numbah39

Pros: Has a stout frame that is plenty big for the SS position in the NFL, in fact, he probably could play the Will spot in a Cover 2 with his tackling prowness. His all around athletic ability is impressive. John is nearly as fast in a straight as the highly touted LaRon Landry, BUT IS NOTABLY QUICKER WHEN CHANGING DIRECTION TO STAY WITH WR'S. A smart leader on the field who makes his teammates better. Excellent upside.

Cons: He hasn't had a chance to play against top competition, and it will be a definite adjustment to play in the NFL. Might not impact right away, but let him backup your starter for a year or two and the team may find itself with a real impact player you can feature in your defense like a Troy Polmalu or Adrian Wilson.

Taken from nflfans.com.

I've never seen him play so I have no idea.

PushnPencils

I only saw him once last year against BYU on TV. Truth be told that their entire secondary looked awful that day, but the reason he stood out was because he was so fast and active on run support.

But he was getting beat up by the WR's that day.

numbah39

Maybe he had an off day??? I don't have his 06 stats but he led the team in INT's in 04 and 05 (only three each year).

PushnPencils

Off of Scout.com.

Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 222 40: 4.49
Position: S
Date of Birth: 8/6/1983
Class: RS - Senior
College: Wyoming



2007 Scout.com NFL Draft Rankings (full list):
Pos: S Pos Rank: #7 Pos Rating:

Biography:
Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his sophomore campaign. Led the team in tackles as a senior, totaling 78/1/4. Posted a career-high 89 tackles as a sophomore.

Pos:

Aggressive, smart defensive back with outstanding size/speed numbers. Quick up the field in run defense, physical and works to intimidate opponents. Resilient, stays with the action and plays with a degree of suddenness. Instinctive and diagnoses plays.

Neg:

Does not cover a lot of area in center field and late getting to the spot in coverage. Average ball skills.

DaBruinz

Hmm... I've looked at 3 different sites and 2 magazines (all of then unaffiliated with the other)and none of them say that pass coverage is Wendling's weakness. Quite the opposite. They say that his "weakness" is against the run in that he over-purues at times.

I'd be interested in knowing where you got your information.

Its your opinion that Wendling doesn't fit the puzzle. Its mine that outside of Landry, Merriweather, Nelson and Griffin don't fit that criteria either.

The Pats need a LEADER in the secondary. Wendling IS that. He is also HIGHLY intelligent on and off the field. I see Wendling someone who could be more than a capable replacement for Wilson and has the potential to reach Harrison type levels.

DaBruinz

Scouts.com? That is the same site that said that when they did their "ways to beat the Patriots defense" analysis prior to last season, they showed the Pats lined up in a 4-3 defense.

Funny how Scouts.com says that he has average ball skills, yet others say that he has above average to good ball skills.

One of the things that the ESPN NFL Draft Mag points out is that Wendling has intagibles and is a play-maker. Isn't that what you want in the secondary?

OH, btw, ESPN NFL Draft Mag uses Scout Inc's reports and that isn't what they have written down. Now, they could have changed their analysis, but I then question the validity of their analysis if they are making such a drastic change.

Remix 6

hawkins is a smart guy but it doesnt make him a great starter

Wendling's coverage is the weakness..hes somewhat athletic but he cannot cover and against run, h doesnt always wrap up. Hes not a top 2 round guy for a reason..he'll be a good backup and ST player but as a starter..i wouldnt feel comfortable.

DaBruinz

Hawkins is also 30 something years old and on the downside of his career. Big difference.

Again, where do you get that he can't cover. 5 different sources say otherwise. Why should I belive YOU over them?

Sorry, but I don't see the Pats taking someone at safety who is going to start THIS year. 2008, maybe, but not this year. Not with Harrison and Wilson there as the starters. And this is a contract year for Wilson.

Remix 6

1. I watch college ball
2. Theres also mutli sources saying he is a suspect in coverage

i never said a rookie has to start right away..i said Wendling will be nothing as a starter in NFL

Piscelleti or Rouse would be much better

PushnPencils

I'm not bashing what he brings to the table. There are just 5 safeties in the draft I'd take over him.

If he's available in the 3rd, I'd take him. Leadership is a great thing, but in the first round pick, I want more than leadership.

From NFLDraftCountdown:

Strengths:
Excellent size and tremendous bulk...Has outstanding timed speed considering his frame...Physical and aggressive...A playmaker with good leaping ability and body control...Solid tackler and does a superb job versus the run
...A hard worker and leader with elite intangibles...Very mart...Versatile...Has a good deal of upside.

Weaknesses:
Might not be quite as fluid, smooth or agile as his workout numbers would lead you to believe...He lacks great instincts...Needs some work on his technique and fundamentals...Does not always look real comfortable in coverage...Takes some false steps and poor angles at times...The level of competition may be a concern.

Notes:
Has experience at both free and strong safety and could project to either in the pros...Has everything you look for physically but doesn't always play up to those measurables...Destined to be a workout warrior due to his phenomenal triangle numbers...Underrated prospect who seems to be the total package and the vast majority of his flaws are correctable...Could end up being a big steal for someone