David Veikune
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Veikune exhibited exceptional special teams ability during the Senior Bowl. Two of his three tackles in the game came on specials, but his best work came as a blocker on returns. On one kickoff, I saw him take out two to three blockers, allowing the returner to cut back and gain an additional 8-10 yards. Looks like he'll be Josh Cribbs' best friend.
However, other aspects of his game concern me a little. As OldCrow mentioned, he's not the most fluid athlete. I saw him lose his footing twice: once changing directions while covering a punt, the other while trying to run a stunt. And while he got some pressure from the right side, he never actually beat an offensive tackle with quickness or good rush moves - his success came when he beat a TE or the TE released but pressure from elsewhere forced the QB to hold onto the ball.
He particularly struggled against William Beatty, a legit LT prospect with some strength/toughness issues. Veikune wasn't able to use his quick first step to beat him, and his attempts to bull rush Beatty were similarly ineffective. Of the DE group he rotated in (Robert Ayers, Kyle Moore, Lawrence Sidbury), Veikune may have been the least impressive pass rusher.
Aloysius said:
Veikune exhibited exceptional special teams ability during the Senior Bowl. Two of his three tackles in the game came on specials, but his best work came as a blocker on returns. On one kickoff, I saw him take out two to three blockers, allowing the returner to cut back and gain an additional 8-10 yards. Looks like he'll be Josh Cribbs' best friend.However, other aspects of his game concern me a little. As OldCrow mentioned, he's not the most fluid athlete. I saw him lose his footing twice: once changing directions while covering a punt, the other while trying to run a stunt. And while he got some pressure from the right side, he never actually beat an offensive tackle with quickness or good rush moves - his success came when he beat a TE or the TE released but pressure from elsewhere forced the QB to hold onto the ball.
He particularly struggled against William Beatty, a legit LT prospect with some strength/toughness issues. Veikune wasn't able to use his quick first step to beat him, and his attempts to bull rush Beatty were similarly ineffective. Of the DE group he rotated in (Robert Ayers, Kyle Moore, Lawrence Sidbury), Veikune may have been the least impressive pass rusher.
In the end what do you think Aloy?....Not what you are hearing but what you think. Do you see him as a better fit at OLB or ILB?
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Still need to see more of him. Hopefully, I'll get ahold of a few more games to watch in the next couple days.
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Still need to see more of him. Hopefully, I'll get ahold of a few more games to watch in the next couple days.
Aloysius said:
Still need to see more of him. Hopefully, I'll get ahold of a few more games to watch in the next couple days.Please share when you do.
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During the owners meetings Mangini went to Hawaii to work out Veikune. In their draft analysis NFL.com compares him to Tedy Bruschi as a 3-4 high motor LB.
6'2" and 257 lbs. benched 225 lbs 35 times and at his pro day ran a 4.76. Had 9 sacks as a senior and 25 tackles for loss his last two years.
NFL.com says he sheds blocks well, uses his hands well and has played with his hand down and standing up.
I give the FO and coaching staff kudo's for doing their homework and getting this guy. This was a guy that Mangini stole out from under percels. Mangini says he expects him to come in and compete for playing time immediately.
During the owners meetings Mangini went to Hawaii to work out Veikune. In their draft analysis NFL.com compares him to Tedy Bruschi as a 3-4 high motor LB.
6'2" and 257 lbs. benched 225 lbs 35 times and at his pro day ran a 4.76. Had 9 sacks as a senior and 25 tackles for loss his last two years.
NFL.com says he sheds blocks well, uses his hands well and has played with his hand down and standing up.
I give the FO and coaching staff kudo's for doing their homework and getting this guy. This was a guy that Mangini stole out from under percels. Mangini says he expects him to come in and compete for playing time immediately.
don't forget the warrior blood.
this beast is
in.....tan.....gible......and seems to innately have the heart of the Pre-Browns Browns.
love the pick on paper so far and don't miss Clay 3 a bit.....oddly enough.
kok/man batted a thousand top to bottom.
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http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/06/2...ts/story04.html
Found this 2008 article on Veikune. How about a 500 lb. bench press.
That was before his senior year. Sounds like a number we heard associated w/Arakpo.
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Brandon Long....If he's still around in the 4th. I have a feeling he'll go in the third though.
Per Matt Maiocco:
--The team has no plans to sign undrafted free agent linebacker Worrell Williams (Cal), who was unable to show his stuff at minicamp because of an injury.
--The 49ers are open to signing undrafted rookie defensive end Brandon Long (Michigan State) after he recovers from a stress fracture in his foot. The team agreed to terms with him last week, but he failed the physical and was sent home.
It'll be interesting to see if either of these guys get picked up. Both are talented enough to play on Sundays.
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Brandon Long....If he's still around in the 4th. I have a feeling he'll go in the third though.
Per Matt Maiocco:
--The team has no plans to sign undrafted free agent linebacker Worrell Williams (Cal), who was unable to show his stuff at minicamp because of an injury.
--The 49ers are open to signing undrafted rookie defensive end Brandon Long (Michigan State) after he recovers from a stress fracture in his foot. The team agreed to terms with him last week, but he failed the physical and was sent home.
It'll be interesting to see if either of these guys get picked up. Both are talented enough to play on Sundays.
Aloysius said:
Per Matt Maiocco:I'm glad you pointed that out Aloy. That still shocks me. This guy had an unbelievable pro day. Ran the 40 in 4.58. 33 reps on the bench. Even with the stress fracture I would've taken a shot at him.
With him being a local guy I'm really, really disappointed the browns didn't sign him.
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@shepwrite said:
Sisky, I would just like to take the time to say that was a brilliant post. Nothing less than brilliant.awww thanks for noticing good buddy. you're the best sheps.
although it's uncanny how we both forgot to thank each other. (!)
did i mention he has warrior bloodlines? like literally, not just his alma mater.
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Aloysius said:
Funny you mentioned Bowens. It sounds like Mangini & Kokinis see him as a similar type of player: a smart, high effort guy who's versatile enough to play either inside or out.It was good to hear Mangini mention him playing inside. If you look at Veikune's numbers and strengths, it screams inside LB. He's short for a OLB rush guy. One of his weakness is that he can get swallowed up by big OT's and doesn't have the elite speed for beating OT's.
But his strengths are his Brute strength and his abiltiy to shed blocks. If they brought him in the play the middle I like this pick much more than I thought I would. He also gives you the bulk inside that you miss with having Jackson in the middle.
I could very easily see a starting four of Bowens, Jackson, Veikune and Wimbley.
If you look at Veikune's numbers and strengths, it screams inside LB. He's short for a OLB rush guy. One of his weakness is that he can get swallowed up by big OT's and doesn't have the elite speed for beating OT's.
But his strengths are his Brute strength and his abiltiy to shed blocks.
What you just described is James Harrison.
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If you look at Veikune's numbers and strengths, it screams inside LB. He's short for a OLB rush guy. One of his weakness is that he can get swallowed up by big OT's and doesn't have the elite speed for beating OT's.
But his strengths are his Brute strength and his abiltiy to shed blocks.
What you just described is James Harrison.
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Aloysius said:
Per Matt Maiocco:I'm glad you pointed that out Aloy. That still shocks me. This guy had an unbelievable pro day. Ran the 40 in 4.58. 33 reps on the bench. Even with the stress fracture I would've taken a shot at him.
With him being a local guy I'm really, really disappointed the browns didn't sign him.
I'm glad you pointed that out Aloy. That still shocks me. This guy had an unbelievable pro day. Ran the 40 in 4.58. 33 reps on the bench. Even with the stress fracture I would've taken a shot at him.
With him being a local guy I'm really, really disappointed the browns didn't sign him.
No doubt he's got good size & athleticism, but he was pretty low on sack production (5.5 sacks in '08, 2.0 in '07). When I watched him play, I just didn't see that quick first step you like to see in a edge rusher. He's talented enough to be the type of versatile reserve/special teams guy that earns a spot on an NFL roster, but I'm not sure he's got starting 3-4 OLB potential. He might be a better fit working inside.
Long's former teammate, Greg Jones, is a guy to watch next year. I think he's a poor man's Aaron Curry.
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If you look at Veikune's numbers and strengths, it screams inside LB. He's short for a OLB rush guy. One of his weakness is that he can get swallowed up by big OT's and doesn't have the elite speed for beating OT's.
But his strengths are his Brute strength and his abiltiy to shed blocks.
What you just described is James Harrison.
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I'm glad you pointed that out Aloy. That still shocks me. This guy had an unbelievable pro day. Ran the 40 in 4.58. 33 reps on the bench. Even with the stress fracture I would've taken a shot at him.
With him being a local guy I'm really, really disappointed the browns didn't sign him.
No doubt he's got good size & athleticism, but he was pretty low on sack production (5.5 sacks in '08, 2.0 in '07). When I watched him play, I just didn't see that quick first step you like to see in a edge rusher. He's talented enough to be the type of versatile reserve/special teams guy that earns a spot on an NFL roster, but I'm not sure he's got starting 3-4 OLB potential. He might be a better fit working inside.
Long's former teammate, Greg Jones, is a guy to watch next year. I think he's a poor man's Aaron Curry.
Aloysius said:
No doubt he's got good size & athleticism, but he was pretty low on sack production (5.5 sacks in '08, 2.0 in '07). When I watched him play, I just didn't see that quick first step you like to see in a edge rusher. He's talented enough to be the type of versatile reserve/special teams guy that earns a spot on an NFL roster, but I'm not sure he's got starting 3-4 OLB potential. He might be a better fit working inside.Long's former teammate, Greg Jones, is a guy to watch next year. I think he's a poor man's Aaron Curry.
I'm sure you are right concerning where his best postion would be.
I haven't watched him enough. I'm sure not nearly as much as you have. I'll always remember him getting to Stafford in the Georgia game. He seemed really quick. But there has to be some problems because even with the foot problem I would've thought he would have been picked up by someone on day two. The NFL loves the kind of numbers he put up at his pro day.
I hope the kid gets a shot and makes it. I'll always pull for those Northeast Ohio guys.
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I'm glad you pointed that out Aloy. That still shocks me. This guy had an unbelievable pro day. Ran the 40 in 4.58. 33 reps on the bench. Even with the stress fracture I would've taken a shot at him.
With him being a local guy I'm really, really disappointed the browns didn't sign him.
No doubt he's got good size & athleticism, but he was pretty low on sack production (5.5 sacks in '08, 2.0 in '07). When I watched him play, I just didn't see that quick first step you like to see in a edge rusher. He's talented enough to be the type of versatile reserve/special teams guy that earns a spot on an NFL roster, but I'm not sure he's got starting 3-4 OLB potential. He might be a better fit working inside.
Long's former teammate, Greg Jones, is a guy to watch next year. I think he's a poor man's Aaron Curry.
Aloysius said:
Long's former teammate, Greg Jones, is a guy to watch next year. I think he's a poor man's Aaron Curry.Thanks for the heads up on Jones. I have not seen him at all. I know I've seen his name as far as being a day one pick but I have yet to watch any film.
So you thinks he's 1st rounder?
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OBR states that Davide Veikune is the newest addition to our ILB's. I think Mangini saw him as a cheaper Maualuga!
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25 tackles for a loss in two seasons. That is very impressive.
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OBR states that Davide Veikune is the newest addition to our ILB's. I think Mangini saw him as a cheaper Maualuga!
OBR states that Davide Veikune is the newest addition to our ILB's. I think Mangini saw him as a cheaper Maualuga!
Not sure that's what they're actually reporting. One of their guys said that Veikune primarily played OLB during minicamp.
On Maualuga, this comment from an anonymous front office guy is interesting:
— “What scared everyone about (USC LB Rey) Maualuga were the alcohol issues. That’s why he lasted as long as he did.”
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Aloysius said:
Long's former teammate, Greg Jones, is a guy to watch next year. I think he's a poor man's Aaron Curry.Thanks for the heads up on Jones. I have not seen him at all. I know I've seen his name as far as being a day one pick but I have yet to watch any film.
So you thinks he's 1st rounder?
Thanks for the heads up on Jones. I have not seen him at all. I know I've seen his name as far as being a day one pick but I have yet to watch any film.
So you thinks he's 1st rounder?
He's a junior, so he'll only be available if he thinks he has a shot of going in Round 1. If he matches his production from last year (127 tackles, 14 TFL), that should happen.
One concern I have is that he's listed as being 6'1", 222 lbs., but he looks and plays bigger than that.
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It had to be something on Rey.
Binge drinking can be a problem, or get you in to a world of problems.
Add in deep pockets for the first time in your life and life can be a big party.
If you have that party mentality, it is only a powder keg waiting to explode once you add in millions of dollars.
The best thing a player can do is have a trusted agent put them on a strict budget for the first 3-4 years until they grow up a bit
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Good stuff.
Experience in coverage should help Browns rookie OLB David Veikune
By Mike Wilkening
May 15, 2009
Browns rookie David Veikune is making the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, but the second-round pick from Hawaii does bring some experience in pass coverage — perhaps the biggest challenge for a player making such a position switch. Veikune occasionally dropped into coverage when the Warriors played “zone-dog” defenses in passing situations. In such a scheme, the Warriors blitz five players and have six players drop into coverage, with a defensive end and a linebacker responsible for the receivers running underneath while the cornerbacks and safeties play over the top. “He would make the drop according to what he saw,” Hawaii DL coach Dave Aranda said of Veikune, whom he called the hardest-working player he had ever coached. Browns head coach Eric Mangini made note of Veikune’s movement skills at the club’s rookie minicamp earlier this month. “I’ve been really happy with what I’ve seen,” Mangini told reporters. “He is fluid for someone his size, for someone who has limited exposure to standing up.” Aranda told PFW that playing the run shouldn’t be a problem for Veikune, either, even after playing in the pass-happy Western Athletic Conference, noting that Veikune uses his hands well and plays with physicality.
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