Pitt QB Tom Savage

[aussie_texan]

From what I've seen, he also had problems recognizing corner blitzes.

yeah he needs work recognising defences in general

 

[Playoffs]

Film review: Is Pitt QB Tom Savage worthy of draft-sleeper buzz?

By Bucky Brooks

What's up with the buzz surrounding quarterback Tom Savage?

That's the question that I've been wrestling with since my colleague, NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt, began to rave about the potential of the Pittsburgh standout last fall. The wily evaluator likened Savage to a young Troy Aikman after watching him toss six touchdowns against Duke, and said he expected Savage to emerge as a top-50 prospect by the end of the draft process. Not to be outdone, NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock called Savage the "wild card" of the 2014 QB class, citing his prototypical size and superior arm talent as traits that could make him a steal in the draft.

With my colleagues and other several other analysts raving about Savage's talent and potential, I thought I would dig into the tape to see if his game matches the hype. Here's what I discovered:

Athleticism
Savage is a classic dropback quarterback with exceptional...

Here's a chart to put his measurements and drill results from the NFL Scouting Combine in perspective:

6-4"/228 lbs./9 5/8" hand...

Arm Talent
Savage has one of the strongest arms in the draft. He capably makes...

Pocket Poise
Savage's limited athleticism and movement skills make...

Football IQ
Savage enters the NFL with experience playing in multiple pro-style systems from his time...

Clutch Factor
Coaches are always looking for quarterbacks who possess the "it" factor...

Character
Normally, I don't include this category in my evaluation, but I must make mention of...

Conclusion
Savage is certainly an intriguing prospect based on his physical tools and arm talent. He looks like the traditional dropback passer that has long thrived in the NFL, and his experience working in a pro-style offense puts him ahead of the competition in several aspects. From a playing standpoint, Savage is nowhere near...

 

[_King_]

Tom savage as a second round pick....

Hmmmm....

 

[JB]

Film review: Is Pitt QB Tom Savage worthy of draft-sleeper buzz?

I wonder how his scouting report compares to Brady's coming out

 

[Playoffs]

Jayson Braddock ‏@JaysonBraddock

Guys who develop QBs will always believe they can take clay & mold it. Gary Kubiak did the same with David Carr his first year w/ #Texans

I'm not big on drafting QBs early that don''t show consistency in college but "look the part". But, my opinion is just that, an opinion.

I personally wouldn't take Tom Savage before the 7th rd. Teams are reportedly interested in Logan Thomas as a 2nd-4th round pick as well.

cont'd...now reports are that teams are interested in him as a top 40 pick. Gil Brandt has been on this kid since last year.

I was surprised when Bill O'Brien showed up to Tom Savage's pro day, surprised again when he mentioned him by name as a QB of interest...

 

[_King_]

I'm going to spend some time watching some more Savage film today.

I have skimmed over some of his stuff previously and I liked what I saw. Going to give him a closer look.


I can get behind a QB with the last name Savage.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

I can get behind a QB with the last name Savage.

I'd prefer my linebackers to be called Savage and my QB to be named Accurate.

 

[_King_]

I'd prefer my linebackers to be called Savage and my QB to be named Accurate.

I'll take a savage on the football field anywhere I can get em...

 

[The Pencil Neck]

I'll take a savage on the football field anywhere I can get em...

Actually.

The name is kind of a problem for me.

My old drummer and I used to call each other that word, with a lisp, as a kind of a "gay joke" sort of thing.

And.

Almost 40 years later, we still do.

If we get a QB with the last name of Savage, there will be an unending torrent of gay jokes.



Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[thunderkyss]

Jayson Braddock ‏@JaysonBraddock

I'm not big on drafting QBs early that don''t show consistency in college but "look the part". But, my opinion is just that, an opinion.

Does anyone know what "consistency" Braddock is talking about here? There's not a lot of video out there on this guy, so I can't see what he looked like at Rutgers. But from what I understand, he played well at Rutgers then left because he lost the starting job (after an hand injury), he didn't play at Arizona (not eligible) transferred to Pittsburgh (wanted to go back to Rutgers), led them to a Pro Bowl victory after having to learn the offense on his own.


I'm cautious of only starting for two years & I'm sure you can spin the quitter thing, but I wouldn't say that he just "looks the part."

 

[thunderkyss]

I'd prefer my linebackers to be called Savage and my QB to be named Accurate.

I felt good about a LB named Mercilus not too long ago.

Gots to look at that first name.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

I felt good about a LB named Mercilus not too long ago.

Gots to look at that first name.

"Tom" has had some success as a QB name.

"Whitney"... well... there you go but it's not as bad as "Pat".

 

[_King_]

Watched some more of Savage...

Not very mobile, extremely strong arm and quick release. Can't really comment much on his reading of defenses. I don't like his rhythm in the pocket. It's like he's always in a two minute drill. Like the college game was moving really fast for him. Didn't seem like he really was in control of the offense. Didn't control the flow of the game and have that pace to his play.

Besides his measurables/strong arm I didn't see a guy I'd take before the 4th or 5th round.

Looks like he's going to struggle adjusting to the NFL game and his head will be spinning. May be a guy that feels pressure early and pre-maturely gets rid of the ball or starts watching the rush too much.

But again...Very strong arm, but appears to struggle with accuracy. Probably has to do with his hurried nature/footwork in the pocket. Also, I don't know if he understands ball placement.

He's raw. I wouldn't take him expecting him to be my Franchise QB.

Really I wouldn't take him at all, because he doesn't show things I like in a QB.

If I was going to take a QB later in the draft or as an UDFA I'd rather target a guy like Brett Smith. I think cheaper with about as much upside just from watching film.

Not really sure about either guys' mentals.

 

[Playoffs]

4. Speaking of surprise players … The stunner this draft season is a quarterback who threw 83 passes as a Rutgers sophomore in 2010, then didn’t play college football in 2011 or 2012 as he transferred from Rutgers to Arizona to Pitt. “The hottest guy in the draft,” Brandt of Tom Savage. How hot is he?

Late last week Savage’s agent, Neil Schwartz, had to tell two teams who wanted to set up a visit or meeting with the quarterback that he didn’t have any time left to do so. “There are literally no days left on his calendar for him to go see any other teams,” Schwartz said Saturday. The deadline for teams to host players or work them out is April 27, and by then Savage is scheduled to have either worked out for or had visits with 24 or 25 teams. That’s an amazing number of workouts and/or meetings … and when I say meetings with teams, I mean time with either the GM, coach, offensive coordinator or two or three of those.

Savage is popular because he’s got an above-average NFL arm right now—some are calling it the best in the draft—and showed well over the last half of last season with a bad offensive line at Pitt. He spent Friday with the Oakland staff, and that’s a place he’d fit in well. Amazing to think a player so itinerant and with so little college success could be leap-frogging A.J. McCarron, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger. But there’s a good chance Savage will. Todd McShay had Houston taking Savage with the 33rd overall pick. Now there’d be a way to kick off the second day of the draft in style, with a stunner like that.

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/04/14/nfl-draft-jadeveon-clowney-monday-morning-qb/

 

[thunderkyss]

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/04/14/nfl-draft-jadeveon-clowney-monday-morning-qb/

Todd McShay had Houston taking Savage with the 33rd overall pick. Now there’d be a way to kick off the second day of the draft in style, with a stunner like that.

I guess McShay was ahead of the curve on that one. Not that I think we'll be drafting Tom Savage, but there appears to be real interest in the kid & he may be an option there at 32. I doubt it, but who knows?

This may have been exactly what OB wanted to happen when he first showed interest in Savage a month ago.

 

[Playoffs]

I guess McShay was ahead of the curve on that one...

Gil Brandt was ahead of the curve on Savage. Rob Rang a little bit.

McShay started chirping after Bill O'Brien took particular interest in Savage at his pro day.

 

[thunderkyss]

I brought this over from another thread, because I didn't want to bog that thread down with Tom Savage talk.

The Tom Savage stuff is just beyond me. Comes off as just going for broke on a guy and hoping you nail it so everyone will think you're a genius.

yep!

Then, I'm brining back comments from the first post in this thread.

Might be on OB's 3rd day radar... ?

6'4 1/4", 228 lbs., big arm.

OB personally attended his pro day and had him throw specific passes.

Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN

@Gil_Brandt I applaud you. Tom Savage is for real.

And doing it all within the structure of an NFL-style passing game/offense that he played in/started in just 1 season.

No QB in this draft class making the 18-22yd opposite "college" hash corner and comeback throws like Savage can. Mad I am late watching him.

Considering circumstances - background, play history, character, scheme, talent played with....Savage should be getting much more attention.

Finally getting to watch QB Tom Savage closely, and as some have told me, he makes some serious big-time throws. This should be fun..

Gil Brandt ‏@Gil_Brandt Mar 12

C'mon, Phil. I was touting Tom Savage 6 months ago. RT @seniorbowl: @SeniorBowlPhil Savage names his 'super sleepers' http://bit.ly/19hUGhn

Tom Savage 2nd best ball velocity behind LThomas

> Tom Savage was best QB in second group. better athlete than anticipated. Best velocity, accuracy in 2nd group of QBs.

Best QB in 2nd group was Tom Savage. Has a gun for arm.

Tom Savage: The best QB prospect you've never heard of
By Gil Brandt | NFL Media senior analyst

Watching this game, the quarterback, Tom Savage, reminded me a lot of a player I had the privilege to scout and eventually draft back in the 1980s -- Troy Aikman...

So.... I think we should give Gil Brandt some credit. He's been pretty consistent with Tom Savage for a long time. All the other guys jumping on the wagon, then I can see where WolverineFan & mussop are coming from.

I honestly thought the O'Brien interest was a smoke screen until recently. I read another article somewhere & they pretty much said what was said in this post..

2014 Pitt Pro Day

"I've been in three different systems, probably four or five different offensive coordinators. I don't even know anymore I've been to so many schools," Savage said. "You kind of have to pick it up on the run. You have to learn on your own. At Pittsburgh, I had to walk on and earn my spot. I had to pick up the offense and learn it by myself. Being ineligible you can't offer to much to the team. You really have to grind in the film room and pick it up on your own, kind of like the NFL will be. There will be veterans that know the playbook. They're not going to slow down for some rookie."

What did Fitzpatrick say was his strength? What is it that "everyone" says is key to every member of the New England Patriots?

Versatility.... right?

 

[Playoffs]

Josina Anderson@JosinaAnderson

Confirming that QB Tom Savage has declined an invitation to attend the NFL Draft in NY.

 

[Playoffs]

Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer

Interesting one here -- Pitt QB Tom Savage visited the Bengals in Cincinnati about a week ago. He's the one QB they've brought to town.

 

[thunderkyss]

2. Pittsburgh does not appear to have a great OL. But after watching Savage, I'm forced to conclude that he has no idea when or where pressure is coming. He takes more bad sacks than any QB in this class not named Logan Thomas. That is just my opinion of course. Someone else may watch Pittsburgh and think Savage does just fine picking up pressure. But I would disagree.

I think it's a good point, but just like everything about all of these prospects, must be looked at in context. He was a walk on as a senior. How many times does that happen where the guy ends up starting from day one & takes them to a bowl game? He said (so take it with a grain of salt) that he had to teach himself the offense.

I think he's clearly out of the day 1 starter list... or maybe at the very bottom of the list, but I wouldn't completely write him off (not saying that you are). I give him some leeway & I'll accept some imperfections from him where I wouldn't from others.

He's either at the bottom of my Day 1 starter list, or the top of my projects list.

 

[bah007]

I think it's a good point, but just like everything about all of these prospects, must be looked at in context. He was a walk on as a senior. How many times does that happen where the guy ends up starting from day one & takes them to a bowl game? He said (so take it with a grain of salt) that he had to teach himself the offense.

I think he's clearly out of the day 1 starter list... or maybe at the very bottom of the list, but I wouldn't completely write him off (not saying that you are). I give him some leeway & I'll accept some imperfections from him where I wouldn't from others.

He's either at the bottom of my Day 1 starter list, or the top of my projects list.

He's at the top of my projects list. 3rd round grade.

The guy has physical tools. And they are very much worthy of the effort it will take to hone them. But I cannot see any circumstance where he would be on the field next season.

 

[Playoffs]

Is the Pittsburgh QB Tom Savage worth a chance in the draft?

During the season, I watched about three games on Savage and felt he was an average prospect. He had size and a strong arm, but I didn’t see much else to say that he wasn’t more than a late round pick or priority free agent. In recent weeks, Savage has made some visits and the draft analyst community has him going as high as the second round. Seeing that, I felt I'd better watch some more tape to see if I was missing something...

 

[steelbtexan]

With the Texans' situation I am taking a swing at someone I think can be the starting QB in 2015 (maybe earlier). Anything other than that is a waste IMO. I am not saying has to be 1st round - just belief by the coaches he is the future. QBs have one of only two modes - starter or piece of meat. 5th or any other place in the draft, starters or at least rotational players can be found at other positions. I'd rather nail the kicker we want in the 7th rather than spend the pick on a QB.

If Savage has the ability to be a productive starting QB for the Pats then why would the Texans not pick him?

Not taking the best players leads to 2-14 and the reason the Pats are where they are and the Texans are where they are. If Savage is good enough for the Pats he's good enough for the Texans. Let Savage spend a yr learning BOB's system and start him in 2015. After all the Texans wont be in the SB next yr so I've got no problem with the Texans going BPA this yr and filling in the rest of the holes in the draft/FA in the 2015 offseason. This is a long term fix rather than the short term thinking used by the previous regime. (Minus Smith)

 

[The Pencil Neck]

Is the Pittsburgh QB Tom Savage worth a chance in the draft?

One of the things I almost like about this kid is that he's gone through so much adversity, bounced around, worked hard, tried to find the right spot. Instead of just sitting back and taking what was given to him, he showed a lot of fight and a lot of want-to by following the bizarre path he's followed.

Granted, he probably won't be anything other than a 3rd string QB that never does anything. But because of that desire and drive, he could be an over-achiever who has a long and stellar NFL career. This is a guy who could succeed because he just refuses to fail.

 

[Playoffs]

Prospect Profile: Tom Savage
Russ Lande

This time of year, the phrase "rising up draft boards" is mentioned nearly every day in various draft rumors. This year's No. 1 riser, according to media reports, is Pittsburgh quarterback Tom Savage. While I have no doubt that Savage is going to be selected much higher than many scouts expected when the regular season ended, that doesn't mean there's a consensus among NFL personnel regarding how good he is and can become. Taking this into account, I felt it wise to chart out every pass in order to project the likelihood of Savage becoming a quality starter in the NFL...

 

[infantrycak]

If Savage has the ability to be a productive starting QB for the Pats then why would the Texans not pick him?

Not taking the best players leads to 2-14 and the reason the Pats are where they are and the Texans are where they are. If Savage is good enough for the Pats he's good enough for the Texans. Let Savage spend a yr learning BOB's system and start him in 2015. After all the Texans wont be in the SB next yr so I've got no problem with the Texans going BPA this yr and filling in the rest of the holes in the draft/FA in the 2015 offseason. This is a long term fix rather than the short term thinking used by the previous regime. (Minus Smith)

What is it in what you quoted did you think you were disagreeing with?

 

[steelbtexan]

What is it in what you quoted did you think you were disagreeing with?

Not disagreeing,

Just wondering why Savage would be a good pick for the Pats but not the Texans? IYO

Either he's got the talent to be a productive QB or he doesn't.

 

[Playoffs]

One of the things I almost like about this kid is that he's gone through so much adversity, bounced around, worked hard, tried to find the right spot. Instead of just sitting back and taking what was given to him, he showed a lot of fight and a lot of want-to by following the bizarre path he's followed...

Pretty sure I read somewhere he owned his part in leaving Rutgers to Schiano/Belichick... said he was wrong. That impressed.

 

[badboy]

I cannot figure out where the air is coming from to fill his balloon to the height he is now at.

 

[revan]

I cannot figure out where the air is coming from to fill his balloon to the height he is now at.

I completely agree, I mean I would at least give credit if it was Fales maybe even Boyd but Savage?! Common now, these people are really bored. What sucks is that after the draft, we still have to wait four months to see those players in action, FOUR MONTHS aahhhh.

 

[badboy]

I completely agree, I mean I would at least give credit if it was Fales maybe even Boyd but Savage?! Common now, these people are really bored. What sucks is that after the draft, we still have to wait four months to see those players in action, FOUR MONTHS aahhhh.

I researched him months ago and was intrigued by his history which I posted elsewhere, when he played he was pretty good stat wise and did suffer from Oline and too many coaches. He was a 7-UDFA all year and without any evidence to support he started the elevator ride. This is what bothers me about dome sites.

 

[thunderkyss]

I cannot figure out where the air is coming from to fill his balloon to the height he is now at.

There isn't a franchise guy in this draft, everybody is looking at the next best thing. Bridgewater is missing the size & the arm. Manziel is missing the size & experience in a pro offense. Bortles is missing the elite arm, experience against elite competition, & another year of data would have been really nice.

Savage... what's he missing?
The most glaring thing I believe he's missing, is tape. He hasn't played the two years prior, so we don't know where his consistency is, or how he's progressed.

But he's a walk-on, started every game as a senior, after basically teaching himself the offense. So If your primary concerns are:

1. Able to throw with accuracy
2. Must make good decisions
3. Must have a high football IQ

wouldn't you at least consider Tom Savage? I think the media are looking at the activity around him & they're interpreting that to mean "2nd round pick" but that attention might not mean that at all.

 

[Playoffs]

Futures: Tom Savage
by Matt Waldman

Beware of the fast rising quarterback. This is what The Big Lead's Jason Lisk wrote in 2012 after he did a search on quarterbacks whose stock rose in the month prior to the draft since 1990. His article led with Ryan Tannehill as the "buzz creator" approaching the 2012 NFL Draft that motivated his search for the history of players with dubious, late charges up draft boards and into the first round.

While I liked Tannehill and still believe he is on his way to becoming a decent NFL starter, I think Lisk offered compelling examples why he could write an article about this subject. He mentions several players who reportedly had draft grades lower than the first round before the collective buzz from the postseason all-star games, combine, and workouts upped their draft stock in the final weeks.

I want to dig deeper than draft stock, which is shorthand for "ability and talent" for some, but as Lisk points out with some hindsight on his side, draft stock contains a healthy dose of other factors that influenced errors of judgment. One of these factors is what we might as well call "the eyeball test" -- does he look like a franchise quarterback?

• Does he have the requisite height?
• Does he have the requisite weight?
• Does he have a big arm?
• Does he demonstrate the pro style throws that project well to the NFL?

If he has at least three of these four things, it appears that there will be enough teams that believe that they can mold this player into a good quarterback. They will often bet on these players at the expense of a more polished passer who lacks the same qualities in abundance, but has enough to get the job done.

Jim Druckenmiller is a great example. Tall, strong, and capable of throws that make people gush at workouts, Druckenmiller had trouble reading defenses and maneuvering the pocket.

Bill Walsh saw this was the case and told the 49ers to draft Jake Plummer. While Plummer never full lived up to his potential, he had enough moments to illustrate why Walsh liked the Arizona State Sun Devil the most from this quarterback class. Druckenmiller continued to have trouble with the same things he had in college and never left the San Francisco bench.

Patrick Ramsey was another late riser. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen relayed a lot of positive sentiment in the final month prior to the draft for this strong-armed quarterback from Tulane with consistency issues. According to a Chicago Bears’ fans scouting site, Ramsey "looks like an All-American quarterback one play and totally different the next."

Ramsey had difficulty reading defenses and maneuvering the pocket. Neither skill progressed enough for the former first-round pick to become a consistent NFL starter.

J.P. Losman was another Tulane product with a big arm and athleticism. He thought he could throw holes through defenders to get the ball to his wide receivers. He found out his ball didn’t burn through an opposing defender’s flesh.

I’ll add Brandon Weeden to this list. A big guy with a big arm who had big production at a big-time school. Add it all up and it still didn’t compensate for his big problem with rushing his reads under pressure because he didn’t maneuver the pocket with a comfort level desirable for an NFL quarterback. Weeden is now considered another one of Cleveland’s big mistakes on draft day.

I’m beginning to think there’s a pattern of mistakes that certain NFL teams make when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks. I don’t know if this is true, but after 10 years of studying players -- nine of those where I published the RSP -- it appears that some teams have too many magnifying factors and not enough knockout factors.

As I mentioned in my piece on Jimmy Garoppolo, I’m getting closer to the point of instituting knockout factors in evaluations. Certain mistakes in quarterbacking are fatal errors and might be too difficult to fix. How a passer reacts to pressure is one of them.

Magnifying factors is a term I thought of while writing this column. It’s a set of qualities that prospects display that get NFL decision makers excited -- too excited. Scouts, general managers, coaches, or owners see some of these qualities and let them overshadow flaws.

Based on the strengths and weaknesses of these five players above, it appears some teams will rationalize that they can coach these flaws away where they might not feel the same if the prospect lacked these magnifying factors. A simple way of putting it is crass, but I believe it illustrates the point:

Some NFL analysts and decision-makers look at a quarterback's arm strength the way some men look at the quality of a woman’s chest when they decide whom to date. Later, they have the nerve to complain about all the person’s other flaws.

I believe there is a lot of magnification happening with quarterback evaluation, none more apparent this year than with Pittsburgh quarterback Tom Savage...

 

[Texian]

When a QB transfers school it's usually not a good thing. When he does it twice you can almost be assured that something negative is the reason why. BUYER BEWARE! Be very leery of a QB who couldn't cut it at one school, much less two.

 

[steelbtexan]

Futures: Tom Savage
by Matt Waldman

Add Brett Favre/Montana/Flacco/Kaepernick/Brees etc.... to the list of late risers. Fact is that drafting a QB is a crapshoot.

Even though Savage went to 3 different schools (Rutgers he got beat out for the starting job then transferred to Arizona and transferred after Rodriguez became the new HC and installed the spread offense that didn't fit his skillset.) At Pittsburgh I thought Savage played very well on a bad team and lead that team to a bowl game.

He already has experience in a pro system and definitely has talent to be a way above avg NFL starter.

With that said I wouldn't touch him before 3-1 or trade back into the late 2nd to pick Savage. Savage has as much or more talent as the big 3 QB's do. But there is risk involved.

 

[leebigeztx]

Add Brett Favre/Montana/Flacco/Kaepernick/Brees etc.... to the list of late risers. Fact is that drafting a QB is a crapshoot.

Even though Savage went to 3 different schools (Rutgers he got beat out for the starting job then transferred to Arizona and transferred after Rodriguez became the new HC and installed the spread offense that didn't fit his skillset.) At Pittsburgh I thought Savage played very well on a bad team and lead that team to a bowl game.

He already has experience in a pro system and definitely has talent to be a way above avg NFL starter.

With that said I wouldn't touch him before 3-1 or trade back into the late 2nd to pick Savage. Savage has as much or more talent as the big 3 QB's do. But there is risk involved.

Flacco was on everyones radar. Big strong kid who was a good foot athlete. Flacco dominated the small division he was in. Favre had the same traits as any other potential great qb. He played in a run based offense,but he beat a then vaunted fla st team stock full of nfl talent. Brees set all kinds of passing records at purdue. The only concerns had were his size. Brees was also a tremendous athlete and even in college had the fastest pull back from center. Montana,well we know the story on him.

Savage is garbage. Watch the tape. Dude is a sack waiting to happen. His poise in the pocket is terrible. Top it off,he didn't even play well in in college.