Stewart Bradley, LB, Nebraska

[patchick]

Anybody have any insights on Bradley? He's a huge, strong linebacker who has played inside and out, supposedly has smart instincts and is stout against the run. Stands out in a rather undersized crop of LBs. And most importantly, is an outstanding candidate for the ceremonial rookie haircut:

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=18626&Q_SEASON=2006

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Anybody have any insights on Bradley? He's a huge, strong linebacker who has played inside and out, supposedly has smart instincts and is stout against the run. Stands out in a rather undersized crop of LBs. And most importantly, is an outstanding candidate for the ceremonial rookie haircut:

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=18626&Q_SEASON=2006

Bradley's my personal favorite. He is #1 on my board. He's considered the top SAM LB (for the 4-3 scheme) in the draft. For us he seems to project inside. He had a really good Senior Bowl practice and game. He covered TE/RB real well in practice according to some reports. If it was my call I would take him at #28.

 

[PonyExpress]

Bradley's my personal favorite. He is #1 on my board. He's considered the top SAM LB (for the 4-3 scheme) in the draft. For us he seems to project inside. He had a really good Senior Bowl practice and game. He covered TE/RB real well in practice according to some reports. If it was my call I would take him at #28.

Bradley is an intriguing prospect, but his on field production was a bit mediocre considering the talent he showed at the senior bowl. Maybe he was still recovering from his knee injury, maybe he was surrounded by quality talent that limited his playmaking opportunities...But before I invest a high pick in him, I would want to know: If he's so good at coverage why did he only have 1 pass defensed all season? If he's so powerful, why did he have only 5 tackles for loss in 14 games? I do like his potential.

 

[Handel]

He would be a good mid-round pick...

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/olb/stewartbradley.html

Strengths:
Has good size and a big frame...Has an excellent motor...Terrific instincts...Stout against the run and can take on blockers...Smooth and fluid in coverage...A solid tackler with good technique...Good pass rusher and blitzer...Is smart and a hard worker with great intangibles...Physical and aggressive...Special teams potential.

Weaknesses:
Speed and overall athleticism are only average...Long-term health and durability are major concerns...Lacks top-notch quickness and agility....Does not have great range...Hands and ball skills are sub par...Production was okay, not outstanding.

Notes:
Only played one year of high school football (junior) due to injuries and tore his ACL in 2005...Part of a three-time national champion rugby team as a prep...A very good prospect who does everything well but nothing great...Projects to the strongside as a pro but is versatile and also has some experience in the middle and at defensive end...May get pushed up boards in a weak class of linebackers.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

His stock is reportedly rising after the Senior Bowl, his measurables and the coverage write-ups caught my eye.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=50027

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

While we're at it, here's a write-up on fellow Husker Jay Moore who some have mentioned for a possible switch to 3-4 OLB.

http://www.fremontneb.com/articles/2007/02/01/sports/sports1.txt

http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/sports/1169979866152330.xml&coll=3

Here's his blog from the Senior Bowl - he did interview with the Pats, and just about everybody else...http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=749545

http://highlightreel.blogs.mlive.com/default.asp?item=452089

I spent quite a portion of the afternoon watching and discussing defensive linemen with the defensive line coach of one of the NFC teams. Some of those guys are really nice and quite willing to share thoughts with folks like me.
-----
...he expressed that he'd been very impressed by the Nebraska DE's. "Both of them are wrecking balls," he said. "And they're typical, well-coached Nebraska defensive ends just like VandenBosch and Wistrom." The bigger one (Adam Carriker- 6-6, 290) isn't as athletic as the other guy (Jay Moore, 6-4, 275) but each of them are very disruptive and intense, according to the coach.

In the midst of the wrangle going on in this "blog," this one fellow seemed to have been there...for what his thoughts are worth.
http://www.broncosfreak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22468&page=2

Jay Moore looked very good all week. Like I said before the coaches praised his work ethic and often used him as an example on how to run a drill or technique. He had very good technique and is very quick off the snap. He played both the run and pass very well. The coaches did use him as a OLB as well as DE. He applied pressure on the QB all week as well. I know in the Senior Bowl he had an open lane to the QB because they didn't block him, but he showed potential during practices as well. Mike Mayock told me that the game it self doesn't mean much and the practices say it all. I personally think Mike Mayock is one of the best in the business. He was a former player and has a history of being a good scout. I like him way more than Mel Kiper.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Stats: http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2006/Internet/ranking_summary/2006000000463tackles.html

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Spacecrime got both my brain cells together for a brief visit in BBF's 'need for speed' thread. If you weigh the trade-off between intelligence/instinct and speed, you suddenly find yourself contemplating the Belichick 3-4 with a different understanding.

After breaking down Stewart Bradley in the North's first broadcast practice, one thing stood out in the 9 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills, he consistently was where he needed to be...he filled quickly against the run, which meant superior blocking by Brian Leonard (another where he needs to be player) was required to re-open the hole. Bradley was also first to read and react to RB passing routes, disrupting them or holding them to short gains. He also got a chuck in on the TE before blanketing the RB in the one passing play where I saw him dealing with a TE going out on a route. It seems he will need to work on his strength and his stack and shed techniques, but in that one broadcast I was unable to criticize his "location."

The only other LB who came close to Bradley in that regard was David Harris from Michigan; he was great against the run and woeful against the pass. Posluzney left me scratching my head, maybe he'll improve as I get to other broadcasts, but even then he is three pounds below my minimum weight standard for Patriot LB measurables, so I want to see him really shine before waiving my minimu - and Pos fans, I'm talking about the endlessly repeated intent to "get players out of their comfort zone," Bradley looked like he rehearsed with Gruden, Kiffin, and Co., Pos looked uncomfortable.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Spacecrime got both my brain cells together for a brief visit in BBF's 'need for speed' thread. If you weigh the trade-off between intelligence/instinct and speed, you suddenly find yourself contemplating the Belichick 3-4 with a different understanding.

After breaking down Stewart Bradley in the North's first broadcast practice, one thing stood out in the 9 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills, he consistently was where he needed to be...he filled quickly against the run, which meant superior blocking by Brian Leonard (another where he needs to be player) was required to re-open the hole. Bradley was also first to read and react to RB passing routes, disrupting them or holding them to short gains. He also got a chuck in on the TE before blanketing the RB in the one passing play where I saw him dealing with a TE going out on a route. It seems he will need to work on his strength and his stack and shed techniques, but in that one broadcast I was unable to criticize his "location."

The only other LB who came close to Bradley in that regard was David Harris from Michigan; he was great against the run and woeful against the pass. Posluzney left me scratching my head, maybe he'll improve as I get to other broadcasts, but even then he is three pounds below my minimum weight standard for Patriot LB measurables, so I want to see him really shine before waiving my minimu - and Pos fans, I'm talking about the endlessly repeated intent to "get players out of their comfort zone," Bradley looked like he rehearsed with Gruden, Kiffin, and Co., Pos looked uncomfortable.

Thanks Box O Rocks for recording and breaking down what you saw in practice.

 

[NEPatriot]

Where do people see Bradley going in the draft?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Where do people see Bradley going in the draft?

I believe he's falling in the 2-4 range depending on mock and seems to be moving up some boards.

 

[patchick]

Spacecrime got both my brain cells together for a brief visit in BBF's 'need for speed' thread. If you weigh the trade-off between intelligence/instinct and speed, you suddenly find yourself contemplating the Belichick 3-4 with a different understanding.

After breaking down Stewart Bradley in the North's first broadcast practice, one thing stood out in the 9 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills, he consistently was where he needed to be...he filled quickly against the run, which meant superior blocking by Brian Leonard (another where he needs to be player) was required to re-open the hole. Bradley was also first to read and react to RB passing routes, disrupting them or holding them to short gains. He also got a chuck in on the TE before blanketing the RB in the one passing play where I saw him dealing with a TE going out on a route. It seems he will need to work on his strength and his stack and shed techniques, but in that one broadcast I was unable to criticize his "location."

The only other LB who came close to Bradley in that regard was David Harris from Michigan; he was great against the run and woeful against the pass. Posluzney left me scratching my head, maybe he'll improve as I get to other broadcasts, but even then he is three pounds below my minimum weight standard for Patriot LB measurables, so I want to see him really shine before waiving my minimu - and Pos fans, I'm talking about the endlessly repeated intent to "get players out of their comfort zone," Bradley looked like he rehearsed with Gruden, Kiffin, and Co., Pos looked uncomfortable.

Thank you, terrific insight. (And I too am pondering the insight that going the right way the first time is the equivalent of speed.)

 

[Handel]

I believe he's falling in the 2-4 range depending on mock and seems to be moving up some boards.

Actually, he seems to rise across the boards.

 

[DaBruinz]

I wouldn't mind the Pats taking Bradley with their 2nd round pick. If the kid has these sorts of instincts, then they are worth as much, and potentially more, than size and speed. As Tatupu showed us when many people thought that Seattle made a HUGE reach to grab Tatupu in the 2nd round. Most people had Tatupu as a mid to late 3rd rounder.

 

[ATippett56]

Name: Stewart Bradley
College: Nebraska Number: 34
Height: 6-4 Weight: 256
Position: OLB Pos2: ILB
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.76 40 Low: 4.73 40 High: 4.80
Projected Round: 3 Stock:
Rated number 6 out of 215 OLB's 92/2338 TOTAL

01/24/07 - Senior Bowl North Team Wednesday Practice Report: One outside linebacker who has certainly improved his draft stock this week is Nebraska's Stewart Bradley. At 6-4, 255 pounds Bradley has great size and is surprisingly athletic in coverage. In drills against running backs trying to catch passes out of the backfield, Bradley showed uncanny instincts for the routes back were going to run and a late burst to break up passes. Often in coverage during scrimmages Bradley forced quarterbacks to turn away from even their check down options as he blanketed backs and tight ends. Entering the week I personally had Bradley pegged as a mid 2nd day guy. If he plays with the physicality I expect in the game I see him moving into the first day, perhaps even ahead of some of the bigger named OLBs of this draft.