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NFL Analysis of LSU Invites
Posted on 2/25/10 at 2:28 pm
Posted on 2/25/10 at 2:28 pm
Organized this for myself, and figured I'd post it on here for those interested.
DE RAHIM ALEM
OVERVIEW Alem had only one season as a productive defender for the LSU defense and appears to be a bit of 'tweener for the next level. He doesn't have great size and strength as a defensive end but lacks the lateral quickness, speed and agility to transition into an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He does use his hands well to separate and shed effectively, but larger blockers can stay connected if he doesn't win early in the play. Alem wins with toughness, effort, intelligence and technique, and is a classic overachiever.
STRENGTHS Alem is a high-motor kid who plays to the whistle every snap. He can be a disruptive pass rusher who sheds blockers with good hand technique and has a nose for the football. Heady player who seems to be well prepared and understands his assignments. Solid tackler.
WEAKNESSES A 'tweener who needs to add significant bulk in order to play defensive end and does not have the speed, range and athleticism to play outside linebacker. Struggles to escape from much bigger blockers once engaged. An overachiever with a limited ceiling.
DT CHARLES ALEXANDER
OVERVIEW Alexander was a two-year starter for the LSU defense. He is a big, strong interior defender who was primarily used as a run stopper. He has the size and power to split double teams and is tough to move off the line of scrimmage, but he lacks pass-rush moves and counters and will need to expand his package to be more than an early-down defender at the next level. Alexander does flash good initial quickness but lacks lateral agility and speed to close to the pile. His range is limited, and he often is substituted for during games. He shows good awareness to react quickly as plays unfold and squeezes interior running lanes. Alexander is a space-eater who will fit best as a 3-4 nose tackle, but injury history will be a concern for most clubs in this year's draft.
STRENGTHS Tall interior defender with a thick build and a quick first step. Has impressive strength to fight through double teams and heavy hands to engage and push around blockers. Shows an effective bull rush to collapse the pocket. Reads plays quickly, fills running lanes and is difficult to move.
WEAKNESSES Lacks the speed and range to slide down the line and make plays. Has a very limited pass-rush package and will struggle to consistently get pressure at the next level. Stands up a little high and loses leverage at times. He is a liability in space due to a lack of lateral agility. Has missed significant time due to injuries in college.
OT CIRON BLACK
OVERVIEW Black has been a very productive left tackle for one of the best programs in the country for the past four years and understands how to get the job done. He relies more on strength and raw power than he does foot agility and lateral range. He is a decent knee bender and does a good job of keeping his pad level down. Once he gets his hands on opponents it is generally all over save for the shouting. He does not back down from a challenge but could show a bit more intensity and nastiness in his blocking. While Black lacks the premier lateral quickness and range to play on the left side at the next level he should handle the move to the right side with little difficulty.
STRENGTHS Wide-bodied and tall enough. Strong at the point of attack. Four year starter who knows how to pick up blitzes and stunts. Takes proper angles in the running game and uses his hands well in pass protection. Finishes his blocks and can be dominant working in limited space.
WEAKNESSES Needs to lower his body fat and add more good bulk. Has poor straight line speed even for his size. Only possesses adequate initial quickness which limits his effectiveness against edge rushers. Lacks lateral quickness and range to match up against more athletic defensive lineman.
DE RAHIM ALEM
OVERVIEW Alem had only one season as a productive defender for the LSU defense and appears to be a bit of 'tweener for the next level. He doesn't have great size and strength as a defensive end but lacks the lateral quickness, speed and agility to transition into an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He does use his hands well to separate and shed effectively, but larger blockers can stay connected if he doesn't win early in the play. Alem wins with toughness, effort, intelligence and technique, and is a classic overachiever.
STRENGTHS Alem is a high-motor kid who plays to the whistle every snap. He can be a disruptive pass rusher who sheds blockers with good hand technique and has a nose for the football. Heady player who seems to be well prepared and understands his assignments. Solid tackler.
WEAKNESSES A 'tweener who needs to add significant bulk in order to play defensive end and does not have the speed, range and athleticism to play outside linebacker. Struggles to escape from much bigger blockers once engaged. An overachiever with a limited ceiling.
DT CHARLES ALEXANDER
OVERVIEW Alexander was a two-year starter for the LSU defense. He is a big, strong interior defender who was primarily used as a run stopper. He has the size and power to split double teams and is tough to move off the line of scrimmage, but he lacks pass-rush moves and counters and will need to expand his package to be more than an early-down defender at the next level. Alexander does flash good initial quickness but lacks lateral agility and speed to close to the pile. His range is limited, and he often is substituted for during games. He shows good awareness to react quickly as plays unfold and squeezes interior running lanes. Alexander is a space-eater who will fit best as a 3-4 nose tackle, but injury history will be a concern for most clubs in this year's draft.
STRENGTHS Tall interior defender with a thick build and a quick first step. Has impressive strength to fight through double teams and heavy hands to engage and push around blockers. Shows an effective bull rush to collapse the pocket. Reads plays quickly, fills running lanes and is difficult to move.
WEAKNESSES Lacks the speed and range to slide down the line and make plays. Has a very limited pass-rush package and will struggle to consistently get pressure at the next level. Stands up a little high and loses leverage at times. He is a liability in space due to a lack of lateral agility. Has missed significant time due to injuries in college.
OT CIRON BLACK
OVERVIEW Black has been a very productive left tackle for one of the best programs in the country for the past four years and understands how to get the job done. He relies more on strength and raw power than he does foot agility and lateral range. He is a decent knee bender and does a good job of keeping his pad level down. Once he gets his hands on opponents it is generally all over save for the shouting. He does not back down from a challenge but could show a bit more intensity and nastiness in his blocking. While Black lacks the premier lateral quickness and range to play on the left side at the next level he should handle the move to the right side with little difficulty.
STRENGTHS Wide-bodied and tall enough. Strong at the point of attack. Four year starter who knows how to pick up blitzes and stunts. Takes proper angles in the running game and uses his hands well in pass protection. Finishes his blocks and can be dominant working in limited space.
WEAKNESSES Needs to lower his body fat and add more good bulk. Has poor straight line speed even for his size. Only possesses adequate initial quickness which limits his effectiveness against edge rushers. Lacks lateral quickness and range to match up against more athletic defensive lineman.
6
Posted on 2/25/10 at 2:29 pm to alange
quote:
STRENGTHS Alem is a high-motor kid
Posted on 2/25/10 at 2:29 pm to alange
LB HARRY COLEMAN
OVERVIEW Coleman has good size and strength, with average athleticism for the safety position. He is a solid reactor as plays unfold and will fill the alley quickly. He is a solid open field tackler but not a "thumper." He lacks great speed, quickness and lateral agility to be a pure man-coverage defender but could play off the hash in two-deep zone schemes. The Tigers played him up in the box at times, and he could possibly transition into a nickel linebacker at the next level. Coleman is a solid football player with the size and frame to gain bulk and strength. He doesn't appear to have the tools to be a front-line starter but could contribute on special teams.
STRENGTHS Coleman possesses elite size and strength for a safety. Reacts quickly, fills fast and is a solid open-field tackler. Effective pass defender in zone coverage. Excels in special teams and looks to make a big hit. Very competitive with a team-first mentality. Named LSU's most valuable player in 2009.
WEAKNESSES Played up near the line of scrimmage in college and does not have the agility to stick in man coverage. Lacks initial burst and speed, which may limit him to special teams at the next level. Does not consistently deliver good shots when tackling.
DB CHRIS HAWKINS
OVERVIEW Hawkins was a productive two-year starter for the LSU defense. He has a good combination of size, strength and athleticism. He is faster than quick and shows good catch-up speed when out of position. He is a good athlete who has enough ability and balance to be an effective coverage defender but lacks great footwork and change-of-direction in space in transition. Hawkins is a competitive player who is a solid perimeter run support defender but isn't a physical tackler. He isn't quick reading route progressions and is inconsistent with his angles to the pile. Hawkins has the frame to add weight and the tools to develop into a productive NFL corner, but he will need to improve his technique and overall instincts.
STRENGTHS Hawkins has adequate size with a wide frame and long arms. Displays good top-end speed to close on the ball and stick with receivers on go routes. Well-balanced athlete who is very effective in off, zone coverage. Does not shy away from contact and makes tackles in run support.
WEAKNESSES A second late recognizing route progressions and struggles to consistently find the ball. Lacks adequate footwork and loses speed in transition by taking too many false steps. Does not show the ability to fight off blocks in run support and takes poor angles to the ball carrier at times.
KR TRINDON HOLLIDAY
OVERVIEW Holliday is an explosive return specialist who has the ability to take it all the way virtually every time he touches the ball. He gets a quick jump on the ball as it comes off the kicker's foot and does a good job of settling under it to make the catch. He has the kind of elusiveness that can make would-be tacklers grab air and knows how to set up his blockers. He does have a tendency to rely on his pure speed alone and needs to learn how to alter his speed and save something in reserve. With his speed and acceleration, he has a chance to be drafted late in spite of his lack of size and severe limitations as a wide receiver.
STRENGTHS Track star with blinding straight-line speed. Explosive player who only needs a little seam to break a big return. Reads the ball quickly in the air and gets underneath it fast. Waits for his blockers to engage and finds running lanes. Fluid through the hips and makes people miss in space.
WEAKNESSES Holliday is very short at under 5-feet-6 and does not have the bulk to break tackles at the next level. Starts too fast and does not show the ability to hold an extra gear for the end of the return. Lacks the awareness and route-running ability to be a factor in the passing game.
DB CHAD JONES
OVERVIEW Jones is a big strong player with above average athleticism. He has also played on the LSU baseball team and excelled in that roll. Jones is best coming down hill attacking the line of scrimmage with good fundamentals as a run support player. He is inconsistent shedding blockers but has long arms and good power to improve in this area. Jones has the size and toughness to play effectively in the box but maybe limited to combination zone coverage’s. He has decent range but again not great for the safety position. Jones has intriguing size and enough athleticism to contribute in the right scheme and his spring and combine workouts will be extremely important to where he is taken in the draft.
STRENGTHS Jones has excellent size and strength for the safety position at the next level. He’s a gritty, tough, competitive performer who loves filling the alley in run support. He’s also a smart, instinctive player despite splitting time between football and baseball at LSU. Was productive in college and has upside to get even better once focusing full-time on one sport.
WEAKNESSES Jones only possesses average pure speed. His range is only adequate as he’s more comfortable in run support or playing in the box. May have difficulty shadowing slot receivers, running backs and receiving tight ends in man coverage at the next level.
OVERVIEW Coleman has good size and strength, with average athleticism for the safety position. He is a solid reactor as plays unfold and will fill the alley quickly. He is a solid open field tackler but not a "thumper." He lacks great speed, quickness and lateral agility to be a pure man-coverage defender but could play off the hash in two-deep zone schemes. The Tigers played him up in the box at times, and he could possibly transition into a nickel linebacker at the next level. Coleman is a solid football player with the size and frame to gain bulk and strength. He doesn't appear to have the tools to be a front-line starter but could contribute on special teams.
STRENGTHS Coleman possesses elite size and strength for a safety. Reacts quickly, fills fast and is a solid open-field tackler. Effective pass defender in zone coverage. Excels in special teams and looks to make a big hit. Very competitive with a team-first mentality. Named LSU's most valuable player in 2009.
WEAKNESSES Played up near the line of scrimmage in college and does not have the agility to stick in man coverage. Lacks initial burst and speed, which may limit him to special teams at the next level. Does not consistently deliver good shots when tackling.
DB CHRIS HAWKINS
OVERVIEW Hawkins was a productive two-year starter for the LSU defense. He has a good combination of size, strength and athleticism. He is faster than quick and shows good catch-up speed when out of position. He is a good athlete who has enough ability and balance to be an effective coverage defender but lacks great footwork and change-of-direction in space in transition. Hawkins is a competitive player who is a solid perimeter run support defender but isn't a physical tackler. He isn't quick reading route progressions and is inconsistent with his angles to the pile. Hawkins has the frame to add weight and the tools to develop into a productive NFL corner, but he will need to improve his technique and overall instincts.
STRENGTHS Hawkins has adequate size with a wide frame and long arms. Displays good top-end speed to close on the ball and stick with receivers on go routes. Well-balanced athlete who is very effective in off, zone coverage. Does not shy away from contact and makes tackles in run support.
WEAKNESSES A second late recognizing route progressions and struggles to consistently find the ball. Lacks adequate footwork and loses speed in transition by taking too many false steps. Does not show the ability to fight off blocks in run support and takes poor angles to the ball carrier at times.
KR TRINDON HOLLIDAY
OVERVIEW Holliday is an explosive return specialist who has the ability to take it all the way virtually every time he touches the ball. He gets a quick jump on the ball as it comes off the kicker's foot and does a good job of settling under it to make the catch. He has the kind of elusiveness that can make would-be tacklers grab air and knows how to set up his blockers. He does have a tendency to rely on his pure speed alone and needs to learn how to alter his speed and save something in reserve. With his speed and acceleration, he has a chance to be drafted late in spite of his lack of size and severe limitations as a wide receiver.
STRENGTHS Track star with blinding straight-line speed. Explosive player who only needs a little seam to break a big return. Reads the ball quickly in the air and gets underneath it fast. Waits for his blockers to engage and finds running lanes. Fluid through the hips and makes people miss in space.
WEAKNESSES Holliday is very short at under 5-feet-6 and does not have the bulk to break tackles at the next level. Starts too fast and does not show the ability to hold an extra gear for the end of the return. Lacks the awareness and route-running ability to be a factor in the passing game.
DB CHAD JONES
OVERVIEW Jones is a big strong player with above average athleticism. He has also played on the LSU baseball team and excelled in that roll. Jones is best coming down hill attacking the line of scrimmage with good fundamentals as a run support player. He is inconsistent shedding blockers but has long arms and good power to improve in this area. Jones has the size and toughness to play effectively in the box but maybe limited to combination zone coverage’s. He has decent range but again not great for the safety position. Jones has intriguing size and enough athleticism to contribute in the right scheme and his spring and combine workouts will be extremely important to where he is taken in the draft.
STRENGTHS Jones has excellent size and strength for the safety position at the next level. He’s a gritty, tough, competitive performer who loves filling the alley in run support. He’s also a smart, instinctive player despite splitting time between football and baseball at LSU. Was productive in college and has upside to get even better once focusing full-time on one sport.
WEAKNESSES Jones only possesses average pure speed. His range is only adequate as he’s more comfortable in run support or playing in the box. May have difficulty shadowing slot receivers, running backs and receiving tight ends in man coverage at the next level.
Posted on 2/25/10 at 2:32 pm to alange
quote:
Wide-bodied
I'd off myself if I such a fatty that it was considered one my strengths.
Posted on 2/25/10 at 2:37 pm to alange
quote:
Alem wins with toughness, effort, intelligence and technique, and is a classic overachiever.
I don't want to be rude but this is an absurd statement. If intelligence is letting them run at you for 8 yds a carry and overachieving means being a detriment then i guess it would be spot on
Posted on 2/25/10 at 3:08 pm to alange
quote:
Alem is a high-motor kid
I that was an insult? Seems like any time David Pollack was ever mentioned on here that phrase was brought up in a joking manner.
Posted on 2/25/10 at 11:26 pm to alange
I can't believe Alem's placekicking ability wasn't mentioned
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