Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:38 pm EST

Pat White is pretty good. Yes, at quarterback.

By MJD

I watched a bit of the NFL scouting combine this weekend, because hey, who can resist a good four hours of the standing broad jump? Flat-footed forward leaping aside, though, I also saw something I don't think many people expected to see, and that was West Virginia's Pat White winging the football around like he was John freakin' Elway.

No one else who threw at the combine can honestly say they threw better than Pat White. He's getting reviews out there like he's the walking incarnation of "Slumdog Millionaire." From Don Banks at SI:

White threw the ball accurately and with authority in his quarterback group, looking poised and comfortable in an unfamiliar setting that has thrown many a highly-ranked quarterback off his game. White was especially strong in throwing deep outs, which always catch the eye of NFL scouts.

"I'll tell you who looked good today and that was Pat White,'' one longtime NFL offensive assistant coach told me. "He really helped himself with that workout. He made people recognize him as a quarterback.''

And a quote from Mike Mayock, via Geoff Hobson at Bengals.com:

Mayock was blown away by West Virginia quarterback Pat White in Sunday's workout at Lucas Oil Stadium. "Pat White threw the hell out of the ball," he said.

See there? Threw the hell out of the ball. There's no more hell left in that football.

Now, I usually don't get excited about combine performances. For the most part, I think the combine is about as useful in rating a man's ability to play football as the picture on a menu is useful to rating the quality of a meal.

However, with a guy like White, where there are such specific questions (namely, his arm), and the rest of his body of work is so remarkable (he accumulated more rushing yards as a quarterback than anyone in NCAA history), the combine can be pretty useful as a doubt-eraser.

Given this, and his performance during Senior Bowl week, White's become one of the more intriguing guys in the draft. It'll be interesting to see how high his stock can climb.

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179 Comments

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  1. packattack
    1. Posted by packattack Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

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    No
  2. POGUE MAHONE
    2. Posted by POGUE MAHONE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    If he means what he says that if they want him to play another position he will. says he has a good attitude already. Just hope he doesnt go to a screwed up team (Raiders,Lions Titians) that screws up the QBs.
  3. Raider Fan
    3. Posted by Raider Fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    As a Raider Fan and a WV fan and resident, I totally agree with Pogue Mahone (though I've have found him to be a moron in past comments). I would love to see White get a chance to develop his talents as a QB with a team that doesn't need someone to step in and shine right away. This guy has an AWESOME ATTITUDE and will be a great team player for any team lucky enough to pick him up. He is a student of the game and plays it like it should be played. With Russell in Oakland, I don't think he's in "danger" of going to the Raiders and I think there are a couple other QB's in the draft that are a little more "high profile" than White so he may actually go to a decent team that can develop and nurture his talent. And while we're at it, WAY TO GO STEVE SLATON in Houston!!! GO WV!!!
  4. Anton
    4. Posted by Anton Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    Bet Pete Carroll is hoping Sanchez go to the Lions so he can regret it! Pat could be a Doug Flutie in the making.
  5. The Wiz
    5. Posted by The Wiz Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Pat White is in good shape regardless of what position scouts see him as...I noticed the wildcat formation used by a few teams this past year and Pat White is the ideal person to run this formation for a team if they pursuing to use the wildcat formation more often...he can throw the ball and it is obvious that he can run the ball as well...I see him going 2nd/3rd round as of now but that all depends on team's needs and the performance of everyone else at the combine.
  6. Scott E
    6. Posted by Scott E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    I think we are going to see the NFL open up the game more somewhat like in college. If that is the case, Pat White is an instant upgrade to any team for his quickness and versatility. And I hope he makes it at QB, too, as long as he doesn't play for anyone in the NFL East except the Redskins.
  7. POGUE MAHONE
    7. Posted by POGUE MAHONE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Why TY Raider fan ,
    I too am a WVU fan & resident. I have even told one of you Raider fan friend to not give up on the raiders ,soon Al wont be their to screw things up. Now as for the moronic stuff posted I dont and wont hold them against you either, lol . I only post to those whom post idiotic ,moronic stuff,and maybe ruffle some feathers.
    Any way glad to see you agreed with me ...lol My day will be alot better and I will sleep at night . (JK with ya)
  8. kybalombini
    8. Posted by kybalombini Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    I love Pat White. I am a WVU fan, and I have watched him play since he was a freshman, and I have seen him improve, both physically and mentally, and was definitely impressed. It is a shame that half of the team from his Junior year either graduated or left for the NFL, because WVU could have been amazing. I saw a huge development in his throwing arm going from Sophomore to Junior year, and even more in his Senior year. He definitely ran less his senior year compared to his Junior year, and I think that is a reflection on how much his arm improved. He was completing more throws, and showing the confidence in his arm by thinking pass first, run second. But through it all he retained the speed and strength in his legs that made him a four year starter. He will make a great NFL player, either as a straight QB (which would be best, considering how well he can get out of the pocket and complete a throw on the run), an option guy, or the leader of a Wildcat-type system.
  9. enr p
    9. Posted by enr p Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

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    "Now, I usually don't get excited about combine performances. For the most part, I think the combine is about as useful in rating a man's ability to play football as the picture on a menu is useful to rating the quality of a meal"
    I agree, kinda like ordering from the drive-thru menu: You know they make it, fast and delicious, yet is so hard to see what kind of drinks they serve...
  10. Les
    10. Posted by Les Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    It's nice to read accolades about WVU players from other than West Virginians. Unfortunately there are too many "sports experts" the ilk of Lee Corso, Lou Holtz, etc upon whose "expertise" team owners and scouts use to make a decision regarding a player. Instead of using the hype surrounding a player as a benchmark for his potential, can you say Ron Powlas (sp), let's give a final grade based on an individual's accomplishments his full college career. Yes, I realize there have been duds whose college stock soared only to plummet faster than the Dow-Jones - one only needs to look at the Heisman winners the past ten years - but before we start believing all the pre-season crap put out by the schools' Sports Information Directors I am firm believer of the adage, "don't tell me what you can do - show me.
  11. DanDaMan
    11. Posted by DanDaMan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    I think that this proves that it really doesn't matter what the "experts" say. A team has never won a Super Bowl based on someone's opinion. Pat White may or may not be a great NFL quarterback someday. Time will tell, not Mel Kiper.
  12. Bigg Mone
    12. Posted by Bigg Mone Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

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    There's no more hell left in that football. Rofl, nice.
    This is good to hear.
  13. Curious in the 757
    13. Posted by Curious in the 757 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    I wonder if expectations for Pat White were lowered though because nobody expected him to perform with any decency?
  14. guerreros
    14. Posted by guerreros Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    I wish Pat the best and hope that he makes it in the NFL, maybe even as a QB. Certainly a special athlete. But you have to realize here that we are dealing with pre-draft buzz that isn't going to change many players stock that much. Like andre smith from alabama? he will go in the top ten, maybe top five, despite negative buzz. And Pat? well if he is real lucky someone takes a shot on him in the end of the second round, but he is probably looking at third or fourth. He will get a shot, and I hope he can stay in the league long enough to get a chance to do something good. And not be the next Brad Smith.
  15. Carolina- Guy
    15. Posted by Carolina- Guy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:58 pm EDT

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    I loved watching Pat White in college and I got to see him play at the Meinke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte. He ripped up that UNC Defense. I hope he gets a legit shot at playing QB in the NFL. He has the tools to play that position except his stature. Hopefully he can help change NFL offenses into the more wide open, spread like offenses we see in college football.
  16. Carolina- Guy
    16. Posted by Carolina- Guy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:58 pm EDT

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    Hopefully the Panthers draft him.
  17. shadfax
    17. Posted by shadfax Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:15 pm EDT

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    with the nfl so slow to adapt to unique players i could see him going to the cfl for 3-4 years, winning a lot, and becoming a great thrower and reader of defenses. Then go back on a high note and sign with someone who rally wants him to play.
  18. lannco
    18. Posted by lannco Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    One thing about Pat White is he knows how to win. He is the ONLY college quarterback to win 4 bowl games and 3 of those 4 his team was the underdog.
  19. lannco
    19. Posted by lannco Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    13. Posted by Curious in the 757 Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:36 pm EST Report Abuse
    I wonder if expectations for Pat White were lowered though because nobody expected him to perform with any decency?
    ***************
    i think it is because he played for WV and they still don't get the respect they deserve. If he was playing for a bigger name school the sports writers would be all over him like they are with Sanchez who really didn't stand out at all at the combine.
  20. jake
    20. Posted by jake Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:33 pm EDT

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    maybe the rest of the nation will find out what the Big East knows you CAN'T STOP PAT WHITE YOU CAN ONLY HOPE TO CONTAIN HIM he has only been drafted to play baseball for the last five years so i think he can play QB in the NFL
  21. rob d
    21. Posted by rob d Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:58 pm EDT

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    What a GREAT player and even better competitor! I have seen him just absolutly refuse to loose and take the team on his shoulders. He has something very special inside...a lot like Kobe of MJ.
  22. thhs
    22. Posted by thhs Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    He is a winner. Thats a difference maker. Ask Oklahoma, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Auburn, and every school in the Big East .
  23. Possum
    23. Posted by Possum Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:53 pm EDT

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    Whatever, the jury's out. By the way what the fok is a MJD?
  24. you've been pwned!
    24. Posted by you've been pwned! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT

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    i don't expect too much out of this guy

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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