Denver Broncos Trade Up Yet Again to Take QB, Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
by Jeremy Bolander on Apr 26, 2009 2:03 PM MDT
in 2009 NFL Draft
65 comments
Well, looks like the #3 QB spot has been effectively filled. I know Ted has looked at this player and will be adding his thoughts when he gets the chance, in the meantime, here is the scouting report on him from Mocking the Draft:
6'5, 225 pounds | Fresno State | Quarterback
Strengths: Brandstater certainly looks the part. He's tall with a solid frame and knows how to adjust pre-snap. Unlike most current college quarterbacks, he goes through his progressions nicely and often looks to the second and third receiver. Protects his receivers by placing the ball in stride. Very good timing on his throws. Throwing mechanics are sound and consistent. Excellent on short and intermediate routes. According to reports, Brandstater was the most impressive quarterback throwing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Weaknesses: In the pocket, Brandstater is a statue. He lacks any mobility and struggles to avoid sacks. If he's on the move, Brandstater has problems adjusting and releasing the ball. Is not especially poised in the pocket and will force bad throws, which turn into interceptions. Lets the long ball sail too often.
Final word: Brandstater showed intelligence and resolve at Fresno State after playing for four offensive coordinators in four years. Because of that, he's something of an unknown as a pro prospect. He has the size and mechanics to make it at the next level, but regressed some as a senior. He threw only 18 touchdowns, compared to 12 interceptions while completing less than 60 percent of his passes. Started 36 games, playing in 45.
Round projection: 4
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heh
wonder what number he gets
"I'm not looking for the best players; I'm looking for the right ones." ~Coach Herb Brooks in "Miracle"
by Colorado_Kitten on Apr 26, 2009 2:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
So... when does he grow his neckbeard?
I like this pick. It seems to be the only one that we agree on as a consensus. Oh, and Kitten, I don’t think they’ll give him #7.
WE GOT MORENO!!!!
by papigrande on Apr 26, 2009 2:15 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Put a 6 on him LOL
He’ll probably be riding the pine for this season at least.
~Davus.X~
Est. 1967
Bleeding Orange and Blue for 42 years
Newest Resident of La-La-Land! Mike Clark for President!
13-3 BABY!
by Davus.X on Apr 26, 2009 2:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
I’m hoping for 6 as well. That way we can convert our worthless Cutler jerseys. Just have a seamstress sew Brandstater over Cutler and we’re good to go.
If we could have just screwed another head on his shoulders, he would have been the greatest QB who ever lived.
by c_style on Apr 26, 2009 3:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about 17?
I love this pick. The guy has the smarts and all the tools to be coached into the system. He’s behind 2 really good QBs with no pressure other than to learn the system and get comfortable with his mechanics.
This system gives him the looks he needs to find the open guy quckly and he has the hieght to make the most use of it. His ability to make reads and adustments at the line is exactly the skill that is necessary to do well with this offense.
"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987
by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 2:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Two really good QBs?
I thought that the Broncos drafted him?
by MADness on Apr 26, 2009 3:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
He will be the gameday inactive and emergency QB all year, then hopefully ready to be a backup next year or the one after that.
"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987
by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 2:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I am just wondering if he would of been available in the 7th
Seems like another reach
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the one with the gun, A-hole" - Ash from Army of Darkness
by Broncoman on Apr 26, 2009 2:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I doubt it
There seems like a run on QBs is about to start with Seatle and the Jags already taking 2….this is a good pick
On To Victory!!!
by alacumba!! on Apr 26, 2009 2:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are no reaches in the 7th
The 7th round is for picking up players you don’t want to have to fight over as un-drafted free agents. With a few exceptions, everyone after the 5th or 6th round pretty much rate out equally whether they’re drafted or picked up as free agents.
by SanDiegoBuff on Apr 26, 2009 2:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you being serious?
We take a QB in the 6th round and you claim it’s a reach? I can’t wait for your post on our 7th round pick claiming we reached yet again because clearly this guy could’ve been signed as a CFA. Give us all, and particularly McD, a break already.
If we could have just screwed another head on his shoulders, he would have been the greatest QB who ever lived.
by c_style on Apr 26, 2009 3:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Terrible pick! I saw this guy play at Fresno State( I am a Boise State fan) and he has absolutely no chance of helping the Broncos. Zero arm strength. BOOOOOOOOO!!
by OrangeCrush4082 on Apr 26, 2009 2:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
What?
Zero Arm strength?
Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Combine 40 Time: 4.95.
Hand Size: 9 1/2.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
Brandstater’s strengths are his size and his strong arm. When Brandstater has good mechanics and can step into his throws he can be very accurate and effective. When given time Brandstater can be an effective QB. Brandstater’s big strong arm gives him the opportunity to make big plays downfield.
Brandstater’s biggest weakness is his inconsistency. At times he displays great mechanics and he delivers the ball well, but a lot of the times he is erratic and short arms his throws. He is very bad under pressure and gets very erratic and rushes his throws.
Sounds exactly like the kind of guy that McDaniels can coach up:
Tall
Smart
Statue
6th round pick named Tom
Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960
by Darin H on Apr 26, 2009 2:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
He does not have good touch on his deep balls and struggles getting them there and on time
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the one with the gun, A-hole" - Ash from Army of Darkness
by Broncoman on Apr 26, 2009 2:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
and he will have a few years to work on that
but he does have a strong arm, which was the point I was responding to
Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960
by Darin H on Apr 26, 2009 3:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
No reach
We exchanged 6th round picks and gave the lions the 26th pick in the 7th. We still have the 16th pick in the 7th to go.
"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987
by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 2:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
sounds like appropriate value for someone we want
We’re always hearing a lot of crying about sacrificing picks, but it’s worth it if you get someone you want.
I’m stingy (in certain ways) but you have to spend to get what you want. There’s a general attitude that says you pinch your draft pennies and hope that someone good lands in our lap. I’ve grown to appreciate the strategy of going after the types of talent you need. Clearly, McDaniels & Xanders do.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 2:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im just concerned with his mobility
"It means nothing to throw for 4500 yards, 25 touchdowns, and you dont win"-Brandon Marshall
Neckbeard vs The Spleen: How better can this get?!?!
by broncoboy on Apr 26, 2009 2:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
no concern there, he has none :)
Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960
by Darin H on Apr 26, 2009 2:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
you sure?
His Combine didn’t show that.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/tom-brandstater?id=71213
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 2:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol,
that’s what I get for just reading above….
Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960
by Darin H on Apr 26, 2009 2:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
distinction between innate abilility and decision making
Brandstater is a statue — no doubt — but he doesn’t lack “mobility” in a physical sense. He needs plenty of work on his awareness of pressure, etc., but this is not a physical limitation, but rather, a cognitive problem. He needs to learn to make decisions and dump the ball or bring it down and run. The fact that he isn’t limited physically in terms of mobility means that we may still make him into the kind of player we need. If it were simply a physical limitation, such a CB being to slow, then there would be no way to remediate the problem.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was one of the best
I forget where the information is but I just read he scored in the top 5 at a drill designed to measure mobility.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 2:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
i found some highlights of him and his mobility is decent
check it out
"It means nothing to throw for 4500 yards, 25 touchdowns, and you dont win"-Brandon Marshall
Neckbeard vs The Spleen: How better can this get?!?!
by broncoboy on Apr 26, 2009 2:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
He fits the mold of McD
smart but no mobility
the internet? that thing is still around?
~Homer Simpson
by ktown on Apr 26, 2009 2:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Brady and Cassel have no mobility
but are smart
the internet? that thing is still around?
~Homer Simpson
by ktown on Apr 26, 2009 2:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you say it twice does that make it correct?
Your contribution is negligible here.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 2:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
i love this pick he is a local boy where im from two towns over in turlock yess
Mile High Salute
by TommyTSlice on Apr 26, 2009 2:54 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I love it!
another central vally bronco fan! what city are you in?
free special ed.
by Swissy14 on Apr 26, 2009 4:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I live in Turlock!
Where do you live dude? Motown? Merced?
by Poundtherock on Apr 26, 2009 4:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
is this a new version of....
Matt Cassell?
fader nation is a conquered nation
Jerry Jones is Al Davis with a smile!
by mdierk on Apr 26, 2009 2:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Cassell #2
Final word: “Brandstater showed intelligence and resolve at Fresno State after playing for four offensive coordinators in four years. Because of that, he’s something of an unknown as a pro prospect.”
McD finally got his Casselesque QB – since Cassell was a career backup and also an unknown commodity. Finally a pick we all knew was coming.
by YJ on Apr 26, 2009 3:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
The negative comments in this thread
are proof that McDaniels didn’t stand a chance in the forum of public opinion this weekend, no matter what he did.
by BoylenOver on Apr 26, 2009 3:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
the defensive line
I understand that we filled up a roster spot by adding a QB, but i dont understand why we have not addressed the d-line more..all we got was ayers, and im sure u all remember we barely got any pressure on other team’s QBs. i dont follow mcdaniels actions at all
by broncos24 on Apr 26, 2009 3:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Wait and see
Wait and see how the mix of draftees, FAs and sytem all work together. They obviously think what they have is as good as they could have drafted for how they want to run the defense.
"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987
by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 3:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
The reason for lack of pressure last year
was due to the god awful scheme Slowik ran. By getting rid of a horrible DC and his pathetic scheme (or lack thereof) we have improved our D. We now have competent coaching on D with a scheme that I think will generate pressure on the QB. Perhaps the D Line additions in FA will work out better than most people think they will. We also have Powell who our coaching staff has seen but so far is a question mark to all of us b/c of his injury last year. They obviously know more about the D Line personnel than we do and I think they figure they are good to go with only needing to add Ayers. I especially think Fields will be a better NT for us than most think he will.
If we could have just screwed another head on his shoulders, he would have been the greatest QB who ever lived.
by c_style on Apr 26, 2009 3:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great pick
Graduated in 3 years! Spent last year working on his Masters degree. Improved his numbers every year. Showed good arm strength in the Senior Bowl. Scored excellently in mobility at the combine.
Junior year 15 touchdowns and only 5 ints. Good decision maker and accurate. This kid has everything he needs to be coached to an elite level in this system
"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987
by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 3:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
smart
That’s what we’ve seen frequently on these prospects. And smart clearly counts, particularly for QBs.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 3:19 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
smart
do you think that is enough to earn Richard a look?
There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
by Jeremy Bolander on Apr 26, 2009 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I recall seeing that on him
And I love seeing it. Intelligence is almost invariably an asset for athletes, and it’s not necessarily a measure of innate smarts but can often be a measure of how hard they’re willing to work.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 3:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow...after watching several highlights on youtube.
It seems like Fresno’s receivers were very good at making plays on poorly thrown balls.
Not particularly impressive.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Apr 26, 2009 3:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Fresno was said to have especially poor recievers this last year by scouts. I haven’t seen any of them drafted. I think he is a perfect fit for the 3rd spot on the team and positioned to be coached up and learn.
"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987
by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 3:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Geze...
he’s a 6th round pick. Some posters make it sound like he should be up there with Sanchez and Stafford. If he works out great. If not he seems to be worth a 6th round pick.
by SlowWhiteGuy on Apr 26, 2009 3:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
there was a virtual void after the top two, or three
I wouldn’t say that he’s great — far from it — but he is “trainable.” Oddly, there were some late round prospects who had potential in our system if given the benefit of a few years development. The real problem was finding the ‘right’ kind of QB, and he seems to fit. It also explains why we would trade to get him, not that we needed much reason to trade for a draft pick this year.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 3:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
You guys got a great guy.
He’s a smart kid, I know him and his family, and I think he can be a great QB if you give him some time. But pretty much ONLY if you give him time though. I watched him throughout his whole Fresno State career and he struggled with inconsistency and having the ball batted down by DT’s.
But congrats. I wish the 49ers would have taken him! haha
Fun fact: All of his intercepted passes last year were from batted down balls.
by Poundtherock on Apr 26, 2009 3:34 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
that is fun!
Wheeeeee!
There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
by Jeremy Bolander on Apr 26, 2009 3:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I figure
McD is planning on sitting him for a few years like Cassell. I think if he sits and learns for 3-4 years he could become a decent starter in the NFL. This is McD’s strength right? Taking late round QB’s and coaching them into starters, even stars in the league. Hopefully that trend continues with Brandstater.
If we could have just screwed another head on his shoulders, he would have been the greatest QB who ever lived.
by c_style on Apr 26, 2009 3:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's sort of like reveling a garage sale treasure
It’s value may not be great but the price can’t be beat.
by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 3:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had this guy as the Broncos' QB pick in my Mock
Based solely on stylistic similarity to Tom Brady coming out of college. He’s slow-footed, but solid in all other phases of the game. I think he can be coached, and fits nicely as a 3rd-string developmental guy for a few years.
"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy
by Ted Bartlett on Apr 26, 2009 3:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
He can actually be pretty fast.
Watch the bowl game from his Junior year, he had a really long run, and if I know one thing about Tom Brandstater, he can take some HUGE hits. His line almost never gave him time, and he got rocked every once in a while.
by Poundtherock on Apr 26, 2009 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
His measurables
Look fairly quick and somewhat fast. His forty time, 4.95, is only .14 behind Stafford, .08 behind John Parker Wilson, and .07 behind Sanchez in 40 time. That is negligible for the last two. Pat White (4.55) and Steven McGee (4.66) are the only two QBs at the combine really significantly faster, and they were significantly faster than all the QBs.
20-yard shuttle at 4.37 he is right at the top, ahead of all the above named QBs except .16 behind Sanchez.
3-cone-drill at 6.93 is third, but only .02 behind Rhett Bomar in second.
So he can move around, his direction change and quickness actually seem above average to me. BUT, it is definitely a different question between measurables and if he can do this in/out of the pocket and throw the ball on the run or scramble with it.
Jason
The Hanging Curve
by poorboywilly on Apr 26, 2009 3:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be Colin Kapernick.
He’s a beast of a runner, and he’s basically the whole Nevada offense. Turlock puts super powder in our water, thats why we get great QB’s. lol
He actually was more of a baseball prospect too…
by Poundtherock on Apr 26, 2009 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Is This Going to be the "Tale of Two Toms?"
Don't jump off the cliff but if the guys next to you are loud and annoying try to push them off.
by Kfustud on Apr 26, 2009 3:59 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
you know it is
not that I care, but best to be prepared.
There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
by Jeremy Bolander on Apr 26, 2009 10:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brandstater is growing on me
I read an interview with him in The Denver Post. He said that McDaniels told him he was a tough, smart kid who fit their SYSTEM (so much for there not being one). He did well in mobility drills and some scouting reports had him running a 4.8. I think all the talk about him being a statue is more about his technique and not his athletic ability. A few years down the road and he’ll be the kind of guy who can tuck and run. Everybody said Cassel was slow and yet he looked like one of the most mobile QB’s in the NFL last season. It’s all system. Love the fact that he has the big arm.
by Vortex7 on Apr 26, 2009 4:07 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
1 game
Nevada vs. Fresno this year
Two Turlock California qb’s
and it was a shoot out….each poestion one tried to outdo the other
if you can find video of it watch it… tom is a gamer
free special ed.
by Swissy14 on Apr 26, 2009 4:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
That would be Colin Kapernick
He’s a beast of a runner, and he’s basically the whole Nevada offense. Turlock puts super powder in our water, thats why we get great QB’s. lol
He actually was more of a baseball prospect too…
by Poundtherock on Apr 26, 2009 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pre-Draft Interview
We had a pre-draft interview with Tom and came away impressed:
by PatriotsDaily.com on Apr 29, 2009 8:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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