White men CAN jump!

[PushnPencils]

This guy isn't even the best athlete in the draft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0P-22hhrW4

 

[zippo59]

Holy crap.

 

[numbah39]

Seriously the more I hear about this kid the more I wonder why he's not on the Pat's radar. That was pretty cool. I saw one sight saying that he's as fast as Landry in a straight line, faster turning his hips and is excellent in coverage, just hasn't played against top-level competition. If the Pat's don't pick him I'll be interested to see who does.

 

[Remix 6]

so can Adrian Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vL19q8yL54

 

[PushnPencils]

Equally impressive, although Wilson's got 2"+ height on Wendling. Plus honestly I've never seen a white dude jump that high over a bar unless it was at the Olympics and he was doing it backwards over a 9 foot bar.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Seriously the more I hear about this kid the more I wonder why he's not on the Pat's radar. That was pretty cool. I saw one sight saying that he's as fast as Landry in a straight line, faster turning his hips and is excellent in coverage, just hasn't played against top-level competition. If the Pat's don't pick him I'll be interested to see who does.

He more than likely is on their radar, they are just not letting onto it and hoping that he slides so they can use a 3rd or 4th (or even if they trade out of the 1st into the 2nd). Pretty impressive jumping ability, but that doesn't necessarily translate into playing safety in the NFL.

 

[DaBruinz]

Seriously the more I hear about this kid the more I wonder why he's not on the Pat's radar. That was pretty cool. I saw one sight saying that he's as fast as Landry in a straight line, faster turning his hips and is excellent in coverage, just hasn't played against top-level competition. If the Pat's don't pick him I'll be interested to see who does.

Who says he's not on the Pats radar? He's been on mine for awhile. I prefer Wendling over guys like Merriweather, Griffen and Nelson.

 

[PushnPencils]

Who says he's not on the Pats radar? He's been on mine for awhile. I prefer Wendling over guys like Merriweather, Griffen and Nelson.

I like Wendling as a player, but he is is suspect in pass coveragewhere where we need the most help. Wide receivers in the slot or coming through the middle of the secondary killed us last year.

Landry aside, I like Merriweather and Griffin alot. Nelson, although impressive as an athlete, doesn't have a big enough body of work for me to make a good judgement on him.

I think we need an impact player in the secondary this year rather than just a piece of the puzzle. Wendling doesn't fit that criteria.

 

[numbah39]

Who says he's not on the Pats radar? He's been on mine for awhile. I prefer Wendling over guys like Merriweather, Griffen and Nelson.

You're right, I thought that after I posted it. Who knows who's on the Pat's radar... As far as Wendling in coverage I thought that's where he excelled?

 

[PushnPencils]

You're right, I thought that after I posted it. Who knows who's on the Pat's radar... As far as Wendling in coverage I thought that's where he excelled?

He's a big bulky run stuffing safety with great speed.

He doesn't have the quicks to cover too well.

You're not confusing him with Weddle are you?

 

[numbah39]

He's a big bulky run stuffing safety with great speed.

He doesn't have the quicks to cover too well.

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]

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.

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]

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.

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]

I like Wendling as a player, but he is is suspect in pass coveragewhere where we need the most help. Wide receivers in the slot or coming through the middle of the secondary killed us last year.

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.

Landry aside, I like Merriweather and Griffin alot. Nelson, although impressive as an athlete, doesn't have a big enough body of work for me to make a good judgement on him.

I think we need an impact player in the secondary this year rather than just a piece of the puzzle. Wendling doesn't fit that criteria.

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]

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.

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]

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.

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 a smart guy but it doesnt make him a great starter

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

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.

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]

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.

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