Well, when I quoted this, it was from Bunting's scouting report. I don't know how much stock I give it, but it wasn't referring to the Combine. It was referring to games and tape:skip wrote:Steve would be a good source to tell us exactly what scouts are looking for and what they aren't.Devil's Advocate wrote: Unfortunately this is not true as many of the NFL teams put heavy stock in the measurables. I think game film should be the ultimate guide but we all know the scouts and GMs go crazy over measurables.
I don't think there is nearly the amount of stock put into what happens at the combine anymore as many of these guys spending extra time training just to post good combine numbers. It is much more important for the marginal guys than it is for the top players in the draft.
He displays the ability to consistently track the ball downfield, but he isn't a natural catcher. Tate lets the ball get into his body too much and looks content to trap the ball against his frame, which causes him to drop too many passes in all areas of the field. -NFP
He also struggled vs. USC when the corners played press-coverage, according to Mayock. In part, due to longer-armed, and more physical corners. It's not going to get easier as he transitions to the pros. He's great with the ball in his hands - fantastic even. I just hope his hands show some consistency. There is talk of him not being able to play either of the 'outside' positions (Flanker or Split-End). If he's just a slot guy at the next level, his value takes a hit in my book. Another thing is that I dislike the hype guys w/ trouble catching the ball get sometimes - it's kind of important for receivers...(Yes, you Braylon)
Time will tell if I'm making too much out of it, I guess. 
More on the 'slot-receiver' talk:
The issue with most wide receivers in the transition from college to the NFL is the matchups they see outside of the numbers. They don’t see press-man coverage too often at the college level, and they struggle to get off the line of scrimmage and create separation vs. NFL defensive backs.
But, the interest is still there due to the fact that Tate is coming from South Bend under Charlie Weis and did produce in an offense that resembles what we see on Sundays at the NFL level.
However, the talk around Indy today concerning Tate is that he will have to make a living at the next level as a slot receiver — a No. 3 guy who can use his skills in the open field to produce yards after the catch. Think of an offense like Arizona’s or New England’s, which both get the ball to their underneath receivers with space to work with. The slants, the seam route vs. a nickel corner or a strong safety, the underneath drag route — all which could be a big part of Tate’s game as a pro.
