Thursday, May 30, 2013

Rookie free agent profile: Gerald Rivers, DE, Mississippi

Gerald Rivers 6'4" 249
DE, Mississippi

Twitter handle: @InA_Flash
 

Rankings: NFLDraftScout: 32nd-ranked defensive end, #320 player overall, free agent grade.
Scouts Inc: 105th-ranked defensive end, rated as a free agent. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect. 

Biography/honors:
2012: Entered spring practice as starting DE but was academically ineligible for the season.
2011: Played in all 12 games, starting 5. 13 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hurries. Had a TFL and two hurries at Vanderbilt; was Jeff Fisher watching?
2010: Played in 10 games, starting 5. 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. Had 1.5 sacks and 1.5 TFL against Alabama.
2009: Played in 5 games. 4 tackles with 1 tackle for loss.
2008: redshirted.

Major: psychology.

Injuries: none reported.

Dallas Regional Combine results: (NFL Combine DE averages in parentheses)
4.56 40 (faster than any DE who ran at the Combine. DE average was 4.77)
1.59 10-yard split
39.5” vertical jump (better than any DE at the Combine. Average was 33.25")
10'8" broad jump (tied best DE broad jump at Combine. Average was 9'9")
7.19 3-cone drill (7.09)
4.46 20-yard shuttle (4.45)
20 bench press (24)


Positives: Long and rangy with a quick first step, runs very well. Not only was his 40 time better than all defensive ends at the Combine, it would have placed him third among linebackers. He ran faster than 18 defensive backs, including Rams 3rd-round pick T.J. McDonald. His 1.59 10-yard split is an elite time; 2012 first-rounders Bruce Irvin, Whitney Mercilus, Chandler Jones and Nick Perry all came in from 1.55-1.60. Vertical jump is also elite and speaks further to his athletic explosiveness. Good work ethic. Worked hard and stayed in top shape despite not playing his senior year. Academics were affected by a death in the family, not any shortcomings in character.

Negatives: Hasn't played in a year and had few starts in his college career. Lacked production, wasn't considered much of a pass-rush threat. Like Cory Davis, his regional combine was held in Dallas, and times there were considered inflated by faster turf than Indy's. Slow off the ball. Needs to continue to learn to recognize run plays better so he doesn't get caught upfield pass-rushing.

Compares to: athletically, Bruce Irvin, which is undoubtedly why the Rams would sign a player with 4.5 career sacks in college.

Fun Facts: Gerald did have nine sacks his senior year in high school. This is the first year since 1999 that Mississippi didn't have a player taken in the NFL draft.

RamView: I think I get what the Rams see in Rivers. He's Bruce Irvin in terms of raw material. Mike Waufle's a top d-line coach; maybe he can make something out of that. (The Rams don't appear to be looking at Rivers as an OLB, where he didn't play anyway.) With Eugene Sims in the last year of his contract, maybe Rivers sticks on the practice squad in 2013 as a developmental pass-rush specialist. He's going to have to progress time-elapsed photography-fast, though. With no senior season, little on-the-field results and just a hot pre-Combine performance, Rivers really puts the "stopwatch" in "stopwatch player".

Chance of making team: 5%.

The good news: the last time I stuck those odds on a rookie free agent, Quinton Pointer made the team.

Sources: NFLDraftScout.com, University of Mississippi athletics, ESPN.com, Scout.com, TideFans blog, The Champion Newspaper (DeKalb County, Ga.)

Photo: Scout.com

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Rookie free agent profile: Eric Stevens, FB, California

Eric Stevens 6'0" 240
FB, California

Rankings:
NFLDraftScout: 9th-ranked fullback, #347 player overall, 7th-round/free agent grade.

Scouts Inc: 27th-ranked fullback, rated as a free agent. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.
 



Biography/honors:
2012: Started 5 of 12 games. 13 carries for 51 yards (3.9 ypc), 9 receptions for 55 yards (6.1 ypc), two tackles. Received team honor for courage, attitude and sportsmanship.
2010: Started 5 of 11 games. One rush for two yards, 4 receptions for 27 yards (6.8 ypc) and a TD. Also had four tackles.
2009: Played in 12 games on special teams, with six tackles. Also had an 11-yard kick return.
2008: Redshirted.

Brother Craig is a tight end for the Titans, originally drafted by, yes, Jeff Fisher.

Major: graduated in December with a degree in legal studies.

Injuries: 
2011: Missed entire season after tearing ACL in right knee in training camp.
2010: Missed one game due to a broken finger that required surgery.

Pro day results: (NFL Combine fullback averages in parentheses)
4.72 40 (4.83)
1.64 10-yard split
31” vertical jump (32”)
9'3" broad jump (9'5")
7.28 3-cone drill (7.28)
4.33 20-yard shuttle (4.47)
25 bench press (25)


Positives: Prototypical fullback and reliable short-yardage back. Athletic enough to block in space and get down the field when you put the ball in his hands. Quicker than average for the position. Uses his blocks well as a runner. Very good blocker on the edge. Great effort blocker, tenacious, will stay on top of his man until he runs him over. Blocks to the whistle. Solid hitter with a strong stiffarm. Catches well. Reliable receiver in the flat who doesn't go down on first contact. Gets turned upfield quickly on swing passes. Reliable hands. Flashes of surprising athleticism - can hurdle guys in the open field and gets downfield well on punt coverage. Good fundamental runner and tackler. Stays low and always keeps his legs churning. Hard worker on and off the field. Wrestled in high school and brings that mentality to his game. Plays with desire and won a team lifting award.

Negatives: Below-average acceleration and explosion. Doesn't explode into his blocks. More of a steam roller than a thumper. Strictly a fullback, didn't run tight end or H-back-type routes. Short arms. Unknown quantity as a pass protector; Cal ran more than they passed.

Compares to: Mike Karney, as a Saint, not a Ram.

Fun Facts: Eric averaged 30 yards a catch his senior year of high school, and also had 110 tackles, 7 for loss. He was also an all-league wrestler.

RamView: Eric Stevens has the makings of a pretty nice NFL fullback. Put 10-15 pounds on him and you can see him contributing at the position like Karney did in New Orleans, in an all-purpose fashion. Eric's problem, though: the demise of the fullback position in the NFL, including St. Louis, where the Rams went without a traditional fullback after cutting Brit Miller before last Thanksgiving. RamView doesn't see Stevens as a real thumper with a future here at fullback. He's not going to be an in-line tight end, so I imagine his best shot is to show well in a move TE role and on special teams. He'll need to make a lot happen.

Chance of making team: 10%.

Sources: NFLDraftScout.com, University of California athletics, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com, Contra Costa (Cal.) Times, BearInsider.com, YouTube

Photo: Associated Press

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Rokevious Watkins update

The plot has thickened a little regarding the NFL's one-week suspension of Rams guard Rokevious Watkins for breaking the "substances of abuse" policy. Reports say that Watkins was not suspended because he tested positive for anything. Well, that's confusing. Why has Watkins been suspended at all? If he's been suspended for something along the lines of an arrest for a minor charge of possession, (see: Mikel Leshoure last year) shouldn't the arrest have made news somewhere?

In any event, Watkins doesn't appear to have lost any status with head coach Jeff Fisher, who in fact thinks Watkins is getting a raw deal from the league:

...(W)e’ve been aware of it for quite some time... I’m not going to go into specifics of the suspension. We respect the league’s decision, but personally and respectfully, I disagree with the suspension and the circumstances regarding the suspension.

Nobody's being very helpful on the details, including Watkins himself:

It was a mistake on my part and I take full blame for it... I appreciate coach supporting me in this situation and the Rams for supporting me also. I just want to move forward and hopefully keep fighting for a starting job.

I'm going to have to throw my hands up on this one. Without failing a drug test, missing a drug test or getting arrested, I don't know what Watkins did to run afoul of the NFL's policy, especially with the degree to which Fisher is willing to defend him.

-$-

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Watkins suspended for first game

KOMU.com
Rams guard Rokevious Watkins has been suspended by the NFL for the first week of the season for violating the league's "Substances of Abuse" policy. I take it this means he flunked a test for illicit recreational drugs.

Watkins is not banned from any offseason activities, including preseason games, so at first, it looks like this suspension shouldn't be a major hurdle in his way in the competition for the starting job at left guard.

On the other hand, I'm curious to know how much Jeff Fisher will be willing to trust a player who showed up woefully out of shape for his rookie training camp, predictably got injured in the first game of the season (in which he didn't play very well), was out the rest of the season, and now, with everything to prove, pulls this stunt.

It's especially disheartening to hear this kind of news in light of the credit Watkins has given longtime friend (and Chiefs safety) Eric Berry for saving him from taking the wrong path in life.

Time to get your act together, Rok. Right now.

-$-

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Rams sign tight end

Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel
The Rams have added blocking tight end Zach Potter to the roster. He's 6'7" 280, 27 years old out of Nebraska, where he played defensive end (8 career sacks) and was actually Adam Carriker's successor. He played in all 16 games for Jacksonville last year and had been with the Jagwires all four of his previous years in the pros after being cut by the Jets in 2009 training camp. He has 11 career catches for 83 yards and returned a blocked punt 46 yards for a TD in 2011. He also blocked a couple of kicks in college. The Jagwires website describes Potter as "a powerful blocker". Scouts Inc. describes him as a "massive", effective run-blocker who isn't a natural knee bender but is improving on keeping his pad level down. He has no speed (barely cracked 5.0 at the Combine) and will only help as a receiver on dumpoffs.

Potter got in mild trouble during last year's draft for going on Twitter to criticize the Jagwires' third-round selection of a punter, so he's all right with RamView.

If the roster page is correct on the Rams website, Potter becomes the 89th man on the roster. He'll compete with Mike McNeill, Corey Harkey, Cameron Graham and Phil Lutzenkirchen for the 3rd and 4th TE spots.

-$-

Trumaine Johnson update

Associated Press

Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson pleaded guilty last week in Missoula, Montana to charges of reckless driving and refusing a breath test. He received a 90-day suspended jail sentence.

Johnson was originally arrested March 22nd for misdemeanor DUI but struck a deal which will require him to pay a $800 fine, take an alcohol assessment class and make a $2,500 "donation" to the Missoula County DUI task force.

At the time of Johnson's arrest, it seemed probable he would also be fined by the league - 2 games' pay or no more than $50,000 - but I have not seen word of that filter out as of yet.

-$-

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Rookie free agent profile: Braden Brown, OT, BYU

Braden Brown 6'5.5" 310
OT, BYU
placed on injured reserve July 31

Twitter handle: @bbrown07

Rankings:
NFLDraftScout: 25th-ranked offensive tackle, #326 player overall, 7th round/free agent grade.

Scouts Inc: 20th-ranked OT, #245 player overall, ranked as a free agent. Grade: 44, borderline draft prospect.

NFLDraftCountdown: 19th-ranked OT, #202 player overall. Mid-round grade. 






Biography/honors:
2012: All-independent first team. Started all 13 games at right tackle. Led the team in knockdown blocks. BYU averaged 150 rushing yards per game and also had five 300-yard passing games.

2011: All-independent second team. Started all 13 games at right tackle. BYU had five 200-yard rushing games and averaged 160 per game. Line allowed only 17 sacks all season. BYU was top 10 in the nation for 3rd down conversion % and fewest tackles for loss allowed.

2010: Academic All-Mountain West. Started all 13 games at right tackle. BYU had seven 200-yard rushing games and averaged 168 yards/game.

2009: Academic All-Mountain West. Converted from tight end to right tackle during the season. Started twice at right tackle and played in all 13 games. BYU allowed under 2 sacks per game and led the nation in 3rd down conversion %.

2008: Redshirted.

Brother Trevor is a tight end at BYU.

Major: Exercise and wellness.

Injuries: none reported.

NFL combine results: (Averages for OTs in parentheses)
5.20 40 (5.20)
1.74 10-yard split (1.75)

28” vertical jump (27.5”)
8'4" broad jump (8'8")
7.43 3-cone drill (Brown was 3rd-fastest tackle; average was 7.77)
4.70 20-yard shuttle (4.76)

26 bench press (25)


Positives: Ideal size and above-average speed for a NFL right tackle. 41 college starts at the position. Shows impressive natural ability as a pass protector. Quick feet. Has the length and foot quickness to ride speed rushers past the pocket. Keeps his feet moving and is laterally agile enough to mirror well. Mirrored well in drills at the Combine and also looked smooth in kick-slide. Doesn't get overextended. Good strength, anchors well. Holds his own against bull rushers. Has a strong punch. BYU had a left-handed QB, so he was the blind-side protector.

Negatives: Heavy-legged waist bender (dun-DUN). Struggles as a run blocker. Poor power due to poor technique, locks his knees and tries to hold guys off with back strength. Gets him easily stood up and pushed around. Doesn't get his arms extended. Lacks quickness in almost every aspect of his game. Just ordinary first step. Falls off too many blocks and ends up on the ground too often. Lacks balance, agility and flexibility. Struggles to get leverage. Doesn't move well. Struggles to block in space and on the move. Doesn't always find the right defender to block as a run-blocker on the move. Very susceptible to inside pass rush moves. Slow reaction time. Doesn't identify defensive line stunts well. Slow hand and foot recovery speed. Needs to play nastier and with more of an edge. Doesn't finish every play.

Compares to: Nate Potter.

Fun Facts: Add Ecuador to the impressive list of countries this season's Rams rookies have visited. Braden helped build a school and irrigation systems there, and also taught local kids how to play football. He also served on a mission in Puerto Rico.

RamView: With Rodger Saffold and Chris Williams both only signed through the end of this season, the Rams may need to be able to produce a pro-ready right tackle for 2014, and Paul Boudreau's made more out of less than Braden Brown brings to the table. If pass-blocking's currently his strength over run-blocking, it still looks like a good fit to where the Ram offense appears to be heading. And Boudreau can take care of any lack of nastiness. Figuring that Joe Barksdale is the favorite at OT3, RamView thinks it'll be between Brown and Ty Nsekhe for a practice squad position. That's not a mountain to climb for an experienced right tackle.

Chance of making team: 45%.

Sources: NFLDraftScout.com, ESPN.com, Brigham Young athletics, CBSSports.com, NFL.com

Photo: Salt Lake Tribune

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Rookie free agent profile: Jonathan Stewart, LB, Texas A&M

Jonathan Stewart 6'4" 242
LB, Texas A&M

Twitter handle: @jstew11

Rankings:
NFLDraftScout: 11th-ranked inside linebacker, #270 player overall, 7th-round to free agent grade.

Scouts Inc: 15th-ranked ILB, ranked as a free agent. Grade: 36, borderline draft prospect.

DraftCountdown: 11th-ranked ILB, late-round to free agent grade.


Biography/honors:
2012: A&M switched (back) to 4-3, where Stewart started all 13 games at MLB. 81 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 7 quarterback hurries.
2011: Started all 13 games as a 3-4 ILB. 98 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
2010: Moved to 3-4 ILB but never started. Played in all 13 games on special teams. 7 tackles with 1 tackle for loss.
2009: Started 7 of 13 games, all at 4-3 OLB. 28 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup and 1 quarterback hurry.

Major: sports management.

Injuries: none reported.

NFL Combine stats: (linebacker averages in parentheses)
4.68 40 (average was 4.75. Jonathan ran 4.55 at his pro day. Alec Ogletree's times were 4.70 / 4.64)
1.59 10-yard split
31” vertical jump (3rd-worst by a linebacker. Average was 33.5")
9'10" broad jump (9'11")
7.44 3-cone drill (also 3rd-worst at LB. Average was 7.14)
4.53 20-yard shuttle (2nd-worst LB. Average: 4.34)
19 bench press (22)

Half the LBs didn't even do the vertical jump, 3-cone drill or 20-yard shuttle.

Positives: Wins with speed, closes quickly on the edge, an ideal read-option defender. Impressive position workout at his pro day. Measures up to the position physically. Better-than-average straight line speed. Reads keys well and reacts quickly. Height helps him there. Heavy hitter who plays with good leverage. Good strength and leg drive as a tackler. Good closing burst. Takes good angles. Has speed to stay with receivers downfield. Solid special teams player. No injury issues. Handled calls and pre-snap adjustments well. Should be a fit in any scheme. Intense competitor who matured throughout his college career and took on a leadership role as a senior.

Negatives: Below-average instincts against the run, and even less instinctive in pass coverage. Inconsistent with run fits and loses gap integrity. Needs to work on handwork to shed blockers better. His short arms hurt him there as well. Poor instincts to get off his block and fill the gap against the runner. Below-average range, change-of-direction and movement skills. Doesn't work through traffic well. Consistently fooled by any kind of misdirection. Tends to wait at second level instead of meeting runner in the hole. Too hesitant, won't attack the runner even if he has a clean path to him. Lets the play come to him. Has trouble breaking down in open field and poor balance tackling on the move. Liability in pass coverage - doesn't have a good feel for it and is not a playmaker. Easily juked off-kilter by receivers. Major limitations in pass coverage and as a blitzer will limit him to being a two-down linebacker in the pros. Had three different defensive coordinators in four years.

Compares to: Bryan Kehl.

Fun Facts: The Rams play Carolina this October, creating the possibility of Jonathan Stewart tackling Jonathan Stewart. The last similar play I could find was in 2009, Dallas vs. Atlanta, when Mike Jenkins tackled Michael Jenkins.

RamView: Having set three OLBs free in free agency, the Rams should have a couple of wide-open camp races for depth at the position. There appear to be a lot of flaws in Stewart's game, but he'll be needed much more as a special teams player early in his career, and his experience there on A&M's legendary special teams looks like his biggest edge. He could plug right into Justin Cole's spot. If the Rams are looking at Stewart for MLB depth, though, he's likely as doomed as Alex Hoffman-Ellis was last summer, so I have to hedge his chances a bit.

Chance of making team: 40%.

Sources: NFLDraftScout.com, NFL.com, ESPN.com, DraftCountdown.com, Texas A&M athletics, Bleacher Report, 12th Man Magazine (Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation), Pro Football Reference

Photo: Associated Press

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Rookie free agent profile: Cody Davis, S, Texas Tech

Cody Davis 6'2" 203
FS, Texas Tech

Twitter handle: @CodyDavis16

Rankings:
NFLDraftScout: 9th-ranked FS, #173 player overall, 5th-6th round grade.

Scouts Inc: 38th-ranked safety, ranked as a free agent. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.

NFLDraftCountdown: 22nd-ranked safety. Late round-free agent grade. 
Biography/honors:
2012: Started all 13 games. Academic All-American. National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award. Second team all-Big 12. First team Academic all-Big 12. 101 tackles, 84 solo (4th in nation), 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (one returned for 88-yard TD), 7 passes defended, 1 quarterback hurry. Tech gave up just 196 passing yards a game (2nd in Big 12) and ranked highly during the season for fewest long completions allowed.

2011: Started 11 of 12 games. First team Academic all-Big 12. 93 tackles, 72 solo (4th in nation), 3 tackles for loss, 5 passes defended and a forced fumble.

2010: Started all 13 games. Honorable mention all-Big 12, first team Academic all-Big 12. 87 tackles, 1 sack, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 passes defended, one interception, 3 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 2 quarterback hurries.

2009: Started 12 of 13 games. 81 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended.

2008: Redshirted.

Major: Computer geek alert! Cody has a bachelor's in management information systems (3.7 GPA) and is working on his master's (4.0 GPA).

Injuries: none reported.

Pro day results: (NFL Combine safety averages in parentheses)
4.41 40* (would have been fastest safety at Combine. Average was 4.61)
1.51 10-yard split
41.5” vertical jump* (also would have been best safety at Combine. Average was 36.25”)
10'3" broad jump (10'3.5")
6.77 3-cone drill* (6.87)
4.01 20-yard shuttle* (also faster than any safety at Combine. Average was 4.19)
15 bench press (17)

* - better than T.J. McDonald's Combine result

Positives: Big, physical safeties with his size and movement skills are few and far between. Was considered the top prospect at any position at the Super Regional Combine in Dallas. Exceptional change-of-direction quickness. Turns and transitions with unusually good balance and body control for his size. Showed outstanding ball skills in drills. Has size to match up well with tight ends and big receivers. Reliable, physical tackler with good technique. Classic in-the-box safety, best at reading the QB's eyes and attacking the line. Always around the ball. Breaks down well in the open field. Long arms make him a solid wrap-up tackler and allow him to strip the ball away. Has qualities to be an excellent special teams player. About half the teams attended his workout. Defensive leader and model student. Four-year starter with proven production at a high level of competition.

Negatives: Doesn't translate explosiveness shown in drills to the field. You don't see the flexibility or straight-line speed. More of a drag-down tackler than an explosive hitter. Not many interceptions. Easy to play-fake and will leave you exposed deep. Will have to prove he's athletic enough to handle coverage assignments. May have to play OLB due to lack of range. Cowboys Stadium's turf is faster than Lucas Oil's so his times were inflated compared to NFL Combine times.

Compares to: Matt Daniels.

Fun Facts: Here's a link to Cody's blog; in one entry he calculated that he spends about the same amount of time working on football as he does sleeping. Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, however, might have a word or two with him over this entry.

RamView: For the third straight year, the Rams have made a free agent steal out of a very good college safety. They got Darian Stewart in 2011 and Matt Daniels last year, and now here's Davis, a collegiate tackling machine who might have "won" the Combine in a couple of different categories. And safety's the widest-open competition in this year's camp, with possibly three roster spots up for grabs. Stewart and Daniels have to rebound from losing most of 2012 to injury, and Davis has size and speed advantage over Rodney McLeod or Quinton Pointer. If Davis can show well on special teams, you have to like his chances.

Chance of making team: 60%.

Sources: NFLDraftScout.com, ESPN.com, NFLDraftCountdown.com, NFL.com, Texas Tech athletics, Optimum Scouting

Photo: Abilene (Tex.) Reporter-News

Monday, May 6, 2013

Rookie free agent profile: Ray Ray Armstrong, SS/OLB, Miami (Fla.)

Ray Ray Armstrong 6'3" 216
SS/OLB, Miami (Fla.)

Twitter handle: boom_king26

Rankings:
17th-ranked strong safety by Pro Football Weekly. Grade: 5.00, 50/50 to make a NFL roster or practice squad.

NFLDraftScout: 13th-ranked strong safety, #315 player overall, 7th-round/free agent grade.

Scouts Inc: 29th-ranked safety, ranked as a free agent. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.




Biography/honors:
2012: Did not play. Banned from Miami football program after lying to school officials investigating potential improper benefits. He had tweeted a picture of an expensive hotel room where his girlfriend was staying but initially denied he was there. Enrolled at Faulkner University in Alabama but NAIA would not grant him eligibility because he had been banned from a sport.

2011: Played in seven games, starting one. 34 tackles, 2 pass breakups, one interception and a fumble recovery.
Suspended four games by the NCAA in September for taking benefits (a Sean Taylor jersey) from booster Nevin Shapiro as a recruit in violation of NCAA rules. Suspended for another game in November by the university, related to a dinner paid for by his girlfriend, who worked for a P.R. firm that represents athletes and was believed to be a "runner" for agents. 

2010: Second team all-ACC. Miami had the #1 pass defense in the conference. Played in 13 games, starting three. 79 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 3 interceptions (one returned for TD), 4.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble. 

2009: Played in 10 games. 21 tackles, one pass breakup, no interceptions.

Major: none listed, but Armstrong graduated from Miami in December.

Injuries:
2009: Missed three games due to a knee injury.

Pro day results: (NFL Combine safety averages in parentheses)
4.69 40 (4.61)
1.62 10-yard split
34.5” vertical jump (36.25”)
9'8" broad jump (10'3.5")
7.20 3-cone drill (6.87)
4.24 20-yard shuttle (4.19)
18 bench press (17)
 

Positives: Appeared to be a rising star after his sophomore season, before the Shapiro controversy hit. Was likened to a young Sean Taylor, whose number he wore, at times. Had some 3rd-4th round grades. Safety speed in a linebacker's frame. Excellent size and length. Muscular and well-built. Matches up well physically with tight ends. Excellent and aggressive run defender. Sheds run blocks well. Recognizes run well and arrives in a hurry. Delivers pop as a tackler. Tough and doesn't shy from contact. Big and strong enough to develop into an effective in-the-box safety. Experienced special teams player. Not a bad kid, just wants too hard to be around the high life. Volunteered as a coach at Faulkner after he was declared ineligible to play.

Negatives: Was suspended as many games as he started. Did not play in 2012 and was a glorified backup in 2011. Just average speed for a safety. Pro day numbers were nothing special. Lacks speed and athleticism to cover slot receivers. Lots of holes in his game. Gives up too many big plays, can't be trusted with deep cover responsibility. Watches QB too much and lets receivers behind him. Does not read QB or recognize routes well. Takes ridiculously bad gambles. Takes bad angles and misses his run fits. Inconsistent tackler. Poor recovery speed. Doesn't track ball well over shoulder and has dropped some INTs. Doesn't break down well in space and misses too many open-field tackles. Can't trust him to be in the correct place to make the play. Leaves his assignment trying for the big hit or big play and gives up a bigger play. Has a huge ego, a big mouth and questionable personal judgment.

Compares to: Taylor Mays.

Fun Facts: Ray Ray's birth name is Aravious, which the kids in school couldn't pronounce, so his mother gave him the nickname. The past two summers, he and his father have put on a free youth football camp in his hometown of Sanford, Fla.

RamView: Armstrong won comparisons to a young Sean Taylor in college but the Rams don't seem to be betting on that potential; early reports say they're trying him out at OLB. The quality UDFA competition there or at safety was always going to make it hard for Armstrong even to squeeze out a practice-squad slot. He hasn't played in a year and needs major improvement on fundamentals like positioning and tackling. Now add that he's a tweener learning a new position. That's a lot to overcome to make a quick, positive impression. RamView just doesn't see another Robert Quinn or Janoris Jenkins comeback story in the offing here.

Chance of making team: 10%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly, CBS Sports, ESPN.com, NFLDraftScout, Sporting News, Wikipedia, University of Miami athletics, Miami Herald, Scouts, Inc., National Football Post, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, Canespace blog

Photo: Palm Beach Post

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Rookie free agent profile: Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, Auburn

Philip Lutzenkirchen 6'3" 258
TE, Auburn
 
Twitter handle: @lutzenkirchen

Rankings:
22nd-ranked tight end by Pro Football Weekly. Grade: 5.03, better than 50-50 to make a roster or practice squad.

NFLDraftScout: 24th-ranked tight end, #450 player overall, free agent grade.

Scouts Inc.: 11th-ranked tight end, #216 player overall. Grade:49, borderline-to-adequate draft prospect.


Draft Countdown: 21st-ranked tight end, late round-free agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2012: Started six games. 15 receptions for 139 yards (9.3 ypc), no TD. Holds Auburn school records for career (14) and single-season (7) TDs by a tight end. 
2011: Second team all-SEC. Sports Illustrated honorable mention all-America. Played in 12 games, starting 11. 24 receptions for 238 yards (9.9 ypc) and 7 TD. Third in nation in TD receptions by a tight end.
2010: SEC Academic Honor Roll. Played in 13 games, starting five. 15 receptions for 185 yards (12.3 ypc) and 5 TD. Had career-long 39-yard catch vs. Oregon in BCS Championship game.
2009: Played in all 13 games, starting one. Five catches for 66 yards (13.2 ypc) and 2 TD.

Major: Communication.

Injuries:
2012: played in only 6 games due to torn labrum and three bone spurs in left hip. Limited in 2012 spring practice after surgery to repair torn labrum in left shoulder in February.
2011: sat out one game due to left leg/ankle injury.
2010: missed a game and a half due to unspecified injury.

NFL Combine stats: (position averages in parentheses)
4.94 40 (4.75)
1.75 10-yard split
30.5” vertical jump (33.5”)
9'4" broad jump (9'7.5")
7.15 3-cone drill (7.14)
4.35 20-yard shuttle (4.40) Did 4.27 at Auburn pro day, would have tied for 2nd at Combine.
21 bench press (18)


Positives: Has big, strong, reliable hands. Crisp route runner. Plays faster than his timed speed. Good burst out of his breaks. Hard worker. Finds the soft spot in the zone well. Finds way to get open and works well with QB under pressure. Tough to defend in red zone and in short yardage. Shields from defender well. Sells blocks well on play-action. Very good body control, makes full-extension catches and grabs difficult throws behind him. Good concentration in traffic. Plays in control. Can make the first man miss. Light-footed enough to have a good after-the-catch spin move. Runs well after first contact. Has enough speed for seam routes and enough athleticism to win jump balls. Tough, physical, no fear going over the middle. Above-average blocker with good awareness in pass pro. Picks up the blitz well. Red zone performer with a nose for the end zone. Almost 1/4 of his receptions were for TDs. Makes big plays in the clutch. Smart, works hard, great character. Lined up all over the field. Tries hard as a blocker. Poor quarterbacking held him back last season - he got open regularly but didn't get the ball. One of the better H-backs in the nation in 2010 and 2011.

Negatives: Lacks ideal height and strength. Well-below average speed. Not a deep threat and will be caught from behind. Needs to sell a little better on his breaks. Relatively short arms hurt him as a blocker, especially in space, has him leaning, lunging, slipping off of blocks. Isn't a powerful blocker. Isn't comfortable coming out of the backfield. Has had injury issues.

Compares to: Steelers TE David Johnson.

Fun Facts: The joke around Auburn was that "Lutzenkirchen" is German for "touchdown maker". Philip regularly visits child cancer patients in local hospitals. His sister Abby is on the soccer team at - gasp! - Alabama.

RamView: The Rams' third and fourth TEs, Mike McNeill and RamView favorite Cory Harkey, have not been a lot to write home about as receivers, particularly Harkey. "Lutzie" was accomplished enough as a receiver at Auburn that you'd trust him leaking wide open out of the backfield as Sam Bradford's #6 option on a play. We haven't been able to say that much about Rams' fullback/H-back types. Philip's challenges will be proving himself as a blocker and staying healthy. He's got a shot at sneaking away with a roster spot if he does those, and he looks like a strong candidate for a slot on the practice squad.

Chance of making team (main roster or practice squad): 40%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly, CBS Sports, ESPN.com, DraftCountdown.com, Alabama Live, Opelika-Auburn News, Auburn University athletics, NBC Sports, Rotoworld.com

Photo: ESPN.com