[CBFF] ESPNi: Tim Day (Scouts Inc.)

[Victor Waldron]

(Also an overall grade of 61. I like the possibilities.

Tim Day
TE | (6'4", 256, 4.74) | OREGON

Strengths: Possesses adequate overall size. Is well-built and also has
long arms. Very reliable receiver. Hard worker who continues to
improve with more game-experience and off-season training. Has great
instincts as a receiver. Knows how to set up defenders and
consistently separate versus man-coverage. Also has an impressive feel
for finding soft spots in zone. Is smooth and fluid. Has
adequate-to-good quickness and speed. He has big, soft hands and is a
reliable receiver. Not an elite athlete but he does adjust well to the
poorly thrown ball and shows the ability to pluck on the run. He will
make the tough catch in traffic and will look the ball in before
turning upfield. He has adequate technique as a blocker. Uses his feet
to get in position. Will wall defenders off and does a good job of
hitting the moving target in space. Takes good angles as a run blocker
and does a fine job in terms of leverage and hand usage.

Weaknesses: Has good but not great timed speed. Lacks ideal top-end
speed on film. Is not a vertical threat as a pass-catcher. Is a better
receiver than blocker. Has a stronger lower body than upper body. Does
not show explosive initial pop to jar defender. He lacks great overall
bulk and strength to engulf defenders at the POA. He gets in position
and will wall-off, but seems to lack a mean streak as a blocker. Does
not do a consistently good job of finishing his blocks. Durability is
a long-term concern, as well. He tore the meniscus in his left knee in
2001. Missed one game (Utah) with a shoulder injury in 2003. Had
surgery on both calves in February, 2005.

Overall: Day saw limited playing time as a true freshman in 2002. He
started 11 of 13 games played despite a lingering shoulder injury in
2003, when he finished with 11 receptions for 148 yards and one TD. As
a junior in 2004, Day had 35 receptions for 457 yards and eight TDs.
As a senior in 2005, Day had 25 receptions for 215 yards and one TD.
Day does not possess elite top-end speed and he's never going to be a
dominant blocker in the NFL. He also has durability issues that raise
some red flags. However, Day continued to get bigger, stronger, faster
and more polished throughout his three seasons as a starter at Oregon.
He also has remained healthy and productive as a senior in 2005. Day
has a terrific feel for the passing game and shows the potential to
immediately contribute as a sure-handed situational receiver in the
NFL. If he can stay healthy and improve his toughness, strength and
aggressiveness as a blocker, Day could develop into a consistent
contributor in the NFL. Day has too many question marks to consider in
the first couple of rounds of the 2006 draft but he is worth taking a
chance on in the early-Day 2 range.