Chris Kuper articles on PFW

[BowlenBall]

As a born-and-bred Alaskan, I was hoping the Broncos would pick up either Daryn Colledge or Chris Kuper in the draft this year - shades of Mark Shlereth! Too bad about Colledge (went to the Pack), but we did get my other homeboy.

Here's a feature article PFW had on both of them:
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...esse032206.htm

And a Q & A from the same site:
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...erqa032206.htm

[BowlenBall]

Just for kicks, here's what the Sporting News had to say about him in their draft preview:

Chris Kuper
North Dakota

Strengths: Has ideal size, height and the frame to add bulk. Is a great athlete with good strength and quickness. Shows good leverage and power when run blocking. Consistently gets to the linebacker level and hits moving targets. Comes out of stance with good leverage and explosion. Can knock back defenders. Works well when pulling and trapping. Overpowers some defenders at the point of attack. Gets set quickly in pass protection. Mirrors and slides well with pass rushers.

Weaknesses: Hasn't faced elite competition. Must strengthen lower body; could struggle against NFL bull rushers. Isn't overwhelming at the point of attack. Shows inconsistent technique and must improve footwork. Must benefit from NFL training and conditioning.
Bottom line: Kuper is a terrific athlete but his technique needs work. He will need a year or two to develop but could become a Day 2 steal at the end of the sixth round.

Shows quick footwork, and moves well. Has long arms. Can be explosive out of stance, but doesn't always handle bull rushers well. Has some experience at tackle, and could be a reserve swingman. Hasn't faced elite competition. Must improve technique.

Correspondent Analysis
He has the physical attributes of the typical Broncos lineman. Kuper is light on his feet with good speed for a 305-pounder, but he must prove that the jump from Division II isn't too much to handle. He is a developmental project, particularly the way the Broncos ease in players along their offensive front.

[BowlenBall]

From ESPN:

Strengths: Shows a lot of upside because of his size-potential/athleticism combination. He is tall, has adequate bulk and continues to get bigger. He shows good quickness and athleticism. Seems to be at his best on pulls and traps. He does a good job of reaching the second level and hitting the moving target as a run blocker. He has absolutely dominated his small-school level of competition. He shows the ability to knock defenders back off their feet when he connects on the move in space. He has the feet, balance and body control to develop into a very good zone blocker in the running game. He shows a quick set in pass pro. A natural knee bender with the lateral movement skills to mirror and slide at the NFL level. His long arms and wide frame make him difficult to get around as an interior pass rusher.

Weaknesses: Must develop better muscle tone and explosive power. He runs over small-school defenders when he has a running start, but he does not show the initial pop or hand punch to knock NFL defenders back. He is more of a position and wall-off type of blocker than anything. He lacks ideal lower body strength and will struggle to anchor versus the bull rush in the NFL. His footwork and hand-placement are just decent. He gets away with a lot at the DI-AA level that he won't get away with in the NFL.

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 round consideration in 2006, but he's not worth wasting a pick on any earlier.

[BowlenBall]

Last one, I swear! From NFL.com:

Chris Kuper Height: 6-4 Weight: 302 40 Speed: 5.18* Position: Guard College: North Dakota Final Grade: E 5.8 GM JR Scouting LLC Grading Scale/Key SUMMARY 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. CRITICAL FACTORS Size Play Strength Play Speed Initial Quickness Competes Instincts 6.5 5.5 6.0 6.0 5.5 6.0 STRONG POINTS Kuper is a big, athletic guard with the quick feet, agility and natural strength who is hard to find. He can get off the ball quickly and get through to the second level fast. When he stays over his feet, he can adjust and block well in space. He has the natural strength to collapse a defensive tackle down the line of scrimmage and can drive him completely out of the play. He has the feet to slide and adjust well side-to-side in pass protection. He has a heavy punch when he uses it, and can jolt the defensive tackle backward. WEAKNESSES Kuper does not play anywhere close to his level of ability and gets beaten by his man way too often -- especially when you consider the defensive tackle he is blocking. He is a lazy blocker who does not move his feet to make and maintain his blocks; he just leans and reaches, which leads to him overextending and falling off too often. He does not punch nearly enough in pass protection; it lets defenders get into his chest too easily, and they can knock him backward and off his feet. He is soft-bodied; you have to wonder about his work ethic in the weight room. POSITIONAL FACTORS Grade Category Comments/Description 6.0 Foot Agility Kuper has the agility to slide and re-direct to adjust side-to-side in pass protection. 6.0 Initial Quickness He consistently gets moving quickly and into blocking position fast. 5.5 Play Strength He can play as strong as he wants to when he blocks aggressively and with good technique. 5.5 Run Block In-Line Does decent job initially, but consistently falls off and doesn't finish. 5.5 Run Block Space Gets to second level easily, but does not adjust and block well once there. 5.5 Pass Protection He's good when he punches aggressively and keeps his feet underneath him. 6.0 Quick Set-Pass Protection He does a good job of setting quick and getting his hands on the defensive tackle in a short set. 5.5 Shuffle & Slide Has athleticism to slide and shuffle side-to-side well, but is inconsistent. 5.0 Punch/Hand-Use He rarely punches and usually allows the defensive tackle to get into his chest too easily. 5.0 Vs. Power Rush Can be good when he sets quick and punches defensive tackle aggressively. 5.0 Vs. Speed Rush Sets quickly, but does not move feet to adjust to quick moves. 5.0 Errors He gets lazy, and instead of moving his feet, he just leans and reaches. ATHLETIC ABILITY Section Grade: 6.0 Kuper undoubtedly is a good athlete, but the trouble is that, more often than not, he plays like a bad athlete. For a player with his natural athleticism, he ends up on the ground way too often. He has very quick feet for a 300-pound guard, which help him to get off the ball and into blocking position very quickly, and get through to the second level easily. He can slide inside to pick up quick inside pass-rush moves, and can adjust and maintain blocks on the second level when he keeps his feet underneath him. He has the quickness and play speed to pull and make the trap block on the force/contain defender. Overall, Kuper has the quick feet and natural flexibility that is hard to find in a guard, but most of the time he bends at the waist, leans, overextends and plays like a stiff and unathletic offensive lineman. Q.A.B. Quick Feet C.O.D. Flexibility Coordination 6.0 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 COMPETITIVENESS Section Grade: 5.5 Kuper is a tough player when it comes to playing through pain, but he does not display any real toughness or aggressiveness on a consistent basis. He has displayed the ability to be a dominant blocker on the most important plays, but he has not shown the consistency to do it on every important snap. His overall production is adequate at best and wildly inconsistent. When he gets after his blocks quickly, keeps his knees bent and stays on his blocks until the whistle, he can eliminate his man and ride him out of the play. The trouble is that too often he does not move his feet to make contact and ends up leaning and reaching to make contact and maintain. That leads to him falling off his blocks and ending up on the ground way too often. He has shown a willingness to be a good team player at times, but most of the time he stops blocking too soon, which leaves him flat footed in the middle of the play. Toughness Clutch Play Production Consistency Team Player Pride/Quit 5.5 5.5 5.0 4.5 5.5 5.5 MENTAL ALERTNESS Section Grade: 5.5 Kuper should learn decently, but one must wonder about his ability to retain information because he does not consistently use the technique he has flashed at times. He has good instincts and awareness, but instead of sliding his feet to make a block, he just tries to reach and make the block, which limits his ability to react and block well to changes. His concentration is really inconsistent; it leads to him overextending and falling onto the ground too often. Learn/Retain Instincts/Reactions Concentration 5.5 5.5 5.0 STRENGTH/EXPLOSION Section Grade: 6.0 Kuper has very good size for a guard -- he actually looks more like a 330-pound guard than a 311-pounder. He has the size, natural strength and athleticism to be a durable guard in the NFL like he has been at North Dakota. When he fires off the ball aggressively, he can be an explosive blocker who knocks and controls the defensive tackle at the point of attack. He has the natural strength to be dominant at the point of attack, but he does not consistently play up to his natural strength. He has a tendency to catch defenders and lets them get into his chest too easily, which leads to him getting knocked backward by defenders smaller than him. When he is focused and gets after the defensive tackle aggressively, he can collapse his man and drive him out of the play completely. Body Type Durability Explosion Play Strength 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.5

[BowlenBall]

Sorry... absolutely the last one... this time I mean it... from Foxsports.com:

Chris Kuper Draft Profile

CHRISTOPHER "Chris" KUPER Offensive Guard/Tackle University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux #73 6:04.3-305 Anchorage, Alaska A.J. Dimond High School OVERVIEW Chris is an impressive looking athlete with a thick chest, broad shoulders, excellent arm length and the quickness to consistently get into the second level as a drive blocker. The three-year starter is the consummate team player, sacrificing personal success for that of the team. After starting 29 consecutive games at right guard, Kuper switched to left tackle midway through his final season. Kuper was a first-team All-State selection as a two-way lineman at A.J. Dimond High School. He recorded 119 tackles (65 solos) with 10 quarterback sacks as a senior. Kuper was named Player of the Game after leading his squad to the 2000 Alaska state championship. A two-time All-Conference choice on both offense and defense, he was also named the conference's Most Valuable Lineman during his senior season. Chris spent the 2001 season performing on North Dakota's scout team. He saw limited action in seven games in 2002 to earn his first letter. As a sophomore, Kuper started all year at right guard, despite suffering a high ankle sprain at mid-season. The 2004 season saw Kuper earn consensus All-America honors. From his right guard position, he delivered 17 touchdown-resulting blocks and posted 104 key blocks for an offense that averaged 352.6 yards per game. He allowed only two quarterback sacks and was penalized twice, and came up with a touchdown-saving tackle after an interception. As a senior, he was a unanimous All-America pick. Kuper started at left tackle, but also saw action at guard, producing 21 touchdown-resulting blocks, adding 112 other key blocks in the process. The offense has made good improvement over the previous season, averaging 380.9 yards per game. Over his last two seasons, Kuper has registered 38 touchdown-resulting blocks, the most of any Division II blocker. A sound technician, he allowed only three quarterback sacks and three pressures during that span, while posting 216 key blocks/ knockdowns. ANALYSIS Positives: Has a wide frame with room for additional growth...Shows ideal arm length, upper body strength, wide hips, fluid feet and hand placement to make blocks moving into the second level...Plays with very good field awareness, displaying quick feet and the ability to make adjustments in his pass set...Hits with a thud coming off the snap, doing a nice job of extending his hands to lock on and steer the defender wide...Gets very good movement off the line as a drive blocker, staying low in his pads to maintain balance working his way into space...Has above average change of direction agility, showing the kick slide to recover working on the edge and the explosion to get to the second level, where he is very effective at locating and neutralizing linebackers...Has developed solid hand placement and is quick to get his hands under the jersey of an opponent... Also generates good force behind his hand punch to rock the defender back on his heels...Has the foot shuffle and redirection agility to get back quickly in his pass set and keeps his head on a swivel to locate and combat vs. stunts and blitzes. Negatives: Has the foot speed to mirror, but will sometimes overextend and lose balance when trying to redirect in-line...Has adequate upper body strength, but could use dedicating more hours in the weight room to improve his overall power base...A classic mauler, but will sometimes get too aggressive, taking wide arm swipes that lets defenders slip off his reach blocks...Still learning how to grab and lock on, but the move to tackle has helped him develop much better hand placement and technique. Kuper is light on his feet, showing explosiveness coming off the snap while maintaining a good pad level. He is active with his hands and has the kick slide to recover and make reach blocks on the edge. He has the feet to gain position and the hand punch to jolt his opponent when finishing. His ability to play low in his pads allows him to come off the snap and get his hands into the defender's chest in attempts to lock on and steer wide. Kuper has good knee bend, body control and balance. He is quick to redirect and gets to top speed quickly on pulls and traps. He has the lateral slide and movement ability to come off double teams and make adjustments to pick up stunts and blitzes. He prefers to deliver a strong hand punch rather than push or lean into his opponent. While he moves well working in-line, it is his ability to hunker down, scope blocks and get to the second level that allows him to consistently sustain the linebacker. He has very good pulling ability and shows the alertness to locate the defender and sustain his blocks when working up field. Kuper shows the strength to lock on to a defender and sustain. His move to tackle has allowed him to develop better patience as a pass blocker, as he displays very good pass set and hand placement, along with the stoutness needed to keep the defender in front of him. The thing you constantly see on film is Chris' ability to switch off on stunts and blitzes. He has very good foot movement and can redirect and recover in an instant. His ability to gain leverage lets him hit with good pop when making contact and he has more than enough leg strength to plant and hold ground firmly vs. a bull rush. While his trap blocking skills and quickness off the snap are a great benefit pulling at guard, he also shows the foot agility and speed to help him secure the edge and achieve the tackle set point. His ability to get into position quickly, along with an aggressive nature, helps him maintain leverage. Kuper excels at hand usage and his low base lets him keep his feet when making reach blocks. Kuper has the ability to bend a corner and get on an edge rusher. He has the flexibility to anchor and battle, showing good urgency moving out to make blocks in space. He has become a classic mauler for the ground game and knows how to use his long arms to lock out when sealing off the edge rush. He uses his size to his advantage and his excellent hand placement lets him consistently ride out the pass rusher. Kuper will not be a tackle at the next level, but the experience there has helped him improve his pass blocking technique. He works to gain position and gives good effort to cut off. But his ability to get down the line of scrimmage to reach with steady body control, along with the foot quickness needed to slide and readjust, make him more suited for traps and pulls as a guard. INJURY REPORT 2003: Bothered at midseason with a high ankle sprain, but did not miss any game action. CAREER NOTES The three-year starter has been a model of consistency for the Fighting Sioux...Started his last 41 games for North Dakota, including 36 straight. AGILITY TESTS Campus: 5.15 in the 40-yard dash (against the wind)...4.97 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided)...365-pound bench press...475-pound squat...353-pound power clean...308-pound push jerk...31.5-inch vertical jump...33 1/8-inch arm length...9 1/4-inch hands...Right-handed... 21/40 Wonderlic score. Combine: 5.1 in the 40-yard dash...2.93 20-yard dash...1.75 10-yard dash...Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times...30-inch vertical jump...9'1" broad jump...4.6 20-yard shuttle...7.59 three-cone drill...32 3/4-inch arm length...9 1/4-inch hands. HIGH SCHOOL Attended A.J. Dimond (Anchorage, Ak.) High School, playing football for head coach Duncan Shackelford...First-team All-State selection as a two-way lineman...Recorded 119 tackles (65 solos) with 10 quarterback sacks as a senior...Named Player of the Game after leading his squad to the 2000 Alaska state championship...The two-time All-Conference choice on both offense and defense, he was also named the conference's Most Valuable Lineman during his senior season. PERSONAL Communications major...Son of Tina and David Kuper...Born 12/19/82...Resides in Anchorage, Alaska.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by ExpatFan

Sorry... absolutely the last one... this time I mean it...

No reason to apologize. I love reading about this rugged widebody. Based on his highlight tape, I expect to see him in the starting lineup by 2007.

[broncohaven]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

No reason to apologize. I love reading about this rugged widebody. Based on his highlight tape, I expect to see him in the starting lineup by 2007.

Link to highlight tape?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

No reason to apologize. I love reading about this rugged widebody. Based on his highlight tape, I expect to see him in the starting lineup by 2007.

That would be great. Put a burr in his butt and make him a little meaner and the running game will benefit