working

ADVERTISERS

Sports Outside the Beltway

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #42- New England(From Chicago through Tampa Bay and Oakland)- TE Rob Gronkowski

From NFL.com- Gronkowski made an immediate impact when he arrived at the University of Arizona and has been a standout tight end when he has been healthy enough to stay on the field. Unfortunately he has missed a total of 16 games over the past two years due to injuries or illness. He has an elite combination of size, speed and athleticism for the position and while he lacks great downfield speed he can be an effective receiver at virtually all levels of the passing tree. He is a tough, no nonsense type of blocker but still needs some work on his blocking techniques. If he can stay healthy he could provide a team with a quality starting tight end.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #41- Buffalo- DT Terell Troup DT

The third South Florida player taken in the first 41 selections.

From NFL.com- Troup was a productive three-year starter for the Central Florida defense. He is a short, bulky interior defender who flashes initial quickness in the middle. He shows natural power to hold the point versus the run as well as push the pocket as a pass rusher. He needs to expand his pass-rush package with more counter moves. He lacks range outside the tackle box and can be inconsistent to shed blockers quickly. Troup will fit best as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defensive scheme with enough tools to develop.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #40- Miami Dolphins(From Seattle through San Diego)- LB Koa Misi

I didn’t expect this guy. Mel K on ESPN likes him. Also note this is the 2nd straight year the Dolphins took a Utah player in the 2nd round of the draft(Sean Smith last year).

NFL.com writes- Misi has good size and strength for the linebacker position. He has played both with his hand in the dirt as well as in a stand up position. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor that will fit best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Misi will need some work reading route progressions and will be a liability in pure man coverage. Wright is an aggressive defender that attacks the line of scrimmage to disrupt the run as well as rush the passer effectively. Misi is a good football player that will take some time to transition into the linebacker position, but should contribute on special teams as well as a backup as a rookie.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #39- Tampa Bay(From Oakland)- WR Arrelious Benn

The Buccaneers trade up.

NFL.com writes- Benn is a big receiver with above average speed who can be equally effective catching the ball underneath and in traffic or on the deep seam routes. He has good ball skills as well as leaping ability, which allows him to go up and high-point his catches when in traffic. He will struggle to track and adjust to deep balls that are thrown off target. He is a little stiff in his hips and tends to telegraph his cuts to defenders but shows a good burst coming out of his break. He needs to refine his route-running and setting defenders up but has enough talent to be a threat as a team’s second receiver.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #38- Cleveland- S T.J. Ward

The Dolphins need help at Safety and just their poor luck a run on that position takes place just before they pick. Note- This is also second defensive back selection for the Browns.

NFL.com writes- Ward was a two-year starter for the Ducks but has missed some time throughout his career with injuries. Lacks great height but has the strength, toughness, athleticism and instincts to play the safety position. Ward has shown some versatility in the secondary, playing on the perimeter as well as safety. He runs well, showing good range from center field as well as good lateral agility and quickness to navigate through traffic. He is a solid run-support player, keeping leverage in space and is a reliable tackler. He understands angles and is rarely out of position, anticipating break points well in the passing game. He doesn’t have elite speed but shows enough athleticism to be effective off the hash as well as out of centerfield. Ward is a good football player who lacks height but should contribute on special teams, as well as providing valuable depth in his rookie season.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #37- Philadelphia- S Nathaniel Allen

NFL.com writes- Allen has been an excellent safety for the Bulls. He has a good combination of size and athleticism. He isn’t a consistent physical open field tackler and needs to finish better at the next level. Allen has good balance, foot agility and quickness for his size. He shows good range in pursuit but needs to be more consistent taking angles to the ball. Allen understands leverage and is rarely out of position when defending both the run and the pass. He can re-route receivers with his long arms and is technique sound in combination man and zone coverages. Allen is a good football player that has the mental toughness, size and athleticism to work into a starting position in his rookie season.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #36- Kansas City- RB McCluster

The Chiefs look to be sticking with Matt Cassell. NFL.com writes- Undersized for the running back position and may end up being a wide receiver or return specialist at the next level. McCluster got a lot of all purpose yardage as a combination running back/receiver in Mississippi’s offense. He has had ball security issues over the years and needs to prove he can avoid turnovers if he wants to prove a player his size can contribute. He has the speed to turn a short dump off pass into a long touchdown with just a single missed tackle. While he is a bit of a luxury item, some team is apt to take a chance that he can contribute in situations.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #35- Tampa Bay- DT Brian Price

The first huh pick of Round 2. Tampa has taken two defensive tackles so far in the draft.

NFL.com writes- Price is a short, powerfully built interior defender that has been a disruptive force for UCLA’s defense over the past three seasons. Price penetrates the line of scrimmage with good quickness and anticipation. He is best when in a stunting mode, but is adept at holding the point in base schemes. Price has strong hands to control and leverage blockers while maintaining gap responsibilities. Price is a solid pass rusher that can bull rush with good power or counter with a variety of pass rush moves. Price is a good football player that lacks typical height for the position but should fit well in 4-3 schemes and is regarded as a top five defensive tackle in the 2010 draft.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #34- Minnesota- CB Chris Cook

The first pick for the Vikings.

NFL.com writes- Cook has excellent size and strength for the position. He lacks great burst and pure speed to play out on an island in man coverage but is versatile enough to be effective as a rolled up defender or move inside to the safety position. Cook uses his hands well to re-route receivers off the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t have the lateral agility and quickness to stay in a top receiver’s hip pocket and he may be a liability in some schemes. Cook is a solid run support defender and an active player versus both the run and pass. Cook has great instincts and feel for route progression to make plays on the ball. His size, toughness and versatility makes him a valued commodity in this year’s draft.

 

NFL Draft 2010 – Round 2 #33- St. Louis- OT Rodger Saffold

Day 2 is under way.

NFL.com writes- Saffold is a good collegiate lineman who started at left tackle for three consecutive years at Indiana. He lacks the massive stature that teams are looking for in a left tackle and may be lacking a step in quickness to play on the left side but should be able to find a home on the right side or even inside at guard. He has above-average initial quickness and does a good job of getting a fit with his hands to control and steer opponents on by the hole or pocket. He understands blocking angles and does a good job of recognizing stunts and twists up front and keeps his head on a swivel when in pass pro. While he doesn’t really jump off the screen at you, the end result is that he consistently gets the job done and often makes it look pretty easy.

 
 


Visitors Since Feb. 4, 2003

All original content copyright 2003-2008 by OTB Media. All rights reserved.