Gator Country

ESPN reporter Todd McShay laughs before going on air during the Gators' Pro Scout Day on Wednesday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. / Gator Country photo by Tim Casey

There haven't been many more outspoken critics of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow's chances to play in the National Football League than ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay. GatorCountry.com caught up with McShay off the air to get his thoughts on Tebow and some of the other Florida draft prospects who worked out at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Florida's Pro Day.

Gator Country: What are your thoughts on Carlos Dunlap?

Todd McShay: There’s a perception in the league right now that’s he’s a follower and not a leader. He’s just too athletic, too gifted physically. I hope he realizes what he has, that the light comes on and that he surrounds himself with the right people. Because he can ... he can be special. He has a chance to be a premier player in the NFL if he dedicates himself to it.

GC: What did you think about his performance today?

TM: What’s unbelievable is how he carries—What did he weigh in at the combine? 270? (he’s listed at 6-6, 290 pounds)—and he ran a 4.63. That’s strange. He’s strangely talented. He’s got a chance to be as good as he wants to be.

GC: What was new about Tim Tebow’s throwing motion?

TM: He’s more compact. He’s quicker, but he reverted back several times, dipping down and all that.

GC: He seemed to struggle when he got off the spot.

TM: Well, the accuracy wasn’t there. That was the biggest issue. What he did today was impressive because he’s come a long way, but that’s today—the bubble of today.

GC: You’ve said that you don’t think Tebow is an NFL quarterback. Has that changed at all?

TM: No, if you want to develop, spend three years and hopefully make him a starter ... it’s a big undertaking. And they’re gonna have to spend a second-round pick. When you look at teams that are successful drafting, you’ve got to hit those first three picks. Teams that are really good hit on two out of the first three picks as starters. Listen, I’m gonna let someone else develop him, and then I’m gonna go pay for him later. They’re gonna have to pay for him too. He’ll do three or four short-yardage plays a game this season, at best. But what he’s done is impressive. It’s important to say that. In five weeks, everything is more compact, and it’s a good step in the right direction. Also, admitting that he has to change is a first step in the right direction. Ultimately, he’s far away.

GC: The progress that he’s made in the last five weeks, does that point to an ability to progress toward being an NFL quarterback?

TM: It points to the fact that he’s coachable and he’s willing to do it. What you have to decide as an organization is, how far will he continue to improve, and how are we gonna develop him under fire? There’s no developmental league. He’ll get a few preseason games, but it’s gonna be hard. It’s gonna be hard.

GC: Is it hard to evaluate him at the Pro Day, because he isn’t reading a defense or feeling pressure?

TM: Yeah, but the positive is that we got to see him throw. Fundamentally, that’s always the deal with these workouts.

GC: How about Joe Haden’s 40-time?

TM: Thank God. Because I was starting to scratch my head about him. You watch him on tape, he plays like he’s a 4.4 corner. It just didn’t make sense. So to see him run in the low 4.4s was good, but he’s clearly the best corner in this draft.

GC: Is there too much stock in that 40-yard dash?

TM: Not at cornerback. No, usually not at cornerback. Wide receiver and corner, you’ve got to be able to run. As a corner, it’s more about how you can turn and your quickness, but you’ve still gotta be able to run.

GC: And how about Major Wright, he turned some heads at the Combine?

TM: Yeah. He struggles turning and running in coverage, but he comes up and hits big. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s tough. I think he’s a little underrated. I think for him, third or fourth round. He’s got a chance to become a starter in the NFL.

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