Scouting the 2008 CB’s

April 22nd, 2008 — NFL, NFL Draft, football

Here is Tom Marino’s take on the 2008 Cornerback’s that are entering the NFL Draft on Saturday.

1 4 Jenkins Mike South Florida U DC 5102v 197v 4.43v
A shutdown corner with adequate size and outstanding quickness. Has race horse speed, a very smooth compact, explosive hips and the ability to stick his foot in the ground and close to the ball. No wasted movement or extra steps.  Underneith close was rare.  Impressive play instincts and anticipation.  Has the speed to easily stay on top of receivers on deep routes.  Inconsistent hands and was just an adequate tackler. Special player.  Top round selection
2 34 McKelvin Leodis Troy U DC 5102v 190v 4.39v
very talented, highly athletic DC with exceent speed and man off cover skills. Physical press corner (aggressive & quick with his hands).  Compact pedal with quick feet (no wasted movement or steps). Was physical & effective in run support.  Competes extremely hard.  Return skills only add to his pedigree.  Was slightly disappointed in his ball skills, but this player has the skills to start quickly at the pro level.  Round # 1
3 45 Rodgers-Cromartie Dominique Tennessee State U DC 6014v 184v 4.36v
First impressed me with his Penn relays effort in 2007. Is a great looking athlete with speed to burn. Didn’t think early on he was very physical or tough, but improved greatly over the season. Gets people on the ground, but wasn’t a drive through, wrap up tackler. Pedal and turns were smooth and I felt he could flip his hips and go. Like his plant and drive and showed good ball skills. Was impressed with Senior Bowl efforts. Late 1st or top of the 2nd consideration.
4 29 Branch Tyvon Connecticut U DC 5113v 208v 4.35v
I really liked what I saw with this player.  Is strong, athletic and played physical. Big hitter and a secured well as a tackler. Has the size and speed to match up on the outside vs a speed receiver. Can play off man effectively and was impressive when rerouting receivers on press coverage. Appears to have playing smarts and savvy. Had some opportunities to make plays on the ball, but his ball skills appeared somewhat questionable. Late 1st top of the 2nd
5 3 Talib Aqib Kansas U DC 6006v 202v 4.50v
Talented shutdown corner with a world of ability. Like his size, zone awareness and ball skill. Is field fast, has excellent feet, plant and drive skills, with rare ball awareness. Sorts it out very quickly, has wideout hands and has outstanding match up possibilities on the outside. Good but not an exceptional tackler. Has some off the field concerns, but this is the real deal. Mid to late first, top of the second draft potnetial.
6 1 King Justin Penn St DC 5107v 192v 4.37v
A raw prospect with very good athletic ability & a rare combination of speed & acceleration. Was very inconsistent in his play in 2007. Can do all of the things you want physically, but lacks playing instincts / concentration. Man cover were were uneven. Better press then off corner. Questionable zone awareness.Adequate tackler (gets them off their feet). Lined up at WR in 07, but is just a take off guy. Rare talent, but buyer beware. Round 2 -3. 
7 26 Wheatley Terrence  Colorado U DC 5095v 187v 4.43v
Has very impressive cover skills (man to man and in zone)  Very impressive athlete. (feet, hips, balance abd quickness)  Showed easy acceleration. Can mirror and cover the double move. Marginal run support guy.  Gives an effort, but struggled to get off blocks and get to the ball carrier. Little guy who looked like the proto type nickel back. Has late 2nd to solid 3rd round draft consideration.
8 5 Cason Antoine  Arizona U DC 6002v 191v 4.55v
A good college football player with impressive ball skills and play making ability.  Has outstanding size and a lot of playing savvy, but also has a high center (leggy) and doesn’t have top speed to play over the top or the burst to close on the underneath throws. I also didn’t think he was particularly tough or physical (marginal grab tackler)  Possible FS project. More then dequate punt return skills and potential. Draft consideration round 2 to the top of the third.
9 28 Thomas Terrell USC DC 6004v 202v 4.54v
Has size, experience and Athletic ability. I felt he was effective underneath cover corner (good balance points and plant and drive skills) Has good hands (wide catching radius), long arms and was a more then adequate wrap up tackler. Only negitives appeared to be his top speed and his ability to play the ball down the field. Didn’t think that he positioned himself or reacted to the ball in flight.  Experienced and consistent but just not a racehorse. Late 2 to mid 3rd.
10 11 Lee Patrick Auburn U DC 6000v 200v 4.49v
Unranked player coming into his senior season who has made great strides as a player. Has excellent size, runs extremely well (can match up against the race horses in the league), but needs a great deal of work on his position skills. Felt he played tall and was somewhat stiff in his hips. Not a tough guy and has very poor ball skills. Is going to be drafted sooner then my grade would indicate, but is not near ready to impact at the NFL level.  Draft round # 3
12 17 Molden Antwaun Eastern Kentucky U DC 6006v 198v 4.43v
Toledo transfer who has lined up at both corner and safety. Also has run the sprints and track. Has excellent size and speed to go along with excellent  quickness and excellent athletic ability. Equally impressive in press and when working off.  Showed explosive hips, quick feet, and the speed to match up with speed receivers. Just didn’t see A-1 ball skills and play making ability.  Is not there yet, but has too much physical talent not to play. Round # 3 to 4.
11 9 Porter Tracy Indiana U DC 5107v 188v 4.49v
Became the first IU CB to be named first-team All-Big Ten since ‘89; Second in IU history with 16 interceptions, including six in 2007. Career-high 75 tackles as a senior.  Has a lot of speed and athletic ability, but is just not very physical and or tough. A “you first” grab tackler. Had 6 picks, but I still question his overall ball skills. Punt return skills is a real plus. Late 3nd or top of the 4th round consideration.
13 8 Scandrick Orlando Boise St DC 5100v 192v 4.35v
This is a solidly built player with outstanding speed and easy acceleration. Gets from point A to point B very quickly. Has good hips and showed the ability to plant and drive on the ball underneath.  Liked his foot quicks, balance points and ability to turn and go when defending the deep ball. I didn’t see outstanding ball skills and zone play was Inconsistent. Returner skills (punt) are a . Round 5 – 7 draft potential.
14 18 Flowers Brandon Virginia Tech U DC 5096v 189v 4.59v
This player has good feet and is a fast twitch athlete short area player (quicker then fast). Worked out of a compact pedal and kept good relationship with receivers in his cushion.Has marginal speed, but compensated for this critical shortcoming with excellent playing instincts, awareness, and anticipation. Has impressive ball skills. More then held his own defending the run. Is a good player, but is undersized and lacks the pure speed to cover the race horses.
15 2 Williams Jack  Kent State DC 5090v 178v 4.36v
Liked this players aggressiveness, quickness in a limited area and toughness particularly for a little man. Has quick feet, man cover skills and showed the ability to plant and close to the ball. On the negative side is undersized and likely to be limited to a sub package special teams role. Dangerous kick returner. Was injured for much ot the 07 season and this is an area where their may be future concerns. Is undersized, but you can’t find enough cover corners.
16 8 Ikeqwuonu Jack  Wisconsin U DC 5104v 194v 4.45e
Good player with impressive press corner skills. Suffered a serious ACL injury to his right knee in pre-Combine training which may well affect his value and draft standing. Is a fluid athlete with quick feet.  He gets an excellent break, but made few plays on the football (1 int. in 07).  Very physical in press coverage. Involved in an off the field incident in Illinois that will be scrutinized by the pro clubs. Top two round selection (big upside) if all the pieces fit.
17 21 Jackson Chevis  LSU DC 6000v 192v 4.64v
Experienced hand with position skills, awareness and size.  Just doesn’t have the type of speed you look for out on an island.  Best suited to play in a cover 2 scheme. Has adequate ball skills. Good tackler (particularly for the position).  Has a duel chance to play on a wing or on the inside.  A good football player, but if you struggle with speed, they (OC’s) within the NFL will find you.  Mid round (3 – 4) consideration.  
18 13 Godfrey Charles Iowa U DC 5116v 207v 4.47v
Doesn’t play as fast as timed speed. Does have quick feet and short area quickness.  A lot of bail technique,which leads me to believe that he would be best suited to play in a cover 2 scheme or move inside to the safety position.  Showed a tendency to bite on double moves and was late to turn and go (lets receiver close cushion far too quickly).  Has second day (4th to 5th) draft consideration.
19 3 Terrell Darnell  Missouri U DC 6016v 203v 4.49v
Has all physical numbers you look for in a wing, but I was disappointing in his play.  Lacks the feet, hips and man cover skills for a corner & was neither tough or physical enough to play effectively inside. A marginal tackler in my estimation.  In fairness to the player may be playing DC due to team needs rather then where he best fits into a scheme. Adequate hands and may be best suited to line up as a FS. Late round consideration
23 21 Williams Trae South Florida U DC 5090v 193v 4.54v
Experienced four year regular.  Liked his foot quicks, body control and I felt his hands were outstanding for the position.  The problem that I see with this player is that he does not have top speed for the position and is short in stature. Marginal strength and overall effectiveness in press coverage.  Was marginal in run support (marginal wrap up tackler who missed too frequently). A nickel back and back up corner. 6th to 7th draft potential.
25 14 Bowman Zackary  Nebraska U DC 6001v 197v 4.44v
Athletic corner with size, speed and match up potential on the outside, but has not recovered from a knee reconstruction sustained during in 2006.  Struggled with direction chance and was inconsistent with his plant and drive. Just wouldn’t or couldn’t pull the trigger. Late to fill the ally. Came back too fast and did not play with confidence.  Might take a late round flyer on this player, but the thought that he might well be two year’s away from contributing.
21 24 Walker Marcus Oklahoma U DC 5103v 191v 4.61v
Smooth athletic cover two corner prospect with good feet, balance points and pedal. Has good speed, but I didn’t see the suddenness that is necessary to cover speed on the outside. Let receiver close the cushion too quickly & was late to turn. Has man cover skills, but I didn’t think he showed much in the way of ball skills. Not a very physical player.  See him as a sub package corner and special teams contributor. Round 5 – 6..  
22 25 Lowery Dwight San Jose St DC 5111v 201v 4.68v
Impressive looking physically with good hips and feet.  Has ball skills and good hands, but the big problem that I see with this player is he really can’t run and will have a difficult time in man coverage.  Gets people on the ground, but I wouldn’t consider him a tenacious hitter. Will need to play in a cover two scheme or move inside if he is to have any real chance of playing.
26 3 Fontenot Wilrey Arizona U DC 5086v 171v 4.48v
This is an undersized, but talented corner with adequate speed and very good quickness.  I liked his feet, quick hips and the way he competed in all games viewed. Is a more then adequate tackler who will stick his face in there. Makes plays. Is not really as big nor fast enough, but I loved his playing charactor. Has physical limitations, but I liked his overall game. Has sub package playing potential . 7th or priority free agent consideration.
24 26 Davis Dowayne Syracuse U DC 5111v 194v 4.55e
Tweener. Smart and experienced. Has played both safety and corner. Good work ethic, impressive physical skills, can fly, but has limitations. A straight line guy, who had problems with direction change. Cover two corner potential.  Has the size and speed you want outside, but the lack of COD concerns me. Long strider. More of a hitter then he was a wrap up tackler. Good teams potential. Late round (6-7) draft potential.
20 27 Tribble DeJaun  Boston College DC 5086v 189v 4.63v
Little guy who does not play near as fast as his (07) spring speed. Best when he can keep things in front of him. Trouble down the field (deep) or when the field shortens (red zone). Marginal burst to close or to turn and go. Does have very good ball skills, is smart, and showed good zone awareness. Falls off too many tackles. Best suited to play in nickel and dime package. A poor man’s Dre Bly (without the speed). Has 5th to 7th round draft consideration.
27 4 Sharpe Glenn  Miami U DC 5115v 184v 4.57v
Burst on to the scene early (true freshman), but has not made significant progress since that time.  Has size and speed to cover and react to throws down the field.  Fluid in his turns. while also showing the hands and feet to play effectively in press coverage. Somewhat disappointing in his ball skills.  Non factor within the run game. Below average tackler. Nickel potential.  Seventh round or PFA.
28 4 Tryon Justin  Arizona St DC 5087v 190v 4.45v
Tough little cover corner with good feet, a compact pedal and the ability to turn and go. Showed quick hips and can stick his foot in the ground and close on the ball underneath. Is a little man, but was physical defending the run.  Lack of length will limit him in match up situations, but this player doesn’t back down. Was fiesty and tough. Has strong sub package and kick off return potential. Plays a good deal bigger then his numbers. Round 6 – 7
29 19 Zenon Jonathan  LSU DC 5116v 191v 4.63v
Tough experienced combo guy (corner and safety).  Has size, but lacks the top end speed to consistently get over the top in half coverage. Will struggle with the race horses on the outside (didn’t see the necessary burst).Said to play his own game and doesn’t always prepare for the job at hand. A cover two corner prospect. Has played a lot of football in a big arena, but I just think I have a feeling he will really struggle at the next level. Free agent prospect

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2008 Linebackers

April 21st, 2008 — NFL, NFL Draft, football

Here is the scouting report for the class of 2008 linebackers. This report was compiled by NFL scout Tom Marino.

 

40 Connor Dan Penn St LB 6023v 231v 4.65e I
Is an experienced, aggressive, athlete with outstanding playing instincts. Loved his first step quicks, his key & diagnose and ability to get to the ball.  I liked the way he effectively stepped up and met the lead and his tackling ability. Got depth on his spot drops, settled and moved to the ball.  Good hands. The most talented Penn State LB in a quarter century. Some early off the field immaturity (pranks), but it’s absolutely not a problem. Should factor quickly. Round # 1.
52 Gooden Tavares Miami U LB 6012v 234v 4.63v G
Has a world of athletic ability and speed to burn. Has excellent playing range, change of direction and a real burst to the ball. Liked the way he met the lead in the hole.  Doesn’t linger on blocks.  Impressive in both man and zone coverage.  Reads and reacts to the ball in flight. Not a big man by today’s standards, but is what you are looking for at the position.  Top round consideration.
10 Hayes Geno Florida St LB 6007v 226v 4.67v G
Very good athlete with good playing range.  Competitive and very active on the inside. Slips blocks and flies to the ball. Looks and plays somewhat small.  Not a big takes on guy. Will backer prospect who will need to be protected.  Flies around and makes plays (solid tackler). In coverage got good depth, settled, read route, but has poor hands. Should factor early at the pro level. Excellent teams potential. Round 2 draft consideration.
41 Kehl Bryan Brigham Young U LB 6023v 238v 4.59v G
Really liked this prospect’s playing demeanor, athletic ability, range, playing instincts and most importantly his ability in pass coverage.  Also showed blitz speed and the ability alter his course to the ball. Is quick to read and react.  A leverage guy who needs to improve his point strength and explosiveness . Good ball skills and should factor quickly in nickel.  Draft consideration round 3 to 4
44 Dizon Jordon  Colorado U LB 5117v 229v 4.73v G
An outstanding ball player who makes a ton of plays. Plays well in traffic keeping excellent leverage on the ball. Surprising ability to slip blocks and make plays. Excellent playing instincts and the ability to locate the ball on the inside. Very good wrap up tackler. As productive a player as there is in the game. His only true negative I could find was his lack of size. Great special teams potential. Has late 2nd to mid 3 potential.
2 Crable Shawn  Michigan U LB 6051v 241v 4.62v I
Has the speed to run people down from the backside. Long strider who gains ground quickly as an outside rusher.  Good looking arms, shoulders and chest, but lacks lower body girth and strength to play with his hand on the ground on 1st down.. Most effective as a nickel rusher, but is not a washout as a “sam” I really liked his length and play speed (can run people down). Going to take some time, but could develop into a good one in time. Draft consideration 3 – 4.
4 Redd Vince Liberty U LB 6057v 263v 4.61v I
OVA transfer. I liked this players athletic ability, direction change and potential as a edge pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme. Good stride length to top of the rush and bend and use of hands to alter course and finish. Active within the running game showing both range and instincts. Good wrap up tackler.  Possible end in 4-3 scheme. Competition level is a concern, but this is a talented high ceiling player.  Round 3-4.
41 Wheeler Philip  Georgia Tech LB 6017v 240v 4.74v G
A great young man (quiet and humble).  Lacks prototype size for inside play (good natural leverage) .  Plays physical, but has to be covered up or protected. Questionable to take on lead (lacks strength).  Just looked adequate in coverage. Didn’t react or make plays on the ball. In zone, I thought he was slow to react. Was somewhat disappointed in his overall play (thought I was going to see a more athletic, instinctive player.  Round 3 – 4 draft consideration.
11 Adibi Xavier Virginia Tech LB 6016v 232v 4.71v G
Can range to the boundary, but doesn’t make enough wow plays. I liked his energy and playing character. Undersized, doesn’t take on or play through the ball to the ball.  Inconsistent to key and diagnose and locate the football (problem with miss direction and play action). Can range in pass coverage, but made few plays on the ball.  In zone appeared unaware. Not enough production to consider on day one, but should get a lot of attention at the top of rd # 4
44 Humpal Mike Iowa U LB 6024v 244v 4.83v F
Is intelligent (football smart), runs well and gave outstanding effort.  Not as quick or athletic as one would want, but make a lot of plays.  Took good angles away. I just can’t say enough about hisplayiing  instincts.  Might be a little stiff in his spot drops, but worked well in the under zones (spot drops) and can run with the TE down the field. Has good teams potential. Rd 4 – 5
15 Bowen Alvin  Iowa State U LB 6011v 223v 4.88v F
A good athlete and football player who ran well in his pads. Moved to a “sam” in 07, but I see him as more of a “Will” at the pro level.  Showed good playing range and lateral movement. Flies around and makes plays.  Good ability to slip or run around blocks. Took good angles to the football. Would have to think this player would have very good potential on special teams.  Not a big man and will have to add some bulk to his frame. Strong second day consideration.
24 Buggs Marcus Vanderbilt U LB 5104v 233v 4.80e G
Short, thick “Sam” backer prospect with body strength and explosiveness. I liked the way he met pressure and got under (leverage) the lead’d pads. Reads were good and I liked his backside effort and close to the ball.  More of a pure hitter then a consistent wrap up tackler. Should be an effective player in nickel.  Looked aware, showed good feet and some cover skills. Good special teams potential. Round 4 – 5
93 Smith Bryan McNeese St LB 6027v 239v 4.77v F
A talented player who doesn’t plays strong.  Didn’t think he took on or defeated blocks especially well on the inside.  Marginal to see things develop and flow to the ball. Is adequate at best within the passing situations.  Comes hard but just doesn’t vary his moves, counter or finish. Good team’s potential. Has a lot of gifts, but still needs a great deal of development. Mid to late round draft consideration.
48 Gatewood Curtis Vanderbilt U LB 6020v 248v 4.79v F
A talented player who doesn’t plays strong.  Didn’t think he took on or defeated blocks especially well on the inside.  Marginal to see things develop and flow to the ball. Is adequate at best within the passing situations.  Comes hard but just doesn’t vary his moves, counter or finish..Good team’s potential. Has a lot of gifts, but still needs a great deal of development. 
16 Woodyard Wesley  Kentucky U LB 6003v 227v 4.51v G
Highly productive backer with outstanding straight line speed. Has good playing instincts but also appeared to be very stiff and mechanical. Tough and game ready, but is very much a tweener.  Too small for will backer and far too stiff for the back end.  Will be hard to run off, but I don’t know where he fits at the professional level. Has made a lot of plays and should develop into a good special team player. Late round consideration but more likely a priority free agent. 
59 Kegler Stanford Purdue U LB 6015v 239v 4.61v G
Has a good looking well muscled body and impressive athletic skills to factor at the LB position, but I felt he missed an inordinate amount of tackles and wasn’t a physical take on guy at the point of attack.  Has the tool, but needs to continue to put it all together. I liked the way he took on blocks and worked to the football and did show a god effort on plays away, but will need to become more consistent in his overall play. Late draft or priority FA consideration   
6 Grant Larry Ohio St LB 6011v 235v 4.67v G
A highly touted Juco transfer. Is a good athlete who can run, but overall I was disappointed in his lack of instincts and play strength.  Didn’t meet pressure tough and wasn’t an explosive player on contact (not real physical at the point of attack). Not a quick study guy. A run and hit athlete with teams potential at this stage. Saved the best for last (LSU).  Like this player from an athletic standpoint, but is not near where he will need to be. Consider rounds 6 – 7.
22 Myles Lamar Louisville U LB 5114e 220e 4.60e G
Little guy (220 max), who was tough and competitive. Out of position playing on the inside, but may not be athlete enough to line up at the will backer position. A good deal stiffer then I would have expected. Adequate to process, but I didn’t think he showed A-1 playing instincts.  Runs around and made plays, but don’t know where he fits in a pro scheme.  Late round consideration.
11 Jackson Malik  Louisville U LB 6016v 225v 4.65e G
Run around guy who really didn’t make a lot of plays in the game viewed, particularly for a “will backer”. Can run in a straight line and gave dedicated playing effort, but a majority of them were in pursuit or down the field. Not very big or physical and isn’t going to get significantly bigger. Played better as a underclassman. Late round or free agent consideration for somebody else.
54 Brown Titus Mississippi St LB 6025v 247v 4.84v F
A special situation pass rusher who played with his hand on the ground. Had moderate success, but will have to project to a “sam” backer to play at the next level. Has the speed and quickness to came hard off the edge (has a closing burst). but didn’t always finish. Good but not exceptional athlete. Not a disciplined read and react player. Showed enough toughness, range and energy to merit a chance as a developmental player. 
46 Poppinga Kelly Brigham Young U LB 6015v 237v 4.83v
The third member of the football playing family, Kelly does not have exceptional skills  in any skill area, but is a tough consistent and a solid special teams performer  Is never going to be a great one, but I like his chances of playing in a back up, teams role
49 McCollough Ronnie Bethune Cookman LB 5112v 226v 4.75e G
First and foremost a football player. Very productive guy who made virtually every play filed in the games viewed (Hampton 07). Is undersized,  Five times conference player of the week!  Excellent nose for the ball (reads and reacts quickly). Effective in a short area. Factors positively on special team player (great desire & toughness). .Short in stature and has limitations in range, coverage and COD, but will make your ball club. 7th or priority FA consideration.
Green Chad Shaw U LB 6041v 213v 4.67v J
Not in school this past season (accademic disqualification) Has outstanding athletic ability.quickness, rare foot speed and a true closing burst.   I also believe he has the frame to add significant bulk and strength.  Needs a good deal of individual skill development (pro coaching), but has everything you want to become a top performer at this critical position. An impressive workout might earn him late consideration, but is more likely a PFA

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