Wright Making a "Major" Impact in Chicago

A number of Chicago-based new outlets, including ChicagoBears.com, are singing the praises of third-round pick Major Wright and lauding him for the way he “has been making plays on the ball each day” during OTAs.

Mancini’s Take: Wright has a real shot of beating out the likes of Josh Bullocks and Al Afalava for the starting free safety spot in the Windy City this summer. He’s the type of physical headhunter who goes through receivers with his hellacious and devastating body blows. He puts himself in position to make those types of plays because of instincts that allow him to track the ball and his impeccable timing. He’s a good fit in Lovie Smith’s Cover-2 scheme, which will require him to cover deep zones just as he did as a Florida Gator. Although he’s built like a corner, he’s not a straight coverage guy due to his not-so-smooth back pedal.

Read more…

Wright Making a "Major" Impact in Chicago

A number of Chicago-based new outlets, including ChicagoBears.com, are singing the praises of third-round pick Major Wright and lauding him for the way he “has been making plays on the ball each day” during OTAs.

Mancini’s Take: Wright has a real shot of beating out the likes of Josh Bullocks and Al Afalava for the starting free safety spot in the Windy City this summer. He’s the type of physical headhunter who goes through receivers with his hellacious and devastating body blows. He puts himself in position to make those types of plays because of instincts that allow him to track the ball and his impeccable timing. He’s a good fit in Lovie Smith’s Cover-2 scheme, which will require him to cover deep zones just as he did as a Florida Gator. Although he’s built like a corner, he’s not a straight coverage guy due to his not-so-smooth back pedal.

Read more…

Scouting The Linebackers: Class of 2013

Here’s a look at the top sophomore linebacker prospects entering the 2010 season.

1. Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State (Inside Linebacker) – Ranked by many as the top schoolboy linebacker coming out of Centennial High School in California, Burfict made the Sun Devil faithful jump for joy when he signed on the dotted line and became the highest-ranked recruit to commit to the Pac-10 school. For the most part the true-freshman middle linebacker didn’t disappoint, finishing second on Arizona State with his 69 tackles (40 solo), seven tackles for loss, five pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. He also led the squad with a pair of fumble recoveries. Checking in at 6’3” and 245 pounds the Sun Devil already looks like an NFL MIKE, so if he is able to add some

Read more…

2011 NFL Draft Watch #33: Brandon Harris

 

The countdown continues and our number thirty-three prospect in college football is…

Cornerback Brandon Harris, Miami (Junior):

The Skinny: This Miami man is a do-everything, versatile cornerback that may lack an elite ceiling. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate this jack-of-all-trades even if he is a master of none. NFL defensive coordinators will instantly fall in love with his ability to contribute in all situations. Combine that versatility with his leadership, love of the game, reputation as being coachable, and the fact that he brings it on every down and you get a player we believe should have a long and profitable professional career. The only questions are whether Harris will declare following the 2010 or 2011 season…and if he does, how high will he go?

Read more…

USC In Danger of Losing Seantrel Henderson?

From Pioneer Press:

When heralded football signee Seantrel Henderson from Cretin-Derham Hall didn’t show up as scheduled last week for orientation at the University of Southern California, new coach Lane Kiffin, recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, offensive line coach James Cregg and top assistant Monte Kiffin took a private jet to the Twin Cities on Monday to make sure the 6-foot-8, 330-pound left tackle still was committed.

In the wake of NCAA penalties to USC that include no bowl appearances for the next two seasons, as well as the loss of 30 scholarships over the next three years, there has been conjecture that Henderson has reconsidered his commitment to USC and that Miami and Ohio State could be back in the hunt.

Reached Tuesday, Henderson’s father, Sean, had no comment, and Seantrel, who some day could be a first-round NFL draft pick, did not return phone

Read more…

USC In Danger of Losing Seantrel Henderson?

From Pioneer Press:

When heralded football signee Seantrel Henderson from Cretin-Derham Hall didn’t show up as scheduled last week for orientation at the University of Southern California, new coach Lane Kiffin, recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, offensive line coach James Cregg and top assistant Monte Kiffin took a private jet to the Twin Cities on Monday to make sure the 6-foot-8, 330-pound left tackle still was committed.

In the wake of NCAA penalties to USC that include no bowl appearances for the next two seasons, as well as the loss of 30 scholarships over the next three years, there has been conjecture that Henderson has reconsidered his commitment to USC and that Miami and Ohio State could be back in the hunt.

Reached Tuesday, Henderson’s father, Sean, had no comment, and Seantrel, who some day could be a first-round NFL draft pick, did not return phone

Read more…

Scouts Question Evan Royster’s Speed

From PennLive.com:

If Evan Royster hopes to become the first Penn State running back to get drafted in the first round since 2003, a weekend in February could be more important than any Saturday in the fall.

There’s not much left for Royster to do on the field. Barring injury, Royster, who has 2,918 career rushing yards, will pass Curt Warner and his 3,398 career yards to become the all-time leading rusher in Penn State history.

With consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a career 6.1 yards per carry, NFL scouts are well aware of Royster’s productivity. Playing in the black-and-blue, better-bring-your-chinstrap Big Ten, there are few questions about Royster’s ability to take a pounding.

There are, however, concerns about Royster’s top-end speed. And it won’t be until February’s NFL Scouting Combine and Penn State’s March pro day that he will have the opportunity to answer those

Read more…

NFL: Derrick Morgan Slowed By Ailments

Tennessee Titans rookie DL Derrick Morgan hasn’t been able to make much of an impression this offseason, according to John Glennon, of The Tennessean. He strained a hamstring on his first day of summer workouts and later injured his calf, leaving him unable to perform at top speed. The Titans had hoped Morgan would be back at full speed for the final week of offseason workouts, but Morgan has been inactive. “We could choose to get him out here and try to do the drills and subject him to a setback potentially,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “(But) we decided we’re just going to wait. We’d rather have him training 100 percent in the month of July and coming to camp.”

All Access Radio: Interview With Lee Suggs

In this episode we go All Access with Oberlin College Coach Lee Suggs!

Selected by the Cleveland Browns in 2003 and also spending time with the Miami Dolphins, Lee Suggs showed flashes of potential before succumbing to injuries in the pros. After his stint in the NFL, Suggs now finds himself in the coaching ranks at Division III Oberlin College.

All Access Football Host Rick Serritella goes one-on-one with the Hokies legend, as they discuss how he began his coaching career, some of his coaching influences and aspirations of one day becoming a head coach.

Virginia Tech’s all-time touchdown leader also comments on what it was like to play for Nick Saban, what he thinks about performance-enhancing drugs in the NFL and whether or not he’s been keeping tabs on Ryan Williams chasing down  the ‘TD LEE’ record!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Read more…

All Access Radio: Interview With Lee Suggs

In this episode we go All Access with Oberlin College Coach Lee Suggs!

Selected by the Cleveland Browns in 2003 and also spending time with the Miami Dolphins, Lee Suggs showed flashes of potential before succumbing to injuries in the pros. After his stint in the NFL, Suggs now finds himself in the coaching ranks at Division III Oberlin College.

All Access Football Host Rick Serritella goes one-on-one with the Hokies legend, as they discuss how he began his coaching career, some of his coaching influences and aspirations of one day becoming a head coach.

Virginia Tech’s all-time touchdown leader also comments on what it was like to play for Nick Saban, what he thinks about performance-enhancing drugs in the NFL and whether or not he’s been keeping tabs on Ryan Williams chasing down  the ‘TD LEE’ record!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Read more…