 |
 |
|
||||||||||||
2007 Rookie Profiles: Outside Linebackers
Posted:
5/07
Courtesy of the
TFY Draft Preview
Full Name: Rufus Alexander School: Oklahoma Ht: 6-1 Wt: 228 40: 4.83 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference and All-American honors as a senior. Totals last year were 117/14/2, with three interceptions. Junior numbers included 102/17/5, when he broke up nine passes. Pos: Athletic, playmaking linebacker best suited for a one-gap system. Instinctive, displays good awareness and remains disciplined with assignments. Quickly fills gaps up the field, gets depth on drops and covers a lot of area in space. Immediately changes direction, possesses a closing burst and can run with Neg: Can be slowed at the point by blocks or swallowed up altogether by opponents. Has shown a propensity to take plays off in the past. Analysis: A very productive defender the past three seasons, Alexander offers potential on the weak side in a system that allows him to freely flow to the play.
Full Name: Brandon Archer School: Kansas State Ht: 6-0 Wt: 240 40: 4.85 Year: 5Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his sophomore season. Posted career-best numbers of 97/7/2.5 as a senior, after 72 tackles the prior year. Pos: Active linebacker with poor size/speed numbers. Fires through the gaps defending the run, takes good angles to the action and displays a good head for the ball. Disciplined with cover assignments, diagnoses the action and likes to mix it up. Quickly changes direction and possesses a short-area burst of speed. Neg: Lacks top sideline-to-sideline range. Not a strong linebacker, smothered by blocks and has tackles broken. Analysis: An underrated prospect with limited upside, Archer could nicely fit into a one-gap defense as a backup.
Full Name: Marcus Bacon School: Missouri Ht: 6-1 Wt: 222 40: 4.72 Year: 5Sr Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after career-best totals of 103/5.5/3. Junior numbers included 85 tackles. Pos: Undersized, one-gap linebacker who covers a lot of area on the field. Forceful against the run and displays a burst of speed. Fast to the sidelines and makes plays in every direction. Effective up the field on the blitz. Neg: Does not play with balance and can be easily slowed by blocks. Very quick moving up the field and gets caught out of position in coverage. Takes poor angles to the action and is inefficient. Analysis: More of a chase-and-run linebacker, Bacon has potential in a system which allows him to freely flow to the action. Shows a special-teams mentality, which gives him the upper-hand.
Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 225 40: 4.81 Year: 5Sr Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior after leading the team in tackles posting 110/8.5/4.5. Did not play in ‘05. Junior totals of ‘04 included 103 tackles. Pos: Smart, efficient linebacker best in a one-gap system. Fires up the field filling gaps, plays with good quickness and displays solid instincts. Reads the action, disciplined with assignments and stays with coverage duties. Hustles and works to get involved. Neg: Lacks top size, gets caught up in the trash and slow shedding blocks. Possesses a small-area burst of speed which he cannot sustain. Analysis: A hard-charging run-and-chase linebacker best in pursuit, Baldwin has physical limitations yet enough ability to back up in the NFL.
Full Name: Antwan Barnes School: Florida International Ht: 6-0.5 Wt: 240 40: 4.48 Year: 5Sr Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors after his senior and junior campaigns. Totals last season included 69/22.5/6 after 45/15.5/11 the prior year. Used at both defensive end and linebacker in college. Pos: Athletic defender who makes a lot of plays going forwards. Breaks down well, quick off the snap and effectively uses hand technique to protect himself. Fluid changing direction, slides laterally to make plays and effective in pursuit. Fast off the edge and rarely off his feet. Neg: Undersized, lacks playing strength and controlled at the point by opposing tight ends. Rarely makes plays in space. Analysis: A defender who has terrorized quarterbacks the past two seasons, Barnes is a developmental prospect who has possibilities as a one-gap linebacker.
Full Name: Jon Beason School: Miami-Fl Ht: 6-0 Wt: 237 40: 4.81 Year: 4Jr Bio: Former fullback who moved to linebacker as a sophomore and has started the past two seasons. Led the team in tackles as a senior posting 76/8/1.5, also intercepting one pass. Junior totals included 64 tackles. Competes on the school’s track team. Pos: Terrific athlete with a good degree of upside potential. Breaks down well, plays with excellent balance and rarely off his feet. Explosive up the field, slides laterally to make plays and is effective in pursuit. Takes good angles to the action and covers a great amount of area on the field. Breaks down well, immediately alters his angle of attack and is disciplined with assignments. Hard-hitting, and aggressively puts his shoulders into ball handlers. Neg: Easily handled at the point once engaged in a block, and is very slow to get back to playing form off the initial hit. Analysis: Showing a lot of ability during his short time as a starting linebacker, Beason has the size and speed to be a starter on the weak side.
Full Name: Quincy Black School: New Mexico Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 240 40: 4.51 Year: 5Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after posting a career-high 114 tackles and adding three interceptions. Junior totals included 63 tackles. Pos: Athletic linebacker with outstanding range. Fast to the flanks, gets great depth on pass drops and has a closing burst of speed to the play. Weaves through the traffic getting to the ball carrier, is physical and likes to get involved in the action. Wraps up tackling. Stands out in coverage, displaying top ball skills and has a burst out of his break. Quickly changes direction or immediately alters his angle of attack. Neg: Slowed through the trash or easily blocked from the action. Inefficient, does not take the best angles to the play and over-pursues the action on occasion. Analysis: Physically gifted, Black showed a lot of progress on the field last season. Offers potential as a weak-side linebacker and may even be given some consideration as a strong safety. Needs to continually improve his game yet offers a good degree of upside.
Full Name: H.B. Blades School: Pittsburgh Ht: 5-10.5 Wt: 236 40: 4.76 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter used at both the middle and strong side linebacker positions. All-Conference selection the past two years. Senior totals were 147/10.5/1, with two interceptions and seven pass break-ups. Junior totals included 121 tackles, after 108 as a sophomore. Pos: Tough, “in the box” linebacker with a solid game. Displays a good head for the ball in run defense and quickly recognizes pass plays. Explosive moving up the field, flows to the action and effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Efficient, takes good angles to the play and redirects to ball handlers. Can run with tight ends down field.. Neg: Not a flashy defender who plays with a lot of suddenness. Controlled at the point of attack by fullbacks. Lacks speed to the sidelines. Lack of height creates problems against tall tight ends in coverage. Analysis: Possessing marginal size/speed numbers, Blades has possibilities as either a one-gap linebacker or in a 34 system. Possesses the instincts and wherewithal to find a place at the next level.
Full Name: Stewart Bradley School: Nebraska Ht: 6-3.5 Wt: 254 40: 4.78 Year: 5Sr Bio: Full-time starter the past three seasons, leading the team in tackles as a senior with career-best numbers of 76/6/1. Limited to five games as a junior after suffering a knee injury, and finished the year with 26/5/3. Pos: Big, physically dominant linebacker who is best up the field. Plays heads-up football, remains disciplined and stays with assignments. Breaks down well and is a sturdy linebacker who defeats blocks on his way to the action. Forces the action up the field, collapses from the outside to defend the run and easily brings opposing ball carriers down at the point of contact. Neg: Has limitations in coverage. Over-pursues the action on occasion. Analysis: An underrated linebacker prospect whose game took off last season after a return from injury, Bradley has made a late move up draft boards. A better fit on the inside of a 34 alignment, and offers a good degree of upside.
Full Name: Colt Brooks School: Boise State Ht: 6-1 Wt: 212 40: 4.59 Year: 5Sr Bio: Full-time starter the past two seasons, and an All-Conference selection as a senior after totaling 43/8/6.5. Posted a career-high 80 tackles as a junior. Pos: Hard-working, yet undersized linebacker who makes plays solid sideline-to-sideline. Remains disciplined with assignments, quickly reads the action and has a burst of closing speed. Constantly flying around the ball. Neg: Struggles in coverage for an undersized linebacker. Handled at the point by blocks. Not smooth changing direction. Possesses solid size/speed numbers but does not consistently play to them. Analysis: Measurables will give Brooks consideration as a weak-side linebacker in a one-gap system, yet he must quickly pick up the tempo of his play.
Full Name: Prescott Burgess School: Michigan Ht: 6-3.5 Wt: 240 40: 4.91 Year: 4Sr Bio: Two-year starter who totaled 48/6.5/3 as a senior, also intercepting two passes and breaking up three more. Posted a career-best 81 tackles as a junior. Pos: Competitive linebacker with an efficient, all-around game. Gets depth on drops, quickly recognizes the action and displays skill in coverage. Protects himself with good hand technique and has a burst to the play. Disciplined, stays with assignments and works hard to defend the run. Neg: Possesses more of a short burst of speed, which he cannot sustain. Marginally effective in pursuit. Better in zone coverage and struggles over tight ends. Analysis: Possessing solid size/speed numbers, Burgess flashes skill but must take his game to the next level and consistently play to his capabilities.
Full Name: Brian Crum School: Florida Ht: 6-2 Wt: 232 40: 4.72 Year: 5Sr Bio: Moved into the starting lineup as a senior and totaled 31/3.5/.5. Primarily a reserve tight end and linebacker his first three years in the program. Pos: Underrated defender who displayed a lot of skill as a senior. Fast in every direction of the field, collapses from the outside to defend the run and chases hard to make plays. Stays at home with assignments, shows the ability to run with tight ends in coverage and is solid in pursuit. Breaks down well, holding his ground against blocks, and quickly changes direction. Neg: Inefficient and does not consistently take proper angles to the action. Slow shedding blockers once engaged at the point. Analysis: After bouncing between positions early at Florida, Crum made major strides last season as a starting linebacker. Will get consideration in the mid-to-late rounds as a weak-side prospect.
Full Name: Karibi Dede School: Auburn Ht: 5-11 Wt: 213 40: 4.69 Year: 5Sr Bio: Full-time starter the past two seasons. Senior totals included 59/2/1 after 42/4.5/1.5 as a junior. Spent his freshman campaign at safety. Pos: Smallish linebacker who covers a lot of area on the field. Quick filling gaps in run defense, displays excellent sideline-to-sideline range and immediately changes direction. Displays speed in pursuit and fast to the sidelines. Disciplined with assignments. Neg: Undersized, easily knocked off balance and gets caught up in the trash. Does not have the ball skills necessary to play in the secondary. Analysis: A college linebacker with safety size, Dede could back up in a one-gap system yet will have to earn his wage on special teams.
Full Name: Zac DeOssie School: Brown Pos: OLB Ht: 6-4.5 Wt: 250 40: 4.64 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his sophomore campaign. Posted a career-high 110/10.5/2 as a senior after 80/12/5 during his junior campaign. Pos: A large, athletic defender with enticing size/speed numbers. Moves well laterally, displays speed to the flanks and plays with reckless abandon. Collapses from the outside to defend the run, takes good angles to the action and sheds blocks at the point of attack. Wraps up tackling, bringing opponents down on initial contact. Neg: Not overly instinctive or quick to diagnose the action. Very haphazard in his movements. Overall game lacks quickness. Analysis: Possessing the physical skills to play in the NFL, DeOssie is a very average football player with inflated stats. Could play outside linebacker in a 34 alignment or possibly grow into a defense end, yet must be placed in a system which reduces his responsibilities and assignments.
Full Name: Chris Dupuy School: Alabama State Ht: 6-0 Wt: 205 40: 4.73 Year: 5Sr Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior after leading the team in tackles, posting 108/13.5/3. Also intercepted three passes and broke up three more. Pos: Undersized linebacker who gives top effort. Gets depth on drops, displays range in coverage and has a good change of direction. Collapses to the outside defending the run and quickly gets to the sidelines. Effectively diagnoses the action and has a burst of closing speed. Neg: Does not consistently play under control, over-pursues the action and takes himself out of the play altogether. Small and gets caught up in the trash moving laterally. Analysis: Hard-working and productive on the football field, Dupuy is severely limited by size. His ability to cover a large amount of area on the field gives him a slight chance to make it as a backup safety in a two-deep system.
Full Name: Justin Durant School: Hampton Ht: 6-1 Wt: 230 40: 4.62 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded MEAC Defensive Player of Year honors every season since his sophomore campaign. Senior totals included 98/13/1 after career-best numbers of 124/15/5 as a junior. Pos: Explosive one-gap linebacker who makes a lot of plays on the field. Breaks down well, is rarely off his feet and displays a good head for the ball. Fluid moving laterally, smooth pedaling back into coverage and scrapes well in the box. Explodes upfield filling gaps in run defense, takes good angles to the action and flashes on the scene. Neg: Small, gets wired in blocks or has tackles broken. Analysis: A hard-working player who’s been ultra-productive, Durant is an instinctive defender who likes to get involved in the action. Could be used on special teams early in his NFL career and eventually develop into a starter.
Full Name: Larry Edwards School: North Carolina Ht: 6-0.5 Wt: 227 40: 4.82 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter who posted 58/5.5/3 as a senior when he also broke up eight passes. Junior totals included 91 tackles. Pos: Athletic linebacker who flashes skill defending the run or covering the pass. Forceful up the field, quickly closes to the action and wraps up tackling. Fluid changing direction, runs with backs or tight ends in coverage and displays good range on the field. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Neg: Undersized and wears down. Does not time well in the 40, which will hamper him at the next level. Analysis: A consistent player on the field, Edwards is a hard-working prospect who takes the game seriously. Does not possess the top size/speed numbers for the next level, yet is productive in enough areas to find a spot as a backup.
Full Name: Earl Everett School: Florida Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 238 40: 4.90 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded varying degrees of All-Conference honors. Senior totals were 85/5.5/1, after 72/3.5/1 as a junior. Pos: Athletic linebacker who chases to make plays all over the field. Plays with a good degree of explosion, quickly changes direction and shows speed in pursuit. Fluid scraping laterally, smooth pedaling in reverse and has a burst of speed bearing down on the action. Efficient, displays skill in space and runs well laterally. Neg: Has tackles broken and struggles to bring ball-handlers down at the initial point of contact. Easily removed from the action by blocks. Shows hesitation to his game and misreads the action. Analysis: A naturally gifted prospect with tremendous size/speed numbers, Everett is not a physical football player consistently willing to lay it on the line. Offers potential on the weak-side at the next level, but must pick up the intensity of his overall play.
Full Name: Ramon Guzman School: Buffalo Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 232 40: 4.71 Year: 5Sr Bio: Former fullback who posted 67/8/1 totals as a senior when he played linebacker, after 51/6/2.5 the prior year when he was used at safety. Pos: Athletic, chase-and-run linebacker with a fluid change of direction. Collapses laterally to defend the run, immediately alters his angle of attack and stays with assignments. Shows speed in pursuit and good range on the field. Breaks down playing with leverage. Neg: Lacks top instincts and is not a forceful defender. Would rather run around blocks than meet them head-on. Analysis: A size/speed prospect, Guzman offers potential but needs a lot of work on his game.
Full Name: KaMichael Hall School: Georgia Tech Ht: 6-0 Wt: 228 40: 4.85 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter who led the team in tackles as a senior, posting 91/9/4. Junior totals were 64/14/4. Pos: Fast, undersized linebacker who quickly flows to the action. Displays a burst of speed, quickly changes direction and makes a lot of plays in pursuit. Breaks down well, explosive up the field and also gets depth on pass drops. Physical and works hard. Neg: Inefficient and takes poor angles to the action. Slow shedding blocks and held up by opposing fullbacks or tight ends. Marginally productive in coverage. Analysis: A productive college linebacker, Hall has enough ability to play for a penetrating, one-gap defense. Has special-teams ability, which enhances his value.
Full Name: Korey Hall School: Boise State Ht: 6-0.5 Wt: 230 40: 4.85 Year: & | ||||||||||||||
