Austen Lane

[mayoclinic]

Lane makes me think of a guy I wanted us to take in 2008, DE/LB William Hayes from Winston-Salem:

NFL Draft Prospect Interview: William Hayes. WSSU’s Hayes Restores Human Element to Draft Process

6'3" 260#, timed in a 4.59 at his pro day. Was looked at as both a DE and a 3-4 OLB prospect. Tennessee shocked everyone by trading up to take him at #103 early in the 4th round, and he's now a starting DE for them, and playing quite well. I was hoping we'd take him in the 4th or 5th round. In retrospect, I wish we'd taken him over Shawn Crable at 78.

Lane's a bit different from Hayes - taller, more agile, and better in space. Maybe not quite as strong. But I think it would be a mistake to overlook some of these guys just because they come from small programs or face lesser competition.

 

[NePatriots]

We have an interview with Austen coming up really soon... any questions the PatsFans board would like to ask him?

 

[mayoclinic]

We have an interview with Austen coming up really soon... any questions the PatsFans board would like to ask him?

Difficult question. Most of us want to see him play more rather than hear him talk.

Some thoughts:

1. Has he been invited to any post-season games? The Senior Bowl would be terrific, since we could see him practice against top competition all week. The Shrine Game or Texas vs. the Nation would be nice consolation prizes. We need to see how this kid plays, especially against better competition.

2. How much was he asked to play standing up and drop back into coverage at Murray State? Did he cover TE's at all?

3. What is his previous 3-cone speed? Short shuttle?

4. Who in the NFL does he see as having a similar style of play? Where does he see himself playing in the NFL - DE or OLB?

5. It's been suggested that Lane lacks much of a pass rush repertoire and has mainly gotten by on overpowering lesser competition. What is his response to that?

6. Who is the best offensive player you have had to go up against? Who is the best defensive player you've seen on an opposing team?

Again, I'd much rather see him practice against Senior Bowl OL's than hear his responses to any of the above. The biggest questions that I see with Lane are whether he truly has the lateral agility and loose hips needed to play OLB, and how much of his dominance has been because of playing against lesser competition.

There's no doubt that Lane dominated Division II. And he's not just a pass rusher. According to the Bleacher Report article cited in the OP, on On 29 running plays directed at Lane, "the opposition gained only 12 yards (0.41 ypc), as he stopped ball carriers at the line of scrimmage six times and made two third-down stops and one fourth-down tackle vs. the ground attack". In addition, the opposing team "completed just 1-of-14 pass attempts (7.14%) into his area for minus 3 yards, as Lane rerouted/jammed receivers on seven of those throws".

He sounds like the complete package, but against mostly inferior competition. The big question is how much will he hold up against elite competition.

 

[NePatriots]

I agree Mayo that I'd rather see Lane play, but unfortunately I can't give him a workout. :smile:

I can give him an interview, so I'll ask as good as questions as I can -- thanks for the input!

 

[Seneschal2]

1. Has he been invited to any post-season games? The Senior Bowl would be terrific, since we could see him practice against top competition all week. The Shrine Game or Texas vs. the Nation would be nice consolation prizes. We need to see how this kid plays, especially against better competition.

Has been invited to the Texas vs the Nation game.

3. What is his previous 3-cone speed? Short shuttle?

CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.58 in the 40-yard dash…1.51 10-yard dash…2.61 20-yard dash…4.07 20-yard shuttle…11.43 60-yard shuttle…6.70 three-cone drill…35-inch vertical jump…9'11"broad jump… Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times.

Also ran a 4.65 40 this past summer.

4. Who in the NFL does he see as having a similar style of play?

Aggressive, like DeMarcus Ware and Peppers.

5. It's been suggested that Lane lacks much of a pass rush repertoire and has mainly gotten by on overpowering lesser competition. What is his response to that?

Likes to bull rush. Needs to fine tune his moves.

6. Who is the best offensive player you have had to go up against?

Scout.com: McCuller Honored to be a Team Captain

He sounds like the complete package, but against mostly inferior competition. The big question is how much will he hold up against elite competition.

Yes and yes.

 

[mayoclinic]

Has been invited to the Texas vs the Nation game.

Any chance he gets a Senior Bowl invite? What about the combine?

CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.58 in the 40-yard dash…1.51 10-yard dash…2.61 20-yard dash…4.07 20-yard shuttle…11.43 60-yard shuttle…6.70 three-cone drill…35-inch vertical jump…9'11"broad jump… Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times.

Also ran a 4.65 40 this past summer.

Those are phenomenal numbers if true - incredible 3-4 OLB numbers.

Connor Barwin, for example, let all DE's at the 2009 combine with a 6.87 3-cone drill. Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews let the LBs at 6.84 and 6.90. 6.7 is pretty decent for a defensive back. And Barwin and Clay Matthews posted a 20 yard shuttle time of 4.18, which was also the best for DEs and the 2nd best for LBs at the combine. Barwin's near-legendary pro day workout included a 4.47 40, 1.53 10 yard dash, 4.12 20 yard shuttle, and 6.69 3-cone drill.

As a comparison, DeMarcus Ware had a 40 time of 4.65 at the 2006 combine, with a 4.07 20 yard and a 6.83 3-cone. So from a purely workout numbers point of view, that would put Lane in very rarified company.

Aggressive, like DeMarcus Ware and Peppers.

Likes to bull rush. Needs to fine tune his moves.

Scout.com: McCuller Honored to be a Team Captain

Yes and yes.

Great data. Those numbers are unbelievable for a 6'6" 260+# guy, and suggest that he has the lateral agility and change of direction to be a phenomenal 3-4 OLB prospect. His tendency to bull rush suggests he is fairly strong. I'd almost hope he doesn't get a combine invite (like Sebastian Vollmer) or a Senior Bowl invite so that he stays under the radar.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

What OL has he played against who are now on NFL rosters?

 

[mayoclinic]

What OL has he played against who are now on NFL rosters?

No idea. I doubt he's played against many Ryan Clady or Michael Roos caliber OTs. But then, they didn't particularly play many Dwight Freeney types when they were in college at those famous programs Boise St. and Eastern Tennessee. Didn't stop them from becoming pro bowl OTs.

Here's who he's played in the past 4 years:

2009 (obviously none on NFL rosters yet): Kentucky Wesleyan, North Carolina St., Missouri St., Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville St., Tennessee St., UT Martin, Eastern Illinois, Austin Peay, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee Tech

2008: Lambuth, Indiana, Illinois St., Western Kentucky, UT Martin, Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville St., Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri St., Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee St.

2007: Louisville, Illinoist St. Lambuth, Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville St., Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri St., Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee St., Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay

2006: Missouri, Tennessee St., Indiana St., Illinois St., Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville St., Samford, Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee-Martin

Not sure what lineman currently on NFL rosters have come out of those programs, but if you feel like going through their rosters and figuring it out, feel free. I doubt there were very many, but he did play Missouri, Louisville, Indiana and NC State.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No idea. I doubt he's played against many Ryan Clady or Michael Roos caliber OTs. But then, they didn't particularly play many Dwight Freeney types when they were in college at those famous programs Boise St. and Eastern Tennessee. Didn't stop them from becoming pro bowl OTs.

If I wanted you to answer the question I'd not have asked the question for the interview list. :beatingcoming:

 

[mayoclinic]

If I wanted you to answer the question I'd not have asked the question for the interview list. :beatingcoming:

Sorry. It wasn't clear that you were directing the question to the interview list, as opposed to the world in general.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Sorry. It wasn't clear that you were directing the question to the interview list, as opposed to the world in general.

:ugh:
.......

 

[mayoclinic]

:ugh:
.......

:ugh: yourself. Be more clear next time.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

:ugh: yourself. Be more clear next time.

Stay out of the med locker. :enranged:

 

[NePatriots]

The Austen Lane interview is up. Great kid, determined to prove himself. Notes on the shrine/senior bowl included, NFL players he's played against.

NFL Draft Prospect Interview - Austen Lane

 

[mayoclinic]

The Austen Lane interview is up. Great kid, determined to prove himself. Notes on the shrine/senior bowl included, NFL players he's played against.

NFL Draft Prospect Interview - Austen Lane

Fabulous job. Great writeup.

I'm particularly interested to hear that he played both a lot of 4-2-5 and a lot of time standing up and dropping into coverage. I see the Pats ideally alternating between a 4-2-5 and 3-4 (or 3-3-5) base if they get the right personnel, with DE/OLB guys like Lane, Greg Romeus, Jeremy Beal, Brandon Graham or Greg Hardy who can play in a 3-point stance on the edge in a 4-2-5 or stand up as OLB's in a 3-4. That's one reason I like those guys better than Sergio Kindle, Jerry Hughes, or Ricky Sapp, who I don't see as being nearly big or strong enough to play on the DL for us.

Everything I've heard about Lane suggests that he is a high character, high motor kid who is very driven. No inconsistency or dedication issues with this kid, inlike Carlos Dunlap, Greg Hardy, Sergio Kindle and Everson Griffen. His numbers are off the charts, and if they hold up he clearly has the athleticism to play in space. His level of competition and lack of pass rush moves are his biggest question marks.

 

[NePatriots]

Fabulous job. Great writeup.

I'm particularly interested to hear that he played both a lot of 4-2-5 and a lot of time standing up and dropping into coverage. I see the Pats ideally alternating between a 4-2-5 and 3-4 (or 3-3-5) base if they get the right personnel, with DE/OLB guys like Lane, Greg Romeus, Jeremy Beal, Brandon Graham or Greg Hardy who can play in a 3-point stance on the edge in a 4-2-5 or stand up as OLB's in a 3-4. That's one reason I like those guys better than Sergio Kindle, Jerry Hughes, or Ricky Sapp, who I don't see as being nearly big or strong enough to play on the DL for us.

Everything I've heard about Lane suggests that he is a high character, high motor kid who is very driven. No inconsistency or dedication issues with this kid, inlike Carlos Dunlap, Greg Hardy, Sergio Kindle and Everson Griffen. His numbers are off the charts, and if they hold up he clearly has the athleticism to play in space. His level of competition and lack of pass rush moves are his biggest question marks.

I know words are words, but he wouldn't shut up about being driven and how hard he wants to prove that he belongs. Just exudes charisma. Can't wait to see him in post-season play.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think the difference with Redd is that he didn't have great body control. His straight-line speed was menacing for someone his size, but he wasn't a smooth, coordinated athlete. He had to really gather himself before changing direction, and didn't look like his technique improved year to year.

Lane is cat-quick and very coordinated. His lateral agility is really impressive for a big guy, and I think that's what sets them apart.

Andrew, I was looking back through this thread and noted these comments of yours (I still haven't been able to get the highlights of Lane to play, BTW). From what I can tell, not having seen much of Lane play, your comments hit the nail on the head.

Wes Bunting included Lane in his defensive review 4 weeks ago, and noted that "Lane possesses a freakish combination of size, length and body control and has a physical skill set very similar to Miami Dolphins OLB/DE Jason Taylor."

Scout?s notebook: defense | National Football Post

It's the body control that intrigues me. As we've previously discussed, guys like Jason Pierre-Paul have tremendous size and linear speed, but looking at Pierre-Paul play he doesn't show that lateral agility or body control. He seems kind of awkward and ungainly, almost like he hasn't figured out how to use that incredibly long body that he has.

Senechal2 recently posted workout numbers for Lane, including a 6.70 3-cone and a 4.07 20 yard shuttle time. Those numbers are amazing for a guy his size, and compare favorably with DeMarcus Ware (6.83 3-cone and 4.07 20 yard shuttle at the 2005 combine; Ware weighed 251 lbs. at the time), David Pollack (6.87 3-cone and 3.94 20 yard shuttle at the 2005 combine) Clay Matthews (6.84 3-cone and 4.18 20 yard shuttle) and Connor Barwin (6.69 3-cone and 4.12 20 yard shuttle at his pro day). Those numbers reflect the unusual body control and lateral agility which you have noted.

I'm trying to stay away from Binky envy, but this kid really does sound like he could be the real deal. I really want to see how he does against top competition, though part of me hopes that he stays a bit under the radar.

 

[Sciz]

Let's assume GMs all know about him and he's not as unknown there as he is to most fans. Anyone disapprove of taking him in the first round?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Nice report, interesting prospect. I look forward to watching him in the All-Star games.

 

[mayoclinic]

Let's assume GMs all know about him and he's not as unknown there as he is to most fans. Anyone disapprove of taking him in the first round?

That would be a major reach right now. If he plays in the Senior Bowl and shows well against top competition, and blows away the combine, then it could happen, as it did with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. I'm guessing he'll end up 2nd round, like Connor Barwin did. Barwin's lack of experience at the DE position kept him from cracking the 1st round. Lane's lack of competition will probably hold him back.