Raiders tab LB in fourth round
By Steve Corkran
Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at 10:47 am in Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders selected San Diego State outside linebacker Miles Burris with the 129th pick of the NFL draft Saturday. He joins offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom as the newest members of the Raiders.
Burris, 6-feet-2 and 245 pounds, is a well-regarded player who shined for the Aztecs during a standout four-year career. He recorded 72 tackles — 19 for loss — including eight sacks, and recovered three fumbles last season.
He seems to fit the kind of players general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen covet, those that have a strong passion for the game.
“I’m a very versatile player and I pride myself on being tough and playing through every game and practice, no matter how I feel and no matter what’s going on with my body,” Burris said in a conference call with Bay Area media. “But I’m an explosive and powerful player and I just love the game. I love the violence of it and I just love to go out and compete.”
Numerous pre-draft projections have Burris with the ability to develop into a starter in the NFL. For now, he is expected to compete for playing time with the likes of Philip Wheeler, Aaron Curry and Travis Goethel.
Burris played strong-side linebacker at San Diego State. However, he is versatile enough to play inside, if needed. He excels as a blizter and in pass coverage.
Burris said in a conference call that he played in a 3-3-5 scheme at San Diego State that allowed him to play all over the field, including lined up on a tight end and blitzing.
He added that the Raiders told him that he will be looked at as an outside linebacker from the outset.
“I was able to line up all over the field, blitz off the edge, line up on the tight end, outside of the box, inside the box, blitz from the inside, play Tampa 2 coverage,” Burris said, “so I got to do a little bit of everything and I think that’s kind of what helped and worked for me in this draft.”
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April 28th, 2012 at 10:48 am
Burris is a perfect player for a hybrid system.
Wonder if Wheeler will see time at WLB with Burris at SLB.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:48 am
nice pick, Reggie!!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:49 am
Solid!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:49 am
Anyone know anything about his strengths?
April 28th, 2012 at 10:49 am
I hope he excels at the COLI!!!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Burris!! Chapman next!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
If you like the kid, you take him where you have him rated. Draft day isn’t the time to second guess your big board.
+++++
So you can see the raiders big board???
April 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
I’m excited again!!!! No lefty, it has nothing to do with having him on my list. I just think he is a good fit. A LB who can rush the passer.
Great Pick!!
He is an AZTEC!!!!!! Go Aztecs!!!!!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Thec Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 10:49 am
A 4th round compensatory pick is basically a 5th round pick.
++++++++++
Disagree…The pick i had in mind was our rd 5 (33)168, not quite the same as a 4th rounder…
April 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
“He excels as a blizter and in pass coverage.”
Just now saw Steve’s statement.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:51 am
Raider O….We were just chopping it up bout thid kid like 3 weeks ago…Im juiced we picked him p…Easily 1 of my favorite players in the draft and was a huge sleeper
April 28th, 2012 at 10:51 am
Raiders can actually trade this next pick.
weird, huh?
April 28th, 2012 at 10:52 am
I wanted burris howerver, not 4th rounder…Good pick up kid can play, suseptable against the pass and in space…
April 28th, 2012 at 10:52 am
This kid was one of my favorite value picks in the draft, too. Will be a very good player.
Next up? Who knows. Sammy Brown, DeQuan Menzie, Terrell Manning are all still on the board. As is Chapman.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:52 am
From Greg Cossell, NFL films:
Diamonds in the rough.
Miles Burris:
The San Diego State linebacker was one of my favorite players to watch on tape. I loved his intense, urgent playing style.
He primarily aligned outside on the right, almost always in a two-point stance, but was at times utilized as a movable chess piece all over the defense.
Burris was not a quick-twitch, sudden athlete, but he played with balance, body control and play speed. He was more of a speed/power rusher than a bend-the-edge/quickness rusher.
I’m struggling to transition him to a specific position in the NFL.
Can he be a rush linebacker? He might be too small, and lack flexibility and burst off the edge. Is he a strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 base defense? A middle linebacker?.
I don’t know yet, but Burris will play in the NFL.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:53 am
He just gained 1000 followed on Twitter ..has a shirtless avitar…Conceited!!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:53 am
Steal
April 28th, 2012 at 10:53 am
Thec Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 10:52 am
I wanted burris howerver, not 4th rounder…Good pick up kid can play, suseptable against the pass and in space…
===============
A 4th round compensatory pick is basically a 5th round pick.
If you like the kid, you take him where you have him rated. Draft day isn’t the time to second guess your big board.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:53 am
NFL network refuses to talk about the Raiders. They go to commercial or talk about RGIII
April 28th, 2012 at 10:54 am
John Dickinson @JDJohnDickinson
#Raiders LB Miles Burris calls himself and explosive player who “loves the violence of it”
April 28th, 2012 at 10:54 am
what a bunch of backclappers, have you all caught some Harrera..
April 28th, 2012 at 10:55 am
1960AutumnWind Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Re-post for article – from Ravens perspective….
Ohioraider Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Interesting article:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1127936-baltimore-ravens-why-the-ravens-could-make-miles-burris-the-steal-of-the-draft
***************************
One correction:
“The next great RAIDERS linebacker” Ha Ha Ha…
Out of nowhere again.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:55 am
sorry i’m late on this topic, but Leinart sucks!!
camp arm & #3 QB that knows Knapp’s offense
gotta have a clipboard holder and Carson is already Matt’s buddy
April 28th, 2012 at 10:55 am
A 4th round compensatory pick is basically a 5th round pick.
If you like the kid, you take him where you have him rated. Draft day isn’t the time to second guess your big board.
++++++++++===
Disagree…The pick i had in mind was our rd 5 (33)168, not quite the same as a 4th rounder…
But of course you can see theraiders big board right???
April 28th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Two extemely productive players
April 28th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Good player, probably could have traded down and still picked him.
Bergstorm is just what the Doctor ordered!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Goethel is officially toastel.
Curry’s snaps should be in jeopardy as well.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Purple,
I know bro. I’m really excited!!!
Go Raiders!!!!!!!!!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:57 am
I could have written that bleachers report articlele..take it with a grain of salt.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:57 am
HairyBush Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 10:53 am
NFL network refuses to talk about the Raiders. They go to commercial or talk about RGIII
===========================================
They’re not really talking about ANY of the current picks now.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:57 am
I’m sold on Burris. Reggie wanted an OLB and he got him. I’m sold on Bergstrom too but I must confess, drafting Bergstrom had to grow on me mainly because I was surprised and had been blogging on and off all night waiting to see our #95 pick. I was waiting for Reggie to draft Chapman.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:57 am
15. Reggie Mac once again shows that he likes versatile players.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:58 am
12 picks to go … CHAPMAN !!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Riff,
If you are still reading, I like to know what you think of Burris.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Disagree…The pick i had in mind was our rd 5 (33)168, not quite the same as a 4th rounder…
But of course you can see theraiders big board right???
=============
Evidently, because the Raiders are picking the player they think is best. Why would they do anything else with only five late-round picks in the entire draft?
April 28th, 2012 at 10:58 am
I’m hoping either Nick Jean Baptiste will be 1 of our pick ups but also look out for Tim Fugger
April 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Chapman to Colts!
Is Massaquoi still available?
April 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Good pick by McK by taking Burris at that spot at end of the 4th. I would have figured Burris would have been looked at in Round 5, but McK liked at that spot ahead of Manning and Lewis at OLB.
Burris highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VapULyU56To&feature=related
April 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
I like that Fugger!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Yes, Massaquoi at 148, I hope.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
I’m just happy the Raiders drafted one of my favorite players in this draft. Versatile, hard-working, has a mean streak, scheme-diverse.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
I love the way Burris celebrates after he makes a big play He’s got intensity. He’s fast and violent.
I think it’s a great pick.
A steal.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Great article on Mile Burriss:
“Miles Burris officially bench-pressed 225 pounds 31 times at the NFL scouting combine, good for third-best among all linebackers. Unofficially? Thirty-four reps. And that would’ve been second. His last three didn’t count since he lifted his rear off the bench.
Still, this exercise may not be a true indicator of how strong Burris is.
“At 225, compared to what I can bench, that’s really not one of my strengths,” he said. “I’ve benched 455 before. For somebody that can bench that much, I probably should be able to do a little more on the reps.”
He’s strong and he can jump. Burris’ vertical leap of 37 1/2″ ranked fourth at his position.
The week in Indianapolis was a glimpse at Burris’ versatility.
San Diego State’s defense required him to play both the inside and outside positions.
Thus, Burris believes he can play any LB position in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. The Aztecs have produced five NFL linebackers the last seven years. Burris is next in line.
While his lack of experience in man coverage hurts his stock, the 245-pounder’s ability to handle different positions could warrant a mid-round selection.
“For me, I pride myself on football knowledge,” said Burris, who had 72 tackles and eight sacks last season.
“I have a pretty good understanding of the game — of coverages and where people fit. It’s on to me, when I get into a camp, to get into the playbook and try to not only understand the position they’re going to have me in but the overall concept of the defense and why people do what they do.”
Burris did meet with the Green Bay Packers in Indianapolis and could be an option.
“With the Packers, I’m not sure what my role would be with them but I did talk with them at the Combine,” he said.
“I really do believe I can play any linebacker spot in a 4-3 or a 3-4.”
At his pro day, he ran a 4.67 in the 40 and was in the 6.80-6.85 range in the three-cone drill prompting Burris to do a backflip in excitement.
Burris had been an inside linebacker his whole life before this past season, when coaches moved him to the outside. Above all, he plays with tenacity and strength. In addition to his 455-pound bench, Burris has also squatted 650 pounds.
The concern? Coverage.
Burris admits he never had to play much man coverage in college.
The scheme called for him to play inside and outside, but he didn’t have to match up on tight ends in space.
Considering NFL offenses are built on finding mismatches — especially with bigger, faster, stronger tight ends — he’ll need to improve this part of his game.
However, he does say his weight-room strength does help on the field. He shouldn’t be overwhelmed.
“Shedding blocks is where I notice it the most,” Burris said.
“When a big guy tries to engage you, you can give them that pop and separate. You have the strength to grab on and stroll off at the end. It has definitely worked for me.”
April 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@JFB
its pronounced GAYthel, and he’s the only downhill player we’ve got at LB!!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Reggie got himself a poormans clay matthews.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
oh well there goes chapman….guess he wasn’t that high on Reg’s board…
April 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
3-4 Ilb!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
RaiderRockstar Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 10:58 am
12 picks to go … CHAPMAN !!
*************
12 picks to go trade down for a 3rd next year???
April 28th, 2012 at 11:01 am
LMN, Du bit immer so Schadenfreude, aber es mach nichts. Der ist ein Raider.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Damn Champman to dolts
April 28th, 2012 at 11:02 am
Colts got a great value for Chapman. He’ll be a key cog in their 3-4.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:02 am
# YoungAmerican Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
I’m just happy the Raiders drafted one of my favorite players in this draft. Versatile, hard-working, has a mean streak, scheme-diverse.
^^^^^^^^
Yep!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:02 am
Meant to say Chumpman
April 28th, 2012 at 11:02 am
Broncos get Malik Jackson now. Good pick for them.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:02 am
please get us Billy Wynn!!!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:02 am
I knew the colts would take a DT. Son of a…. Travis Lewis??
April 28th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Key points:
“For me, I pride myself on football knowledge,” said Burris, who had 72 tackles and eight sacks last season.
“I have a pretty good understanding of the game — of coverages and where people fit. It’s on to me, when I get into a camp, to get into the playbook and try to not only understand the position they’re going to have me in but the overall concept of the defense and why people do what they do.”
“I really do believe I can play any linebacker spot in a 4-3 or a 3-4.”
——————————————————
Reminds me of Teddy Bruschi.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Need to go DLine or CB next, Massaquoi or Josh Norman.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Wow. Broncos having a solid draft. Oooff!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:03 am
So Chapman lasts until Round 5. That knee must have worse than we thought.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Wanted Alameda not Chapman – I was worried about durability with that guy…
April 28th, 2012 at 11:04 am
crap, Indy gets Chapman. 1st pick in RD5!!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Chapman will be out the league soon.
These teams check out these guys at length, and I surmise by his draft spot, his knees are busted.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:04 am
If Josh Norman still there it will be an opportunity to trade out for a team wanting to swoop in.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Terrell Manning or DeQuan Menzie would be my top choices. Wonder what Reggie is thinking.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:05 am
For Round 5, we take Josh Kaddu and Hebron Fangupo. Book it (maybe).
April 28th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Cam Johnson is still available too?
Johnson or Massaquoi!!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Reggie isn’t drafting players that aren’t high character or injured players. No burfict.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Sammy Brown could also be in play.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Cam Johnson would provide much-needed depth at DE. Heard there are some health and conditioning concerns, though.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Is it safe to say that Reg has drafted two potential starters?
April 28th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Reggie has drafted two white dude….is he racist? This isn’y hockey for cripes sake!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Mossaqiuo, Johnson, Jones, Winn or Polk potential next Raider picks?
April 28th, 2012 at 11:08 am
When the NFL Draft finally rolls around, the Ravens will be looking long and hard for pass rushers and inside linebackers.
With Miles Burris, the Ravens could kill two birds with one stone, acquiring both a fearsome pass rusher and a solid inside linebacker prospect.
Burris, an outside linebacker for San Diego State, has all the markings of a Ravens linebacker. He is explosive and a superior athlete, but most importantly, he lives, eats and breathes football.
In describing himself, Burris points to his explosion and power as his defining characteristics on the field, and it shows in his tape. He genuinely looks like the best athlete on the field.
He also references his passion for the game, saying, “I love the violence of the game, I love to compete and I want to win.”
That passion is perhaps the most important facet of any prospect on the Ravens’ radar, and Burris is definitely on the Ravens’ radar.
Sports Illustrated analyst Tony Pauline tweeted: “Baltimore Ravens worked out Miles Burris/LB/San Diego State at pro-day. Used him as an inside linebacker which is interesting…”
Clearly the Ravens think highly of Burris if they conduct his pro day workout. Still, Burris has multiple suitors, including the Jaguars, Raiders, Saints, Buccaneers and Rams.
Despite being an under the radar prospect, Burris is attracting attention, especially after a pre-draft session that saw him bench 31 reps at the combine and run a 4.6 40 at his pro day.
The Ravens could certainly make good use of that kind of athleticism.
As a linebacker in SDSU’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme, Burris lined up all over the field. He points to his experience lining up over the tight end, dropping in zones and rushing of the edge as an example of his versatility, another facet that pro teams covet.
With that versatility and athleticism, Burris could line up at any of the Ravens’ four linebacker spots.
He has the strength to set the edge like Jarret Johnson once did, he has the explosion to rush the passer like Terrell Suggs and he has the movement skills and technique to play on the inside, as well.
Further, his athleticism makes him an ideal special teams candidate. The Ravens have been committed to special teams this offseason, and Burris would be a huge contributor in the facet of the game.
In the end, though, his fire for the game is what will keep Burris firmly on some teams’ radar.
In speaking with him, that fire came through very clearly as he closed his comments, saying, “I love the game of football, I want to keep playing as long as I can and I want to make it happen.”
Right now, Burris looks like a fifth or sixth round prospect, but he plays like an NFL linebacker, and that kind of ability is invaluable.
If the Ravens come down with him on draft day, he could carry the torch as the next great Ravens’ linebacker. That would make him, without question, the steal of the draft.
All quotes obtained first-hand unless otherwise noted.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Blanton to Vikes. Good pick for them.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Surprised Minni did not take Norman…
April 28th, 2012 at 11:09 am
I should say, Blanton to Vikes would be a good pick assuming they’re A) looking at him as a FS, B) abandoning the Tampa 2.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:09 am
I’ll take Massaquoi at 148
April 28th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Stanford’s David Shaw, my pick for Raiders Head Coach, on NFLN, bright guy, will be a fine NFL HC soon.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:09 am
please let this freakin’ nightmare end. Reggie get eff out!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Raider O Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Cam Johnson is still available too?
Johnson or Massaquoi!!
++++
Agreed Cam Johnson > massaquoi
April 28th, 2012 at 11:10 am
PeymourGlen, here is a Denv Bronco fan. Make sure and talk about this for 5 years!
_____
DKnight007 Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Wow. Broncos having a solid draft. Oooff!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:10 am
new post
April 28th, 2012 at 11:10 am
Burris!!!
Burris!!!
Burris!!!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:11 am
what about alphonzo dennard. played opposite prince amakamura. pretty high grade for still being there. projected as a 2nd rounder in some mocks
April 28th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Dakota,
was laughing at that last night.
Kell must be coming unglued.
Again, Reggie is putting together a MC Grand Master Flash O-line (White Lines)
April 28th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Good depth
April 28th, 2012 at 11:11 am
I think the Raiders reached up a little for Burris but he would have probably been gone by the 13th pick in the 5th. I guess they did not want to risk it. I wonder if teams devalued him some because of SD’s overall poor defense?
April 28th, 2012 at 11:11 am
The Raiders don’t have an elite player that can pressure the pocket from the edge, and it appears that they didn’t think they were going to get one, going back to even the few months before the draft.
It seems that Allen and Tarver are going to trying and create that pressure differently, by using the linebackers more aggressively. Wheeler mentioned it right after he signed, and Burris seems to be the type of player that would do well in that kind of scheme.
This pick (and Wheeler’s comments) speaks to an attacking style. I hope so.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@ 64….Norman needs to be our guy!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Reggie staying away from dirty south guys…good idea Reg
April 28th, 2012 at 11:15 am
RAIDERS:
Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie on LB Miles Burris: “Tough, instinctive, versatile.” [via Twitter]
April 28th, 2012 at 11:15 am
there goes Chapman to the horsies! lame.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:16 am
BigMac should have moved up for the guy!
anyone think he’ll take a flier on Burfict?
April 28th, 2012 at 11:16 am
Josh Norman ain’t a dirty south guy….a student of the game….best ball skills of any DB in this draft….
April 28th, 2012 at 11:17 am
If slow cant cut it….
April 28th, 2012 at 11:17 am
Hmm…which D player is more scheme diverse between Mossaquio, Johnson, Winn, Manning?
Or does McK look best offensive player on the board like Jones or Polk?
April 28th, 2012 at 11:18 am
He looks like he’s got a great motor, like Phil Villapiano, who is probably jumping up and down right about now, although this guy looks very, very fast. Like his hustle on running down the opponent downfield–doesn’t quit.
This is the high intensity motor we wanted in our first rounder mlb, you-know-who, and which, it seems, we didn’t get.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:20 am
Book it, Burris will turn out to be the best LB the Raiders have had since Romo was breaking jaws in oaktown
April 28th, 2012 at 11:20 am
97. he should go more D … it would be wise to
BTW, saw you talking about Buffalo Wild wings in Dublin… im there pretty much every day for happy hour! talked to Hendu when he was there… cool guy wish he wasn’t so damn old and beat up! we wouldn’t need someone like Chapman if he was still in good health.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:20 am
Burris is a real “Boar Hunter”…LMAO, book it
April 28th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Burris seems like a winner. if he can cover and rush the passer well, he’s cool. Wheeler will be for running downs to start out with. lets hope he can match his 84+ tackles that he had last year with us in 2012
April 28th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Raider O,
I love the pick. I think AIG summed it up perfectly, he’s a poor mans clay matthews. that is a hell of a compliment.
he’s athletic, but he obviously also loves football otherwise the gut wouldnt have picked him. its just a damn solid pick. this guy will make curry and romac better.
and he’s versatile as it gets so you know he is intelligent.
safteys need to have instinct
cornerbacks need to be clever
dlineman need to have motors
and linebackers need to be smart
burris was a great pick for our new hybrid defensive scheme.
Im liking Reggie. He’s made both the picks I wanted. Honestly, I’d like to see him waste a pick on Burfict now if the guy is available late. Like said earlier, late rounders have about a 9% success rate and with his upside, I think its worth the risk being that our LB corps is no longer seeming so thin. Burris wasnt just a LB pickup, he IS going to play for us. As will wheeler, curry, and romac. We officially have a starting LB corps. I say bringing in a Burfict type guy will now create some healthy competition in that group.
LB’s and lineman from here on out and we will look good going into the free agent signing period.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Marley, david shaw is legit. his dad was the best d-cordinator weve had in my lifetime.
boss01, good call on the boar hunter. i’d love to hear romonowskis take on our picks so far.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Lb s dl
April 28th, 2012 at 11:25 am
yes O his highlights indicate he’s a VERY GOOD TACKLER.. something the Raiders have lacked for a while. makes good angles on the ball carrier. very nice pick indeed.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:29 am
something tells me he’s not going to get a DT with his remaining picks. he’ll wait for UDFA … there’s been more than a few that have succeeded… such as Desmond Bryant!
April 28th, 2012 at 11:30 am
On the clock baybe
April 28th, 2012 at 11:31 am
DE from BSU
April 28th, 2012 at 11:33 am
Trade?
April 28th, 2012 at 11:33 am
pick traded to lions hmmm, what we get in return
April 28th, 2012 at 11:34 am
We now select at 158
April 28th, 2012 at 11:35 am
probably a 6th in return
April 28th, 2012 at 11:36 am
Traded back?
April 28th, 2012 at 11:37 am
They never talk about the raiders
April 28th, 2012 at 11:39 am
xraided Says:
April 28th, 2012 at 11:35 am
probably a 6th in return
=======================
RT @CorkOnTheNFL: #Raiders trade pick No. 148 to the Detroit Lions for No. 158 and No. 230 in this year’s draft. [via Twitter]
April 28th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Hebron Fangupo NT/DT BYU
Miles Burris, LB, S.D. St. GOT HIM ALREADY!
Terrell Manning, LB, North Carolina St.
Johnathan Massaquioi, DE, Troy St.
April 28th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Jack Crawford Penn St. DE recommended by Little Wiz
April 28th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
04/04/2012 – I really enjoy asking some retired football people to grade some players for me this time of year. They aren’t tainted by the media reputations formulated about players, They simply watch a lot of game tape without former knowledge and then we discuss what they watched. This week I had an old secondary player/coach watch many of the wide receivers in the 2012 draft class. I knew he would like Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon and Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd, but who else would jump out at the old pro? As my old boss, the late Dick Steinberg would say “pay attention to the scout that has a different opinion than all the rest
of the evaluators. Maybe we should restudy the guy and try and see what he sees.” What if I told you there is a wide receiver that at 6′3″, 225 lbs. and could jump 39 inches vertically, which in basketball terms means his elbows are above the rim. He has bigger hands than Justin Blackmon, and even though he has 209 receptions and 32 touchdowns in his career, he is thought of as a fourth- or fifth-round pick because of a 40 time. The former scout/coach came to me for discussion with the following report: The wide receiver has good hands, good open field skills, quick feet, plays hard, gets open, competes for the ball and is more than a willing blocker. He is a good fit as a ‘Z’ in a west coast system. I had my old scout also evaluate Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd during the same session and he was still high on the mystery man. The receiver’s name is Juron Criner from Arizona, and his draft status ranges from the 10th-best receiver to not even in the top 20 according to some draft analysts. Some describe him as a guy with subpar straight line speed, relies too heavily on his size down field and inconsistent hands. Go back and look at the report on Marques Colston of the Saints from 2006 and it’s similar. That report was wrong and damaged Colston enough. – Pat Kirwan, CBS Sports