Dan Connor

[SeanBruschi54]

Why does he not get more talk around here?

Seems to have the size and intelligence to play for us. Is actually rated better than Poz was coming out last year.

The only thing i really see wrong is the weight at 230 instead of 240+ ish.

 

[c_nice_37]

Why does he not get more talk around here?

Seems to have the size and intelligence to play for us. Is actually rated better than Poz was coming out last year.

The only thing i really see wrong is the weight at 230 instead of 240+ ish.

Perhaps you answered your own question?

 

[chunkypony]

because everytime we talk about him, i bring up what a meathead he is. making prank phone calls to coaches during the offseason, being a moron in math class, etc.

i had a class with him. i would hate him on this team, just from the way he acts.

 

[danny88]

Perhaps you answered your own question?

Why do people act like a young kid cannot put on some size? If Dan could put on 15 lbs he would be about 245 lbs. 15 lbs of of muscle mass is not out of the question for a young kid of he works hard and trains correctly.

Dan can get bigger.

 

[Seneschal2]

At his weigh-in -- 6025 233

Article on LBs Connor and Dizon:

NFLDRAFTSCOUT.com analysis on both this week has been favorable.

"Connor entered the Senior Bowl ranked as the top inside linebacker in the draft and he's done nothing to endanger that ranking. In fact, Connor has been so impressive, his stock is on the rise. Compared by many to former Penn State star Paul Posluszny. Connor's ability to change direction and remain on the field in passing situations makes him a possible candidate to move back outside (as he played previous to his senior season) in the NFL. Connor's ability to tackle in space and remain with backs and tight ends in coverage has drawn raves from scouts. Connor not only has cemented his status as the elite inside linebacker, he may have jumped ahead of USC's Keith Rivers as the top overall linebacker prospect."

---

Better suited for ILB in the Pats 3-4, or MLB/OLB for the 4-3 teams?

 

[cstjohn17]

Good article from Kirwan,
http://www.nfl.com/seniorbowl/story...0d5d8063738c&template=with-video&confirm=true

1. DAN CONNOR, 6-3, 230, Penn State
From the first practice, Connor jumped out as a tremendous middle linebacker with range, the ability to key and diagnose, with all the instincts required to be a great player. When a guy posts 410 tackles in a college career, sometimes you wonder if maybe his stats were padded, that maybe he was getting credit for every time he got to a pile. But that's not the case with Connor. He lines up the defense and meets all of the running backs at the line of scrimmage. It's great to see his pass drops, which he performs with smoothness and an eye on the route progressions. On one play he's holding off the deep middle, and on the next he's colliding a slant route. When the linebackers this week went to their blitz period against the running backs, he made an even bigger impression when he made three different backs simply miss him when he rushed. On two other occasions he won with a bull rush and came back with a spin move to get to the QB. "Connor could play in any scheme, 4-3 or 3-4, and excel as a rookie," said one GM. "He reminds me of Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks, except bigger."


2. KEITH RIVERS, 6-3, 237, USC
Rivers is a very impressive physical specimen. He weighed in around the 235-pound range, but when you watch him practice you would swear he's closer to 250. Rivers can thump a guard who comes out to block him; he sees the scheme in front of him right away and always seems to be waiting for the back before he gets to the point of attack. What is impressive is he always leads with his hands. He has long arms and great upper body strength to explode into blockers and disengage. Rivers has smooth hips, easily opens up in his drops and has a knack for knocking down balls. Rivers runs 4.6 in the 40 but plays even faster. One GM who has a 3-4 defense feels he's the best prospect for his team even though Rivers was in a 4-3 package at USC. Rivers also possesses pass-rush skills, as his physical style makes him capable of a few sacks a year. If a 4-3 team takes Rivers, it will be able to try him at the Mike (middle), Sam (strongside) or Will (weakside) positions.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Exactly, what is so hard about gaining 7 more pounds? I mean any teams strength and conditioning program will easily make a player focus more on conditioning and getting to know their own body.

Our program has been amazing with Mike.

For example Maroney came out of the draft just about 2 years ago. He weighed between 215-217 depending on what sites you look at. Now hes between 223-225 after his second year. Thats almost a ten pound difference for a position in which running and agility is the key factor.

 

[JaredOfNazareth]

Has any scouting report mentioned if he can shed blocks and move through trash?

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Has any scouting report mentioned if he can shed blocks and move through trash?

Kirwan says something similar in his blog.

When the linebackers this week went to their blitz period against the running backs, he made an even bigger impression when he made three different backs simply miss him when he rushed. On two other occasions he won with a bull rush and came back with a spin move to get to the QB.

Kind of points to what you were asking.

 

[PonyExpress]

because everytime we talk about him, i bring up what a meathead he is. making prank phone calls to coaches during the offseason, being a moron in math class, etc.

i had a class with him. i would hate him on this team, just from the way he acts.

Here is a poster who actually knows Connor on a personal level. Connor has a small frame, which means he will have trouble gaining weight and maintaining his athleticism. He also appears to be very immature That prank call thing seemed very bizarre when I first read about it. Bar fights? the more the better. Weird prank calls and being a moron? no thanks.

 

[WhiZa]

I would take him with the #63rd pick

 

[patsfan47]

Here is a poster who actually knows Connor on a personal level. Connor has a small frame, which means he will have trouble gaining weight and maintaining his athleticism. He also appears to be very immature That prank call thing seemed very bizarre when I first read about it. Bar fights? the more the better. Weird prank calls and being a moron? no thanks.

I go to Penn State too and just because a guy doesn't weigh as much as some of the other guys doesn't mean he has a small frame. Seen and talked to him in person and he could easily put on weight and be around 245. He by no means has a small frame just about as big if not bigger than paul p last year(ran into him once too). As far as being an idiot, i got the goofball vibe from him off the field but on the field the guy is an animal.

 

[chowder]

I go to Penn State too and just because a guy doesn't weigh as much as some of the other guys doesn't mean he has a small frame. Seen and talked to him in person and he could easily put on weight and be around 245. He by no means has a small frame just about as big if not bigger than paul p last year(ran into him once too). As far as being an idiot, i got the goofball vibe from him off the field but on the field the guy is an animal.

we don't need any small sized goofballs on this team... i'll pass on him. lol

 

[mcsully]

From one of the best in the business.. Really good listen..

http://sr950.com/Roster/SR950Mornin...eId/497/Mike-Mayock-from-the-NFL-Network.aspx

Dan Connor - Similar to Poz. Not greatest athlete and probably slightly over-rated because of good instincts and toughness. Can play all three LB positions. Thinks he's a solid early-mid 2nd rounder.

 

[JoePats]

Regarding the off the field stuff...If BB and SP draft him, hypothetically, obviously they do not think it's an issue. They didn't think Meriweather's fight was an issue, so that's good enough for me. If they don't think Connor's prank calls is a big deal, then neither will I.

 

[pantherman]

I think he'd be a great pick up. But look into his history.

 

[IceColdBruschi]

whats the big deal about a prank call. That has nothing to do with his ability to play football. He has grown up since then and was VOTED team captain.

 

[chowder]

for me, his prank calls are less of an issue than his size. Does he have the frame to put on enough weight to take on offensive linemen in the pros? I'm not questioning his leadership or production in college but just think there are better linebackers in the draft who have the size and speed to translate to the NFL.

 

[danny88]

for me, his prank calls are less of an issue than his size. Does he have the frame to put on enough weight to take on offensive linemen in the pros? I'm not questioning his leadership or production in college but just think there are better linebackers in the draft who have the size and speed to translate to the NFL.

No! Conner is a bust in the making! There is NO WAY he can go from 230 to 245 with proper training and diet! I mean he is like 21 years old!!!!! Way past his prime to add size. I suspect he will go juice as soon as he turns pro to overcome the massive weight issue. I mean 15 lbs? The horror! The kid sucks! His frame is terrible!!!!

Just like that terrible player Tedy Bru! No way Conner can mature in to a great player! He just does not have the frame! His college production was a illusion!

Who is better then conner to take in the second round , and why?

Are we going on game speed , a nose for the ball , production and the ability to play football , or who has the best physical stats!?

Take a look at that skinny kid Tom Brady! Just to small and slow to play the game. I wonder what round he would have gone in if people evaluated his ability to play football and win. Ryan Leaf , now theres a physical specimen. Perfect size for a qb!

 

[mcbee]

No! Conner is a bust in the making! There is NO WAY he can go from 230 to 245 with proper training and diet! I mean he is like 21 years old!!!!! Way past his prime to add size. I suspect he will go juice as soon as he turns pro to overcome the massive weight issue. I mean 15 lbs? The horror! The kid sucks! His frame is terrible!!!!

Just like that terrible player Tedy Bru! No way Conner can mature in to a great player! He just does not have the frame! His college production was a illusion!

Who is better then conner to take in the second round , and why?

Are we going on game speed , a nose for the ball , production and the ability to play football , or who has the best physical stats!?

Take a look at that skinny kid Tom Brady! Just to small and slow to play the game. I wonder what round he would have gone in if people evaluated his ability to play football and win. Ryan Leaf , now theres a physical specimen. Perfect size for a qb!

Proper training and diet? What do they do at PSU? Eat cotton candy and watch TV all day?

He needs to gain weight....so he WILL gain weight. That makes sense. I mean it's not like he might have a narrow, small frame or anything.

Bruschi is good...therefore this guy is good. OK, is there some kind of logic leap in there I didn't get?

Brady is skinny but he plays QB. Having a certain amount of size and bulk may be required.

IF BB says he's OK, then he's OK? Great, but that's what the debate is about. Obviously no one knows what BB says about him. HE sounds kind of immature and BB does like experienced vets.