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Home , 2011 NFL Draft, Ahmad Black, Akeem Ayers, Akeem Dent, Alex Green, Alex Henery

2011 NFL Draft and Free Agency NEWSLETTER

Volume XXV Number 7 April 2011 ISSN: 1051-8355 www.ourlads.com

Draft Winds… advantage at this point. The QB position again has some outstanding athletes, with the name most have talked about being of For the sixth consecutive year the NFL Draft will be held at Radio City Auburn. Much has been said about his poor Combine showing. That th Music Hall in City. The dates for the 2011 Draft are April 28 , aside, the questions about Newton go far beyond the Combine. There 29th, and 30th. With the success of the ratings and fan support, the Draft have been too many high first round busts at QB to not give a team pause will again be in prime time. The first round of the Draft will commence on about taking any QB with a high pick. The importance of the position Thursday at 8:00 PM EST, with the second and third rounds on Friday, often dictates taking someone there because if you don’t, someone else 6:00 PM EST. Rounds four through seven will conclude the Draft on will and the next may be throwing TD passes against Saturday at 12:00 PM EST. All teams will have ten minutes to make their you. There have been some outstanding high picks as well, so doing one’s selections in the first round and seven minutes for the second round. In homework is the key. In Newton’s case, his positives are his athletic rounds three through seven, ball clubs get five minutes to make their ability, size, arm strength, fluid arm movement, mobility, and playmaking selections. An organization going over the time limit may make their pick ability with his feet. The negatives we have heard before with college QBs any time after the clock runs out, but the team(s) with the succeeding include limited experience reading coverage, not much work under center, pick(s) may make their selections as their turn indicates. Compensatory accuracy issues, and touch on some throws. There are also some potential picks are awarded based on a formula, the primary factor of which is a intangible issues which combined with everything else make him a risk. team’s net losses of unrestricted free agents the previous year. These The biggest question for me is the ability to read coverage. In many cases picks are added on at the end of the assigned round. These selections this can develop, but in the spread/shotgun offenses we see so much at the cannot be traded. Only picks can be traded in this draft, no players because collegiate level, creating matchups is the most important thing. It involves there is no CBA agreement in place. The NFL Network and ESPN will simple reads and getting the ball out there and relying on the QB’s athletic provide television coverage. ability. In the NFL with more multiple coverage and better overall secondary play the QB has to read “the triangle” to find an open receiver. More Draft Board… teams are including spread principles in their offense but the game is still different and the successful teams have a QB that can make the reads. I would pass on Newton early. He is better suited to a team that has the For the first time in thirty years we’ve enclosed a draft board inside the April time to bring him along rather than need to throw him out there early. If a newsletter. The draft board that is enclosed would be considered the front rookie wage scale comes in as we are hearing, it also makes more sense to board. The players are stacked by position and by round. Players on the take him as the risks aren’t as great. How this will be instituted is an board in the draft room would horizontally represent their value with another unknown, so stay tuned. Another top rated QB of position. Due to space limitations, this is not true on our board. As players are Missouri also played in a shotgun spread type offense. He has NFL size drafted, their magnetic card is transferred to a side board where the 32 teams and tools and displays a quick release. He has good arm strength and are listed in columns. When the draft is over, the players who are still listed on displays good mobility. Extremely accurate on short and intermediate the front board would be the top free agents to be signed. With no CBA – no throws. He will have to adapt to playing under center and NFL reads and free agents can be signed until an agreement is in place. All the teams have been footwork. He also has not been a starter that long. His tools are too good contacted about failed drug tests at the Combine. Extensive background checks to ignore and he might be the first QB taken. At the this year on all prospects are still ongoing up until the day of the Draft if need be. Be we saw two QBs, of Washington and of mindful of the fact that all players are graded first on their ability to play their Iowa, who played in offenses more compatible with the NFL style. Both position in the NFL. Then the players are tagged and moved from the front worked under center and had to make read progressions they will have to board to a side board and may not be drafted because of injury (medical make in the NFL. Locker has the arm strength you look for and excellent board), positive drug test, off the field indiscretions, (character board) etc. The throwing mechanics. He is inconsistent with accuracy and needs to be teams will massage their boards up until two days prior to the Draft. Lastly more disciplined in his footwork. He does not set his feet at times and will there is the top-150 board which is a ranking of each team’s top 150 players. force throws. He has good mobility and keeps the play alive with his feet. All 32 teams obviously have a different top-150 board and each team’s draft He has the tools of an NFL starter and could progress into an outstanding will come from their top-150 players. NFL QB. He needs work but could go in the first round. May be as game ready as anyone in the draft. Stanzi does what you want an NFL QB to Intriguing Prospects 2011... do mechanically and with his reads. He looks off DBs and has excellent By Jon Cooper throwing mechanics. He improved as a senior, making better decisions and displaying big play ability. He has some accuracy issues the deeper the This year’s draft looks to be very important with the uncertainty of free- throw and will force the ball into coverage at times. This was more apparent agency and the whole lock-out mess. Teams will have to address needs earlier in his career. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl and helped through the draft exclusively until this is settled. By then it may be too himself. He has improved over his career and the fact that he played in an late to do much significantly. The scramble when this is settled will be NFL style system might put him in the second round. This year we are fascinating. Those teams that need a have the usual dilemma focusing on defense with our usual emphasis on . This year’s who can upgrade the position immediately. In the past, a team could have group is not outstanding as a whole, but there are several that qualify as the veteran in mini-camps, off-season workouts, and OTAs. This year intriguing prospects. The continuing trend to a 3-4 has produced the when free-agency commences, there will be a small window to find someone usual conversion projects as a large number of defensive linemen also and get them in camp. Teams with established QBs appear to have a big continued on page 5. Ourlads Offensive Draft Board

QB RB/FB WR TE OT OG/OC 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st B Gabbert Missouri M Ingram Alabama AJ Green Georgia K Rudolph N. Dame T Smith USC M Pouncey C Newton Auburn M Leshoure Illinois J Jones Alabama N Solder Colorado J Locker Wash. T Smith Maryland A Castonzo Bost. C C Ponder FL State G Carimi Wisconsin D Sherrod MS State

2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd C Kaepernick Nev. R Williams VA Tech G Little N. Carolina O Franklin D Watkins Baylor R Mallett Arkansas D Thomas KS State J Baldwin Pittsburgh B Ijalana Villanova R Hudson FL State L Hankerson Miami M Cannon TCU R Cobb Kentucky S Wisniewski Penn St.

3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd A Dalton TCU K Hunter Okla. St. T Young Boise St. L Stocker Tenn. M Gilbert Florida W Rackley Lehigh D Murray Oklahoma J Jernigan Troy DJ Williams Arkan. J Pinkston Pittsb. C Boling Georgia S Vereen California V Green Nevada J Carpenter Alabama

4th 4th 4th 4th 4th 4th R Stanzi Iowa D Locke Kentucky E Gates Abil. Chris. L Kendricks Wisc. L Ziemba Auburn J Moffitt Wisconsin P Devlin Delaware A Bradford USC A Pettis Boise St. J Cameron USC J Brewer Indiana K O’Dowd USC J Todman Connect. N Paul Nebraska R Housler FL Atlan. D Carter Syracuse T Toliver LSU J Rodgers Oreg. St. D Moore Tennessee S Ridley LSU R Johnson USC T Doss Indiana

5th 5th 5th 5th 5th 5th T Taylor Virg. Tech M Fannin Auburn G Salas Hawaii J Thomas Port. St. C Hairston Clemson D Arkin MO State J Harper Clemson R Whalen Stanford A Smith Virg. Tech J Reid Cent. Florida D Love Arkansas D Scott Maryland C Shorts Mt. Union C Clay Tulsa J Barksdale LSU Z Hurd Connect. B Powell Louisville S Schilling Michigan T Jones East Wash. B Fusco Slippery Rk R Helu Nebraska T Barnes Missouri P DiMarco S. Carol O Marecic Stanford

6th 6th 6th 6th 6th 6th G McElroy Alabama A Green Hawaii A Binns Cincinnati C Gantt Mich. State D Newton Ark. St. A Jackson Fresno St D Lewis Pittsburgh A Robinson SMU C Cochart SoDakSt W Smith E. Carol. B Browning OH St. E Royster Penn St. R Lockette Ft.Val.St L Smith Marshall Z Williams Wash St. N Devine W. Virg. DSanzenbacher OHSt J Kirkpatrick TCU S Havili USC D Harris E. Carolina R Bartholomew Syrac H Hynoski Pittsburgh J Maehl Oregon A Sherman Connect. S Chapas Georgia

7th 7th 7th 7th 7th 7th TJ Yates N. Carol A Allen GA Tech V Brown S. Diego St S Oordt N. Iowa D Hall Stanford J Boren Ohio State N Enderle Idaho D Evans Virg. Tech C KY A Reisner Iowa M Person Mont. St. D Kilgore Appal. St. S Tolzien Wisconsin J Clay Wisconsin J Kerley TCU C Franklin IA State B Stingily Louisville R Dominguez Ark. T Gurley S. Carol. D Hardy Idaho K Williams Neb. S Burton WTXA&M K Adams Purdue J Vandervelde Iowa L Jean FL Atlantic W Saunders S. Carol B Bell New Mexico T Turner Indiana J Kelce Cincinnati D Adams Auburn B Lamaak IA State C Smith S. Alabama K Kowalski Toledo A Linnenkohl OR St.

Page 2 Vol. XXV No. 7, April 2011 Ourlads Defensive Draft Board

DT/NT DE IB/OB DC FS/SS PK/PT 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st M Dareus Alabama R Quinn N. Carolina V Miller TX A&M P Peterson LSU N Fairley Auburn D Bowers Clemson P Amukamara Neb. C Heyward Ohio St. JJ Watt Wisconsin A Williams Texas C Liuget Illinois R Kerrigan Purdue B Harris Miami M Wilkerson Temp. C Jordan California S Paea Oregon St. A Clayborn Iowa P Taylor Baylor 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd C Ballard Iowa A Smith Missouri J Houston Georgia J Smith Colorado R Moore UCLA D Nevis LSU J Sheard Pittsburgh A Ayers UCLA J Casey USC A Bailey Miami B Carter N. Carol. S Acho Texas Q Sturdivant N. Car. M Wilson Illinois

3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd T McClain S. Flor. P McPhee MS State C Carter Fresno St. C Brown Texas Q Carter Oklahoma M Austin N. Carol. D Moch Nevada R Dowling Virginia M Gilchrist Clemson J Jenkins Clemson B Reed B Burton K Ellis Hampton G Jones Mich. State R Carmichael VATech K Sheppard LSU C Chekwa Ohio State J Patrick Louisville

4th 4th 4th 4th 4th 4th D House NM State R Sands West Virg. L Guy Arizona St. C McCarthy Miami S Wright USC C Culliver S. Carol. J Powe Mississippi M Foster Washing. B Hogan West Virg. T Sash Iowa R Homan Ohio St. J Thomas Buffalo D McDaniel Clemson KJ Wright MS State D Skrine TN-Chatt. J Jarrett Temple N Irving NC State K Burney N. Carol. D Searcy N. Carol. C Matthews Oregon S Keo Idaho A Dent Georgia

5th 5th 5th 5th 5th 5th C Thornton S. Ark. G Romeus Pittsburgh M Herzlich Bost. Coll C Marsh Utah St. D Williams N. Carol A Henery Nebraska M Parker Richmond K Klug Iowa D Hogue Syracuse J Brown Colorado J Hines Ohio State I Williams Nt Dame P Allen Nebraska L Wilson Connect. C Brown Texas J Lefeged Rutgers S Fua Stanford D Van Dyke Miami E Hagg Nebraska A Black Florida J Johnson Boise St.

6th 6th 6th 6th 6th 6th A Gray S. Mississ. J Beal Oklahoma B Miller Cent. Flor. A Rich BYU K Forbath UCLA C Neild W. Virg. C Matthews S. Carol. JT Thomas W. Virg. W Hill Florida J Jasper LSU N Bellore Cent. MI C Jones TCU A Bates Mich. St. O Lemon Okla. St. J Tarrant GA Tech D Smith Syracuse M LeGree Appal. St M Mohamed Calif. S Lutrus Connect. C White Mississ. St.

7th 7th 7th 7th 7th 7th M Blanc Auburn B Bair Oregon B Rolle Ohio State J Rogers Richmond C Conte California C Henry Florida J Graves Virg. Tech R Winterswyk Boise DJ Smith Appal. St. C Allen Citadel D Sims Iowa State R Donahue Iowa D Carter UCLA U Chinasa Okla. St. T Keiser Stanford B Maxwell Clemson S Siliga Utah J Trattou Florida E Gordon Mich. St K Rutland Missouri A Taylor Oklahoma L Levingston LSU D Gomes Nebraska B Thompson Boise Z Clayton Auburn R Elmore Arizona J Cornell Mississ. R Jones NW MO St Z Parr Virginia G Lloyd Connect. R Sherman Stanford R Davis NW MO St. J Gatlin ND State D Decicco Pitts. D Domino SoDakSt J Mouton Michigan J Bynes Auburn A Wujciak Maryland

Vol. XXV No. 7, April 2011 Page 3 OURLADS’ Guide to the 2011 NFL Draft and Free Agency Ourlads Draft Choices by Team San Diego Minnesota 18 DT Ohio St. Arizona 9 JJ Watt DE Wisconsin 12 OT South. Cal 50 Greg Little WR N. Carol. 5 OB TX A&M 40 OT Miami 43 QB Nevada 61 Chris Carter OB Fresno St. 38 Jake Locker QB Washington 71 Ras-I Dowling DC Virginia 106 Jaiquawn JarrettSS Temple 82 DJ Williams TE Arkansas 69 William Rackley OG Lehigh 110 DC Buffalo 139 Ian Williams NT Notre Dame 89 James Carpenter OT Alabama 103 DC New Mex. St. 143 DeMarcus Love OG Arkansas 150 OB Connect. 183 Martin Parker DT/NT Richmond 136 RB Connect. 176 P K UCLA 172 Pierre Allen DE Nebraska 201 Mark LeGree FS Appal. St. 171 TE Virg. Tech 220 Greg McElroy QB Alabama 200 RB Pittsburgh 234 Chris MatthewsWR Kentucky 184 DeMarcus Van Dyke DC Miami 252 Ryan Winterswyk DE Boise St. 215 Lee Smith TE Marshall San Francisco 249 DE Arizona Denver 236 WR TCU 7 DC Nebraska Atlanta 2 DT Alabama New England 45 QB TCU 27 TE Notre Dame 36 Bruce Carter OB N. Carol. 17 OT Bost. Coll. 76 OB Arizona 59 WR Miami 46 FS UCLA 28 NT Temple 108 WR Boise St. 91 Colin McCarthy OB Miami 67 TE Tennessee 33 OB Georgia 115 NT Mississ. 124 Kendric Burney DC N. Carol. 186 RB Louisville 60 Daniel Thomas RB Kansas St. 141 Tim Barnes OC Missouri 158 David Arkin OG Missouri St. 189 Derrell Smith IB Syracuse 74 OB/DE Texas 174 WR Stanford 192 DE Oklahoma 247 DJ Smith OB Appal. St. 92 WR Troy 190 FB Stanford 210 RB Hawaii Detroit 125 OB Bost. Coll. 211 Derek Hall OT Stanford 229 FB Georgia 13 OT Colorado 159 DC Texas 231 Thomas Keiser OB Stanford 230 Mike Blanc DT Auburn 44 IB N. Carol. 193 Michael Mohamed IB California 239 Daniel Kilgore OC/OGAppal. St. Baltimore 75 DT N. Carol. New Orleans 250 FS California 26 Aaron Williams DC Texas 107 DC W. Virg. 24 DE Iowa Seattle 58 WR Pittsburgh 154 Joe Lefeged SS Rutgers 56 DT LSU 25 DT Illinois 90 Pernell McPhee DE Mississ. St. 205 Armon Binns WR Cincinatti 72 OB Nevada 57 DC Utah 123 James Brewer OT Indiana Green Bay 88 TE Nevada 99 DC South. Cal 164 Da’Rel Scott RB Maryland 32 OG Baylor 226 OB Ohio St. 156 OG Michigan 165 SS Nebraska 64 DE Miami 243 Derek Domino OB S. Dak. St. 157 RB Auburn 180 IB Okla. St. 96 RB California NY Giants 173 RB/DC E. Wash. 191 Charlie Gantt TE Mich. St. 129 OT Cent. Flor. 19 Michael Pouncey OG Florida 209 FB South. Cal 225 WR S. Carol 131 DC Colorado 52 Ryan Williams RB Virg. Tech 242 Alex Linnenkohl OC Oregon St. Buffalo 163 WR Hawaii 83 Greg Jones IB Mich. St. St. Louis 3 Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri 197 OC TCU 117 TE Wisconsin 14 WR Alabama 34 OB UCLA 204 WR Ft. Vall. St. 185 Jerrard Tarrant FS GA Tech 47 Mikel LeshoureRB Illinois 68 Curtis Brown DC Texas 233 OB/DE Florida 198 Anthony Gray DT S. Mississ. 78 WR Boise St. 100 SS Iowa Houston 202 IB Connect. 112 OB Washington 122 OT Auburn 11 DE Purdue 221 OG Ohio St. 145 SS Ohio St. 133 TE South. Cal 42 DC Colorado NY Jets 216 WR Ohio St. 169 NT Stanford 73 NT Hampton 30 DE Missouri 228 David Carter DT UCLA 206 IB Mississ. St. 105 DeAndre McDaniel SS Clemson 94 Edmund Gates WR Abil. Christ. Tampa Bay 245 Eric Gordon OB Mich. St. 138 Curtis Marsh DC Utah St. 126 FS S. Carol. 20 Da’Quan Bowers DE Clemson Carolina 178 OC Slip. Rock 161 Bruce Miller OB Cent. Flor. 51 OG Florida St. 1 DC LSU 214 FB Connect. 194 Andrew Jackson OG Fresno St. 84 OG Georgia 65 DT South. Cal 254 P Florida 208 JT Thomas OB W. Virg. 116 IB Georgia 97 DT Clemson Indianapolis Oakland 151 RB LSU 98 IB/OB Oregon 22 OT Wisconsin 48 OT Villanova 187 WR Mt. Union 132 WR Tennessee 53 DT Iowa 81 DC Ohio St. 222 Justin Rogers DC Richmond 166 RB Clemson 87 DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma 113 Daryl Skrine DC TN-Chatt. 238 DE LSU 203 Willie Smith OT E. Carol. 119 Da’Norris Searcy SS N. Carol. 148 QB Virg. Tech Tennessee 244 TJ Yates QB N. Carol. 152 WR Indiana 181 RB Nebraska 8 DT Auburn 188 IB Cent. Mich. 219 Colin Jones FS TCU 39 QB Arkansas 29 DT Oregon St. Jacksonville 241 FS Florida 77 OG/OT Pittsburgh 62 Randall Cobb WR Kentucky 16 DE California Philadelphia 109 WR LSU 93 John Moffitt OC/OG Wisconsin 49 IB Illinois 23 OT Mississ. St. 130 Kris O’Dowd OC South. Cal 127 OB Ohio St. 80 Rashad Carmichael DC Virg. Tech 54 OC/OG Penn St 142 TE FL Atlan. 160 SS Florida 114 WR Nebraska 85 DC Louisville 175 DC Mich. St. 195 OT/OG Ark. St. 147 DE Pittsburgh 104 Derrick Locke RB Kentucky 212 FB Pittsburgh Cincinnati 121 Patrick Devlin QB Delaware 120 DT Ariz. St. 251 DC Clemson 4 AJ Green WR Georgia 182 Colin Cochart TE So. Dak. St. 149 OB Syracuse Washington 35 QB Florida St. Kansas City 153 RB Oregon St. 10 Cam Newton QB Auburn 66 Terrell McClain DT S. Florida 21 Phil Taylor NT Baylor 227 DE S. Carol. 41 DE Pittsburgh 101 Allen Bradford RB South. Cal 55 OG/OT TCU 237 RB W. Virg. 144 Robert Sands FS W. Virg. 134 SS Idaho 86 IB LSU 240 Ben Lamaak OC Iowa St. 155 Joseph Barksdale OT LSU 167 Zach Hurd OG Connect. 118 Ronald Johnson WR South. Cal Pittsburgh 177 OB/DE Iowa 207 IB Auburn 135 Deunta Williams FS N. Carol. 31 DC Miami 213 Aaron Bates P Mich. St. 246 Byron Stingily OT Louisville 140 TE Portland St. 63 Marcus Gilbert OT Florida 224 DE Oregon Cleveland 199 Patrick DiMarco FB S. Carol. 95 RB Okla. St. 253 Jonathan Cornell IB/OB Mississ. 6 Robert Quinn DE N. Carolina 223 Zack Williams OG/OC Wash. St. 128 KJ Wright OB Mississ. St. 37 WR Maryland Miami 162 P K Nebraska 70 FS Oklahoma 15 Mark Ingram RB Alabama 196 NT W. Virg. 102 IB NC State 79 FS Clemson 232 Ugo Chinasa DE Okla. St. 137 OT Clemson 111 Ricky Stanzi QB Iowa 168 DT S. Ark. 146 RB Syracuse 170 SS Boise St. 179 Charles Clay TE Tulsa 248 Zane Parr DE Virginia 217 Ryan Bartholomew OC Syracuse 218 Schuylar Oordt TE N. Iowa 235 Lestar Jean WR FL Atlan. Vol. XXV No. 7, April 2011 Page 4 OURLADS’ Guide to the 2011 NFL Draft and Free Agency Intriguing Prospects continued from page 1. Michigan State looks the part and shows good tools. He has been went through drills at the Combine. Most 3-4 teams are looking inconsistent and some weakness has shown up. He reads well and has for the guy who can play over a TE, the passer, and play well enough good instincts. Occasionally will be out of position and over or under run in space to cover the hook/flat on occasion. Teams are willing to take a plays. He can be explosive taking on blocks but this is where inconsistency guy with great burst and power and sacrifice some of the usual LB athletic shows. He can get locked up and too often could not get off a block. In ability. Some of the undersized college defensive ends can fill the bill. observing him at the Senior Bowl, he did not appear to have the functional Some of these “tweeners” never find a home as they can’t make the strength to consistently shed. He lacks power to go with his explosiveness. transition. Justin Houston DE/LB of Georgia is a classic example. He He does not make a lot of plays in coverage as he tends to be too shallow had his hand on the ground as a junior and played as a 2-point stance DE/ in his drop and does not show good zone awareness. He should be a solid OLB this past season. He was primarily a pass rusher and excelled in that two down player but he needs work. He is highly regarded by some in role. Great burst off the edge and solid against the run. At the Combine he this year’s draft and with the strength of the position being weak he could worked out with the linebackers and looked a little out of place in comparison go in the second round. Casey Matthews of Oregon is not the elite to most of the group. He ran extremely well and made a decent showing. prospect his brother was, but is a solid prospect who does most things He didn’t display the sudden change of direction you look for in a cover well. He doesn’t have the size or speed of the great prospects but he was LB but that is not what people are looking at him for. He could slip into an extremely productive player in college. He is smooth and athletic with the first round for a 3-4 team. Karl Klug of Iowa is an undersized gap good technique. Not the most physical but does a good job separating type DT that some are projecting as a LB. He runs well and has a great from blocks. Will struggle to shed at times but usually has good leverage first step. If that conversion happens it will be as interesting a conversion on the block and to the ball. Solid in coverage with good instincts and as you have seen. He is a good college player who may not have a true pro reactions to the throw. Good zone awareness. Gets through the traffic and position. Sam Acho of Texas worked as a DE at the Senior Bowl but also consistently takes a good angle to the ball. Good change of direction with got time working on pass drops. He projects as a 3-4 OLB. He is an the ability to play in space. Smart player who has good intangibles. The extremely high motor player but does not have the outstanding burst off thing that is most interesting about him is his draft projection. It will not the edge in comparison to Houston. He is not the elite athlete, but has surprise me to see him taken in the mid-rounds with some other player enough to warrant a close look at LB. He is instinctive, runs well, and is with better numbers going higher. Then, a few years down the road Casey good in pursuit. He also has great intangibles. I like his chances. Jeremy is a productive starter and the other guy is out of . People are all Beal of Oklahoma did not run as well at the Combine as hoped but plays over the board with him. With this not being a great year for LBs, I will not faster than he times. He was very productive as a pass rusher and shows be surprised where he goes from the second to the fourth. Don’t bet a good burst off the edge. He has good lateral ability but does not show the against him. Colin McCarthy of Miami impressed me at the Senior Bowl change of direction of a LB. He is undersized for a DE. He may be the and on film. Like Matthews he has great intangibles but is not considered “tweener” that doesn’t make the conversion due to a lack of enough LB an elite prospect. He had a great Combine and Ourlads OSR of 1/9. He tools. In using the Ourlads OSR he ranked 25/26 at DE. That is a concern has had to overcome shoulder injuries, so that may be an issue on his draft in converting to LB. He may not have the bulk to stay at DE but could status but he has been an outstanding LB at Miami. He is smart and make it as a situational player. Chris Carter of Fresno State and Donte instinctive taking good angles to the ball and getting downhill with no Moch of Nevada are two undersized defensive ends who will have to play wasted movement. He uses good technique taking on blocks and getting LB in the NFL. Both had outstanding Combine numbers, including Moch through the traffic. Good coverage awareness and reacts well on the throw. lighting it up in the 40. He has since put up even better numbers in Good technique in coverage. Not extremely powerful but is solid in all workouts. Carter was extremely productive as an edge rusher with an areas of linebacker play. Can play inside or outside and projects to be a explosive first step and shows good athletic ability. He will have to prove quality “blue collar” NFL starter. Look for him to go in the second or third he can cover and master an NFL defense. Moch has also been productive round. I may be a little high, but the proof will be down the road. If injuries on the edge. The question is, is he the Combine king whose numbers don’t don’t get in the way he can have a good NFL career. At the safety position translate to the field? Or will his learning progress and make it as a LB? NFL teams are finding it hard to find the two way safety who can cover the Both will have learning curves but they were outstanding college players deep half and play in run support. There are several safeties that play to with unique tools. The question is - how high do you go for this type of match up with slot receivers in a spread and some safeties that play in the box. projection? In a year with below average LB talent, look for them to come With match up zones being used a lot in college these days, some safeties off the board by the end of the third round. Von Miller of Texas A&M don’t get much experience with some of the things a good deal of NFL teams has outstanding OLB tools and projects as a 3-4 guy who has the athletic do in multiple coverage packages. There are “tweeners” here as well. Ahmad ability to be an outstanding linebacker versus both the run and pass. He Black of Florida is a good example of a guy who has outstanding athletic has outstanding pass rush tools and should be better in coverage than ability on the field but does not show the speed you look for in a corner or an what he has shown. He needs work on depth of drop and reacting on the elite safety. He was an extremely productive college player at just over 5-9 throw. Not the most instinctive, but he has what you look for in a 3-4 and 180 pounds. He has the size of a corner but plays like a safety. He also OLB. He could play in the right 4-3 scheme as well. He is a solid tackler did not have a great Combine. You need to turn on the video and watch him who can chase in pursuit across the field. Can be physical attacking and play. He has outstanding ball skills and supports the run with a sudden separating from blocks. Some inconsistency, but overall this is a top LB downhill burst. Good change of direction and is very instinctive. He is not prospect who will go in the upper half of the first round. Mark Herzlich afraid to throw his body around and is solid versus the run. He has good of is someone you have to root for due to his fight with safety cover skills and is quick on his plant and drive. Size may be a limiting cancer. He is an inspirational player who has great intangibles. A closer factor over the top, but he should make a team and fit in somewhere in a look at his linebacker play shows a 3-4 guy who could play Sam in the coverage package. Where do you take a guy like this? Is he a starter? Or is he right 4-3 scheme. He is not the elite athlete you look for and does not a situational player? Teams will have to answer this and decide on his value. show the athletic ability of a great prospect. (Ourlads OSR 17/19). He is He could go higher than projected and the right team could jump on him in the a sound technician with good instincts. He takes good drops in coverage second. Quinton Carter of Oklahoma impressed me at the Senior Bowl and and is aware of receivers in a zone. He has good technique taking on I like him as a two way safety. He doesn’t have the ideal size of a safety but blocks but will get locked up at times. It will be interesting to see how he has the tools. He has over the top cover skills and the ability to support the teams view him and how high he goes. Kelvin Sheppard of LSU is a big run. Fills well in running lanes and is a solid tackler. Good range in coverage “thumper” type who may be a 2-down linebacker in the NFL. He has and plays all the zones well. Plays well in the short flat. He did not show as good instincts versus the run and plays well from to tackle. He has well in man cover but should do well enough in blitz situations. In the right some trouble separating from blocks and can get locked up. In observing system as a weak or free safety he will be a productive NFL starter. As we him at the Senior Bowl his feet tend to stop on contact. With a clear path said, this year’s draft is going to be interesting as the lockout gives us a side to the ball he is a playmaker. Does not have outstanding change of direction show that may influence how teams approach it. Will this influence trades? I and struggles in coverage. Does not react well on the throw. He is a would think twice about trading a pick this year. Drafting players who can physical tackler and has good size for an NFL MLB. How high do you go play right away will be at a premium for some teams. for a two down “thumper”? Mid-round in my book. Greg Jones of Vol. XXV No. 7, April 2011 Page 5 OURLADS’ Guide to the 2011 NFL Draft and Free Agency OURLADS’ Annual LADDIE AWARDS Offensive Line Cream of the Crop: (Florida) The LADDIES have become a regular part of our Draft coverage. We Feet: Tyron Smith (Southern Cal) enjoy them. It’s fun. Based on our discussion with subscribers, most Pass Blocker: Nate Solder (Colorado), Tyron Smith (Southern Cal) enjoy them as well. These awards are the subjective result of a poll among Run Blocker: Michael Pouncey (Florida) ‘our lads’ and are for your enjoyment. And the 2011 Awards go to: Strongest: Ryan Bartholomew (Syracuse), Marcus Cannon (TCU) Toughest: Danny Watkins (Baylor) Underappreciated: (Montana State) Tim Barnes (Missouri) Cream of the Crop: Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) Combine King: Nate Solder (Colorado) Arm Strength: Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) Best All-Star Bowl Performance: Rodney Hudson (Florida State) Accuracy: (Wisconsin), Pat Devlin (Delaware) Free Agent Find: Dan Kilgore (Appalachian State) Touch: Christian Ponder (Florida State) Mobility: Cam Newton (Auburn), Jake Locker (Washington) Defensive Line Tyrod Taylor () Cream of the Crop: Marcel Dareus (Alabama) Underappreciated: Ricky Stanzi (Iowa) Run Stopper: Marcel Dareus (Alabama) Combine King: Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech) Pass Rusher: Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) Best All-Star Bowl Performance: Christian Ponder (Florida State) Fastest: Robert Quinn (North Carolina) Free Agent Find: (Kentucky) Strongest: Stephen Paea (Oregon State) Toughest: JJ Watt (Wisconsin), Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) Running Backs Marcel Dareus (Alabama), Nick Fairley (Auburn) Cream of the Crop: Mark Ingram (Alabama) Underappreciated: Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma) Fastest: Da’Rel Scott (Maryland) Combine King: JJ Watt (Wisconsin) Hands: DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) Best All-Star Bowl Performance: Martin Parker (Richmond) Blocker: Patrick DiMarco (South Carolina) Justin Trattou (Florida) Moves: Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State) Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) Power: Allen Bradford (Southern Cal) Free Agent Find: John Graves (Virginia Tech) Toughest: Mark Ingram (Alabama) Underappreciated: Allen Bradford (Southern Cal) Linebackers Return Man: Derrick Locke (Kentucky) Cream of the Crop: Von Miller (Texas A&M) Combine King: Roy Helu (Nebraska) Run Defender: Greg Jones (Michigan State) Best All-Star Performance: Delone Carter (Syracuse) Pass Coverage: Mason Foster (Washington) Free Agent Find: Chad Spann (Northern Illinois) Pass Rusher: Von Miller (Texas A&M) Johnny White (North Carolina) Fastest: Martez Wilson (Illinois) Strongest: Justin Houston (Georgia) Wide Receivers Toughest: Mark Herzlich (Boston College) Cream of the Crop: AJ Green (Georgia) Underappreciated: Casey Matthews (Oregon) Hands: AJ Green (Georgia) Bruce Miller (Central Florida) Fastest: Edmund Gates (Abilene Christian) Combine King: Von Miller (Texas A&M) Routes: Greg Salas (Hawaii) Best All-Star Bowl Performance: Von Miller (Texas A&M) Blocker: Julio Jones (Alabama) Free Agent Find: Eric Gordon (Michigan State) Run After Catch: Julio Jones (Alabama) Return Man: Jeremy Kerley (TCU) Defensive Backs Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) Cream of the Crop: Patrick Peterson (LSU) Leaper: Jon Baldwin (Pittsburgh) Coverage: Patrick Peterson (LSU) Underappreciated: Greg Little (North Carolina) Toughest: Quinton Carter (Oklahoma), Jermale Hines (Ohio State) Combine King: Julio Jones (Alabama) Fastest: DeMarcus Van Dyke (Miami), Patrick Peterson (LSU) Best All-Star Bowl Performance: Leonard Hankerson (Miami) Playmaker: Patrick Peterson (LSU) Free Agent Find: (Georgia) Return Man: Patrick Peterson (LSU) Leaper: Curtis Brown (Texas) Tight Ends Underappreciated: Ahmad Black (Florida) Cream of the Crop: Kyle Rudolph (Notre Dame) Combine King: Patrick Peterson (LSU) Hands: DJ Williams (Arkansas) Best All-Star Bowl Performance: Kendric Burney (North Carolina) Blocker: Lee Smith (Marshall) Free Agent Find: Ryan Jones (NW Missouri State) Fastest: Rob Housler (Florida Atlantic) Josh Gatlin (North Dakota State) Strongest: Luke Stocker (Tennessee) Charlie Gantt (Michigan State) Place Kickers Underappreciated: Colin Cochart (South Dakota State) Cream of the Crop: Alex Henery (Nebraska) Combine King: Jordan Cameron (Southern Cal) Free Agent Find: Dan Bailey (Oklahoma State) Best All-Star Bowl Performance: Julius Thomas (Portland State) Free Agent Find: Colin Cochart (South Dakota State) Punters Cream of the Crop: Aaron Bates (Michigan State) Free Agent Find: Reid Forrest (Washington State)

Special Teams Best : Zach Enyeart (Washington State)

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