College guys to watch

painekiller · #1 12-30-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papabear

I've only watched Mizzou a few times this year, once in person, and he didn't meet my expectations. I thought he looked pretty good aganist Illionois (I think it was that game), but bad when I saw him live against Texas.

That doesn't mean he would be a bad pick though. I had pretty high expectations of him that probably caused me to lower my level of enthusiasm for him when he didn't live up to my probably unrealistic expectations.

Late in the broadcast they said Moore had hurt is ankle and his ribs and missed 4 games this season. That could explain a lot of his play this year, drop baby drop.

papabear · #2 12-30-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painekiller

Late in the broadcast they said Moore had hurt is ankle and his ribs and missed 4 games this season. That could explain a lot of his play this year, drop baby drop.

I like the guys that drop between now and the combine. I would still be thrilled to get Moore, and think he can be a good NFL safety. I'm just not sure that he warrants the early season hype any more....but most of them don't. I also like guys like Demeco who "drop" because they ran 1/10 of a second slower than teams hoped or we're a half inch shorter and a little lighter than the prototype. I know that might be a little bit of an exaggeration, but if a guy is good football player he doesn't HAVE to have prototypical measurements.

NBT · #3 12-30-2008, 05:22 PM

Moore played man up on the slot receiver quite a bit. I was a little underwhelmed when he got badly beat on an in and up (resulted in a TD for Northwestern). But I didn't get to see the whole game.

Roy P · #4 12-30-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painekiller

Late in the broadcast they said Moore had hurt is ankle and his ribs and missed 4 games this season. That could explain a lot of his play this year, drop baby drop.

Yep, he played much more tentatively this season compared to when I saw him his Junior year. I wasn't sure if he was "saving himself" for the next level, playing hurt at 75%, or if his injuries simply made him play softer.
The bowl game didn't help his stock much. He was burnt for a TD while playing Man Coverage against a 5 wide set, he fell down. A big fumble that he created was nullified for being offsides before the snap. There were not many opportunities for him to play as a "single high" safety or even a deep cover-2. He did get an INT at the end of the game, though, I believe. As did Courtney Greene for Rutgers.

I must say that Sean Weatherspoon and Jeremy Maclin looked very impressive last night. Also, could we have two undertackles? Maybe Ziggy could replace Zgonina.

NBT · #5 01-02-2009, 05:12 PM

OK, if Moore drops to the 2nd., I would like us to maybe consider DT/NT B.J. Raji with our 1st.

NBT · #6 01-06-2009, 11:41 AM

OSU MLB Laurainitis looked good in the Fiesta Bowl last night, as did UT's Quan Cosby. Beanie Wells looks to be hurt too much.

idymoe · #7 01-07-2009, 11:55 AM

In LZ's blog today, he mentions that Orakpo does not excel against the run and some insiders are saying that he will last into the low 20's in the draft. Most of the time during the Fiesta Bowl, I couldn't find Orakpo. He did have the big sack in the 4th quarter.

If Orakpo is there at 15, will the Texans hesitate to take him? It's funny how your wants can change on a guy who you think is unavailable to being taken 5-8 spots lower than your pick. It remains to be seen, of course, where he goes. I would still think he will go before our pick if he does well at the combine.

papabear · #8 01-07-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idymoe

In LZ's blog today, he mentions that Orakpo does not excel against the run and some insiders are saying that he will last into the low 20's in the draft. Most of the time during the Fiesta Bowl, I couldn't find Orakpo. He did have the big sack in the 4th quarter.

If Orakpo is there at 15, will the Texans hesitate to take him? It's funny how your wants can change on a guy who you think is unavailable to being taken 5-8 spots lower than your pick. It remains to be seen, of course, where he goes. I would still think he will go before our pick if he does well at the combine.

My concern with Orakpo is that I think he's going to be primarily an edge rusher at the next level. We need that, but I would worry about him against the run. If we were solid against the run up the middle I would be fine with it...especially since Mario does a good job on the run. I don't know that Orakpo can't play the run in the NFL, but I would be concerned about taking a one trick pony that high.

I could definitely see a 3-4 team take him an make him an OLB.

barrett · #9 01-07-2009, 12:53 PM

[QUOTE=papabear;6996]My concern with Orakpo is that I think he's going to be primarily an edge rusher at the next level. We need that, but I would worry about him against the run. If we were solid against the run up the middle I would be fine with it...especially since Mario does a good job on the run. I don't know that Orakpo can't play the run in the NFL, but I would be concerned about taking a one trick pony that high.

I could definitely see a 3-4 team take him an make him an OLB.[/QUOTE]

I think that is his best fit. I think he will be a mid to high 1st round pick, but it likely won't be by a team looking for a DE. The one skill he possesses (edge rusher) is so highly valued he will be an impact player, but I think its better utilized as a 3-4 OLB (and the weaknesses are less relevant).

Roy P · #10 01-07-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papabear

I don't know that Orakpo can't play the run in the NFL, but I would be concerned about taking a one trick pony that high.

I could definitely see a 3-4 team take him an make him an OLB.

He looks similar to Mark Anderson of the Bears. He is basically the 3rd down pass-rusher to spell Alex Brown. Oh, he was drafted in the 4th round too.