Agree that his choices and write-ups sound banal.
But what should he do, make stuff up?
I'm paying attention to Curran's words because
i presume that a good jolt of his "NFL scouts and front office people" still work in Foxboro.
Kremlinologists might glean some true Pats-think in there.
Okay, let's play Kremlinologist.
Paul Posluszny, Penn State: What Curran wrote - He's going to
have to get a little bigger to play on the same side as the tight end in the NFL...
Has to improve at shedding and is adequate but not outstanding in coverage...
Probably not fast enough to be on the weak side. What he quoted - "He has the ability to anticipate plays before they occur and is always flying around the ball...Has the versatility to be used on the outside or at inside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment."
- Analysis: 6'1.5" 238, he lacks 12 lbs to match the Pats LB prototype. So Curran says he needs to 'get bigger' to handle 240-270 lb Tight Ends? Go figure, what does he need to do to handle 300+ lb OL? He has to improve shedding - all college LBs need to improve here. Speed is not as critical for a 3-4 LB. He quotes
anticipation - a good thing if you're looking for Tedy's replacement as Field General.
Versatility to be a 3-4 LB.
- Summation: Posluszny is a too small Pats prospect as far as size, he'd need time for Woicik to build him up. Expect him to get most of his reps on Special Teams in year one, and maybe get some platoon time in year two.
- Draft value: Expected to go in late first/early second, he's in the Pats' ballpark. Question: Is he that much more valuable then later, larger ILB prospects?
Jon Beason, Miami: What Curran wrote - can
sniff out plays in short yardage...
on the small side to be an inside linebacker. What he quoted -
great range to the sidelines...makes a lot of plays in pursuit...
overrated...does more
chasing plays than actual forcing the action.
- Analysis: 6' 1/4" 237 at the Combine & 229 at his Pro-day. Curran says he's on the "small side" - Pos needs to get bigger, this kid is going to find it nearly impossible to reach that Pats' prototype 250. The quotes tell it all, "pursuit" is a Tampa-2 strength.
- Summation: Extremely bad fit in a 3-4 role.
- Draft value: Pre-draft decoy.
Lawrence Timmons, Florida State: What Curran wrote - plays smoothly and
shows excellent anticipation skills...
Blows up a lot of plays...Strong with good size...Good in pursuit...has
plenty left to learn about the position. What he quoted - Makes plays all over the field and
really forces the action.
Defeats blocks, beats running backs to the corners and
easily covers tight ends down the field.
Not completely there just yet.
- Analysis: 6' 7/8" 234 he would have benefitted from another year in college. His athleticism makes him attractive, his anticipation speaks to Bruschi replacement value. He's a downhill player who does well fending off big boys.
- Summation: "Pursuit" is a Tampa-2 strength. Defeating blocks is a 3-4 strength, the question, does a player 16 lbs. lighter than the Pats' prototype LB have the sand to play head-to-head with the big boys inside? How does he defeat blocks? 6'1" Tedy Bruschi does it by sliding off the block and around the blocker to make the play. Taller, longer armed Vrabel does it by handfighting the blocker and keeping him in the hole. Can a player a smidgeon under 6'1" play like Tedy to evade the longer-armed OL in the NFL?
- Draft value: A reasonable late 1st round value, for a 4-3 team.
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska: What Curran writes - Excellent size and
power...
Can take on blocks as a run-stuffer and is
brings a lot of power off the edge as a pass rusher...
Decent in coverage for a big guy and a
good worker with
football smarts...
not the smoothest guy...[in] pursuit...
versatile defender. What he quotes - ...
powerful linebacker who
forces the action up the field...
Leaves a trail of blockers in his wake...
dominant at the point of attack...
Plays heads-up football...
limitations in coverage or when asked to make plays in reverse.
- Analysis: 6'3 1/2" 254 a classic prototype LB in height and weight. He is also a classic Pats' 3-4 LB defeating blockers head-to-head, strong at the point of attack, blessed with football smarts that translate on the field, and versatile as to position. In his first year coming off of ACL surgery he has limitations in coverage, yet covers pretty well for a big guy - what can he do with another year and good coaching?
- Summation: What more do people want? He comes from a read and react defense with prototype size and a high football IQ.
- Draft value: Do you take an almost perfect fit in late round one? Or wait and hope he's still there at 91?
Justin Durant, Hampton: What Curran writes - Speedy and tremendous in
pursuit...
can cover well...good and vocal
leader who
works hard...smaller school...relying on speed...have to become adept at shedding. What Curran quoted - weak-side one-gap linebacker... Explodes up the field in
run defense yet also gets depth on pass drops in
coverage...needs to play in a system which allows him to freely flow to the action unabated.
- Analysis: 6' 7/8" 230 he's the same size as Timmerman, yet .15 sec faster in the 40 and quicker, but not as good at taking on blocks. Good in coverage (16 passes defensed in career).
- Summation: Durant sounds just like a SS.
- Draft value: Not a 3-4 linebacker, but has value at SS.