Bob Sacamano
All-Pro
- Messages
- 26,436
- Reaction score
- 3
1st (18)-- Matt Elam, SS, Florida
We really liked Mark Barron last year and we'll probably be looking to go in that same direction again this year with the performance of our D, and especially since the cover-2 defense places a premium on safeties. The thing that has killed us for years, up until we started Barry Church, was the inability of the safeties to recognize where the play was going and taking the proper angles to get there to make a stop. Florida was a top 5 in the Nation run and pass defense largely because of Elam's ability to recognize what was going on pre-snap, call out the defensive signals and ability to fly around to wherever a stop or play needed to be made.
2nd (47) -- Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
It's been covered ad naseum that a cover 2 defense relies on the DTs, especially the "0" technique DT, to protect the OLBs, and while we seem to be chock full of 3-4 DEs who could potentially slide into that role, IMO, we don't have a good fit there as Jason Hatcher has long been average at best at controlling blockers. Bennie Logan combines the explosive tendencies of Jason Hatcher with the ability to handle double teams and he's only growing.
3rd (80) -- Brian Winters, OT, Kent State
An athletic LT from one of the newest pipelines of NFL talent who may be better served switching to RT as he barely reaches 6'5" in height, if that. Did I mention he's a good athlete? He plays with good power and balance. While I think Parnell deserves to get his shot, we must have someone to push him as he can be very inconsistent, or someone to replace him on the cheap if he doesn't prove to be a long-term starter.
4th (113) -- Hugh Thornton, OL, Illinois
Former high school wrestler who has switched between both OG and LT at Illinois and started quite a few games. So he brings athleticism and starting experience to the line here. I think he compares very favorably to former teammate Jeff Allen who has turned out to be a great find for the Chiefs and who too was a LT for the Illini. Watching his tapes and I get see a lineman able to latch onto defenders while keeping his balance and who blocks well downfield.
5th (153) -- David Bass, DE, Missouri Western State
I saw David Bass ranked as a draftable player by NFLDraftScout and so I started to do a little research, running across a great article on him on SI.com. Basically Bass is a 6'5" 260 lb athlete with a repertoire of pass-rush moves who does a great job of using his hands to keep blockers off of his chest; while he doesn't do a great job of redirecting OTs, his hand usage allows him to get around and/or inside of them quite often. The most impressive attribute though may be his ability to read the action on the field, esp. what the QB is doing. For instance, if he sees the QB is about to go into a 3-step drop, Bass stops his rush and looks to tip the ball at the line of scrimmage, which has led to an impressive amount of tipped balls for him. He is a heck of an athlete because he was asked to drop into coverage on slot receivers and showed the ability to stay in stride.
6th (188) -- Jasper Collins, WR, Mount Union
Every year lately, Mount Union seems to do a good job of putting out draftable WRs. Last year it was Cecil Shorts, and while Jasper isn't quite the prospect that Shorts is, namely because he's not as big, he was a stud there in his own right, placing 2nd behind Shorts in many career categories, including hauling in 22 TD receptions this season. In size and speed Collins reminds me of Greg Jennings and unlike Kevin Ogletree, coming from a small school, Jasper will have the proverbial chip on his shoulder. Which could be quite fortuitous for us.
THE END
We really liked Mark Barron last year and we'll probably be looking to go in that same direction again this year with the performance of our D, and especially since the cover-2 defense places a premium on safeties. The thing that has killed us for years, up until we started Barry Church, was the inability of the safeties to recognize where the play was going and taking the proper angles to get there to make a stop. Florida was a top 5 in the Nation run and pass defense largely because of Elam's ability to recognize what was going on pre-snap, call out the defensive signals and ability to fly around to wherever a stop or play needed to be made.
2nd (47) -- Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
It's been covered ad naseum that a cover 2 defense relies on the DTs, especially the "0" technique DT, to protect the OLBs, and while we seem to be chock full of 3-4 DEs who could potentially slide into that role, IMO, we don't have a good fit there as Jason Hatcher has long been average at best at controlling blockers. Bennie Logan combines the explosive tendencies of Jason Hatcher with the ability to handle double teams and he's only growing.
3rd (80) -- Brian Winters, OT, Kent State
An athletic LT from one of the newest pipelines of NFL talent who may be better served switching to RT as he barely reaches 6'5" in height, if that. Did I mention he's a good athlete? He plays with good power and balance. While I think Parnell deserves to get his shot, we must have someone to push him as he can be very inconsistent, or someone to replace him on the cheap if he doesn't prove to be a long-term starter.
4th (113) -- Hugh Thornton, OL, Illinois
Former high school wrestler who has switched between both OG and LT at Illinois and started quite a few games. So he brings athleticism and starting experience to the line here. I think he compares very favorably to former teammate Jeff Allen who has turned out to be a great find for the Chiefs and who too was a LT for the Illini. Watching his tapes and I get see a lineman able to latch onto defenders while keeping his balance and who blocks well downfield.
5th (153) -- David Bass, DE, Missouri Western State
I saw David Bass ranked as a draftable player by NFLDraftScout and so I started to do a little research, running across a great article on him on SI.com. Basically Bass is a 6'5" 260 lb athlete with a repertoire of pass-rush moves who does a great job of using his hands to keep blockers off of his chest; while he doesn't do a great job of redirecting OTs, his hand usage allows him to get around and/or inside of them quite often. The most impressive attribute though may be his ability to read the action on the field, esp. what the QB is doing. For instance, if he sees the QB is about to go into a 3-step drop, Bass stops his rush and looks to tip the ball at the line of scrimmage, which has led to an impressive amount of tipped balls for him. He is a heck of an athlete because he was asked to drop into coverage on slot receivers and showed the ability to stay in stride.
6th (188) -- Jasper Collins, WR, Mount Union
Every year lately, Mount Union seems to do a good job of putting out draftable WRs. Last year it was Cecil Shorts, and while Jasper isn't quite the prospect that Shorts is, namely because he's not as big, he was a stud there in his own right, placing 2nd behind Shorts in many career categories, including hauling in 22 TD receptions this season. In size and speed Collins reminds me of Greg Jennings and unlike Kevin Ogletree, coming from a small school, Jasper will have the proverbial chip on his shoulder. Which could be quite fortuitous for us.
THE END
