PonyExpress
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2006
- Messages
- 4,659
- Reaction score
- 78
First of all the North so dominated the trenches on both sides of the ball it made it difficult to judge and compare LBer play between North and South. North guards like Beekman et. al., and even tackles, were easily reaching the 2nd level, while South Olineman, like Staley, were whiffing, being spun around like a top, or driven 5 yards into the backfield by Okoye and Patterson.
Willis
Positives: brought the lumber like no other LBer in the game. Showed great range, straight line speed and ability to judge tackling angles. Chased a receiver down 30 yards down field from across the field after getting fooled early on a trick play. Made several excellent, athletic open field tackles to turn potential big gains into short ones. Forced a fumble near the goal line on a snot-globbering hit. Crunched a returner on the opening kickoff. Interacted very well with his teammates, with whom he seemed to have developed a genuine rappport. You can tell he is a leader just watching, even among all-stars. Looks like he can still add some bulk without losing speed. Rangy, with long arms, but looks intimidating. Will struggle to take on a guard, but even when he gets popped, sticks his nose right back in there again and makes plays, like a cornerback with a short memory and tremendous toughness. Alot of heart in this kid. The way he winds up and delivers a blow reminds me a bit of Odell Thurman, which is a compliment.
Negatives: A bit top heavy, meaning he can get knocked off balance by the first hit/block more easily than some others. He brings the lumber, but he also lumbers; Once he identifies the target and judges the angle he is fast and brutal, but until then he can take false steps, and does not seem ideally agile and fluid, a bit stiff in space. Obviously much more comfortable moving forward than back, but has the strength to redirect TEs at the line of scrimmage. Has trouble fighting through blocks.
Conclusion: Willis is confusing. He sometimes looks like the best player on the field, even among all-stars, then stiff and robotic. But he plays with violence, heart and leadership. Has the long arms to defeat blocks, but has trouble doing so, so his ability to integrate quickly in the 3-4 is still fuzzy in my mind. It may take him a couple years to be decent in coverage. Upside: Takeo Spikes
David Harris
Natural, fluid instinctive with excellent balance. May not be as fast straight line as Willis, but more naturally athletic, takes fewer false steps and better dropping in coverage. diagnoses plays quickly and is decisive. Can fight through blockers better than Willis due to his better balance, but doesn't strike a blow with the same kind of authority. Has a less demonstrative leadership style than Willis, but still commands. May be a better fit for the 3-4 than Willis. Upside: Bradie James.
Buster Davis
Looks like Vince Wilfork's little brother. Whatever his flaws may be, he has the most important quality of an ILB: he LOVES to hit people, and when he hits they get hurt and he doesn't.
Anthony Spencer.
Absolutely abused Tony Ugoh. Great speed and power, motor. Blew up two players at once, the rb (without the ball) just by giving him a love tap and the guy went flying. Relentless: Was held, still got pressure, forced the Qb to throw to the opposite side of the field, then raced across and nearly got in on the tackle. Has inside and outside moves. Has power and quickness. Has a nose for the football. IMO Spencer will impact immediately at 3-4 OLB and the only worry is that he won't be there at #24. Wouldn't hesitate to grab him. Especially with the Pats, where Seymour is taking on double teams, wouldn't be surprised at all if Spencer gets 10+ sacks as a rookie provided he gets playing time. With his inside/outside, speed/strength combination, plus motor, I can see him abusing D'Brickashaw for years to come. Built thick and fast like Merriman (6'3'', 266 lbs). Upside: Osi Umenyiora
Quentin Moses
Had some success against the right tackles on the outside. But inconsistent, with little power. Seems to have lost confidence and become unsure of himself, indecisive. He may be a reclamation project from a mental standpoint. He might have checked out on his love for the game and is just putting out for the pay-day. Note to those who believe he will tear it up at the combine: I doubt he will run faster than the 4.73 Kiwanuka ran last year, and he has marginal playing strength for a DE, Which means his leverage is sub-par and he struggles turning the corner against strong opponents, who ride him out of the play, wash him out vs. the run. Spencer IMO surpasses Moses with his strength and quickness, plus relentless play and grit. Upside: Adewale Ogunleye
Amobi Okoye: A poor man's (or young man's) Tommy Harris
Rhema McKnight: smoother version of Reche Caldwell without the bug eyes.
Meriweather: great talent to force fumbles, break up passes, lay the lumber, but he's so small I doubt he'll last long without injury. But a great talent. A poor man's Ed Reed.
Another player of note was Kareem Brown. He was a beast on the interior for the South team. The only D-lineman on the South to show up.
Kenny Irons has NFL vision and quickness. He stood out. Should probably begin as a 3rd down back due to his slight build, like Leon Washington. If he stays healthy and bulks up, try him out as a lead back after a year or two in a zone blocking system.
Beekman from BC was mauling people and playing nasty which I like at guard.
Jay Moore, DE from Nebraska: Some talk by the announcers of him working out as a Lber. He weighs 270, so a sort of Jared Allen clone, though I doubt as fast. Got some garbage sacks, then another late, but the South O-line was so shellshocked at that point it was hard to judge the quality of play.
Levi Brown, OT: Only had to fight against Tim Crowder much of the game. Still Levi IMO looked flatfooted and unathletic at times, ready to get bull rushed by a more accomplished player. Can;t say I see him as the stud LT others do.
After this game, I would take Spencer at #24 without hesitation. I would hesitate on Willis at #28, just because I'm not completely sure about him in the 3-4. So I would probably go best available DB at #28. Then I would take David Harris at #60.
My ideal 1st 2 rds at this juncture:
#24 Spencer
#28 Ross
#60 Harris
Willis
Positives: brought the lumber like no other LBer in the game. Showed great range, straight line speed and ability to judge tackling angles. Chased a receiver down 30 yards down field from across the field after getting fooled early on a trick play. Made several excellent, athletic open field tackles to turn potential big gains into short ones. Forced a fumble near the goal line on a snot-globbering hit. Crunched a returner on the opening kickoff. Interacted very well with his teammates, with whom he seemed to have developed a genuine rappport. You can tell he is a leader just watching, even among all-stars. Looks like he can still add some bulk without losing speed. Rangy, with long arms, but looks intimidating. Will struggle to take on a guard, but even when he gets popped, sticks his nose right back in there again and makes plays, like a cornerback with a short memory and tremendous toughness. Alot of heart in this kid. The way he winds up and delivers a blow reminds me a bit of Odell Thurman, which is a compliment.
Negatives: A bit top heavy, meaning he can get knocked off balance by the first hit/block more easily than some others. He brings the lumber, but he also lumbers; Once he identifies the target and judges the angle he is fast and brutal, but until then he can take false steps, and does not seem ideally agile and fluid, a bit stiff in space. Obviously much more comfortable moving forward than back, but has the strength to redirect TEs at the line of scrimmage. Has trouble fighting through blocks.
Conclusion: Willis is confusing. He sometimes looks like the best player on the field, even among all-stars, then stiff and robotic. But he plays with violence, heart and leadership. Has the long arms to defeat blocks, but has trouble doing so, so his ability to integrate quickly in the 3-4 is still fuzzy in my mind. It may take him a couple years to be decent in coverage. Upside: Takeo Spikes
David Harris
Natural, fluid instinctive with excellent balance. May not be as fast straight line as Willis, but more naturally athletic, takes fewer false steps and better dropping in coverage. diagnoses plays quickly and is decisive. Can fight through blockers better than Willis due to his better balance, but doesn't strike a blow with the same kind of authority. Has a less demonstrative leadership style than Willis, but still commands. May be a better fit for the 3-4 than Willis. Upside: Bradie James.
Buster Davis
Looks like Vince Wilfork's little brother. Whatever his flaws may be, he has the most important quality of an ILB: he LOVES to hit people, and when he hits they get hurt and he doesn't.
Anthony Spencer.
Absolutely abused Tony Ugoh. Great speed and power, motor. Blew up two players at once, the rb (without the ball) just by giving him a love tap and the guy went flying. Relentless: Was held, still got pressure, forced the Qb to throw to the opposite side of the field, then raced across and nearly got in on the tackle. Has inside and outside moves. Has power and quickness. Has a nose for the football. IMO Spencer will impact immediately at 3-4 OLB and the only worry is that he won't be there at #24. Wouldn't hesitate to grab him. Especially with the Pats, where Seymour is taking on double teams, wouldn't be surprised at all if Spencer gets 10+ sacks as a rookie provided he gets playing time. With his inside/outside, speed/strength combination, plus motor, I can see him abusing D'Brickashaw for years to come. Built thick and fast like Merriman (6'3'', 266 lbs). Upside: Osi Umenyiora
Quentin Moses
Had some success against the right tackles on the outside. But inconsistent, with little power. Seems to have lost confidence and become unsure of himself, indecisive. He may be a reclamation project from a mental standpoint. He might have checked out on his love for the game and is just putting out for the pay-day. Note to those who believe he will tear it up at the combine: I doubt he will run faster than the 4.73 Kiwanuka ran last year, and he has marginal playing strength for a DE, Which means his leverage is sub-par and he struggles turning the corner against strong opponents, who ride him out of the play, wash him out vs. the run. Spencer IMO surpasses Moses with his strength and quickness, plus relentless play and grit. Upside: Adewale Ogunleye
Amobi Okoye: A poor man's (or young man's) Tommy Harris
Rhema McKnight: smoother version of Reche Caldwell without the bug eyes.
Meriweather: great talent to force fumbles, break up passes, lay the lumber, but he's so small I doubt he'll last long without injury. But a great talent. A poor man's Ed Reed.
Another player of note was Kareem Brown. He was a beast on the interior for the South team. The only D-lineman on the South to show up.
Kenny Irons has NFL vision and quickness. He stood out. Should probably begin as a 3rd down back due to his slight build, like Leon Washington. If he stays healthy and bulks up, try him out as a lead back after a year or two in a zone blocking system.
Beekman from BC was mauling people and playing nasty which I like at guard.
Jay Moore, DE from Nebraska: Some talk by the announcers of him working out as a Lber. He weighs 270, so a sort of Jared Allen clone, though I doubt as fast. Got some garbage sacks, then another late, but the South O-line was so shellshocked at that point it was hard to judge the quality of play.
Levi Brown, OT: Only had to fight against Tim Crowder much of the game. Still Levi IMO looked flatfooted and unathletic at times, ready to get bull rushed by a more accomplished player. Can;t say I see him as the stud LT others do.
After this game, I would take Spencer at #24 without hesitation. I would hesitate on Willis at #28, just because I'm not completely sure about him in the 3-4. So I would probably go best available DB at #28. Then I would take David Harris at #60.
My ideal 1st 2 rds at this juncture:
#24 Spencer
#28 Ross
#60 Harris
Last edited:
