2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ricky Stanzi

Strengths:
  • Outstanding leader, team captain
  • Experienced starter
  • Operated under center in pro system
  • Intelligent, mature and confident
  • Hard worker who strives to succeed
  • Size coveted at NFL level
  • Mobility outside of the pocket
  • Accurate passer on the run
  • Comfortable going through progressions
  • Been in big games and clutch situations
  • Good arm strength for NFL throws



    Weaknesses:
  • Footwork issues in pocket
  • Forces throws into spots he should not
  • Loses accuracy beyond short routes
  • Inconsistent decision making
  • Lost more close games than won
  • Questionable pocket presence

    Summary: Ricky Stanzi entered the national spotlight in 2009 when Iowa started 9-0. In the final game of that opening run against Indiana, he threw interceptions on all four of the team’s third quarter possessions, but shook it off to direct four touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. He was injured during a loss the next week against Northwestern that started a stretch where Iowa went 8-6. He did finish his career in style by recording a win over Blaine Gabbert’s Missouri team in the Insight Bowl. The team drafting him knows what they are getting, which is probably a safe backup with the potential to start down the road.

    Player Comparison: Curtis Painter. Their draft stock arc is quite different (Painter was once touted as a potential first-rounder) but the fellow Big Ten signal-callers have an almost identical frame. Other similarities include arm strength and a tendency to lock on to receivers. If the Colts give up on their three0year plan for the development of Painter (this being the third season) they might draft Stanzi assuming the price tag is not too high.





    RELATED LINKS:


    2011 NFL Mock Draft: Greg’s | Walt’s


    2011 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2011 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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