Ryan Kerrigan

[Mitch]

Here is a player who is climbing up the draft boards very swiftly. In some mocks he is being tabbed as the #10 pick to Washington or the #11 pick to Houston. I've read reports where a number of teams in the teens including the Jags and Pats are enamored with Kerrigan.

All for very good reasons.

First, a few numbers with regard to stacking Kerrigan up against Da'Quan Bowers and Robert Quinn.

Career NCAA FBS Sacks:

Kerrigan---33.5
Bowers----19.5
Quinn----13.0

Height (Rounded):

Kerrigan: 6-4
Bowers: 6-3
Quinn: 6-4

Weight:

Kerrigan: 267
Bowers: 280
Quinn: 270

40 Time:

Kerrigan: 4.67
Bowers: 4.70
Quinn: 4.62

3 Cone:

Kerrigan: 7.18
Bowers: N/A
Quinn: 7.13

Shuttle:

Kerrigan: 4.39
Bowers: N/A
Quinn: 4.40

Vertical:

Kerrigan: 33.5
Bowers: N/A
Quinn: 34.0

Bench Press Reps @ 225 lbs.:

Kerrigan: 30
Bowers: 22
Quinn: 22

Bench Press Max:

Kerrigan: 475 lbs.
Bowers: 385 lbs.
Quinn: 370 lbs.

Arm Length:

Kerrigan: 33"
Bowers: 33"
Quinn: 34"

2008 Stats:

Kerrigan: 56-T, 11.5-TFL, 7-sacks
Bowers: 45-T, 8-TFL, 1-sack
Quinn: 34-T, 6.5-TFL, 2-sacks

2009 Stats:

Kerrigan: 66-T, 18.5-TFL, 13-sacks
Bowers: 47-T, 11-TFL, 3-sacks
Quinn: 52-T, 15-TFL, 11-sacks

2010 Stats:

Kerrigan: 70-T, 26-TFL, 12.5-sacks
Bowers: 67-T, 25-TFL, 15.5-sacks
Quinn: suspended by NCAA due to taking improper benefits

Carreer NCAA FBS Stats:

Kerrigan: 201-T, 57-TFL, 33.5-sacks
Bowers: 159-T, 44-TFL, 19.5-sacks
Quinn: 86-T, 25-TFL, 13-sacks

Awards:

Kerrigan: AP All-American, Big-10 DPOY 2010, Academic All-American 2009, 2010.
Bowers: AP All-American, ACC DPOY 2010, Winner of the Nagurski Award 2010.

NCAA FBS Records:

Kerrigan: 14 forced fumbles---tied for the all-time mark.

Team Captain:

Kerrigan: Yes.
Bowers: No.
Quinn: No.

Mitch Eye Test:

Kerrigan: I've never seen a strongside DE bust double teams the way this kid did and did repeatedly---and he never misses or dogs a snap---full tilt every snap, every second. Has an uncanny nose for the ball---and to be as productive as he was rushing from the strong side versus repeated double teams makes his stats all the more eye-popping---plus, once he smells the ball, he closes in a flash. Has an array of rip moves and the brute strengths to shed blockers with consistent success.

Bowers: Gifted athlete---flashes greatness---but takes a lot of plays off---doesn't handle the double team with anywhere near the ferocity that Kerrigan does. A great chaser---can track down plays with blurring quickness---has excellent feet and quick hands---but needs to improve lower body control and strength. Gets stood up and neutralized too easily at times.

Quinn: Edge rusher with good speed and balance---needs stronger hands---doesn't defend the run consistently well---gets caught up in traffic too easily---lacks top end instincts---but is at his best when he can simply charge off the edge---once he gets outside leverege, he's tough to stop-can close quickly---tackles high, though (QBs have ducked him)--has good upper body flexibility---needs a stronger base.

And where, imo, Kerrigan separates himself above Bowers and Quinn---and even Von Miller---by a large margin---is in his stamina. In this day and age you need rushers who can bring it play after play and this is Kerrigan's forte---he is relentless.

As for Von Miller---I did not include him because I am convinced that he will be take in the top three.

But, even so, I still prefer Kerrigan because we need a stud on the strong side and we need high impact tacklers---and Kerrigan does not ever tackle high---he is a tremendous bender at the point of impact---his tackles are at ball level and they are jarring.

We also need leaders and this kid is a born leader.

I am All-In on Kerrigan...and if he goes to the 49ers at #7 I will be distraught.

 

[kerouac9]

I don't think that Kerrigan can play OLB in a 3-4. I think he's a smallish 4-3 DE and could be drafted by the Vikings, Jags, Giants, or Bucs. He'd be an excellent fit with any of those clubs, and I wouldn't be surprised to see someone trade up to get him.

The next time I see Ryan Kerrigan drop back into coverage will be the first.

 

[football karma]

I don't think that Kerrigan can play OLB in a 3-4. I think he's a smallish 4-3 DE and could be drafted by the Vikings, Jags, Giants, or Bucs. He'd be an excellent fit with any of those clubs, and I wouldn't be surprised to see someone trade up to get him.

The next time I see Ryan Kerrigan drop back into coverage will be the first.

yep. Except for size, the same is true for Bowers

 

[CardLogic]

Excellent analysis, Mitch! But the reasons below are why he will not be the Cardinals' pick. But neither will Bowers or Quinn.

I don't think that Kerrigan can play OLB in a 3-4. I think he's a smallish 4-3 DE and could be drafted by the Vikings, Jags, Giants, or Bucs. He'd be an excellent fit with any of those clubs, and I wouldn't be surprised to see someone trade up to get him.

The next time I see Ryan Kerrigan drop back into coverage will be the first.

yep. Except for size, the same is true for Bowers

 

[binkar]

Great stuff, Mitch. Appreciate the research. I like Kerrigan, but not in the top 20-25 picks. In watching the senior bowl practices and game, he appeared to have some difficulty getting off blocks, and didn't pressure the QB like I expected. That said, a week of practice and a game shouldn't nullify the productive career he had and I can't honestly say that I have watched much of his college tape.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Kerrigan is a safe pick. You know what you're getting. Like Mitch said, he's going to bring it every play but he probably lacks the athleticism to become an elite player. That's not a knock, he has a higher floor but a lower ceiling than some other OLB/DE prospects.

 

[lobo]

Kerrigan is a safe pick. You know what you're getting. Like Mitch said, he's going to bring it every play but he probably lacks the athleticism to become an elite player. That's not a knock, he has a higher floor but a lower ceiling than some other OLB/DE prospects.

He will be a high above average to low excellent player throughout his career...old proverb "feet are always on the floor, but few can touch ceiling"
(found it in a fortune cookie or in front of a urinal...i don't recall)

 

[Crazy Canuck]

2010 Stats:

Kerrigan: 70-T, 26-TFL, 12.5-sacks

2009 Stats:

O'Brien Schofield: 62-T, 27-TFL, 12-sacks

 

[kerouac9]

He will be a high above average to low excellent player throughout his career...old proverb "feet are always on the floor, but few can touch ceiling"
(found it in a fortune cookie or in front of a urinal...i don't recall)

In a 4-3 defense. Kerrigan seems like a good, smart player who is able to sort through the trash and get to the ball carrier, but I don't see him having elite feet in games--not along the lines of what Miller and Quinn bring to the table.

Being able to drop back into coverage is even more important at the SOLB position, which is asked to do those things far more frequently than on the weak side. Haggans does an excellent job covering the flat and containing the outside run--which he tends to do more than straight rushing the passer.

 

[Mitch]

2010 Stats:

Kerrigan: 70-T, 26-TFL, 12.5-sacks

2009 Stats:

O'Brien Schofield: 62-T, 27-TFL, 12-sacks

Thanks, Canuck. Good comparison of the stats there.

The thing is---Schofield played mostly on the weak side at Wisconsin where he attacked the QB's blind side...and he was not nearly as much double teamed as Kerrigan was.

Kerrigan played on the strong side (which was mostly at LDE) at Purdue...which in many respects makes it more difficult to get sacks because the LDE is not coming from the QB's blind side.

Of all the tape I watched of Kerrigan, he was double teamed almost every play. Purdue's defense around him this year wasn't strong enough to prevent teams from loading up on Kerrigan. Also, when you play DE on the strong side that's where you are bound to be flanked by the TE...as TEs tend to play on the strong side.

When I started watching the tapes of Kerrigan, Miller, Quinn, Bowers, Houston and Aldon Smith...it was clear that each one of these players brings a different strength...

The perception is that Miller, Quinn, Bowers, Houston and Smith are more explosive than Kerrigan...but when you watch the tapes...you come away realizing that Kerrigan is actually more explosive than any of them. Miller is the fastest---but he lacks the strength to sustain the edge, which means he gets ridden far wide of the pocket, leaving a gaping hole for the QB to step into and scramble through.

Then when you check the measurables (as I outlined in detail here)...and Kerrigan is just as big, just as fast, just as quick in converging on the ball (except for Miller) and he's more powerful. Plus he's showing this while ripping through two blockers every play.

To choose a player who was banned last year---after the way Kerrigan played---imo, is a flyer...especially when you see that Kerrigan is the stronger, more consistently tenacious and productive player, play after play, by far.

Like Bill Parcells always said, "When a player shows you who he is...believe him."

Quinn showed me one good year of football, poor, selfish judgement off the field and a year-long suspension.

Kerrigan showed me a player who is as tough, quick to the ball and relentless as they come...and played that way for three straight years...and will play that way every time he buckles up his chin strap.

 

[kerouac9]

Mitch may not have watched much film of Ryan Kerrigan, then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBA0xC_5ACI

Kerrigan's an interesting strong-side DE prospect for 4-3 teams. But he's not quick-footed and he doesn't have impressive on-field speed. I think he has a nice repertoire of pass rush moves for a college player and will get better. But "He's double-teamed every play"? Give me a break.

 

[CardLogic]

Mitch may not have watched much film of Ryan Kerrigan, then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBA0xC_5ACI

Kerrigan's an interesting strong-side DE prospect for 4-3 teams. But he's not quick-footed and he doesn't have impressive on-field speed. I think he has a nice repertoire of pass rush moves for a college player and will get better. But "He's double-teamed every play"? Give me a break.

He may not have been double-teamed as much as Mitch indicated...

but Kerrigan certainly looks good, i.e.- worth the pick, on the video clip you've chosen here.

 

[Buckybird]

I noticed at the combine that Kerrigan is either bow-legged or runs really weird as both legs fly outward.

With that said I think he will be a solid NFL player because of his lunch pale mentality & desire to compete, though I'm not sold 100% that he can maximize his skillset at 3-4 OLB. He would definately be an upgrade at holding the edge & playing the run vs. Miller, Smith, Quinn or Houston.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I think the only way Kerrigan is in the mix for the Cards is a trade down. I doubt he's even in the discussion at #5. I wouldn't mind trading back with a team like the Jags and picking up an extra 2nd and late rounder. That is assuming PP and Miller are off the board. Those 2 are elite talents with numbers on the field to back up their talent. If those are gone, I'm pretty much up for anything.

 

[kerouac9]

He may not have been double-teamed as much as Mitch indicated...

but Kerrigan certainly looks good, i.e.- worth the pick, on the video clip you've chosen here.

Worth a Top 5 pick? As a 3-4 OLB? Don't know what you're seeing...

 

[CardLogic]

Worth a Top 5 pick? As a 3-4 OLB? Don't know what you're seeing...

The video clip linked in your post which I quoted in my previous post.

I didn't mention anything about his overall career but rather focused my comment relative to that video clip. Perhaps you ought to take your blinders off...

 

[kerouac9]

The video clip linked in your post which I quoted in my previous post.

I didn't mention anything about his overall career but rather focused my comment relative to that video clip. Perhaps you ought to take your blinders off...

So do you think he's worth a Top 5 pick, or not? That's why my comment/question was. Don't know why you have your knickers in a bunch.

I've said multiple times in this very thread that I think that Kerrigan is a good prospect, just not for our defensive alignment in our system. I don't think it's me who needs to take the blinders off, brother.

That video clip showed me a college player who has some skills rushing the quarterback but (1) wasn't double played every down of his college career (the original assertion) and (2) never played even simple zone defense/coverage. If you see something in the video contradicting that, then show me.

Otherwise, please just go ahead and put a "+1", "", or "K9 is right" in your reply or refrain from doing so at all.

 

[Early]

In my eyes, clearly the best player in the draft: Ryan Kerrigan. He is constantly producing on the tapes. Other top prospects are all about flashes and potential. This guy requires attention every single play. He plays the run so well, two gaps, bull rushes, reads plays well. He plays college with NFL technique and level. He is as polished as it gets on college level.

We have to take the best defensive end in the draft, let him rush every down and play the run. And we have to take Christian Ponder in the second. That would be my ideal picks.

Also i would like to trade Dockett for a first round and 4th round pick and take a real two gapper, Cameron Jordan, Dereus or Wilkerson are the best choices. In the only scheme that Horton knows, two gapping is what you ask your DE's to do. Without that, this defense will always be some hybrid that not even our coordinators understand.

I also think that Mark Ingram is the real deal. he is going to be just as complete player as Hightower, but much better overall. I see him dominating the position.

Also i really want us to select Austin Pettis in the fourth. He is not going to spread the field, but he can catch and make people miss and run over them. And take a shot on Mark Herzlich late in the draft.

We have to get some real attitude on this team, polished players, tough guys, leaders.

I also think we should take QB Mcelroy and WR Jeff Maehl late in the draft with some of the last picks.

In mid rounds, i want us to take the most complete TE in this draft: Lance Kendricks. It's amazing how well he runblocks, you never see that kind of blocking from a guy that weights 247. I had to go back many times and rewatch the plays, i couldnt believe how well he blocks, and he is consistent in doing that. He is not a YAC reciever at all, but he does catch everything and is very smart. You want your TE to be really smart on the field. It's very rare that you see a TE being able to both block and catch. Usually, those are the last ones i look at, because most of the time they are not really special in either area and are the worst prospects. Usually, TE's these days can either block or recieve and that's fine. But i think Kendricks is an exception and can do it both really well.

 

[Krangodnzr]

So do you think he's worth a Top 5 pick, or not? That's why my comment/question was. Don't know why you have your knickers in a bunch.

I've said multiple times in this very thread that I think that Kerrigan is a good prospect, just not for our defensive alignment in our system. I don't think it's me who needs to take the blinders off, brother.

That video clip showed me a college player who has some skills rushing the quarterback but (1) wasn't double played every down of his college career (the original assertion) and (2) never played even simple zone defense/coverage. If you see something in the video contradicting that, then show me.

Otherwise, please just go ahead and put a "+1", "", or "K9 is right" in your reply or refrain from doing so at all.

+1 LOL

You're 100% he's a good player, terrible fit. And yeah in this clip I don't see a single time that he's double teamed at all.

 

[binkar]

A very solid player, but I don't see him as ever having a double-digit sack season in the league. I hope I am wrong, cause you root for the hard working, character guys.

 

[Duckjake]

He is constantly producing on the tapes. Other top prospects are all about flashes and potential. This guy requires attention every single play. He plays the run so well, two gaps, bull rushes, reads plays well. He plays college with NFL technique and level. He is as polished as it gets on college level

.

You just described Sam Acho. We can get him in the 2nd round.

 

[binkar]

Did anyone (and Mitch specifically) watch Kerrigan in the senior bowl practices? I am just curious to see if people saw it differently than I did. Not claiming to have a scouts eye or anything, but he just couldn't seem to get separation and pressure when going against the top tackles like Solder, Castonzo, and Carimi. I was really high on Kerrigan going into that week, but came out a little less enthused. I still really like the kid, and think he could have a long, productive career.

Then again, I remember the clip they showed of Cody Brown at senior bowl practice putting a tackle flat on his back, so maybe I should disregard what I see in these practices . Either way, we need to come out of this draft with two potential pass rushers.

 

[juza76]

sam acho can be the next lamarr woodley

1)p.peterson cb
2)d,sherrod tackle
3)sam acho olb
4)nate irving mlb
5)s,schilling guard
6)a.pettis wr
6 b)joe lefeged safety
7)s.skelton te

 

[Stout]

Worth a Top 5 pick? As a 3-4 OLB? Don't know what you're seeing...

No way would I pick him at #5.

 

[Krangodnzr]

.

You just described Sam Acho. We can get him in the 2nd round.

I don't get the Acho love. I mean he produced in college, but he doesn't jump out at me as having any outstanding attributes. I see that he has lined up inside against guards a little bit, which I like, but I don't see that outstanding quickness on the edge which would make him a great edge rusher in the pros.

Our need for an impact edge rusher is so great that I don't see taking an Acho or a Brooks Reed as the answer. IMO we need to take a Quinn, Von Miller, or other top rusher and they need to have an impact early on.