Cornerback/Safety

Texas

6-0 204

Draft board overall prospect rank: #51

Draft board overall cornerback rank: #8

Overall rating: 77 (2^nd round)

40 time: 4.51

3/23/11: Scouts were very high on Aaron Williams going into the season, an athletic junior cornerback coming off of a strong sophomore season. I was higher on his teammate Curtis Brown and slotted Brown in the first round earlier this season. Unfortunately, it seems like we were both wrong. Brown and Williams are both likely 2^nd round picks after not living up to their potential last year.

I actually have Aaron Williams rated lower than Brown, though some disagree. Williams does have the ability to play safety in addition to cornerback, but I see Williams as a huge tweener. He’s have to bulk up about 10 pounds to play safety and he’s way too stiff to play cornerback effectively in the NFL right now. He’s very raw and needs a lot of work in mirroring and anticipating receivers’ routes. He’s slow in his backpedal and doesn’t change directions fluidly. He’s got good timed speed and good recovery speed, but he relies too much on his natural gifts to be an effective cornerback in the NFL right away.

He’s got good size and good leaps and plays the run well for a cornerback, but he doesn’t make enough plays on the ball. He’s probably best as a zone cornerback as he struggles in man to man. Teams will look at him as a safety. Several draftniks have slapped the Antrel Rolle comparison on him and I think that’s fair. As a much hyped cornerback out of Miami, Rolle was drafted 8^th overall by the Cardinals in 2005, but struggles at the position and 3 years later was moved to safety. He’s an above average safety now, but he was hardly worth the 8^th overall pick. Williams doesn’t have that same hype around him and will likely be taken in the 2^nd round, which is fitting for him, but his career could be very similar to Rolle’s.

 

By Sean Geddes 

Even though this will go down as a “W” in the win/ loss column, it was not without significant losses to the Steelers.

Defensive end Aaron Smith has been lost for at the very least the foreseeable future. He partially tore his left triceps in the third quarter, and underwent surgery on the arm Tuesday. The surgery went well, by all reports, but no timetable has been set for a return as Coach Tomlin wouldn’t go further than calling his time spent dealing with the injury “an extended period of time”.  Of course, Aaron being a 34 year old veteran who has spent most of 2 of his last 3 seasons on the sideline with injury, there is speculation by some in the fan base that this could be the end of his great run; but with Coach Tomlin coming out and saying that the team will wait and see, there is clearly hope that Smith could return to the team late, for or during a desired postseason run. We’re pulling for you Aaron, because our defense just isn’t quite the same without you. First rounder Ziggy Hood is expected to step in to Aaron’s spot for the time being, while we rotate in Nick Eason and Chris Hoke.

LaMarr Woodley also left the game with a hamstring injury, and according to Tomlin he’s also on a “let’s see” basis, although he is hopeful he will be able to play against New Orleans. He will be limited in practice, but if he shows enough during the week, I am sure he’ll be out there. This is very tricky though, because you can’t rush a hamstring. That can linger and cause you to be less effective for even longer than you could have been out, had a player fully rested and let it properly heal. Jason Worilds came in and applied good pressure in his first real game extended action. If Woodley can’t play I am sure we’ll see a similar situational rotation, subbing in either Worilds for passing downs, and Foote on short yardage or running downs, moving Timmons over to the edge on those plays. 

Flozell Adams left the game with an ankle injury. His ailment seems to be the least worrisome, as Coach said he would tough it out. Jonathan Scott took over for The Hotel while he missed time snaps, and that would be the plan, in the seemingly unlikely scenario Adams can’t go. I guess we’ll wait and see there too

In further, less recent injury news, Brett Keisel appears to be poised for a return this week. Brett has missed time with a hamstring injury of his own, but after missing the Miami game he should be back in action Sunday night. With Aaron out, we can use all hands on deck against the defending champs in their house in primetime.

“Any time you lose a player… others have to step up. You know the philosophy that we bind to as far as the standard being the standard and what we mean by that, quite frankly, is that those who step in… have to play winning football. That there are no excuses; that our intentions are the same on Sunday night, and that is to play winning football.”

-Coach Mike Tomlin

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/

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Ross has never lived up to his billing as a former first round pick and he’s had injury problems in the past. The Giants have an excess of cornerbacks with Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas, and Prince Amukamara all under contract for next season so they should be fine at the position provided they don’t suffer major injuries (injuries to Thomas and Amukamara forced Ross to play more than he was originally supposed to in 2011).

The Giants won the Super Bowl in spite of Ross, who allowed 67.9% completion, 9.7 YPA, and 6 touchdowns, though he picked off 4 passes. He was above average against the run, but one of the worst cornerbacks in coverage. His 102.8 QB rating allowed was 5^th worst among cornerbacks who played at least 75% of their team snaps.

 He probably shouldn’t be starting any more. The Jaguars had a need for a cornerback with Derek Cox, William Middleton, and Rashean Mathis all coming off major injury, but the fact remains that the Jaguars paid starter caliber money to someone who has struggled time and time again as a starter. Ross will be paid 15.3 million over 3 years.

Grade: C

 

 

Why not? The Jets didn’t give Maybin a lot of money and, who knows, maybe Rex Ryan will get something out of the 2009 11^th overall pick. He probably won’t and Maybin isn’t switching to a scheme that fits him better or anything like Vernon Gholston is in Chicago. Maybin is tried and failed in both a 3-4 and a 4-3, with no sacks in 2 seasons. However, it can’t hurt to find out.

Grade: A

 

I absolutely love this move. 4 years, 26 million dollars, for a guy who has 37 sacks in his last 3 seasons in a 4-3, which the Jaguars run. Forget his 3.5 sacks last year. Those were in a 3-4 which is a completely different scheme. Forget his ACL tear because he is reportedly ready to go for camp in July. Kampman is a cheap addition to a miserable pass rush. Julius Peppers cost 65 million dollars more over just 2 more years and Peppers is not that much better than Kampman when Kampman is right. A very smart, financially cautious move for a financially cautious franchise:

Grade: A

 

Tight end/Fullback 

Florida

6-2 243

40 time: 4.58

Draft board overall prospect rank: #77

Draft board tight end rank: #4

Overall rating: 73*

2/25/10: There aren’t a ton of tight ends under 6-3. There are some, Dustin Keller at 6-2, but after Hernandez measured in at 6-2 with short 32 ¼ inch arms, his value becomes more limited. He’s a great athlete and can run and catch well, but he can’t do much else. He’s not much of a blocker and he hasn’t run a lot of pro style routes.

            1/11/10: Aaron Hernandez’s draft stock depends on how he does at the combine, and no, I don’t mean 40 time, I mean height. Hernandez is listed as 6-3 which is already on the short side for a tight end, but if he measures up at shorter than that, which wouldn’t be the first time that has happened, teams might get scared off seeing him as a 6-2 or even 6-1 “tight end.” If he measures up that short, he may be viewed as a fullback longterm and that will send him falling to the 4^th or 5^th round. However, if he measures at 6-3, he could go in the 2^nd round as the 2^nd tight end off the board, before Dennis Pitta (I guess this was what they meant when they said football was a game of inches). Besides his height, Hernandez is an outstanding athlete. He has excellent bulk at 250 pounds, which is actually thicker and stronger than it seems because of his height, and he should run a 40 in the mid 4.5s. He is a former #1 tight end recruit. He caught 34 balls for 381 yards and 5 scores last year as a mere true sophomore, filling in during 11 starts for Cornelius Ingram. In 2009, with Ingram on the Eagles, Hernandez took the starting tight end job and ran with it, catching a team leading 68 passes, and 850 yards, most of any Division I tight end. He won the John Mackey award for the top tight end in the nation and had his 2^nd best game in the Sugar Bowl, with 111 yards. If he measures up as a tight end longterm, his is going to be a tremendous matchup problem with his combination of bulk and speed, at only age 20. He’s not a great blocker, but he has the frame to become one. If he measures up at less than 6-3, there is a small possibility that a team tries to convert him to a wide receiver, but that would not make the best use of his bulk, and he’s not a great route runner. He’s also not terribly fast for his height and being fast and tall are the two real attributes you need athletically as a wide receiver, rather than bulk and speed, which the full back and tight end positions would require. As a fullback alone, I think he would be the first fullback taken purely on potential, but with his potential to play other positions, he would be by far the top fullback prospect. In the open field he’s extremely tough to bring down and runs with great intent. His hands, either as a tight end, or out of the backfield as a fullback, are very soft and refined for his age. I have my doubts about his ability to play the tight end position in the NFL and establish himself as a big tight end target, mostly because, from what I’ve seen of him, I doubt he’s quite 6-3 and Florida does have a history of listing their athletes as bigger than they are. However, if he proves me wrong, he deserves to be the 2^nd tight end off of the board because his athleticism and potential completely blows out of that of Dennis Pitta, my current #2 tight end. He’s faster, bulkier, and already more productive than Pitta, who is 24. All that he needs to do is measure up.

NFL Comparison: Benjamin Watson

*= For a breakdown of what this means, click here

 

 

By Kevin Harrison 

Well the Jets are 5-1 heading into the bye week.  Things are looking good right now but we know, being long suffering Jets fans, that good can turn sour very quickly.   So, what needs to happen for the Jets to win the Super Bowl this year or next?   I can’t really tell you what needs to happen except to win your games.  But, I CAN tell you what CAN’T happen for the Jets to win the Super Bowl either this year, or next year.  The following are 80 DON’TS for the Jets and their fans:

1.       Don’t take pictures of your tally-whacker and sending them to female team employees.

2.       Don’t hold out of training camp for crazy money and then injuring your hamstring.  Cough, cough Darrelle Revis.

3.       Don’t stay out to 5:00 am with teammates and then getting a DWI.  Cough, cough Braylon.

4.       Don’t write a book called “Throw Me The Damn Ball.”

5.       Don’t having the owner utter the words, “Just Win Now.”  That didn’t seem to work out too well winning 4 games in 2 years after that famous line.

6.       Don’t have the coach say, “You Play To Win The Game.”

7.       Don’t get suspended for substance abuse causing you to miss 4 games.

8.       Don’t eat hotdogs on the sideline no matter how hungry you are ala Mark Sanchez.

9.       Don’t give the finger to fans of the opposing team.  Give them a finger from each hand.

10.   Don’t have the game clock managed by a guy named Dick Curl.

11.   Don’t write a post-game speech before the media even asks questions.

12.   Don’t blow out your achillies ala Vinny and the Jets.

13.   Don’t delete episodes of “Hard Knocks” from your DVR; rewatch them during the bye week.

14.   Don’t continue hocking PSLs to the fans during the season.

15.   Don’t lose anymore home games.  Christen the new stadium with two home playoff games.

16.   Don’t hate Fireman Ed.  J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets !

17.   Don’t let Cromartie worry about child support for his zillion kids.

18.   Don’t think L.T. just stands for Lawrence Taylor anymore in New York.  It’s now Ladaniian Tomlinson.

19.   Don’t worry about Tom Brady hating the Jets.  Hate the Patriots right back.

20.   Don’t worry about putting just one receiver on Revis Island.  Put the other wideout on Cromartie Island.

21.   Don’t worry about being the “Sanchise.”  Just worry about getting better each week.

22.   Don’t care that Belechick quit as HC of the NYJ.  Just go out and order a Belechicken dinner.

23.   Don’t pay attention to Joe Namath’s Tweets.  If you play well, the Tweets will be nicer.

24.   Don’t be the iconic figure of the franchise and get hammered on the sideline and try to kiss a NFL Reporter ala Suzy Kobler.

25.   Don’t have Rex Ryan kiss Tom Brady’s rings.

26.   Don’t worry that David Harris doesn’t have a contract extension.  He’s playing for a big one this year.

27.   Don’t worry that we didn’t sign Faneca.  We secured D’Brick and Mangold for a long, long, long time.

28.   Don’t worry how many times Rex drops an F-bomb.  Who F**King cares.

29.   Don’t worry who will be next to make the Ring of Honor.  Just win the Super Bowl and there will be a ton of you up there.

30.   Don’t worry that one of the most hated Dolphins is a Jet (Jason Taylor).  He’s playing great like another hated Dolphin converted to green ala Bryan Cox.

31.   Don’t worry about Peyton Manning for the playoffs.  That’s why we brought in Cromartie and Pool, as well as drafting Wilson, to go along with Revis.

32.   Don’t care about not making it back to the Super Bowl in 40+ years.  When we get there, it will be that much sweeter.

33.   Don’t think about the old Giants Stadium.  Just stare happily at the new parking lot that Jimmy Hoffa is buried under.

34.   Don’t keep on bringing up that we should have kept Thomas Jones.  Ladanian is playing great.  Thomas who?

35.   Don’t just focus on Ground n’ Pound.  Just move the ball.  Get first downs.  And score!

36.   Don’t need to color code Sanchez’ play calling anymore!

37.   Don’t know if Jets Big Daddy (Section 122 of the old stadium) is alive anymore but hope he’s seeing this young season.

38.   Don’t pose for any more GQ spreads.  Cough, couch Mr. Sanchez.

39.   Don’t remember the last few Jets tight ends that couldn’t catch: Jolley, Becht, Brady.  We finally have one that does – Keller.

40.   Don’t just think how great the Sack Exchange years were.  This current defense is just as good, if not better. 

41.   Don’t continue to think about past Jets heartbreak (we’ve all been there.)  This is NOT those “Same Ole Jets.”

42.   Don’t hate Eric Mangini.  He made a stupid trade for his team which allowed us to draft our much needed franchise QB.

43.   Don’t think about the Jets having blown 10 or more point leads the last two AFC Championship Game appearances.  Third time will be a charm.

44.   Don’t even bring up the fact that we were 1 pick short of drafting Brett Favre and settled on Browning Nagle.  That was then.

45.   Don’t ever hand out Shrek ears again to fans entering the stadium.  I know that was a while ago but that was dumb.

46.   Don’t mess with The Terminator (John Connor).

47.   Don’t laugh when you hear the name “Woody Johnson.”  Yes…I’m VERY immature.

48.   Don’t mock the Jets Flight Crew!  They are so talented in what they do.

49.   Don’t date Bridgette Neilsen.

50.   Don’t rough the QB deep in their own end on 3^rd and 10.

51.   Don’t bring guns in the trunk of your car to the stadium ala Damien Robinson

52.   Don’t smoke pot during the season and if you do, don’t get caught…cough, cough Shawn Ellis.

53.   Don’t be using Twitter on the sidelines.

54.   Don’t wear those ugly Blue & Yellow Titans uniforms anymore.  We are GANG GREEN.  NOT BIG BLUE !

55.   Don’t EVER watch the movie “Heidi.”

56.   Don’t “Guarantee” anything.  That only works once.

57.   Don’t forget Dennis Byrd, a true inspiration forever.  Rise & Walk !

58.   Don’t play passive but be weary of potential concussions ending your career early ala Wayne Chrebet and Al Toon.

59.   Don’t fall for a fake spike play.  Grrrrr to Mr. Marino.

60.   Don’t worry about picking the groceries.  Our grocery cart is currently stocked.

61.   Don’t think about the Mud Bowl or the Tuna Bowl; focus on the Super Bowl.

62.   Don’t  pass the ball and stop the clock when the other team is out of timeouts before the two-minute warning unless it’s a second or two before half-time again.

63.   Don’t say J.E.T.S. stands for Just End The Season.  It now stands for J.E.T.S. – Just Expect The Superbowl !

64.   Don’t sexually harass female international reporters again.

65.   Don’t, if you play the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the playoffs, attempt a FG too far out where the percentages are not in your favor.

66.   Don’t be like Eric Barton and make a bonehead play at a crucial moment in a huge game!

67.   Don’t bring in a soccer player to try and play football ala Tony Meola.

68.   Don’t worry if you fail to make it in the endzone on 4^th and 1 with a QB sneak on the last play of the game; celebrate anyway to maybe get the TD call.  (See Phantom TD)

69.   Don’t worry if you make a poor shovel pass resulting in a turnover.  It will never amount to the infamous Bubby Brister play.

70.   Don’t let it bother you that the Jets don’t currently have a cereal in their name.  Chrebet Crunch was never that yummy anyway but much better than Flutie Flakes.

71.   Don’t believe the hype of a Sophmore QB jinx.

72.   Don’t laugh at Rex Ryan’s svelte figure since his lap-band surgery.

73.   Don’t let Paul McGuire, wherever he may be, say “the Jets won’t win another game this year.”  Don’t want that to happen again.

74.   Don’t proclaim 51-45 and the Monday Night Miracle as the best Jets home games.  Go out and HOST the AFC Championship and WIN which would then be the “Best Game.”

75.   Don’t fumble away sure wins like Blair Thomas did.

76.   Don’t have remote control airplanes as the half-time show. (Remember the “Flying Lawnmower Game”)

77.   Don’t believe that Flash Gordon was really a quarterback of the New York Jets despite what he says.

78.   Don’t relax too much during a bye week unless trying to heal an injury.

79.   Don’t think about “What Ifs”, think about “What can be” !  Example: What if we drafted Marino or was able to draft Favre? What if Parcells coached another year?

80.   Don’t let a game’s outcome be dependent on a “gift.”  We already got our “gift” this year in Denver.

http://khbirdmantalkingjets.blogspot.com/

Go back to Jets Fan Spot 

 

 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 
30-40 Career practice squader 
20-30 No NFL future 
0-20 No football future 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 
30-40 Career practice squader 
20-30 No NFL future 
0-20 No football future 

 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Priority free agent