DRAFT Patriots Make Another Intriguing Pick in S Nate Ebner

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots Make Another Intriguing Pick in S Nate Ebner
By: Ian Logue

Bill Belichick is certainly making this year's draft interesting....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[eagle eye]

Rugby player who was an ace special teamer for the Buckeyes. I like this pick as a safe gamble due to his STs ability with the potential to work out really good. His pro-day put him in the picture to get drafted, was basically expected to go for a Rugby career before that.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The local media is warming to this even faster than they did to the second round db...

Another ST player who was also a rugby player and drafted in the 9th round and never a starter on an NFL team is Steve Tasker, whom many believe belongs in the HOF simply for his ST play.

NFL Videos: Top Ten Not in HOF: Steve Tasker

 

[eagle eye]

You can't really evaluate anything off of this but its awesome. He certainly has serious acceleration.

Its rugby highlights.

Nate Ebner Ohio State 7's - YouTube

 

[DarrylS]

Our return man???

Another Special Teamer...

 

[pork3]

You can't really evaluate anything off of this but its awesome. He certainly has serious acceleration.

Its rugby highlights.

Nate Ebner Ohio State 7's - YouTube

He also seems to be a bit of a leader based on this feature.

Nate Ebner Rugby Feature - YouTube

-Jamman

 

[TB146]

I can't help but like this guy. I'm claiming him as my binky.

Disclaimer #1: I'm no football scout.
Disclaimer #2: Most of the video I've seen of him is playing rugby, not football.
BUT, this is what I did see:

- quick/accelerates well/changes direction quickly: when he has the ball (is that what they call it in rugby?) I saw him get up to speed fast and make several defenders miss in the open field. This could make him valuable as a punt/kick returner. When the other team had the ball he was able to close on the opponent quickly and change direction to match their movements and make the tackle. This could make him valuable on kick off/punt coverages or even as a safety. In an interview he stated that he loves getting down the field fast and hitting somebody. (Runs a 4.48-4.55s 40-yd dash)

- solid tackling skills: he really wraps up his opponent and brings them down. He doesn't make flashy highlight-reel moves, he just gets his arms around the guy and pulls him down. There's something really thorough and sure about his tackling. It kind of reminded me of Nate Solder pancake-blocking Cameron Wake in Miami last season (not in technique, but in thorougness). Anyway, this would obviously be valuable on defense or kick coverage.

- tough guy and well conditioned: If you're going to play rugby, you have to be tough and able to take a hit. He got nailed at one point and came up with a bloody nose, but continued as if nothing happened. Also, if you're going to play rugby at all, much less rugby AND football, you've got to be in good shape. Plus, it's been reported that he's a workout fiend (23 reps on the bench at his pro day).

Add to this his intangible/character traits: He's a leader, and his teammates seem to respect and listen to him. He inspired his team with a speech after a tough loss and motivated them with the motto "Finish Strong", which sounds like the kind of motto Belichick introduces every year to the team. He seems to be a humble guy who does everything with passion and purpose.

Like I said, I can't help but like the guy and I hope he can contribute to the team, even if it's only on special teams. We'll just have to see how his rugby and little bit of college football skills and experience translate into the pros.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Great little story on Ebner and his background. I love that he admits he thinks he has a screw loose. Sounds like he's going to be a ST ace for us.

Ebner: 'Maybe I got a screw loose' - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I can't help but like this guy. I'm claiming him as my binky.

That should read:

I can't help but like this guy. He's claiming me as my binky.

 

[Frezo]

Nate Ebner Ohio State Autographed Unframed 8 x 10 Photo with Luke Fickel | eBay

Only 1 left...

 

[Frezo]

Here you go ladies. Try and take it easy.

 

[goheels22002]

Well, the rugby video convinces me that Ebner will be all-pro if the other 32 teams dump their current players for 5'6" 155 lb. white guys!

 

[conway]

You guys are missing the genius of this pick. Ebner can rush the passer! He only played 3 plays on defense in his college career, yet recorded one sack. That projects to about 20 a game! This guy will break the single season sack record early in week 2!

In reality, I can't imagine he makes the 53, but he may be worth keeping on the practice squad just to knock some heads and liven things up when things start to drag.

 

[BKBroiler]

Surprised that most people are focusing on Ebner playing ST and DEF. I am intrigued more at the possibility of him potentially playing some snaps on the offense. His rugby highlights show that he has very good vision, burst, and an ability to break tackles. With only three RB's and three FB's on the roster, he could fill a backup RB role as well allowing the team to have even more roster flexibility as the would be 3 players who play OFF, DEF, and ST (Edelman and Slater).

 

[FoxWhiskey]

You can't really evaluate anything off of this but its awesome. He certainly has serious acceleration.

Its rugby highlights.

Nate Ebner Ohio State 7's - YouTube

This guy with helmet and pads, that could be funny!

 

[Stilla]

Nate can start right away on ST.

I think he could play SS, RB, HB, Slot WR. Kick returner. (Pitching the ball back looks like someting Nate is really good at throwing and recieving, Trick play specialist, drop kick field goal maker?)

 

[TB146]

Nate can start right away on ST.

I think he could play SS, RB, HB, Slot WR. Kick returner. (Pitching the ball back looks like someting Nate is really good at throwing and recieving, Trick play specialist, drop kick field goal maker?)

Oh yeah! I completely forgot to mention his drop-kicking abilities!

 

[eagle eye]

Well, the rugby video convinces me that Ebner will be all-pro if the other 32 teams dump their current players for 5'6" 155 lb. white guys!

Why do you pick those measurements This guy is 6 feet and 205 lb.

 

[upstater1]

Well, the rugby video convinces me that Ebner will be all-pro if the other 32 teams dump their current players for 5'6" 155 lb. white guys!

Huh? This is like saying everyone is a kicker/punter in the NFL.

The guys up front (the pack) are big. The locks are tackle size (6'4 250), the front line are guard types, 5'10 to 6'00, 240 (the pugs), the rest need to be big and fast.

Then you have the wings who can be small but are usually not. Likely the 5'6" guys on the field were fullbacks and such who are kicker/punter types in rugby.

There are a lot of big guys playing. As I understand it, Ebner was on the USA National team so he was facing competition that was truly huge.

Jonah Lomu - A living rugby legend - Tribute - YouTube

Check out this guy. He's huge and fast, plays on the wing.

 

[eagle eye]

Huh? This is like saying everyone is a kicker/punter in the NFL.

The guys up front (the pack) are big. The locks are tackle size (6'4 250), the front line are guard types, 5'10 to 6'00, 240 (the pugs), the rest need to be big and fast.

Then you have the wings who can be small but are usually not. Likely the 5'6" guys on the field were fullbacks and such who are kicker/punter types in rugby.

There are a lot of big guys playing. As I understand it, Ebner was on the USA National team so he was facing competition that was truly huge.

Jonah Lomu - A living rugby legend - Tribute - YouTube

Check out this guy. He's huge and fast, plays on the wing.

Ebner is listed as a safety, he is not undersized at that position.

I know all about Jonah Lomu, my second favourite sport is Rugby Union. There are lots of New Zealanders who I think would be great in the NFL.