Guard Mike Iupati

[BritPat]

SS: NFL Draft - 2010_WR Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

3-cone: NFL Draft - 2010_WR Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

These are Combine times, some have improved in them at their Pro-Days. For example Gilyard ran 4.06 and 6.71 at his Pro-Day.

I knew those mate, I was wondering if you could compare the guys we've drafted to this draft class. For example, I know Deion Branch put up one of the quickest short shuttle times ever.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hey Box,

Interesting post as usual. I wonder if the Patriots would use brute force if they had the horses?
In other words, do you think that this finesse stuff is because they don't have the brutes or it is just considered more effective?

I am old school and enjoy watching the John Hanna types annihilating guys, but maybe this style of football is obsolete. I can see one area where the monsters are needed inside, and that is to negate the nose tackle.

I have an interesting John Hanna story from training camp at Bryant but I that is ancient history now.

This is by design, probably a function of the offense BB and Charlie brought with them. Remember all the screen plays NE runs? It used to be with their RBs and TEs, but now they do it with WRs. Our OL are upfield blocking, it's just the nature of the beast. When they drafted Maroney they made the decision to run more zone, I'm not sure that was for the best in the run game. I'm not a big fan of lateral plays, but apparently they thought it better for Maroney's capabilities, I don't think it helps the OL, at least the way Coach Scar teaches it (as opposed to those scummy Denver leg breakers Shanahan preferred).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I knew those mate, I was wondering if you could compare the guys we've drafted to this draft class. For example, I know Deion Branch put up one of the quickest short shuttle times ever.

Branch 3.76, 6.71
Givens 4.13, 6.82
Sam unk, 7.05
Jackson 4.03, 6.74
Welker 4.01, 7.09 (Pro-Day, which makes me wonder whether he was healthy or the field was exceptionally slow.)
Edelman 3.92, 6.62
Tate 4.12, 7.25, presumably at his junior Pro-Day.

Combine best times:

Fastest Shuttle Times	  
3.73 - Kevin Kasper, (WR), Iowa - 2001
3.75 - Dunta Robinson, (CB), South Carolina - 2004
3.76 - Deion Branch, (WR), Louisville - 2002
3.82 - Carlos Rogers, (CB), Auburn - 2005
3.82 - Dante' Hall, (RB), Texas A&M - 2000
3.83 - Kevin Bentley, (OLB), Northwestern - 2002
3.83 - Terence Newman, (CB), Kansas State - 2003
3.83 - Jason Allen, (FS), Tennessee - 2006
3.84 - Justin Beriault, (FS), Ball State - 2005
3.84 - Troy Walters, (WR), Stanford - 2000
3.85 - Rashad Holman, (CB), Louisville - 2001
3.86 - Jason Hebert, (FS), Rice - 2002
3.87 - Randy Fasani, (QB), Stanford - 2002
3.87 - Coy Wire, (SS), Stanford - 2002
3.88 - Joey Thomas, (CB), Montana State - 2004
3.88 - Kevin Curtis, (FS), Texas Tech - 2002
3.88 - Ryan Tolhurst, (WR), Richmond - 2002
3.88 - Jeff Shoate, (CB), San Diego State - 2004
3.88 - Kendrick Starling, (WR), San Jose State - 2004
3.89 - Markus Curry, (CB), Michigan - 2005
3.89 - Domonique Foxworth, (CB), Maryland - 2005
3.89 - Niko Koutouvides, (ILB), Purdue - 2004
3.89 - Charles Tillman, (CB), Louisiana-Lafayette - 2003
3.90 - Kelvin Hayden, (CB), Illinois - 2005
3.90 - Stanford Routt, (CB), Houston - 2005	

Quickest 3 Cone Drill Times
6.34 - Sedrick Curry, (CB), Texas A&M - 2000
6.45 - Scott Long, (WR), Louisville - 2010
6.48 - Carlos Rogers, (CB), Auburn - 2005
6.48 - Rogers Beckett, (FS), Marshall - 2000
6.50 - Leon Hall, (CB), Michigan - 2007
6.51 - Jon McGraw, (SS), Kansas State - 2002
6.54 - *Anthony Gonzalez, (WR), Ohio State - 2007
6.54 - Trindon Holliday, (WR), LSU - 2010
6.56 - Ben Taylor, (ILB), Virginia Tech - 2002
6.56 - Kevin Kasper, (WR), Iowa - 2001
6.57 - Harry Douglas, (WR), Louisville - 2008
6.58 - Cody Grimm, (SS), Virginia Tech - 2010
6.59 - Malcolm Jenkins, (CB), Ohio State - 2009
6.60 - David Bruton, (FS), Notre Dame - 2009
6.60 - Sherrod Martin, (CB), Troy - 2009
6.60 - Trent Gamble, (FS), Wyoming - 2000
6.60 - Michael Griffin, (SS), Texas - 2007
6.61 - Courtney Roby, (WR), Indiana - 2005
6.61 - Troy Walters, (WR), Stanford - 2000
6.61 - Marcus McCauley, (CB), Fresno State - 2007
6.62 - Dante' Hall, (RB), Texas A&M - 2000
6.62 - Coy Wire, (SS), Stanford - 2002
6.62 - Tiquan Underwood, (WR), Rutgers - 2009
6.62 - Johnnie Lee Higgins, (WR), Texas-El Paso - 2007
6.63 - Stanford Routt, (CB), Houston - 2005

 

[Nonentity]

And here's some more, compiled at the NFP (but only top 10s in each drill).

NFL Combine drill breakdown | National Football Post

 

[patchick]

Another thing to note, out of the Belichick era NE OL for whom I can find Combine or Pro-Day data, Tom Ashworth's 4.87 is the poorest short shuttle score. Of the current NE OL, Kaczur's 4.76 is the poorest. By comparison: Light 4.49. Mankins 4.45, Koppen 4.56, Connolly 4.54, Vollmer 4.50...Iupati 4.93. The short shuttle measures a players ability to change direction and to accelerate

On a similar note, my favorite shorthand in scouting Pats OLs is a vertical of 29"+. VJ is obviously another measure of acceleration, and the Pats have long had the best high-jumping line in the league:
Vollmer: 36.5 (better than Deion Branch!)
Mankins: 31.5
Kaczur: 31.5
Levoir: 30
Koppen: 28.5
Connolly: 28.5

 

[Nonentity]

Great spot there patchick. Looking at this year's draft then, using Combine numbers:

Tackles:
Trent Williams - 34.5
Jared Veldheer - 33.5
Anthony Davis - 33
Russell Okung - 32.5 (Pro Day)
Bruce Campbell - 32
Charles Brown - 31.5
Bryan Buluga - 27.5
Vladimir Ducasse - 26 (27.5 at Pro Day)

Guards:
Mitch Petrus - 30 (Pro Day)
Mike Iupati - 27.5
Mike Johnson - 25
Brandon Carter - 24.5 (Pro Day)
(most Guards didn't attempt it at the Combine)

Centers:
Maurkice Pouncey - 27 (Pro Day)
Matt Tennant - 25

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

On a similar note, my favorite shorthand in scouting Pats OLs is a vertical of 29"+. VJ is obviously another measure of acceleration, and the Pats have long had the best high-jumping line in the league:
Vollmer: 36.5 (better than Deion Branch!)
Mankins: 31.5
Kaczur: 31.5
Levoir: 30
Koppen: 28.5
Connolly: 28.5

Explosiveness too.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Dennis Landolt
Pro-Day
Dates: 03/17/10
Height: 6045
Weight: 306
40 Yrd Dash: 5.01
20 Yrd Dash: 2.92
10 Yrd Dash: 1.73
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 24
Vertical Jump: 28 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'01"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.46
3-Cone Drill: 7.49

 

[Seneschal2]

Isn't everything on this forum basically fantasy?

Time for a reality check.

The issue of course is that there are more pressing needs than guard...

According to the fans? :nono:

See, here's the deal. No one outside of Belichick and his coaching staff evaluates the entire roster at season's end -- no one. Not only are there performance evaluations for each player, but health and contract considerations as well.

Sure, fans say the most glaring defensive need is pass rusher, and I'm certain the coaching staff will agree that the position needs to be upgraded.

But how important is it to upgrade Sey's position?

Will Meriweather re-sign after 2010?

Is BB content with Springs/Wilhite/Wheatley assuming Bodden and Butler are the starters?

On offense, any contract, health, or performance concerns with the O-line?

Are the non-Pats fans aware that a reliable downfield WR threat for Brady was a priority BEFORE Welker went down? On that note, what are the exact thoughts of BB on the skills and health of Brandon Tate? Remaining with the WR position, will BB consider a Moss replacement now -- or wait until after the season? And when EXACTLY will Welker be ready to contribute? Will Edelman grow into the position enough to become Brady's go-to for the full season, or should BB draft another short zone receiver -- just in case?

At TE, will BB shop early again as he did with Graham and Watson, or ignore the most productive pass catchers and go with the best blockers -- or a little of both?

Faulk is a year-to-year player now, seek out a change-of-pace back this draft? Two more aging veterans are paired w/ the enigmatic Maroney. Will BB go with the RBBC approach for one more season, KNOWING the position will be addressed for 2011?

The all important third phase of the game centers around ST and the Pats returners. Based on last season, an upgrade seems warranted. Will filling this need via the draft influence the selection from the WR/RB/DB crop?

The issue of course is that there are more pressing needs than guard...

:itsok: