Bears Add Former USC QB, Matt Barkely............

Since this was the addition of a QB to the PS I though I should highlight it with it's own thread rather than add it to the existing one.



QB/ Matt Barkley
USC Pac-12
Drafted By: Eagles

Round
4
Pick
1
Overall
98

Combine Results
Grade
82.0
6'2"/227lbs


Draft Analysis:

"He's the best value for the Eagles on the board. It's interesting to me because the spread offense is a little bit of a misconception. You can spread it and throw the football. What does that tell us about the staff and what they think about Nick Foles? Barkley might be the most developed pro-style quarterback built similar to what Foles was going to be. So now I'm really confused." -- Mike Mayock


Analysis

Strengths: Experienced running a pro-style system. Makes adjustments at the line of scrimmage (including the run game) and unloads the ball quickly when seeing a favorable matchup before the snap. Usually accurate when he is able to set his base and stride into his throws. Offense was designed to move the pocket to account for his height, and, while he isn't overly athletic, he showed the mobility to throw accurately on bootlegs and half rolls. Looks off and pump-fake safeties and communicate with receivers pre-snap on the opposite side of the field from which he intends to throw. Three-time team captain also possesses intangibles NFL teams desire at the position, taking hits and bouncing back, displaying intelligence with his multiple academic all-conference accolades, and earning a spot on the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works team.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal height for the position. Does not have a plus arm, though it's enough to run a movement-based NFL offense. Allows defenders into plays when he is unable to step into throws, especially when going across the field. Inconsistent making throws against pressure. Does have have physical tools to make throws when he's not set, but has progressed in his ability to find space and get the ball of with awkward release platforms. Ball comes out of his hand poorly at times, though it usually reaches its intended target. Confident enough in his pre-snap read that he'll stare down his initial target. Sails passes over his receivers' heads when feeling pressure or in the three-step game. No threat to pick up large chunks of yardage with his feet. Improved completion percentage in 2011 came partially due to quick east-west throws to his talented wideouts. While he had a lot of attempts, there are questions as to what degree structure of the offense featured him or masked his physical limitations. Other than a hot stretch over the second half of his junior season, his production has been almost entirely tied to the strength of his surrounding cast.

NFL Comparison Marc Bulger

Bottom Line: Expect Barkley to be the fourth first-round passer Southern California has produced since 2003 (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez). Though not elite in terms of his height, arm strength, or mobility, he will capably move an NFL offense with accurate short throws possessing sufficient zip (69.1 percent completion rate in 2011), solid decision-making ability, and enough downfield touch to take advantage of a talented receiving corps. Although it ended disappointingly, the fact he decided to return to school for 2012 to help his team compete for a national championship after being on a postseason ban is just one measure of his intangibles.

Time will tell chuck.  For now he's just the guy whose gonna run the scout team in practice but it was time to move on from Fales anyway.  He may be OK in that dink and dunk offense Tresty wanted Cutler to run year two but he was a poor fit for us otherwise.  It'll be interesting to see what happens with him by next year assuming we never have to use him this year.

I wanted us to draft him. I really like him at that time. Good pickup and better than Fales