Wednesday 4 November 2009

Wednesday links

Just a word of warning - I'll be on a course in Newcastle over the next couple of days so the blog might not get updated much. I'll try and get something up tomorrow evening and Kyle might put something on, but if not we'll be back to full strength on Friday ahead of another weekend of college/NFL football.

Mel Kiper explains why the 2010 draft offers a deep class on the defensive line: "There is (Julius) Peppers type talent in Carlos Dunlap. He's starting to pick it up. He's the 4th highest rated player on my Big Board. You have an up and comer, former junior college player, Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF; Everson Griffen, jr. DE, USC is at 14; Jerry Hughes, TCU, he's like a Terrell Suggs player, an OLB; Brandon Graham, Michigan; Greg Hardy from Miss.; Willie Young from NC State; Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech; Allen Bailey, DE, Miami, he's had an outstanding year; Greg Romeus, Pitt; Jason Worilds, VT. It's a very deep and talented group of DEs and very talented and deep group at DTs."

Steve Muench compares Jahvid Best and C.J. Spiller and sees similarities between the two: "It's hard not to compare Best to Clemson RB C.J. Spiller because they flash similar explosiveness and versatility. Spiller contributes more as a return man, but Best certainly has the potential to develop that area of his game. Like Spiller, Best will not be an every-down power back, but getting him 20 touches in various ways will present problems for defenses because he is a threat to score every time he gets the ball in his hands. Overall, Best ranks as the No. 2 running back on the board -- just behind Spiller -- and projects to come off the board late in the first round."

Scott Wright talks about Myron Rolle, who's been spending the last few months at Oxford University on the Rhodes Scholarship: "In all honesty Rolle has been a little overrated as a pro prospect over the years and he isn’t going to be a first round pick like many thought. Rolle possesses very good size at 6-2 and 218 pounds but there are serious questions about his speed, to the point where many scouts feel he will have to make the conversion to outside linebacker at the next level. Despite Rolle’s shortcomings in coverage he is tough, physical, hard working and obviously extremely smart so he will score off the charts when it comes to the intangibles."

Matt McGuire updates his 2010 big board but doesn't think much of the quality: "When I put my star grades on my spreadsheet, I began to realize that this could have the potential to be a very weak draft. I hope I am just being negative and not seeing it for what it is, but I just haven't been impressed with the top-40 talent thus far in the season. This could change quickly, but I don't have high hopes."

Rob Rang reports that highly rated Syracuse receiver Mike Williams has surprisingly quit the team: "Williams, who missed the entire 2008 season due to suspicion of academic fraud, had been leading the Big East conference in catches per game (7) and receiving yards per game (106.57) despite having less than ideal talent around him. The 6-2, 212 pound Williams has surprising straight-line speed and lateral agility to elude defenders, making him one of the better after-the-catch receivers in the country."

Chad Reuter lists his risers and fallers and wasn't impressed with USF's George Selvie: "His one tackle was for a loss and it came three minutes into the contest. Selvie still has the good burst off the snap that garnered him All-American honors as a sophomore. But his thin frame and inability to get off blocks will probably cause a position shift to linebacker and keep him from being the first-round pick everyone expected him to be two years ago. Even with junior DE Jason Pierre-Paul getting attention on the other side of the line, Selvie has managed only three sacks this season.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi guys,

Prior to the start of the season, Virginia Tech's Sergio Render was considered a top G prospect for the upcoming draft. I haven't heard much about him. Have you had a chance to watch him? If so, what are your impressions.

TJ

1stHill said...

TJ, I watched Sergio Render once this year and here are some notes I have on him for that one game.

LG #70 Sergio Render 6-3 319 lbs : Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech - He missed a block when he tried hitting a LB on the second level, enabling the LB to make the tackle. On one pass play he had no one to block so he went over to assist the LT and knocked the DE down to the ground. He plays with some nastiness. On one play he went from blocking a DT then went upfield and took out a LB. Looks like a 2nd or 3rd round guy.

Anonymous said...

Thanks 1st Hill. Oddly enough, I got to see a little of him on ESPN's game last night. I only saw a few snaps, and couldn't get much of a feel for him, but I did notice that he played to the whistle. At best he overpowered his opponent and at worst held his ground. I didn't see enough to develop much of an opinion though.

1stHill said...

I just finished watching the Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina game, and I have to change my opinion of Sergio Render. When he pulls or goes out to block a LB he looks slow. He looks like he might be playing with a injury. He would not be a good fit for our zone blocking scheme.