# 161 - Chris Kuper Og North Dakota

[ChampBailey24]

One More Pick To Go!!!!!

[ward63]

WHY SHANNY!?!?! Eslinger to back up C or Wright as a solid DT. And take this guy?

[Willynowei]

someone get a profile on this guy posted?

[Cool Breeze]

Overall: Kuper grew up in Alaska and played football (as a quarterback) sparingly in high school. He redshirted in 2001 and saw limited action as a reserve guard in 2002. He took over as a fulltime starter at right guard in 2003 and he started 41 consecutive games (right and left guard) during his final three seasons at North Dakota. Kuper, a former high school quarterback, is a fine athlete for his size and position. He has a great frame and size potential. He also possesses the athletic ability to potentially compete for a backup job at OG and/or OG in the NFL. However, Kuper is a small-school prospect whose learning curve in the NFL will be steep. He needs to get bigger and stronger. He must also improve his overall technique and become a more explosive blocker. In our opinion, Kuper has enough upside to warrant fifth or sixth ...

[Cool Breeze]

Overall: Kuper grew up in Alaska and played football (as a quarterback) sparingly in high school. He redshirted in 2001 and saw limited action as a reserve guard in 2002. He took over as a fulltime starter at right guard in 2003 and he started 41 consecutive games (right and left guard) during his final three seasons at North Dakota. Kuper, a former high school quarterback, is a fine athlete for his size and position. He has a great frame and size potential. He also possesses the athletic ability to potentially compete for a backup job at OG and/or OG in the NFL. However, Kuper is a small-school prospect whose learning curve in the NFL will be steep. He needs to get bigger and stronger. He must also improve his overall technique and become a more explosive blocker. In our opinion, Kuper has enough upside to warrant fifth or sixth ...

[ChampBailey24]

Overall: Kuper grew up in Alaska and played football (as a quarterback) sparingly in high school. He redshirted in 2001 and saw limited action as a reserve guard in 2002. He took over as a fulltime starter at right guard in 2003 and he started 41 consecutive games (right and left guard) during his final three seasons at North Dakota. Kuper, a former high school quarterback, is a fine athlete for his size and position. He has a great frame and size potential. He also possesses the athletic ability to potentially compete for a backup job at OG and/or OG in the NFL. However, Kuper is a small-school prospect whose learning curve in the NFL will be steep. He needs to get bigger and stronger. He must also improve his overall technique and become a more explosive blocker. In our opinion, Kuper has enough upside to warrant fifth or sixth ...
Well At Least He's Athletic

[GreatBronco16]

Strengths: Insider Only

Weaknesses: Insider Only

Overall: Kuper grew up in Alaska and played football (as a quarterback) sparingly in high school. He redshirted in 2001 and saw limited action as a reserve guard in 2002. He took over as a fulltime starter at right guard in 2003 and he started 41 consecutive games (right and left guard) during his final three seasons at North Dakota. Kuper, a former high school quarterback, is a fine athlete for his size and position. He has a great frame and size potential. He also possesses the athletic ability to potentially compete for a backup job at OG and/or OG in the NFL. However, Kuper is a small-school prospect whose learning curve in the NFL will be steep. He needs to get bigger and stronger. He must also improve his overall technique and become a more explosive blocker. In our opinion, Kuper has enough upside to warrant fifth or sixth ... For complete overview, strengths and weaknesses, login above or become an Insider.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[broncohaven]

Strengths:
Has good size and the frame to get bigger...Solid athlete with good mobility...Has excellent feet...Will get to the second level...Explosive off the snap and powerful at the point of attack...Plays with a nasty demeanor...Has a lot of experience.

Weaknesses:
Did not play against top competition...Needs to get stronger...Raw in terms of his technique and will need to be coached up...Is often too aggressive...A project who isn't ready to play right now...Conditioning and stamina are questionable.

Notes:
Was a highly decorated Division II player...A native of Anchorage, Alaska...A three-year starter...Might also be able to long-snap...Sleeper prospect who has all the physical tools you look for and could be brought in as a developmental guy.

[Ballhawk]

WHY SHANNY!?!?! Eslinger to back up C or Wright as a solid DT. And take this guy?

Seriously, are we going to start in on how we cant draft Olineman ???

[GreatBronco16]

Damn the board sure is running slow.

[TheDave]

I would of rather had Eslinger, but i'm not about to question Shanahans ability to find late round talent for the OLine

[Kaylore]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-738834357161114509&q=kuper

here's a video of him. I love the pick.

[2KBack]

This guys sounds like a prototype Denver O-lineman, I like a guy with a mean streak in the trenches

[Ballhawk]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-738834357161114509&q=kuper

here's a video of him. I love the pick.


lol I counted 5 pancakes

[ward63]

Seriously, are we going to start in on how we cant draft Olineman ???

Point well taken Ballhawk, I just mostly had my eyes set on Eslinger and especially Wright.

[Barry Ramey]

Seems like a developmental type guy. He could surprise.

[Steve Sewell]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-738834357161114509&q=kuper

here's a video of him. I love the pick.

Holy cow, he really looks fast and powerful for an OG. Granted, he's playing D2 competition, but he looked truly dominant. I'm kind of excited too...

[Jori]

Sounds like somebody to stuff on the practice squad for the next couple of years.

[clean]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9267896

[Ballhawk]

This guys sounds like a prototype Denver O-lineman, I like a guy with a mean streak in the trenches

One thing that is not like all the others, he is almost 6'5"!!!

and Jake takes another shot.

[Sassy]

That's cool!

Hey...Tyrone Braxton played at NDSU as did Phil Hansen. maybe he will surprise...granted SU is a Div. 1 school.

[cabronco]

Good job Kaylore....The guy looked pretty solid on that film, in fact he was bulldozing the defenders. Granted the competion, but looks good nonetheless.

[spdirty]

Man, he was blowing people up in the video.

[Kaylore]

Seems like a developmental type guy. He could surprise.
All our O-linemen are developmental type guys. We rarely let a rookie start.

[clean]

PFW: When was the first time you realized the NFL may be in your future?

Kuper: My offensive line coach (Chris Mussman) told me my second year here (redshirt freshman year) that I had a chance to be the best offensive lineman here. If I kept working, I would get my name out there and I could be in the NFL for sure. I was always working toward that, but I didn’t know if I would ever realize that goal. The coaches did everything in their power to help me through it, and I put a lot of hard work in to get here.

PFW: Division I schools’ weight rooms are massive. What kind of weight room did a D-II school have for you to put on the necessary weight to battle in the trenches?

Kuper: It’s not very big. It’s kind of tucked away in a nook of the basement of our old football stadium. All the offices are in Memorial Stadium, where we used to play games. I would say maybe 800 square feet. We’ve got four benches, four platforms, four squat racks, and then you have to turn the corner and there is a rack of free weights. It would be about a size down from a local gym. It is pretty specific to what we do, so it works for everybody.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2006/kuperqa032206.htm

[footstepsfrom#27]

From nfl.com...this one's not terribly complimentary:
Kuper was an extremely frustrating player to grade because he no doubt has the physical tools to be a good starting guard in the NFL, but because of his inconsistent effort and laziness as a blocker, he was not even a good guard at North Dakota. He is remarkably quick-footed and agile for such a big guard and can get through the line of scrimmage to the second level quickly. When he keeps his feet under him and stays after his blocks, he can be a good blocker in space. The trouble is that, more often than not, he stops his feet right before making contact, leans and reaches to make contact and ends up overextending and falling off his blocks. Overall, Kuper is the type of offensive linemen that is all too common -- he has all the physical tools, but has not played up to his ability. He was impressive at the East-West Shrine Game because he consistently improved throughout the week. He raised his competitive level because he knew the man he was blocking was clearly much more talented. He might need a season or two to improve his technique and consistency, but eventually will become a good starting guard in the NFL.
Words like "lazy" and "inconsistent" aren't what I'm looking to hear when describing a small college project lineman...

Stanley McClover must be a crack addict or something. The dude's still up there...6'3", 260 and a 4.56 forty off the edge...the dude was simply dominating at times against SEC competition.

I don't get it...

[jbiel]

That's cool!

Hey...Tyrone Braxton played at NDSU as did Phil Hansen. maybe he will surprise...granted SU is a Div. 1 school.

But it wasnt division 1 when braxton or hansen played there.

[GonzoLays]

So by all accounts he is like the fifth or sixth most athletic lineman in this draft. Plus he was a former QB so he has to be smart. Not bad.

[Sassy]

But it wasnt division 1 when braxton or hansen played there.
Hmmm...forgot that.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Sounds like a Bronco lineman.

[Odysseus]

Kuper vs Cooper? What does this say about P.J. Alexander? House?

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Nice pick...

[Requiem]

Braxton played for NDSU. Kuper plays for UND. Difference guys and gals. I've only been to two UND football games, (childhood friend goes there) and I watched him because I knew he was going to be a NFL prospect. Typical Broncos lineman. A solid pick, but over Setterstrom, Eslinger, etc. Questionable.

[Barry Ramey]

Both Carswell and Alexander are coming off injuries, so hard to say where they stand.

[Cito Pelon]

"Plays with a nasty demeanor...Has a lot of experience" . . . . .

"Is often too aggressive" . . . .

Sounds like a good OG.

[Barry Ramey]

I think Setterstrom's stock took a hit when he ran a very slow time, like 5.4. Eslinger is considered smallish and only good for teams like say the Broncos or Falcons or teams that use the zone blocking scheme. Since it's been said they plan to move Hamilton to center once Nalen retires, not sure a center is needed. Plus, also read that Kuper might be able to long snap, which enhances value.

[youcandoit1687]

WHY SHANNY!?!?! Eslinger to back up C or Wright as a solid DT. And take this guy?

hopefully one of those will be there at 198 and for some reason im sensning shanny will go with one of em

[Cito Pelon]

"He raised his competitive level because he knew the man he was blocking was clearly much more talented. He might need a season or two to improve his technique and consistency, but eventually will become a good starting guard in the NFL."

How is that not complimentary? Mean streak, competitive, quick feet, what more can you ask for? Sounds like he's gonna win a few arguments with DT's and LB's.

[Cito Pelon]

One thing that is not like all the others, he is almost 6'5"!!!

That is potentially a problem, Jake at 6'2 and Cutler at 6'3, maybe the team should look at shorter OG's. Nitpicking, but the Broncs have some tall OG's, and that's where your slant passing lanes are. The NFL is one hell of a puzzle, that's why I like it so much.

[Nuggets4]

One interesting thing that I discovered in the PFW draft book is they have him listed as a long snapper as well.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

One of Stink's Alaska boys. Give him a year in the weight room and feed him raw meat and he has a chance.

[clean]

David wants to tell you Chris' size and skills are the product of sound breeding. But in his prime, David, now 45, was 5-11, 195. He played one season at linebacker for Pueblo State, which is now Southern Colorado. Then Tina, his high school sweetheart, became pregnant. They were married in the fall of 1982. Chris arrived in December.

"I don't know how to say this, and I mean it as a compliment, but Chris kind of plays like a real jerk out there," said North Dakota offensive coordinator Chris Mussman. "He wants to hurt you. Dominate you. Not just block you."

Johnny Jolly, Texas A&M's 6-4, 309-pound defensive tackle, encountered the mean streak in practice. Kuper had put Jolly on his back a couple of times, and Jolly wasn't happy about it. Kuper was walking to the sideline when he said Jolly shoved him from behind. Kuper went to the ground. He jumped to his feet. Then he went after Jolly.

"He thinks since he's from Texas A&M, that makes him better than me," Kuper said. "The fact he went to Texas A&M didn't matter to me when I was putting him on his back."

http://www.startribune.com/101/story/255363.html

[elsid13]

David wants to tell you Chris' size and skills are the product of sound breeding. But in his prime, David, now 45, was 5-11, 195. He played one season at linebacker for Pueblo State, which is now Southern Colorado. Then Tina, his high school sweetheart, became pregnant. They were married in the fall of 1982. Chris arrived in December.

"I don't know how to say this, and I mean it as a compliment, but Chris kind of plays like a real jerk out there," said North Dakota offensive coordinator Chris Mussman. "He wants to hurt you. Dominate you. Not just block you."

Johnny Jolly, Texas A&M's 6-4, 309-pound defensive tackle, encountered the mean streak in practice. Kuper had put Jolly on his back a couple of times, and Jolly wasn't happy about it. Kuper was walking to the sideline when he said Jolly shoved him from behind. Kuper went to the ground. He jumped to his feet. Then he went after Jolly.

"He thinks since he's from Texas A&M, that makes him better than me," Kuper said. "The fact he went to Texas A&M didn't matter to me when I was putting him on his back."

http://www.startribune.com/101/story/255363.html

Now that kinda of guard Alex Gibbs would love....

[clean]

Chris Kuper considers his new employer a perfect fit.

Kuper, a 6-foot-3, 303-pound University of North Dakota guard, was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the NFL draft on Sunday. He was the 161st player selected overall.

"That's the kind of team that I've been thinking for some time I'd fit well with," Kuper said from Grand Forks, where he gathered with family and friends to watch the weekend draft unfold. "The blocking scheme, and the type of players they have at the offensive line position."

"It couldn't happen to a more humble human being," she said. "There's nobody more humble than Chris Kuper. I just couldn't be prouder of him."

Kuper said he reports to mini-camp with the Broncos on May 15. "I'm just happy to be drafted and know where I'm going," he said.

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/colleges/mercer/14467987.htm

[listopencil]

He raised his competitive level because he knew the man he was blocking was clearly much more talented.


Well that's pretty ****ing stupid. That's supposed to be a negative? That he raised his level of play when facing a tough opponent? Sounds like someone was trying to make up reasons for this guy to be drafted late when it was mostly the size of his school.

[listopencil]

Now that kinda of guard Alex Gibbs would love....


Yep. I like him already.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Wonder what his fine will be for talking to the media already..

[watermock]

sheesh, it's a second day pick

[-Slap-]

His mobility is well above average, (based on that short clip). I can't wait to see him in action.

[CoBear23]

I am actually a student at the University of North Dakota. I must say that I have never seen a division II school be as consistent as the Sioux have been. We have either been in the D2 Championship game or semi's for the entire time I have been a student here. Our in-state rivals NDSU became a division one program this last year.....which is amazing that they had the balls to do such a thing because we has whooped up on them for over five years in a row.

The Running Back that he has blocked for the last few years is actually a Colorado native named Chris Beatty. Do not let the division II tag scare anyone away from thinking that he is going to be a hell of a lineman.

[clean]

Kuper's track is not that different from the one the legendary Mark Schlereth of Anchorage followed in 1989.

"If you're in Mark Schlereth's shadow, it's an honor," Kuper said by cell phone from Grand Forks, N.D.

He's almost closer to being in Schlereth's footsteps.

Both grew up here, Kuper playing for Dimond, Schlereth for Service.

Both are offensive lineman, prized more for smarts and quickness than size.

Both went to colleges removed from the national spotlight, and both were drafted in later rounds.

Schlereth sported the Bronco orange and navy blue, and Kuper may soon, too.

Schlereth, drafted from Idaho in the 10th round in 1989, won two Super Bowls with the Broncos and one with the Washington Redskins.

http://www.adn.com/sports/story/7682707p-7593971c.html