USC front seven

[PonyExpress]

So they had Ellis, Moala, LJackson, Rivers, Maualuga and Cushing, not to mention 2nd rdr Thomas. Moala's supposedly the #1 prospect in next year's draft. Top 10 picks: Ellis, Moala, Rivers, Maualuga. 1st rdrs: Jackson and Cushing.

So how can you learn anything watching game tape? It's a total mismatch at every position.

The player I want for the Pats next season is Tyson Jackson from LSU. I doubt he'll fall to #32, but I think SD could take a step back this season, now that the Schottenheimer effect has worn off and Norve has had time to fully impact the team. That mid 2nd rdr could come in handy. But I was more impressed with Jackson than Dorsey.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

So they had Ellis, Moala, LJackson, Rivers, Maualuga and Cushing, not to mention 2nd rdr Thomas. Moala's supposedly the #1 prospect in next year's draft. Top 10 picks: Ellis, Moala, Rivers, Maualuga. 1st rdrs: Jackson and Cushing.

So how can you learn anything watching game tape? It's a total mismatch at every position.

The player I want for the Pats next season is Tyson Jackson from LSU. I doubt he'll fall to #32, but I think SD could take a step back this season, now that the Schottenheimer effect has worn off and Norve has had time to fully impact the team. That mid 2nd rdr could come in handy. But I was more impressed with Jackson than Dorsey.

I think Jackson's ability to impress you last season had a lot to do with the other team focusing on the presence of Dorsey in the middle. Let's see what happens with Jackson this year, since presumably he will get more attention from defenses.

I've said it before and I will say it again, USC players are over rated, over hyped, and lack passion and/or fire. However I really like Cushings as an OLB in our defense, depending on how he runs.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I think Jackson's ability to impress you last season had a lot to do with the other team focusing on the presence of Dorsey in the middle. Let's see what happens with Jackson this year, since presumably he will get more attention from defenses.

I've said it before and I will say it again, USC players are over rated, over hyped, and lack passion and/or fire. However I really like Cushings as an OLB in our defense, depending on how he runs.

Don't know if you've heard about it, but there is a rumor floating around the net that Cushing may have used steroids. The rumors started because of his weight gain and before/after photos taken of him. I don't know if it's true per say, but it should certainly be looked into if you're talking about a 1st round prospect.

http://flashwarner.com/2006/07/what_happened_to_brian_cushing.html

This article below tries to explain/refute it but does notice a symptom, gynecomastia, that might indicate steroid use.

http://grg51.typepad.com/steroid_nation/2007/01/more_on_defensi.html

 

[PonyExpress]

Great find VJC.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't want my 3-4 OLBs to have t*ts.

As for T. Jackson, he has the perfect size and athleticism for 3-4 DE. He batted down 10 passes last season. He fits the Pats' scheme. If he had come out this season I would have wanted the Pats to draft him.

 

[dryheat44]

Man...that barely looks like the same guy.

 

[hobbsownscoles]

Great find VJC.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't want my 3-4 OLBs to have t*ts.

You do know that picture is from July 2006 and it is now may 2008

 

[sebman2112]

If I remember correctly, that photo is from around the time Brian couldn't lift weights due to injury, but also wanted to gain weight for his upcoming position shift. That early photo was actually of a thin (for a college DE/LB) HS kid, who was going through Ironman training at the time (something I've talked about previously). Brian went on to have a good season in 2006 playing as a DE/elephant, and looks different in more recent photos.

For the record, I had read that blog some time ago, and the rumor being started. From what I could tell, it was BS and didn't seem worthy of mention on this forum.

 

[PonyExpress]

I think Jackson's ability to impress you last season had a lot to do with the other team focusing on the presence of Dorsey in the middle. Let's see what happens with Jackson this year, since presumably he will get more attention from defenses.

I've said it before and I will say it again, USC players are over rated, over hyped, and lack passion and/or fire. However I really like Cushings as an OLB in our defense, depending on how he runs.

BTW Ochmed

I was looking forward to your scouting report on Mayo, and disappointed that you haven't given it as of yet.

I realize you were pi$$ed with the pick, but how about giving a breakdown from what you have seen in person?

 

[PonyExpress]

BTW, I recently learned that Fili Moala is related to Haloti Ngata.

 

[RussFrancis]

USC players are a HUGE roll of the dice. Atleast lately. Who knows exactly why. But I dont see this team spending too much time bringing in USC talent in the future, because Im sure our scouts and FO are fully aware of the stigma.

 

[dryheat44]

USC players are a HUGE roll of the dice. Atleast lately. Who knows exactly why.

One theory goes that the High School studs that go there attend for the SoCal atmosphere -- Beach and Broads. And football quickly takes a back seat to the lifestyle. It shows that football really isn't important to those guys.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

BTW Ochmed

I was looking forward to your scouting report on Mayo, and disappointed that you haven't given it as of yet.

I realize you were pi$$ed with the pick, but how about giving a breakdown from what you have seen in person?

I have calmed down a lot since the draft and have gone back to the film room to get a better handle on what BB was thinking on Mayo.

I will do a scouting report on Mayo, but first, I am arranging through a friend of a friend of a friend to watch the coaches tape of the Tenn - Florida game. I have the Vandy - Florida and the Florida - Auburn tapes already so that will give me the ability to compare Goff-Groves and Mayo all against a common opponenet.

 

[PonyExpress]

I have calmed down a lot since the draft and have gone back to the film room to get a better handle on what BB was thinking on Mayo.

I will do a scouting report on Mayo, but first, I am arranging through a friend of a friend of a friend to watch the coaches tape of the Tenn - Florida game. I have the Vandy - Florida and the Florida - Auburn tapes already so that will give me the ability to compare Goff-Groves and Mayo all against a common opponenet.

OJ,
Thanks, your opinion is greatly valued. Just a few words of caution: that Florida game, which I watched, was a massacre. Even Vol fans say if you told them Mayo would go #10 overall after the first month of last season, they would have laughed.

Mayo improved by leaps and bounds, supposedly, as the season progressed and he adjusted to the position change.

The LSU, Wisconsin, Vandy, Arkansas games may provide a better picture than the 59-20 Florida debacle...

 

[dryheat44]

Damn...understand that this is a UCLA fansite, but everything here is accurate. I wonder how they have time left to actually play football at Carroll University:

http://www.bruinsnation.com/2008/5/15/508939/pete-carroll-tim-floyd-usc