Answer Tuesday! (Part 2)

Q: Pop Goes The Weasel said:
When a sophmore QB at a major university has a private football tutor [MB7 for instance], what can the tutor do that the kid doesn't get in coaching from the school? Thanx, Scott.
Speaking of MB7, may I also ask if you expect major improvement from him this year? Hope that's related enough to be considered one question, and thanx again for whatever you can say.

A; I wouldn't say the tutor is doing anything exceptional but there is a pre-existing relationship and the QB usually feels comfortable with the tutor, having grown up going to lessons. Matt Leinart had Steve Clarkson visit USC and tutor him when he felt he was struggling. It was with the blessing of Steve Sarkisian, who thought it might help Leinart more mentally than physically.

Q: MRSAM said:
How is it that Taylor Mays' official time, 4.43 and unoffical time, 4.24, differ so greatly? No other player had such a time problem.

Q; superlaker24 said:
Can you verify the Yahoo report that Taylor Mays ran a 4.19 at USC. The article is here:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=nfp-source_taylor_mays_ran_419_at_usc_html-201032&prov=nfp&type=lgns
Is this true, I remember you posted in 2008 he ran 4.25, but 4.29 is too fast.

A: The reason for the discrepancy is that NFL teams send scouts to hand-time the 40 and then is the electronic timing system, which provides the official time. The hand times are usually faster than the electronic times, which is how you see marks of 4.19 and 4.24 posted. He was timed at 4.2 at USC during spring practice but that was also hand-timed.
Pro Day at USC is a similar practice. The scouts gather around and compare hand times, and there is also an electronic time, which is usually slower but considered official.