NFL Network Analysts CHARLES DAVIS DANIEL JEREMIAH
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
DANIEL JEREMIAH: Thanks for joining March 31, 2016 us here. Kind of big picture on this draft, a lot of it has been said out there, but it's one of the best An Interview With: defensive tackle drafts I can remember, and I started in 2003 in scouting, and I can't remember this much depth of talent at that position. So it will NFL Network Analysts be interesting to follow what the strategy is with teams. Do they want to go get these guys right CHARLES DAVIS away or is there a thought process that there's so much depth that maybe we'll see some of these DANIEL JEREMIAH guys slide down? Because they'll know they can get another one in a subsequent round. So that's an interesting story line to follow. I think we've got from the quarterback THE MODERATOR: Thank you for joining standpoint, I think we've got two guys that in my us today on the first of two NFL Network, NFL Draft opinion are clearly head and shoulders above the media conference calls. Joining me on the call rest of this class in Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. today are NFL Network analysts for the draft, I prefer Wentz, but I gave them similar grades. I Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah. Before I turn think that they're both going to be long term it over to Charles and Daniel for opening remarks starting quarterbacks in the league and they're and then questions, a few quick NFL Network going to be very successful. programming notes around the draft. The wide receiver position, I won't go You can catch both Charles and Daniel on through every position, but the wide receiver NFL Network's Path to the Draft, which airs position this year, we've been so spoiled the last Monday through Friday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, two years with the depth of talent, I don't think we leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago. NFL quite have that this year in terms of that top end Network provides live coverage of the 2016 NFL talent. But I do think in the middle rounds there is Draft from Chicago April 28 through the 30th. NFL a lot of value to be found there on the offensive media will also have extensive digital coverage of side of the ball, so some positions like tight end the draft on NFL.COM, NFL Mobile from Verizon, were a little lean and defensive tackle to me is the and NFL Now. story line of this draft, just how deep and how In addition to NFL Network hosts, analysts talented it is. Charles? and draft experts, Stanford head coach David Shaw will join NFL Network's coverage of the first CHARLES DAVIS: Hi, this is Charles, and round of the 2016 draft on Thursday April 28th at I won't take a heck of a lot more time. Daniel 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Airing on NFL Networks covered it pretty well. But I always hear different throughout the week of the 2016 NFL Draft are drafts. And they talk about this isn't the deepest features titled Back to Campus, which showcases draft or this isn't this or this isn't that. Not talking NFL Network talent returning to their college about what Daniel said, but you hear it from the campuses to meet with current draft prospects. outside. Guess what? These kids are going to get Featured on Back to Campus are Deion Sanders, drafted and a good number of them are going to Jalen Ramsey of Florida State, Michael Robinson play really well in the league because we never with Christian Hackenberg at Penn State, Willy really had it down pat all the time. This guy's this McGinnis with Su'a Cravens at USC, Terrell Davis, and this guy's that and they get in the league and with Keith Marshall at Georgia and more. it's something entirely different. So it will be fun to Finally, the second of NFL Networks draft watch it develop and see how it all goes. media conference calls will be later in the month of So what do you say we get started here? April with Mike Mayock. Details regarding that call will be provided at a later date. Q. This is for both D.J. and Charles. Now I'll turn it over to Charles and Daniel The Eagles have the 8th pick, and if they don't for opening remarks before we take questions. move up for quarterback and one of those Guys? Charles Davis & Daniel Jeremiah 1 visit our archives at asapsports.com defensive players is dropped to them, a lot of Q. We hear defensive coaches talk a lot people think Stanley is one of the guys they about the importance of being strong through could target, but I'm also looking at Vernon the spinier defense. But with passing games Hargreaves. My question to you is this is a guy where they are right now, can you guys just that's not very long. He's 5'10" and his arms outline what you feel most defensive coaches aren't very long either. Now we know how Chip want now maybe, as opposed to even as little Kelly was obsessed with long armed as seven, eight years ago from defensive quarterbacks and it seems most teams tackles, linebackers, safeties in terms of skill increasingly are, and even the Eagles when sets? Howie was in the show. Does his skill offset CHARLES DAVIS: I don't think as much what he lacks in size? And especially you, D.J. has changed as maybe people think. I think you since you know the Eagles pretty well, is that have the ability to mix and match and get guys in, something they'd consider at that spot? though it's interesting watching how the colleges DANIEL JEREMIAH: Well, I think the play are starting to influence the NFL a little bit. I keep making ability is what lets him stand out a little bit saying for the first time, I probably need to quit to kind of cover up some of that with the length. saying that, but I feel like the colleges are Asante Samuel had a ton of production. He's an influencing the NFL all the time. So they're playing undersized corner there, as you know, Jeff. I don't more up tempo, trying to keep certain sets out on think they'd be opposed to that, not having those the field. But you still want the same basic skill set. ideal traits and those measurables. But there are It's just harder to find at times. times and instances where down the field his size I think this year Daniel has outlined all the does show up. defensive tackles in the draft. This to me feels like You see it last year when you go back and almost an anomaly, especially going forward, watch Alabama, when Amari Cooper went over the because the way colleges are playing, the big guys top of him and got the touchdown. You saw it this don't get to stay on the field anymore. A lot of year, the big play down the field, a talented young times they don't even start them on the field receiver went up over him. because they've got these drives and they're going But the thing I personally think and when fast, and you can't just keep them out there. So you talk to people around the league, the thing you're still looking for the same basic set with what about Hargreaves is, as much as you're in nickel you've got to deal with, big guys inside, dealing now, for him to be able to go in there and cover in with the run game, but you need linebackers that the slot and even though he's not big, he can play can stay on the field and run, and that's why the physical in there, I think there's a lot of value to smaller linebackers out of college are finding that position. homes. Juan Alexander last year from LSU and It's no longer when you look at it and stack Tampa. When did he become a starter? Like your board and consider starters. I mean, it's been week two of training camp. But he's an undersized this way for a couple years, but your nickel is guy. This year, Deion Jones coming out of LSU, basically considered a starter nowadays. highly regarded. And then the safety position. Figuring that CHARLES DAVIS: And if you're playing out, that's been a hard thing for everyone, because inside there, you're talking about size match ups safeties have to do so much more in terms of that usually don't hurt you as much, unless a team coverage as opposed to just being those big decides to target and go with someone bigger and thumpers like a Kam Chancellor that just knocks go with the longer guy. But oftentimes the you over, and the way Arizona plays defense now quickness of the DB will, and that takes people off with Deone Bucannon, and Tony Jefferson who the board, so be it. are essentially linebackers. Mark Barron has But anybody that's heard me over the dropped down from safety to linebacker for the Los years, I was a big Alphonso Smith guy, and I really Angeles Rams.