bap454
04-15-2008, 07:12 PM
Great NFL Comparisons. Only if there production matched. Love the Barrett kid. Hope hes there in the fourth round but highly doubt it with the numbers he put up at the combine.
http://www.paulspigskinplace.com/
Paul's Pigskin Place
Home Around the NFL NFL Draft Talk Thinking Out Loud! College Football Just a reminder that this section is all about comparing a current DRAFT Prospect to a current, or past NFL player. Hopefully this helps DRAFTNIKS put the prospects pro potential into better perspective.
DANNY AMENDOLA / WES WELKER
The comparison is obvious, and they have even worked out together back at TECH. AMENDOLA does not appear to be quite as quick as WELKER, but the good hands, determination, and football smarts do match up between the two. He certainly could be a No. 3-4 receiver in the NFL in a couple of years, as well as shine on ST. Someone should grab him in the last two rounds.
JOSH BARRETT / STEVE ATWATER
BARRETT had a lost season for ASU when Coach ERICKSON arrived with the new staff. But don’t give up on him. Some would say he became the holdover, whipping boy at ASU. He is a big fluid athlete who can actually cover as well as hit. That’s why I compare him to the BRONCO great. Good value after the First Day.
MICHAEL JENKINS / ASANTE SAMUEL
JENKINS stock has dropped a bit since December as personnel people have looked more carefully at his play on tape. He is an ego guy, who takes chances to make the big plays. He can tackle but he will avoid run support when he can. He will play in the NFL, but will be frustrating to his coaches at times, just like SAMUEL. Another risk/reward equation that some teams will be able to handle better than others. You can only afford to have one Corner with his freelance style of play on a team.
CHRIS JOHNSON / TRUNG CANIDATE
The old NFL/sports saying is “speed kills”. So does a First Round Draft Choice whose only asset is blinding straight line speed. JOHNSON has a place on an NFL roster as a change-of-pace RB/KR. At best you can hope for JOHNSON to be a return weapon like DEVIN HESTER. But just like CANIDATE a decade ago he will fizzle as a featured RB at the pro level.
RAFAEL LITTLE / KEVIN FAULK
I like LITTLE’s NFL prospects more than most folks and it is because I see so much of FAULK in him. Not a feature back, and no sooner than R4; I see LITTLE as a great back-up running back, third down specialist. He is quick, catches the ball well, returns punts, and will do more if asked to. A great value once we get to the 4th Round. Ask the PATRIOTS how valuable FAULK has been to them.
JAKE LONG / TONY BOSELLI
I dare make this comparison because I never felt BOSELLI was headed for the HOF before injuries shortened his NFL career. I see LONG as a nasty, solid OT who needs work on pass pro, but is an absolute animal in the running game. He is also a smart football player. But it is his determination, and mean streak that are his signature characteristics. With good coaching he will get much better in pass pro.
AHTYBA RUBIN / CASEY HAMPTON
It may take a couple of years for RUBIN to fully develop as an NFL NT after playing OL as recently as 3 years ago. But it should be worth the wait. Just like HAMPTON his true value will be as a 2-gap, 3-4 NT. He has a massive, strong body with a little bit of push. With the right D scheme I might take him as high as Round 2. Both these guys are a nightmare for interior OL.
CARL STEWART / EDGAR BENNETT
STEWART is a talented ‘tweener in the good sense. He blocks like a small FB, but he can run like a big RB. He has decent hands and understands pass-pro. On a team in the Snow Belt he will offer a great running option after Thanksgiving when the grass dies and the fields are frozen. He will play Special Teams waiting for his chances. BENNETT was a tough NFL fit at first but his pro career was exemplary. Some team should grab STEWART in Round 4.
JONATHAN STEWART / JAMAL LEWIS
No reach on this comparison. STEWART will be a fine between the tackles runner, just like LEWIS. He will not break too many 70 yard runs, but he will turn 10 yards into 20 on a regular basis. Like LEWIS, STEWART needs to be in a power running Offense, not a West Coast system. He may be a better pass catching threat than LEWIS.
CHRIS WILLIAMS / CHRIS SAMUEL
At this point of WILLIAMS’ career SAMUEL is the best comparison because they both rely on brains and technique more than brawn. WILLIAMS has the potential to be a locker room leader because of his basic nature. Neither is likely to be a HOFer but a ten plus year NFL career as a starter is a good thing. WILLIAMS needs to work on his functional strength, which has been SAMUEL’s challenge in the pros.
Sunday, April 6, 2008:
This is where you match a DRAFT prospect with someone already in the NFL who you think they might be similar to as a pro. Here is my first list, with a short explanation of my thinking.
ANDRE WOODSON/BYRON LEFTWICH
WOODSON has a strong arm and is a good overall college QB, but just like LEFTWICH he will have trouble with the NFL game primarily because he is immobile if the pocket collapses. He is also erratic on his throws, especially on timing routes.
CHAD HENNE /BRIAN GREISE
He has his good moments, but he panics too easily under pressure and will throw too many INTs. They both have above average arms, but are not team leaders because of their erratic play. Two Wolverines in a pod I think.
JOE FLACCO/BEN ROETHLISBERGER
You start with the size and strong arms. They also work surprisingly well on the roll for their size. Confidence is not a problem for either, and teammates accept them as leaders. Make sure they have a running game behind them to take a little bit of the D focus off of them. Neither of these QBs can carry a team single-handedly.
DERRICK HARVEY/WILLIE McGINEST
The entire key will be using HARVEY to maximum effect, in the right scheme. WILLIE really flourished when BELICHICK moved him around, and up-and-down, during the PATRIOTS Super Bowl years. HARVEY could be better than another ex-Gator named KEARSE if he stays healthy.
VERNON GHOLSTON /DeMARCUS WARE
These are the same guy, and the scheme is everything. If someone plays GHOLTON with his hand down he will be an adequate pro, at best. On the edge, and standing up he can become a sack machine like WARE. He has the same kind of talent, and physical skills.
GLENN DORSEY /WARREN SAPP
Once again, I think the similarities here are spooky. Penetration and pursuit are the name of their game. DORSEY is not a NT. He needs to stay lean and fast. He needs a big space-eater to play next to him on the inside. Experiments to bulk up WARREN, or move him outside, were a waste of time and talent. DORSEY’s pro employer needs to learn from SAPP’s NFL career. On good teams both these guys are positive forces in the locker room.
STEVE JUSTICE /DAN KOPPEN
If you like the no frills, bulldog style of the PATS C then JSUTICE is your man. Smarts and basic athleticism make up for the lack of exceptional physical skills for both of these guys. JUSTICE will be a solid NFL C for ten years, and be a solid locker room influence.
RED BRYANT/GERARD WARREN
I chose WARREN because he brings to the equation the baggage that may be attached to RED. When on target either one of these guys can dominate the line of scrimmage, but neither one will ever be accused of consistency. BRYANT’s place in the DRAFT is largely a question of risk/reward evaluation.
We’ll do some more of this before the DRAFT rolls around.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
He Reminds Me Of . . .
http://www.paulspigskinplace.com/
Paul's Pigskin Place
Home Around the NFL NFL Draft Talk Thinking Out Loud! College Football Just a reminder that this section is all about comparing a current DRAFT Prospect to a current, or past NFL player. Hopefully this helps DRAFTNIKS put the prospects pro potential into better perspective.
DANNY AMENDOLA / WES WELKER
The comparison is obvious, and they have even worked out together back at TECH. AMENDOLA does not appear to be quite as quick as WELKER, but the good hands, determination, and football smarts do match up between the two. He certainly could be a No. 3-4 receiver in the NFL in a couple of years, as well as shine on ST. Someone should grab him in the last two rounds.
JOSH BARRETT / STEVE ATWATER
BARRETT had a lost season for ASU when Coach ERICKSON arrived with the new staff. But don’t give up on him. Some would say he became the holdover, whipping boy at ASU. He is a big fluid athlete who can actually cover as well as hit. That’s why I compare him to the BRONCO great. Good value after the First Day.
MICHAEL JENKINS / ASANTE SAMUEL
JENKINS stock has dropped a bit since December as personnel people have looked more carefully at his play on tape. He is an ego guy, who takes chances to make the big plays. He can tackle but he will avoid run support when he can. He will play in the NFL, but will be frustrating to his coaches at times, just like SAMUEL. Another risk/reward equation that some teams will be able to handle better than others. You can only afford to have one Corner with his freelance style of play on a team.
CHRIS JOHNSON / TRUNG CANIDATE
The old NFL/sports saying is “speed kills”. So does a First Round Draft Choice whose only asset is blinding straight line speed. JOHNSON has a place on an NFL roster as a change-of-pace RB/KR. At best you can hope for JOHNSON to be a return weapon like DEVIN HESTER. But just like CANIDATE a decade ago he will fizzle as a featured RB at the pro level.
RAFAEL LITTLE / KEVIN FAULK
I like LITTLE’s NFL prospects more than most folks and it is because I see so much of FAULK in him. Not a feature back, and no sooner than R4; I see LITTLE as a great back-up running back, third down specialist. He is quick, catches the ball well, returns punts, and will do more if asked to. A great value once we get to the 4th Round. Ask the PATRIOTS how valuable FAULK has been to them.
JAKE LONG / TONY BOSELLI
I dare make this comparison because I never felt BOSELLI was headed for the HOF before injuries shortened his NFL career. I see LONG as a nasty, solid OT who needs work on pass pro, but is an absolute animal in the running game. He is also a smart football player. But it is his determination, and mean streak that are his signature characteristics. With good coaching he will get much better in pass pro.
AHTYBA RUBIN / CASEY HAMPTON
It may take a couple of years for RUBIN to fully develop as an NFL NT after playing OL as recently as 3 years ago. But it should be worth the wait. Just like HAMPTON his true value will be as a 2-gap, 3-4 NT. He has a massive, strong body with a little bit of push. With the right D scheme I might take him as high as Round 2. Both these guys are a nightmare for interior OL.
CARL STEWART / EDGAR BENNETT
STEWART is a talented ‘tweener in the good sense. He blocks like a small FB, but he can run like a big RB. He has decent hands and understands pass-pro. On a team in the Snow Belt he will offer a great running option after Thanksgiving when the grass dies and the fields are frozen. He will play Special Teams waiting for his chances. BENNETT was a tough NFL fit at first but his pro career was exemplary. Some team should grab STEWART in Round 4.
JONATHAN STEWART / JAMAL LEWIS
No reach on this comparison. STEWART will be a fine between the tackles runner, just like LEWIS. He will not break too many 70 yard runs, but he will turn 10 yards into 20 on a regular basis. Like LEWIS, STEWART needs to be in a power running Offense, not a West Coast system. He may be a better pass catching threat than LEWIS.
CHRIS WILLIAMS / CHRIS SAMUEL
At this point of WILLIAMS’ career SAMUEL is the best comparison because they both rely on brains and technique more than brawn. WILLIAMS has the potential to be a locker room leader because of his basic nature. Neither is likely to be a HOFer but a ten plus year NFL career as a starter is a good thing. WILLIAMS needs to work on his functional strength, which has been SAMUEL’s challenge in the pros.
Sunday, April 6, 2008:
This is where you match a DRAFT prospect with someone already in the NFL who you think they might be similar to as a pro. Here is my first list, with a short explanation of my thinking.
ANDRE WOODSON/BYRON LEFTWICH
WOODSON has a strong arm and is a good overall college QB, but just like LEFTWICH he will have trouble with the NFL game primarily because he is immobile if the pocket collapses. He is also erratic on his throws, especially on timing routes.
CHAD HENNE /BRIAN GREISE
He has his good moments, but he panics too easily under pressure and will throw too many INTs. They both have above average arms, but are not team leaders because of their erratic play. Two Wolverines in a pod I think.
JOE FLACCO/BEN ROETHLISBERGER
You start with the size and strong arms. They also work surprisingly well on the roll for their size. Confidence is not a problem for either, and teammates accept them as leaders. Make sure they have a running game behind them to take a little bit of the D focus off of them. Neither of these QBs can carry a team single-handedly.
DERRICK HARVEY/WILLIE McGINEST
The entire key will be using HARVEY to maximum effect, in the right scheme. WILLIE really flourished when BELICHICK moved him around, and up-and-down, during the PATRIOTS Super Bowl years. HARVEY could be better than another ex-Gator named KEARSE if he stays healthy.
VERNON GHOLSTON /DeMARCUS WARE
These are the same guy, and the scheme is everything. If someone plays GHOLTON with his hand down he will be an adequate pro, at best. On the edge, and standing up he can become a sack machine like WARE. He has the same kind of talent, and physical skills.
GLENN DORSEY /WARREN SAPP
Once again, I think the similarities here are spooky. Penetration and pursuit are the name of their game. DORSEY is not a NT. He needs to stay lean and fast. He needs a big space-eater to play next to him on the inside. Experiments to bulk up WARREN, or move him outside, were a waste of time and talent. DORSEY’s pro employer needs to learn from SAPP’s NFL career. On good teams both these guys are positive forces in the locker room.
STEVE JUSTICE /DAN KOPPEN
If you like the no frills, bulldog style of the PATS C then JSUTICE is your man. Smarts and basic athleticism make up for the lack of exceptional physical skills for both of these guys. JUSTICE will be a solid NFL C for ten years, and be a solid locker room influence.
RED BRYANT/GERARD WARREN
I chose WARREN because he brings to the equation the baggage that may be attached to RED. When on target either one of these guys can dominate the line of scrimmage, but neither one will ever be accused of consistency. BRYANT’s place in the DRAFT is largely a question of risk/reward evaluation.
We’ll do some more of this before the DRAFT rolls around.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
He Reminds Me Of . . .