Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
I thought I would start a thread where all of us could chime in on prospects that we have seen a great deal of. For example, I would be very interested in Cbus' take on the various OSU prospects, particularly 34OLB Ryan Shazier (I really like what I've seen from this kid), RB Carlos Hyde, T Jack Mewhort, C Corey Linsley, CB Bradley Roby and S C.J. Barnett.
As for my Boston College Eagles whom you can see play Arizona next Tuesday at 12:30 EDT, here are my notes on their prospects who could be of interest to Steve Keim and the Cardinals' scouts.
1. RB Andre Williams (6-0, 220). Led the nation in rushing and although I do not have a confirmed stat on this I am reasonably sure Williams also led the nation in yards after contact. That's the thing with Williams---he is very tough to bring down on first contact. The other impressive thing is that he has a knack for running to daylight.
When you look at him run, he doesn't look as fluid as a runner like Matt Forte, for example. Williams runs like a duck---a very fast and powerful duck at that. However, what that does for him is that it creates tremendous balance and is the reason why he is able to deliver such big hits on tacklers and still keep his feet moving. He maintains such a textbook low center of gravity which prevents tacklers from getting clear shots at his legs.
When he sees daylight he exploded through it. I have never seen so many big chunk runs from a RB in one season---and at the biggest of times, like late in the 4th quarter in a tie game. And watch out for his stiff-arm. He knocks tacklers down with it.
Outstanding character. Consummate teammate. Very humble. Blue collar all the way.
2. LT Matt Patchan (6-6, 290). A 5th year eligible transfer from the U of Florida. One of the main reasons why Andre Williams led the nation in rushing. Talk about blue collar. Patchan has the combination of length and strength to open up big holes on the left side.
Doesn't have the niftiest of footwork in pass pro, but he sets up quickly and has such good hand position, that he delivers big jolts on the edge rushers, ones that knock them off their angles. From there Patchan works his way to finish off the block---he plays all the way to the whistle and rarely misses out on sustaining a block.
I think scouts will project him to RT...but the way he played versus the best edge rushers in the ACC (good days versus Clemson and Florida St. in particular versus their very good speed rushers), he proved to me, at least, that he could hold up very well on the left side.
This kid is a sleeper who might wind up soaring up draft boards, especially when teams start watching tape of Andre Williams.
3. G/C Ian White (6-5, 303). A real road grader inside. Plays with very good leverage and sustained effort. Solid in both the run and passing games.
4. OLB/SS Kevin Pierre-Louis (6-1, 220). He reminds me a lot of Adrian Wilson when Wilson played at NC State. All over the field. Tough. Fast. Sudden. Good in coverage. Excellent blitzer from all angles.
5. OLB/DE Kasim Edebali (6-3, 256). Born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, Edebali has had a huge senior season, racking up 62 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. ACC Coaches voted him to the 2nd Team All ACC. Has the combination of quickness and strength you want for an edge rusher. Not blazing quick or fast, because he's a disciplined rusher who counters strength with quickness. He reminds me a lot of Matt Shaughnessy.
6. K Nate Freese (6-0, 185). Has made some All-America teams and was voted onto the 1st team All-ACC team by the media thanks to going a perfect 18/18 in FGs this year. Freese has very good accuracy. Has a good, solid leg and can make FGs outside the 50. He doubled as the team's punter, where is more of a directional type punter. But, placekicking is his forte.
7. QB Chase Rettig (6-3, 213). Four year starter who played under 4 different OCs. Was a top level recruit from California. He throws a tight spiral and has decent mobility. Can get a little frazzled and harried under pressure at times. I've heard some pundits say he will be a good backup in the NFL. With some grooming I could see that happening. Not sure if he will ever be a legit starter in the NFL, but then again I never thought Matt Hasselbeck would either. But, Hasselbeck was tougher, mentally and physically. Not necessarily a better thrower, however. Rettig is more like Matt's brother Tim Hasselbeck.
8. WR Alex Amidon (5-11, 186). Was All-ACC 1st Team in 2012 (78 catches for 1,210 yards---BC single season records). This year he was 3rd Team All-ACC, going 67/895/5 TDs, on a far more run-oriented offense this year. This kid is sneaky fast...and has very good hands. He's a slippery route runner---not a blazer, per se, but he always seems to find a way to get behind the defense a few times a game. Good on reverses and quick screens. Plays tough, but doesn't quite look the part, although when you see him make plays you sit up and take notice.
Can any break down the ASU Sun Devils' and AZ Wildcats' prospects?
Russ---Cal & Stanford?
Mark---South Carolina, SEC?
Johnh---Arkansas, SEC?
Jeff & Garth---Rutgers? Syracuse? Big East?
Who's got Alabama and LSU?
As for my Boston College Eagles whom you can see play Arizona next Tuesday at 12:30 EDT, here are my notes on their prospects who could be of interest to Steve Keim and the Cardinals' scouts.
1. RB Andre Williams (6-0, 220). Led the nation in rushing and although I do not have a confirmed stat on this I am reasonably sure Williams also led the nation in yards after contact. That's the thing with Williams---he is very tough to bring down on first contact. The other impressive thing is that he has a knack for running to daylight.
When you look at him run, he doesn't look as fluid as a runner like Matt Forte, for example. Williams runs like a duck---a very fast and powerful duck at that. However, what that does for him is that it creates tremendous balance and is the reason why he is able to deliver such big hits on tacklers and still keep his feet moving. He maintains such a textbook low center of gravity which prevents tacklers from getting clear shots at his legs.
When he sees daylight he exploded through it. I have never seen so many big chunk runs from a RB in one season---and at the biggest of times, like late in the 4th quarter in a tie game. And watch out for his stiff-arm. He knocks tacklers down with it.
Outstanding character. Consummate teammate. Very humble. Blue collar all the way.
2. LT Matt Patchan (6-6, 290). A 5th year eligible transfer from the U of Florida. One of the main reasons why Andre Williams led the nation in rushing. Talk about blue collar. Patchan has the combination of length and strength to open up big holes on the left side.
Doesn't have the niftiest of footwork in pass pro, but he sets up quickly and has such good hand position, that he delivers big jolts on the edge rushers, ones that knock them off their angles. From there Patchan works his way to finish off the block---he plays all the way to the whistle and rarely misses out on sustaining a block.
I think scouts will project him to RT...but the way he played versus the best edge rushers in the ACC (good days versus Clemson and Florida St. in particular versus their very good speed rushers), he proved to me, at least, that he could hold up very well on the left side.
This kid is a sleeper who might wind up soaring up draft boards, especially when teams start watching tape of Andre Williams.
3. G/C Ian White (6-5, 303). A real road grader inside. Plays with very good leverage and sustained effort. Solid in both the run and passing games.
4. OLB/SS Kevin Pierre-Louis (6-1, 220). He reminds me a lot of Adrian Wilson when Wilson played at NC State. All over the field. Tough. Fast. Sudden. Good in coverage. Excellent blitzer from all angles.
5. OLB/DE Kasim Edebali (6-3, 256). Born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, Edebali has had a huge senior season, racking up 62 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. ACC Coaches voted him to the 2nd Team All ACC. Has the combination of quickness and strength you want for an edge rusher. Not blazing quick or fast, because he's a disciplined rusher who counters strength with quickness. He reminds me a lot of Matt Shaughnessy.
6. K Nate Freese (6-0, 185). Has made some All-America teams and was voted onto the 1st team All-ACC team by the media thanks to going a perfect 18/18 in FGs this year. Freese has very good accuracy. Has a good, solid leg and can make FGs outside the 50. He doubled as the team's punter, where is more of a directional type punter. But, placekicking is his forte.
7. QB Chase Rettig (6-3, 213). Four year starter who played under 4 different OCs. Was a top level recruit from California. He throws a tight spiral and has decent mobility. Can get a little frazzled and harried under pressure at times. I've heard some pundits say he will be a good backup in the NFL. With some grooming I could see that happening. Not sure if he will ever be a legit starter in the NFL, but then again I never thought Matt Hasselbeck would either. But, Hasselbeck was tougher, mentally and physically. Not necessarily a better thrower, however. Rettig is more like Matt's brother Tim Hasselbeck.
8. WR Alex Amidon (5-11, 186). Was All-ACC 1st Team in 2012 (78 catches for 1,210 yards---BC single season records). This year he was 3rd Team All-ACC, going 67/895/5 TDs, on a far more run-oriented offense this year. This kid is sneaky fast...and has very good hands. He's a slippery route runner---not a blazer, per se, but he always seems to find a way to get behind the defense a few times a game. Good on reverses and quick screens. Plays tough, but doesn't quite look the part, although when you see him make plays you sit up and take notice.
Can any break down the ASU Sun Devils' and AZ Wildcats' prospects?
Russ---Cal & Stanford?
Mark---South Carolina, SEC?
Johnh---Arkansas, SEC?
Jeff & Garth---Rutgers? Syracuse? Big East?
Who's got Alabama and LSU?
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at your sig, Jet. 
