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These players will be on the spot in Indy. Russ Lande

February 21, 2013 Share

1. Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, DE, Florida State, Senior (6044 E, 255 E and 4.65 E): While teammate and fellow defensive end Bjoern Werner has received all the publicity, Carradine is not a forgotten man as he was a widely discussed prospect during recent Draft meetings around the league. A first time starter in 2012, Carradine displayed the ability to consistently defeat pass blocks with great hand use and remarkably polished pass rush moves. When combined with his outstanding play against the run at him and away, Carradine’s on field play warranted consideration as a top 15 pick. However, after he tore the ACL in his right knee against Florida and missed the rest of the season he has fallen off the media’s NFL Draft radar. Numerous NFL teams are interested to see how he checks out medically because if he does well in team physicals he could still end up as a first round pick. Rumors persist that he will be able to workout at close to 100% prior to the Draft, which would lead to him jumping over many other defensive ends to be one of the top five pass rushers in the Draft. Additionally, teams that play 34 defenses believe that he has the athleticism to be productive playing upright as an outside linebacker.

2. Kwame Geathers, NT, Georgia, Junior (6060 E, 355 E and 5.05 E): Throughout the season Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree and John Jenkins received the Lions’ share of attention, but Geathers play in the middle of the Bulldogs’ defense was a big part of their success. A massive man with the strength to dominate run blockers when he maintains leverage and uses hands well, Geathers is viewed as one of the most intriguing nose/defensive tackle prospects in the Draft. He needs to prove this week that he has the athleticism to consistently play with good pad level as many tall defensive tackles have failed. While a strong performance in Indianapolis will not move Geathers into the first round, it should assure him of being a second day Draft pick. Not only do teams view him as an interior player, but teams like New England and Kansas City that often align in the “big 34” defensive scheme view him as a potential power defensive end.

3. William Gholston, OG, Michigan State, Senior (6070, 278 and 4.75 E): After a dominant 2011 season Gholston was expected to improve upon that in 2012 to lock up a spot as a top ten pick. Things did not go as planned as he did not play with the same intensity or aggressiveness and it resulted in his production dropping. NFL teams are still excited about Gholston’s future because he has the height, long arms, natural strength and shocking athleticism to be a dominant defensive end in either a 43 or 34 scheme. The Combine is big for Gholston as he needs to prove to teams that he has the fire to be the player he was in 2011 and will be able to maintain a high level of intensity and competitiveness once he gets paid. If he interviews well and impresses during the workout he could put himself back in position to be a late first or high second round pick.

4. Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois, Senior (6010 E, 305 E and 4.75 E): Already having graduated, it was no surprise when Spence decided to bypass his senior season and enter the 2013 Draft. An explosive interior player who consistently was able to get backfield penetration, his ability to anchor and defeat run blocks was equality impressive. Highly productive throughout his college career, Spence needs to prove to NFL teams that he has the elite athleticism to overcome his lack of ideal size. A number of scouts have told us that Spence reminds them of former LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis and current Bengals linemen Geno Atkins, but to justify these comparisons he must prove this week that his athleticism, strength and technique can help him play at that high a level despite often being dwarfed by the man blocking him.

5. Walter Stewart, DE/OLB, Cincinnati, Senior (6037, 245 and 4.65): Considering that a few months ago Stewart was told that his football career was likely over due to a back injury, his future now is in the hands of the different NFL medical staffs. A dynamic edge rusher/player, Stewart makes it look easy beating offensive tackles and pressuring the quarterback. He has the explosive first step and speed to get the corner and combined with his excellent hand use and ability to dip a shoulder, he can stay free from blocker to turn corner and explode to the passer. Not only productive rushing the passer, Stewart does an excellent job defeating blocks to make plays against the run, both towards him and on runs away. Do not be surprised if Stewart’s back passes some physicals if he ends up being a top 40 selection in the Draft.
 

Bob Sacamano

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I really like Walter Stewart. He played all over the Cincinnati defense, dropping into zones in coverage and lining up at DT.
 

superpunk

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If you need to use more than 31" of arm playing OL you're probably going to get called for holding. You play the position with your feet.
 

Bob Sacamano

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If you need to use more than 31" of arm playing OL you're probably going to get called for holding. You play the position with your feet.

You need long arms to control pass-rushers, moreso at OT. You try to hit them in their chests and disrupt their route to the QB.
 
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If you need to use more than 31" of arm playing OL you're probably going to get called for holding. You play the position with your feet.

Uh.... no.

It's a point of attack position. Get your hands on them, control them before they get to close into you and can drive you back.

What the fuck are you even talking about suggesting reach doesn't matter for tackles. Anything less then about 34" arms and you're at a huge disadvantange.
 

superpunk

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lol @ you retards.

is this trope you've read off some OL for dummies or have any of you ever actually played
 
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Played like most through the high school level, but not along the lines.

But you don't have to have played to know that. It's common knowledge. Or at least I thought it was.
 
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Longer arms are better to ward off defenders at T...it is common sense, but clearly the schtick is to disagree with everything.
 

superpunk

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I'm not claiming short arms are an advantage but they aren't some uncomfortable disadvantage. Footwork is 90% of the job. 3 inches of arm length isn't making a ton of difference if your footwork and base is right. On the OL you want the guy in as close to your body as you can get him, he's easier to control that way. Against a bullrush some extra length would be nice but if you have a nice chop move you can drop the DE's arms anyhow, and you're still aiming for his chest, not trying to wrap your arms around him.
 
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It is weird that all these scouts are saying that these players with shorter arms should kick inside...clearly their years as NFL scouts and analysis hold no merit.
 
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A look at which players NFL scouts expect to create a buzz at the combine
Dan Pompei

February 20, 2013, 11:00 AM EST

Over the course of the NFL scouting combine, a number of players will create a buzz that will carry them into the April draft. I asked a few NFL scouts to predict which players they think will make the most noise in Indy. This is what they said.

Ziggy Ansah, Brigham Young DE—He had a few ups and downs during Senior Bowl week, but he can make NFL teams forget all the downs if he turns in a strong combine performance, as expected. One scout said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Ansah run the 40-yard dash in the 4.4s at 270 pounds.

Terron Armstead, Arkansas Pine Bluff OT—He may be a bit raw, but that won’t matter now. Armstead’s athleticism should reflect well on him, especially in comparison to big school competition.

Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina G—He has rare athleticism for a player his size. His flexibility, change of direction and foot quickness will stand out in drills. But as one front office man pointed out, NFL teams don’t need confirmation with Cooper—it’s all on the tape.

Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International S—He has momentum on his side after a strong Senior Bowl showing. Cyprien has the NFL’s attention. He does not have to light it up. He just has to perform well in comparison to the other top safeties.

Zaviar Gooden, Missouri OLB—This is a classic case of someone who might be a better athlete than player. He could run in the 4.4s. Said one front office man, “He will test out of the gym.”

Marquise Goodwin, Texas WR—He could be the 40-yard dash star. Or the vertical jump star. His stock has been on an upward trend, and should continue. The key for him might be catching the football.

Lane Johnson, Oklahoma OT—This former quarterback/tight end/defensive end is likely to be the most athletic testing tackle at the combine. His perceived “lack of power” will not be noticed in Indianapolis.

Dion Jordan, Oregon DE—He has a chance to really help himself, and he should fare very well in his workout. Jordan’s speed and explosion could make him a very high draft pick.

Cordarelle Patterson, Tennessee WR—This juco transfer and early draft entrant remains somewhat of a mystery to a lot of NFL front office men because he is raw and has a limited body of work. But, as one said, he looks like the most explosive receiver in the draft, and no one was more potential. The combine should be his coming out party.

Geno Smith, West Virginia QB—NFL teams are most interested to interview him and get him on the board, but in the athletic events Smith definitely should look like a first round pick.
 

superpunk

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Crazy how Ogden and his 33 inch arms managed it.

Usually if your arms are short you don't have the size to play outside anyhow and that's why you get moved down. But two inches of arm length isn't knocking anyone from tackle to guard, melvins.
 
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Reid: Chiefs would listen but not likely to deal No. 1 pick
Kansas City evaluating a number of players to take with top overall choice.

INDIANAPOLIS _ Andy Reid had the No. 2 overall pick with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 and chose quarterback Donovan McNabb, who became the club's franchise quarterback for a decade or more.

Now in Kansas City, Reid is charged with rebuilding the woebegone Chiefs and has the No.1 overall pick to do so. He needs a quarterback, but there doesn't appear to be a player of McNabb's potential worthy of being taken that high in this year's draft.

Yet, Reid sounds as if the Chiefs will use the pick to bolster another spot of need, and try another route to find a quarterback. Left tackle Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M has been speculated as one possibility.

As for trading the pick, Reid indicated Thursday at the NFL Combine that he would listen, but apparently would have to be overwhelmed with an offer to part with it, even if there is no sure-thing franchise quarterback to be taken with it.

"It's a pretty valuable pick," Reid said of having this year's top selection.

The question now becomes what to do what that "pretty valuable pick."
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Bad year to have the #1 overall pick. There is no player that a team is going to pay through the nose for to move up to #1. The lack of top tier QBs and game changing defensive players lessen the value.
 
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