Will Gray be NFL WR/TE or out of the league?

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Moses87 said:
He's been a good football player and I appreciate his contributions, but I don't see him projecting at the next level. You need to be able to block to play TE...I can't see him being fast enough to play WR. Hopefully he's getting a solid degree in something that will give him a chance at a career away from sports.
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Folks with Grays measurables will always get a chance in the NFL. Young fella is too big, too fast and too athletic not to. At the worst, he will be on someones practice squad for a year or three...even if he sucks, which I have every expedition he won't.
 

Sportsfan24 said:
I agree he doesn't look fast; I think it's because when he runs his turn over (how fast he's taking steps) is slow. However; because he's so tall it doesn't have to be. His stride is long so he's eating up a lot of yardage on each step.

If I had to guess, I would say Gray at his current weight runs in the 4'6 o 4'7 range and that's faster than 90 percent of NFL te's. I think what would make him special is the same thing that makes Gonzalez and Gates special....they are extremely athletic and nifty. I would bet neither of them ever ran faster than a mid 4'6.
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Correct, that's why he got comparisons to Vince Young. Deceptively fast because of long stride and if Gray played on that Texas team, he would be a monster too. That said, I think he looked like a better runner last year. He still had plenty of power last year, so I'm not sure why he bulked up.
 

He showed quite a bit of good hands, body awareness, and leaping ability in his seasons as a WR. He'll never be a downfield threat, but with work on his route running I think he could play a role on a team as a big possesion/redzone guy.
 

Ole said:
He showed quite a bit of good hands, body awareness, and leaping ability in his seasons as a WR. He'll never be a downfield threat, but with work on his route running I think he could play a role on a team as a big possesion/redzone guy.
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Those guys are going to way of the dinosaur and the fullback in the NFL. I guess it depends on just how slow you think he'll time, but as a WR he reminded me of Da'Jon McKnight, who barely even had a cup of coffee in the NFL.
 


Gopherprof said:
Those guys are going to way of the dinosaur and the fullback in the NFL. I guess it depends on just how slow you think he'll time, but as a WR he reminded me of Da'Jon McKnight, who barely even had a cup of coffee in the NFL.
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No, they're not going extinct but basically they play slot/TE now like everyone has been saying. DM had some lingering knee issues if I recall that really took his wheels away.

Alshon Jeffrey is a comparison I'll make, but Jeffrey wasn't bounced from QB to WR for 4 years. Anquan Boldin came in running a 4.8 or something and was a dang good WR right out of the gates. They're still around, teams just have to have a spot for them in their schemes.
 

One thing Gray has in his favor is that he can offer position flexibility. NFL teams love to have players who can step in at multiple positions. Gray can potentially be a WR, a TE, maybe an H-Back, and can also be an emergency QB/Wildcat QB depending on the team he winds up with.

Plus, by all accounts he's a solid citizen; he will have a college degree and some graduate credits, and he'll probably do well in the wonderlic and interview segments.

Throw in the size/speed/athletic ability quotient, and he will definitely be in an NFL camp next year, either as a late-round draft pick, or as a college free agent.
 

Even if Gray doesn't make an NFL roster or get drafted, he's virtually certain to get invitation to an NFL training camp. He would be able to serve as an emergency QB, there are teams that only have two QBs on the active roster, having someone who has played QB could be useful in an emergency.
 

MarQuiese should sign on to the class actions suit Adam Weber versus the Regents of the University of Minnesota for for destroying too much football talent.

I wonder how good Adam might've been?
 



Studwell55 said:
MarQuiese should sign on to the class actions suit Adam Weber versus the Regents of the University of Minnesota for for destroying too much football talent.

I wonder how good Adam might've been?[/QUOTE]

According to our experts...zero.
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Ole said:
No, they're not going extinct but basically they play slot/TE now like everyone has been saying. DM had some lingering knee issues if I recall that really took his wheels away.

Alshon Jeffrey is a comparison I'll make, but Jeffrey wasn't bounced from QB to WR for 4 years. Anquan Boldin came in running a 4.8 or something and was a dang good WR right out of the gates. They're still around, teams just have to have a spot for them in their schemes.
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Well said.
 


Sportsfan24 said:
Folks with Grays measurables will always get a chance in the NFL. Young fella is too big, too fast and too athletic not to. At the worst, he will be on someones practice squad for a year or three...even if he sucks, which I have every expedition he won't.
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If he is able to run well at all at his pro day or the combine if he gets invited he 100% will get drafted and I still say in the middle rounds. There are just not a lot of 6'5" 250 lbs guys out there that can run fast and are great athletes. If Troy Williamson can get drafted #7 overall based only on his 40 time, Gray can get drafted in the middle rounds based solely on his build/athletic ability.
 



He will get a chance with an NFL team as a TE. He is big and and fast (for his size), after that it amounts avoiding camp injury, opportunity/luck and hard work. Lots of guys like him in NFL camps never get anywhere. Might be better for him not to get drafted in the 6th or 7th round and then get to choose from what will certainly be several teams' free agent camp calls. Overall I give him 49% chance of being on a roster/taxi squad next year; <5% to ever start anywhere in the NFL for any team. It's a tough league.
 

MNVCGUY said:
If he is able to run well at all at his pro day or the combine if he gets invited he 100% will get drafted and I still say in the middle rounds. There are just not a lot of 6'5" 250 lbs guys out there that can run fast and are great athletes. If Troy Williamson can get drafted #7 overall based only on his 40 time, Gray can get drafted in the middle rounds based solely on his build/athletic ability.
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First off; congratulations on interpreting what I meant! Expedition? I meant to type expectation.....damn IPad automatic spell correction; although I could still proof read before posting.

Back to the topic; Gray is a high character athlete with prototypical NFL size, I agree with you that he will collect NFL paychecks.
 

Sportsfan24 said:
First off; congratulations on interpreting what I meant! Expedition? I meant to type expectation.....damn IPad automatic spell correction; although I could still proof read before posting.

Back to the topic; Gray is a high character athlete with prototypical NFL size, I agree with you that he will collect NFL paychecks.
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I let the spelling police worry about typos, it was pretty easy to figure out where you were trying to go with things. I don't really think there is any debate on whether he will get drafted because as I said at his size/athletic ability someone will pick him up and try to make something out of him. He will be a bit of a project for someone because he will have to learn a new position but I know he is the type of guy that will do what is asked of him and put in the effort.

Don't know that he will be a star at the next level but I bet he will hang around for a while in the league and wouldn't shock me to see him have some success as a pass catching TE/WR hybrid. And to those assuming he can't block, I don't know how you can make that assumption given that he never has been asked to do it. He is physically big and strong enough to do it, who's to say he wouldn't be really good at it?
 

FreakyDeke said:
Correct, that's why he got comparisons to Vince Young. Deceptively fast because of long stride and if Gray played on that Texas team, he would be a monster too. That said, I think he looked like a better runner last year. He still had plenty of power last year, so I'm not sure why he bulked up.
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He got comparisons to Vince Young? Ha! Yours might be the first. And then it was RG3, right? Give me a break. I think we're all a little bit too close and too big of fans to see the reality here.

I like the kid and all and I'm not Pantherhawk, but just because the coach of a untalented team says the one "B10 looking athlete" on the field is Marquis Gray doesn't make him a stud.

Everyone admit it, he's a practice player. He's a great leader, great kid, with great measurables, but is just not a 'baller.

Now, will he make the NFL? Yes, those big head coaches always want projects.

Let's compare him to Joe Webb next.
 


Go4theWin said:
Everyone admit it, he's a practice player. He's a great leader, great kid, with great measurables, but is just not a 'baller.

Now, will he make the NFL? Yes, those big head coaches always want projects.

Let's compare him to Joe Webb next.
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What Gray is, is a great athlete playing out of position. His is not a true QB, never has been one and never will be one. He has some ability at the position but he will never be a great QB. When he gets to the next level he won't be asked to play QB anymore. He has an NFL body, great work ethic/attitude and I have no doubt will be very coachable.

In 2010 in his one year at receiver he caught 42 balls for nearly 600 yards and 5 TD's. He showed an ability to make tough catches and had very good hands. He could thrive in this new TE role in the NFL he is built for it and has the hands to get it done.
 

Go4theWin said:
He got comparisons to Vince Young? Ha! Yours might be the first. And then it was RG3, right? Give me a break. I think we're all a little bit too close and too big of fans to see the reality here.

I like the kid and all and I'm not Pantherhawk, but just because the coach of a untalented team says the one "B10 looking athlete" on the field is Marquis Gray doesn't make him a stud.

Everyone admit it, he's a practice player. He's a great leader, great kid, with great measurables, but is just not a 'baller.

Now, will he make the NFL? Yes, those big head coaches always want projects.

Let's compare him to Joe Webb next.
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? I really beg to differ on that depiction. He sure was a 'baller against Iowa the last two years and Illinois last season. There's no question he's a duck out of water in this particular offense, but the kid has some fiber to him.

I don't know what Gray does at the next level. He'll get a shot and after that no one can really tell. A lot of apt comparisons have been thrown around and a lot will depend on whether or not he's too beat up from all the hits for things to translate.
 

Go4theWin said:
He got comparisons to Vince Young? Ha! Yours might be the first. And then it was RG3, right? Give me a break. I think we're all a little bit too close and too big of fans to see the reality here.

I like the kid and all and I'm not Pantherhawk, but just because the coach of a untalented team says the one "B10 looking athlete" on the field is Marquis Gray doesn't make him a stud.

Everyone admit it, he's a practice player. He's a great leader, great kid, with great measurables, but is just not a 'baller.

Now, will he make the NFL? Yes, those big head coaches always want projects.

Let's compare him to Joe Webb next.
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Both Tim Brewster and Lane Kiffin made the comparison. I know those 2 don't have the best credibility, but I'm not the first. And I was only talking about their long stride running styles, not saying they are equally good QBs, so chill out.
 

FreakyDeke said:
Both Tim Brewster and Lane Kiffin made the comparison. I know those 2 don't have the best credibility, but I'm not the first. And I was only talking about their long stride running styles, not saying they are equally good QBs, so chill out.
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I can't tell if your post was supposed to be a joke or not.

"Are you hungry, or are you starving?"
 

Go4theWin said:
He got comparisons to Vince Young? Ha! Yours might be the first. And then it was RG3, right? Give me a break. I think we're all a little bit too close and too big of fans to see the reality here.

I like the kid and all and I'm not Pantherhawk, but just because the coach of a untalented team says the one "B10 looking athlete" on the field is Marquis Gray doesn't make him a stud.

Everyone admit it, he's a practice player. He's a great leader, great kid, with great measurables, but is just not a 'baller.

Now, will he make the NFL? Yes, those big head coaches always want projects.

Let's compare him to Joe Webb next.
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Wow, just think if he was a real player! We had a practice player who ran for nearly 1,000 yards last year on a bad team.
 

GophersInIowa said:
Wow, just think if he was a real player! We had a practice player who ran for nearly 1,000 yards last year on a bad team.
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Great sarcasm. And stat, which did nothing to support your view. He's not a running back or a utility player, or some flash in the pan receiver. He's a god damn quarterback.

My opinion was based on the fact that all the reporters and coaches said in fall camp he was accurate with the ball and real decisive. However, this season we haven't see much, if any, change from him on the field. He's a quarterback, he's supposed to throw the football. I'm trusting when Kill says that he looks good in practice running the offense but just doesn't get it done on Gameday. I don't know why he looked so good against Mich State. But's that the kind of game he has to have much more.

And I can't believe people are saying he's a duck out of water in this offense. If this offense isn't the right one for him, maybe he should play for Tubby.
 


dpodoll68 said:
You have either fully and completely ignored the statistics, or you're lying. Which is it?
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No doubt. There has been a change on the field. Gray is fumbling more. Thankfully he's recovered most of them on his own.
 

Ogee Oglethorpe said:
No doubt. There has been a change on the field. Gray is fumbling more. Thankfully he's recovered most of them on his own.
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I know you have to get your Gray hatred in, but he was obviously talking about Gray's throwing accuracy. Fumbling has nothing to do with it.

Why do you hate Gray so, so much?
 

Go4theWin said:
Great sarcasm. And stat, which did nothing to support your view. He's not a running back or a utility player, or some flash in the pan receiver. He's a god damn quarterback.

My opinion was based on the fact that all the reporters and coaches said in fall camp he was accurate with the ball and real decisive. However, this season we haven't see much, if any, change from him on the field. He's a quarterback, he's supposed to throw the football. I'm trusting when Kill says that he looks good in practice running the offense but just doesn't get it done on Gameday. I don't know why he looked so good against Mich State. But's that the kind of game he has to have much more.

And I can't believe people are saying he's a duck out of water in this offense. If this offense isn't the right one for him, maybe he should play for Tubby.
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You can't trust everything ANY coach says. It's their job to instill confidence or develope players by playing them in the games because of upside/ceiling...even when there may be better options.

Again, I love Gray as both a person and NFL caliber athlete but I have never seen him consistently look like a high caliber college QB...even in practice. At the time that was to be expected because IMO he hadn't received adequate coaching. Now? I fully understand why the previous staff had no intent on him ever playing QB after they moved him to WR.

I don't agree that he could NEVER be the big time college QB he was supposed to be. I just think to no fault of his own (multiple coaching and scheme changes)...he ran out of time.
 

dpodoll68 said:
You have either fully and completely ignored the statistics, or you're lying. Which is it?
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Well statistics are tough, because he's only played 2 and 1/4 games this year. I, personally, do not count the game against New Hampshire. I have, maybe unfairly, raised my expectations about this program. Meaning, I don't care about FCS opponents.

I do know he's not completing 60% of his throws, and hasn't looked exciting on running plays. (Again it was one play against UNH)

And, fumbling does have something to do with it, a turnovers a turnover. He's got to start winning some games and making us get excited about the offense. I'm not a hater I'm just hard on our Senior quarterback and trying to stay realistic.

The Defense has been the star this season. And now, more and more, you can't blame it on the receivers or the tight ends, or even the protection.

Its almost like the team changed for the better and Marquis is still just the guy who ran for almost a 1,000 yards on a bad team(as someone said). I don't think this is bad team anymore. I think the Gophers could do some damage with better than average quarterback play.

Side note, No, I don't believe that Nelson should be playing. I hope, for the sake of the Gophers, that we never start a quarterback that isn't a Jr or Sr.
 

I to think Gray will get an NFL shot

Not sure what position they will try and make him into but I doubt it will be a full time QB unless some place like the 49'rs Jim Harbaugh decides they want a project and to try and develop a QB. He will likely get teams to work him out and even a combine tryout because of his size and speed. Athletes his size that can break tackles and make people miss are usually sought after in the NFL. He has played some WR so they do have film of him there. I don't know where people think this
dude does not have leaping ability, saw him play pick up basketball 1 time and this guy can SKY.

I agree with all of the folks that say Adam Weber could sue the University for neglect and abuse. Worst thing that ever happend to him was signing with Minnesota and then having the football coach named Brewster show up and decide to run the spread offense for a team built for a pro style set running game. The spread, It got him so ping ponged and beat up his freshman and sophmore years and then Jed Fish trying to change his throwing style. I pounded the guy for poor play and was a critic but he was as much a product of a weak offensive line as his own play. I hate to say this but if Adam Weber had been a Wisconsin Badger he would have been drafted in the NFL and probably playing for somebody by now with QB weak teams like the Chiefs, Browns, or Bills.
 

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