OLB/ILB Stewart Bradley

[PATRIOTS-80]

Nebraska LB Stewart Bradley thinks he'll stand out to the coaches and general managers at the Scouting Combine. "There aren't alot of guys at my height and weight with my speed," he said. He also believes his versatility will be a huge asset. "I can play inside or outside," he said. "I'm big enough to stop the run inside, but have lots of experience playing out in space."

http://nflexperts.scout.com/2/621398.html

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Nebraska LB Stewart Bradley thinks he'll stand out to the coaches and general managers at the Scouting Combine. "There aren't alot of guys at my height and weight with my speed," he said. He also believes his versatility will be a huge asset. "I can play inside or outside," he said. "I'm big enough to stop the run inside, but have lots of experience playing out in space."

http://nflexperts.scout.com/2/621398.html

Hmmm . . . are we sure his last name isn't Vrabel?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hmmm . . . are we sure his last name isn't Vrabel?

He was a SLB at Nebraska, but he also got MLB and DE reps in Spring training - plus he was a DB in High School. He's also 6'4" and only a few pounds lighter than Vrabes at 256 during his Senior Bowl weigh-in. So, no, we're not sure he's not a long lost cousin!

 

[cstjohn17]

Nebraska LB Stewart Bradley thinks he'll stand out to the coaches and general managers at the Scouting Combine. "There aren't alot of guys at my height and weight with my speed," he said. He also believes his versatility will be a huge asset. "I can play inside or outside," he said. "I'm big enough to stop the run inside, but have lots of experience playing out in space."

http://nflexperts.scout.com/2/621398.html

He seems like a great fit, the question is where does he get drafted? If he is there at pick 60 the Pats may take a look but he doesn't look like a round 1 talent.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

He seems like a great fit, the question is where does he get drafted? If he is there at pick 60 the Pats may take a look but he doesn't look like a round 1 talent.

Neither was Mankins, if BB thinks he's the best fit at 28, Mel will just look stunned and the chat room and forum will go ballistic.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Neither was Mankins, if BB thinks he's the best fit at 28, Mel will just look stunned and the chat room and forum will go ballistic.

Those picks are always the greatest. The reactions are priceless. Who the hell is...........? LOL

 

[spacecrime]

Neither was Mankins, if BB thinks he's the best fit at 28, Mel will just look stunned and the chat room and forum will go ballistic.

I impressed the hell out of my wife that day. Just before the pick, my son asked who I thought BB might pick and we discussed it, then I said, "He'll probably pick an offensive lineman." Logan Mankins name came up. My wife was REALLY impressed until I my son squealed and said I was joking and that I meant OLine was the position I thought LEAST likely to be selected.

Benjamin Watson was also a surprise to most of us here. Watson wasn't even watching TV at the time, figuring he wouldn't go until after Troupe.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I impressed the hell out of my wife that day.

This was one of those potentially hilarious lead ins which sets a body up on pins and needles, **sigh** such a let down.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Gil Brandt is reporting Bradley was the heaviest OLB weighed in at 254. So far, Bradley and DeOssie are the two true LBs checking in with the best weigh-in numbers: 6'3"-5", 250-254.

 

[ATippett56]

Name: Stewart Bradley
College: Nebraska Number: 34
Height: 6-4 Weight: 256
Position: OLB Pos2: ILB
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.76 40 Low: 4.73 40 High: 4.80
Projected Round: 3
Rated number 6 out of 216 OLB's 92/2340 TOTAL

Analysis

Positives: Has a developing frame that could add another 20 pounds for a possible move to rush end, with no loss in quickness...Has an athletic, big physique for a linebacker, with good upper body muscle definition, tight waist and hips, good bubble, strong lower body frame and only 10 percent body fat...Has adequate timed speed, but keeps plays in front of him and has a good short-area closing burst...Works well in space, showing fluid change of direction agility...Has the balance and body control to stay on the hips of the tight ends and backs in the short-area passing game...Uses his hands effectively to press and reroute...Chases hard and shows good urgency getting to the ball...Hits with pop on contact and has the strong hands and technique to jar the ball loose from the ball carrier (four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles in 2006)...Smart, instinctive player who reads schemes well and is alert to play-action and misdirection...Explodes behind his hits and uses his strength in attempts to wrap...Has the body control to break down in the open field and improved his ability to take angles when making plays in space (did not overrun the play as much in 2006 than he did in the past)...Will face up and wrap with intent to punish...Has a good work ethic who puts in extra hours in the weight and film rooms...Has good vision to quickly locate and close on the ball...Makes good body adjustments on the run and is quick to react to misdirection...Plays the run with good stoutness at the point of attack, using his hands and upper body strength to stack and control...Has enough upper body strength to split double teams and clog the inside rush lanes...Holds his ground firmly at the point of attack and is active with his hands in attempts to shed...While he won't hesitate to take on blockers, his instincts lets him make plays when unblocked due to his quick read-and-react ability, compensating for a lack of blazing speed...Won't blow up ball carriers in his tackles, but will secure and drag down...Can throw and jerk blockers, if needed, but prefers to fend off, play off and close in on the ball rather than stay and offer combat...Has the functional burst to close on running plays along the edge and has the range to string plays out and take away the cutback lanes...Will get a little out of control in his pursuit at times, but has the athletic agility to recover...Keeps his pad level down to make plays down the line of scrimmage and move through traffic (makes a lot of east/west plays)...Knows how to pick up his feet to avoid trash...Has the loose hips to get depth in his pass drops, but is better playing in the zone than in man coverage...Understands zone concepts and is alert to switch-offs, but needs to continue working on taking better angles...Very effective on stunts, especially when unblocked and uses his hands effectively to squeeze through the rush lanes...Shows good anticipation and explosiveness on the blitz (can dog inside or off the edge)...Has the speed to flush the quarterback out of the pocket.

Negatives: Durability is a slight concern due to his 2005 and prep school injuries...Has adequate timed speed and a decent straight-line burst, but lacks suddenness moving from sideline-to-sideline...Lacks natural hands and fails to extend for the ball outside his frame (several pass deflections could have been interceptions, but he bobbled and double-caught the ball)...Can keep relationship with the tight ends and backs in the short area, but loses sight of the ball in flight and doesn't have the timed speed to mirror receivers past the second level...Has good strength, but doesn't always deliver crunching hits to drive back the ball carrier (more of a wrap-up type)...Has improved in this area, but still takes some poor angles in pursuit, causing him to out-run the plays at times...Eyeballs the quarterback too long working in the deep secondary, allowing the receiver to get behind him (struggles to recover when beaten)...Better making plays in backside pursuit or on the edge, as he will get a little reckless closing in space.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gil Brandt is reporting Bradley was the heaviest OLB weighed in at 254. So far, Bradley and DeOssie are the two true LBs checking in with the best weigh-in numbers: 6'3"-5", 250-254.

So Box: how would you feel about a draft like this:

1a. CB
1b. WR/RB
2. Stewart Bradley
3. S?
4a. Zak DeOssie

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

So Box: how would you feel about a draft like this:

1a. CB
1b. WR/RB
2. Stewart Bradley
3. S?
4a. Zak DeOssie

Too soon to tell, DeOssie is hoping to run his 40 in the 4.5's, if he does that you've got a 250 lb., nearly 6'5" athlete from an NFL pedigree who could move into the first day for teams (like the Giants) who are looking for LB help. If Bradley runs a 4.7 or better he may improve his stock even further after his Senior Bowl.

As for CB, from what I've read, Darrelle Revis sliding to #24 might be worth pulling the trigger if he runs low 4.5's. I'm reading stuff on Hall, Ross, Hughs, and Houston that has me (within my very limited knowledge of secondary skills) questioning their value to the Pats in round 1. I think there are mid-round CBs, where the Pats have been shopping, who read better.

WR/RB is getting interesting as the 40 times start coming in, there are some good looking players turning in good times who look like they'll be available later than round 1. Once all their times are in it will be interesting to see where production and measurables rank them.

Right now, before Free Agency, I see the Pats "need" as linebacker with a second tier shopping list of PR/KR, CB, S, RB, WR, and QB. That's really it for critical need. I think the Pats can find quality at S and WR anywhere in this draft. CB is more problematic, and that makes me cautious about buying one too high. RB I need to reassess, if only to control for my desire to see Brian Leonard in a Pats' uniform. We have a feature back and a third down specialist, I'm shopping for depth behind those two, someone who can do both, if not as well as Maroney and Faulk. PR/KR is, hopefully, a supplemental function to guys who can be starters in the near future at a primary position.

 

[SamBamsFan]

Name: Stewart Bradley
College: Nebraska Number: 34
Height: 6-4 Weight: 256
Position: OLB Pos2: ILB
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.76 40 Low: 4.73 40 High: 4.80
Projected Round: 3
Rated number 6 out of 216 OLB's 92/2340 TOTAL

Analysis

Positives: Has a developing frame that could add another 20 pounds for a possible move to rush end, with no loss in quickness...Has an athletic, big physique for a linebacker, with good upper body muscle definition, tight waist and hips, good bubble, strong lower body frame and only 10 percent body fat...Has adequate timed speed, but keeps plays in front of him and has a good short-area closing burst...Works well in space, showing fluid change of direction agility...Has the balance and body control to stay on the hips of the tight ends and backs in the short-area passing game...Uses his hands effectively to press and reroute...Chases hard and shows good urgency getting to the ball...Hits with pop on contact and has the strong hands and technique to jar the ball loose from the ball carrier (four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles in 2006)...Smart, instinctive player who reads schemes well and is alert to play-action and misdirection...Explodes behind his hits and uses his strength in attempts to wrap...Has the body control to break down in the open field and improved his ability to take angles when making plays in space (did not overrun the play as much in 2006 than he did in the past)...Will face up and wrap with intent to punish...Has a good work ethic who puts in extra hours in the weight and film rooms...Has good vision to quickly locate and close on the ball...Makes good body adjustments on the run and is quick to react to misdirection...Plays the run with good stoutness at the point of attack, using his hands and upper body strength to stack and control...Has enough upper body strength to split double teams and clog the inside rush lanes...Holds his ground firmly at the point of attack and is active with his hands in attempts to shed...While he won't hesitate to take on blockers, his instincts lets him make plays when unblocked due to his quick read-and-react ability, compensating for a lack of blazing speed...Won't blow up ball carriers in his tackles, but will secure and drag down...Can throw and jerk blockers, if needed, but prefers to fend off, play off and close in on the ball rather than stay and offer combat...Has the functional burst to close on running plays along the edge and has the range to string plays out and take away the cutback lanes...Will get a little out of control in his pursuit at times, but has the athletic agility to recover...Keeps his pad level down to make plays down the line of scrimmage and move through traffic (makes a lot of east/west plays)...Knows how to pick up his feet to avoid trash...Has the loose hips to get depth in his pass drops, but is better playing in the zone than in man coverage...Understands zone concepts and is alert to switch-offs, but needs to continue working on taking better angles...Very effective on stunts, especially when unblocked and uses his hands effectively to squeeze through the rush lanes...Shows good anticipation and explosiveness on the blitz (can dog inside or off the edge)...Has the speed to flush the quarterback out of the pocket.

Negatives: Durability is a slight concern due to his 2005 and prep school injuries...Has adequate timed speed and a decent straight-line burst, but lacks suddenness moving from sideline-to-sideline...Lacks natural hands and fails to extend for the ball outside his frame (several pass deflections could have been interceptions, but he bobbled and double-caught the ball)...Can keep relationship with the tight ends and backs in the short area, but loses sight of the ball in flight and doesn't have the timed speed to mirror receivers past the second level...Has good strength, but doesn't always deliver crunching hits to drive back the ball carrier (more of a wrap-up type)...Has improved in this area, but still takes some poor angles in pursuit, causing him to out-run the plays at times...Eyeballs the quarterback too long working in the deep secondary, allowing the receiver to get behind him (struggles to recover when beaten)...Better making plays in backside pursuit or on the edge, as he will get a little reckless closing in space.

ATippett56. Do you realize how many federal laws you break when you cut & paste this type of information w/o sourcing the information, linking the information, & using more than 10% of the information? Can I have a moderator delete both of our posts?