn’t close to Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams.

“He’s got talent but he’s got a bad body and he’s short,” a seventh scout said. “He’s the best guy but he ****ed me off as much as breaking down the good things. I don’t like the fact that a quarterback’s been to three schools. I guess it’s the time we’re in now.”

Cam Ward is the best QB Miami has had and I have seen all of them, it's funny how scouts can downgrade this kid but that's why i see how he plays with a chip on his shoulder and now he's going Number 1.

 

[fatnasty187]

Some of these scouts sound like they're in their 70s or 80s.

"I don't like that he has small hands."

"I don't like that he's played at 3 schools."

These are people who literally don't even watch games or study film.

I agree. That's weirdo level lack of knowledge and cultural understanding. Gotta be a boomer.

 

[gacaneaddict]

Scouts also had Lamar Jackson drafted at the end of round 1, and Josh Rosen taken in the first 10 picks.

Alot of blowhards that don't know nearly as much as they think.

Sam Darnold taken ahead of Josh Allen.

Ward is aboslutely in the class with Caleb Williams and that 1st round class.

 

[252cane]

When was he throwing picks like he was crazy? lol some of these scouts are terrible

 

[bacane]

Some of the stuff may be nitpicking, but that’s what these guys are paid to do. Fact is, Cam wouldn’t be talked about as being first pick in most any other draft & maybe not first QB.
The knock on playing at 3 schools is total BS. A number of recent top QBs have played at multiple schools. Could also argue it’s a positive in showing a kid adapt to new systems & players.
Small hands is worth noting, especially if he’s had fumbling issues in the past. Bad body & lazy - pretty odd to say.
Would also be concerned about being overconfident in his arm & at times dangerous throws. Can see him getting baited by NFL DC’s & leading to costly turnovers.
Hopefully he gets with the right franchise & enjoys a solid career.

 

[bobbydigius]

wow to scouts 4-7....

I don't think Cam would disagree he can work on some stuff. But some of those comments are just nuts.
sounds like sour grapes to me.

I think there are some valid statements in there but they kinda just gloss over the most important part, which is you can’t teach that arm talent. He has arm talent and has proven to be accurate as well, if I’m a GM, I’m taking my chances. This isn’t like Richardson either, dude checked a ton of boxes including arm talent but he was never accurate.

 

[Damiencane86]

Scouts 4 & 6 are absolute ***gotrons

 

[AtlAtty]

the guy who said he was a disaster at Wazzou clearly didnt see him running for his life almost every single play.

Good thing this scout was on UM’s coaching staff or he would have fought against bringing in the best QB at UM in 25 years.

 

[canemachine]

Bad body and lazy is crazy lol. Isn’t ready from the neck up? Dude makes plays that only a few NFL qbs can make fake pitches, pitches, underhand tosses, last second dump offs to Martinez against Cal and Williams against VT. Spacial awareness is clearly there. Dude is a magician

His coaches said he controlled the offense because he had it from the neck up. He definitely tries to play hero too much at times but these comments remind me of the Mahomes plays "streetball" from anonymous scouts. People really should stop calling Bill Polian

 

[NC_Canes_11]

Any scout that says “I don’t like that he’s been to ___ number of schools” should immediately be ignored. Do they say the same thing when pro guys enter free agency and take the biggest bag? Bc that’s what college football is now. There is absolutely no reason to mention that or use it as an excuse to reminisce about the good o’l days. That’s over. Just shut up about it.

 

[JG13]

Josh Rosenpenis lol

 

[simplycanes]

That was some straight Moneyball stuff.

 

[Citizen Cane]

Old ******** still comparing everyone to Bart Starr.

 

[Fart Keyhole]

The mediocrity and good ol' boy networking in the office side of professional sports leagues is an incredible contrast to the naked meritocracy on the field (or court/diamond/pitch...). Half of those scouts don't know **** from Shinola, probably because they're old enough to understand that turn of phrase.

 

[OldhamA]

I wonder if the 6th scout hated Nix and Hurts for changing schools.

I agree with most of those scouts that his decision making is his weakest trait. He’s going to need a good QB coach to teach him to have an internal clock and get rid of the ball. He’s not going to be able to stand flat footed doing his taxes in the NFL.

As to his hands, an NFL football is slightly larger than college, could that be a transition with his hand size? Only time will tell, but with Cam’s attitude, I’m sure he will work his *** off to prove these guys wrong.

I question his deep ball (at the NFL level) and I'd love him to learn to just take the play on offer, rather than trying to make magic happen all the time. Those would be the two big concerns I'd table if I was an NFL scout.

Most of those criticisms in that article are crazy though.