Prospects to Watch

? Aloysius

Independence Bowl
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
Sunday, December 28th - 8:15 PM (ET), ESPN

Just one major prospect to watch in this game, but he's a guy the Browns have already sent a bunch of scouts to watch, N. Illinois DE-OLB Larry English.

Larry English, DE-OLB, #51
- 6'3", 254 lbs., 4.76 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 2
- Says Pauline: English, a four-year starter who's accumulated 31 combined sacks since his sophomore season, has been zipping up draft boards. He lined up at defensive end for NIU, yet shows the necessary athleticism and skill to stand up over tackle as an outside linebacker in the NFL. Scouts expect English to be selected in the third round next April.

English should be run through linebacker drills at the Senior Bowl and the Combine, but you'll be able to see Sunday night what a good pass-rusher he is. I've seen him compared to Dwight Freeney; it could be that some Tampa 2 teams will look at him as an option at RDE.

Here's a scouting report on him that was written before this season:

Positives:
Solid linebacker build, with more than adequate upper body strength and legs for the position. Good motor, hustles down or across the field until the play is completed, even if initially blocked. Changes direction in space well. Secure wrap-up tackler when man is in his area. Can use his arms to keep linemen and fullbacks off him when standing up. Stays balanced and upright most times on stretch plays. At times he can bounce off a block using his punch. Has quick, violent hands to stay free. Stays at home on option plays until last possible moment. Able to drop back off the line in zone blitzes and stay with tight ends.

Negatives:
Lacks the bulk to play with his hand down in the NFL, as he does in college. Gets engulfed by better left tackles on inside pass rush moves, lacks the strength to bull rush and doesn't quite have the speed to get the corner consistently (but has good closing speed when standing up). Fails to hold his ground when directly out of his stance and can't get off the block quickly enough to get to the ball. Will need to prove he can handle coverage duties against better tight ends and that he has zone awareness. Needs to get lower in his backpedal, stands a bit tall.

If we don't bring in a pass-rusher in free agency, this guy will be a serious option for us in Round 2.

? Aloysius

mz. said:
What happened to Longshore? Wasn't he decent last year?

His '07 season started strong, but he kinda went DA towards the end of the year. His declining play killed Lavelle Hawkins' draft stock, and he got benched early in their bowl game. Backup Riley came in and saved the day. Ever since then, he's been the fan favorite...and Longshore's confidence & decision-making has been in the crapper.

And wasn't Tedford supposed to be the QB guru...Longshore must be THAT shitty.

True. And Tedford must not think too highly of Riley if he's playing Longshore ahead of him.

Maybe I should revise my prediction that Best will be a bigger receiving threat next season...

calfoxwc

Hakeem Nicks - I was HOPING he might be in the NFL draft - dang, he was freakin impressive.

But Pat White just was brilliant - surprisingly enough, he's been a great college player for WV, but in

the last bowl game? PRICELESS. After most of the NFL watching what Cribbs meant to the Browns,

White will go higher than most thought at the beginning of the college season.

I'd love to see Nicks be a Cleveland Brown. The Browns need a second pick in the second round this year... somehow...

? mz.

Aloysius said:
True. And Tedford must not think too highly of Riley if he's playing Longshore ahead of him.
Maybe I should revise my prediction that Best will be a bigger receiving threat next season...

I think the lack of a decent QB will actually augment Best's receiving numbers.

JewDago

i didn't get to watch NIU tonight. how'd english do?

? Aloysius

It's on my DVR; I'm planning on watching it tomorrow.

? Aloysius

Rutgers vs. NC State
Monday, December 29th - 3 PM (ET), ESPN

Rutgers Prospects:

Kenny Britt, WR, #88 (Junior)
- 6'4", 215 lbs., 4.54 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 2
- Says Pauline: Rutgers big play receiver has an NFL body to compliment his breakaway speed. Britt led the team in receiving the past two years, setting school records for pass catching yards in both campaigns, most recently totaling 1252 yards this season. He is expected to enter April's draft and is a potential top 75 choice.
Courtney Greene, S, #36
- 6'1", 214 lbs., 4.52 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 4
- Says Pauline: Greene, highly rated by NFL scouts coming into the year, finished his Rutgers career in disappointing fashion. He's an aggressive safety with outstanding size yet seemed timid and disinterested at times this year. Greene's draft stock will fall but he possesses enough ability to be a successful starter at the next level if he gets back on track.

NC State Prospects:

Willie Young, DE-OLB, #97 (rJunior)
- 6'5", 243 lbs., 4.69 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 3
- Says Pauline: Young comes off a breakout campaign and was a constant presence in the opponent's backfield last season, totaling 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He's an athletic prospect and developing into a game changing defensive end. Young will be an early pick in 2010 if he continues to develop.
Andre Brown, RB, #24
- 6'0", 228 lbs., 4.60 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 6/early Round 7
- Says Pauline: The Wolfpack's leading rusher three of the past four seasons, Brown was back to form in 2008 after missing most of his junior campaign with a broken foot. Brown is a well-sized ball carrier who picks up the difficult yardage on the inside yet is also an accomplished pass catcher out of the backfield. He'll have an opportunity to find a roster spot in the NFL as a team's second back and next April's poor class of senior runners could force Brown into the third frame.
- I like Brown as a possible Day Two RB option. Offers potential as a short-yardage back & possibly more at the next level.

? Aloysius

Northwestern vs. Missouri
Monday, December 29th - 8 PM (ET), ESPN

Northwestern Prospects:

Corey Wootton, DE, #99 (rJunior)
- 6'7", 270 lbs., 4.88 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
- Says Pauline: Wootton is an imposing figure on the field as his 6-foot-7, 275 pound frame is impossible to miss. He makes himself much more recognizable by constantly chasing down opposing quarterback and disrupting the action. Woo ten had a breakout season this year totaling nine sacks with 15 tackles for loss. He is first round material and a prospect with an exciting future.
Tyrell Sutton, RB, #19
- 5'8", 205 lbs., 4.50 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 5
- Says Pauline: Sutton has been the Wildcats multi-purpose ball handler the past four years. He led the team on the ground this year and caught 30 passes even though he played in just eight games. Sutton's also an accomplished return specialist and his versatility should secure him a spot in the late rounds.

Missouri Prospects:

Jeremy Maclin, WR, #9 (rSophomore)
- 6'1", 200 lbs., 4.38 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 1
- Says Pauline: The Tigers home-run hitting receiver is also a game-breaking return specialist and a threat to score anytime he handles the ball. Maclin was the only player in the nation in 2007 to record touchdowns as a receiver, ball carrier, kick returner and punt returner. He's expected to enter the draft and will be chosen in the top half of round one.
William Moore, S, #1
- 6'1", 226 lbs., 4.49 40
- Projected: Round 1
- Says Pauline: Moore is a complete defensive back and a forceful run defender who also displays skill in pass coverage. He's also a terrific athlete yet scouts are concerned his 230 pound frame may be slightly to big for the quickness needed to play centerfield in the NFL. Expect Moore to be the second Tiger selected in round one next April.
Chase Coffman, TE, #45
- 6'6", 252 lbs., 4.83 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
- Says Pauline: Coffman was the recipient of the 2008 John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end. One of the most prolific pass catching tight ends in the nation the past four years, Coffman finished his senior season with 83 receptions, bringing his college total to 239. He does not possess the speed many of his tight end counterparts in April's draft offer, yet Coffman is solid value in round two.
Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, #12 (Junior)
- 6'1", 235 lbs., 4.57 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
- Says Pauline: Missouri's leading tackler the past two years, Weatherspoon is a fast, fluid athlete that also stands out in coverage. Weatherspoon intercepted three passes and broke up six more this season. He's developing into a complete three down defender and with measurables of 7-foot-1 and 235 pounds, with 4.55 forty speed, he will be sought after by a number of one gap defenses when he enters the draft.
Evander Hood, DT, #94
- 6'3", 295 lbs., 4.99 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
- Says Pauline: The Tigers starting tackle since his sophomore campaign, Hood has been a disruptive force on the inside as his quickness and explosion gives opponents fits. He tips the scales at 295 pounds and offers ability at tackle in a conventional 4-3 alignment.
Stryker Sulak, DE-OLB, #38
- 6'4", 242 lbs., 4.69 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 5/early Round 6
- Says Pauline: Missouri's sack-master, Sulak recorded 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for losses this year. Sulak is a 242-pound college defensive end who has the speed to transition to linebacker in the NFL.

Riffer X

I'm a huge Sutton guy, Al, what is your opinion of him?

Only issue would be the injury bug, but the kid can really play. I loved him coming out of high school and thought this was one of Jimmy T's biggest mistakes recruiting Maurice Wells over Sutton.

? Aloysius

To be honest, I haven't seen enough of Sutton to get a good feel.

I'm glad he's playing tonight. For a while, it looked as if the wrist injury would keep him out of the bowl game.

Riffer X

Aloysius said:
To be honest, I haven't seen enough of Sutton to get a good feel.
I'm glad he's playing tonight. For a while, it looked as if the wrist injury would keep him out of the bowl game.

He'll be a steal for someone, the kid is a stud. He can do it all and do it all well, especially catching balls out of the backfield. He runs seriously hard and and likes to hit people, while also making them miss. He has good enough speed and quicks , great moves, and never runs out of energy. He enjoys playing the game and is a great kid with brains. Pretty hard to go wrong, and he's also a very solid blocker in the mold of Jason Wright, another Northwestern back.

NW is a great training ground for pro backs, they use them all over the place and big time in the passing game. I love this kid.

JC

Aloysius said:
[*] Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, #12 (Junior)
6'1", 235 lbs., 4.57 40 (e)

Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2

Says Pauline: Missouri's leading tackler the past two years, Weatherspoon is a fast, fluid athlete that also stands out in coverage. Weatherspoon intercepted three passes and broke up six more this season. He's developing into a complete three down defender and with measurables of 7-foot-1 and 235 pounds, with 4.55 forty speed, he will be sought after by a number of one gap defenses when he enters the draft.

Tuning in to this game right now. Weatherspoon already has 6 tackles and looks great. Also, Northwestern is winning (10 - 3). Go Big Ten. BTW, I am doing horrible in my bowl picks.

Mr. T

Sutton would make a great replacement for Wright

ATENEARS

I've always liked Sutton as well and agree with Riffer that Tressel blundered in probably not recruiting him because of his size. The kid was Mr. Ohio out of High School so he definately wasn't over-looked.

However, I too feel I'm probably bias because he's an N.E. Ohio High School kid ... I loved Lee Suggs and Jerome Harrison in college and don't see Sutton as nearly that same quality (and we all know how they were used in the NFL), but who knows, the kid has power in that small package and can make'em miss.

Would hate to see him come to the Browns though because we don't know how to use his kind.

? Aloysius

Poor Corey Wootton. He could have been a 1st Round pick this year; now, he's got to have surgery on that knee.

I hope he's able to come back & dominate next year.

JC

Aloysius said:
Poor Corey Wootton. He could have been a 1st Round pick this year; now, he's got to have surgery on that knee.
I hope he's able to come back & dominate next year.

That was horrible to see. Northwestern played a great game. Holy crap, Mizzou just missed the FG. Going to overtime. Also, all this talk about coaches, how about the job Pat Fitzgerald has done? His team plays solid, sound football. Defense swarms to the ball. And he does this with less talent.

? Aloysius

Yeah, he's done a great job tonight. I was sure this game would be a blowout.

JewDago

my game thoughts:

sutton's a monster. dude can seriously play. he'll be a decent NFL back, possibly better than decent. good vision, soft hands. i'd like to see us pick him up and use him in a RBBC with harrison and shonn greene if we can draft those two.

weatherspoon can play. good in pass coverage, good against the run. he'll be a great WLB and will likely shift inside on passing downs or if he goes to a tampa 2 team. i see him in indy.

william moore played his way out of the first round. he had crucial, crucial mental mistakes on back-to-back plays (despite forcing a fumble on one of the plays he was offside after running down sutton) and was far below average in coverage. i think he goes in the second and gets converted to WLB. but i don't think there's any way he plays safety in the NFL.

? Aloysius

Interesting read. I wasn't focusing very closely during the game, so it's good to see some of my random observations confirmed.

I wonder if Moore ends up being another Darnell Bing. Expected to be a late Round 1/early Round 2 pick, Bring dropped to the 4th and hasn't amounted to more than a specials guy in the pro's.

Weatherspoon definitely was impressive. I have a feeling we should be watching some of these 4-3 linebackers more closely...

Dawg Pound

Shonn Greene is who I want for our Running back void, but I highly doubt he declares.

So im hoping we make a run at James Davis