Rush linebacker is the position on a 3-4 defense that is most normally responsible for rushing the passer, hence its name. The rush linebacker lines up fairly close to the line of scrimmage, but not on the line of scrimmage, and also far more to the outside than a defensive end, about halfway between the 4-3 defensive end position and the nickelback position. They play standing up, meaning they do not start the play with their hand on the line of scrimmage. They aren’t required to do as much physical run stuffing as 3-4 defensive ends, but they are required to drop back into coverage a lot more. Part of the mystique of the 3-4 defense is the rush linebacker position because offensive players and coordinators simply don’t know if a rush linebacker is going to rush the quarterback or drop back into coverage. Based off that description, the position seems like an ideal position for those smaller college defensive ends that would struggle in the trenches in the NFL. Those smaller ends normally have the fluid athleticism needed to drop back into coverage and the speed to cover and also a set of smooth pass rushing moves to penetrate the backfield from an outside position. So, you’d think with so many teams switching to 3-4 defenses in recent years, smaller defensive ends would be getting excited knowing that there is a position for them in the NFL. Well, as recent history has shown that is not the case. The case has been that, because the rush linebacker position pretty much does not exist in the college game, players have had a hard time transitioning to the rush linebacker position in recent years. In fact, you have to go back to the 2005 draft to find a defensive end that was able to transition to the rush linebacker position with good success (DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman).

Kamerion Wimbley

Wimbley came into the league at 245 pounds so he could not play the defensive end position in the NFL, as he had in college, but with a solid 4.67 40 time, the Browns believed he could make the transition to the 3-4 rush linebacker in Romeo Crennel’s defense and for a while they were right. In his first year in the league, Wimbley had 11 sacks, most among rookies and put himself into consideration for Rookie of the Year. However, in order for me to consider him a success at the position, he would have had to sustain that success and he hasn’t. In the 3 years since, Wimbley has a grand total of 15.5. Not bad, but not great. He wasn’t a complete failure as a rush linebacker, at least not compared to some other rush linebackers.

Manny Lawson

Lawson was 241 pounds when he weighed in at the combine, but with his amazing 4.43 40 time, teams quickly forget about that and viewed him as an elite future rush linebacker. Mike Nolan of the San Francisco 49ers pulled the trigger on him with the 22^nd pick in 2006. However, Lawson proved quickly to be a bust. Lawson managed 8 sacks through the first three and a half years of his career. He did show some signs of hope late last season with 4 sacks in the Niners last 8 games giving him 6.5 for the season, most on the team, but its safe to say he hasn’t been worth the 22^nd overall pick.

Vernon Gholston

Nowhere is there a better example for this article than Gholston. Gholston was a safe pick in 2008. At 266 pounds he could have played defensive end and given his 14.5 sacks as a defensive end in his final year at Ohio State, he probably could have played the position well. He fell to the Jets at 6 in 2008 and since he had top 5 talent and the Jets desperately needed a pass rusher, the Jets took him at 6 and tried to fit him into their 3-4 scheme as a rush linebacker. It was a reasonable decision given his 4.58 40 time at the combine, but in the two years since being drafted, Gholston has not had a single sack and could be cut this offseason.

Larry English

(did not play enough as a rookie for me to use him in this article)

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews is the one success story with 10 sacks in his rookie year after being drafted 26^th overall. Why did he succeed? He played linebacker at USC. Though USC does not use a true rush linebacker position, they do blitz their strong side linebacker very often and Matthews was that guy. He was essentially playing a 4-3 rush linebacker position at USC and that wouldn’t be as hard to transition from as a 4-3 end position.

I know there isn’t a large statistical sample to use here, since the rush linebacker position is a very modern position that has not been around long, but what has happened to Wimbley, Lawson, and Gholston is a bit startling. Because of that, it would make me at least think twice before drafting a guy like Jerry Hughes or Jason Pierre Paul to play rush linebacker in the first. Instead I would wait until the 2^nd or the 3^rd round to take a guy like Ricky Sapp, Eric Norwood, or Sergio Kindle who have experience playing the outside linebacker position in college in addition to defensive end. Brandon Graham could be safe too because he played some linebacker in high school, though guys who played some linebacker in college seem to be the safe way to go. 

 

 

By Vince Vitale

The St. Louis Rams have signed quarterback Sam Bradford to a 6-year $78 million contract, with $50 million in guaranteed money. Sam Bradford is the first NFL player to ever get $50+ million in guaranteed money. The Rams deal with Sam Bradford could actually max out at $86 million dollars if Sam meets all incentives. Sam Bradford was able to get $6 million more than the deal Matt Stafford received from the Detroit Lions in 2009, and Sam will also receive $8.3 million more in guaranteed money than Matt. 

According to reports the St. Louis Rams wanted to sign Sam Bradford in time for the team’s first full-squad workout on Saturday. The St. Louis Rams training camp will be open to the public for the 3 – 4:30 p.m. session on Saturday. 

So Rams fans Sam Bradford is finally here. The same Sam Bradford that completed 604 passes for 8403 yards and 88 touchdowns while playing with the Oklahoma Sooners. It is time to watch Sam Bradford set St. Louis Rams training camp on fire with his pin point accuracy and leadership. Sam  Bradford is now 50 million steps closer to being the St. Louis Rams starting quarterback.

http://www.stlouisramfan.com/ 

 

When: January 24th-30th

Where: Mobile, Alabama

What: A sort of combination of an All-Star game and a mini combine that scouts use to grade senior draft prospects. 

Who: (List not finalized and will be updated as more prospects accept)  

QB Tim Tebow– Florida

Showed in the Sugar Bowl his abilities as a thrower and though he has some mechanical issues, I think he can be coached into a big time NFL player at quarterback. There is also no doubt that he’ll be a first round selection with as many people in high positions in the NFL that love him as there are. 

QB Joe Webb- AUB

Extremely versatile, has played quarterback, wildcat, wide receiver, and even punted twice in his 4 year career. This last season he showed his skills as a passer, 21 touchdowns to 8 picks, 8.5 YPA, in addition to his abilities on the ground, 1427 yards and 11 touchdowns on a 6.2 clip and could get drafted in the late rounds as either a wildcat, a wide receiver, or maybe even quarterback project.

QB Dan LeFevour– Central Michigan

Called an elite quarterback prospect, by Mel Kiper, but I just don’t see it because of his lack of the fundamentals of the quarterback position, namely his reads. Some team could draft him in the 5th round or later as a project because he did average 7.5 YPA this year, albeit out of a shotgun offense. 

QB Sean Canfield- Oregon State

Burst onto the scene this year after being a little known backup who struggled as a sophomore in his only long stint as a starter, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 7 picks with a YPA of 7.3. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he has the frame to grow more and build up his strength and if Trent Edwards could get drafted in the 3rd round in 2007 as a relatively untested quarterback based on tools alone, so can Canfield.

QB Tony Pike– Cincinnati

Has two straight good years for a very surprising Cincinnati program, especially this year when he threw 29 touchdowns to 6 picks despite being injured for 3+ games. There are concerns that he may just be a system quarterback, but he certainly has all of the physical tools and that elite decision making you rarely see out of a college quarterback, so he should be the first quarterback off the board in the 2nd round, after Clausen, Bradford, and Tebow go first round. 

QB Jarrett Brown- West Virginia

A run first quarterback could be drafted out of West Virginia for the 2nd straight year, Pat White last year, 2nd round to the Miami Dolphins, and Jarrett Brown this year. Brown has a bigger frame than White and could hold up as a running back long term, in addition to being a wildcat, but White was a ton more productive at West Virginia than Brown, who was decent at best throwing the ball this year with a 130.2 QB rating. 

QB Zac Robinson– Oklahoma State

Didn’t have a great year this year compared to last year, but thats understandable because he was without his tight end and his top receiver from 2008. He’s a good mobile quarterback that has NFL potential as either a quarterback or a wide receiver and could be drafted in the mid rounds.

RB Anthony Dixon– Mississippi State

A big power back who has led his team in rushing yards in each of the last 4 years. Projects as a 3^rd round prospect.

RB Montario Hardesty- Tennessee

Finally put everything together and had 1345 yards on 286 carries and 13 scores this season. He’s also a good pass catcher with 25 receptions, one for a score. Projects as a 4^th round prospect.

RB Stafon Johnson- USC

Suffered a tragic weight lifting accident earlier this season, but has been medically cleared for football related activities. He has never really had a dominant season in his four years at USC, but he has shown the talent in flashes and could be drafted in the 6^th or 7^th round.

RB Ben Tate- Auburn

Good size and speed, but incredibly inconsistent. He bounced back from a disappointing junior year in which he averaged 4.2 YPC with a very good senior season on the whole and projects as a 4^th or 5^th round prospect.

RB Charles Scott- LSU

He got buried on the depth chart this season for LSU, but averaged 5.4 YPC and scored 18 times last season as a junior. He runs a good 40 for his size and has good explosiveness at 235 pounds. He projects as a 5^th round prospect.

RB Chris Brown- Oklahoma

Had a huge junior year with 1220 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2008, but really struggled with Sam Bradford out of the lineup in 2009, averaging just 4.1 YPC and scoring just 7 times. He could still get drafted as a late round prospect but he’s not the 3rd round pick he would have been if he had come out last year.

RB Joique Bell- Wayne State

I have no idea where Wayne State is, but they boast one of the most productive runners in the nation this year and I’m excited to get to see him square off with tougher competition. The 6-1 223 pound Bell rushed for 2084 yards this season against small school competition and if he can have a good Senior Bowl, along with a good showing at the combine, he could be looking at the 4th round range. 

RB Rashawn Jackson- Virginia

He should be one of the top fullback prospects in this draft class if scouts can look past his arrest for burglary in 2008. He’s a strong blocker and runner at 6-1 245, and also caught 25 passes for 222 passes last season, but if scouts can’t look past the arrest he could go undrafted. 

WR Danario Alexander- Missouri

A big college football player with good production, but he has horrible timed speed and is a poor route runner. He’ll either get drafted by a team who runs a spread offense or by a team who needs a big end zone threat but either way I think he’s looking at the 3rd round range. 

WR Shay Hodge- Ole Miss

Good size at 6-2 215 and saved his best for last with 1135 yards and 8 touchdowns this season. If he runs a sub 4.5 40, he could be drafted in the 3^rdround, otherwise, he’s looking at the 4^th round or later.

WR Brandon LaFell– LSU

Excellent size, excellent hands, and excellent run blocking make this senior wide receiver stand out above all the rest. He’s close to being a 1^st round lock at this point.

RB/WR Dexter McCluster– Ole Miss

Not very big, but plenty fast and has experience taking direct snaps. His role in the NFL will be unconventional, but I think he has one. He’s looking at the 3^rdround range right now unless his 40 is much lower than the projected 4.35.

WR Jeremy Williams- Tulane

Injuries have plagued his career at Tulane, but he had a very good senior campaign with 1113 yards and 7 touchdowns. He’s still only seen as a 3^rd or 4^thround prospect because of his past.

WR Riley Cooper- Florida

Florida’s leading receiver in terms of yards with 961 and 2nd on the team with 51 reception, plus, of course since he’s a gator, he’s got amazing measurables, 6-3 215, 4.44. He’s only got one year of good production, but if Louis Murphy can go in the 4th round in 2009 with similar production and measurables, so can Cooper, especially if Al Davis is looking for more wide receivers on draft day.

WR Andre Roberts- Citadel

He’s small and doesn’t have the 40 time to make up for at and after two straight amazing seasons of 1000+ yards and 10+ touchdowns in 2007 and 2008, Roberts only managed 77 catches for 792 yards and 7 touchdowns this year against small school competition. I doubt he gets drafted. 

WR Marshawn Gilyard– Cincinnati

A long lanky athlete who may be a bit of a system player, but showed great agility as a wide receiver and kick returner. He projects as a slot guy and could be drafted in the 3rd round.

TE Anthony McCoy- USC

All of the athletic tools, but never put them together. He has never had more than 22 receptions in a season and for all of his size, he only has three career touchdowns. He may get drafted late, but I doubt it.

TE Colin Peek- Alabama

Good size, but below par production with his career high in yards being 313. He may get drafted late as a blocking tight end.

TE Jimmy Graham- Miami

Basketball big at 6-8, but never really productive as a tight end for the Miami Hurricanes football team. I was surprised he got invited and I’d be surprised if he got drafted. 

OT Ciron Black– LSU

Strictly a right tackle at the next level, but that being said, he’s probably the best pure right tackle in the draft class. He could have been a 1^st round pick last year, but his weaknesses were exposes this year so he’s looking at the 2^nd round right now.

OT Charles Brown- USC

My favorite prospect nobody has heard of, Brown, a former tight end, has 1^stround talent, but could fall into the 2^nd round if he measures up at less than 300 pounds. 

G John Jerry- Ole Miss

A massive overpowering blocker who has weaknesses against the pass, but could still be one of the first guards taken and that puts him in the 3^rd round range.

G/OT Mike Johnson– Alabama

Would only be a 3^rd round prospect as a guard, but he has experience at right tackle and for that he could be drafted in the 2^nd round. He’s a very good run blocker, but not a great pass blocker and does not have elite size.

C Eric Olsen- Notre Dame

One of the top center prospects in the 2010 draft class, unfortunately, that only is going to put him in about the 3^rd or 4^th round.

OT Sam Young– Notre Dame

Never put all of the tools together at Notre Dame and was embarrassed by USC earlier this year, but his size and hustle could get him drafted in the 2^nd round as a right tackle.

G Mike Iupati- Idaho

He’s a massive run blocking guard with huge upside who I am looking forward to watching at the Senior Bowl. He should be the first guard off the board.

G Mitch Petrus- Arkansas

A massive run blocking guard who was amazing in 2007 blocking for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, but he hasn’t looked as dominant since and was suspended for a year for academic reasons. If he gets drafted, it won’t be before the 4th round and it will be on upside.

OT Trent Williams– Oklahoma 

Another Sooner whose stock fell by returning to school, Williams’ pass blocking abilities and footwork were greatly challenged this year leading some scouts to believe he may just be a right tackle longterm. He’s not right tackle big either, so he’s got a bit of an issue going forward, but should be drafted in the 2nd round on upside. 

G/OT Vladimir Ducaase- Massachusetts

A big offensive lineman from a small school background, who has the versatility to play 4 spots on the offensive line. He is getting heavily hyped in the draftnik community because of his 340 pound frame and could go in the 3rd round so I’m looking forward to getting a shot to watch him play.

NT Terrence Cody– Alabama

A massive nose tackle that is only a two down nose tackle at the next level, but that won’t matter as he is going to be able to stabilize any 3-4 defense that drafts him against the run and could go top 15.

DE Brandon Graham– Michigan

Not very tall, but makes up for it with good pass rushing moves. His longterm future could be at rush linebacker because of his height, but NFL drafters might not see him there if he runs a 4.7 40. He’ll probably go in the 2^nd round, but could fall. 

DE Jerry Hughes– TCU

The best pure rush linebacker prospect in the draft class and he can also play 4-3 end in a cover 2 system. Deserves to go in the first round with 26 sacks in the last 2 years, but with the rate that rush linebackers have been busting in recent years, he could fall into the 2^nd round.

DE Brandon Lang- Troy

In many ways a tweener, doesn’t have the size to play on the line full time in the NFL, but I don’t think he really is a rush linebacker. However, with 16 sacks in the last 2 years, some team will draft him as a pass rushing specialist in the 3^rd or 4^thround.

DE George Selvie– South Florida

Probably only getting invited to the Senior Bowl on the basis of the 14 sacks he had in 2007. He only has 8 since and probably should not be drafted before the 5^th round because I don’t see him trying out there at all, but his good 40 time will keep him in the 3^rd or 4^th round range as a pass rushing specialist.

DE Cameron Sheffield- Troy

Lost in Lang’s shadow a bit as a defensive end for Troy, but he has 11 sacks in the last two years. I don’t see much more than a late round prospect in him, but he could prove me wrong.

NT Dan Williams- Tennessee

Another talented nose tackle that could go in the first round, Williams has good size, gets a good push, and has decent agility.

DE/DT Tyson Alualu– California

Has a great motor and experience playing in a 3-4 defense at Cal which puts him ahead of a lot of 3-4 defensive end prospects. However, his natural athleticism isn’t great and despite his strong motor and intelligence, he’s still likely a 3rd round pick.

DT Geno Atkins- Georgia

Never was able to live up to the 7 sacks he had as a sophomore, getting only 3 in the two years since, but he runs a good 40 for his size and could be a solid one gap penetrator as a 4-3 defensive tackle at the next level. He’s looking at the 4th round range.

DT Jeff Owens- Georgia

Doesn’t have Atkins’ claim to fame with any major statistical production in school, so I’m actually kind of puzzled to why he was invited. He is a combine wonder who is capable of benching 525 pounds and running a 4.9 40 and that alone could get him drafted as a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end, but he doesn’t have great production and has been hobbled by injuries throughout his career. 

OLB/DE Antonio Coleman- Auburn

Played standing up at Auburn and translates as a rush linebacker prospect. With 24 sacks in his last 3 years, he should be a 3^rd or 4^th round prospect unless he’s really slow at the combine.

OLB/DE Eric Norwood– South Carolina

Experience at outside linebacker and defensive end, he looks comfortable in pass coverage and for that reason projects as both a 4-3 and 3-4 outside linebacker and a 2^nd round prospect.

MLB Daryl Washington- TCU

Fits 4-3 systems and cover 2 systems well as a middle linebacker, but he won’t fit in a 3-4, 99 tackles this season, but more impressive are his three interceptions. He projects as a 3^rd round prospect.

OLB Dekoda Watson- Florida State

Very fast, but not very big so he’s only a 4-3 outside linebacker. He has 7 sacks this season, but I can’t see him as a pass rusher in the NFL with his small frame, so I think he is going to be a 4^th round prospect or worse.

MLB Darryl Sharpton- Miami

Fairly productive career at Miami with 244 career tackles and a career high 99 this year to go with an amazing 76 yard pick six. He will be drafted as a reserve linebacker because of his versatility, but he shouldn’t be much more than a 5th round pick. 

OLB Sean Weatherspoon– Missouri

A three year starter for the Missouri Tigers who has really shown great leadership and fundamentals as an outside linebacker. He can play 4-3 outside linebacker and 3-4 inside linebacker and is likely going to be drafted in the 1st round, possibly as the 2nd linebacker off the board after Rolando McClain. 

MLB Jamar Chaney- Mississippi State

He has three good years as a starter for Mississippi State, though not all in order due to a nasty injury last season. He doesn’t have a ton of upside, but he’s going to get drafted late as a depth guy and if he doesn’t, I think he’ll be signed to someone’s 80 man roster and given a shot to make a team week 1, assuming he doesn’t get hurt again. 

CB Javier Arenas– Alabama

He’d be a solid nickel back in the NFL, but his value is as a kick returner where he is one of the best in the nation. He could also play wide receiver and I think he goes in the 2^nd round.

CB Jerome Murphy- South Florida

He has really impressed me this season, as he has with other scouts, so the 3^rdround seems likely for him.

CB Patrick Robinson- Florida State

Really just looks like he isn’t trying out there, but someone is going to draft his athleticism in the 2^nd round.

CB Kyle Wilson– Boise State

Projects as a nickel back and could be a solid #2 corner at the next level, but I’m not fully sold on him as a starter. He returns kicks and punts as well and could be drafted in the 2^nd round, though 3^rd round is more likely.

CB Syd’Quan Thompson– California

An NFL ready nickelback who is strong against the run and has good hands, but he lacks elite cover skills so his upside is limited. I can’t see him going in the first round, but he could go second round because of his readyness as Alphonso Smith did last year. 

CB Chris Cook- Virginia

He had 4 picks this year, but never impressed me as a cover cornerback, though I haven’t seen a ton of him. He could prove me wrong in the Senior Bowl, but I don’t think he’ll get drafted. 

S Nate Allen- South Florida

Good hands and instincts in the open field, had 5 picks this season, and should be drafted in the 2^nd round range.

SS Harry Coleman- LSU

Not even the best safety on his own team, but he has experience playing linebacker and he is good against the run, but I don’t see him working out at safety longterm in the NFL and he’s too small to play linebacker in the NFL. He’ll be a late round pick, but I don’t see him being much.

S Taylor Mays– USC

Has had his weaknesses exposed this season, but his triangle numbers will get him drafted in the first round as a strong safety.

S Kyle McCarthy- Notre Dame

A natural leader in the defensive backfield for Notre Dame and has risen up my draft board into the 3^rd round range, though he’s not a lock to go that high.

S Myron Rolle – Florida State

Easily the player I’m most looking forward to seeing in the Senior Bowl, Rolle could have been a top 15 pick last year had he declared, but he decided to take the Rhodes Scholarship and study neurosciences at Oxford for a year. How he fares in the Senior Bowl after a year away from the sport could get him drafted anywhere from the 3rd round to not drafted at all.

P Zoltan Mesko- Michigan

44.5 yards per punt should be enough to get him drafted, but you never know with punters.

K Leigh Tiffin- Alabama

Made 88% of his field goals, but somehow missed 3 extra points this season, and when you look at the breakdown, he didn’t make a lot of long field goals. He only has one season of 75% accuracy on field goals and is a long shot to get drafted.

 

2010 Record: 12-4

Draft Position: 31

2010 Season Recap: Click Here

Offseason Needs: Click Here

Free Agents/Team Transactions: Click Here

Draft Grades: Click Here

Key Offseason Moves: None

Steelers Blogger: Sean Geddes

 

2010 Posts:  

After His Worst Season As a Pro, Jeff Reed Has Been Waived, Steelers vs. Patriots- An Interesting Battle of Philosophy, Sometimes A Close Win Still Contains Some Losses…Again, Steelers vs. Bengals- Who, What, Where, When, Why, Sometimes A Close Win Still Contains A Loss, Ben’s Return- The Longest Offseason, Steelers/Ravens Recap, Steelers/Ravens: Who, What, Where, When, Why, Steelers/Bucs Recap, The Curse of Big Ben?, Steelers Titans Review, Steelers 15 Falcons 9 (OT), Steelers vs. Panthers- Who, What, Where, When, Why, Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview

 

 

Spotlight #1: Syracuse TE Nick Provo

Spotlight #2: Connecticut C Moe Petrus 

1^st quarter 

13:24: Provo with good strength and power on an outside run block.

12:13: Petrus with a good interior block one on one pass block.

11:30: Provo knocked down while run blocking.

10:54: Provo beat off the snap as a run blocker on 3^rd and 1, noticeably slow, but recovers to help convert.

8:58: Provo has one sail over his head, would have liked to have seen him actually try to put his hands up and catch it, but it was a pretty uncatchable ball.

8:45: Petrus looks slow on a pull block, can’t get out fast enough to make any kind of impact.

8:02: Petrus gets beat in run blocking, seems to have given up afterwards, short run up the middle.

7:04: Botched snap and turnover by Petrus, could have been more on the quarterback than the center, but a low shotgun snap.

6:59: Provo with a good pass block, good hand use to block for a long time against extra pressure.

3:50: Mike Ryan slow on a pull block on 3^rd and 1, failed edge block, big loss, forced punt.

0:57: Petrus with a good 2^nd level block, play goes away from him to the outside.

0:19: Petrus quick off the snap on a run up the middle, quarterback draw.

2^nd quarter

14:36: Petrus with another nice 2^nd level block, utilized this time, solid gain.

13:40: Petrus called for unnecessary roughness after a Syracuse fumble recovery. Forced fumble by Chandler Jones.

6:51: Provo with a good effort to throw a downfield block after a teammate’s long reception.

5:35: Connecticut brings pressure up the middle, Kendall Reyes in on a combined sack.

1:54: Provo has a pass bounce to him under pressure, incompletion.

1:26: Petrus bull rushed back one on one, pushed into the quarterback, who was also hit by Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones, a talented end who beats pro prospect Mike Ryan for the sack. Fumble recovered.

0:57: Petrus beat one on one by swim move for the pressure.

0:51: Petrus helps on a double team in pass protection.

0:25: Moe Petrus with another late hit after a pick, 15 yards, poor pass protection as well, bull rushed leading to pressure and an eventual bad pick, picked off by talented junior safety Phillip Thomas, his 2^nd of the night.

0:21: Almost another turnover, pressure by Kendall Reyes.

 

3^rd quarter

14:41: Provo takes a short one for 5 off play action, good job quickly getting open.

13:43: Provo open short on a similar play, more open than last time, takes it for 8 this time.

11:58: Provo on a tight end end around, not taking it for much, a yard or two. Interesting play call.

11:21: Ball off the hands of the intended receiver, Provo does a good job of diving to try to catch it off the deflection, can’t quite, but I like the effort.

10:31: Provo starts off as a blocker, disengages, wide open on play action on the goal line, takes it for the easy score, good fake, good hands, good play.

10:07: Petrus moves well on an outside pitch.

9:53: Back to back big runs, this one up the middle, hole helped sealed by Petrus.

8:10: Petrus outmuscled on a short run.

3:11: Provo struggles with ball rush in pass protection, eventually thrown, good job to hang in.

0:59: Petrus falls trying to execute a 2^nd level block, not agile here.

4^th quarter

12:46: Provo takes a slant on 3^rd and 5 short of the sticks in space, converts.

12:11: Provo takes a dump off, good open field moves and vision to take it for 10+ yards, physical, good stiff arm.

10:44: Provo has his block disengaged from when a good gain to his side, needs more functional strength.

9:29: Provo catches a 1^st on 3^rd against tight coverage on a choice route, uses his body to post up the guy like basketball, good hands and good fight to hold on with guy draped on him and refuses to go down at first.

6:44: Petrus pulls out to block in pass protection, good agility and blocking, gets set quick, good hand use.

5:42: Petrus helps open up a cut block lane on the inside, blocks to the left, seals well.

3:06: Provo takes another short one against tight coverage.

1:31: Provo targeted on 4^th and 6, could have been a completion, but a huge play by Kendall Reyes to bat it down on the line. Instinctual clutch play for the potential day 2 pick.

0:00: Nick Provo didn’t catch a ball in the first half, but finished with 7 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. He’s very good at getting open short and has good, dependable hands. He’s a great route runner in a Pro Style offense. He’s physical and can post guys up short. He doesn’t have a lot of vertical stretch ability, but as far as possession tight ends go, I think he can be a very good one at the next level. On the season, he has 51 catches for 537 yards and 7 touchdowns. He’s also a great end zone threat and his team’s 2^nd leading receiver, his team leader in touchdowns.

As a blocker, he shows promise, but he needs work. He’s got the frame and the upside to be a good blocker at 6-4 249 pounds, but needs to add more functional strength and get stronger at the point of attack. He’s also not the most athletic, which effects his ability to both get separation deep, which I already mentioned, as well as his ability to pull block and block on the move with good feet.

Connecticut has two draftable prospects on their offensive line. Moe Petrus is the lower rated of the two, but the spotlight in this game. The center had his moments, but really didn’t seem to be an NFL caliber player. He had some nice interior blocks, but really struggled to pull block and didn’t look athletic or mobile in the open field. He also had trouble with bull rushes one on one and allowed a combined sack that led to a fumble.

He needs to add more functional strength at the point of attack if he excepts to be able to match up one on one with NFL interior lineman one on one. He did a good job as a double teamer in pass protection and open some nice interior holes for Connecticut’s running game, but he didn’t have a good game. He was also whistled for two late hits after Connecticut turnovers, one of the turnovers he was partially at fault for. He could still get drafted late, but I think it’s more likely than not that he doesn’t get drafted.

Mike Ryan, Connecticut’s left tackle, is a higher rated prospect and could go in the mid rounds. The 6-5 335 pound left tackle is a physically imposing player, but he struggled in this one with another potential mid round prospect, Syracuse junior defensive end Chandler Jones, who has recently declared for the 2012 NFL Draft early.

Jones has a lot of athletic talent at 6-5 265. He’s also brother to Arthur Jones, of the Baltimore Ravens, and Jon Jones, a UFC fighter. However, he could have used another year in school. Struggling with injuries this season, he had just 38 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 7 games as a junior. The talent is there, but the production never has been. In this one, he had 5 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and a sack and generally won the battles with Mike Ryan. Ryan has been inconsistent this season, but had a great game against Pittsburgh’s Brandon Lindsay, another mid round prospect. He’s a physically imposing player and could have a future at right tackle at the next level. He’s probably an early day 3 pick, while Jones is a borderline day 2/day 3 pick who could solidify himself as a day 2 pick with good pre-draft workouts.

Connecticut controlled the trenches on the defensive side of the ball, led in large part by Kendall Reyes. Reyes, a defensive tackle, had a great game with 7 tackles and a half sack, as well as a clutch pass deflection that ended the game. Reyes looks like a day 2 pick who could benefit from a weak defensive tackle class and wind up in the 2^nd round. He also benefits from being one of the best penetrating 4-3 under tackles in a class where most of the top guys are run stuffers first. He can also play 3-4 defensive end, something other top guys in this class might not be able to do as well.

The 6-5 300 Reyes has ideal 3-4 end size and 46 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks on the season. His play really helped limit Antwon Bailey to 50 yards on 16 carries. The 5-7 208 pound back is in his first year as a starter taking over for Delone Carter and rushed for 1051 yards and 6 touchdowns on 240 carries this season, as well as 29 catches. He will have trouble getting drafted late.

 

Spotlight #1: Baylor QB Robert Griffin  

Spotlight #2: Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill 

1^st quarter

14:56: Griffin makes the quick decision to Kendall Wright in the flat, but it doesn’t go anywhere.

13:40: Griffin showing his athleticism here. Nothing open downfield, went one way, nothing there, bounces off goes the other way, hurdles a tackler and gets out of bounds for a first down on 3^rd and 4. 11 yard run, plus a 15 yard penalty added to the play with an unnecessary roughness penalty on Texas A&M out of bounds.

12:51: Griffin play action, pump fakes, has Kendall Wright open deep, but Griffin just overthrows him.

12:46: Griffin sacked, didn’t see him coming.

10:50: Tannehill on a roll out, throws on the run for a first down against the sideline, 15 yard gain to Ryan Swope.

10:15: Tannehill throws underneath, a little inaccurate, receiver has to stretch out to catch it and drops it after a hit.

10:11: Tannehill incomplete to Swope over the middle, but a pass interference penalty drawn.

9:45: Tannehill on play action, checks down but the guy isn’t in much space, tackle for a loss on Ryan Swope.

9:13: Tannehill intercepted on a really short shovel pass. This one was really bad. Shovel pass right to the defender. He has to be better than that.

9:09: Play action, throws short, but Tannehill leaves it high so the receiver can’t do anything with it after the catch.

8:58: Griffin on a roll out, throws on the run, complete, first down.

8:38: Griffin checks down, not much gain after the catch, about 4 yards total.

8:15: Griffin quickly finds the wide open tight end underneath, complete, first down.

7:22: Griffin takes the snap, steps up, throws, right on the money over the middle for 18 yards.

7:07: Griffin threads the needle into tight coverage, right on the money, accurate, but dropped.

6:24: Griffin runs for first down this time on 3^rd and 6, nothing open downfield, but sees a seam to run in.

5:57: Griffin throws short again, complete, 5 yards.

5:39: Griffin throws to Wright in the flat, first down on first and 5 after some nice moves by Kendall Wright. Texas A&M is able to save a touchdown with a nice open field tackle.

4:42: Griffin with excellent timing on a short slant in the end zone, throws it at the perfect time in the perfect place, down where only his guy can get it, and his guy, Kendall Wright, does get it, touchdown Baylor.

4:23: Tannehill checks down to Jeff Fuller, not much of a gain.

3:56: Tannehill on a pass action rollout, sees he has open space to get the first down, keeps it instead of throwing it.

2:46: Tannehill has an open guy on an out route, hits him for a first down.

1:57: Tannehill hits a guy accurate in stride for 16 yards. He’s throwing deeper on average than Griffin is tonight.

1:38: Tannehill tries to throw with a man in his face on a play action pass, but the defender bats the pass down.

1:27: Tannehill on a rollout, not pressured, has time to set, doesn’t, throws inaccurate and incomplete, Texas A&M will go for the field goal.

1:13: Griffin sets, nothing open, runs with it, breaks a tackle for a loss, extends the play, no running room, has to release, gets it out, complete on the run for a first down.

0:15: Griffin throws for 8 yards into a tight window. He’s 11 for 13 on the quarter for 91 yards and a score, those two incompletions were on a deep pass barely overthrown and a dropped pass. However, he’s checking down a lot. I want to see him have to attempt tougher throws.

2^nd quarter

13:58: Griffin just an excellent pitch and catch to an open man for a 9 yard gain against the sideline.

12:58: Griffin hit as he threw, incomplete out of bounds deep, but called back on a Texas A&M offsides penalty.

12:30: Griffin doesn’t look to pass, designed quarterback run on 3^rd and 3, first down.

12:11: Griffin sacked for the 2^nd time tonight, Griffin needs to have better pocket awareness and feel it coming, even if the play is called back on offsides on A&M.

11:53: Griffin throws to a man in the flat again, gets a block and gets a first down.

11:38: Griffin complete with a defender in his face for a 9 yard completion.

10:04: Griffin pressured, has to throw on the throw with pressure, very incomplete out of bounds. Just getting this one away.

10:01: Griffin pump fakes, nothing there and then Griffin is sacked again. This Texas A&M defense will do that to you. Baylor will have to attempt the field goal.

9:20: Tannehill has an open man, but the pass isn’t thrown in their strong enough, floats and lets the defensive back make a play on it and almost pick it off.

9:13: Tannehill checks down to Swope, who is able to break a couple tackles and get a first down.

8:58: Tannehill throws accurate to Jeff Fuller, who drops it. Fuller is really disappointing this year with injuries.

8:52: Tannehill with a bubble screen to Swope, no gain on the play with a nice tackle in the open field by Baylor.

8:18: Tannehill has Ryan Swope wide open downfield, hits him perfectly in stride, touchdown A&M. This Ryan Swope kid is special. I’ve watched two A&M games, one to watch Jeff Fuller and then this one to watch Tannehill. Swope has made all sorts of big plays in both. He has 6 catches for 106 yards and a score now after this 68 yard touchdown. He has 29 catches for 415 yards and 2 scores coming into tonight after 72 catches for 825 yards and 4 scores last year. He’s been their best receiver this year. Not Fuller.

8:03: Griffin counters, takes snap, play fake, hits a guy accurately deep against coverage by Coryell Judie, a potential first round cornerback. Touchdown Baylor. 77 yards to Terrance Williams.

7:19: Tannehill finds an open man for a first down and a fairly sizable gain.

6:21: Tannehill with a shovel pass, this time accurate to the back, who makes a couple moves and just gets in for a touchdown.

6:08: Robert Griffin with a run, straight up the middle for 7 yards.

5:31: Griffin lobs a pretty limp ball for an intermediate completion to Kendall Wright over the middle. Kendall Wright is injured on the play.

5:16: Griffin with a quick throw short to his tight end, who drops it badly.

5:11: Griffin throws a jump ball up, but it’s tipped by the defender in tight single coverage. Not the best decision.

5:02: Griffin on the run to Wright, a tough player back in already, can’t convert the 3^rd down, 4^th and 2 now and they’ll punt it.

3:35: Tannehill under pressure, steps up under pressure, nice completion for a first down on 2^nd and 10.

3:20: Tannehill complete for a first again, this time to Jeff Fuller, who shows great physicality, refusing to go down on the play on first or second contact.

2:58: Tannehill blitzed, incomplete out of bounds, but off sides on Baylor.

2:25: Tannehill to Fuller again, wide open, hits him right on the numbers.

1:26: Tannehill finds an open deep guy in the end zone, but just overthrown out of the receiver’s hands.

0:33: Tannehill finds Ryan Swope on an out route underneath, puts the ball in the perfect spot and Swope is able to pound it into the end zone in the open field, touchdown.

0:25: Griffin with a questionable decision throwing into tight coverage, the defender jumps the route, almost intercepted.

3^rd quarter

14:27: Tannehill hits Ryan Swope right on the money, but the hit by the cornerback knocks the ball out.

14:19: Rollout by Tannehill, throws on the run, complete for a first down.

14:03: Tannehill goes underneath on first down, short dump off, doesn’t go for much more than 2 or 3 yards.

13:38: Tannehill throws quick and short to Jeff Fuller, who wasn’t quite ready and can’t bring in the ball.

13:32: Tannehill on 3^rd and long, money, 16 yard completion and a first down.

12:49: Tannehill on a designed run, gets 3 on the outside.

11:59: Tannehill over the middle and Swope redeems himself, establishes position and Tannehill hits him accurately for a big gain, about 14 yards.

10:38: Tannehill with 2 guys flying into his face, gets rid of it accurately to, who else, Ryan Swope, on an out route in the end zone, touchdown. Tannehill puts it where only his guy could get it and Swope makes a very nice catch going to the ground, getting his hands under the ball and staying in bounds.

9:57: Baylor answers, Robert Griffin throws a perfect spiral deep, 43 yard touchdown to a completely wide open deep receiver, caught in stride. 31-21 Texas A&M now. Is it time for another comeback against A&M?

9:40: Tannehill again with great timing with a receiver, this time with Jeff Fuller, complete for a first down.

9:20: Tannehill throws to Swope in the flat, makes a couple moves on a bubble screen, but only able to get 5 yards.

8:30: Tannehill tries to get it to Jeff Fuller, but it’s again not quite a strong enough through, gives the defensive back time to jump the route and deflect it.

8:15: Tannehill with another shovel pass, complete, not going anywhere.

7:49: Griffin complete short for about 6 yards.

7:33: Griffin complete for a first here, showing an excellent arm again.

6:42: Griffin flushed from the pocket, has to throw on the run, incomplete.

6:35: Griffin flushed from the pocket on 3^rd and 12, plants able to get off a great throw, 16 yard completion, first down.

6:04: Griffin finds a receiver in space and gets it to him in stride, 30 yard gain after some nice after the catch running.

5:30: Griffin, nothing opening up downfield, runs it for a short gain up the middle on 1^st down. Now 2^nd and 7.

4:52: Griffin a little too strong over the middle, overthrown, receiver can’t keep up with it.

4:48: Griffin throws quick and short to an open tight end in space. Tight end gets the first after the run after the catch.

4:12: Griffin overthrown into the end zone.

4:06: Griffin dodges a sack, runs out of the pocket and gets out of bounds for a short gain, play called back after off sides.

3:18: Tannehill picks up the first down with his feet.

2:44: Tannehill in a perfect spot to Ryan Swope and guess what Ryan Swope does with it. He breaks a couple tackles with an excellent open field run and then uses his break away speed to score. He’s at 11 catches for 206 yards and 4 scores tonight.

1:08: Griffin sacked again.

0:24: Robert Griffin on 3^rd and 16, looks to the trips bunch first, nothing there, stays with it, goes to the other side to Kendall Wright for a first down. You just knew he’d convert it.

0:00: Robert Griffin on the run throws an absolute bullet accurate deep for 50 yards. So strong. Even more impressive, the receiver makes the catch against pass interference on the defense.

4^th quarter

14:50: Griffin breaks one sack, but the defense’s 2^nd try brings him down.

14:15: Griffin does a great job of getting a lot of those yards back with what looks like an 11 yard designed run to the outside.

13:36: Griffin under pressure on 4^th and goal, does an excellent job of staying with the play and getting a throw off, but incomplete.

11:58: Tannehill on 3^rd and 5 in the shadow of his own goal line, complete to Jeff Fuller on a comeback route with pressure coming. Fuller does a nice job after the catch as well to make it a 26 yard gain.

10:57: Tannehill on a run after a play fake, gets a solid gain for the first down.

9:46: Tannehill on a play fake, sets his feet and throws deep for a 47 yard touchdown to an open deep man. That might have been the dagger. 48-28 A&M. That was Tannehill’s 6^th touchdown of the night.

9:35: Griffin flushed from the pocket, under pressure, just heaves one downfield, basically a Hail Mary, into double coverage. Picked.

6:58: Tannehill doing everything, a quarterback run this time for 34 yards.

5:37: Griffin checks down against a prevent defense, the back is able to pick up a first after the catch.

5:18: Griffin to Kendall Wright this time. Wright takes it for the first, but it’s called back on holding.

5:02: Griffin on 1^st and 20, receiver can’t keep it in bounds. Not a bad throw though.

4:57: This time 2^nd and 20, Griffin throws short and the receiver is stopped pretty quickly.

4:30: Griffin rolls out, but dropped by Sean Porter for a sack. Porter now has 7.5 sacks on the season. The junior has done a great job of filling in for Von Miller, but at 6-2 230, he might be too small to play 3-4 linebacker at the next level.

0:00: After blowing big leads against Oklahoma State and Arkansas and after a weak showing against Texas Tech, Ryan Tannehill needed a good game to safe his falling stock. It’s safe to say he got it. He completed 25 of 37 for 415 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 pick. He looked fairly good, completing passing to guys like Ryan Swope, who had 11 catches for 206 yards and 4 touchdowns on the night, and also Jeff Fuller, who caught 5 passes for 71 yards.

He’s got good pocket presence and mobility and an above average arm with good accuracy. He managed this Mike Sherman Pro Style offense very well and could end up in day 2 if he continues doing so. He struggled at times with decision making, especially on that one early, ugly pick. He also needs a bit of work on his footwork, both inside and outside of the pocket, but he hasn’t been playing the quarterback position all that long. He looks like a project at the next level, but the sky is the limit for this athletic kids with all the tools.

As for Robert Griffin, his stats weren’t quite as impressive. He was 28 for 40 for 415 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Texas A&M is easily the toughest defense he’s faced this season and he struggled against their pass rush and their blitz. He needs to develop a strong sense of the blitz coming because he has the mobility to evade sacks.

He’s got a stronger arm than Tannehill and was very accurate early, but struggled a bit down the stretch, especially on his one pick. I think he’s more NFL ready than Tannehill. Remember, Griffin was facing the tougher defense of the two tonight and Griffin has had the significantly better season overall. He’s a very cerebral quarterback, but also has excellent athleticism and physical tools. Right now I think he’s the 4^th best quarterback in this draft class, should he come out. He has a first round grade from me should he keep this up.

 

The idea of the NFL Draft order is simple. By rotating the order in which teams finished last year, the worst teams are allowed to pick the best players in hopes of becoming better. However, with the ridiculous amounts of money top 10 picks have been demanding in recent years, does drafting in the top 10 actually make you a better team? As I was writing about how no top-10 pick is a safe pick, it got me wondering, as whole, how many top ten picks go on to be something great in the NFL.

Below is a chart with draft year (2000-2011) and how many of the top ten picks went on to make the Pro Bowl, and how many went on to make multiple Pro Bowls.

Year	Pro Bowl	Multiple Pro Bowls
2011	4	0
2010	2	0
2009	1	0
2008	3	1
2007	3	3
2006	5	3
2005	4	1
2004	7	5
2003	6	6
2002	4	3
2001	7	5
2000	6	3

4 made the Pro Bowl this year, which is impressive for rookies. Only 2 top 10 picks from 2010 made the Pro Bowl, but I’ll cut them some slack for now.  1 and 3 in 2008 and 2009, which is low, as you’d expect players to break out by their 3rd or 4th year. 3 in 2008, that’s also low. 5 of the 10 from 2006, but that’s not as good as it seems, when you consider that only two of those made the Pro Bowl multiple times and one of those repeaters is Vince Young, arguably the worst repeat Pro Bowler in NFL history.

2005 is even worse 4 Pro Bowls, only one of whom has made multiple Pro Bowls. 2004 looks good, but remember that is regarded as the best draft class of the decade. 2003 looks decent also, but again not great. If in a good year you get 60% conversion rate from top 10 pick to repeat Pro Bowl, it’s not a good sign. 2002 is another step back and even 2001 and 2000 weren’t good, 2001 being even worse when you consider two of those repeaters were Mike Vick (who spent 2 years in jail) and Leonard Davis (who made 3 Pro Bowls at a different position than he was drafted at, with a different team than the one that drafted him).

Top 10 picks are expected to be repeat Pro Bowlers, yet only 30-50% of them, actually become that. Simply put, all of the scouting people do, we still have very little idea whether or not a player will bust. There really is no such thing as a safe pick.

Now, Pro Bowls can be a bit of an arbitrary stat. Last see what happened to those teams that drafted in the top ten. Below is a list of how many times each team has had a top ten pick (before trades) from 2000-2012.

Cleveland Browns 9 

Detroit Lions 8

Arizona Cardinals 8

Oakland Raiders 7

Cincinnati Bengals 7

San Francisco 49ers 7

Jacksonville Jaguars 5

Atlanta Falcons 5

Houston Texans 5

Washington Redskins 5

Kansas City Chiefs 4

Chicago Bears 4

Buffalo Bills 4

Dallas Cowboys 4

St. Louis Rams 4

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4

Minnesota Vikings 4 

Seattle Seahawks 3

San Diego Chargers 3

New Orleans Saints 3

Miami Dolphins 3

Carolina Panthers 3

Tennessee Titans 3

Green Bay Packers 2

New York Jets 2

Baltimore Ravens 2

Denver Broncos 2

New York Giants 1

New England Patriots 1

Philadelphia Eagles 1

Pittsburgh Steelers 1

Indianapolis Colts 1 

In addition to being painfully embarrassing for Lions fans, Browns fans, and Cardinals fans, this list shows a disturbing trend. Teams that pick in the top ten often pick in the top 10 again in the recent years following their pick. 10 of the league’s 32 teams (more than 30%) have had 5 or more top 10 picks in the last 13 drafts, and that’s excluding the fact that the Texans (5) didn’t even become a team until 2002. 6 of the leagues 32 teams have had at least 7 picks in the top 10 in the last 13 drafts. 

 

 

2010 Record: 6-10

Draft Position: 12

2010 Season Recap: Click Here

Offseason Needs: Click Here

Free Agents/Team Transactions: Click Here

Draft Grades: Click Here

Key Offseason Moves: None

 

2010 Posts 

What to expect from Vikings QBs this Sunday, Minnesota Vikings Season Preview 

 

HTML Comment Box is loading comments…