Carlos Dunlap
 

I was looking at YouTube for some prospect video and came across two Dunlap videos of interest from Alo draft. Now I don't know if Alo draft has some sort of agenda or not, but Dunlap was very unimpressive in both clips (one from the UT game and another from the FSU game). To me, he plays too high at times, and really lacks instincts (in these clips, can't speak for his career)

YouTube - Carlos Dunlap vs. Tennessee

YouTube - Carlos Dunlap vs. Florida State

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

Having watched both clips, I was fairly impressed with Dunlap. Yes, he does play a bit high, particularly out of a 3 point stance, but that is because of his height. It's not as pronounced when he's standing up, and wouldn't be as much of a factor as a 3-4 OLB. He reminds me a lot of Julius Peppers the way he never seems to be running at full speed but always seems to get to where he needs to be.

What I'm most impressed with with Dunlap is that he's always around the ball and the ballcarrier. There are several plays on those 2 clips where he changes direction and pursues the ballcarrier well away from his initial assignment. At around 1:20 in the Florida State excerpt, for example, FSU throws a screen pass and Dunlap ends up way downfield close to the ball carrier when he is tackled. No, he didn't make the play, but he didn't give up on it either, which a lot of pass rushers would have done.

I watched the entire Sugar Bowl game focusing on Dunlap on every play, and I came away extremely impressed with his consistent effort, his ability to pursue, and his agility.

Sorry, but when I watch Dunlap I still see flashes reminiscent of this:

YouTube - Willie McGinest Tribute - NFL Linebacker

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

Except Willie Mac was a team leader at USC and Dunlap has character and maturity concerns. I would not waste a 1st round pick on this guy. The Patriots need to get some character back into the locker room.

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

Remember it use to be dont draft florida recievers high.

Thats now changed to dont draft Florida passrushers.

Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey have been busts to this point.

But louis murphy and harvin have shown meyers system can produce nfl recievers.

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

I agree 100%. If Dunlap runs a 4.6 and shows a little wiggle at the combine, he replaces (and I hate to say this) Mt.Cody as THE number 1 player on my Pats type players draft board. Mainly because he fills a huge existing HOLE at OLB.

Guys like Dunlap are why we need Pepper as our DC. Pepper won't let this guy slack off. Pepper will motivate him to play beyond his God given talent. Accountability to and from your fellow players and accountability to and from the coaching staff; it is a beautiful thing in a locker room.

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

In the Florida State video he is held a few times and still makes plays. On a run outside, I think the LT for FSU holds Dunlap's left arm but Dunlap reaches out with his right and tackles the RB with one arm. It was very impressive.

I can watch him play ball, but I don't know him personally. I'll leave the character judgements up to those he who do.

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

I'm not sure how true the "slacking off" label is. Dunlap is one of those guys who is so big with such a long stride length that he doesn't seem to be running hard, but he's always near the ball. He seems to move in slow motion, but gains ground on the other players because he's a long strider. I've been very impressed in the film and live action I've seen of him how he doesn't give up on plays and continues in pursuit. I would be curious to get Urban Meyer's view on his work habits.

Right now Cody has some work to do to get back to the 1st round. He may end up their because 3-4 NTs are prized, but unless he shows more conditioning than he did in Mobile he's a 2nd rounder as far as I'm concerned.

What about a draft like this:

- Trade 42, 47, and 118 to Atlanta for 19 and 83
- Trade Adalius Thomas and a conditional 2011 pick to KC for #68 (I know, it's probably wishful thinking, but assume it for now)

19. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
22. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
53. Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama
68. Best available OL prospect
83. Austen Lane, DE/OLB, Murray St.

Add in a late round TE (Colin Peek or Jim Dray) and a developmental WR. If we could add a FA WR and possibly also sign Karlos Dansby then we'd be in great shape. Move Wilfork to DE, or play a "big" 4-3 with Wilfork and Cody in the middle and Dunlap and Lane on the outside. Even without Dansby, Cody in the middle would make Mayo and whoever is next to him more effective.

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

CJ Spiller - from EPSN Scouts Inc:

"Held out of most of 2009 spring practices so he could focus on track."

This does not sound like a BB-type prospect. Doubt he's the #1 RB on their board. I would think that Ryan Mathews would be the perfect pick at 42. Alas, I don't think he'll be available at 42.

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

Dunlap doesn't seem like anything special in those videos. Kind of sluggish, sometimes there's a RB within his grasp and he doesn't even make an effort to tackle him. Kind of jogs a lot and yes, I know he's a long strider.

Frequently blocked by one guy.

Why is this guy a top 10 pick again?

As for Ryan Matthews, one scout I read said that he has no leg drive and gets knocked off his pins really easy. You never know where these guys end up drafted.

Re: Carlos Dunlap
 

And ironically Richard Seymour came to the Patriots when he was knocked all over the place for taking plays off and not playing hard.

Now, Richard was a huge force for the Patriots, but you can also see why there was some of that criticism.