Saturday, April 26, 2008

Thoughts on defensive players

About two hours from The Draft...the one thing bugging the hell out of me today are my allergies...the pollen count here in N.E. Ohio is in the freakin dangerous level or something and it seems like all my neighbors are cutting grass...I have already loaded up on Allegra but it is not working today...anyway, here are some players that I like on the defense...

Defensive end
- Chris Long - I think he is the best player in the draft and will have a solid NFL career - barring injury...
Sleeper
- Calais Campbell, The U - this dude is freakin 6'8"...he lacks speed, but with his height and talent...he can be a difference maker...
- Tommy Blake, TCU - last year at this time, he was projected as a first rounder...but Blake suffers from depression and quit the team during the fall...at workouts, Blake had a gut on him and did not move well...he is worth a gamble late in the draft...if he could get on the right meds, he can be a steal...

Defensive tackle
- Glenn Dorsey, LSU - how can you not like this kid...he is solid as heck...he plays through injuries...he is one tough sumbitch...
Sleeper
- Red Bryant, Texas A&M - this 6'4", 320 Aggie has everything to make it in the NFL...he just needs to put it all together...he is not going to be an All-Pro, but he could be a quality back-up and a worthy pick if still around in the 4th round...

Inside linebacker
I am not really high on a specific ILB....
Sleeper
- J. Leman, Illinois - Leman suffered an injury in the Rose Bowl which hurt his pre-draft workouts...the kid is a flat out football player...
- Ben Moffitt, South Florida - Moffitt was always right in the middle of every play...he will not be selected until late, but I would roll the dice on this kid...

Outside linebacker
- Keith Rivers, Southern Cal - he is solid...he was always making plays...
Sleeper
- Shawn Crable, Michigan - some publications have him going as high as early third round and as low as 7th round...the kid is an imposing figure...he has the size and speed...in the right situation, he could be the steal of this draft...he can play either D-end or OLB...sounds like someone Belichick or Tomlin would love...

Cornerback

- Aqib Talib, Kansas - the kid is playmaker...but he could get burned in bump and run coverage...he definetly needs help over the top...
Sleeper
- Justin King, Penn State - the kid ran a 4.31 at the Combine...he had some off the field issues at Happy Valley, but the beat writer for the local paper said that King was a good kid and not a troublemaker...
- Orlando Scandrick, Boise State - he is 5'10" and runs the 40 on 4.32...
- Tyvon Branch, U.Conn - 6'0" and runs the 40 in 4.31...
- Dwight Lowery, San Jose State - I saw him in a bowl game two years ago...he was impressive...had an average senior season...worth a gamble late...

Safety

I'm not high on a specific safety...
Sleeper
- Corey Lynch - Appalachian State - this kid makes plays...he is a beast on special teams too - just ask Michigan...

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