Right now, Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com senior draft analyst, has Tennessee safety Eric Berry going to Seattle at No. 6. Berry did nothing to hurt his draft status on Tuesday, running a 4.47 40-yard-dash, posting a 43-inch vertical jump and pushing out 19 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press.
The explosion is there, so the big plays you see him making on tape are no fluke, but rather an elite athlete making plays. Now teams have to figure out if at 5-11, 212 pounds, Berry can tackle well enough to play safety in the league, or do they consider using him more as a cover corner. It’s a good problem to have for whatever team takes Berry in the top-10.
Berry was Mike Mayock of the NFL Network’s top performer among the DB class on Tuesday.
Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network breaks down the defensive backs class in this video link. He says Eric Berry and Taylor Mays had the most impressive workouts.
Tony Pauline of Sports Illustrated provides an overview of the risers and fallers in the DB draft class after the combine workout.
Chad Reuter of CBS Sports outlines some second-tier defensive back prospects who stepped up.
Pat Kirwan of the NFL Network, a good friend of Pete Carroll who was rumored to be in the running for Seattle’s GM position, has the Seahawks selecting QB Jimmy Clausen with the team’s No. 6 overall pick, and running back C.J. Spiller at No. 14.
Kirwan also ranks Nate Burleson No. 23 in his top 50 free agents.
Tony Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains why players with big-money deals will be dumped if 2010 becomes an uncapped year after Thursday’s deadline. Basically teams don’t have to worry about the cap hit anymore.
CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell reports on the hook-up athletes get from Under Armour when they compete in the scouting combine.
Florida cornerback Joe Haden, considered the top cornerback heading into the scouting combine, ran a disappointing time of 4.57 in the 40-yard-dash and could find himself slipping down the draft board come April. Same thing happened to Malcolm Jenkins last year.
Rob Rang has lost his mind.Carroll will take Mays at 14 maybe 6,He wants Mays in the worst way.
If we take Teabow I will go to the Oakland side.I can’t stand the preacher.
× Flag comment
Mays will not be a Seahawk. The more I think about it the more convinced of that I am. There are more complete safetys in Thomas and Berry available, if they target the positiion as a first round need. And if they pass on Berry ar 6, I don’t think they’ll be taking a DB before the 4th round.
I thought the same thing about Hayden and Jenkins. Very similar in body type, play and “disapointing” combine results. Another thing they have in common is that they can flat out play, regardless. Brandon Gee from Wake is a guy I’d like them to take if he last until the 5th. He a bit of a project but worth a chance later, if he lasts that long.
× Flag comment
*safeties* *position* *disappointing* My spelling is really good.
× Flag comment
40 times are nice to look at in players, but should not be the reason you do or do not draft a player (obviously within reasonable differences). This can be especially true with corners and safetys. The differences in 40 times on the field of play can be just a first step or two. If a DB breaks quickly, has good reflex and instinct, then he has already matched or beaten the lower 40 time guy. In the reverse and DB that does not react as well, quickly loses that time differential. Instincts, footwork and positioning trump 40 time. How many times are you hearing about a guys 40 time when he is either a pro bowler or playing like one??
That said, if a DB or safety is to be in the first round for the Hawks, I say take Berry over Mays. The questions is with two high first round picks, which players and positions give you the most immediate impact for THIS year? The Hawks need help now. Picks after the first round make more sense to look at future or development needs or wants.
× Flag comment
I wake up every morning and pray for Eric Berry…. we need him badly, I dont know how much more Babs and Grant I can take. If we go get Rolle then we would be ok but our back end is not good enough. We need an upgrade, wether it be Berry, Thomas or Rolle
Grant supplies high effort but age is winning that battle. He can no longer be our top safety, good in a supporting role.
Babs is playing out of position, I vividly recall him chasing in vain numerous receivers or backs throughout the season. I dont blame him hes just not a starter in my opinion. Great in the nickel or dime or as relief for safety or corner, just not every down.
I believe in both Trufant and Wilson if they have good support like bringing in another CB to help out.
i would love to order by Berry jersey in another two months (fingers crossed)
× Flag comment
If PC takes Clausen at 6, would Hayden be there at 14?
× Flag comment
I dont think Claussen gets by the Bills
× Flag comment
Safety is a huge need for the Hawks but they have to take Okung or Bulaga at #6 and not worry about LT for the next ten years. Even if they wise up and dump the zone blocking scheme both of these guys can play in any system.
There should be a good safety at #14 and a good RB at #40. Gerhart ran a 4.53.
With both Suh and McCoy gone when the Hawks draft, the only DL I would take at #14 is Jason Pierre-Paul.
A QB in the first round? Please, no.
× Flag comment
The more I listen to what is, and conversly, what ISN’T being said by those people of power down at VMAC I’m becoming more and more convinced of a couple of things:
1) It looks like we aren’t even considering OL in the first round (get those pick forks sharpened and ready Bobby).
2) I don’t think RB is high on the list either.
3) It would appear the team is going defence again. I wouldn’t be at all shocked (unhappy maybe, but not shocked) to see Berry at #6 and a DE at #14.
I have nothing what so ever to base this on other than my ‘spidey senses” but those hairs on the back of my neck are standing right up and telling me to prepare for this so I don’t throw something through the TV when I actually see who the team drafts on Thursday night’s round one.
× Flag comment
I honestly think AG will be the deciding factor of when/who we take for the OL.
He’s a well respected high profile hire to fix our line woes. we will draft the guy HE wants and no one else. I have to have the faith they are working hard and doing the homework so whoever we get will be the guy the staff views as the man for the job in this system. be it a 1st 2nd or 4th rounder.
just a tidbit now to the realm of fantasy. Berry at 6 then Mays at 14. athletic, quick and all over the place teamed with knock you the F out. that has the makings of the most feared back end ever to take an NFL field.
Not something i’d advocate or expect but just something fun to speculate about.
× Flag comment
Chuck: “It looks like we aren’t even considering OL in the first round”
.
We have so many needs, I still wouldn’t count out our drafting OL right off…. Lots of “smoke & mirrors” fly high this time of the off season…. Eric is throwin’ the wood on the fire with all these options… & good that he is… Huge draft for the Hawks, they need to get it right and they need to avoid stretching…. Like you n me, they are totally aware of the OL void… It can’t be passed on…. I’m confident they will address it ….
× Flag comment
Soggy…. I was tthinking the same thing…. too bad we have so many other needs… team those two with our healthy linbackers in a new scheme…. Wow!
× Flag comment
Where has it been said that Gibbs has any say in when / if the ‘Hawks draft a LT? I keep reading here, over and over about how much influence he has but I have not seen anything anywhere else that indicates this is the case. Is there a link someone can provide me? This make zero sense to me. I would think if he had the power purported by many here, they would be taking linemen all throughout the draft. What great coach wouldn’t want to work with superior talent? SOmeone help me here.
× Flag comment
What have you done for me lately? Gibbs has coached a relatively crappy OL for the last few years in Houston. I hope I’m not supposed to be impressed.
× Flag comment
Duke
Like you i havent officially read or heard that any where either. I’m basing my assumption on looking at the staff PC has put together and his history as a coach.
The thing that made PC such a good coach at USC was his ability to make good hires to the staff and then let them do thier jobs.
thats how the best coaches operate. as a consensus not a dictatorship. sure PC and Schenider have the ultimate say but i doubt they will run rough shod over what thier junior coaches input is.
Mr. Gibbs is anything but a juinior coach. pretty sure they will get him the players he wants for HIS OL. and frankly thats a good thing for us fans going into this .500 season.
× Flag comment
Those are good points. I just don’t think an offensive line coach as that much influence over personnel decisions, draft wise. Of course they’ll solicit his opinion regarding what he looks for in a player, as all position coaches, I would think. But Schneider, Carroll and Idzik will be directing the draft in principle, not Gibbs.
A month and a half away but I’m so excited all ready. Can’t wait.
× Flag comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ze_jaJlXQ&feature=related
at the 2:10 mark watch mays light up toby in the hole
× Flag comment
Mays at 2:10 stops toby in his tracks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ze_jaJlXQ&feature=related
× Flag comment
Mays came in as the athletic ‘Man Child’ questioned for his lack of being a playmaker. He didn’t help himself on the back pedal, hips right, hips left spin around into a short sprint then locating a deep pass. Mays helplessly let the ball fall to the ground. Such an easy drill and he couldn’t make the play. Sorry, but, Berry or Thomas make that play – all day.
Safety Ronnie Lott USC 1-8 of 1981 draft began as a LCB. Berry’s performance at the combine solidified his top 5 ranking. Hawks could sure use his services and if a case of BPA PC should probably pull the trigger. Making a Berry/Lott comparison but the highlights show a thumper.
From Carroll, Schneider unplug:
Clausen did what was best for himself because USC had Sanchez so he moved on to Notre Dame – Carroll. I found that an odd statement. He had been recruiting Clausen from the 9th grade and got to know the family. Why infer that Clausen avoids the Sanchez competition claiming he made a great choice? Sounds to me like Carroll said Jimmy had no chance of beating out Mark. Leads me to believe Pete has no intentions of drafting him to the NFL.
× Flag comment
if Kirwan is a good friend, then the smoke screen pick of Clausen hopefully to have another team either move up or draft him….leaving us who we really want.
× Flag comment
http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Yards-sale/e08bc0ae-ef0c-4949-8ada-27a76acf3758
The base is going to be coach Shanahan’s,” Bates said Tuesday, when he met with reporters who cover the team for the first time since being hired last month. Translation: A zone-blocking running scheme, which will set up play action and rollouts by the quarterback; with a preferred 50-50 split between the run and the pass. “It all starts with the running game,” Bates said. “If the offensive line, the tight end and running backs all work together, all believe in the system, all know who their read is and believe in 4 yards, 4 yards, 4 yards, then they can be successful.” The new coaching staff has spent the past few weeks evaluating the talent on the current roster, and deciding where upgrades might be needed in the NFL draft or free agency. What Bates and his fellow assistant coaches on offense have seen is a team that struggled to run the ball with any consistency in 2009, despite switching to the zone-blocking scheme…. The Seahawks averaged 97.9 yards rushing – their lowest since 1999; and 4 yards per carry – which tied for fifth lowest in the league last season. …“I definitely think they started it,” Bates said. “We’re going to change some things and some techniques. And again, we’ve got Alex Gibbs, who everyone tries to steal from. Now we’ve got his voice. Just listening to coach Gibbs, it excites you. I’m taking notes.” Bates … also said the new staff might change the positions of some of the receivers. But he did not elaborate on player evaluations….
http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Building-Blocks/2ddef6f3-7e8f-421f-a123-3e9411015a70
“Alex has an ideal athletic build for a player,” said Weiner, who was as heavy as 320 pounds with the Seahawks but got down to 290 when he played for Gibbs. “He has a certain mentality – a toughness – that he expects. He really likes the I.Q. of the player to be high – higher than normal. “You have to move. You have to be athletic. He has a whole system that he attaches to what he does. If you can’t move, you can’t play in his system. Some NFL offensive line coaches just want a huge, mammoth guy that can just absorb defenders. That’s not what Alex is looking for.” Of the top-rated tackles – the players the Seahawks could have a shot at with the sixth or 14th picks – only Davis played primarily in a zone-blocking scheme at Rutgers. Brown did some zone blocking for Carroll at USC, and has the feet needed to make the full-time transition because he’s a former tight end. Bulaga played at Iowa, a school that has a history of producing pro-ready blockers. Davis admitted that he never gave much thought to zone blocking taking any special skills, adding that he was just doing what the coaches ask. But after pondering the question of going down to cut block a defender, he offered, “Once you learn the scheme, it’s just a matter of exploding through their legs when you go to cut them. “It’s a matter of having the ability to do that, and then being willing to do it.” Zane Beadles played left tackle at Utah, … in a zone-blocking scheme and elaborated on the skills and mindset needed to excel. “I don’t know if it takes a special person to do it, or if people just aren’t taught that,” he said. “But you’ve got to be willing to get down and throw your body around. You’re going to take some lumps and some bruises here and there, but as long as you’re willing to do that it’s no problem.” Beadles then shared what the coaches told him during the Senior Bowl practices last month. “They kind of told me the type player that they’re looking for – an intelligent player that can run a little bit and is willing to get people on the ground,” he said. “I think that I fit that bill very well. I feel like I play intelligently and my quickness is a strength for me.”
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2010/03/01/carroll-and-schneider-unplugged/#ixzz0hBkJFqS5
Q: With offensive line and with offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, does that narrow the group of offensive tackles that you are looking at, because he’s got pretty established ideas of what he wants?
Carroll: “Yeah, he’s very specific in the needs of playing his style. And that’s helped us. It’s helped our scouting. It’s helped the direction of what we’re doing. He knows exactly what he’s had in the past and what it takes…. And so we’ve tailored our approach as much as we can. Alex and I see eye to eye. I’ve been with Alex approach going on my ninth year, so I comply with what he’s seeing, and so it’s a very comfortable fit for us. And to have his daily accounting of keeping in touch with it just makes us that much stronger. And so our mindset has shifted in the kinds of guy to tailor to that.”
× Flag comment
Thanks Kim, that points to what I said about getting him the type of player he wants, soliciting his opinion. That doesn’t imply that they will be passing on linemen early in the draft, like many here are afraid, but like every position coach, there is a specific type of player they look for. I will admit however, it sounds like he has more influence than I envisioned. If anything this should make people like Chuck feel better about the likelihood they select a lineman early.
× Flag comment
Mays is clearly in the 4.3 range http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDhYKZHKh4Q
× Flag comment
great post, klm008, thanks for that.
Trent Williams looks like an Alex Gibbs OT to me. He’s agile, strong, and moves well. He could be a good pick at 6 if Okung is gone, or at 14 if he’s still on the board.
Funny – I checked Rob Rang’s update after the combine and he projects Bruce Campbell moving up to #8 and being drafted by Oakland. Would that be perfect or what? The fastest, tallest workout warrior (who can’t block worth a damn) getting top dollar from Al Davis’ Raiders? That would be true to form.
× Flag comment