SB Nation - Henry Melton

Previewing 2009 Wyoming Opponents: Texas Longhorns

Jeremy Mauss — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:47:15 -0000

More photos » by Harry Cabluck - AP

(AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

Is this year Pasadena or bust --unless you are College Football News who predicts three loses-- for the Texas Longhorns, because with some erie similarities from the 2005 season to the 2009 season. The Horns are coming a good season, but there was controverisy over the Big XII tie breaker rules the league has that gave Oklahoma the nod over Texas even though the Longhorns won the head to head matchup. During the offseason no changes were made to that rule.

The offense which was amazing last year which was 5th nationally, but was third in the Big XII by averaging just over 42.2 points per game which was .2 more then Missouri. The offense returns eight starters with big losses come from the departures in RB Chris Ogbonnava, WR Quan Cosby,RG Cedric Dockery so the offense should stil be fine. WR Cosby was the team leader with 92 receptions and since Texas just reloads however those receptions will not be that easy to replace.

When looking for replacements to take over Cosby's spot on the field looks to be speedster James Kirkendoll, but also look out for junior Brandon Collins who has been praised by QB Colt McCoy. Both of these receivers are top notch recruits and Collins was a four star from the 2006 class while Kirkendoll was a four star from the 2007 class.

The tight end might be scrapped entirely after injuries have decimated the top few candidates to start, and it is anyones guess if or who Mack Brown will stick at that spot.

Obviously the quarterback situation is great for Texas as they have Heisman Trophy runner-up in Colt McCoy. McCoy did it all for Texas which included a mind boggling 76.7 percent completion percantage as well as averaging 8.91 yards per attempt. Not exactly sure who McCoy can improve off those numbers, or even staying in the 70 percentage.

McCoy is poised to challenge for the Heisman and is most likely to win it in 2009. The reasoning because the Heisman voters are most likely not to vote for a back-to-back winner --even though Tim Tebow did receive the most first place votes last year-- which almost certainly eliminates Bradford; not because of skill but because of voters tendancy. With all the hype surrounding "The Choosen One" and the Gators it will be hard to provide a good enough season where anything less then a BCS title is considered a failure.

When I mean most likely to win it does not constitute as a guarantee, but if Texas wins the Big XII--which means the 'Horns will be in Pasadena for the BCS title game-- and is anywhere close to his 2008 numbers he will be striking the pose in New York.

The only downside to McCoy and the Texas offense is the running game, because Texas did not have a premire back in 2008 and the team was lead in rushing by Colt McCoy with 561 yards and carries with 136 attempts. Getting running yards was not the problem, but Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis strayed from the run and leaned much more on Colt McMoy and the pasing game. The 2009 Longhorns must find a balance and incorrporate the run more, so that the team can be more balanced which could provide for big plays in the passing game.

The offensive line is very experienced with 91 career starts but the line was a much better passing line then a run block offensive line. Which is another reason why the team trended toward more passing plays then running plays. Also, consider that Texas nearly exclusively is in the shot gun formation which can hinder running plays by taking too long to get to the line of scrimmage. The running backs themselves will be used in a roation or situational role with Vondrell McGee the likely starter, then there is Fozzy Whittaker who is the most versitale of the backs, and then Cody Johnson who wll be the short yardage specialist.

Defensively well it is the Big XII which is why conferene stats are more of a tool to use when measuring success then national defensive rankings. The rush defense was amazing which was first in the Big XII by giving up only 83.54 yards per game, and even more impressive was the 3.05 allowed per rush; oh also the 'Horns just happened to be third nationally as well in total rushing yards allowed. There is concern because they lost three key defensive line man to the NFL In DT Roy MIller, DEs Brian Orakpo and Henry Melton, so the rush defense could take a hit.

The pass defense is seventh in the league in yards allowed, which normally would be sound for alarm, however defensive passing yards are misleading when it comes to good teams. Any time Texas was up by 8 or more points the Longhorns were ninth in the Big XII in passing yards.

The Horns have playmakers in the secondaery with Earl Thomas, Aaron Williams, and Chykie Brown then there are a few more who could start for nearly any team in the country, so look for them to make big plays on defense.

The season really comes down to two games that could be a loss and then a third that has the potential to be a loss, and all three are in a row. There is always the Red River Shootout against Oklahoma then the potential trap game at Missouri, and then legitimate threat Oklahoma State which is also on the road.

SB Nation Big 12 Preview: Texas Longhorns Team Capsule

Peter Bean — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:02:25 -0000

More photos » by Harry Cabluck - AP

Before he hands Will Muschamp the keys to the machine, Mack Brown wants another national title at Texas.

Browse more photos »

The SB Nation Big 12 preview will post on Friday at The Ralphie Report. The following is the Texas team capsule for the conference-wide preview piece.

When Texas has the ball: Texas returns 8 starters (Lost: RB, Chris Ogbonnaya, WR Quan Cosby, RG Cedric Dockery) from an offense a year ago that averaged a healthy 6.5 yards per play. The name everyone knows is ~~deserving~~ Heisman ~~winner~~ runner-up Colt McCoy, who led the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards in 2008. He also did a little passing: Following an up-and-down sophomore season, McCoy transformed into a robot last season, setting the single-season NCAA record for completion percentage in a season (76.7%), throwing a school record 34 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions. If there's a legitimate critique of last year's outstanding offense, it would have to be the razor thin margins on which the Longhorns relied; looking forward to this fall, Texas would like to rely less on McCoy being a superhuman by bolstering the running game and finding more big plays.

The running game: Texas wasn't a poor rushing team a year ago, but the rushing attack was inconsistent and prone to disappear, necessitating McCoy's otherworldly performances to keep the engine humming. The offensive line is experienced, if not spectacular, returning four starters (LT Adam Ulatoski, LG Charlie Tanner, C Chris Hall, and RT Kyle Hix) who, combined with RG Michael Huey (3 starts in '08) enter the fall with 90 career starts between them. Both starting tackles are excellent in pass protection, but the question for this line will be their ability to create running room in the rushing offense. To that end, Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis appears committed to introducing more plays under center and more man blocking, but for the offense to truly reach its fullest potential, the unit will need to open holes in the running game when McCoy is in its favored 11-personnel, with McCoy in the shotgun, flanked by a tailback. Like last year, a triumvirate of tailbacks will rotate situationally, with Vondrell McGee the likely nominal starter, Fozzy Whittaker the do-it-all Ogbonnaya role, and Cody Johnson the short yardage specialist.

The passing game: Replacing departed WR Quan Cosby won't exactly be a cinch, but if Texas fails to do so, an impressive number of promising candidates would have to fail. In the spring, the speedy James Kirkendoll (now also having a great fall camp) got the starting nod at the Sub-B wideout position formerly occupied by Cosby, but fans are watching fellow junior Brandon Collins closely as well, particularly after Colt McCoy commented at Big 12 media days that Collins was poised to break out for a tremendous season. Behind those two, a small army of unproven young talents will compete for playing time, among them converted QB John Chiles, as well as the speedy DeSean Hales (RS-Fr), DJ Monroe (RS-Fr) and Marquise Goodwin (True Freshman). Returning to man the flanker position is The Roommate, Jordan Shipley, a 1000-yard receiver in 2008 with 11 touchdowns. On the outside, Texas expects big things from third-year sophomore Malcolm Williams, whose football skills are catching up to his outrageous athletic talent. (Expecting an update on the tight end position? It's cursed, thank you very little; we decline to name names.)

When opponents have the ball: If Texas is on your television screen on January 7th in Pasadena, this unit will be the reason. Don't get us wrong: Colt McCoy deserves all the attention and accolades, but it's the potential of this defensive unit that makes us most confident in Texas' chances to roll through the conference unblemished.

Rush defense: The Longhorns held opponents to a paltry 3.05 yards per rushing attempt last season, but they lose three starters -- DT Roy Miller and DEs Brian Orakpo and Henry Melton -- to the NFL. Texas faces serious questions about the viability of the DT position in particular this fall, with only the exceptional Lamarr Houston returning. Vying for viability alongside him will be the senior situation space eater Ben Alexander, unproven sophomore Kheeston Randall, and recently converted offensive lineman Tray Allen. None of them needs to be spectacular, but at least one needs to prove himself capable of solid, block-eating play for 30-35 snaps a game. The rest of the work can be done by the talented, probably underrated, group of defensive ends and linebackers who will rotate heavily to keep everyone fresh. Everyone knows about Sergio Kindle, but by November, expect ends Eddie Jones and Sam Acho to be names every Big 12 quarterback knows as well. As for the linebackers, Texas has four players we absolutely love ready to lead what will prove to be the best tackling team in the conference: Rod Muckelroy, Jared Norton, Keenan Robinson, and Emmanuel Acho,

Pass defense: Two words come to mind: Un. Fair. The secondary may not prove as statistically dominant as Will Muschamp's 2003 title-winning LSU squad (too much help in run support for that, we suspect), but they'll make just as many big plays, and give top receivers in the conference more than a few forgettable nights. Both Earl Thomas and Aaron Williams look like First Team Big 12-level performers, Chykie Brown's not far behind, and Blake Gideon, Christian Scott, Curtis Brown, and Deon Beasley would comfortably start for at least 9 schools in the conference. This group is damn good.

The schedule: You could call it a two-game schedule (vs OU in Dallas, at Oklahoma State) and wouldn't draw much argument from the gallery. Beyond those two monsters, Texas's next three toughest tests all come at home: Texas Tech, Colorado, and Kansas. A road trip to Missouri on their homecoming might be a potential trap game (sandwiched between the two Oklahomas), but with a new quarterback and a questionable defensive line and secondary, an upset would be truly stunning. As for the non-conference schedule... well... maybe Texas just wanted to welcome home Bill Snyder? Yeah, that's it.

The outlook: Anything short of a 12-0 trip to the Rose Bowl will disappoint Texas fans, and for good reason. The talent cycle hits a peak this year, there's experience, skill talent, depth, and a favorable schedule. And some bitterness, too. Texas rightly felt hosed by the BCS system last season and will approach this season with a sense of focus, urgency, and more than a little hostility. That's a good thing for a program under Mack Brown that struggles when it's comfortable. All eyes on Dallas, then, for one of the biggest regular season football games of the last decade. We predict a Texas win and, two months later, a return trip to Vince Young Stadium West.

Poll

Predict Texas' losses in 2009.

None -- See you in Pasadena.

554 votes

1 -- Oklahoma

35 votes

1 -- Oklahoma State

64 votes

1 -- Other

18 votes

2 -- OU and Oklahoma State

19 votes

2 -- Other

7 votes

3 or more

1 votes

698 votes | Poll has closed

Mizzou 2009, Part Ten: Defensive Line

Bill C. — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:00:10 -0000

Okay, so we've worked ourselves into an optimistic frenzy on offense (it's August--show me a fanbase that isn't excited right now). What about the defense? Buzz kill or buzzsaw?

Defensive Line

This pic was too good not to use again.

2008 Unit Ranking: #14 in the nation (#3 in the Big 12)

Projected Depth Chart
DT Jaron Baston (6'1, 305, Sr.)
DE Aldon Smith (6'5, 255, RSFr.)
DE Jacquies Smith (6'4, 250, So.)
DT Terrell Resonno (6'6, 295, So.)
DE Brian Coulter (6'4, 250, Sr.)
DT Dominique Hamilton (6'6, 300, So.)
DE Brad Madison (6'4, 260, RSFr.)
DT Jimmy Burge (6'2, 285, RSFr.)
DT George White (6'4, 280, RSFr.)
DE Marcus Malbrough (6'5, 255, RSFr.)
DT Chris Earnhardt (6'5, 270, So.)
DT Andy Maples (6'4, 310, Sr.)
DT Bart Coslet (6'5, 260, Jr.)
DT Mark Ellis (6'2, 270, Sr.)

1. What kind of every-down potential do we have in our three-headed end monster? We all know about the athletic potential of Jacquies Smith, Aldon Smith, and Brian God Coulter. We're all excited about the possibilities of these guys rushing the passer. But you can only really pin your ears back and attack on Passing Downs...you have to force Passing Downs first. Mizzou was very good against the run last year, and while a lot of that has to do with Sean Weatherspoon and the linebackers, credit too goes to Ziggy Hood, Jaron Baston, Tommy Chavis, and Stryker Sulak, last year's starting D-line.

We haven't seen the lawfirm of Smith, Coulter, and Smith in every-down action yet, nor do we know who will be starting next to Baston at DT, so we don't know how good or bad the line will be against the run. We know that at 275+ pounds, Chavis was seen as more of a run stopping end than a pass rusher, and we know that nobody in the current corps of ends is that big. But clearly pure weight doesn't tell the story. TCU, Texas, and Tennessee were #1-3 against the run (according to Rushing S&P+) last year, and while they had some reasonably big guys (Texas' Henry Melton was around 280, Tennessee's Robert Ayers 270), most DEs on these squads were within the same 250-265 range as Mizzou's.

Can stats tell us anything about run support? Maybe a little. Here are the percentages of tackles each of last year's Mizzou linemen made against the run or pass (sacks count against the pass, FYI).

Jacquies Smith: 87% of tackles came against the run
Jaron Baston: 80%
Tommy Chavis: 72%
Ziggy Hood: 71%
Brian Coulter: 68%
Stryker Sulak: 61%

So if we conclude that Jacquies Smith really is a versatile player in the passing game (that's the perception, anyway), then he must be pretty good against the run. His "against the run" totals were higher Chavis', and Coulter's were higher than Sulak's, so consider that at least a small test passed. (And yes, they could have had high "against the run" %'s because they did nothing against the pass, not because they were particularly good against the run. I think we've made it clear that there are no wonderful lineman statistics. This is what we have to work with.)

What if we just looked at "successful" tackles (i.e. tackles that prevented a successful play for the offense)?

Jacquies Smith: 90% of successful tackles came against the run
Jaron Baston: 78%
Brian Coulter: 75%
Tommy Chavis: 73%
Ziggy Hood: 69%
Stryker Sulak: 51%

Hmm. That suggests that Coulter did more against the run than Sulak did...and that most of the successful plays J. Smith made came against the run. That's at least a little comforting, right?

2. Who's winning the battle to start next to Jaron Baston? No freaking idea whatsoever. At least I'm honest, right? Here's where it's bad that we're completely reliant on the practice reports of Dave Matter and Gabe Dearmond. We haven't heard much of Terrell Resonno or Dominique Hamilton. Monday's depth chart updates show that it's still Resonno in the lead, though neither have distinguished themselves. Hamilton looked really good in the spring game, but that is, after all, just one scrimmage of many.

3. Is there a sleeper we haven't talked much about? It appears about thirteen scholarships have been spent on the defense line at the moment, yet we've only talked about six guys. Are any of the others posing serious threats for playing time or stardom? Not really. Marcus Malbrough was not practicing particularly well, but he had a nice Saturday scrimmage, lodging a TFL and a sack. At DT, it sounds like the biggest mover has been redshirt freshman Jimmy Burge, who has jumped ahead of both George White and Chris Earnhardt to second string. It sounded like freshman Marvin Foster was making a threat for playing time before injuring his knee last week, so I'm thinking for the most part we're looking at a six-man line rotation...at least as far as the playmakers go. The winner of the Brad Madison/Malbrough battle will likely see the field, as will the winner of the Burge/Earnhardt/White battle, but I'm guessing that for 2009, at least, they won't be serious threats to make plays as much as eat space. It's doubtful we'll hear too much about anyone beyond Smith/Coulter/Smith and Baston/Resonno/Hamilton.

My Guys, 2009

Peter Bean — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:02:40 -0000

More photos » by Donna McWilliam - AP

Unpredictable: Colt McCoy's Heisman-worthy production in 2008. Predictable: Heisman voters would get it wrong. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Browse more photos »

One of my favorite pieces to read prior to each MLB season is Joe Sheehan's "My Guys" column, penned before each year to highlight those players Joe is eyeballing for a breakout season, yet who aren't receiving big time hype. Translating that to Texas football, I'm looking for those guys (limit of five) who might surprise a lot of folks with how well they play this year -- those with the highest production-to-hype ratio. Malcolm Williams was one of My Guys last year, but doesn't qualify this year because the hype amongst fans has ratcheted way up.

Before offering My Guys for 2009, a quick review of My Guys from a season ago:

Lamarr Houston had a fine, fine year -- even his off-field mistake wound up something of a positive -- but I probably overestimated his immediate impact a smidge. Moving inside from end to tackle, Houston was an outstanding complement to Roy Miller, but the senior Miller was the DT MVP.

Deon Beasley was something of a goat to many fans last year, as his coverage mistakes were highly visible ones and his lack of run support stood out on a Muschamp-directed team full of tacklers. Still, he was mostly outstanding in pass coverage -- far better than most gave him credit for -- and if he decides the NFL might want to see him do some hitting this year, he's got Tarell Brown upside.

Sam Acho had three sacks and nine quarterback hurries and played well as a back up, but the breakout season came from Melton. Acho is primed to shine this year.

Maclolm Williams was a bit of a disappointment out of the gate, simply because he looked so tentative with the ball in his hands. By the end of the year, he was going up and snagging balls at the highest point, one of the team's best special teams players, a ferocious blocker, and a big play threat who only needed a tight end to help him spring free. The best is yet to come.

Michael Huey was a flat out disappointment. When Charlie Tanner went down to injury in September, I thought Huey would keep the starting spot with excellent play, but he was terribly inconsistent. The strength and skills are there; hopefully in year three the light comes on mentally.

Looking at My Guys from 2008, I might have been a year early across the board. I like all five to have "step forward" years this fall.

Finally, while we're here, how about a 2008 All-Breakout Team. If these guys were Your Guys, I'm looking forward to hearing your picks for this year:

2008 All-Breakout Team

David Snow, C
Henry Melton, DE
Colt McCoy, QB
Chris Ogbonnaya, RB
Aaron Williams, CB
Roy Miller, DT
Rod Muckelroy, LB

My five guys for 2009, after the jump.

MY GUYS, 2009

Chykie Brown, CB -- He's an Aaron Ross clone. Same size, similar skill set and disruptive potential. Not that his talent is much of a secret, but he played hurt throughout most of 2008. If he plays the full season healthy, he's a huge reason Texas gets to Pasadena. Especially in the Big 12, and especially with our question marks on the defensive line, Brown's ability to deal with every team's 1A receiver gives Muschamp breathing room to do all sorts of fun stuff.

Fozzy Whittaker, RB -- I'm bullish on Vondrell McGee, but I tingle a little bit thinking about what Fozzy can do for this team if he stays healthy. In this offense, he could score a half dozen receiving touchdowns out of the backfield, if he earns the coaches' trust to do all the little things a guy like Chris Ogbonnaya did so well. Whittaker could easily be for Texas what Baron Batch was for Texas Tech a year ago.

Keenan Robinson, LB -- Ladies and gentlemen, meet Rod Muckelroy's replacement in 2010. He'll be dandy as a back up in 2009, as well. The kid tackles so soundly, plays sideline to sideline, and understands how to flow to the ball, avoid/shed blocks, and make the play. Not flashy, just great. He's ready.

Aaron Williams, DB -- It's utterly silly that this guy is going to be a true sophomore. It's utterly silly how much talent Texas is fielding in their defensive backfield, period. I've already said nice things about Chykie Brown and Deon Beasley; Williams may have the most upside of the bunch, and we haven't yet mentioned Christian Scott, Blake Gideon, Curtis Brown, or Earl Thomas. The biggest question surrounding Williams is how best to deploy him: Does Muschamp rotate him as the do-it-all nickelback with the exceptional Earl Thomas? Stick him at corner and douse the opposing passing game with piss and vinegar? There's not much Williams can't do, and he's one big reason why this backfield is as good as was Muschamp's 2003 title-winning group at LSU.

DJ Grant, TE -- Texas's offense needs a tight end. Blaine Irby isn't available. And DJ Grant is as good a candidate as Texas has to fill the role. We don't know how his strength will hold up in a blocking role, but he won't be asked to move mountains here -- just be solid. More than anything, we need a guy who can run the seven yard curl, and dart down the seam to keep safeties from cheating.

And now, you: Who are Your Guys for 2009? And most importantly, why?

Texas Tech Opponent Prospectus // Texas Longhorns

Seth C — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:00:12 -0000

2009 Texas Tech Opponent Prospectus

Game 1: North Dakota Fighting Sioux // Game 2: Rice Owls // Game 3: Texas Longhorns

The Red Raiders face a daunting task in the third game of the season of going to Austin to face the Longhorns, who no doubt remember 39-33 (how can you not) and are looking to be one of the preseason favorites to play in the BCS championship game.

Join me after the jump for a closer look at the Texas Longhorns.

General Information

Opponent	University of Texas
Nickname	Longhorns
Location	Austin, TX
Enrollment	37,406
Conference	Big 12
Head Coach	Mack Brown
2008 Record	12-1 (7-1)
Starters Returning/Lost	14/8
Blogs	Burnt Orange Nation Barking Carnival
Links	2009 Spring Roster

Statistics


Statistic	Texas	Texas Tech
Pass Offense	308.31 (7)	413.15 (1)
Rush Offense	167.46 (41)	117.84 (94)
Total Offense	475.77 (9)	531.00 (4)
Scoring Offense	42.38 (5)	43.77 (3)
Pass Efficiency	175.02 (2)	158.76 (9)
Sacks Allowed	2.00 (65)	1.00 (4)
Pass Defense	259.38 (104)	242.23 (94)
Rush Defense	83.54 (3)	140.38 (61)
Total Defense	342.92 (51)	382.62 (79)
Scoring Defense	18.77 (18)	27.85 (74)
Pass Efficiency Defense	124.21 (59)	130.56 (72)
Sacks	3.62 (1)	2.62 (18)
Tackles For Loss	6.92 (19)	4.85 (95)
Turnover Margin	0.15 (49)	0.62 (22)

Top Returners

Category	Player
Rushing	Vondrell McGee (88 / 376 yds / 4 TD)
Passing	Colt McCoy (332-433 / 3,859 yds / 34 TD / 8 Int)
Receiving	Jordan Shipley (89 rec. / 1,060 yds / 11 TD)
Tackles	Roddrick Muckelroy (102)
Sacks	Sergio Kindle (10.0)
Interceptions	Earl Thomas (2)

A Few Things

So Good on Offense: I really don't like gushing about opposing programs, but UT looks to be near unstoppable on offense. I know, I'm exaggerating a bit, but the biggest piece to the offensive puzzle is replacing Quan Cosby's 92 catches, but there's obviously plenty of talent on UT's roster to make this happen. Jordan Shipley, Malcolm Williams and a host of other quality receivers return to give Texas lots of options.
Rushing Forward: I've listed McGee as the leading returning rusher, although the leading rusher is actually McCoy, who was almost 200 yards ahead of McGee. Dr. Saturday espouses on the lack of the UT rushing game better than I ever could, and the only think I could add is that with a healthier running game, McCoy could be even that much more effective. It seems silly to have the cream of the recruiting crop go to UT and your best rusher is McCoy. Just doesn't seem "right". You would seem that you would want to limit the number of hits that McCoy takes, mostly because he's so good in the pocket passing the ball to his teammates, and having a more efficient running game that doesn't rely on him seems like it would benefit McCoy tremendously.
D-Line Losses: The Longhorns lose quite a bit of talent and production along their defensive line, including Brian Orakpo (40 tackles / 17.5 TFL / 11.5 sacks), Roy Miller (42 tackles / 10.5 TFL / 5.5 sacks) and Henry Melton (26 tackles / 8.5 TFL / 4 sacks). The good thing for Texas is that they're moving Kindle to DE full-time and Lamarr Houston is a true force along the defensive line.
Looking Out for Sergio: I really have no business commenting on this, but this is more about Kindle as a person and not as a player. If Kindle has some sort of problem, and I know there's no evidence that alcohol was involved in his latest incident, but if he does have a problem, I hope that there's someone on the UT staff that insists/demands/requires that he get professional help. I don't care if no one knows a thing about this, and honestly, no one should. Kindle has too much to lose, both from a human being perspective and from a professional perspective to simply push this under the rug. I know, this is all a bit to sappy, but we're still talking about a 20 or 21 year old guy that's really talented and for whatever reason is still trying to figure it out. I also can't help but think that if UT suspends Kindle, folks could imply that he's done something wrong, although as of right now he's done nothing illegal, but if they do nothing, then the staff might come under criticism for not taking the reins on the issue. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Improving the Pass Defense: I'm thinking that UT finds a little better balance this year and the 104th ranking will improve, although I don't think I'm jumping out on any limbs to write that the general perception is that the rush defense will be worse this year. I'm not sure what the balance is and how successful UT will be stopping the run, but with the infusion of the spread offense, fewer teams are relying on the running game it may be more important to get a rush on the opposing passer and then stopping the run is somewhat of an afterthought.
Improving TO Margin: If you would have asked me, I would have certainly said that Texas would be one of the top turnover forcing teams, but that wasn't the case at all. In fact, the Longhorns only had 6 interceptions for the year, 3 of which were from graduating CB Ryan Palmer, but the defense as a whole did force 10 fumbles. With such a big, talented and hard-hitting defensive front, I would have expected more than 10 gained fumbles for the year and now that most of them have graduated or moved on, I'm thinking that this number might decrease. Because UT doesn't turn the ball over much, I don't know how much of an issue this really is, but I have to think that increasing that turnover margin is going to be a point of emphasis with Will Muschamp this year.

Poll

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most worried and 1 being the least worried, how worried are you about the Texas Longhorns?

1

24 votes

2

12 votes

3

40 votes

4

67 votes

5

264 votes

407 votes | Poll has closed

The Bears Den - 5/6/09

ChiFan13 — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:00:15 -0000

....where we will not post anything else about Favre until he signs somewhere.

In The Den

Chicago Sun Times

Brad Biggs takes a looksie at the two new DL prospects and how they'll fit on the line in 2009. We'll be bringing some analysis on this story later this morning.

Kyle Orton talks about Chicago and Denver in this interview.

In another repeat story, Biggs discusses the Fenroy dismissal and McGowan to the Patriots bit.

Chicago Tribune

Ten things David Haugh knows.

Daily Herald

The Daily Herald also wanted to let you know that Jay Cutler will be at the Bears Expo.

Brandon McGowan signed with the Patriots. I know, I know, old news, but I still have to bring it to you.

Official Chicago Bears Website

Devin Hester is hosting a youth football camp at Niles West HS from July 11-12.

Remember the airline ticket Israel Idonije and Adewale Ogunleye payed for the little girl from Africa for a heart operation? The mother and daughter swung through Chicago to thank the duo before they left for Nigeria.

Meet Your 2009 Chicago Bears Draft Picks!

ChiFan13 — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:23:10 -0000

Here are your 2009 NFL Draft picks!

Round	Pick	Overall	Name	Position	School
3	4	68	Jarron Gilbert	DT	San Jose State
3	35	99	Juaquin Iglesias	WR	Oklahoma
4	5	105	Henry Melton	DE	Texas
4	19	119	D.J. Moore	CB	Vanderbilt
5	4	140	Johnny Knox	WR	Abilene Christian
5	18	154	Marcus Freeman	OLB	Ohio State
6	17	190	Al Afalava	S	Oregon State
7	37	246	Lance Louis	TE	San Diego State
7	42	251	Derek Kinder	WR	Pittsburgh

Let's run down our new prospects. All videos are courtesy of CloudyFuture.

Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State
Height: 6'5" ¼ Weight: 288 lbs.

Combine: 4.87 (40); 28 reps (bench); 35 ½" (vertical); 9-11 (broad); 7.70 (cones); 4.56 (shuttle)

Breakdown (Fantasy Football Toolbox):

Gilbert gained fame when he made the now famous YouTube video in which he showed his athleticism by jumping out of the shallow section of a swimming pool in just one motion. He was very productive in college and was the Western Athletic Conference's co-defensive player of the year after registering 22 tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks.

Gilbert was the most impressive player at the San Jose State Pro Day. He ran a 4.76 40, which was faster than the 5.00 scouts projected. He has a good size/weight ratio and is very athletic and always in motion. Quick in and out of his stand, Gilbert is very flexible (can play inside or outside). He has good range and moves well in the second level.

However, Gilbert lacks mental toughness. He is still very raw and just needs more experience. He played most of his career as a defensive tackle, but has gotten by with pure athleticism against lesser opponents. His level of competition is a legitimate concern. Despite speed and agility, Gilbert moves awkward laterally. He also does not slide fluidly and tends to lose focus on inside plays.

Gilbert is a physical phenomenon; Big, strong and now, fast. The Spartan senior put up a show at the 2009 East-West Shrine Game. He followed his impressive showing with an even better one at the NFL Combine. Gilbert is a good third round pick who could pan out in the long run.

Video: Video 1; Video 2

San Jose State fan's take (BaronVonCurrentEvents): Anyway, Gilbert is a hell of a pick for the Bears. I was hoping he'd last until the 49ers' pick in the third round because he'd be excellent for their needs. He's extremely athletic and fast and has great size. San Jose State's defense was their strongest suit last season and Gilbert was the anchor of the D. He's used to the 4-3, so he should fit in just fine. Since he was a round 1 or 2 talent, you guys should consider this at least a minor steal. Keep in mind I'm a bit biased because I go to San Jose State, but I'm so proud of my guys getting drafted. With Gilbert and CB Christopher Owens going to Atlanta in the third round, my crappy school already has two guys drafted.

WCG's Take: I know it surprised a lot of people and I think most of us have come to terms with this and are ok with it. The Bears reportedly had a player they thought they could get at 49, but the Raiders picked him 2 in front of us, so we traded out. We then pick up one of the top guys left on Day 2.

Angelo traded for Cutler and he got him two new receivers later, so at this spot he stuck to Bears football. Last year we could not get to the QB and we could not stop the run without using our linebackers. We brought in Rod Marinelli to coach up our D-line and now Lovie is going to call the defense. Angelo got those two a player they can work with and fit into the game where needed.

I don't know how he projects to the pros or what he will become, but despite the need at other positions, I like the pick.

ChiFan13's Take: There is no doubt about Gilbert's athleticism. Regardless of where the Bears are going to play him, he offers some versatility. If injuries occur at either DE or DT, we will be able to plug Gilbert in. I expect him to play at DT, but the versatility is the key to me. Like every other third round prospect, he's going to need some coaching. Do not expect him to walk into camp and have a starting spot ready for him. Let Marinelli work his magic; I promise it will pay it off sooner rather than later.

Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma
Height: 6'0"7/8 Weight: 210 lbs.

YEAR	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
2005	19	290	15.3	34	2	1	9	9.0	9	0	0	0
2006	41	514	12.5	37	2	2	6	3.0	4	0	0	0
2007	68	907	13.3	51	5	8	87	10.9	41	1	0	0
2008	74	1150	15.5	48	10	1	7	7.0	7	0	0	0

Combine: 4.54 (40); 34 ½" (vertical); 9-8 (broad); 4.40 (shuttle)

ChiFan13's Breakdown:

Pros: Great route-runner....no character issues....great vision after the catch....appears to take pride in his blocking....will not go down after the first hit....will go across the middle....above-average awareness along the sideline.

Cons: More quick than fast; will not be a deep threat....has some past fumbling issues....separation from corners at NFL level is a question mark.

Video: Video 1; Video 2; Video 3

Crimson and Cream Machine's Take (courtesy of Matt): Juaquin Iglesias led the Sooners last season in both receptions (74) and receiving yards (1,150) and was second in yards per reception (15.5) and touchdowns (10). He's got very good game speed and great hands. Playing in the shadow of Malcolm Kelly for three of his four years at Oklahoma we had seen glimpses of Iglesias' potential but in '08 he had his breakout year by becoming Sam Bradford's go to receiver.

Standing at an even 6-0 he most likely won't have the size to play on the outside but can be very dangerous from the slot and has proven that he only needs a little space to secure the ball.

WCG's Take: This is one of my favorite picks of our draft. I'm still reeling with all this talk about the Bears being on the phone with AZ about Boldin and not wanting to give up whatever else the Cards wanted, but I like this pick. In the SBN mock draft, I was considering Iglesias with our 2nd round pick. To get him with the 2nd 3rd round pick is value.

The thing I like the most about him is he has good hands. We have enough issues with dropped passes. A few years back we had Moose, Hester has some issues, Davis got nicknamed based on his bad hands. The rumors that the Bears would take Massaquoi scared me. No way should we take anybody with questionable hands. Iglesias isn't a burner, but he doesn't need that. We have Hester. We need a possession guy and I think this could fill it.

ChiFan13's Take: "Iglesias is one of those players who you root for. He's a high-character individual who does a lot of little things right. The problem with drafting Iglesias is how he'll fit on an NFL team. He won't outrun anyone, which leaves him as a #4. If has a good 40 at the combine, his stock will dramatically rise."

That's what I wrote prior to the combine. I am thrilled with this pick. As WCG said, he's not a burner. He will not be a #1 or #2 WR. What he does do is run good routes and has great hands. He will be able to come into the Bears and help us immediately, which is something that Sir Jay desperately needs.

Henry Melton, DE, Texas
Height: 6'3" Weight: 280 lbs.

40 time: 4.79

Breakdown (SI):

POSITIVES: Relatively athletic defensive end with adequate size/speed numbers. Moves well on his feet, plays with balance, and fluid making plays in all directions of the field. Keeps his pads low to the ground, stays within his pass rush angles, and quickly gets into the backfield to disrupt the action. Works his hands throughout the play, and rarely off his feet.

NEGATIVES: Lacks top first-step quickness. Does not show a burst of speed. Raw at the position, and does too much thinking rather than playmaking.

ANALYSIS: After bouncing around as a reserve early in his Texas career, Melton may have finally found a home at defensive end. He possesses the build for a two-gap lineman, yet he is a developmental prospect who needs a lot of work on his overall game.

Video: Video 1

Burnt Orange Nation's take (courtesy of PB):

Melton didn't have the benefit of a redshirt year, playing right away at running back for Texas. Incredible speed for such a big body, but he wasn't cut for the tailback position (rushing instincts weren't great) and was moved to defensive end prior to his junior season. He was overshadowed by Brian Orakpo (#13 pick to Redskins) but played exceptionally well his senior year, garnering some all-conference mentions.

Chicago's getting a guy with tremendous physical tools whose played just two years at his position. He's the definition of high upside. A potential steal.

WCG's Take: I have to admit I know next to nothing on this guy, but I like the position. It is never a bad idea to draft either side of the line. One more guy for Marinelli. Ogunleye has never lived up to his value. Mark Anderson is still a mystery. Alex Brown is the only guy we have that we know is a baller at that spot.

ChiFan13's Take: I like this pick for all the reasons PB mentioned. Do I think he was a bit of a reach? Yeah, but Jerry must have really wanted him. Melton is a guy who I compare to Danieal Manning in terms of being moved around throughout his career. Originally, he came to Texas as a RB. When Jamaal Charles started dominating, Melton was relegated to a spelling role. He was moved to DE his junior year and did fairly well. Is he a little raw? Yes. However, he's a physical specimen and I never heard anything negative about his coachability. Marinelli will work his magic and hopefully we'll have a mainstay DE.

D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
Height: 5'9" Weight: 192 lbs.

Combine: 4.56 (40); 17 reps (bench); 39.5" (vertical); 9-10 (broad); 7.02 (cones); 4.28 (shuttle)

Breakdown (NFL):

Positives: Good upper body build for his size. Very quick to support the run or attack quick screens and passes in the flat. Quick reactions and instincts make him a natural in zone. Not contact shy, so receivers will expect to get hit on shorter routes. Sits on routes and closes very quickly to make quarterbacks pay if they birddog. Looks like he knows routes as well as the receiver does. Very good straight-line speed and will chase his teammates' receivers downfield. Tries to knock the ball out after securing the tackle. As a slot receiver, Moore has the strength to get off the line, elusiveness in the open field, reliable hands to adjust to poor throws and an ability to track the ball over either shoulder. Extremely quick feet on routes, accelerating past defenders. Uses those receiver skills after interceptions.

Negatives: Barely adequate height for a corner. Thin legs. Not asked to press much. Lack of size could make bringing down bigger and quicker NFL receivers tough when closing fast. Can be dominated by good blocking receivers. A bit slow to react when receiver stutters and heads up the field. May not have the recovery speed to catch up to quicker NFL receivers using fakes or double moves, and his aggressive style could also cost him in this regard. Doesn't always secure the ball or make good decisions on punt returns while trying to do too much.

Video: Video 1; Video 2; Video 3

WCG's Take: Another great value pick. I've seen him projected to go as high as the second. Is he a better pick than Sean Smith or Rashad Johnson? He is ranked higher than Smith on nfldraftcountdown. He is a shade under 5'9", but he has a nose for the ball and I think that fits very well with what we do on defense.

ChiFan13's Take: Moore's going to need some coaching. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If he can be properly taught, I think this could be a borderline steal. He fell hard down draft boards after mediocre performances at the combine and his pro day, but I think he's a great pickup for us. If anything, he offers some depth.

Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian
Height: 6'0" Weight: 185 lbs.

Combine: 4.34 (40); 35" (vertical); 10-2 (broad); 6.81 (cones); 4.15 (shuttle)

Breakdown (NFL):

Positives: Adequate height with wiry upper body strength and good muscle definition in his arms. Not your typical slight small-school receiver. Good initial quickness off the snap to get into his route. Reliable hands; snatches the ball and adjusts to poor throws. Gets up to high-point and secure the catch. Sinks his hips and displays quick feet going into and out of routes. Has good vision and is elusive running in the open field. Works hard to block downfield, and will sustain and even dominate against smaller corners. Experienced as a punt returner.

Negatives: Thin through the hips and legs. Gets a lot of his yardage after short routes, screens and swing passes. Lacks elite speed or quickness, but had enough to be special at the FCS level. Easily tripped up in the open field. Does not switch the ball to the outside hand. Despite his strong effort, he lacks the bulk and strength to be effective against NFL defenders. Dances and runs backward too much after the catch or on returns -- will not get away with that at the next level.

Video: Video 1

WCG's Take: Has very good speed. Should be an immediate help on special teams. Another guy with return skills. Really too small to be a big time NFL receiver, but with our inexperienced squad, who knows?

ChiFan13's Take: Knox is a quick guy who can be immediately used in ST and maybe as a slot WR. With that speed, I see him as a poor man's (and smokeless) Percy Harvin. However, I realize that Knox is very raw and will need some coaching before he sees the field, at least on offense.

Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State
Height: 6'0" Weight: 239 lbs.

Combine: 4.74 (40); 30 reps (bench); 37" (vertical); 9-5 (broad); 6.98 (cones); 4.12 (shuttle)

Breakdown (NFL):

Positives: A bit shorter than scouts would like, but a well-built athlete with room for additional mass. ... Instinctive defender who flows to the ball quickly. ... Athletic enough to elude blockers and make plays at or near the line of scrimmage. ... Reliable open-field tackler. ... Breaks down well and can drive the ballcarrier into the ground. ... Good awareness and speed in coverage. ... Gets good depth on his drops. ... Reads the quarterback's eyes and closes quickly. ... Excellent special teams player. ... Tough and plays through pain. ... Solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

Negatives: A bit smaller than scouts would like. ... Likes to avoid blockers rather than facing them up and struggles in disengaging. ... Lacks the bulk to hold up when targeted in the running game. ... Athletic in coverage, but seems content to allow the reception to be made and make a secure tackle, rather than breaking on the ball. ... Has struggled with durability: torn knee ligaments and a subsequent staph infection forced him to redshirt the 2005 season. Had his knee scoped following the 2007 season for a possible torn meniscus. Struggled through the 2008 season with a recurring ankle sprain.

Video: Video 1

We Will Always Have Tempe's Take (courtesy of Sam): In many ways, I consider Marcus Freeman a superior pro prospect to his former teammate James Laurinaitis. The Bears got a late round steal with this guy. Freeman is faster than Laurinaitis, he defeats blocks far better, and has the quickness and toughness to bring down any back for minimal yardage. He lacks, however, in football smarts at times; he has been known to bite on play-action on occasion, and can overpursue and get himself out of position to make the play. He just overthinks a little often, and I think that's why he dropped as he did. Nonetheless, Freeman is a pure athlete, and with the right coaching, he could develop into a lethal run stuffer for the Bears. He has all the tools one could ask for.

WCG's Take: Another good pick. Nfldraftcountdown has him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder. The strong side is obviously one spot we haven't nailed down yet. Freeman has very good speed. He has the range and ability to cover a lot of space. Special teamer to start, but may have a shot at starting at some point.

ChiFan13's Take: Hey, I will never complain about getting great value out of a prospect. Freeman looks to have a lot of the tools to succeed. Again, it's not a sexy pick, but it's a necessary one. Freeman will help us on ST right away, and I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually displaces Hunter Hillenmeyer or Nick Roach, whoever the Sam backer ends up being.

Al Afalava, S, Oregon State
Height: 5'11" Weight: 213 lbs.

Breakdown (NFL):

Positives: Good build for the position. Instinctive defender who reads the quarterback's eyes well and breaks on the ball. Very quick to read run and come up in support. Physical hitter who can be an intimidating presence over the middle. Reliable open-field tackler. Willing to take on blocks to make the play. Durable performer with experience at strong and free safety.

Negatives: May lack the speed and agility for NFL coverage. Makes most of his plays coming downhill and isn't the same playmaker with his back to the quarterback. Questionable deep speed. Lacks the hip flexibility to turn and run with receivers one on one. Rarely tested deep in this defense due to Oregon State's good pass rush and veteran press corners - both of whom will be drafted this April. Character red flag: Suspended for the first game of 2008 after he crashed his car into an empty bus shelter and left the scene on foot. Reached plea agreement to reduce original DUI, hit-and-run charges.

Video: Video 1

WCG's Take: Again my one issue is we needed a safety. However, is this guy worth passing up Johnson or Clemons?

ChiFan13's Take: I have problems with this pick. I actually have huge problems with this pick. Afalava is a SS and we need a FS. Second, he was just recently arrested on a DUI charge. I know that Henry Melton did the same, but Melton did it during college and has stayed clean since. Afalava ran into a shelter and then ran. I don't like people who do that. Regardless, he'll be a good ST player and decent depth in our secondary.

Lance Louis, TE, San Diego State
Height: 6'3" Weight: 300 lbs.

Breakdown (source):

Positives: Gets out and pulls well. Athletic. Quick feet.

Negatives: Needs work on angles and keeping his anchor. A project who may intrigue a team. Will probably need a year or two on a practice squad and NFL weight training.

WCG's Take: Coming soon

ChiFan13's Take: Y'all said it. We have Kellen Davis and a host of other people who can block. This was my big "duh" pick of the draft.

Derek Kinder, WR, Pittsburgh
Height: 6'1" Weight: 210 lbs.

Breakdown (SI):

POSITIVES: Nice-sized receiver who struggled making his way back from injury last year. Consistently looks the ball into his hands, makes the difficult over-the-shoulder reception, and not afraid to get vertical in a crowd for the catch. Possesses strong hands and pulls the fastball from the air. Comes back to the ball out of breaks, effectively using his frame to shield away opponents.

NEGATIVES: Marginally productive last season. Inconsistent as a blocker. Lacks the speed to get downfield separation.

ANALYSIS: Kinder possesses NFL size and displayed a lot of skill in the past. His game took a step back last year, and he must return to prior playing form for any chance to make a roster this summer.

Video: Video 1; Video 2

WCG's Take: Coming soon

ChiFan13's Take: I like this pick. We took a risk on a guy who was injured with an ACL injury. He has nice size and decent speed. If he doesn't work out, we didn't really lose anything.

Poll

What grade are you giving Jerry Angelo?

A

271 votes

B

703 votes

C

252 votes

D

44 votes

F

24 votes

Grading drafts before they've stepped on the field is useless.

264 votes

1558 votes | Poll has closed

2009 NFL Draft Round 5 - Open Thread

Adam T — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:16:22 -0000

Jerry and the boys are making good moves. Lets see if they can keep it going.

2008 NFL Draft- Bears Selections
Round	Pick	Player	Pos.	College
3	68	Jarron Gilbert	DE	San Jose St.
3	99	Juaquin Iglesias	WR	Oklahoma
4	105	Henry Melton	DE	Texas
4	119	D.J. Moore	CB	Vanderbilt
5	140	Johnny Knox	WR	Abilene Christian
5	154	Marcus Freeman	LB	Ohio State
6	190
7	246
7	251

2009 NFL Draft Round 4 - Open Thread

Adam T — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:09:24 -0000

Let us see if the Bears actually address the spots we need. Those of wide receiver and safety.

2008 NFL Draft- Bears Selections
Round	Pick	Player	Pos.	College
3	68	Jarron Gilbert	DE	San Jose St.
3	99	Juaquin Iglesias	WR	Oklahoma
4	105	Henry Melton	DE	Texas
4	119	D.J. Moore	CB	Vanderbilt
5	140
5	154
6	190
7	246
7	251

Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Picks: 3-4 Outside Linebackers

Hawkwind — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:42:29 -0000

It's no secret that the Arizona Cardinals will look to add some youth and athleticism at their outside linebacker position. The current group of Chike Okeafor, Clark Haggans, Bertrand Berry and Travis LaBoy are serviceable but age and injuries are getting the best of them. We've spent a great deal of time profiling some 'hybrid' outside backers in the past month or so, but what if none of the highly rated prospects are available when the Cardinals pick at 31 or 63?

The Cardinals are fortunate enough to have the current depth to allow a draft pick to ease into the transition from college DE to professional OLB and there are plenty of guys who should be avaliable in the middle to later rounds. Here's a look at some prospects who the Cardinals could be interested in during the second day....

Here are the guys that we've already profiled:

But as you might expect, that's just a small sampling of possible 'hybrid' guys that could entice the Cardinals this weekend.

Paul Kruger (6'4, 263): Believe it or not, Kruger is a polarizing figure in this year's draft. Some scouts compare him to LaMarr Woodley or Aaron Kampman (who's expected to move to OLB this year), while other scouts simply don't think he has the athleticism to handle an outside linebacker spot. It's clear that he'd be an awful big OLB and his workout numbers (4.8 forty) haven't helped his case among 3-4 teams. He'll be a 24 year old rookie, one red shirt season and two years on a church mission, but his ability to battle is unquestioned. Projected Round: late 2nd to middle 3rd

Compares to: Aaron Kampman (Green Bay)

Pros - He's got solid frame that still has room to grow, if need be, and he's a decent athlete. His non-stop motor is what sustains him and he's very tough with above average strength. He does well in pursuit and is a reliable tackler. He's comfortable in space and he's a smart player who won't often get fooled by play action or misdirection. He's got some experience playing with his hand off the ground and has looked capable in coverage.

Cons - Kruger's isn't a natural athlete and looks stiff at times. He lacks top end speed and doesn't always play as powerful as his frame would indicate, especially when he plays too tall. His pass rush repertoire is very limited and he too often relies on a bull rush that worked in the Mountain West but might not generate the same results against NFL tackles. A lack of experience is also a concern considering that he only played two years at Utah.

Jason Williams (6'1, 241): Williams is one of the fastest risers in the entire draft right now after blazing the forty at his pro day to the tune of 4.46. Some teams didn't trust the time after hearing that he ran on a basketball surface so Williams responded by running again. The second time he ran on field turf and blazed even more when he turned in a 4.42. Wiliams began his college career as a strong safety before moving to OLB in 2006. Just about every NFL team has kicked the tires on Williams, regardless of defense, but he's certainly showing the athletic ability to excel in a 3-4. In his three seasons as an OLB he averaged 89 tackles, 15 for loss and five sacks per season. Projected Round: middle 3rd to 4th

Compares to: James Harrison (Pittsburgh)

Pros - His athleticism and speed are unmatched as well as his burst off of the line. He's an explosive leaper who will knock down passes at the line and he has a knack for jarring the ball loose (14 career). His experience as a strong safety makes him very comfortable in coverage and he's got the range make plays sideline to sideline. He's got a good motor and will make plays in pursuit.

Cons - His level of competition has some tempering his potential and right now he still plays like a safety against the run. He'll have to get stronger and more physical at the point of attack to be an every down player. He can get out of position when he gets to aggressive as well.

Brandon Williams (6'5 252): Williams comes off a junior season that saw him lead the Big 12 in sacks and earn 1st Team All-Big 12 honors, but most scouts feel that he should have stayed for his senior season. While there is no argument about his ability to rush the passer, his detractors point out that he offers very little against the run (but in the Big 12 what do you expect?). His draft stock took a significant hit at the combine when he ran a 4.96 forty (a 306 pound OT ran faster), but he's since improved his time at his pro day with times as high as 4.69. There's no doubt that he's a raw player who will take some time to develop but the potential is evident. Projected Round: late 3rd to 4th

Compares to: Alex Brown (Chicago)

Pros - Williams' lanky, athletic frame is has the room to add another ten to fifteen pounds with sapping his burst or speed. He's got a tremendous burst off the snap and has a decent set of pass rush moves. He has shown the ability to bend around offensive tackles and close on the quarterback. He tracks down plays in pursuit and chases plays down the line.

Cons - For everything Williams does in getting to the quarterback, he lacks the size, strength and physicality to hold the point of attack against the run. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage much and looks stiff in space. He's also not a powerful tackler and struggles to disengage from blockers.

Zack Follett (6'2 238): Follet should be an interesting prospect for just about every 3-4 defense in the league for a couple of reasons. He's played every linebacker position after coming to California as a middle linebacker before finally ending up on the outside. He also flourished in his senior season when Cal switched to a 3-4 defense which means he's got more experience than just about every other backer in the draft. He has a history of shoulder problems and won't wow scouts with his athletic feats but he's been solid locker room guy and he's been productive where ever he lined up. He totaled 87 tackles, 23 for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2008 after averaging 63 tackles, 12.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks his previous two seasons.

Compares to: Larry Izzo (Jets)

Pros - Follett has very good strength for his size and his frame has the room add another ten to fifteen pounds. He can hold the point of attack where he's a reliable, punishing tackler. He plays with a reckless abandon when the play is in front of him and his competitive spirit drives him to make plays. He's an intimidating player who is a plus pass rusher who is also capable in coverage.

Cons - His size isn't what you'd expect from an outside backer and he's not a great athlete. He has some durability issues and his aggressiveness can get him into trouble. His lateral quickness isn't great and he doesn't have the ability make up ground when fooled.

Matt Shaughnessy (6'5 263): The report on Shaughnessy is pretty similar to Paul Kruger, except that Shaughnessy isn't very stout at the point of attack. He's a bit faster than Kruger, but not by much, and scouts go both ways on his ability to stand up and play outside linebacker. He's added over 30 pounds since showing up to Wisconsin as a 230 pound freshman so his frame is nearly maxed out but he carries it pretty well. He hasn't been as productive, in terms of sacks, as most of the guys on this (15.5 in 50 career games) but he's tough player who's played through a ton of injuries. One thing that's rather remarkable is that he's missed very little time despite several major injuries including broken fibula in the spring of '08 and tearing his ACL at the end of the 2006 season. Projected Round: late 4th to 5th

Compares to: John Engelberger (Denver)

Pros - Shaughnessy has the size and bulk to play the position and uses his height well to knock passes down. He uses his hands well to disengage from blockers and stave off cut blocks. He uses the bull rush and rip technique well as pass rush moves but the rest of his repertoire is pretty limited. He has some experience playing from a stand-up position and looks comfortable in space. He's a smart player who uses a non-stop motor and good instincts to make plays.

Cons - Shaughnessy lacks the explosive burst off the snap that outside backers need to make a difference in pass rush situations. He also needs to get stronger to hold the point of attack and he'll have to develop more pass rush moves to be effective. Injuries might have robbed him of the explosiveness that he had earlier in his career as he takes a while to get up to speed.

Henry Melton (6'4, 269): Melton was first brought up here at ROTB when he appeared in a mock draft created by one of our very own and he's an interesting yet extremely developmental prospect. He began his college career as a running back and has only been on the defensive side of the ball two seasons. As you might expect being a former running back, Melton has tons of athletic ability but is far from a finished product. He wasn't even considered a 'draftable' prospect after one season as a starter that produced 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks but a forty in the 4.5 range changed all of that. Wherever Melton ends up, patience will be key as he'll take a year or two to learn the position but the athletic ability is unquestioned. Projected Round: late 5th to 6th

Pros - With loads of athletic ability, Melton's speed, quickness and burst make him unique. He's got good balance and agility and is a force in pursuit. He's got more strength that you'd expect from a former running back and he could be a solid special teamer early in his career.

Cons - Raw, raw, raw. Melton got by on his athletic ability during his one season as a starter and his techniques and instincts have to come a long way before he can step on an NFL field. He also has an off the field incident when he was arrested for DWI in May of 2007.

Stryker Sulak (6'5, 251): Sulak's an accomplished player with four years of starting experience and he even thought about going pro after this junior. He's improved each year as at Missouri but most scouts still slap the overachiever label on him
and wonder if he'll have the ability to hold his own in space. He's dealt with some injuries during his four seasons but in 53 games he's still managed 38 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks, including 15.5 & 10.5 respectively his senior year. Projected Round: 7th

Pros - Sulak's a decent athlete with slightly above average speed and quickness but he makes a difference with his non-stop motor and burst to close on the ball carrier. He's got good instincts and awareness and is a hard worker.

Cons - Sulak's not going to blow anyone away with his athletic ability and he'll have to get stronger to maintain the point of attack. He hasn't been asked to drop into coverage very often but he looks uncomfortable and stiff in space.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Arizona Cardinals enter this weekend's draft looking for at least one, if not multiple players to help energize their struggling pass rush. In a 3-4 defense, they'll need that pass rush to come from their outside linebackers. While most of these guys won't contribute much in 2009 outside of special teams, they're stacked with potential to be the future of the Arizona Cardinals. Which guy stands out to you guys? Are there any names that we missed?

SB Nation - Henry Melton

Previewing 2009 Wyoming Opponents: Texas Longhorns

SB Nation Big 12 Preview: Texas Longhorns Team Capsule

Predict Texas' losses in 2009.

None -- See you in Pasadena.

1 -- Oklahoma

1 -- Oklahoma State

1 -- Other

2 -- OU and Oklahoma State

2 -- Other

3 or more

Mizzou 2009, Part Ten: Defensive Line

Defensive Line

2009 Mizzou Football Preview Series

My Guys, 2009

Texas Tech Opponent Prospectus // Texas Longhorns

2009 Texas Tech Opponent Prospectus

Game 1: North Dakota Fighting Sioux // Game 2: Rice Owls // Game 3: Texas Longhorns

General Information

Statistics

Top Returners

A Few Things

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most worried and 1 being the least worried, how worried are you about the Texas Longhorns?

1

2

3

4

5

The Bears Den - 5/6/09

Meet Your 2009 Chicago Bears Draft Picks!

What grade are you giving Jerry Angelo?

A

B

C

D

F

Grading drafts before they've stepped on the field is useless.

2009 NFL Draft Round 5 - Open Thread

2009 NFL Draft Round 4 - Open Thread

Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Picks: 3-4 Outside Linebackers