Dan Shonka - ourlads

[patfanken]

Just got done listening to a podcast done by Dan Shonka - He's runs Ourlads and has an impeccable 39 year background in coaching and professional scouting. For what its worth, I thought it wa s VERY interesting on just some of his comments on certain players that we've been talking about.

1. Bruce Carter - He was EXTREMELY high on him. He expects him to go early 2nd. Just couldn't say enough good things about him. It was interesting since he had just finished trashing NC players in general in the past, especially DLmen - Thought he was a top 10 talent

2. Aldon Smith - He hated him - Watched him alot, and while he flashed, he never saw him play a complete game. Commented that he didn't even seem to get up for the big games. Doubts that he's a first round talent but acknowledged that he;ll probably get picked mid first. Young could eventually get it, but needs lots of work. Won't be an impact player for a few years...if at all.

3. JJ Watt - Loved him - said he's the best 5 technique DE in the draft - Has him going to Dallas at #9

4. Costanzo - Had him going to the Pats at 17 - didn't seem overly enthusiastic about him. Thinks he is a RT early in his career. A good friend of Dante - spent most of his time talking more about Volmer than Costanzo. Said that he was shocked how quickly Dante had Volmer ready to play in his rookie year. He liked Volmer's potential, but didn't think he'd contribute so early. Lots of kudo to Dante

5. Watkins - He loved him. When The Pats were discussed at 28 he loved Watkins. Thought he'd make a perfect Patriot. A plug in starter from day one. In his mock he gave us Wilkerson, but didn't seem overly enthused about him.

6. Think Brooks Reed is a 3rd round prospect who might sneak into the first round. Said he wasn't even the best rusher on his own team (Elmore) - limited skills - a one trick pony

7. When discussing Buffalo he noted he had Aaron Maybin as a 3rd round prospect. He liked Spiller but not that high. Thinks he'll contribute a lot more this season. He also through in that he had Gholson as a 3rd rounder too.

8. Miles Austin - Hated him, though he thinks he might sneak into the first round. Wouldn't have him on his board - says after he dominated he drills, small school OLmen pancaked him in live action. Says nothing in his film suggests he's an NFL player. No heart.

9 The next Matthews - says he has GREAT instincts and few measurables. One of those guys who just gets the job done. Somehow he arrives where the ball is. Says he has him as a 3rd or 4th round guy who will make some team play special teams, be a quality fill in player and be in the league 10 yrs

10. Wilson - the ILB from ILL - didn't like him as much as some other ILB whose name I forget. Good player but not great instincts - gets cut down alot - but great recovery.

11. Cam Jordan - Likes him as a very versatile DLman - says he has great NFL DNA - which he says about a lot of 2nd generation players. Gave him to Jacksonville at 16 - I was pissed.

12 Cam Heywood - he seemed more enthusiastic about him than Jordan (JMO) he gave him to SD just after he gave us Costanzo

13.Jimmie Smith (my latest Binky) Didn't like him at all. Acknowledged his physical talent, but didn't think he used it consistently on the field. Called him very undisciplined. he did a lot of freelancing Ah well another binky lost to the well of reality

General Comments - Didn't think there was a first round DB after Peterson and the Prince, though he had a couple going at the end of first round (the UCLA/USC S and the Texas CB) because of team's needs

He agreed that a lot of QBs will be over drafted - He liked Ponder the best of the also rans. Thinks that a lot of teams at the end of the first round will make hay trading down to allow those QB starved teams back in so they can get their QB.

The one thing I got out of this was his appraisal of Bruce Carter.....my NEW...an latest BINKY Hope you find this interesting

 

[realtime]

Right before I read your post, I saw Mike Lombardi's second round mock. He had Carter going to the Pats at 33. Lombardi also described him as a top 10 talent. So there must be something to that. The only problem is that he has an ACL tear and Lombardi said he would need to "redshirt" until 2012.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I claimed "binky" status on Carter when I named him in my Old Time Draft Contest. He would be a steal in the third round.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Right before I read your post, I saw Mike Lombardi's second round mock. He had Carter going to the Pats at 33. Lombardi also described him as a top 10 talent. So there must be something to that. The only problem is that he has an ACL tear and Lombardi said he would need to "redshirt" until 2012.

I saw that too. Sounds like a good risk IF they also get 2-3 immediately usable (ie healthy) players in the top 50 or so, IMO.

 

[dryheat44]

Right before I read your post, I saw Mike Lombardi's second round mock. He had Carter going to the Pats at 33. Lombardi also described him as a top 10 talent. So there must be something to that. The only problem is that he has an ACL tear and Lombardi said he would need to "redshirt" until 2012.

The ACL tear is hardly the only problem. He's also 6' 1-1/2" tall. Hard to imagine BB spends a pick in the first 6 rounds on him, let alone #33.

 

[Sciz]

Bruce Carter is not an OLB.

 

[BelichickFan]

Casserly questioned Lombardi on the position with with Carter and the Patriots last night. Lombardi's opinion is that he's a good enough football player to get on the field with us one way or another in addition to being a very good special teams player.

 

[HomerSchooled]

Yeah, I don't quite get projecting Bruce Carter to us. Potentially good ILB or 4-3 linebacker type, but he's never really been much of a pass-rush specialist. He hasn't improved since his Sophomore season 3 years ago. Given his injury, size, and position, I can't really imagine the Patriots being interested. Barring a late-round steal type situation.

I jinxed it. We'll probably take him at 17.

 

[Sciz]

Casserly questioned Lombardi on the position with with Carter and the Patriots last night. Lombardi's opinion is that he's a good enough football player to get on the field with us one way or another in addition to being a very good special teams player.

Well, that "one way or another" is in Mayo's position, so I'm going to call BS on his opinion.

 

[Don Kipines]

Bruce Carter is not an OLB.

Not with the Patriots he wouldn't be, but he was on UNC.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

8. Miles Austin - Hated him, though he thinks he might sneak into the first round. Wouldn't have him on his board - says after he dominated he drills, small school OLmen pancaked him in live action. Says nothing in his film suggests he's an NFL player. No heart.

Miles Austin is a Wide Receiver for the Dallas Cowboys from 2006

Do you mean DE MARVIN Austin ??

 

[realtime]

Miles Austin is a Wide Receiver for the Dallas Cowboys from 2006

Do you mean DE MARVIN Austin ??

If he really meant Miles Austin, that would certainly explain why he was getting pancaked by small school offensive linemen.

 

[patfanken]

Miles Austin is a Wide Receiver for the Dallas Cowboys from 2006

Do you mean DE MARVIN Austin ??

All you Draft Geeks are SOOOOOOO detailed oriented, aren't you? What were you shocked I butchered a a players 's name? You don't know me very well

 

[patfanken]

BTW - in the original post I mentioned that Shonka likes some other ILB better than Wilson from ILL. Well in another thread there was a mock that had us drafting the kid. His name is Quan Sturdivant a LB from NC. Just thought since you all have been racking your brains out trying to figure out who it was, you'd like to know.

 

[patfanken]

If he really meant Miles Austin, that would certainly explain why he was getting pancaked by small school offensive linemen.

It was at one of the all star games

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

All you Draft Geeks are SOOOOOOO detailed oriented, aren't you? What were you shocked I butchered a a players 's name? You don't know me very well

LOL

If MARVIN Austin becomes as good of a pro at his position as MILES Austin is with the Cowboys,I would take him at #17 with no questions asked

 

[letekro]

Casserly questioned Lombardi on the position with with Carter and the Patriots last night. Lombardi's opinion is that he's a good enough football player to get on the field with us one way or another in addition to being a very good special teams player.

I know a lot of people on this board respect Lombardi b/c he worships at the altar of BB, but this sounds like one of his many hare-brained ideas. We are set an ILB and this guy is clearly an ILB in the 3-4. Now, if Mayock had said the same thing...

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

BTW - in the original post I mentioned that Shonka likes some other ILB better than Wilson from ILL. Well in another thread there was a mock that had us drafting the kid. His name is Quan Sturdivant a LB from NC. Just thought since you all have been racking your brains out trying to figure out who it was, you'd like to know.

So, he hadn't heard the stories about Sturdivant showing up for workouts out of shape, being completely gassed and uncaring at his Pro-Day, and all those good things? Probably just rumors started by the Huddle Report.

 

[patchick]

I don't see Carter as a Patriot, but I agree with a lot of those assessments. Aldon Smith, in particular, is one I like less and less the more I see of him. I just don't see him making #17-type impact.

 

[AzPatsFan]

All you Draft Geeks are SOOOOOOO detailed oriented, aren't you? What were you shocked I butchered a a players 's name? You don't know me very well

I make the same mistake too...

But I don't see us taking Bruce Carter as the red-shirt, as he is too small for a BB type 3-4 OLB. For a redshirt I'd rather take Greg Romeus, who is 6'5" and 270# , 4.6 ish. DE-->OLB conversions need a couple seasons of grooming. It may as well begin while he is PUP/IR.