Okay, mock if you will my utter lack of correct predictions, but if you anticipated the Colts drafting three centers and two tight ends, then my hat, good sir or madam, is off to you.
To recap the second day:
3/93 Philip Wheeler LB Georgia Tech (6017, 248, 4.76c/4.66pd): Let’s hope this stops the belief the Colts are only interested in 220-pound linebackers. Actually, it might not for a while. See, Wheeler started his career with the Jackets as a defensive end, and is maybe the best blitzer available in this draft. Combine that with the dogmas that the Colts love undersized defensive ends and never blitz their linebackers (1) and you’ll have the pundits espousing conspiracy theories about how Wheeler will have his hand down. Don’t believe it. He’s a swing backup this year and the eventual replacement for Gary Brackett in the middle. He’ll need to work on his zone coverage skills before that happens, but it will.
4/127 Jacob Tamme TE Kentucky (6034, 236, 4.58c): There’s not a lot to say about this guy you haven’t already read in draft books. Ex-wide receiver bulked up to play tight end, but didn’t lose any of his skills — but didn’t gain any either. Tamme has great hands, nice routes and good speed for the position, but blocks like a turnstile. Think of him as very much in the Dallas Clark/Bryan Fletcher mode — not quite as good as Clark, but better than Fletcher — and expect him to be used much the same way, as a slot man, H-back, in motion, occasional fullback and traditional tight end. That’s a lot for a rookie, even a smart one like Tamme (2), to handle. Expect him to blossom in 2009.
5/161 Marcus Howard DE Georgia (6004, 237, 4.45c): Ugh, here’s a guy I had in every mock until the last. If you’re not a regular Coltplay reader, you’ll find Howard’s description in the OLB section, but in Indy, you’ll see him on the field at DE. A natural-born pass rusher (3), Howard just happens to be much smaller than what most people think a defensive end should be. The Colts hope to prove conventional wisdom wrong — again. Howard often draws comparisons to Colts star Robert Mathis and they are similar players. While Josh Thomas would still do the heavy lifting if Mathis or Dwight Freeney were to go down again, Howard would then become a the designated third-down pass rusher. He could eventually take a starter’s job, but it’s not likely. Howard does have some zone coverage ability, but it won’t lead the Colts to shift him to linebacker. More likely, it will allow them to integrate the zone blitz into their defense more often (4).
6/196 Tom Santi TE Virginia (6024, 250, 4.80c): Although he was a productive receiver for the Cavs, Santi doesn’t have the speed, agility or explosiveness to see the ball all that often in the NFL. Instead, he will mostly do the jobs — blocking mainly, but some dump-offs — that Clark, Fletcher and Tamme won’t. You’ll see Santi all over the field, but usually at the end of the line or at fullback. His selection does not bode at all well for Luke Lawton.
6/201 Steve Justice C Wake Forest (6033, 293, 5.24c/5.25pd): While Pollak has been accused of not playing up to his ability, Justice seems to play well beyond his. He’s often compared to Tom Nalen, but I see him more as a Mark Setterstrom type. An accomplished pass blocker who should work on his angles in run blocking, Justice is more likely to stay at center and inherit Jeff Saturday’s spot than Pollak because he’s much better at shotgun snaps. Unlikely many of this year’s draft picks, I see an eventual starter here.
6/202 Mike Hart HB Michigan (5087, 206, 4.69c): If you value production over triangle numbers, here’s your guy. Michigan’s all-time leading rusher, Hart used brilliant technique, razor-sharp execution and the heart of a lion to overcome his size/speed issues in college. Whether or not that will work in the pros remains to be seen. Hart will get a legitimate shot at the No. 2 halfback job, pitting him against talented but limited and not-all-that-disciplined Kenton Keith. I was beginning to get excited about this clean Marine until Polian compared him to former Colt James Mungro — then my heart sank. But from my film study, I see a Kevin Faulk-type — he can do it all and has a strong nose for the end zone, but lacks the breakaway ability to be a big-time back.
6/205 Pierre Garcon WR Mount Union (5117, 210, 4.42c): If you’ll forgive my glibness and oversimplification, Garcon is the polar opposite of Hart. A ridiculously gifted athlete, Garcon plowed his way through D3 without actually learning how to run a route or beat a jam. He won’t be able to do that in the NFL. Still, he has the overall talent to develop into something better, and any wide receiver who blocks is okay in my book. He could figure in the competition for a return role, but is a bit of a long-strider to be a real impact guy there. If I were him, I’d try to impress as a coverage gunner, then try to earn a job elsewhere.
7/236 Jamey Richard C Buffalo (6046, 296, 5.22c/5.03pd): And here I was thinking they were in Buffalo to look at Trevor Scott! Actually, because I’m here in Toronto, I’ve seen real live tape of this guy. And the first thing I’ve seen is that he’s a very, very smart player who understands what defenses are trying to do to disrupt offenses. And — to continue on the intelligence theme — he uses his hands like a guy who’s been playing in the NFL for years. He’s not a naturally explosive athlete and will need extensive coaching to get rid of all that lean and grab, but I see a nice future for this kid.
It’s a good haul.
Notes:
1. Actually, they almost never do, but Wheeler could change that. Like all good coaching staffs, they adjust to who they have.
2. Dude earned a four-year degree in three years and was still a full-time football player — where do they find the time?
3. And Polian rather famously has said we can never have enough of them
4. This I would like to see. Disagree? I have three words — Bullet Bob Sanders
1 comment:
I've seen Pierre Garcon play for the past 3 seasons and believe that he will have an impact in the NFL. I'm speaking from my experience as a former D1 collegiate football player and former employee of the NFL. Here's a review written about him recently that I thought I would share.
Well-built athlete with defined arms, well-proportioned legs, thick calves, tight abdomen and room on his frame to carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk … Sure-handed and has the strength to power through the jam and get into his patterns … Runs with a nice, long stride and while he might not consistently show suddenness, he has good feet and some elusiveness after the catch … Shows good body control, but needs to improve his balance … Can take plays from the chalkboard to the playing field with no problem … Struggles in the classroom, but is the type that needs minimal reps and won't have problems retaining plays … Has dominated at this level of competition, especially as a cut blocker, as he is a good open-field stalker who is very difficult to bring down in one-on-one confrontations … Aggressive blocker in the backfield, able to take out the blitzer's legs and bury his opponent with a violent hand punch at the point of attack … Plays with good confidence and swagger and is a hard worker who puts in the extra hours in the film and training rooms … Although quiet off the field, he's very vocal and confident between the lines … Shows good field awareness and displays concentration along the boundary, keeping his feet in bounds consistently … Has a natural feel along the sideline and uses his hands and body well to create separation on short routes … Effective on shallow crosses and hitch routes and won't hesitate to get physical after the catch … Strong-handed receiver who will pluck the ball out of the air and run without having to break stride … Occasionally catches with his body, but can high-point the pass with his natural hands effectively when running deep routes … Shows good toughness in a crowd and is a physical receiver who will take balls from defenders … Plays with good concentration and is tough going vertical in traffic … Flashes good leg strength to run after the catch … Although not overly elusive, he makes things happen in the open field … Attempts to punish and run over defenders if he can't shake them in space … An outstanding blocker who really takes pride in being an every-down factor … As a blocker, he mauls and buries second-level defenders … Goes full speed to stalk and destroy deep backside safeties.
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