2012 LB Prospects: Type A, B, or C.

[Mitch]

Twist18 posted a Football's Future Website where one of the writers there devised a system (based on Combine results) to determine speed LBs versus power LBs and LBs who don't quite fit either category.

Type A (Speed/Quickness LBs)---#1 criterion: sub 7.0 3 cone time with good vertical and broad jump scores.

Examples:

Clay Matthews: 6.90 3 cone, 35.5" vert., 121" broad jump.
Von Miller: 6.70; 37" vert., 126" broad jump.
Sam Acho: 6.69, 33.5", 114".

Type B (Power LB)---#1 criteria: decent 3 cone time (sub 7.3) + very good vertical and broad jump measurements.

Example:

Brian Orakpo: 7.26, 39.5", 121"

Type C (not quite either)---

Example:

Aaron Maybin: 7.52, 38", 124"

2012 Combine Results:

Type A:

Bequette, Jake, 6-5, 274, Arkansas (6.90, 34", 113", 4.07, 4.82).
Carder, Tank, 6-2, 236, TCU (6.89, 34.5, 121, 4.18, 4.69).
Cole, Audie, 6-4, 246, NC St. (6.96, 35, 114, 4.29, 4.81).
Curry, Vinnie, 6-4, 263, Marshall (6.90, 32", 110", 4.40, 4.98).
Ingram, Melvin, 6-1, 264, South Carolina (6.83, 34.5, 109, 4.18, 4.79).
Irvin, Bruce, 6-3, 245, West Virginia (6.70, 33.5, 123, 4.03, 4.50).
Keuchly, Luke, 6-2, 242, Boston College (6.92, 38, 123, 4.12, 4.58).

Type B:

Branch, Andre, 6-4, 249, Clemson (7.19, 33, 120, 4.25, 4.70).
Keuchly, Luke, 6-2, 242, Boston College (6.92, 38, 123, 4.12, 4.58)****fits both A & B!
Perry, Nick, 6-3, 250, USC (7.25, 38.5, 124, 4.66, 4.64)
Whitehead, Tahir, 6-1, 237, Temple (7.14, 37, 124, 4.37, 4.76).

Type C---Group 1 (Sub 7.3 3 cone):

Crawford, Jack, 6-5, 275, Penn. St. (7.15, 33, 116, 4.25, 4.85).
Crawford, Tyrone, 6-4, 275, Boise St. (7.09, 33, 113, 4.44, 4.89).
David, Lavonte, 6-1, 233, Nebraska (7.28, 36.5, 119, 4.22, 4.65).
Johnson, Cam, 6-3, 268, Virginia (7.20, 35, 105, 4.53, 4.81).
Jones, Chandler, 6-5, 266, Syracuse (7.07, 35, 120, 4.38, 4.81).
Lewis, Ronnell, 6-2, 253, Oklahoma (7.09, 31, 112, 4.40, 4.68).
Manning, Terrell, 6-2, 237, NC St. (7.18, 32.5, 114, 4.43, 4.79).
McLellin, Shea, 6-3, 260, Boise St. (7.07, 31.5, 118, 4.33, 4.63).
Mercilus, Whitney, 6-4, 261, Illinois (7.17, 32, 118, 4.53, 4.68).
Shelby, Derrick, 6-3, 266, Utah (7.09, 35.5, 116, 4.50, 4.96).
Smith, Jacquies, 6-3, 253, Missouri (7.25, 33.5, 110, 4.31, 4.81).
Wilber, Kylie, 6-4, 249, Wake Forest (7.11, 33.5, 117, 4.31, 4.86).



Type C---Group 2 Slowest 3 Cone times:

Coples, Quinton, 6-6, 284, North Carolina, (7.57, 33, 120, 4.78, 4.78).
Johnson, James-Michael, 6-1, 241, Nevada (7.34, 37, 124, 4.37, 4.68).
Massaquoi, Jonathan, 6-2, 264, Troy (7.38, 33.5, 120, 4.53, 4.89).
Spence, Sean, 5-11, 231, Miami (7.46, 33.5, 119, 4.28, 4.71).
Vernon, Olivier, 6-2, 261, Miami (7.39, 34.5, 122, 4.50, 4.80).

INC---did not run the 3 cone

Acho, Emmanuel, 6-2, 245, Texas (35.5, 118, 4.73)
Brown, Zach,, 6-1, 244, North Carolina (33.5, 116, 4.50)****great 40 time.
Burfict, Vontaze, 6-2, 248, Arizona St.
Burris, Miles, 6-2, 246, SD St. (37.5, 121)****good scores.
Hightower, Dont'a, 6-2, 265, Alabama (32, 4.68).
Kendricks, Mychal, 6-0, 241, (39.5, 127, 4.19, 4.47)****great scores.
Lewis, Travis, 6-1, 246, Oklahoma (36, 122, 4.88).
Robinson, Keenan, 6-3, 242, Texas (35.5, 120, 4.79).
Upshaw, Courtney, 6-2, 264, Alabama.

 

[52brandon]

are the last 2 times both 40 times? If so, holy crap man, Mychal Kendricks smoked it on his first run. That time is just unreal

 

[Catfish]

I find it intruiging that one camp stresses a speed guy like Keuchly, while the other camp touts the heavy hitter like Perry------yet there is only an 8 lb difference between the two.

 

[Buckybird]

are the last 2 times both 40 times? If so, holy crap man, Mychal Kendricks smoked it on his first run. That time is just unreal

Yep & the guy can flat out play!!! He's a nasty, ferocious hitter who's short on height...not a liability in coverage either.

 

[Buckybird]

I find it intruiging that one camp stresses a speed guy like Keuchly, while the other camp touts the heavy hitter like Perry------yet there is only an 8 lb difference between the two.

Fish, they definately have to differant body types but it's pure projection with Perry probably moving to OLB. Nick Perry's get off the LOS is exceptional.

 

[52brandon]

I find it intruiging that one camp stresses a speed guy like Keuchly, while the other camp touts the heavy hitter like Perry------yet there is only an 8 lb difference between the two.

aerodynamics of course... lol

Yep & the guy can flat out play!!! He's a nasty, ferocious hitter who's short on height...not a liability in coverage either.

apparently. His 39.5" vertical is also the best on the board. I don't follow much NCAA, but I've heard of a lot of those guys and I'm shocked I've never heard of him. What an athlete. Could probably drop back to safety too. Don't think there's a WR in the game right now with a lower 40 time...

 

[187]

are the last 2 times both 40 times? If so, holy crap man, Mychal Kendricks smoked it on his first run. That time is just unreal

No the lower time is from the 20 yard shuttle.

 

[52brandon]

No the lower time is from the 20 yard shuttle.

I apologize for the dumb questions. But what is the 20 yard shuttle? Also, what does that mean for the guys that only have 1 time listed? Or for the ones that have the same or similar times on both? Thank you for the clarification

 

[187]

I apologize for the dumb questions. But what is the 20 yard shuttle? Also, what does that mean for the guys that only have 1 time listed? Or for the ones that have the same or similar times on both? Thank you for the clarification

No worries, the picture below is the easiest way to explain it:

You must be registered for see images

Whenever guys have two numbers in the 4 second range, the faster time should be their 20 yard shuttle time and the slower one will be their 40 yard dash time.

 

[52brandon]

No worries, the picture below is the easiest way to explain it:

You must be registered for see images

Whenever guys have two numbers in the 4 second range, the faster time should be their 20 yard shuttle time and the slower one will be their 40 yard dash time.

thanks. And I was referring to ones like Quinton Couples where the times are identical

and after re-visiting the OP, I realize I'm ********. I dunno how I missed the 4.07 and 4.03 times that would both be combine records, and for them to come from LBs is beyond improbable. Just brain-dead from going out all night I guess lol

 

[overseascardfan]

I find it intruiging that one camp stresses a speed guy like Keuchly, while the other camp touts the heavy hitter like Perry------yet there is only an 8 lb difference between the two.

Nick Perry weighed in at 270 at the Combine, so that is why he really impressed with his speed and strength. He is now my #13 hopeful.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Nick Perry weighed in at 270 at the Combine, so that is why he really impressed with his speed and strength. He is now my #13 hopeful.

He was my previous choice but I am less enamored because he doesn't look to be a guy who can chnage direction very quickly. I'm not saying he can't develop but he looks like a pass rusher only, not that that's a bad thing.

 

[overseascardfan]

He was my previous choice but I am less enamored because he doesn't look to be a guy who can chnage direction very quickly. I'm not saying he can't develop but he looks like a pass rusher only, not that that's a bad thing.

I like him because his numbers match his production at USC. He would look really good opposite Acho. However, if we were to sign Wimbley then he won't be the pick. Right now I think #13 comes down to either Perry or Martin barring a OLB or OT FA acquisition. A potential 10+ sack pass rusher at OLB is what this defense is missing and Perry looks like he fits the bill.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I like him because his numbers match his production at USC. He would look really good opposite Acho. However, if we were to sign Wimbley then he won't be the pick. Right now I think #13 comes down to either Perry or Martin barring a OLB or OT FA acquisition. A potential 10+ sack pass rusher at OLB is what this defense is missing and Perry looks like he fits the bill.

We have one. Acho had 7 in half a season.

 

[JeffGollin]

Mitch - I love the analysis (one more set of numbers to help us figure out who's good, who's bad and who's better).

But looking at the content of the body of posts to this thread, I worry about the overdependence on workout-scores.

Sometimes an apparent cause & effect relationship (in this case, 3-cones and shuttles etc. to performance) can turn out to stem from a totally different (or wrongly interpreted source).

Hypothetical: "There's a high correlation between drinking red wine and a lowered risk of heart attack." Conclusion: "Drink more red wine and lower your risk."

Overlooked Factor: "What if it turns out that red wine drinkers are more inclined to be outgoing and socially-engaged and it's the healthier social-relationships in and of themselves that reduce stress-related symptoms and, therefore, heart disease?"

My point - Enjoy the stats. Massage the stats. Learn new things from the stats. But then revisit the tapes and listen to what scouts, former teammates, opponents and coaches have to say about the dude.

3-cone and shuttle scores aren't going to tell you whether Player A likes to hit, is or isn't a wrap-up tackler or can locate a ball-carrier or a deep ball in the air any faster or slower than Player B.