Canfield's combine

SEAN CANFIELD CAME into the NFL Scouting Combine prepared to do something other quarterback prospects had decided they would not do -- throw. While Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow all declined to toss any passes in Indianapolis, Canfield chose otherwise. So how did he do?

It depends on who's answering that question.

Media and internet draft sites generally did not give him good reviews. Others, however, saw things differently.

One unnamed NFL coach said Canfield performed nicely.

“He’s a little quicker than I thought,” the coach said in the San Diego Union-Tribune. “He did a nice job. Release, arm strength, suddenness — those things were good.”

Canfield had come in with supposed questions about his arm strength following his Senior Bowl week. Many Oregon State fans found that surprising, since Canfield had never been much of a question in that area over his OSU career.

At the combine, Canfield had good velocity on his short and intermediate routes, said the San Diego paper, but also underthrew some deep throws. Another NFL coach pointed out similarities to another pro.

“Look at the things being said about him — arm strength, velocity — it’s all what was said about Philip Rivers coming out,” he said.

OTHER OBSERVERS weren't as impressed.

ESPN's John Clayton said Canfield "was a little disappointing". Clayton, who puts Canfield as a middle-round draft pick, said "his throws didn't have much zip and were a little off target."

Patriots beat reporter Ian R. Rapoport said all of the QB's in Canfield's group were "pretty bad." Canfield's throwing motion "makes Tim Tebow’s look short..(he) was all over the place with his mechanics and accuracy," he wrote.

Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com said Canfield had good accuracy and timing, consistently hit his target in stride and threw the post-corner route very well. But he also said Canfield again showed a lack or arm strength and threw with too much arc.

So what round will Canfield be drafted? Estimates range anywhere from the second to the seventh.

“I have him in the fourth or fifth round,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said following Canfield's workout.

Linebacker Keaton Kristick, the other Beaver at the combine, goes through his drills today.

NOTABLE NOTES:
Canfield measured in at 6-foot-3 ¾, 223 pounds at Indy. His 40 time was a 4.99, with the fastest 40 run by a QB clocking in at 4.54.