ICON
12-11-2006, 04:22 PM
Jeff Samardzija WR 6'5 218 Notre Dame
one future need was knocked off for us With the acquisition of Jay Cutler , But the wide receiver position is also one to pay close attention to. Javon Walker has played well , But at season’s end, Rod Smith will be close to done. The position will need a good deal of work and the draft and free agency will both be places that we should look.
Jeff Samardzija After being a reserve that didn’t make much noise as a freshman and sophomore, Samardzija blew up. With the offense Charlie Weis installed, he became one of the best receivers in the country. He had a combined 24 catches for 327 yards in two years, but hauled in 71 passes for 1,190 yards and 15 TD’s as a junior. Samardzija is not just a football star though. He played baseball for Notre Dame as well, and recently signed with the Chicago Cubs as a 7th round pick.
Jeff Samardzija’s combination of size and athletic ability is amazing. He is a legitimate 6'5, and has fantastic body control on the field. He is a nightmare matchup in one on one situations for a cornerback because of his ability to go get the football. He knows how to use his size over the middle and in the red zone to come down with the football.
The only physical flaw with Samardzija is that he isn’t the fleetest of foot. He is not slow, but he is not a player that you will see make big plays after the catch on a consistent basis. His athleticism allows him to be more than just a possession guy, but he probably will not be a big playmaker.
While he may not be the biggest playmaker with the ball in his hands, Samardzija is a very good wide receiver, and could have a successful NFL career. Even though he signed with the Cubs, he is sticking with football. He signed for $7.25 million with the Cubs, but it is back loaded, so if he chooses football as his sport of choice in the professional ranks, he will not see much of that money.
Brandon Mebane DT California 6-2½ 290
I for one am hoping Mebane continues to fly under the radar as players like Tyler and Okoye continue to rise. I am hoping Mebane is there when the Broncos pick in the second round. At 6-3, 306 pounds, he moves like a defensive end. Last season Mebane regularly faced double teams but still compiled seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
Brian Leonard, FB/RB, 6-2 235 4.63 1-2, Rutgers -
Rated preseason #4 by Scout.com… in 05, 173 carries, 740 yds, 4.3 ypc, 11 TD, plus 55 catches, 568 yds, 10.3 ypc, 3 TD… a two-time first-team conference selection… the best fullback in the country who is a better running back... brings athleticism and versatility in the running and receiving game… is second (to Garrett Wolfe) among active players in the NCAA in all-purpose touchdowns with 42… he has 29 career rushing TDs and 13 receiving TDs... he is in the top 10 nationally in four additional active career categories: 6th in rushing attempts, 6th in receptions, 9th in rushing TDs and 16th in rushing yardage... imagine a true FB who can Block, Run and Catch…
Brian Leonard is a rare playmaker at fullback. He is a fantastic runner, and has a lot more natural running ability than most fullbacks. For a fullback, he shows very good speed and athleticism and is not just a short yardage runner. He is a load in those situations though, showing the ability to drag defenders and fight for extra yardage. He’s also an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He is a legitimate weapon with the ball in his hands, as a runner and receiver. Leonard is also a touchdown machine. He just has a nose for the end zone. He has 40 touchdowns in just three seasons at Rutgers.
Leonard is a bit of a RB/FB tweener. His skills are more suited to being an offensive weapon than a true lead blocker. He can block, it’s just not his best trait. He lacks the speed to be a true lead back at the next level, so he definitely has to play the fullback position.
.
Tom Zbikowski S 6' 210 Notre Dame
As for defense, safety John Lynch will have to pack it sometime, so the team should start looking for his replacement heading into the 2007 draft, even though he was signed to an extension. Lynch can tutor a young player.
Tom Zbikowski As a sophomore, he elevated himself to elite status. As a safety, he had 71 tackles and five interceptions. As a punt returner, he averaged 14 yards per return, taking two of them back for touchdowns. Also a long time amateur boxer, Zbikowski also became a pro boxer, and in his debut, won with a knockout in just 49 seconds.
Two words that describe Zbikowski the most are aggressive and tough. He is on the attack in everything he does. As a safety, he looks to lower the boom when tackling. When the ball is in the air, he goes after it as hard as the receiver does. He loves attacking the line of scrimmage to stop the run, but has fantastic ball skills to go along with it. Zbikowski is also an excellent returner, and it only enhances his value as a football player.
As aggressive as he is, Zbikowski is on the small side for a strong safety. He does not lack the attitude or toughness, but the way he tries to deliver a hit on every play, he may wear down in the NFL if he doesn’t get bigger.
Tom Zbikowski is listed as a senior, but he has a chance to return to Notre Dame for his final season of eligibility. In a deep safety at the top, he may choose to return, but he has the talent to be a playmaker in the NFL. He may only rank as a third rounder this year, but his ability as a strong safety and punt returner will be attractive to many NFL teams.
:notworthy
one future need was knocked off for us With the acquisition of Jay Cutler , But the wide receiver position is also one to pay close attention to. Javon Walker has played well , But at season’s end, Rod Smith will be close to done. The position will need a good deal of work and the draft and free agency will both be places that we should look.
Jeff Samardzija After being a reserve that didn’t make much noise as a freshman and sophomore, Samardzija blew up. With the offense Charlie Weis installed, he became one of the best receivers in the country. He had a combined 24 catches for 327 yards in two years, but hauled in 71 passes for 1,190 yards and 15 TD’s as a junior. Samardzija is not just a football star though. He played baseball for Notre Dame as well, and recently signed with the Chicago Cubs as a 7th round pick.
Jeff Samardzija’s combination of size and athletic ability is amazing. He is a legitimate 6'5, and has fantastic body control on the field. He is a nightmare matchup in one on one situations for a cornerback because of his ability to go get the football. He knows how to use his size over the middle and in the red zone to come down with the football.
The only physical flaw with Samardzija is that he isn’t the fleetest of foot. He is not slow, but he is not a player that you will see make big plays after the catch on a consistent basis. His athleticism allows him to be more than just a possession guy, but he probably will not be a big playmaker.
While he may not be the biggest playmaker with the ball in his hands, Samardzija is a very good wide receiver, and could have a successful NFL career. Even though he signed with the Cubs, he is sticking with football. He signed for $7.25 million with the Cubs, but it is back loaded, so if he chooses football as his sport of choice in the professional ranks, he will not see much of that money.
Brandon Mebane DT California 6-2½ 290
I for one am hoping Mebane continues to fly under the radar as players like Tyler and Okoye continue to rise. I am hoping Mebane is there when the Broncos pick in the second round. At 6-3, 306 pounds, he moves like a defensive end. Last season Mebane regularly faced double teams but still compiled seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
Brian Leonard, FB/RB, 6-2 235 4.63 1-2, Rutgers -
Rated preseason #4 by Scout.com… in 05, 173 carries, 740 yds, 4.3 ypc, 11 TD, plus 55 catches, 568 yds, 10.3 ypc, 3 TD… a two-time first-team conference selection… the best fullback in the country who is a better running back... brings athleticism and versatility in the running and receiving game… is second (to Garrett Wolfe) among active players in the NCAA in all-purpose touchdowns with 42… he has 29 career rushing TDs and 13 receiving TDs... he is in the top 10 nationally in four additional active career categories: 6th in rushing attempts, 6th in receptions, 9th in rushing TDs and 16th in rushing yardage... imagine a true FB who can Block, Run and Catch…
Brian Leonard is a rare playmaker at fullback. He is a fantastic runner, and has a lot more natural running ability than most fullbacks. For a fullback, he shows very good speed and athleticism and is not just a short yardage runner. He is a load in those situations though, showing the ability to drag defenders and fight for extra yardage. He’s also an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He is a legitimate weapon with the ball in his hands, as a runner and receiver. Leonard is also a touchdown machine. He just has a nose for the end zone. He has 40 touchdowns in just three seasons at Rutgers.
Leonard is a bit of a RB/FB tweener. His skills are more suited to being an offensive weapon than a true lead blocker. He can block, it’s just not his best trait. He lacks the speed to be a true lead back at the next level, so he definitely has to play the fullback position.
.
Tom Zbikowski S 6' 210 Notre Dame
As for defense, safety John Lynch will have to pack it sometime, so the team should start looking for his replacement heading into the 2007 draft, even though he was signed to an extension. Lynch can tutor a young player.
Tom Zbikowski As a sophomore, he elevated himself to elite status. As a safety, he had 71 tackles and five interceptions. As a punt returner, he averaged 14 yards per return, taking two of them back for touchdowns. Also a long time amateur boxer, Zbikowski also became a pro boxer, and in his debut, won with a knockout in just 49 seconds.
Two words that describe Zbikowski the most are aggressive and tough. He is on the attack in everything he does. As a safety, he looks to lower the boom when tackling. When the ball is in the air, he goes after it as hard as the receiver does. He loves attacking the line of scrimmage to stop the run, but has fantastic ball skills to go along with it. Zbikowski is also an excellent returner, and it only enhances his value as a football player.
As aggressive as he is, Zbikowski is on the small side for a strong safety. He does not lack the attitude or toughness, but the way he tries to deliver a hit on every play, he may wear down in the NFL if he doesn’t get bigger.
Tom Zbikowski is listed as a senior, but he has a chance to return to Notre Dame for his final season of eligibility. In a deep safety at the top, he may choose to return, but he has the talent to be a playmaker in the NFL. He may only rank as a third rounder this year, but his ability as a strong safety and punt returner will be attractive to many NFL teams.
:notworthy