Mayock ranks the linebackers

[dryheat44]

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d806be9d2

 

[Patsmaniac]

Great info thanks for posting. Keith Rivers looks like a stud...You see the flaws that Dan Connor has. I dont think we go after him.

 

[NumberTwelve]

Rivers is really starting to interest me a lot. I realize he's a bit smaller, but he to be looks strong and very athletic too. I love how he takes on blockers

 

[bradmahn]

Just reading through the analysis of Rivers on NFL.com, he doesn't strike me as a prospect for the Patriots in the top ten. I'm sure he gets a good grade from them, but I doubt it's top ten. If they were to trade down (say, to like 31... ****!) I think he'd be a great pick, but he would never make it that far. Classic example of why Belichick attempts to get LBs from free agency.

The more I read about Gholston, the more I like him, and the more I worry he'll be gone to the Jets when the Pats pick.

 

[patsfan55]

The more I read about Gholston, the more I like him, and the more I worry he'll be gone to the Jets when the Pats pick.

the feeling is mutual
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d806be9d2

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

After seeing that I would not mind a trade down and drafting Rivers if Gholston is not there, I really am confused about who I want in this draft jeez.

 

[sebman2112]

Rivers is really starting to interest me a lot. I realize he's a bit smaller, but he to be looks strong and very athletic too. I love how he takes on blockers

He's not really small. Rivers is slightly under 6'3", and weighed 236lbs at the senior bowl. He's also built like a rock. If you look at his frame he could add weight to his midsection, and a little to his legs. Knowing that, I honestly think a good NFL strength trainer could get him up to about 250lbs (around 10-14 pounds more than he currently weighs), while maintaining his speed.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

He's not really small. Rivers is slightly under 6'3", and weighed 236lbs at the senior bowl. He's also built like a rock. If you look at his frame he could add weight to his midsection, and a little to his legs. Knowing that, I honestly think a good NFL strength trainer could get him up to about 250lbs (around 10-14 pounds more than he currently weighs), while maintaining his speed.

While i agree with most of what you said. I still worry about the guy in coverage and when we're picking a player in the top 10 you want him to at least be decent in coverage and i dont think i can say that for Rivers.

 

[dryheat44]

He's not really small. Rivers is slightly under 6'3", and weighed 236lbs at the senior bowl. He's also built like a rock. If you look at his frame he could add weight to his midsection, and a little to his legs. Knowing that, I honestly think a good NFL strength trainer could get him up to about 250lbs (around 10-14 pounds more than he currently weighs), while maintaining his speed.

The problem I have with that thinking is that for all intents and purposes, USC has a professional training staff, and the athletes are on a full-time weight program. I think that if he could bulk up that much without sacrificing speed, he would have done so already.

He's a player, and he looks to have the long arms you like in an inside backer, but I'm not sold on him holding up in the 3-4 enough to use a top 10 pick on him. If he plays with enough functional strength and leverage, then maybe he can be an exception to the rule that 230-something guys lack the bulk to play inside.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Judging from the clip, Rivers has the athleticism, just not the size. And he needs to work on his tecnique covering receivers. Looks like a mid to late 1st round pick. Not a top 10 pick.

Connor looked good shedding blocks on the inside, but his coverage is just terrible. Bad technique and I'm not sure if he has the footspeed to keep up with the faster tight ends and RBs coming out of the backfield. Looks like a mid 2nd round pick to me. He is also a little bit light in the pants at 230 lbs.

http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2008_nfl_draft/dan_conner.htm

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

Draft Gholston at 7, trade back up with oaklands third and our second, grab either Connor, or Rivers, draft 3 defensive backs in the middle rounds, Draft A Plus!

 

[sebman2112]

The problem I have with that thinking is that for all intents and purposes, USC has a professional training staff, and the athletes are on a full-time weight program. I think that if he could bulk up that much without sacrificing speed, he would have done so already.

He's a player, and he looks to have the long arms you like in an inside backer, but I'm not sold on him holding up in the 3-4 enough to use a top 10 pick on him. If he plays with enough functional strength and leverage, then maybe he can be an exception to the rule that 230-something guys lack the bulk to play inside.

I didn't say anything about taking him in the top ten, actually (in another thread), I said he'd be interesting if they traded down, but the 7th overall pick seemed a little high.

Rivers does have a nicely defined upper body and strength, but I'm not the only person who thinks he could carry some additional weight (a number of scouts have also said he has room to grow on his frame), and he already weighs 236lbs+.

It's not unreasonable to believe a college player will/could gain an additional 10 pounds after entering the NFL, especially when it's well known (among those who've actually scouted him) that said player has room on his frame for additional weight.

Also, we're not talking about USC's defense, but NE's 3-4. He doesn't have to be a blazing sideline-to-sideline LB, and his responsibilities would be somewhat different in NE's defense. I do believe he could add about 10lbs to his frame and still maintain his current speed, but if that weight was to slow him down slightly it wouldn't be a big deal in NE's defense. Remember, we're talking about a guy who (at 236lbs) runs like a Safety.

Maualuga has been a guy I really liked for a couple of year, and Rivers always popped up on my radar, but he was listed at 220lbs (even though he looked bigger to me), so I never really brought him up all that much. After hearing his listed weight at the Senior Bowl I became a little more interested. We'll have to see how he does at the combine and if he gains even more weight prior to the draft, but Rivers just seems like a player to me, and he could be an option at some point in the first round.

 

[Remix 6]

people get on Rivers about his production but how do you produce #s when guys like Ellis and Rey Maulaga are the monsters on that team? Hes overshadowed a little because of all the talent on USC with 2 LBs that could be better than him in Cushing and Rey but hes a legit first rounder himself. Hes very fast..very athletic..maybe leaders both categories in this year's LB class. He covers well. Hes a vocal leader and he hits like a truck. Problem is he goes for the big hits too often or is overaggresive a lot and leads to some misses but dicipline can be taught. He definitely has the frame to add on more muscle. Hes already very muscular and cut and that caught the eye of a lot of scouts @ the Senior Bowl weigh ins.

Remember that every player in NFL usually loses bodyfat and gains muscle which will add weight. The training and diet programs are elite and many things can be achieved like adding weight, losing bodyfat, gaining speed, getting stronger, being healthier in general to perform better by what you eat.