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eaglesalltheway
07-09-2009, 02:54 PM
Here is a list of 65 CPU players, encompassing all positions. I made 5 more players than will be drafted, those will just go undrafted. (I want to talk with BB and scotty if we should have a Free Agency for those 5 guys) I made more in some positions due to less interest in them from the users and how many will be needed in the league. Coaches, the ratings ranges will be up some time after the combine is over. Any coaches with questions about CPU players can ask in this thread, but there will be some things I can not answer (ratings, who is better than who, etc). If you are not a coach or commish, please do not post in this thread. So here it is.

The ratings ranges are now up for all players. They are the last thing in each CPU player profile. Take note that ratings may be altered slightly based on the team fit.

Offense

Al Wood
Pos: QB
6'5", 241
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: Oklahoma
Positives: Epitome of a Pocket Passer, very strong arm, good accuracy, with a tight sprial. Pocket awareness is very good, and he is decpetively elusive. Strong base allows him to break many would be-sacks. Has been very productive at every level of competition. Has a quick release and a high release point, so batted balls aren't common. Uses his eyes well to trick the secondary.
Negatives: Holds onto the ball too long, will take a sack when he can throw it away or dump it off. Not a good runner, isn't incredibly athletic, and is prone to fumbles, though it isn't a major problem. Has a small injury history, succeptible to nicks and as a result, has missed minor time before. Not an elite leader, though not a pushover either.
Comparison: Eli Manning
Rating Range: 85-89


William Bennett
Pos: QB
6'1 1/2", 228
Age: 24 (3rd season)
College: Cincinatti
Positives: Extremelty athletic, a threat with the ball in his hands both as a passer and a runner. Has a very strong arm and is an incredible worker in trainign and in studies. Not a finished product, and has plenty of time and ability to develop. Fumbles are not a concern, holds onto the ball like a vice. An elite playmaker at the position, and exciting to watch. Good leader with top notch intangibles.
Negatives: Accuracy is good at times, but is inconsistent. Will struggle in windy conditions as he doesn't have a tight sprial. Interceptions are a concern. Has a long 3/4 throwing motion that magnifies his lack of ideal height. This is worsened because in the pocket he holds the ball close to his hip. Still has some minor trouble handling the snaps from under Center. Hasn't mastered the mental part of the game yet, will struggle to read some coverages and will run too often on occasion. Has had a minor injury history, but nothing serious.
Comparison: Randall Cunningham
Rating Range: 81-87


Marshall Taylor
Pos: RB
5'11", 201
Age: 24 (3rd season)
College: USC
Positives: Great speed, quickness, and change of direction. Great receiving option as well. Hands are superb and runs great routes, both out of the backfield and split out wide or in the slot. Added value as a returner, elite in the category. Has good size. Fumbling is not a concern. Fits in many offenses, a balanced RB who can do it all, though his best fit is in the West Coast Offense.
Negatives: Won't break many tackles once contact has been made, vision is average. Leaves a lot to be diesired in pass protection. Will get thrown off his routes when chipping. Will need another solid running option to maximize his success. Not a great short yardage back. Attitude is questionable, may become a locker room problem if he doesn't get his way. Doesn't have many injuries, but his few injuries have been severe.
Comparison: Reggie Bush
Ratings Range: 85-91


Thurman Brinks
Pos: RB
6'3", 239
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: Minnesota
Positives: Great size and srength, is a powerful downhill runner. Has a strong lower body and core, and will break many tackles. Quick for his size, and makes efficient cuts. Great vision (can make the big run despite not having elite speed) and a great short yardage back. Devastating stiffarm, as well as a monstrous shoulder. Excellent in pass protection, and can even line up as a FB in some sets as a lead blocker. Elite locker room leader with top intangibles. No injury history.
Negatives: Doesn't have elite speed, just average for the position. Not a great receiver, hands are sub-par and doesn't run great routes. Has a bit of a fumbling problem, due mostly due his constant fighting for extra yards. No value as a returner. Doesn't fit in well in the West Coast offense, best suited for a power running team. Won't make many people miss. Has limited amount of effective years left.
Comparison: Earl Campbell
Ratings Range: 83-86


Darnell Webster
Pos: FB
6'2 1/2", 235
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: Auburn
Positives: Great running and receiving option. Hands and route running is great for a FB. Great athlete for the position. Very quick and will make a few people miss. Good short yardage option. Decent vision as a runner, will break some tackles. Great Special teams player, absolutely blows people up. Injuries aren't a concern.
Negatives: Average in pass protection and an average lead blocker. May not be the hardest worker, though he isn't a problem personality-wise.
Comparison-Larry Csonka
Ratings Range: 87-92


Hector Gallaraga
Pos: FB
6'2 1/2", 262
Age: 29 (7th season)
College: UTEP
Positives: Elite blocker, both in pass protection and as a lead blocker. Absolutely smothers LBs and members of the secondary, and will handle DEs when asked to. Pancake machine for a FB. Thunderous runner, completely smashmouth, nothing pretty about what he does, but he is effective, especially in short yardage situations. Great size and strength, as well as understanding his position.
Negatives: A little slow, not the best athlete. Almost a non-factor as a receiver, as he has horrible hands. Has a very minor injury history.
Comparison: Lorenzo Neal
Ratings Range: 84-89

Tyvon Trinity
Pos: WR
5'11", 189
Age: 23 (2nd season)
College: Florida
Positives: Very fast and quick. A real downfield threat. Uses his hands to beat the jam well for a smaller receiver. Good hands, runs decent routes. Will make people miss in the open field, and has good leaping ability to help compensate for his average height. Still young and developing, has the potential to be an elite option in a few years. Versatile, can line up in the backfield or used as a weapon on trick plays. Great return option
Negatives: Still very raw, lots of room to improve. Average height. Could improve as a route runner. Hands are good, incosistent at times. Not a great blocker, barely willing to try it. Not the biggest fan of going over the middle. Has enjoyed success young and may be full of hiself, potential to be a real locker room cancer. Lacks concentration, will give up on a poorly thrown ball. Injuries are a concern.
Comparison: Santonio Holmes
Ratings range: 80-85


Tom Adams
Pos: WR
6'1", 202
Age: 27 (7th season)
College: Maine
Positives: Consistently great hands to go with long arms. Simply does not drop balls. Great body positioning and control. Runs terrific routes. Decent, not elite, speed, a great posession receiver. Clutch player who has a nack of making big plays and first downs when it is needed most. A quiet leader. Does whatever is asked of him, on and off the field. Has been very productive over the course of his career. Gives good effort in blocking. A well polished and balanced receiver. Good height. Very little injury problems
Negatives: Doesn't make many people miss or break many tackles. Decent leaping ability. Can get pushed around by some defenders. Doesn't get much YAC. Not very versatile or a return threat. Doesn't have elite speed. Though the effort is there, he isn't a good blocker. Has reached his prime, how much time does he have left?
Comparison: Marvin Harrison
Ratings Range: 80-85


Eko Mutumbo
Pos: WR
6'4 1/2", 214
Age: 26 (6th season)
College: San Diego State
Positives: Exceptional height and incredibly long arms. A legitimate red zone target with great leaping ability. Because of these factors, almost never loses a jump ball situation. A great athlete, fast and quick. Will make people miss in the open field. TD machine. One of the most physically gifted receivers in the game. Great work ethic and team member. Very good concentration and hands and will make the acrobatic catch. Good YAC WR. Will beat the jam on a consistent basis, as well as find the hole in the zone. Consistently double teamed, and he can beat the double team.
Negatives: Injuries! Because of his skinny frame, he is an injury waiting to happen. Almost a lock to miss 2 or 3 games a year, and in some cases, more. Not a good blocker and not valuable on special teams. Doesn't break many tackles.
Comparison: Randy Moss
Ratings Range: 84-92


Frank "The Tank" Williams
Pos: WR
6'2 1/2", 232
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: UNC
Positives: Incredibly strong and surprisingly athletic. Thick frame and a will to never give up. Breaks many tackles. Elite hands and very good route running. Great height and a good leaper. Wins many jump ball situations. Will make people miss, despite his size, though he is like a RB with the ball in his hands. And elite posession receiver who still has the ability to make the big play. Will beat the jam almost every time. Great YAC receiver. Great blocker. Little to no injury history.
Negatives: Speed is average. Work ethic has been questioned, but personality is not a problem. Sturggles to help his QB in scrambling situations. Not very valuable in the return game or special teams.
Comparison: Anquan Boldin
Ratings Range: 87-91


Quentin Harrison
Pos: WR
6'1", 208
Age: 27 (6th season)
College: Kutztown
Positives: Good size and athletecism. Good speed and quickness. Decent strength. Great hands. A great posession WR who has a knack for first down and is very clutch. Handles the jam very well. Finds hole in the defense's zone very well. A very hard worker who demands the best of himself and his teammates. Injuries are not a problem.
Negatives: Has a small frame, doesn't catch the ball in traffic well, and will struggle to shield defenders. Could get stronger. Not a great red zone threat. Leaping ability is sub par. Not much of a YAC threat. Could become a better route runner. Blocking leaves a lot to be desired.
Comparison: Anthony Gonzales
Ratings Range: 82-86


Jaleel Starks
Pos: TE
6'2", 253
Age: 29 (8th season)
College: Tennessee
Positives: Very good athlete for the position with the ability to stretch the field vertically. Big, strong hands. Good speed and agility, as well as good strength. A very technical route runner. Very vocal team presence. Breaks tackles well. Is a mismatch against LBs and some less athletic Safeties. Can make the acrobatic catch. Can be flexed out side and used in many situations.
Negatives: Good effort as a blocker, but not very effective. When faced against DE, he will struggle and will need help. LB will give him trouble as well. Hands are inconsistent, due to a concentration issue. Will put out poster board material for other teams, though he can back it up. Doesn't have the youth he used to, may be slowing down in a few years.
Comparison: Shannon Sharpe
Ratings Range: 84-88


Brock Wainwright
Pos: TE
6'5 1/2", 274
Age: 25 (4th season)
College: PSU
Positives: Ideal size for the position. The most well-rounded TE in the league. Hands are as good as it gets for the position. Great route runner who can find holes in the zone. Great blocker, both in the passing and running game, doesn't need to be taken out in certain situations. Athletecism is good, has good speed and quickness, as well as great overall strength. Will break many tackles due to great core strength. Long arms help in the red zone, he is a TD machine. Good teammate, heart of a champion.
Negatives: Doesn't look like an elite football player. Doesn't stretch the field like the most athletic TEs do. Not very versatile, won't make many people miss.
Comparison: Jason Witten
Ratings Range: 83-88

Peter Johnston
Pos: TE
6'3", 268
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: Eastern Carolina
Positives: Fantastic blocker, like a 6th linemen out there. Strength is very good. Will be very valuable to a power running team. Has great hands, and breaks tackles fairly well. Good size. Excellent value to special teams, an elite longsnapper. Fan favorite due to his hard nosed style of play. Hard worker always refining his technique, and working on becoming a better receiver. Will make the clutch catch.
Negatives: Not very athletic, and doesn't stretch the field. Won't make people miss, and can't do much after the catch. Doesn't have elite leaping ability or long arms, and isn't much of a red zone threat. Not the smartest player out there, will get penalties called on him.
Comparison: Dave Casper
Ratings Range: 84-86

William Quinn
Pos: LT
6'5", 313
Age: 26 (4th season)
College: Texas
Positives: Great size and bulk. Long arms with big hands. Great hand placement and initial punch. Good strength, not great, but makes up for it with good leverage. A very good athlete for the position. A balanced LT. Can totally manhandle most defenders. Plays with a nasty demeanor, a real team leader. Hard worker who spends a bunch of time in the weight room. Scheme diverse.
Negatives: Could improve lower body strength. Will get beat on occasion by elite speed rushers or the most powerful of DEs. This is mostly due to his inconsistent footwork and lack of elite strength. Will sometimes lose control on the field and get out of position. Could spend some more time in the film room to help fix these problems.
Comparison: Jordan Gross
Ratings Range: 84-90

Dexter Allen
Pos: LT
6'3 1'2", 334
Age 31 (9th season)
College: Alabama
Positives: Incredible size and strength. Hands are still very quick. A total mauler at LT, a monster in the run game who can reach the second level. Understands angles and proper steps. Great lower body strength to contribute to his overall strength, can handle elite bull-rushers. Would be a monster LT in a power run game. Hard worker who is not an off-the-field problem.
Negatives: Less than ideal height and arm length for a LT. Speed off the snap is average. Not the best athlete. Will sturggle against speed, his feet are slow. would not fit well in a zone-blocking system. Has had some injuries that have caused him to miss some time. Is beginning to slow down and may not have many years left.
Comparison: Art Shell
Ratings Range: 80-86

George Hall
Pos: LT
6'5 1/2". 306
Age 29 (7th season)
College: Uconn
Positives. Exceptional athlete with long arms. Good height. Ideal for the zone-blocking scheme, or finesse blocking teams. Very quick off the snap and combines good hand placement with the proper understanding of leverage. Hands are very quick. Can handle elite speed rushers, as he has great footwork and technique. Understands angles and is a student of the game. No injury concerns.
Negatives: Doesn't have the bulk or strength that many teams will look for in a LT. Will get pushed back easily agaisnt strong defenders. Will have a much more difficult time when not in a finesse blocking system. Isn't successful at reachign the second level. Spends too much time on the ground.
Comparison: Duane Brown
Ratings Range: 83-89

Max Stevenson
Pos: LG
6'3", 319
Age: 25 (3rd season)
College: Georgia
Positives: Good size and bulk, Incredibly athletic for the position. Great understanding of leverage and technique. Good hand placement. Very strong. One of the elites at the positions already. Very good in the run game and pass protection. Will reach the second level in the run game and keep pressure off the QB in the passing game.
Negatives: Immature, and a bit of a locker room problem. Not necessarily a cancer, but a constant complainer. Not a locker room leader. Injuries are a slight concern.
Comparison: Steve Hutchinson
Ratings Range: 87-90

Steven Nguyen
Pos: LG
6'1 1/2", 313
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: UCLA
Positives: Decent bulk, quicker than he looks. Has good leverage. A true technician of the position. Quick feet and proper technique make him an elite interior pass protector. Neutralizes speed rushers and counters bull rush with his feet and technique. A good athlete. Is most effective in the run game when he is pulling, works well in space. Injuries are not a factor.
Negatives: Less than ideal height, strength, and arm length. Hand placement could be better to better implement his use of leverage. Will struggle agaisnt stronger defensive linemen in the run game as well as at the point of attack. Should spend more time in the weight room. Doesn't have the nasty demeanor you'd want in an interior Offensive Linemen.
Comparison: Gene Upshaw
Ratings Range: 83-87

Brian Stone
Pos: LG
6'3 1/2", 331
Age: 29 (7th season)
College: Ohio State
Positives: Great size, strength, and bulk. Understands technique and leverage very well. Has long, strong arms, and at times looks like he is just throwing defenders with his pure strength. Monster in the run game, will rack up pancakes. Reaches the scond level well. Nasty demeanor who will never give up on a block.
Negatives: Could use better conditioning, will wear down towards the end of games and lose technique. Is succeptible to finesse moves and quick Defensive Linemen. Doesn't work well in space. Not much use to any other than a power running offense. Is beginning to lose some athletecism due to age and injury history.
Comparison: Brian Waters
Ratings Range: 86-92

Ray Maiava
Pos: C
6'2" 311
Age: 30 (9th season)
College: Hawaii
Positives: Good size and bulk. Good height. Quick snap delivery, and quick hands and feet neutralize defenders on the first step or two. Great hand placement and use of initial leverage. Very charasmatic, a true team and fan favorite. Excellent leader, will get the team fired up. Great leader of the linemen, like having a second QB out there. Makes sure every linemen knows their assignments.
Negatives: Has lost a bit in terms of athletecism and strength, though both are still adequate to good. Will struggle against the elite bullrush. Will need help on occasion in the running game to get the necessary push at the point of attack. Gets a good initial push, but will lose ground after neutralizing the rush or attempting to stabilize the point of attack.
Comparison: Kevin Mawae
Ratings Range: 81-86

Turk Francis
Pos: C
6' 1/2", 321
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: Boston College
Positives: Good size. Strong as an ox. Excellent drive blocker who can also peel off well into the second level, where he can really wreak havoc. Has a real mean streak, will go for stretches where the man in front of him will see the sky (or roof) all day. Decent athlete. In the run game, he is just an eraser, doesn't matter what type of player he is against. Has quick hands, and once he is latched on, the defender is done. Will handle the bull rush well. Hard worker.
Negatives: Arms are a little short, and hands a little small. Will struggle against elite speed/athletecism inside. Could be a more vocal leader, though it isn't a problem. His snap in shotgun could use some work, doesn't get proper rotation all the time, and rarely will be low.
Comparison: Dwight Stevenson
Ratings Range: 84-87

Charles Zarnes
Pos: C
6'1", 306
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: New Mexico State
Positives: Very athletic for his position. Can handle all types of pass rush moves due to his use of leverage and footwork. Good sized arms and hands, able to control the ball in all weather. Very cerebral player, a good leader of the offensive line. Has good size. Would be a great fit as a zone-blocking Center. Will handle the speed players inside in the run game.
Negatives: Doesn't have elite strength or bulk. Could improve hand placement. Not great at the point of attack, doesn't always get the initial momentum needed to control the point of attack. Will need halp against the biggest DTs. Doesn't have a nasty demeanor, and seems complacent at times. Injuries are a slight problem.
Comparison: Shaun O'Hara
Ratings Range: 83-86

Terrence Jacobs
Pos: RG
6'2 1/2", 328
Age: 24 (2nd season)
College: Florida State
Positives. Ideal size. Very strong and very athletic. Very effective in space, great for pulling and on screens. Potential is through the roof, and has plenty of room to improve. Has no injury history. Can be a dominating drive blocker as well. Gets to the second level well. Never seen on the ground.
Negatives: Still very raw. Doesn't fully understand leverage or technique yet, gets by on physical ability. Can improve footwork as well. Very inconsistent. Will dominate one play, than get totally beat the next. Still a boom or bust type player.
Comparison: Alan Faneca
Ratings Range: 84-91

Hank Patrick
Pos: RG
6'4", 316
Age: 30 (8th season)
College: Rutgers
Positives: Very athletic with quick feet and hands. Great height with long arms and big hands. Understands hand placement and will get good leverage. Can handle the swim, rip, etc. due to great footwork and patience. Will drive smaller DTs back and neutralize them in the run game. Great in space and is a good fit in a zone-blocking scheme, though has the ability to play in them all. Very little in the way of injuries.
Negatives: Strength is average, and can get bullied by bigger, stronger DTs. A little lean with a narrow torso. Not effective against the bullrush. Can't always get the push in the run game, could use a stronger lower body and core. Not always effective when run behind. Doesn't reach the second level as well as he should. Suffers far too many false starts, maybe lacks concentration?
Comparison: Mike Wahle
Ratings Range: 84-89

Vincent Fulton
Pos: RG
6'3 1/2", 345
Age: 28 (7th season)
College: Virginia Tech
Positives: Massive, definition of a road grading linemen. Great strength and surprisingly good athletecism. Can handle any aspect of the power game, whether it be bullrush or in the run game. Though he doesn't need it, has great leverage. Quick hands and great hand placement only add to his dominance. Has long, strong arms as well as a powerful core and lower body. Despite his weight, he is surprisingly trim, conditioning isn't a concern. A great weapon to use in pulling or screen situations.
Negatives: Feet could be a tad quicker. Will struggle against elite speed. Has had an injury history, mostly small, but some possible problems. Despite the results isn't a hard worker, does what is required, not much more.
Comparison: John Hannah
Ratings Range: 83-87

Tennessee Rutherford
Pos: RT
6'7 1/2", 341
Age: 26 (4th season)
College: Michigan
Positives: Great size and strength. Incredibly long, very storng arms. Just gets the job done. A balanced RT who is very good in both aspects, rushing and passing. Will neutralize power in both the running and passing game. Can handle most speed rushers due to his long arms. Productive in terms of sacks, gets to the second level well. Has had only a minor injury history.
Negatives: Not very athletic. Feet aren't as quick as they could be. Will struggle against some of the best speed rushers and some of the best bull rushers. Hand placement and leverage could be improved, relies on his long arms and strength too much. Tends to bend too much at the hips.
Comparison: John Runyan
Ratings Range: 83-88

Paul Tagliani
Pos: RT
6'4" 323
Age: 28 (6th season)
College: South Carolina
Positives: Good size and strength. Dominating run blocker. Very good leverage, hand placement, and technique in the running game. Has big, strong hands. Handles the bullrush well. Surprisingly athletic. Great drive blocker who can also peel off and reach the second level with ease. Team leader and a fan favorite.
Negatives: Could improve technique, leverage, and hand placement in pass protection, will get beat by speed rushers. Arms aren't as long as one would wish. Inconsistent agaisnt the bull-rush, will get beat. Injuries are a concern.
Comparison: Ron Yary
Ratings Range: 82-88

Tim James
Pos: RT
6'5 1/2", 334
Age: 31 (9th season)
College: Colorado
Positives: Great size and bulk. Long arms. A balanced RT who excels in both the run and passing game. Uses great hand placement with proper leverage in the passing game, keeping the QB clean. Uses them in the run game to drive defenders off the ball. Is a team leader with top notch intangibles. Has an incredibly high football IQ.
Negatives: Not an eltie athlete. Small hands. Doesn't always use proper knee bend. Will get beat on the bull rush and will sruggle against quicker defenders in the run game. Is up there in age, and may not have many seasons left. Injuries are a major concern.
Comparison: Dan Dierdorf
Ratings Range: 85-90

Defense (parenthesis are position best suited for, can play others, though rating will be slightly effected depending on the switch)

Heath Rawlings
Pos: DT (3-4 NT)
6'4", 327
Age: 27 (6th season)
College: Iowa
Positives: Incredible size and strength. Simply massive. Incredibly long arms. Monster run stuffer who is capable of absorbing double teams. Would make an ideal NT in the 3-4. Strong lower body keeps him from being driven off the line of scrimmage. Will beat the double team to make the tackle or sack on occasion. Quicker than given credit for. Motor that never quits. Will bat the ball down as well.
Negatives: Not very athletic, doesn't have good speed. Not very quick off the snap. Pass rush repetoire limitted almost strictly to the bullrush. Isn't capble of making many plays once they are past him. Not very scheme diverse, really is limitted to his role as a 3-4 NT, wouldn't make nearly as much of an impact at another position. Injuries are a slight problem.
Comparison: Vince Wilfork
Ratings Range: 84-88

Evan Howard
Pos: DT (4-3, either)
6'3", 303
Age: 25 (3rd season)
College: Miami
Positives: Good size and strength. Very athletic and is a balanced DT. Can take on some double teams. Versatile capable of playing either DT position in the 4-3, depending on scheme. Good quickness off the snap with very quick hands. Understands hand placement. Will split the double team to make plays in the backfield. Has a good pass rush repetoire. Will hold the point of attack and can open up opportunities for others. Able to force and recover fumbles.
Negatives: Is inconsistent, has a ton of talent but hasn't realized all of it yet. Is beginning to become a finished product, but still very raw. Needs to work on leverage and technique to negate his shorter arms. Can be driven back by elite offensive linemen. Misses too many tackles. Still needs to refine his pass rush moves a bit more, will have his pass rush neutralized by elite pass protectors. Needs to spend more time in the film room.
Comparison: Alan Page
Ratings Range: 83-85

Inky Stiles
Pos: DT (3-4 or 4-3 NT)
6'3", 316
Age: 23 (2nd season)
College: Illinois
Positives: Great size and strength. Exceptional athletecism, very quick for a guy his size. Uses great leverage in the run game and can handle some double teams. Holds the point of attack well. Long arms keep linemen off of him. Has a good motor, and plays with tons of passion. Injuries are not a concern. Scheme diverse.
Negatives: Still raw, goes off of his natural gifts too much. Needs to perfect technique, leverage and hand placement especially while pass rushing. Pass rush moves are limitted to the bull rush right now. Will struggle against some double teams, and may not be the best fit as a nose in some 3-4 defenses. Sometimes plays out of control and will take himself out of plays.
Ratings Range: 81-86

Drew Wilhelm
Pos: DT (4-3 UT)
6' 1/2" 291
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: Cal
Positves: Incredibly athletic. Very quick and fast, even for a DT. Pass rush extraordinaire from his position. Has mastered every pass rush move. Uses great leverage and technique as a pass rusher. Has a motor that never quits. Is developing into a real team leader. Top intangibles and is a fan favorite. Has a knack for turnovers, and despite his size, will knock balls down as well.
Negatives: Size is less than ideal. Short and light for the position, could not play anything other than an Under Tackle in the 4-3. Will get blown off the line of scrimmage in the run game, even by lesser opponents. Can't handle double deams, gets engulfed way too much. Isn't incredibly strong and doesn't have good arm length to make up for his size.
Comparison: Merlin Oslen
Ratings Range: 85-89

Noel "Bubba" Miles
Pos: DT (4-3 NT)
6'2", 312
Age: 29 ( 8th season)
College: LSU
Positives: Excellent, size, strength, and bulk. Uses great leverage in the running game and can handle the double teams due to great lower body strength. Elite run stuffer at the position. Will hold the point of attack as well as make tackles, many times still engaged with the linemen. Constantly needs to be double-teamed. Will use the bullrush successfully to get to the QB when one on one.
Negatives: Not as athletic as he used to be, is beginnign to slow down. Not a huge factor in terms of sacks and QB pressures. Not very fast off the snap. Won't force many turnovers. Tends to get lazy, well need to be spelled from time to time. Is vulnerable to off-sides penalties. Injuries are a minor concern.
Comparison: Pat Williams
Ratings Range: 84-87

Tarik Lewis
Pos: DE (4-3 RE)
6'2", 271
Age: 30 (9th season)
College: Indiana
Positives: Good size and athletecism. Understands leverage and technique, as well as proper hand placement. A balanced DE who is good in all aspect of the game. Utilizes all pass rush moves, and is able to beat less athletic tackles on a consistent basis. Has a decent bullrush that is effective as well. Sure tackler. Is solid in the run game as well, better than recognized. Is able to shoot gaps and able to break free of blockers. Makes a lot of plays in the backfield.
Negatives: Age is a concern, is losing a little bit. Will struggle against elite, athletic pass rushers as well as the dominating road graders. Not much of a team leader. Not elite in any aspect of the game. Injuries are beginning to become a problem
Comparison. Jack Youngblood
Ratings Range: 85-87

Kendrick Odom
Pos: DE (4-3 RE)
6'1 1/2", 265
Age: 27 (6th season)
College: UNLV
Positives: Incredible speed, quickness, and overall athletecism. Great leverage, technique and hand placement in the passing game, as well as the running game. Elite pass rushing DE who has mastered the art of the pass rush. Though known more for the pass rushing abilities, he is an elite run stopper as well. Will shooot gaps and make plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, as well as make plays from behind as well.
Negaitves: Motor will run hot and cold. Injuries are a concern, and will get worn down by the biggest linemen. Has trouble with the double team at times. Will be seen on the ground too much at times. Injuries are a problem, has had numerous nagging injuries throughout his career.
Comparison: Dwight Freeney
Ratings Range: 83-87

Darius Crocker
Pos: DE (3-4 End)
6'3", 291
Age: 28 (6th season)
College: Virginia
Positives: Good size with long arms. Able to keep blockers away from his body. Understands leverage, technique, and hand placement very well. Good at stopping the run. Is a good pass rusher for the position, isn't just a run stuffer. Perfect for a 3-4 End, and can play either. Very quick for the position. Will run down plays from behind. Injuries are not a concern. Will cause trunovers.
Negatives: Not very strong for the position. Will get driven back by the strongest of linemen, especially if he is double teamed. Not an elite athlete. Will struggle with double teams in the passing game at times as well, though not as much as in the run game. Off field problems are a concern.
Comparison: Adam Carriker (he's playing out of position right now, IMO)
Ratings Range: 85-89

Ryan Charleston
Pos: DE (3-4 End)
6'3 1/2", 302
Age: 26 (4th season)
College: Iowa State
Positives: Great size and strength. Very long arms. Great use of leverage in the run game. Hold the point of attack well and will garner some need for double teams, whether it be a T/G, or help from the TE or RB. Strong base and a great tackler. Has a knack for knocking balls down. Team leader with top intangibles.
Negatives: Athletecism could improve, not very quick or agile. Doesn't make much of an impact in the passing game. Doesn't have much of a pass rush repetoire, and could improve his overall technique in that area as well. Injuries are a major concern, with a history of major injury.
Comparison: Igor Olshanky
Ratings Range: 88-94

Mitch Cavanaugh
Pos DE: (3-4 End)
6'3", 294
Age: 24 (3rd season)
College: Stanford
Positives: Good size and strength. A good athlete with good quickness and agility for his size. Long arms enable him to knock down many passes. Has a strong base and will hold the point of attack well. Uses good elverage in the pass rush as well as good technique and hand placement. Off field issues are non-existent.
Negatives: Will struggle when double teamed in both the run game and the pass game. Doesn't have the best reaction time off the snap, and can get driven back. Not a huge threat as a pass rusher, will sturggle with elite linemen. Isn't elite in any aspect of his game. Not much of a playmaker. Limitted to the 3-4 end position, doesn't fit well in other schemes.
Comparison: Aaron Smith
Ratings Range: 84-89

Charles Whimper
Pos: DE (4-3 LE)
6'3", 271
Age: 29 (8th season)
College: Mid. Tennessee State
Positives: Elite strength and use of leverage. Long, strong arms keep linemen away from him. Great hand placement and motor. Excellent bull rush and great set of pass rush moves. Sure tackler. Very solid against the run, holds the point of attack and can handle the double team. Team leader and a fan favorite. Very hard worker.
Negatives: Will struggle agaisnt the biggest offensive lines. Not very good at stunting. Size is a minor issue, but due to his strength and leverage, not so much. Not a big playmaker. Isn't incredibly athletic. Could improve reaction time off of the snap, will get driven back initially at times.
Comparison: Michael Strahan
Ratings Range: 84-89

Ted Neal
Pos: DE (4-3 LE)
6'4 1/2", 286
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: Florida State
Positives: Elite size and strength for the position. Very long arms will keep blocker soff of him. Capable of dominating games at times. Can totally overpower linemen, requires a double team. A great athlete. A very balanced player. Has pass rush moves down and will implement them all. Will hold the point of attack. Overall, an elite player at the position.
Negatives: Inconsistent effort on rushing plays, will give up on some double teams or when out of the play. Misses too many tackles. Will struggle against the strongest linemen and double teams. Not much of a playmaker. Has had some minor off the field issues.
Comparison: Julius Peppers
Ratings Range: 86-91

Kijana Cordero
Pos: DE (LE)
6'1 1/2", 266
Age: 25 (4th season)
College: Cornell
Positves: Elite athletecism, speed and quickness. Fantastic motor that never stops. Great pass rusher with a full platoon of moves. Understands technique, leverage, and hand placement very well in both the pass and run. Underrated in the run game, makes lots of plays there as well. Able to make plays from behind the LOS and make plays from behind. Good tackler.
Negatives: Small for the position, but it is his best fit. Will struggle against bigger Offensive Linemen and double teams. Doesn't have long arms and will struggle keeping linemen away from him. Not great at shedding blocks. Not a team leader. Has had some major off field issues.
Ratings Range: 81-86

Bradley Cornerstone
Pos: ILB (4-3)
6'1", 242 (4-3 or 3-4)
Age: 27 (6th season)
College: Oklahoma State
Positives: Good athletecism and is a fairly balanced LB. Is very capable in coverage and can handle RBs and TEs in man situations. Has fluid hips and good change of direction capabilities. Will break up passes as well as make some interceptions, a real playmaker. Also a good zone coverage LB who will intimadate WRs. A quiet leader.
Negatives: Doesn't have great size or strength. Doesn't shed blockers well and will struggle at times negotiating through traffic. Needs a big, strong defensive line to keep him clean so he will be most effective. Not the best blitzer. Tackling ability is inconsistent. Doesn't force or recover many fumbles. Injury history is a concern.
Comparison: Brian Urlacher
Ratings Range: 82-85

Joseph Schwab
Pos: ILB (4-3)
6'3", 256
Age: 28 (6th season)
College: Utah State
Positives: Excellent size and strength. A true thumper. Sure tackler who can also lay the wood. Intimidating force. Sheds blocks and navigates traffic well. Very instinctual, always around the action. Has a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Many TFLs and Sacks. Good zone coverage abilities. Will create turnovers. Injuries are a non-factor.
Negatives: Isn't the best athlete, will struggle against the most athletic RBs and TE in man coverage, but ususally isn't a factor. Won't make many INTs, will drop some sure fire INTs. Not the leader you look for at the position, has some off-the-field issues.
Comparison: Dick Butkus.
Ratings Range: 86-90

Xavier Thames
Pos: ILB (3-4)
6'3", 254
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: Maryland
Positives: Great size and athletecism. Very strong. Sure tackler and hard hitter. Elite vocal leader. Great blitzer. Good at shedding blocks. Very productive. One of the most intimidating defenders of the game. Has fluid hips, can man up on a RB or TE and cover well. Understands zone coverage schemes. Versatile, can be used all over the place. One of the elites at the position.
Negatives: Hands of stone, won't come up with many INTs. Will struggle with negotiationg traffic occasionally. Will occasionally miss a tckle going for the big hit. Has had some off-the-field issues as well as some minor injury problems in his history.
Comparison: Ray Lewis
Ratings Range: 86-90

Brian Stumpf
Pos: OLB (4-3 WLB)
6'2", 246
Age: 24 (2nd season)
College: Michigan State
Positives: Good size. Strong. A good tackler. Navigates through traffic well. Solid in both zone and man coverage on RBs and TEs. A balanced LB, will make plays in all aspects of the game. Propensity for interceptions, and can do something with the ball. Plenty of room to grow as a player. Very hard worker, both in the wieght room and in film study. Top intangibles. Very little injury concerns. Will become a better player with age.
Negatives: Still very raw, can still improve in every aspect of his game, especially as a blitzer. Can improve at shedding blocks. Will give up the big play against elite RBs and TEs. Will dwell on his mistakes. Not a great fit in the 3-4. Doesn't make the big hit or force many fumbles.
Comparison: Bobby Bell
Ratings Range: 84-89

Tyrone Taylor
Pos: OLB (4-3 WLB)
6'1", 238
Age: 27 (6th season)
College: Nevada
Positives: Very athletic, exceptionally strong upper body. Great coverage LB, will cover the most athletic RBs and TEs in man situations and understands the zone. Will consistently break up passes and make interceptions. Very intense on the field, leaves it all out there. In the middle of his prime. Underrated run defender, will make lots of plays in the backfield. Will lay the big hit. Good blitzer. Navigates thorugh traffic well.
Negatives: Size isn't what you look for, a bit small, especially in the lower body. Struggles shedding blockers at times. Has struggled with injuries thorughout his career. Not a leader. Inconsistent tackling ability. Won't get much more out of him in terms of potential. Best suited as a 4-3 WLB.
Comparison: Takeo Spikes
Ratings Range: 84-91

Ian Wells
Pos: OLB (4-3 SLB)
6'3", 257
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: Navy
Positives: Excellent size and strength. Great agility and fluid hips. Elite in run support as well as a great coverage LB. Sheds blocks well and navigates traffic well. Sure tackler who can also lay the big hit. Will blow up plays in the backfield. Can drive linemen back to make the play. Can handle covering RBs and TEs. Always around the action, will force a lot of turnovers.
Negatives: Not the best pass rusher. Hasn't mastered the proper pass rush technique and relies on his athletecism and strength too much when rushing the passer. Will struggle against the elite RBs and TEs in coverage. Will occasionally be out of place in zone coverage. Hands of stone, won't get many INTs. Not the best OLB in the 3-4 due to lack of pass rush)
Comparison: Ray Nitschke (Yeah, I know he was a MLB:))
Ratings Range: 84-87

Garth Stokes
Pos: OLB (4-3 SLB)
6'21/2", 255
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: Kentucky
Positves: Great size. A very good run stuffer who has mastered this aspect of his game. He can shed blocks, navigate through traffic, and take on blockers well. Can force some fumbles. A good pass rusher who can reach the quarterback as good as any LB. A fiery leader with top intangibles and a high motor.
Negatives: Will struggle mightily in coverage. Doesn't have very fluid hips and will sturggle covering TEs or RBs man to man. Hasn't fully grapsed zone coverage and will be out of place at times. Will occasionally take bad angles. Not necessarily a 3 down LB, may need to be taken out in certain situations. Injury history is a concern.
Comparison: Chris Gocong
Ratings Range: 81-87

Tim Yeley
Pos: OLB (3-4)
6'4", 262
Age: 29 (7th season)
College: Syracuse
Positives: Good athletecism and strength. Long arms and can keep linemen off of him. Has mastered pass rush moves. Understands leverage well in both the pass rush and in the run game. Holds the point of attack well. Will shed blockers. Can be effective in zone coverage. Is a force stopping the run. Sure tackler. Injuries aren't a concern.
Negatives: Isn't an elite pass rusher for the position. Struggles mightily in man coverage. Bull rush is only average. Could improve at shedding blockers. Technique and had placement are places that need improvement. Age is beginnign to become a concern. Not the best 4-3 LB due to lack of coverage skills.
Comparison: Lamaar Woodley
Ratings Range: 85-88

Omar Robinson
Pos: OLB (3-4)
6'4" 275
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: West Virginia
Positives: Excellent size, strength, and athletecism. Has complete pass rush repertoire. Great pass rusher, understands technique and leverage of the pass rush. Good motor. Underrated in coverage, able to cover some RBs and TEs, as well as make plays in zone coverage. Fan favorite. Hard worker. Could be a fit in a 4-3 as a SLB, depending on the scheme.
Negatives: Struggles at time in run support. Technique and leverage he has rushing the passer hasn't translated into the run game. Will struggle in coverage agaisnt elite RBs and TEs. Has had some off field issues, as well as an injury history. Will get the most out of him in a 3-4.
Comparison: Shawne Merriman
Ratings Range: 84-87

Dontarrius Gordon
Pos: OLB (3-4)
6'3 1/2", 259
Age: 26 (5th season)
College: Oregon
Positives: Good size and elite athletecism. The best of the best when it comes to pass sushing. Combines superior athletecism with great technique, leverage, and hand placement while rushing to be tops in the league. Complete ability for all pass rush moves. Never gives up on a rush. Will make plenty of plays in the backfield. Injuries are not a major concern.
Negatives: Is simply a pass rusher. A non-factor in coverage, a real liability against almost any opponent. Doesn't understand zone schemes and will be out of position. Will get swallowed in the run game on occasion, and though he makes TFLs, they are often luck because he has one thing on his mind: the QB. One dimensional, really only a factor in rushing the QB. Will be best effective in the 3-4.
Comparison: Lawrence Taylor
Ratings Range: 82-87

Will Franks-Turner
Pos: CB
6', 199
Age: 29 (8th season)
College: Buffalo
Positives: Good size, with great speed and quickness. Able to man up against the fastest WRs. Good leaping ability, will contend in jump ball situations. Good hands, will reel down the INT. A threat with the ball in his hands. Great range and can deceive the QB into thinking the receiver is open. Only has a small injury history.
Negatives: Could understand the zone a little better, defintiely would benefit in a man-based scheme. Not much of a factor in run support, gives inconsistent effort there. Tackling is poor. Succeptible to the big play due to his risk taking. Not a big hitter. Could jam WRs a little better. Not a good blitzer.
Comparison: Asante Samuel
Ratings Range: 88-91

Orion Johnson
Pos: CB
6' 1", 203
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: William & Mary
Positives: Great size and strength for the position. An excellent cover corner. Sticks to his man like glue. Gets a great jam and will knock the WR off his route. Breaks up tons of passes. Asset for the secondary due to his size and jumping ability, great in jump ball situations and in the red zone. Understands zone coverage well, scheme diverse. Gives good effort in run support, and makes plays there as well. An all-around CB. Doesn't give up the big play.
Negatives: Doesn't have elite speed or quickness. Hands are poor, and won't come up with many INTs. Not a threat to return the ball when he does get the INT. Not a great blitzer. Will struggle against the quickest and fastest WRs at times. Injuries are a slight concern.
Comparison: Nnamdi Asomugha
Ratings Range: 84-87

Harold Mouton
Pos: CB
6'2", 211
Age: 27 (6th season)
College: Ohio State
Positives: Size doesn't get much better. Great stregth for the position. A major weapon to stop the run from the position. Great tackler who also delivers the big hit. Will eliminate receivers with his jam at times. Great zone coverage CB. Perfect fit in a zone-based coverage scheme or in a Cover 2. Toughness that is unheard of these days. Injuries aren't a concern. Good blitzer.
Negatives: Doesn't have good speed for the position, will struggle against faster receivers. Not a big time interception CB. Won't do much with the ball when he does get it. Leaping ability could be better. May have to move to FS if he is drafted to a man based defense.
Comparison: Mel Blount
Ratings Range: 87-90

Antonio Blades
Pos: CB
5'9", 188
Age: 25: (4th season)
College: Florida
Positives: Has a strong, compact build and can lay the big hit. Good quickness. Able to get a good jam at the line of scrimmage to disrupt the timing of the receiver and quarterback. Smooth hips who can keep up with receivers despite less than elite speed. Good break on the ball and shows a second gear when the ball is in the air. Is a big time playmaker who will get interceptions. Explosive hitter that can separate the ball from the receiver. Shows good effort in run support. Added value as a returner in special teams.
Negatives: Lacks the height teams prefer at the position. Struggles with consistency, will have both very good and very poor games. Loves to intimidate with his explosive hitting, but fails to wrap up too often. Very aggressive, can beaten by double-moves. Injuries are a concern.
Comparison: Brandon Flowers
Ratings Range: 83-87

Nicholas Torrain
Pos: CB
5'10", 194
Age: 27 (7th season)
College: Mississippi State
Positives: A great athlete who is comfortable in both man and zone schemes. Has good speed and quickness. Can man up on most WRs. Good hips enable him to handle the most elusive WRs. Will break up a lot of passes. Will be a threat when he does have the ball in his hands. An added return threat. A great leader with top notch intangibles. A fan favorite.
Negatives: Not a big time playmaker, won't come down with many INTs or force many fumbles. Non-existent in run support. Will take bad angles or fail to wrap up. Sometimes gives little to no effort in run support. Not a good blitzer. Injury history is a concern. Will struggle to get the jam.
Comaprison: Deion Sanders (minus playmaking ability)
Ratings Range: 80-86

Stafon Claxton
Pos: CB
5'11 1/2" 201
Age: 25 (4th season)
College: Ohio
Positives: Very physical, delivers the big hit to receivers and backs. He is very good at run support and demonstrates the ability to make big plays on the blitz. Has great speed and quickness. Tremendous instincts to react once the ball is in the air and can make a play on the ball. A threat with the ball in his hands. Has good returning abilities. No off-field issues.
Negatives: Will struggle agaisnt the physical WRs and will struggle against the quickest and fastest WRs. Despite his years, is still very raw, and may never reach his full potential. Will fail to wrap up on occasion. Isn't much of a leader. Has had some injury concerns.
Comaprison: Aaron Ross
Ratings Range: 83-86

Yeremiah Carrasco
Pos: S (FS)
5'11 1/2", 203
Age: 26 (4th season)
College: Harvard
Positives: Good size and speed. Athletecism is very good. Has a knack for getting to the ball. Great range. Very productive playmaker who will come down with a lot of interceptions. A dangerous return threat, after the pick and on Special teams. Shows good effort in run support, and is a good tackler at times. Top intangibles and field intelligence.
Negatives: Not a big hitter. Tackling ability is inconsistent. Will sometimes take poor angles in the run game or assume someone else will make the tackle. Restricted to free safety due to his style of play. Injuries are a concern. Not much of a leader.
Comaprison: Ed Reed
Ratings Range: 79-85

Kenny Mustain
Pos: S (FS)
6' 1/2" 209
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: West Virginia
Positives: Good size and athletecism. Speed and quickness are elite, and as a result, has great range. Good strength. Able to man up on TEs, RBs, and some WRs. Is great in run support. Takes great angles and will wrap up on a consistent basis. Capable of making big hits. A team leader with no injury history.
Negatives: Not a big time playmaker. Will shoose to break a pass up over an interception. Not much of a threat with the ball in his hands. Will struggle to navigate through traffic at times. Won't force many fumbles. Will struggle in man coverage against the fastest and quickest WRs. Has had some minor off-field issues.
Comparison: Laron Landry
Ratings Range: 83-87

Kyle Carpenter
Pos: S (either)
6'1", 209
Age: 28 (7th season)
College: USC
Positives: Great size, strength and athletecism. Nice speed and quickness. Big time hitter who can cause a lot of fumbles with his devastating hits. Good range for the position. Will be a threat with the ball in his hands. Balanced S who makes just as much of an impact in run support as against the pass. Takes good angles to the ball carrier. Tough! Injuries not a concern.
Negatives: Will miss tackles going for the big hit, on occasion. Not much of a special teams returner, despite his abilities after interceptions or recovered fumbles. Will struggle when up against the tall, athletic TEs or agaisnt the fastest WRs. Not a vocal leader.
Comparison: Ronnie Lott
Ratings Range: 85-88

Randy Duncan
Pos: S (SS)
6'1", 211
Age: 30 (9th seanson)
College: Texas
Positives: Great size, strength and physicality. Good speed, quickness and agility. Exceptionally hard worker with top intangibles, heart of a champion. Good football intelligence. Excellent in run support and tackling, will wrap up. Can cover well, has good range. Gets a good jump on the ball. Very instinctual and decisive. Can cover RBs and TEs. Very good special teams player. Can cover man to man. Big-time hitter who has receivers hearing footsteps. Can cover most slot receivers.
Negatives: Struggles covering man deep. Plays out of control and lacks great change of direction. Prefers setting up a well-timed hit to break up a play over going for an interception. Not much of a factor with the ball in his hands. Not a good returner. Injuries are a slight concern
Comparison: Troy Polamalu
Ratings Range: 83-87

Daniel Santiago
Pos: K
6', 208
Age: 27 (5th season)
College: Murray State
Positives: Big time leg and good accuracy. Will make the tough field goals over 50 yards. Great for kickoffs, doesn't give many opportunities for returns. Not "just a kicker", has good football mentality and is a fan favorite. Good athlete. Good tackler.
Negatives: Quick leg swing leads to some inconsistency. Not very clutch, loses accuracy in certain situations. Struggles in the cold and snow. Has had some long attmpts blocked. Slight injury history.
Comparison: Nick Folk
Ratings Range: 85-88

Gene Swenson
Pos: P
6'3", 231
Age: 28 (5th season)
College: South Carolina
Positves: Excellent accuracy and great power. Master of pinning opponents inside the 5, as well as a good pooch punter. Left footed, so he has a different spin than returners are used to. Gets good elevation on the ball. Injuries aren't a problem. Good in all conditions
Negatives: Has a long delivery, has had some punts blocked. Not good for kickoffs, doesn't have the leg strength. Not a good tackler. Only an average athlete. Not very involved with the team.
Comparison: Jeff Feagles
Ratings Range: 83-86

Todd Costanza
Pos: P
6'2", 229
Age: 26 (3rd season)
College: Moorehead State
Positives: Elite leg strength. Will consistently boom 55+yard punts. Has great hangtime, leading to few opportunities for returns. A quick, one-step punter who doesn't have many punts blocked. Has added value as a kickoff specialist. A good tackler is case coverage fails.
Negatives: Accuracy is shaky at times. Will have some blocks go out of bounds much shorter than if he had used the proper angle. Will have some kickoffs penalized for going out of bounds. An average athlete.
Comaprison: Ray Guy
Ratings Range: 85-90

DeepThreat
07-09-2009, 04:16 PM
How will the CPU Player draft order work? Will it be the same as the normal one, reverse, or completely new?

Dam8610
07-09-2009, 08:45 PM
Al Wood's scouting report reads almost exactly like Ben Roethlisberger's, they have a similar build as well...

eaglesalltheway
07-09-2009, 11:07 PM
How will the CPU Player draft order work? Will it be the same as the normal one, reverse, or completely new?

I think we will be combining both drafts...

eaglesalltheway
07-09-2009, 11:09 PM
Al Wood's scouting report reads almost exactly like Ben Roethlisberger's, they have a similar build as well...

Actually it does, lol. I think I had him in mind when doing that one, but for whatever reason, put Eli as the comparison, though it does fit pretty well for him too.

DeepThreat
07-10-2009, 08:55 AM
Ok, but will user players be rated better?

Caddy
07-10-2009, 10:04 AM
Ok, but will user players be rated better?

This would almost certainly be the case as it has been in previous mock games.

eaglesalltheway
07-10-2009, 01:21 PM
Ok, but will user players be rated better?

I've been talking to scotty and BB about this. I plan on having a few players with a ratings range that could have them higher than some of the users (only the ones that are the least active, and as a result, have a lower rating). There will also be a small batch of "turds" among the CPU guys. So draft carefully. The majority of the CPU players will be slgihtly lower rated than the user players.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:36 PM
I will be updating this to post combine results and Mel's analysis after I get all of the overall ranges posted.

When you request scouting reports, please also use the following format:

Team Name:
Scouting Attributes: (Combined Head and Assistant Coach)
Offensive System: (Ex. Power run, Balanced, etc.)
Defensive System: (Ex. 4-3, 3-4, Cover 2, etc.)
1.) Position - Name
2.)
3.)
.........for however many you have

Since Scotty apparently also stated that you could receiver a whopping 2 user players and 2 CPU players per point, I suppose we'll be going with that.

Also, the overall you get may be different than what another team receives for the same player because of how he fits your projected scheme differently.

Also, please inform me of the position you will be playing the player at. That too will impact his overall for your team. If you do not list a position with him, I will go by whatever you have him as in the request list.

Quarterbacks

Crail Johnson - (90-98)
6'4 237 5.09

Mel Says: Johnson is a big, bulky QB with a strong arm who enjoyed a lot of success at Arizona State. He has managed to avoid turnovers in his time at college but still has made his share of bad decisions. I think he has the highest ceiling of all of the QBs, but has a lot more bust potential imo.

That bust potential comes from issues with his age and maturity. He left school after only his Redshirt Sophomore year and 2 years starting experience. He does have the big arm and size for the pros, but another year of seasoning in college would have done well for him I think. I also worry about his commitment to the game. In many of the games I watched, he came in looking overweight. Now, he was listed at 240, but some of those games he had a bit of a gut on him and looked closer to 260 in my opinion. This is further evidenced by him showing up to the combine today out of shape...not good.

Overall, I look at Crail Johnson a bit like I looked at Jamarcus Russell. If he commits fully to the game and shows that he has grown up, then he can be a stud. If not, some team is going to be very frustrated with Johnson as their starting QB.

___________________________
Michael Vick - (90-96)
6'5 221 5.02

Kiper Says: Vick has fairly prototypical size at around 6'5 and 220 pounds and he really looks the part of a pro QB. He has extremely good mechanics with a great throwing motion, and can really sling the ball out fast. He has had a successful college career that saw him really grow into the leadership role associated with the QB position.

Now, that said, he's hardly perfect. His arm strength is really just average and he struggles a bit with his deep ball accuracy. He also threw quite a few picks at Boston College, which you can contribute a lot to having a weak crop of receivers. However, several of his picks did come off of bone headed decisions where he was simply trying to do too much. He's also not going to kill you with his feet. He can slide around a bit in the pocket to avoid pressure, but he's not able to take off running very well. And finally, it's worth note, he did have a nagging ankle injury that affected him throughout his college career. It was never very serious and he played through it quite a bit, but you could tell watching the games when it hurt him the most and he was often very timid in the pocket and didn't push off well to throw deep.

Overall, I think Vick is perhaps the safest pick at QB. At worst, he's going to be a good game manager in the Kyle Orton mold if he can control his number of interceptions. On the other end, I don't think he has a real high ceiling and will probably never be a superstar, but I think he be a Matt Hasselbeck type at best.

________________________
Scott Wright - (87-95)
6'4 214 4.66

Mel Says: USC’s Scott Wright clearly looks like the best athlete of this years QB class. He has good size, with a chiseled physique, and actually has good speed for the QB position. Now, he’s not just a running QB, he has very good arm strength and puts a nice spin on the ball with a lot of zip on his passes. He’s had several years of experience starting at USC and really blossomed into a team leader in that time. Like I mentioned before, he has good speed for a QB to go with his athleticism and can beat you with his feet.

He does have a few weaknesses that hold him back from being the top prospect though. He has the arm strength to get the ball deep, but his accuracy is very spotty when he does so leading to a lot of under throws and hence, some interceptions. He will throw his share of picks, but most of them come due to issues that can be worked out with good coaching. His mechanics and footwork are one of those issues. He has a somewhat awkward throwing motion and a low release that leads to some batted balls and the picks I was mentioning before. His footwork also needs some work, but I feel that that too can be overcome by good coaching.

In the end, I think that Wright has a fairly high ceiling and if he goes to a team with a QB guru for a coach, the sky is the limit. If things really get rolling for him in the pros, I look for him to be a Jake Plummer but maybe a little less risky.

__________________________
Herman Plainview - (89-93)
6'2 209 4.60

Mel Says: Plainview is the most experienced veteran of this QB class and I think that could help him out. He’s had a successful pro career and has proven that he can play his best when it counts. He’s still a good athlete who can beat you with his feet, and his arm strength is a bit above average.

Now, Plainview’s biggest weakness is something that he can’t help. He has been deaf since his childhood and needs special assistants to sign in the plays to him. It’s not a huge deal if his coaches and teammates are willing to work with him, but it is worth noting. Aside from that, he really only has average size and bulk. At times, he will also try to do too much with his legs instead of his arm. He’s quite the athlete but that doesn’t always bail him out. In addition to all of this, he has an injury history riddled with concussions. A lot of them coming off of hits that a non-deaf QB may have been able to avoid.

I like Plainview, and he’s the surest thing of the QB prospects this year. However, he’s also the oldest and most beaten-up, so you have to be wary with him. I think that if Plainview is on a veteran team with a flexible coach, he can have a Jeff Garcia like impact. If not, I expect a lot of frustration.

____________________
Devin Saint - (88-92)
6'2 209 4.86

Mel Says: Saint is a very accurate southpaw out of California who also possesses a decent amount of athleticism. He has a lot of baseball in his past and was even drafted in the 16th round by the Cincinnati Reds. His arm strength is around average and he has excellent footwork and mechanics. He has also proven to be pretty clutch in his college career playing at his best when it counts most.

On the other hand, Saint is very small and frail looking for a pro QB. While his arm strength isn’t bad, he does struggle a bit when launching the ball deep with his normally perfect accuracy. While he was clutch at times and never really had a bad performance, he was also never really dominant in the college game. He never threw for more than 3000 yards in a season and was never really the sole reason for Cal’s success while there.

In the end, Saint looks to be a pretty safe option at QB but without a very high ceiling. I think he would be at his best in a West Coast style offense where he can utilized his accuracy and mechanics to distribute the ball to a wide array of targets.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:46 PM
Running Backs

Dwayne Wright - (94-98)
5'10 233 4.41

Mel Says:This North Carolina product is my fairly clear #1 RB. Though he looked a little overweight today, Wright is an all around great athlete when you see him on the field with above average speed for a RB, and great speed considering his size. Wright is a very versatile runner who has done it all in college. Running inside, running outside, catching out of the backfield and pass-blocking, Wright can do it all and do it all pretty well. Wright is also a hard worker and puts in a lot of time studying and practicing to improve. He also protects the football very well and has had very few fumbles in his college career.

He does come with a few weaknesses, though nothing mind-blowing. He doesn't appear to be overly quick and he doesn't have a lot of "make you miss" moves. Also, in the tape I saw, he would often try to avoid contact where possible. Instead of fighting for extra yardage, he would instead step out of bounds or dive ahead low to the ground to avoid big hits. It should help him stay healthier, but it doesn't look good for a guy without great quickness to dodge defenders. Similar to his lack of quickness, Wright runs a little stiff and not very fluid. Finally, despite his good size and bulk, Wright isn't really a powerful pile mover and has struggles in some short yardage situations.

When looking at Wright, I could see him developing into a Fred Taylor in-his-prime type of back. Not going to blow you away with any one attribute, but does it all nicely. My top back available in this draft.

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Seth Harris - (91-97)
5'10 216 4.43

Mel Says:The clear #2 running back on my list is PSU star Seth Harris Jr. Son of Pittsburgh coach Seth Harris senior, Harris is another well rounded runner who can do it all for a team. He has a very chiseled (though maxed out) physique and is a powerful inside runner. He runs very hard and fast and when he hits a hole, he has the ability to then take it all the way. He is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield contributing just as much to the Nittany Lions passing game as their running game while there. He has fantastic production in college and he put in the hard work off the field to make that happen. He was a great student, worked hard in the locker room as well as the film room and practice.

Now, he does have a few areas to improve upon. As I mentioned earlier, his frame is totally maxed out after checking into college weighing a good 30-40 pounds lighter. He also struggles as a blocker and has some issues with fumbling at times. He has also experienced his share of mostly small, nagging injuries that have held him back at one time or another.

If he were a better blocker and protected the football as well as Wright, he would be right up there competing for the top RB spot. However, he's not far behind and will make some team a nice consolation prize if they don't get a hold of Wright. I see Harris as being a Thomas Jones type of player in the pros.

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Marcus Fenikz - (85-96)
5'7 188 4.39

Mel Says:The next back I have ranked here is a product of "The U" in speedster Marcus Fenikz. He checked in with a little more bulk on his body today but managed to maintain a good 40 time, both of which were impressive. He does everything you would want out of a 3rd down/change of pace back well. This includes excellent speed and agility, and he is very quick and shift in the short range. He is also an excellent receiver both out of the back field and split out wide. He has also demonstrated top not kick return ability as well.

While he has the strengths you'd want out of a change of pace back, he also has the same weaknesses for the most part. His frame is totally maxed out and he's still not very big (though he did manage to pack a few more pounds on for today.) Despite this, he will never carry the load as an every down back. He also takes a lot of risks and will at times lose yardage looking to make the big play. He will also dance around a lot behind the line of scrimmage for the same reasons, passing up the holes that would pick up a few yards waiting to see if a big lane will open up. When he's split out wide, he isn't a very good route runner and will drop a few passes from time to time.

Overall, I like Fenikz if he goes to a team with another decent RB to split the load with. I think he could turn into a nice Darren Sproles style threat in the pros.

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Leopould Carmichael - (84-95)
5'8 172 4.40

Mel Says:Yes, Carmichael ran everything with the receivers today, but I've had him listed with my running backs. This does speak for his versatility though, which is one of his greatest strengths. Whether it's out of the backfield, split out wide, or deep waiting for the return, Carmichael is a threat to score every time. He is extremely quick and fast with amazing change of direction skills. He finds open holes fast and bursts through them with a lot of speed and some surprising power for his size. He has excellent balance and can remain upright even after contact. His size and shiftiness also make it very hard to get a clean hit on him, and he rarely gets "blown up" by a big hit thanks to this. He has a wide array of moves including some ankle breaking jukes and spin moves. He also has pretty good hands and rarely drops passes, which, coupled with his above average route running skills, makes him dangerous anywhere on offense. He is also a very quality return man who will see extensive action there.

Now, his size does help him with his style of quick and shifty play, but he's still very tiny and his frame is maxed out. He's a poor blocker due to both his size and strength making it hard for him, but also a lack of effort. If he lines up in the backfield, it's best not to keep him in blocking....He also doesn't have a true position which hurts him since he's pretty good at everything but not really great at anything. He also looks for the big play too often, much like Fenikz, and will at times lose yards trying to drag out a run.

It's hard to find a good pro comparison for him, but I definitely see a little bit of Reggie Bush and Devin Hester in there, though in a smaller package. A creative playcaller is going to have some fun with Carmichael here, but someone looking to stick him in a more traditional role may be frustrated.

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Joe Jackson - (88-94)
5'6 212 4.36

Mel Says:After those top two, everything goes haywire in the running back rankings, and where these guys eventually get drafted will totally depend upon how teams plan to use them. If I had to name a 3rd place right now, I'm going to go with Joe Jackson out of tiny D-III Catholic U. Jackson is a tiny though powerful workhorse who dominated his level of play. Jackson runs well between the tackles and has great leverage to power through defenders. He is also a solid blocker and is quick with a good burst to hit the line hard.

Though he dominated D-III football, he does have major character concerns that put him there. Kicked out of a D-Ia school due to a series of problems with the law, he was forced down a few levels of play and came in very out of shape which led to some early injuries. Not to understate the obvious, but Jackson is incredibly short and did play at a very weak level of competition so he's going to have to make a major jump in level of play. He also had some clear fumble issues in school and probably won't be able to turn the corner against the more athletic pros as easily either.

If he can overcome his character problems and the jump in the level of play, I think Jackson can become an MJD type of player, though it may take him a little while to become quite as versatile.

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Ernie Cobourne - (87-91)
5'8 209 4.51

Mel Says:Next, we come to the Canadian Cobourne. He's a hard worker who played just about every offensive skill position with McGill college. I think his best role will be as a running back in the pros though, as he is already a well rounded running back who does everything pretty well. He has good agility and can catch well out of the backfield. He also plays very hard and is a solid blocker despite his size. He also has some return man experience though he wasn't overly dominant at it.

While his versatility sure helped his college team out a lot, it hasn't done much for his pro stock. As he was constantly being shifted around, he was never allowed to get in rhythm with just one position. He's also a bit on the small size though he does have a decent build. I doubt he'll be able to carry the full load as every down back in the pros though. He also has small hands and will drop a few passes as well as put the ball on the ground from time to time. He also doesn't possess great strength which may hurt his inside running and blocking.

At best, I think that Cobourne will be a poor man's Brian Westbrook in the pros. He can do a little bit of it all on offense, but won't be overly spectacular in any one aspect of it. I think he can be an effective starter though if he finds someone to share the load with.

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Ray Leonard - (85-89)
6'0 233 4.46

Mel Says:This Rutgers product is the final RB on my list and is a different type of runner than the others so far in this draft. He's got good size and strength, and has even played a little bit of fullback during his time at school. He is a solid blocker in both the run and pass game, and has all of the durability and toughness you could want in a big back. He's a powerful inside runner who can be a short yardage guy and always fights hard for those extra yards even after being wrapped up. He also protects the ball very well and had very few fumbles in school. He's also a team player who will do whatever he has to to help the team.

Unfortunately, this guy plays very slow and sluggish, and looks as though he has weights attached to his feet. He's never going to be able to take runs to the outside in the pros and I doubt he'll ever make any long runs. He's not a great pass catcher either. While he did play some fullback in college, I'm not sure if he's big and strong enough to be a consistent pro lead blocker and I'm not sure his speed and athleticism are good enough to let him be an every down halfback either.

He draws a lot of comparisons to former Rutgers superstar Brian Leonard, but I just don't buy the comparison outside of them both being big and white. Brian was a much better athlete and pass catcher than Ray. I think he can succeed in the pros but I think he needs to find the right niche, and I'm just not sure what that is right now.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:49 PM
Wide Receivers

Julio Stone - (97-99)
6'5 219 4.35

Mel Says:Stone...well, what is there to say really? I only watched two games of his during college and I came away knowing exactly what I wanted to say about him. Stone is, without a doubt, the most talented player in this draft, regardless of position. There is really nothing you can fault about his game. He has just incredible size at nearly 6'5 and plays at about 225-230 pounds. He also has just world class speed and it really shows in the game where he plays in a gear that only he possesses. His leaping ability is 2nd to none and lets just say, if he had chosen a career in basketball instead, Vince Carter would have competition as the greatest dunker. What else...oh yes, he runs near perfect routes. He makes crisp cuts and takes short strides allowing him to run any route beautifully. I didn't see a single route in the tape that he struggled with even the slightest bit. His hands are also like giant catchers mitts. Firstly, they're huge, equivalent to roughly to a guy who is 7 feet tall. And I didn't see a single true drop in his college career. A few badly thrown balls nicked his fingertips and whatnot, but every catchable pass was caught. It was like watching an amalgamation of all the greatest to ever play the position all rolled into one. There's really nothing else I can say about him...pop in a game tape of his and you'll instantly know that he plays in his own stratosphere.

I suppose the only real weakness one can find is with his attitude. He takes great care of his body and always brings his all on game day, so no worries there, but he thinks very, very highly of himself and doesn't always respond the best to stern coaching. But I think if you have a QB and a coach who can agree that Stone should be the centerpiece of the offense, and I don't think you'll ever hear a negative remark out of him.

But now, what to compare him to? Picture Jerry Rice put into Calvin Johnson's body who takes care of himself to the level of TO and has the awe-inspiring overall ability of Randy Moss. That's about the closest you can come. Easily the top receiver and in my opinion, the best overall prospect in this draft.

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Johnson Johnson - (93-98)
6'0 190 4.31

Mel Says:No, not a typo, his real name. This UCLA star has a pretty nice all around game, and had a pretty good showing at the combine today as well. To start with, he has very good speed and is typically one of the fastest players on the field anywhere he goes. He also has really good hands and rarely drops any catchable balls. His route running ability is also above average and is only a little refinement away from being a quality pro. He also has decent strength and a muscular build, and he plays physical willing to go over the middle as well as being able to get off the jam well.

Johnson epitomizes this years general lack of character at the WR spot however. He has big ambitions and doesn't seem to be fully invested in his football career. He doesn't respond to coaching well, his WR coach at UCLA telling me that he was nearly uncoachable at times. His size is also very average and he doesn't put in good effort on plays where he isn't the main target. He also offers next to nothing as a down the field blocker, preferring instead to just get out of the way. His maturity is also in question as several reports have surfaced that he has a Lamar Odom like love of snack food and eats fast food nearly every day.

While his physical tools are nice, his attitude is surely a red flag for many high-character seeking coaches. Though he's been pretty clean in terms of trouble with the law and stuff like that, one really has to question his commitment to football and his maturity. I see another Chad Ochocinco in just about every way possible, talented though a little insane.

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James Speed - (93-97)
5'11 194 4.33

Mel Says:While Stone in on a plateau all by his lonesome, there are a few receivers within a stones throw at least. James Speed of Rutgers is next in line. Speed is a good all around athlete with great speed. He's a speedy deep threat who can really stretch the field. He works very hard at his craft and was a great student while in school as well. He was also one of the captains at Rutgers and it goes to show you that in a year with some real poor-character receivers, there is one who can step up and be a team leader.

Speed does struggle a bit with his route running. His most effective route seems to be the streak. This is easily correctable though with good pro coaching. He also doesn't do much running over the middle. He shys away from contact and doesn't play a real physical game. He has put on a little muscle weight, as evidenced with his good bench showing today, but he still plays a bit soft. He also had some injury issues in his past though nothing real serious or lingering.

Speed should be able to help out a team in the short term with his big play, field stretching ability, and if he develops his route running, he could evolve into a true #1 target. I like a comparison to Bernard Berrian with him, though he could be even better.

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TJ Sunstein - (92-96)
6'5 244

Mel Says:Sunstein is another big bodied though still fairly fast recevier who I really like in this draft. At 6'5 and with a playing weight around 235, he is a dominant possession receiver with great hands and body control. He also has some good speed for his bulk though and can get deep pretty well. He is also a hard worker with good character, something that cannot be understated for a receiver in this draft.

He does play pretty stiff however and isn't a polished route runner at all. While he does have good long speed for his size, his short area quickness and burst is fairly lacking. His route tree is also fairly undeveloped playing in the wide open Oklahoma State offense. He also has some lapses from time to time and will just disappear from games. This also leads to periods where he gets slumping with drops and mental errors, but for the most part he is relatively consistent.

There is a lot to like about Sunstein, and I think that most of his areas of weakness can be overcome by a good pro coach. I think he could be another Plaxico Burress with better long speed if everything works out with him.

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Kendrick Williams - (84-96)
6'1 174 4.28

Mel Says:Williams is an intriguing prospect, in that he has some world class (literally) speed though he has barely played a down of high level organized football. Like I said, his speed is out of this world fantastic, even Olympic level. He didn't really show that today but there are rumors of him running at the LSU pro-day a 40 time of 4.2 flat. He has good height and has very long arms and legs allowing him to get up for balls and jump well. He played QB in high school and showed great athleticism, and could bring a bit of Wildcat-QB ability to the DCFL.

However, he hasn't played hardly any organized football since high school. He is also very, very thin and looks like a Pinkston-esque stick figure out there. He has not played any significant time at WR either, and it would appear that that will be his best pro position. He also has a shady drug test history, with rumors of failed tests abound, but I won't get too much into that as he has passed everything the DCFL has put him through to date. His personality is also quite abrasive.

I'm not sure what to make of Williams personally. He has the physical tools to succeed and be a star, but it would take a lot of work for both he and his coaches to make that happen. At best, I could see a Devin Hester like project, but it's going to be tough for him to even get to that level.

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Kenny Writt - (86-94)
6'3 222 4.67

Mel Says:I honestly had Writt rated a little higher but due his poor showing today, which included popping a hamstring mid-40, I dropped him a bit. He did do well on the bench, but I don't really consider that too important for a WR. It does help him with his tough and physical style of play though, and it really showed in his college games. He has good size for the WR spot and plays a great possession game. He was also highly productive in college and caught a lot of passes, providing a nice outlet for his QB in the short to intermediate range.

But like some of the other receivers this year, Writt is a me-first diva. He doesn't work very hard at the game and it shows as he lacks polish when running routes. His time speed, even before injuring himself, was a little below average and it doesn't help him that he plays pretty slow anyway. He also has hot and cold streaks when it comes to drops. One game he'll make several amazing one-handed catches and the next, he'll have passes bouncing off his hands or hitting him right in the chest of facemask. There's also a rumor that his eyesight is actually quite poor and that he would benefit greatly from corrective lenses that he refuses to wear.

Overall, I liken Writt's game to that of Dwayne Bowe. Not a field stretcher or game breaker, but a tough and physical possession target who can work the short routes well. However, his attitude will be a problem if the coaching staff rubs him the wrong way.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:50 PM
Tight Ends

Logan Stevens - (95-98)
6'4 254 4.74

Mel Says:Stevens is a big OK State TE who was a big time receiver in his college days. He has fantastic size at around 6'5-6'6 and a playing weight around 270. He plays strong and physical, and can make the tough catches in traffic, something you love to have in your TE. He is also a pretty polished route runner for a TE and has good, soft hands that catch most of the passes thrown in his vicinity. Like other former OK State TEs, he has excellent blocking skills and can be a real asset to a power running team for this reason. He is also very mature, having graduated school early, and has a very high football IQ. He was named captain of his college team twice and comes off as a positive locker room presence and team leader.

He does have a few areas of weakness however. His speed, both in-game and timed, is about average. He won't be running away from anyone very easily and he also likely won't be making any huge plays deep. He could also use some work with his hands and body control, as he does draw occasional offensive PI penalties and the like. He has also been injured on and off throughout his football career, though he has managed to avoid anything serious.

Overall, I liken him to a Heath Miller type, though Stevens himself prefers to compare himself to Chris Cooley. I think he has an excellent well rounded game and will be an asset to any team, be they high powered on offense or a power run team.

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Eli Wright - (94-97)
6'5 265 4.71

Mel Says:Wright is another former Rutgers star in a draft that has quite a few. He has fantastic size with above average speed and is a dangerous receiving threat because of it. He has good hands and concentration so has limited his drops throughout his college career. He also produced big numbers in the Scarlet Knight offense as a great safety valve for the QB. He can down the field pretty well while also having the ability to do damage after the catch. His coaches also raved about his work ethic and willingness to do whatever to help the team.

He does have a few pitfalls though, and one of them is blocking. He puts in good effort at it but his technique is poor and more often than not tends to get in the way of, more than helping out, the ball carrier. He also has thin legs and a weak lower body which can make powering through defenders difficult. I do think however, that these issues can be worked out with a good pro coach and training regiment.

While I like Wright's pure receiving abilities and rank him right up there with Stevens on those, he is a project when it comes to blocking. I think he could be a Greg Olsen type though perhaps a little less athletic.

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Sam Slowinski - (88-95)
6'3 278 4.82

Mel Says:This former Wolverine is a thickly built, primarily blocking TE with excellent strength and bulk. He almost looks like an extra OT on the end of the line in run blocking situations. He is also a capable, though unspectacular, receiver who can help move the chains. He puts in good effort both on the field and in the weight room, though in the past he has had some issues with conditioning. He is also a very emotional leader on the field who just has a great time playing the game of football.

While he is strong as an ox, he is also about as smart. He struggled with his grades mightily throughout high school and college, barely avoiding academic suspensions multiple times. He is also quite slow with big, heavy feet and legs. When he catches the ball, he typically doesn't get very far with it...

He won't have a role in pass happy offenses though he could be a stud blocker in a power run game offense if the coaches are patient with him and let him learn. I compare his on the field abilities a bit to Daniel Graham, though he potentially has more upside as a pass catcher with good coaching.

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Jrue Reed - (86-91)
6'1 263 4.59

Mel Says:A former Cal standout, Reed is a different breed of TE in this draft. At about 6'1-6'2 and with a playing weight of around 250, he played more fullback than TE while at Cal, but I believe his best pro position will ultimately be at TE. He is quite athletic with surprisingly good speed, which he showed off today at the combine. He is also very stout and strong, and is actually a pretty good run blocker. He plays very physical but can also do some damage with his speed when running after the catch. He has a good motor and goes all out on every play. And as mentioned before, he is quite versatile with experience in FB, TE and H-back type roles.

As for weaknesses, his smaller size is a concern if he is going to be playing primarily TE. While he is a good lead blocker thanks to his fullback experience, he still has room to improve in his other blocking skills. He also "gets lost" a bit when running routes and needs some refinement in general as a receiver. He also has a history of legal troubles when he was younger, but seem to have moved on and was actually a pretty model student at Cal.

Reed is the definition of a tweener and likely isn't cut out for every team. However, if used properly, he can be a very versatile weapon in the mold of Chris Cooley.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:51 PM
Offensive Tackles

Jabroni James - (95-99)
6'8 313 5.03

Mel Says:James, a former Trojan, is the third of our potential franchise LTs in this draft and boy is he intimidating to look at. He stands all but 6'9 and honestly looks more like a basketball center than a pro football player. He has long arms that give him great separation when blocking and has the strength to back it up as well. He has proven capable of handling all types of pass rushers during his time in SoCal, and has experience on both the left and right sides of the line. He dominated college football as a junior only allowing one fluke-like sack all year.

While his height sure is intimidating and lends itself well to his immense reach, it also hurts him a little bit in the leverage department. His biggest struggles came against shorter, more stout DEs who could get up under him and drive him backwards quite easily. He also has a bit of a diva-like attitude which is rare to see in o-lineman. While he did get top quality experience at USC, he entered the draft as true junior who was never redshirted. Maturity may also be an issue as he had problems in college managing his money.

Jonathan Ogden is a pretty good comparison for James, though Ogden had a bit more bulk to his frame.

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Bradley Barrington - (90-98)
6'6 293 4.90

Mel Says:Barrington is a more athletic type of LT coming out of UC Davis. His size is only average, but he was probably college footballs best pure pass protector last season. His quickness and agility are unmatched at the LT position, and he exhibits great technique when pass blocking. He takes incredible care of himself physically and utilizes a lot of unusual (for a pro football player anyway) diets and exercise routines.

He isn't without faults however, and while he is a great athlete, his size isn't fantastic. His height is adequate though one has to wonder if he has the proper bulk to handle pro bull rushers. He also struggles as a run blocker as he really lacks a lot of power. He also has rather short arms for the position which may hurt his ability to keep defenders back as well as cause issues with leverage. UC Davis is also hardly a football powerhouse and his level of competition is concerning, though he did dominate that level while there.

Barrington's best fit would sure be in a ZBS, though he could probably handle duty as a LT in a more traditional scheme as well...just keep him away from any power running offenses. I liken him to Jason Smith as a great pass blocker who may stuggle a bit with more powerful pass rushers and when run blocking.

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Ray Tyson - (90-98)
6'4 339 5.14

Mel Says:A big Miami U star, Tyson certainly possesses the tools you look for in a quality LT. His size and bulk is good and lends itself well to his powerful style of blocking. He also moves well and is nimble on his feet for such a big man. He plays very physical and nasty, dominating nearly all competition in that regard. He has a boxing background and really plays the position "on the attack". He is a well experienced 4 year starter for the Hurricanes and got to face some of college footballs best players in that time. He is a dominating run blocker in all aspects and is also quite good with his pass blocking. He also did not allow a sack as a senior. He could also likely excel playing RT if the situation called for it as well.

He did check into the combine a little short however and a little overweight, so conditioning may be a problem with him. His arm length was also a slight disappointment. While many credit him for both of his blocking abilities, run and pass, watching him on tape showed that he got away with quite a bit in his pass blocking that may not slide in the pros. He will draw holding calls and unnecessary roughness at least a few time a game. He had a very rough upbringing and one has to wonder how he's going to do when thrust into the fame and fortune spotlight.

While he certainly has potential oozing out of his big fat behind, there is also a lot of risk. I look at him pretty much the same way Andre Smith was looked at coming out.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:52 PM
Guards

David McMurray - (92-98)
6'4 302 5.08

Mel Says:The university of Wisconsin has produced more than it's fair share of quality offensive lineman in recent years, and this continues with McMurray here. He has good size for a pulling LG and has pretty good athleticism as well. He displays a good technique with his footwork and with his hands, allowing him to handle much bigger and more athletic d-lineman. He was also a heavyweight wrestler in high school and really brings that same style of play onto the football field. He is also a smart player and was a terrific student while in college.

One area of weakness he does have though is his short arms. It's not as big of deal for a guard as it is a tackle, but it's worth nothing. He could also stand to add some more muscle to his frame to get stronger overall. He also only started for 2 seasons in college, though he started every game those years.

I like McMurray as a quality guard prospect and I compare him a bit to Logan Mankins. Neither are huge earth movers, but both display great technique and can more than handle their own against most any defensive lineman.

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Cromwell Thigpen - (90-96)
6'1 307 4.98

Mel Says:This Western Michigan product is one of the more athletic guard prospects available in this draft. He has adequate size with very long arms for the position. His athleticism allows him to be versatile in the offense, frequently pulling and blocking downfield well. He is a well liked player in the locker room and was a model student while in school. He also played some LT after injuries left his team's depth chart depleted as a senior and held his own, though I think he's pretty clearly a guard in the pro game with his size.

He does have some weaknesses and one is that he can be dominated by bigger, stronger defensive lineman. He could stand to bulk up a bit which would help him alleviate some of the issues he has with more powerful defenders. His technique could also use a little refinement, but isn't bad. He might also find his best fit in a ZBS, though he could hold his own in a more traditional offense if he hits the weights a little.

As for a comparison, I would say Josh Beekman comes pretty close, though Thigpen has the advantage in arm length and overall athleticism.

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Andy Bleu - (87-95)
6'6 338 5.21

Mel Says:While McMurray made up for his lack of mauling size with good technique, Andy Bleu does just the opposite. Bleu has great size and is a monster of a run blocker. He has immense strength which is supplemented by his good, knee bending blocking style. He is also very frequently in the film room studying his next opponents.

While that is all good, Bleu looks a bit stiff and slow in the legs and feet. He appeared more athletic on film than he actually was, stemming from him playing at lower level of football at South Dakota State. So, level of competition is also of major concern. While he did swing out and play some tackle from time to time, he was only so-so at it and will be a guard prospect in the pros. He also struggles with his pass blocking technique and allowed some pretty grievous sacks as a result.

Bleu is a big mauler and will certainly find a nice home in a power rushing style of offense. However, he may drop a little in the draft due to not having a good fit with every team. I think the closest comparison I can think of is Todd Herremans.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:53 PM
Centers

Todd Smithsonian - (92-98)
5'11 310 5.13

Mel Says:If Andrews was brainy, then Smithsonian here must look like Stephen Hawking coming out of Harvard. But Smithsonian's game isn't all brains and technique, he plays angrily and very physical. He absolutely dominated Ivy League defensive linemen for 4 years with both is brains and brawn. While very stout and strong, he is also quite nimble on his feet and can get to the 2nd level when blocking. He makes it his mission every play to stop the guy across from him at all costs and keeps that same intensity throughout the entire game.

He is on the short side however, and his temper does lead to penalties being drawn frequently. While he was dominant, his competition left a lot to be desired in the Ivy league and that will surely be a red flag to some teams. He also has some strange personal habits that have interfered with his football career in the past, including long spans of video game playing.

While Matt Birk may be the natural comparison with his ginger qualities and Ivy League education, Nick Mangold more closely matches his style of play.

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Trevor Andrews - (91-97)
6'2 302 5.13

Mel Says:Another member of the Hurricane o-line, who along with Ray Tyson, made it one of the best in football last season. Andrews is a very brainy player who utilizes great technique and knowledge of his opponents through film study to be a dominant center. He is a good interior pass protector who can pick up incoming blitzers well. He has pretty good overall strength and is athletic enough to get to the 2nd level. He was also a good student and team leader on that Hurricanes squad.

Andrews isn't a great athlete though, and has poor balance so he tends to get shoved down easily. He isn't a dominating run blocker, though he's not terrible either. His feet are also a bit heavy and he doesn't move well when pulling.

Andrews is a pretty typical, smart center who can make the line calls and do his part to anchor down the line. I see a bit of Jeff Saturday in him personally.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:54 PM
Defensive Ends

Domenik Coleman - (93-99)
6'6 304 4.82

Mel Says:In terms of pure talent alone, Coleman is right up at the top of the draft. He has fantastic size, playing around 6'7 and 300 pounds, and has top notch athleticism to boot. The former Ohio star is also extremely strong and almost always draws double teams. He is also quite versatile having played a little of each 4-3 DE, 4-3 UT, and 3-4 DE, excelling at them all. He works very hard to maintain his physique and is always in the weight room. He has also mastered a variety of moves and techniques to help him shed blocks and pressure the QB. He also dropped into coverage from time to time in college showing even further versatility.

But, as it would seem a trend for this draft, Coleman's amazing on the field talent is balanced out by some extraordinary off the field trouble. He had a very troubled childhood and has constantly been in trouble with school and the law growing up. He has a very diva-esque personality and does not respond well to coaching at all, whatsoever. His college coach even had comments that he loved it when Coleman was on the field, because "not only because he was a great player, but it meant he didn't have to listen to Coleman ***** on the sideline." Level of competition is also a major concern because Coleman blew a chance of attending OSU and had to settle for Ohio.

What a head scratcher Coleman is. His physical ability is unreal, Julius Peppers-esque. But he is a head case the likes of pro sports has never seen. He would easily be the #1 overall pick if he was even a halfway-decent off the field personality, but theres no telling what may happen whenever he is not on the playing field.....HUGE risk and I'm not sure any reward can outweigh it. Some team will take a shot at him though, that is for sure.

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Drake Mcdonald - (93-98)
6'5 279 4.78

Mel Says:Blessed with great size for the position at around 6'5 and 275 pounds, McDonald is truly a sack artist. He has great functional strength and long arms to help him beat blocks and get to the QB. He also possess above-average speed for a player his size and shows good technique with his hands and footwork. He had a statistically successful career at PSU, notching a good number of sacks as well as forcing a lot of turnovers with strips, tipped passes, and pressuring the QB into making a bad throw.

All was not happy in Happy Valley however, as McDonald had some clashes with coaches and saw some frequent off the field issues. His grades were never great and he skimmed the line of being academically ineligible a number of times. Though anyone who has met him will tell you that he is a bright young man, it was more a lack of application and effort that caused McDonald to struggle. He does have some weaknesses on the field as well, including some strength concerns. Though he added a little weight for the combine, his frame still has room to go and adding muscle would be a great advantage for him. He will also struggle a bit in run defense, being swallowed up by hulking o-lineman and getting caught up in the "wash."

If he goes to a team with strong leadership, McDonald has a great chance of being one of the game's premier defensive ends. I think he has similarities to Jared Allen, both in his style of play and with his attitude.

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Jamaal Umenyiora - (90-97)
6'3 248 4.72

Mel Says:Another product of Rutgers, Umenyiora is a sack machine at its finest. He has a wide array of moves and utilizes very good technique to allow him to get to the QB. He gives 110% on every down, no matter the situation, and has a motor that just will not quit. He has a lot of experience, starting for the better part of 4 seasons in college and is a really polished player. When unable to get to the QB, he has made it into a reflex of his to get his arms up and try to deflect the pass, which he quickly became one of the best at in college football. He is also the epitome of toughness, playing through nearly every injury he has ever suffered.

All of that said, Jamaal really is nothing special physically. He has fairly average at best time speed, though he does play pretty fast. He is also rather small for the position, but lacks great athleticism to make the move out to 3-4 OLB. His strength is also a little underwhelming and he can be eaten up by more powerful lineman. He has also just had a rash of injuries to the joints on both of his legs, already having had several surgeries, though he has managed to miss very little game time due to them.

Overall, you have to like the motor that he brings. Umenyiora may never be elite, but he will get you sacks assuming that his legs hold up. As for a comparison, I think another Umenyiora comes to mind there.

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Fulgrim Chemos - (90-97)
6'5 299 4.81

Mel Says:Chemos is one of the top 3-4 DE prospects in this draft, although he could also contribute at 4-3 UT in the right scheme. He has very nice size for either position, and has excellent strength to boot. He is also quite athletic with enough speed to turn the corner and provide some pass rush. He almost always drew double teams in college, freeing up teammates to create plays, and many times still managed to impact the play himself. He has a non-stop motor and puts an obsessive amount of work into perfecting his game.

In terms of weaknesses, well, Chemos does suffer from one big mental roadblock. He is a Perfectionist to the point of being OCD about it. When he wasn't offered a scholarship by his dream school, Michigan, he was redshirted while battling severe depression. He has also verbally attacked teammates before for making mistakes, or causing him to make mistakes. In terms of on the field issues, he will struggle to break the double teams he faces at times and will try to do too much, even getting in the way of his own teammates making plays.

If he can find a way to keep his mental issues from affecting his play on the field, he could be an excellent pickup for any team, especially a 3-4 team. I liken his on the field play to that of someone like Richard Seymour.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:56 PM
Defensive Tackles

Ben Grant - (95-99)
6'2 315 5.00

Mel Says:If you're looking for a do-it-all DT, look no further than former PSU star Ben Grant. He seems to be the total package at the position, with above average size, strength and speed. He has a very powerful frame with long arms and stout legs that allow him to just bulldoze offensive linemen. He employs good technique when pass rushing and has a well polished set of moves that help him get into the backfield. He also bats down his fair share of balls and is always ready to go in pursuit if the play gets past him. He is a great wrap up tackler for a d-lineman and has enough grip and arm strength to tie up the ball carrier or QB with one arm if need be. Unlike a lot of DTs, his conditioning is excellent and he plays great deep into ball games. He is a genuinely talented player who brings together the perfect package of physical and mental abilities in the position.

His weaknesses are few though he does have a couple. He will likely be limited to duty in a standard 4-3 defense, as none of the d-line positions in the 3-4 really suit his skills. While he himself won't cause many distractions, he isn't a vocal leader and remains pretty quiet in the locker room and on the field.

A real comparison is hard to think of, though I see a little bit of Kevin Williams in Grant, just because of his fantastic all around game. I believe he will be one of the top 5 picks in this draft when all is said and done.

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Dostoevsky Vissarionovich - (80-99)
6'4 366 5.38

Mel Says:What to say about this mountain of an Eastern European...well, he's quite possibly the strongest player to ever come through the draft process. He's played in a few American-style football leagues throughout Europe and has finally decided to try his game in the states. He was thoroughly dominant in the old VHS tapes I got of these games, though it was quite static-y and hard to tell what was going on. He possesses otherworldly strength and was just impossible to move when planted in the middle of the defensive line. His team in teh Polish League, the Bydgoszcz Żołnierz, set a league record by allowing -8 yards rushing for the entire season with Vissarionovich starting.

What's that? You haven't heard of the Żołnierz? Well that's because Vissarionovich has never played football in America...how about that for a level of competition increase. He's also so huge and muscular, that he's horrendously slow. He gets no pass rush to speak of, and his technique consists mostly of him just powering forward into the offensive line with all his strength (which is a lot.) His English is also very poor and required a translator for even the most basic of conversation.

I'm honestly not quite sure how to even grade him. Part of thinks that due to the lack of true 3-4 NTs and his....immense.....tools.... that he'll be drafted fairly high. But is the lack of American football experience going to hurt him? And you can just forget about a comparison, he is truly 1 of a kind.

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Chance Arceneoux - (93-97)
6'1 295 4.88

Mel Says:A former standout at Troy, Arceneux is a very agile and nimble, though still quite powerful, UT type of DT. He is great when in space and great in pursuit, with good initial burst and burst to close. He has a great motor and plays a very intense and physical game. He goes all out on every play and keeps on hustling until he hears the whistle sound. He always plays with a smile though and clearly enjoys playing the game of football.

His size is a bit concerning though he does play bigger. Sometimes he plays a little too aggressive and will go offsides or deliver hits after the play. Though strong, bigger lineman have been able to dominate him in the past. He also isn't a big leader and is pretty quiet on the field. He's also had a few minor off the field issues in college, though nothing too concerning. He is also a big time drinker and isn't afraid to let people know, though it hasn't noticeably affected his play to date.

I think that he has pretty good upside, and may be drafted even higher due to the dearth of quality DTs available in this years draft. I see a little bit of a young Chris Hovan in his game, though perhaps with more pass rushing skill.

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Leonard Spocklestein - (88-93)
6'2 301 4.89

Mel Says:Another big time USC alum, Spocklestein is a speedy UT type of d-lineman. He has a quick first step and good burst which allow him to collapse the pocket and funnel everything to the outside if he is unable to make a play himself. He also possesses a good motor, which combined with his athletic ability, makes him very hard to block.

With a playing weight around 285, Spocklestein is quite undersized, though he did bulk up to about 300 for the combine without sacrificing much speed. His strength also leave a little to be desired as he has been manhandled by big, mauling interior lineman in the past. Due to this and his lack of great height, I doubt he would be able to play much 3-4 DE as some teams are saying he could be. He also doesn't do the little things either. If he doesn't make the play in the backfield, he doesn't try to deflect the pass or chase in pursuit. He also wears down easily throughout the game, rendering him ineffective late in games. He also draws frequent penalties and just generally lacks finesse or good technique.

When I look at Spocklestein, I see a sort of unrefined Tommie Harris. With good coaching and hard work, Spocklestein could be an effective UT, but I think this 3-4 DE talk is craziness. If I hadn't already typed this up here with no where else to copy/paste it to until I get that far, I'd just list him with the DTs.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:57 PM
Hybrid DE/OLB

Caleb Westgarth - (93-98)
6'4 249 4.51

Mel Says:Starting us off is this former Sun Devil sack artist. Westgarth has some great athleticism, evidenced by his good 40 time at the combine today, and was a consistent terror for opposing QBs while in college. He has a quick first step and good agility, allowing him to turn the corner or jolt inside against all but the most athletic OTs. He also has pretty good strength for his size and can disengage from his blockers well. He also has some nice moves that allow him to create havoc in the backfield. His technique is very polished and he never takes a play off, giving his all every time.

While he could possibly do well as a 4-3 end in the pros, his best bet is to make the move to 3-4 OLB. He never was very good against the run, so getting him back from the line of scrimmage a bit would help that. He also doesn't have much experience in coverage, so it might take him a little bit to get his feet under him as an OLB in the pros. He also only played a little over 2 full seasons of college ball, leaving him with a lot to learn about the finer points of the game and his position.

The comparisons to DeMarcus Ware roll in all the time, and I have to say that I can see some of that as well. Westgarth could probably benefit a hybrid 3-4 team quite a bit, allowing him to play back as a linebacker to help with his poor run defense, then moving up the the line of scrimmage to rush the passer on passing downs.

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Roman David Sanchez - (93-98)
6'4 257 4.56

Mel Says:Sanchez easily has the best size of all the projected 3-4 OLBs and I would honestly say he would have the best chance of sticking as a 4-3 end. He is very quick and agile for his size and is a monster pass rusher. He was constantly blowing up plays in the backfield while in college at BC. His strength is also an asset as he has some bull rush ability and can play the run decently. He has long arms which, coupled with his strength, allow him to shed blockers pretty easily. He has a good motor and is great in pursuit, always playing to the whistle.

While he is probably the best of these guys against the run, he is right there with them in his coverage struggles. He will miss tackles at times trying to blow the player up, and will draw some penalties for this rough style of play. While athletic and quick, he does look and play a little stiff and doesn't flip his hips well. He also has hands of stone and has dropped quite a few easy picks.

Another great college pass rusher looking to be a pro 3-4 OLB, Sanchez looks like he has a lot of potential. I liken him to a more athletic Mike Vrabel.

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Bunj Torres - (92-97)
5'11 254 4.60

Mel Says:This Englishman and former Auburn Tiger is another guy who looks to make the position change to 3-4 OLB in the pros. He has incredible athleticism and plays very, very fast. He has improved by leaps and bounds every year that he has played the game, and was really starting to understand the game in his last year at school. This also sheds light on his work ethic and desire to win, as he was always trying to learn more about the game. His speed and athleticism make him great in space and in pursuit, and allow him to have great pass rushing ability.

Like others at the position, he is a bit undersized to be an every down 4-3 DE, and his height really magnifies this. He is also still quite raw, having only been playing the game for a few years. He doesn't have many pass rush moves either, so he can't always take advantage of his top notch abilities. He still doesn't quite look like a "football player" on the field, which can seem a little awkward with things like footwork and hand usage. He also has almost no real experience dropping into coverage, so he will be quite raw in that aspect as well.

Another year or two of polishing at school would have been nice, but Torres can still make a nice pickup for a pro team. I see a bit of Dwight Freeney in him, as they are both rather short but still have nice bulk and athleticism.

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Charles Marshall - (92-97)
6'7 254 4.59

Mel Says:Marshall, cousin of Chargers star LB Shawne Merrimen, is another college pass rusher hoping to convert to 3-4 OLB in the pro game. He has great size and amazing length, checking at around 6'6. He has great speed and quickness to rush the passer while still having the strength to get off of blocks. Unlike some of the other 3-4 OLB prospects, Marshall has had some experience as a LB dropping into coverage. He was a model student while attending school and is a positive presence in the locker room.

While his height is nice for batting passes, it is a bit of a liability in the leverage department. And while he does have some experience dropping into coverage, he didn't do much of it and wasn't particularly impressive in the coverage we did see. He is also pretty raw when it comes to his pass rush moves and could use some polishing in that department. He is also fairly streaky and will have some great games followed up by some games where he makes no impact.

Another great athlete, though a little tall and lanky. I see a bit of Manny Lawson in him, though hopefully for the team who drafts him, he turns out a little better.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 03:59 PM
Linebackers

Normand Jackson - (95-97)
6'1 250 4.60

Mel Says:One of the several USC Trojans in this draft, Jackson fits the mold of a 4-3 MLB perfectly. He has good size and bulk, and possesses excellent strength. He is adept at shedding blocks to get to the ball carrier and is a sound tackler when he gets there. He is a great plug against the run and is a hard hitter who can force turnovers well. He is very mature and is a great team leader, named defensive captain in his final year in SoCal.

While his coverage abilities aren't bad, they could use some polishing. He will try to rely a bit too much on his instincts at times and will find himself out of position a bit. His speed is just average at best and he isn't the most agile player either. He also typically has better showings in the game than during practices.

While he may not have elite athleticism or anything of that nature, Jackson is a very safe pick and is probably the best clear 4-3 MLB in the draft, though he could likely shift outside or find a nice spot as a 3-4 ILB as well. Though he has a bit better size, Jackson reminds me of a Zach Thomas type of player.

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Adolf Klux - (93-97)
6'3 275 4.61

Mel Says:Klux possesses incredible strength and has terrific bulk that is almost all well defined muscle. He also plays with pretty good speed considering his size. He has a boxing background and brings that nasty, physical mentality to the football field. He is a solid blitzer and plays the run very, very well.

He is also almost completely one dimensional, in that he can stuff the run and occassionally get after the QB, but is terrible in coverage. He is not smooth or agile at all and looks very awkward when back peddling then turning to run. While he plays fast for his size, his speed isn't anything fantastic and a lot of players can pull away from him quite easily. He really had a poor final year at school, but some of that can be contributed to teams avoiding him. He was a penalty machine in school and was suspended several times for his brutal play, often causing severe injuries that weren't neccesary.

It's hard to find a good comparison for Klux here. His size leads one to think of Jasper Brinkley but his game is a bit different. He has spend his entire career as a 4-3 SAM but I think he would excel in a 3-4 ILB as well.

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Scott Carr - (93-96)
6'2 247 4.55

Mel Says:The small schooler Carr, out of D1-AA The Citadel, is an athletic tackle machine. He is versatile and has played every LB position in the 4-3, as well as a little bit of safety. He is a sure tackler with great form but can also deliever the big hit at times. He was a great leader and was named team captain in college. He also has great coverage skills for a LB and has been known to make the big play when needed.

His strength is a bit concerning however, as he doesn't play all that strong or physical. He has trouble getting off of blocks and can get caught up in the "wash" on running plays. He doesn't offer much as a pro pass rusher either. The Citadel isn't exactly a football powerhouse so he will be making a sizeable leap in level of competition.

Carr is one of the more athletic linebackers in this years class and has very good character. If he can handle the competition jump, I think he could be a nice Michael Boley kind of LB.

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Darius Bain - (90-96)
6'3 262 4.64

Mel Says:Bain is a big thumper out of a smaller school in Grambling. He has excellent bulk and plays with tremendous functional strength, quite often driving back much larger blockers with ease. He has good short area quickness and is good at moving laterally from sideline-to-sideline. He also dished out some of college football's most gruesome hits during his time there and makes runners and receivers think twice about getting into his area. He spends a good deal of time in the weight room as well as the film room studying his opponents.

While he has good quickness and burst, his long speed leaves something to be desired. His coverage skills aren't that good, though the effort is there. He could use some work on his technique as well because he'll miss a few tackles going for the big hit instead. His tough and aggressive style of play will also draw him a few flags.

Overall, I could see Bain doing well in the middle of either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. He's a big thumper but not a really great athlete, and I see some of Jeremiah Trotter in him.

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KK Slider - (89-95)
6'0 234 4.48

Mel Says:This former Bearcat is one of the more athletic linebackers available in this draft. He possess wonderful speed and agility, as well as good quickness and burst. He is also a very smart player and is well liked in the locker room, being named team captain both in high school and in college. He has a knack for picking up his opponents tendancies, and was excellent at sniffing out fakes, draw plays and trick plays. He moves very smooth and looks very comfortable in coverage.

His size is a bit concerning though, with his effective playing weight around 230. He doesn't pack much of a punch and really struggles to shed blocks. He is an adequate tackler when in space, but struggles a bit in traffic. Though I wouldn't call him a liability against the run, it certainly isn't his strong suit. He also possesses no pass rush abilities and his only sacks in college typically came when the QB was forced to scramble and Slider used his speed to chase him down.

Slider is a prototypical Cover 2 style linebacker, though he could probably play weakside in a more traditional scheme as well. His size reminds most people of Ernie Sims though I think his style of play might be a little closer to that of Derrick Brooks.

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Eric F. Baby - (90-95)
6'3 252 4.56

Mel Says:This former SDSU linebacker looks a bit like an undersized 3-4 OLB. He is a quality pass rusher and posses a good balance of strength, speed and pass rushing moves to get the job done. He does a solid job against the run and is adept at getting off of blocks. He plays very smooth and instinctive, and plays very physical.

Like so many other players in this draft, character concerns come first and foremost. Baby has a long history of drug use, possession and was even arrested once for intent to distribute a large quantity of drugs before the case was thrown out do to prosecution errors. He has missed a lot of practices inexplicably and also has shown up to many seeminly intoxicated according to coaches and teammates. On the field, his pass coverage is still a work in progress and his wreckless style of play leads to penalties and injuries to himself.

If he can stay clean and healthy, big ifs for him, he could make a team happy as either a 4-3 SAM with pass rush ability or even as an undersized 3-4 OLB, with 3-4 ILB potential if he works on his coverage skills. His size and ability reminds me a bit of Roosevelt Colvin when he was in his prime.

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Anger Killstone - (85-99)
5'11 246 4.77

Mel Says:I was all prepared to include Killstone with my runningbacks analysis, as I feel his best pro position will be as a fullback, then it was announced that he would run with the linebackers. I suppose that this does speak for his versatility, where he plays FB, MLB and a gunner on STs for the Army football team. He plays with excellent strength and leverage, allowing him to overpower much larger opponents. He was a punishing lead blocker as a fullback and could really mix it up as a MLB in the "wash" as well. Playing on all three phases of the game also lends credit to his immense endurance and durability. He frequently plays through pain and injuries, including once playing with a hairline skull fracture.

I don't believe that he has the size or overall athletic ability to hack it as a MLB in any defense in the pros, and I feel that a full time change to fullback would serve him best. He has also never been totally committed to football since high school, as he would spend time away serving the military side of his Army scholarship. Though he has good burst in the short range, his straight line speed is really lacking and the few times he did break a big run, it reminded everyone of Keith Traylor's interception a few years back....Though he typically plays through pain well, some of his joints and his back are showing some signs of wear from playing so much and also his military experience. He also draws frequent penalties due to playing overly aggressive.

While teams may be tempted to at least see if he can still swing playing both ways as a pro, I think that, in the end, he'll be a top lead blocking fullback in the league. How many teams need one of those and where they project him to play could cause his stock to rise and fall wildly. I have no real great comparison for him, though Lorenzo Neal as a fullback comes to mind.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 04:01 PM
Corners

Elvis Jackson - (94-98)
6'1 198 4.34

Mel Says:Jackson is an excellent physical specimen, possessing great size, speed and strength for the CB position. He has some freakish athleticism, displayed very prominently at the combine, and really puts it to use on the football field. He excels in man to man coverage and has shut down nearly every receiver he's faced. He is also a big play waiting to happen, being able to make some pretty extraordinary catches to make the pick. He also puts in great effort as a tackler and can help support the run. He is very good at playing the bump and run and his recovery speed is excellent. He is also very intelligent, obvious from his degree from Vanderbilt, and is a student of the game, picking up new ideas about it very quickly.

He is also still quite raw, having not played organized football before college. He doesn't play off the receiver well, struggling in zone coverage. He will also give up the occassional big play going for the pick. Though he is a quick learner and spends a lot of time in the film room, his inexperience still shows through and he has a ways to go yet to understand the game well. He was also injured in a car accident before his junior season, though apparently has fullen healed.

His game reminds a lot of people of Antonio Cromartie, though he still has some learning to do before being on quite that level.

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Azi Kwame - (94-98)
6'2 199 4.49

Mel Says:Kwame, a former Georgia Bulldog, is a bigger and more physical style of corner. He has good size at about 6'2 with a playing weight a little over 200 pounds. He is very physical and strong, and is a very sound tackler for a CB. He has good leaping ability and great instincts. He is versatile and has also played some safety early in his college career. He was a model student in school graduating with honors.

His timed speed isn't great, though he appears to play a bit faster. He also tore his ACL as a sophomore but appears to have fully recovered. He doesn't haul in many picks, and drops a few that should be easy ones. He's a "quiet" player and doesn't make many big plays, but just plays consistently solid all game long.

The comparisons to Nnamdi Asomugha are inevitable, and are fairly accurate, though he has some work to do to get to that level.

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Dwayne Comacho - (93-97)
5'11 201 4.33

Mel Says:This former Central Michigan star is a pretty well rounded CB. He has very good speed to go along with pretty above average size. He plays very well in man to man coverage and can stick well with receivers deep too. He has decent strength and puts in good effort in run support, and is a fairly sound tackler in general. He was also quite durable in his college days, not missing a game and playing through what injuries he did suffer. He was also well liked and was named team captain.

That said, his intelligence has been questioned before. He is also a partier though has kept everything legal to date. He didn't record a great number of picks in college, but does reel one in every now and then. He can be faked out pretty easily and has a tendency to bite on fancier moves from WRs as well as play fakes.

His good all around game reminds me a bit of Charles Tillman. Comacho could stand to add a little more muscle but as of right now, looks like a pretty good all around prospect who could fit just about any scheme.

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Troy Ryder - (90-97)
5'9 184 4.29

Mel Says:Ryder is a former Tarheel who grew up in Australia, and boy does he have some nice speed. Sub 4.3 speed is easy for him, and he puts it on full display on the field. He sticks like glue in man to man situations, and has the speed to recover when playing the bump and run. He has great leaping ability and has very sticky hands, allowing him to haul in some pretty wild interceptions. He was also used as a return man in college and performed well at it, though one has to wonder if his pro team will allow their #1 CB and likely top draft pick to risk injury there. He looks very fluid when running and can flip his hips very quick.

He is on the small side however, checking in today at just a hair over 5'9. He doesn't play a very physical game and doesn't really give his all as a tackler. He will draw some PI penalties from time to time and when does get beat, while rare, it seems to stick with him drag him down all game long. He has also suffered a few injuries throughout his college career, though most of them minor.

Ryder is a speedster who will excel on a man coverage team. Most of his flaws are minor and shouldn't cause him to tumble far in the draft. I see a younger Phillip Buchanon in his game.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 04:03 PM
Safeties

Chris Shakur - (95-99)
6'2 225 4.44

Mel Says:Shakur is a big, beefy FS with tremendous athletic skill. A former 5 star recruit of the Buckeyes, Skakur plays a very physical game and uses his athleticism well. Rumors are swirling that he was ill leading up to the combine, which resulted in his sudden weight loss and slower than expeceted 40 time. In the tape though, he plays will great speed and really uses his bulk well in support of the run. He can play both FS and SS effectively, and can deliver some devistating hits. He plays his best when able to sit back in a zone and diagnose the play, but is also adept of manning up on TEs and slot receivers when needed.

While he has all you want from an athletic standpoint, he has a lot of learning still to do about the game. He pretty clearly uses his athleticism to get by, and will often take bad angles or make poor decisions while in coverage. He is a bit tight hipped and needs to get smoother when turning to run. He will often take risks like going for the pick or big hit instead of the smarter, safer play. He also needs to work on his wrap-up tackling, as he prefers to just deliver big hits.

So while Shakur has most of the pieces in place to be an elite safety, he still needs to put it all together in terms of the mental aspects of the game. When he is fully healthy and playing well, I see a lot of Sean Taylor in his game.

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Tyson Kase-Owens - (90-99)
6'3 224 4.51

Mel Says:Kase-Owens, another of the many former USC Trojans in this draft, is coming off an epic college career as a defensive back. He plays at around 215 pounds and is versatile enough to play both safety spots. He was also an interception machine and has been since high school. He loves to be deep in the zone though can also do very well as Polamalu-style rover and play all over the defense. He is a big play waiting to happen and can make it happen from anywhere on the field. He was actually a surprisingly successful blitzer who led the nation in sacks by a safety over the years he was at USC. He plays mean and aggressive, and can deliver the big hit.

He really disappointed a lot of people at the combine though, showing up overweight, running a slow 40 and putting up the 3rd least bench reps of all the DBs, barely ahead of guys much smaller than he is. For this, I really have no explanation...he didn't look at all like the monster I saw on film an that surely hurt him in the eyes of a lot of coaches. On the field, his struggles were few. He doesn't match up well manned up, but wasn't terrible at it either. He also plays tall and a little stiff, as well as pretty tight in the hips. He plays a little out of control at times, and will find himself in a bad position frequently. He is also a bit of a diva and partier off the field, which can lead to issues for him.

The poor combine aside, Kase-Owens looked to be a great player in college. If he can revert to that form and stay there for his pro team, they are going to be very very happy with this Laron Landry-esque player.

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Butch Peefington - (93-98)
6'4 208 4.50

Mel Says:Peefington does have quite the storied past, though much of it was just dramatized. He was adopted by a football coach when he was young though and that helped propel him into the game. He is a great centerfielding safety who excels as sitting back deep waiting to make a play. He has terrific size for a FS and has the speed to go with it. He plays very aggressive and physical, and loves to bring the big hit. He is also a solid tackler who can come up into the box and help with run defense if needed.

He is not the world's brightest individual though, and struggled mightily with academics while in school. He often tries to rely too much on his instincts and athleticism and can find himself out of position quite a bit. He also plays risky and will pass on the safe play going for the big hit or interception. He is poor at man to man coverage and looks uncomfortable playing out of his zone. While fairly fast for his size, he plays stiff and isn't very fluid. Level of competition is also a concern as he played for

I see a bit of Kerry Rhodes in his game, as a bigger FS type who can do a little bit of it all. He could use some more polishing to his all around game but should make a team happy with him patrolling their secondary.

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Demond Decker - (93-97)
5'9 213 4.38

Mel Says:Decker, a former Northwesterner, is like a firecracker in that he's little but packs a big bang. He has a very strong and muscular frame, and can just fly out on the football field with blazing speed. He makes some real big hits and has good timing on them, often causing the pass be dropped. Also because of this, he can scare opposing receivers away from his zone. He is an avid student of the game and spends hours in the film room watching tape. He is a quick learner and is a great leader on the field, having been named captain as a senior. He was also a model student and multi-time academic All American, graduating from the notorious tough in education Northwestern U with honors.

Unfortunately, Decker is about 2-3 inches shorter than you would like to see and has absolutely maxed out his small frame. He does his best work when allowed to roam closer to the line of scrimmage and struggles a bit in pass coverage. He will also take risks going for the big hit rather than the sound tackle. He was also frequently injured while in school, a few weeks here and a few weeks there, and has a hard time getting in a good playing rhythm. His hands also need work as he drops a lot of would be picks.

Decker definitely looks and plays just like another former Big-10 safety, Bob Sanders. His leadership, intangibles and enforcer-like ability will surely help him move up draft boards if teams can overlook his lack of height.

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Dan Baker - (85-90)
5'11 215 4.81

Mel Says:Small schoolers are popular in this draft and Baker keeps that going, coming out of tiny Indianapolis U. Baker embodies the best intangibles a coach can hope for: a die hard spirit, a workaholic attitude, and a "willing to do anything asked" approach to the game. The guy was a special teams demon at Indianapolis and that alone would find him a home on many teams. He also possesses pretty good strength and is a great tackler. He is also very durable, never even missing a practice while in college.

But boy does he looks slow...watching him play against other small school competition doesn't make him look bad, but man, did he look slow and sluggish at the combine today, and that was after he cut about 10 pounds trying to get faster. He likely won't be doing much man coverage in the pros unless you want the other team to score, but he can hold his own in zone coverage pretty well. There's also the major jump in competition that he'll be facing, but his work ethic should help him evolve to fit it.

Baker is the type of player that every coach would love to have, but it's going to be a challenge for him to make the leap to the pro level. I see some Adam Archuleta in his game, and I hope Baker does well.

BeerBaron
07-13-2009, 04:04 PM
Kickers

Ike Stantios - (98-99)
5'11 190 4.81

Mel Says:Easily the best kicking prospect in this draft, Stantios also pulls double duty and was one of the nation's top punters his past few seasons at Minnesota as well. There isn't an angle or a distance that he can't reasonably make a FG, having his career long two yards further out than even the NFL record, booting a 65 yarder in a bowl game. There were also rumors that he nailed a 70 yarder while in high school, though I was unable to confirm. He set single season and career NCAA records for field goal accuracy, as well as multiple kickoff records including most touchbacks, worst opponent starting field position, and (unofficially) most times putting the ball through the goal post on a kickoff. He can kick effectively in all elements including wind, rain and snow. He was also a very smart student and academic All American.

Though he is flawless as a kicker, he does have some off the field issues that will raise some red flags with teams. He is a big drinker who claims to have kicked some of his best games while smashed. Some pictures also surfaced a few years ago of him doing coke lines, but they were quickly deleted off the Myspace page of the 15 year old girl who posted them, claiming to be his girlfriend.

His personal problems aside, he is easily the best kicking prospect any level of football has seen.

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Seo Cho - (65-85)
5'3 125 4.69

Mel Says:This little Korean lady (literally) became one of the favored players in the CFL over the past few years. She is very accurate on all short range field goals, never missing one in practice or the preseason.

She's very tiny though, and doesn't get much under her kicks, limiting her to short FG and XP duty only. She also doesn't speak much English and has never actually kicked in a game.

I wish her well in her attempt to play pro football, and if she can find a coach willing to use an extra roster spot on a kickoff specialist to compliment her, he'll find a nice accurate kicker. Otherwise....I'm not sure she makes it.

BeerBaron
07-19-2009, 11:55 AM
Two editions to right some wrongs to Renji.

OLB Joe Wallace
Age: 29 6'4 250
Utah
Strengths: Big, blitzing kind of SAM OLB
Weaknesses: Not awesome in coverage, slow
Overall: 85

OT Samson Williams
Age: 28 6'6 330
Iowa
Strengths: Big, powerful run blocker
Weaknesses: Not agile, not a great pass blocker
Overall: 84