TheCardFan
Things have changed.
Here are the draft reviews from 2001 on a few of the RB's that might be available for the Cards...
MICHAEL BENNETT
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#29-MICHAEL BENNETT University of Wisconsin Badgers 5:09.7-204
ANALYSIS
Positives... Outstanding athlete with world class speed...Has cat-like quickness and exceptional balance through the holes...Explodes through the seams and has that quick sidestep that consistently makes defenders miss...Patiently waits for blocks to develop, using his sharp change-of-direction skills to fluidly turn the corner...Runs at a good pad level, showing powerful leg drive up the middle...Does not shy away from contact running through traffic...Has a forceful stiff-arm to keep defensive backs in check...Runs low to the ground and keeps his shoulders squared...Much like the Rams' Marshall Faulk in his cutback ability and lateral agility...Displays excellent stop-&-go action and the vision to set his blocks up well....Has very quick feet, shortening his stride and showing superb spin ability...Lowers his shoulders and drives forward aggressively... Shows smooth pick-&-slide agility, displaying moves to freeze defenders in one-on-one situations.
Negatives... Will hit the line and stop, at times, resulting in lost yardage...Hands are very suspect, thus the reason that he was never involved in the team's passing game...Also needs to be more crisp in his route-running (almost seems as if he's too reluctant to be any way involved in the passing game)...Makes passive attempts as a blocker and overextends when trying to seal off the blitz...Seems to run out of gas late in games, making his stamina questionable...Needs to protect the ball better when running to prevent costly fumbles.
CAREER NOTES
Even though his Wisconsin career was relatively short (two years), he will long be remembered as one of the fastest players to ever wear a Badgers uniform... This world class track man displayed electrifying moves on the field in 2000, making Wisconsin fans marvel at his blazing speed and tackle-breaking power...Even though he has only ten games as a starter under his belt, he ranks tenth on the school's all-time rushing list with 1979 yards...Carried 367 times (5.4 avg) with 15 touchdowns...Only caught five passes during his career.
REMIND ME OF... Former Miami Dolphin great Mercury Morris.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... If I am looking for a big-play artist, Bennett's my man, but I have serious reservations about his overall ability. He only comes to play for 30 minutes per game (thus being dubbed Mr. Viagra by yours truly for his tank running out of gas quickly) and has suspect hands, but oh, that sudden speed of his! I would've gone for the Deuce over Bennett, but I am judging this position on my long-range outlook and feel that Bennett is a boom or bust type worthy of seeing if he can explode upfield rather than explode on the sidelines.
LAMONT JORDAN
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#15-LAMONT JORDAN University of Maryland Terrapins 5:10.1-219
ANALYSIS
Positives... Powerful tackle-breaker who runs low to the ground with excellent body control...Shows superb hip swerve and strong leg drive...Catches the ball well coming out of the backfield, extending properly, rather than trying to body catch...Shows a strong arm for the option pass...Has the agility to spin away from tacklers and the power to gain yardage after initial contact...Can make defenders miss in the open with his juking moves...Has the in-stride quickness to adjust his direction...Displays the vision to find the seam on the move and runs with good body lean... Has the awareness to pick and slide through the holes...Maintains balance well while driving forward... Has a sharp outside burst and shows explosive acceleration around the corner...Can slide laterally with ease...Securely protects the ball running through traffic...Very flexible adjusting to the ball in flight...Solid-effort blocker who will face up and position properly in pass protection.
Negatives... Needs to drastically upgrade his work ethic...Not a student of the game and has very poor off-season conditioning habits...Indifferent player who needs to be prodded often by the coaching staff...Lacks classroom intelligence, basically because he does not apply himself... Needs to develop maturity in order to succeed at the next level...Lacks aggression when playing without the ball, tending to only get motivated when he's the focal part of the offense (poor supporting cast member).
CAREER NOTES
The anchor of the Terrapins' offense since the late stages of his freshman year, LaMont started 33 of 43 games he played in at Maryland...Shattered school game, season and career rushing records, gaining 4147 yards with 36 touchdowns on 807 carries (5.2 avg), surpassing the previous Terp marks of 769 attempts for 3317 yards by Charles Wysocki (1978-81)...Only Rick Badanjek (44, 1982-85) scored more touchdowns rushing in school annals...His 18 100-yard games rushing broke Wysocki's old Terrapins record of 17...Became only the fourth player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to gain over 4000 yards rushing in a career...Also gained 737 yards with a score on 76 receptions during his career...Holds the school career-records with 888 total plays from scrimmage for 4980 all-purpose yards, topping the previous marks of 788 plays by Wysocki and 3950 yards by Jermaine Lewis (1992-95).
REMIND ME OF... Washington's Stephen Davis.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... This is a player that I think will benefit from a "reality check." His questionable work ethic will probably keep him out of the first round, but once he realizes the amount of money that it cost him, he will settle down and rededicate himself to his craft. I keep seeing Purple (Vikings) on this guy in the second round. Hopefully, Dennis Green will agree that purple suits Jordan just fine.
TRAVIS HENRY
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#20-TRAVIS HENRY University of Tennessee Volunteers 5:09.7-221
ANALYSIS
Positives... Power runner with good initial quickness...Shows no hesitation coming off the snap...Very decisive when he gets past the line of scrimmage, hitting the initial tackler with force...Strong through the holes, lowering his shoulders before making contact to break tackles and move away from the pile...Has a galloping stride in the open, maintaining acceleration until brought down...Effective blocker who does a fine job trying to protect the ball...Keeps his feet churning to force his way through traffic.
Negatives... Liability for the passing game, as he does not have the hands to be relied upon to catch the ball...Takes some false steps at times, lacking the vision when forced to move laterally... Does not show the proper wiggle and hip action to turn the corner, preferring to power his way up the middle...Needs to develop better cutting moves to avoid tacklers...While he seems willing to block, he looks awkward in that duty, tending to overextend and make only glancing blows. CAREER NOTES
Despite being overshadowed by teammate Jamal Lewis for the first three years of his career and not becoming a full-time starter until his senior year, Travis has made a name for himself in Tennessee annals, setting school career-records with 3078 yards rushing, 556 rushing attempts and 14 100-yard rushing performances, topping the previous marks of 540 attempts by Jay Graham (1993-96), 2890 yards by James Stewart (1991-94) and 13 100-yard games by Lewis (1997-99)...Only Stewart (35) has scored more touchdowns rushing in a career for the Vols than Travis' 26.
REMIND ME OF... Carolina's Tim Biakabutuka.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... Now there is a lesson to be learned here. If you want to impress your future employers, do not show up for an interview and then suddenly bolt. That's what Henry did when he attended the Combines in February, but then decided to leave on his own immediately after the physical. He has good athletic ability, but Jamal Lewis (Ravens) he is not. Will go on the draft's first day, but only because of a lack of depth at tailback in this year's draft.
MARCEL SHIPP
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#5-MARCEL SHIPP University of Massachusetts Minutemen 5:10.6-216
ANALYSIS
Positives... Powerful inside runner...Senses the crease well and drives hard with his strong legs and superb balance...Has the hip swerve to escape traffic and the vision to easily glide through inside traffic...Attacks the holes with a slashing style, generally dragging defenders to get most of his yardage after the initial hit...Very creative runner who always keeps his feet moving forward...Has excellent concentration, always making sure to secure the ball...Shows the flexibility to be split out as a receiver in third down situations...Makes good body adjustments getting to the short pass in traffic...Strong blocker who is effective at picking up the blitz.
Negatives... More quick than fast, lacking that explosive outside burst...Takes awhile to get in gear, as he does not have that quick first step to the holes, lacking that sudden burst...Needs to upgrade his strength and does not possess the juking moves to escape defenders trying to turn the corner.
CAREER NOTES
One of the most decorated athletes in UMass annals...Finished his career as the sixth-ranked all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division 1-AA annals with 5383 yards (regular season only)...Ran for over 100 yards 33 times during his career, including seven 200-yard performances, setting a school record with a string of 19 consecutive 100-yard efforts...Holds the school's career-records with 1215 carries for 6250 yards, 58 touchdowns rushing, 378 points scored and 7759 all-purpose yards...Ranks second in UMass annals with 126 receptions and third with 6250 yards in total offense...Became only the sixth player in college football history to rush for over 6000 yards and gain over 1000 yards receiving in a career...His 6250 yards rushing broke the Atlantic Ten Conference career-record of 6193 yards by New Hampshire's Jerry Azumah (1995-98).
REMIND ME OF... Green Bay's Dorsey Levens.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... Some teams are wondering if Marcel has carried the ball too much during his college career and has nothing left for the pros. Injuries hampered him in 2000 (ankle), but he redeemed himself during Hula Bowl practices. Too bad practically no team decision-maker attended the Hula Bowl to see it. Like Levens, he will be overlooked for awhile on draft day, but I still feel that he has enough gas left in his tank to get the job done.
MICHAEL BENNETT
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#29-MICHAEL BENNETT University of Wisconsin Badgers 5:09.7-204
ANALYSIS
Positives... Outstanding athlete with world class speed...Has cat-like quickness and exceptional balance through the holes...Explodes through the seams and has that quick sidestep that consistently makes defenders miss...Patiently waits for blocks to develop, using his sharp change-of-direction skills to fluidly turn the corner...Runs at a good pad level, showing powerful leg drive up the middle...Does not shy away from contact running through traffic...Has a forceful stiff-arm to keep defensive backs in check...Runs low to the ground and keeps his shoulders squared...Much like the Rams' Marshall Faulk in his cutback ability and lateral agility...Displays excellent stop-&-go action and the vision to set his blocks up well....Has very quick feet, shortening his stride and showing superb spin ability...Lowers his shoulders and drives forward aggressively... Shows smooth pick-&-slide agility, displaying moves to freeze defenders in one-on-one situations.
Negatives... Will hit the line and stop, at times, resulting in lost yardage...Hands are very suspect, thus the reason that he was never involved in the team's passing game...Also needs to be more crisp in his route-running (almost seems as if he's too reluctant to be any way involved in the passing game)...Makes passive attempts as a blocker and overextends when trying to seal off the blitz...Seems to run out of gas late in games, making his stamina questionable...Needs to protect the ball better when running to prevent costly fumbles.
CAREER NOTES
Even though his Wisconsin career was relatively short (two years), he will long be remembered as one of the fastest players to ever wear a Badgers uniform... This world class track man displayed electrifying moves on the field in 2000, making Wisconsin fans marvel at his blazing speed and tackle-breaking power...Even though he has only ten games as a starter under his belt, he ranks tenth on the school's all-time rushing list with 1979 yards...Carried 367 times (5.4 avg) with 15 touchdowns...Only caught five passes during his career.
REMIND ME OF... Former Miami Dolphin great Mercury Morris.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... If I am looking for a big-play artist, Bennett's my man, but I have serious reservations about his overall ability. He only comes to play for 30 minutes per game (thus being dubbed Mr. Viagra by yours truly for his tank running out of gas quickly) and has suspect hands, but oh, that sudden speed of his! I would've gone for the Deuce over Bennett, but I am judging this position on my long-range outlook and feel that Bennett is a boom or bust type worthy of seeing if he can explode upfield rather than explode on the sidelines.
LAMONT JORDAN
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#15-LAMONT JORDAN University of Maryland Terrapins 5:10.1-219
ANALYSIS
Positives... Powerful tackle-breaker who runs low to the ground with excellent body control...Shows superb hip swerve and strong leg drive...Catches the ball well coming out of the backfield, extending properly, rather than trying to body catch...Shows a strong arm for the option pass...Has the agility to spin away from tacklers and the power to gain yardage after initial contact...Can make defenders miss in the open with his juking moves...Has the in-stride quickness to adjust his direction...Displays the vision to find the seam on the move and runs with good body lean... Has the awareness to pick and slide through the holes...Maintains balance well while driving forward... Has a sharp outside burst and shows explosive acceleration around the corner...Can slide laterally with ease...Securely protects the ball running through traffic...Very flexible adjusting to the ball in flight...Solid-effort blocker who will face up and position properly in pass protection.
Negatives... Needs to drastically upgrade his work ethic...Not a student of the game and has very poor off-season conditioning habits...Indifferent player who needs to be prodded often by the coaching staff...Lacks classroom intelligence, basically because he does not apply himself... Needs to develop maturity in order to succeed at the next level...Lacks aggression when playing without the ball, tending to only get motivated when he's the focal part of the offense (poor supporting cast member).
CAREER NOTES
The anchor of the Terrapins' offense since the late stages of his freshman year, LaMont started 33 of 43 games he played in at Maryland...Shattered school game, season and career rushing records, gaining 4147 yards with 36 touchdowns on 807 carries (5.2 avg), surpassing the previous Terp marks of 769 attempts for 3317 yards by Charles Wysocki (1978-81)...Only Rick Badanjek (44, 1982-85) scored more touchdowns rushing in school annals...His 18 100-yard games rushing broke Wysocki's old Terrapins record of 17...Became only the fourth player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to gain over 4000 yards rushing in a career...Also gained 737 yards with a score on 76 receptions during his career...Holds the school career-records with 888 total plays from scrimmage for 4980 all-purpose yards, topping the previous marks of 788 plays by Wysocki and 3950 yards by Jermaine Lewis (1992-95).
REMIND ME OF... Washington's Stephen Davis.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... This is a player that I think will benefit from a "reality check." His questionable work ethic will probably keep him out of the first round, but once he realizes the amount of money that it cost him, he will settle down and rededicate himself to his craft. I keep seeing Purple (Vikings) on this guy in the second round. Hopefully, Dennis Green will agree that purple suits Jordan just fine.
TRAVIS HENRY
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#20-TRAVIS HENRY University of Tennessee Volunteers 5:09.7-221
ANALYSIS
Positives... Power runner with good initial quickness...Shows no hesitation coming off the snap...Very decisive when he gets past the line of scrimmage, hitting the initial tackler with force...Strong through the holes, lowering his shoulders before making contact to break tackles and move away from the pile...Has a galloping stride in the open, maintaining acceleration until brought down...Effective blocker who does a fine job trying to protect the ball...Keeps his feet churning to force his way through traffic.
Negatives... Liability for the passing game, as he does not have the hands to be relied upon to catch the ball...Takes some false steps at times, lacking the vision when forced to move laterally... Does not show the proper wiggle and hip action to turn the corner, preferring to power his way up the middle...Needs to develop better cutting moves to avoid tacklers...While he seems willing to block, he looks awkward in that duty, tending to overextend and make only glancing blows. CAREER NOTES
Despite being overshadowed by teammate Jamal Lewis for the first three years of his career and not becoming a full-time starter until his senior year, Travis has made a name for himself in Tennessee annals, setting school career-records with 3078 yards rushing, 556 rushing attempts and 14 100-yard rushing performances, topping the previous marks of 540 attempts by Jay Graham (1993-96), 2890 yards by James Stewart (1991-94) and 13 100-yard games by Lewis (1997-99)...Only Stewart (35) has scored more touchdowns rushing in a career for the Vols than Travis' 26.
REMIND ME OF... Carolina's Tim Biakabutuka.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... Now there is a lesson to be learned here. If you want to impress your future employers, do not show up for an interview and then suddenly bolt. That's what Henry did when he attended the Combines in February, but then decided to leave on his own immediately after the physical. He has good athletic ability, but Jamal Lewis (Ravens) he is not. Will go on the draft's first day, but only because of a lack of depth at tailback in this year's draft.
MARCEL SHIPP
By: Dave-Te' Thomas
#5-MARCEL SHIPP University of Massachusetts Minutemen 5:10.6-216
ANALYSIS
Positives... Powerful inside runner...Senses the crease well and drives hard with his strong legs and superb balance...Has the hip swerve to escape traffic and the vision to easily glide through inside traffic...Attacks the holes with a slashing style, generally dragging defenders to get most of his yardage after the initial hit...Very creative runner who always keeps his feet moving forward...Has excellent concentration, always making sure to secure the ball...Shows the flexibility to be split out as a receiver in third down situations...Makes good body adjustments getting to the short pass in traffic...Strong blocker who is effective at picking up the blitz.
Negatives... More quick than fast, lacking that explosive outside burst...Takes awhile to get in gear, as he does not have that quick first step to the holes, lacking that sudden burst...Needs to upgrade his strength and does not possess the juking moves to escape defenders trying to turn the corner.
CAREER NOTES
One of the most decorated athletes in UMass annals...Finished his career as the sixth-ranked all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division 1-AA annals with 5383 yards (regular season only)...Ran for over 100 yards 33 times during his career, including seven 200-yard performances, setting a school record with a string of 19 consecutive 100-yard efforts...Holds the school's career-records with 1215 carries for 6250 yards, 58 touchdowns rushing, 378 points scored and 7759 all-purpose yards...Ranks second in UMass annals with 126 receptions and third with 6250 yards in total offense...Became only the sixth player in college football history to rush for over 6000 yards and gain over 1000 yards receiving in a career...His 6250 yards rushing broke the Atlantic Ten Conference career-record of 6193 yards by New Hampshire's Jerry Azumah (1995-98).
REMIND ME OF... Green Bay's Dorsey Levens.
GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... Some teams are wondering if Marcel has carried the ball too much during his college career and has nothing left for the pros. Injuries hampered him in 2000 (ankle), but he redeemed himself during Hula Bowl practices. Too bad practically no team decision-maker attended the Hula Bowl to see it. Like Levens, he will be overlooked for awhile on draft day, but I still feel that he has enough gas left in his tank to get the job done.
