Alan Branch versus Gaines Adams and Jamaal Anderson

Argh. Right now I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "Am I THAT big of an NFL dork that I need to watch the draft?!"

And then the truth comes out...yes, I am.

last year i watched almost 3 full days of the combine. i think im right there with you malcolm

It's going to get DVRed every day.

Hey, at least I'm not as gay as my fiancee who DVRs the Today Show.

That's the FREAKING NEWS.

btw, the combine will probably be available on nfl.com like last year (5-6hours worth of video)

Argh. Right now I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "Am I THAT big of an NFL dork that I need to watch the draft?!"

And then the truth comes out...yes, I am.

EVERYONE needs to watch the draft!

i am at a stand still if the redskins have a choice of all three of these players who should they go after i am starting to lean to jamaal anderson

DISCUSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I like J. Anderson too. I can break out my dirty bird dance again!

Forgive this post and read the one below.

i am at a stand still if the redskins have a choice of all three of these players who should they go after i am starting to lean to jamaal anderson

DISCUSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we should trade down and try to ge this guy. His stats are better than branch, he killed in senior bowl week, and he is only 19 with an undergraduate degree. His name is....

Amobi Okoye
DT | (6'2", 287, 5.11) | LOUISVILLE

Scouts Grade: 94

Flags: (A: AGE) Player may be older or younger than usual


Strengths: A young prospect with good size and even better size potential. He displays very good natural strength and can take on blockers as a two-gap run defender. Shows the consistent ability to anchor when teams run at him. Takes good angles to the ball and possesses adequate range. Possesses good initial quickness, does an adequate job of anticipating the snap and can beat blockers to the point of attack when fresh. Possesses adequate lower-body strength and flashes the ability to collapse the pocket. Good character and very "coachable".

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal closing speed, doesn't have elite explosiveness and is a better run-defender than pass-rusher at this point. He plays with balance but doesn't display ideal athleticism for the position. Doesn't show the ability to redirect inside after starting outside and doesn't show a variety of pass-rush moves. He comes out of his stance too high at times and will lose his power. Appears to wear down late in games, doesn't always play with a great motor and conditioning will always be critical to success. While durability isn't a significant concern at this point, he missed the 2005 Florida Atlantic game with a foot injury and missed one game because of a shoulder injury in 2004.

Overall: Okoye arrived at Louisville in 2003 as a 16-year-old true freshman and played in all 13 games registering 17 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and one sack. In 2004, he played in 11 games (one start; Army), missed the East Carolina game with a shoulder injury, and made 26 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and one sack for the year. Okoye started 10 of the 11 games he played in during the 2005 season, missed the Florida Atlantic game with a foot sprain, and finished the season with 23 total tackles, four tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries. He started all 13 games in 2006 and registered 55 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles, garnering him Associated Press Second Team All-America and First Team All-Big East honors.

Okoye is a 19-year-old rising talent with a good amount of upside. He is still developing into his body, he's never going to be an explosive interior penetrator and his pass-rush moves need polishing. However, Okoye displays an impressive blend of size, initial quickness, balance and natural power that could lead to a long career as a disruptive NFL defensive tackle. Okoye has skyrocketed up NFL draft boards as a senior. His play reflects more of a second-to-third round grade but his age/upside most likely will land him a spot in the first round.

Kiper just put up a new big board and alan branch dropped to 20th. Anyone know why he took such a fall?

Good golly. 20th?

Wonder what happened? There haven't been any combines yet have there?

More importantly, does this mean I have to change my sig?

Edit:

After doing some research, the College Scouting Combine at Indianapolis started yesterday and runs through the 27th. Unless he had a royal screw up in the first couple of days, maybe 15 other guys just had their stock jump a notch.

Ourlads Scouting Services has him going #9 to Houston, while they've projected us to take Jamal Anderson.