ghz in pittsburgh
05-20-2005, 11:39 AM
For one thing, this is an odd numbered year, which has always been an off-year for Moulds throughout his career.
I don't see a difference this year. First and foremost, Moulds is slowing down whether you like it or not. Last year is the first year that I, not an NFL scout by any stretch of imagination, can tell that Moulds did not create the kind of separation he used to. I can only guess the trend continues this year. In fact Losman had some problem with Moulds in the "out route" in the mini camp last month. In Losman's words, Moulds is different from Evans and Parrish in that he takes his time to setup the db. While this shows that Moulds is a savvy veteran who has a lot of tricks up his sleeves, but it also may - notice my choice of words here - signal Moulds can no longer do what Evans and Parrish do, i.e. using quickness and speed to create easy separations for the QB.
Now read Losman's profile and pay attention to his low INT/high sack ratio in college. Quarterbacks like that tends not to make a risky throw; in Losman's case, he would rather run around to buy some time until his receivers had better separation. So if Evans/Parrish can create separation faster, if Losman, as we all hope, can get his read fast enough, Moulds may not see many balls his way. And that'll be especially true if the opponents double cover him.
What Moulds can still do and do very well is winning one-on-one close battles. When the ball is throw to his vicinity, his timing, jumping ability (from basketball background), and strength allows him to win a lot of the battles. But those throws are more difficult to make; it requires more pin-pointing like which side of the shoulder etc, especially over 20 yards out. It's no wonder Bledsoe loves Moulds because those throws are Bledsoe's strength - long balls with accuracy. I remember Bledsoe's motto is if Moulds is matched man-to-man, he's throwing to Moulds every time.
However you hype Losman, I just don't think it is fair and realistic you ask him to make those difficult throws often and expect a lot of success. At NFL level, a QB needs to make throws where separation is not nearly what he sees at college level, but everyone has a transition period. That's why I think Moulds will have a down year - could be the 2003 level in which he was hurt and missed a few games.
I don't see a difference this year. First and foremost, Moulds is slowing down whether you like it or not. Last year is the first year that I, not an NFL scout by any stretch of imagination, can tell that Moulds did not create the kind of separation he used to. I can only guess the trend continues this year. In fact Losman had some problem with Moulds in the "out route" in the mini camp last month. In Losman's words, Moulds is different from Evans and Parrish in that he takes his time to setup the db. While this shows that Moulds is a savvy veteran who has a lot of tricks up his sleeves, but it also may - notice my choice of words here - signal Moulds can no longer do what Evans and Parrish do, i.e. using quickness and speed to create easy separations for the QB.
Now read Losman's profile and pay attention to his low INT/high sack ratio in college. Quarterbacks like that tends not to make a risky throw; in Losman's case, he would rather run around to buy some time until his receivers had better separation. So if Evans/Parrish can create separation faster, if Losman, as we all hope, can get his read fast enough, Moulds may not see many balls his way. And that'll be especially true if the opponents double cover him.
What Moulds can still do and do very well is winning one-on-one close battles. When the ball is throw to his vicinity, his timing, jumping ability (from basketball background), and strength allows him to win a lot of the battles. But those throws are more difficult to make; it requires more pin-pointing like which side of the shoulder etc, especially over 20 yards out. It's no wonder Bledsoe loves Moulds because those throws are Bledsoe's strength - long balls with accuracy. I remember Bledsoe's motto is if Moulds is matched man-to-man, he's throwing to Moulds every time.
However you hype Losman, I just don't think it is fair and realistic you ask him to make those difficult throws often and expect a lot of success. At NFL level, a QB needs to make throws where separation is not nearly what he sees at college level, but everyone has a transition period. That's why I think Moulds will have a down year - could be the 2003 level in which he was hurt and missed a few games.