Popps
03-10-2009, 05:40 PM
We've discussed Marcus Thomas a lot as of late, and I'm in agreement with many that he may have a bit of a rebirth in this system. I think he's a perfect fit for a 3-4 DE.
Another guy who we'll almost be getting for "free" this year is Carlton Powell.
I didn't realize he was a former linebacker!? I also thought he was shorter than 6'2". Isn't Seymore about 6'2"? So, do we try to bulk him up and play him in the middle, or get him into the DE rotation? He's certainly got a knack for chasing down ball-carriers.
Here's a pretty glowing write-up:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/16675-watch-out-for-carlton-powell-in-the-nfl-draft
When you think about the quintessential college football player, you envision a guy who works hard in the weight room, diligently breaks down film, builds solid relationships with his teammates, and still finds time to excel in the classroom.
These qualities represent what Virginia Tech senior Carlton Powell is all about.
As the NFL Draft approaches, prospective players spend an inordinate amount of time training for the Combine. As result, we sometimes come to view them as a collection of names and statistics.
Powell is something more.
Carlton Powell is a natural leader. He’s willing to go the extra mile for the sake of his team. He makes the players around him better. Given all that, it should be no surprise that he looks up to Packers QB Brett Favre.
“[Farve’s] got a go-get-it attitude—he always plays, and never takes a day off,” said Powell.
A former linebacker in high school, the 6’2”, 301-pound Powell switched to defensive tackle upon enrolling at Virginia Tech. He went on to establish himself as one of the most successful defensive tackles in Hokie history.
Powell finished his career with 104 tackles (21.5 tackles for loss), 5.5 sacks, 30 quarterback pressures, and two forced fumbles. He was named to second team All-ACC as a senior.
That growth couldn’t have occurred without the tutelage of 21-year VT head coach Frank Beamer.
“[Coach Beamer] had us on a tight schedule,” Powell said. “Everyone had mandatory study hall and breakfast check to make sure we were getting up early to go to classes because that first year is real hard for a lot of students.”
The support group of coaches and players undoubtedly helped Powell cope after the shootings at Virginia Tech last spring. Many VT students, meanwhile, found solace in Hokie athletics.
As Powell said, “There was a lot of pressure on us to succeed, but all of the coaches and players came together which made it easier for us.”
Despite the pressure, Powell helped the Hokies finish No. 9 in the AP Poll with an 11-3 record, including a 30-16 win over Boston College in the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville. Powell described the title game as the best moment of his college career.
“It definitely felt good to get the revenge game against Boston College,” he said. “It was my senior year, we were out there playing for another championship…We stayed out on the field and celebrated long after the game was over.”
With that glory behind him, Powell is now prepared for the next step in his life. He graduated with a degree in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, and will pursue that field when his playing days are over.
For now, though, it’s time to focus on the NFL.
“I’m in the best shape of my life,” he said. “I’m pretty physically prepared. The film speaks for itself, but I just want work hard and compete in the drills and show everybody what I can do.”
With a track record like Powell’s, you can bet the scouts will be paying attention.
more...
Strengths: Is quick an athletic consistenly gets off the snap fast and falshes the ability to be a disruptive force. gets on top of OL quickly to jolt them upright and clogs holes. Shows quick hands and feet to defeat blocks with amr over or spin moves
Weaknesses: does not consistently play with knees bent or leverage. When popping uprighht at snap he loses leverage and struggles to shed blocks. When playing upright he cannot pressure the QB. Does not use his hands well to protect legs from cut blocks.
Summary: Has size and strenght teams covet but does not always play to his ability. Teams should be wary of overrating him. Has the talent to become a Quality NFL starter but will likely be a backup. This does further prove what has been said that Slow will be running a speedier scheme, in which case I hope Niko can cover the gaps they do leave open or it will be a long season.
Not bad for a 5th rounder I would think, my only problem is that he has another NFL caliber tackle out for the draft, in which case they both may look better than they are by playing next to each other.
Analysis
Compares To: DEWAYNE ROBERTSON-New York Jets...Both of these players rely on suddenness and brute strength to gain advantage. Powell is a dominant run stuffer who does a fine job of handling double-team blocks. He needs to improve his lateral range to be more effective when chasing down plays and must use his hands better to protect himself from low blocks. But when he locks on to a blocker, he will quickly shed. Where he excels is clogging the rush lanes, as when he keeps his pads down, lead blockers are soon to be pushed back through the hole. For a team using the "under tackle" position, Powell is the perfect fit.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/carlton-powell?id=296
From NFL.com
Because of the constant multiple coverage that they face, the Hokies' defensive tackles do not have eye-opening statistics, but head coach Frank Beamer has noted the need for his defensive tackles to dominate vs. the inside running game.
While Tech has produced quality run-stuffing tackles in recent seasons, none has shown the ability to simply shut down the opposition's ground game the way Carlton Powell, Jr. can.
How dominant has Powell been? In 73 plays that he made vs. the run, he held the opponent to minus-21 yards rushing. Since Powell was inserted into the starting lineup, Tech has led the nation in total defense the last two years (2005-06) and led the Division 1-A ranks in scoring defense in 2006, after placing second the previous two seasons.
Another guy who we'll almost be getting for "free" this year is Carlton Powell.
I didn't realize he was a former linebacker!? I also thought he was shorter than 6'2". Isn't Seymore about 6'2"? So, do we try to bulk him up and play him in the middle, or get him into the DE rotation? He's certainly got a knack for chasing down ball-carriers.
Here's a pretty glowing write-up:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/16675-watch-out-for-carlton-powell-in-the-nfl-draft
When you think about the quintessential college football player, you envision a guy who works hard in the weight room, diligently breaks down film, builds solid relationships with his teammates, and still finds time to excel in the classroom.
These qualities represent what Virginia Tech senior Carlton Powell is all about.
As the NFL Draft approaches, prospective players spend an inordinate amount of time training for the Combine. As result, we sometimes come to view them as a collection of names and statistics.
Powell is something more.
Carlton Powell is a natural leader. He’s willing to go the extra mile for the sake of his team. He makes the players around him better. Given all that, it should be no surprise that he looks up to Packers QB Brett Favre.
“[Farve’s] got a go-get-it attitude—he always plays, and never takes a day off,” said Powell.
A former linebacker in high school, the 6’2”, 301-pound Powell switched to defensive tackle upon enrolling at Virginia Tech. He went on to establish himself as one of the most successful defensive tackles in Hokie history.
Powell finished his career with 104 tackles (21.5 tackles for loss), 5.5 sacks, 30 quarterback pressures, and two forced fumbles. He was named to second team All-ACC as a senior.
That growth couldn’t have occurred without the tutelage of 21-year VT head coach Frank Beamer.
“[Coach Beamer] had us on a tight schedule,” Powell said. “Everyone had mandatory study hall and breakfast check to make sure we were getting up early to go to classes because that first year is real hard for a lot of students.”
The support group of coaches and players undoubtedly helped Powell cope after the shootings at Virginia Tech last spring. Many VT students, meanwhile, found solace in Hokie athletics.
As Powell said, “There was a lot of pressure on us to succeed, but all of the coaches and players came together which made it easier for us.”
Despite the pressure, Powell helped the Hokies finish No. 9 in the AP Poll with an 11-3 record, including a 30-16 win over Boston College in the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville. Powell described the title game as the best moment of his college career.
“It definitely felt good to get the revenge game against Boston College,” he said. “It was my senior year, we were out there playing for another championship…We stayed out on the field and celebrated long after the game was over.”
With that glory behind him, Powell is now prepared for the next step in his life. He graduated with a degree in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, and will pursue that field when his playing days are over.
For now, though, it’s time to focus on the NFL.
“I’m in the best shape of my life,” he said. “I’m pretty physically prepared. The film speaks for itself, but I just want work hard and compete in the drills and show everybody what I can do.”
With a track record like Powell’s, you can bet the scouts will be paying attention.
more...
Strengths: Is quick an athletic consistenly gets off the snap fast and falshes the ability to be a disruptive force. gets on top of OL quickly to jolt them upright and clogs holes. Shows quick hands and feet to defeat blocks with amr over or spin moves
Weaknesses: does not consistently play with knees bent or leverage. When popping uprighht at snap he loses leverage and struggles to shed blocks. When playing upright he cannot pressure the QB. Does not use his hands well to protect legs from cut blocks.
Summary: Has size and strenght teams covet but does not always play to his ability. Teams should be wary of overrating him. Has the talent to become a Quality NFL starter but will likely be a backup. This does further prove what has been said that Slow will be running a speedier scheme, in which case I hope Niko can cover the gaps they do leave open or it will be a long season.
Not bad for a 5th rounder I would think, my only problem is that he has another NFL caliber tackle out for the draft, in which case they both may look better than they are by playing next to each other.
Analysis
Compares To: DEWAYNE ROBERTSON-New York Jets...Both of these players rely on suddenness and brute strength to gain advantage. Powell is a dominant run stuffer who does a fine job of handling double-team blocks. He needs to improve his lateral range to be more effective when chasing down plays and must use his hands better to protect himself from low blocks. But when he locks on to a blocker, he will quickly shed. Where he excels is clogging the rush lanes, as when he keeps his pads down, lead blockers are soon to be pushed back through the hole. For a team using the "under tackle" position, Powell is the perfect fit.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/carlton-powell?id=296
From NFL.com
Because of the constant multiple coverage that they face, the Hokies' defensive tackles do not have eye-opening statistics, but head coach Frank Beamer has noted the need for his defensive tackles to dominate vs. the inside running game.
While Tech has produced quality run-stuffing tackles in recent seasons, none has shown the ability to simply shut down the opposition's ground game the way Carlton Powell, Jr. can.
How dominant has Powell been? In 73 plays that he made vs. the run, he held the opponent to minus-21 yards rushing. Since Powell was inserted into the starting lineup, Tech has led the nation in total defense the last two years (2005-06) and led the Division 1-A ranks in scoring defense in 2006, after placing second the previous two seasons.