3rdandinches
Seasoned Veteran
First Things First
Re-Sign V.Carey OT/OG, Y.Bell SS, C.Crowder ILB
Shopping Spree
R.Willis OT - Gives us depth and if he proves that he's a starter we can move Carey inside. In 10 games as a starter he gave up 1.5 sacks on a pathetic Seattle team.
M.Austin WR - A big, young WR that has a chance to excel in our offense.
C.Cantry DE - More depth to the D-line, Chris is slowly becoming a dominant force at the end position. Holliday may end up being cut for cap space and being replaced by a younger player with alot more upside.
B.McFadden CB - Solid under the radar type CB whose outstanding in coverage and from a punishing 3/4 defense at Pitts.
OR
L.Bodden CB - One of the top press corners in the NFL, Leigh Bodden struggled last year because Matt Millen foolishly decided that Bodden could play in a zone scheme. I don't think this guy can ask too much when he's coming off a year where he didn't start, possibly a incentive ladden contract would be best.
2009 Draft
1. A.Mack C 6'4 315 Alex Mack continues his dominance on the field and atop these rankings. It's hard to imagine that he'll make it past the Cardinals, Steelers and Bills in the first round. Alex Mack nearly left for the NFL a year early. That's not surprising, as the unanimous All-Pac-10 first-teamer is the best center prospect in a long time. Mack is the top center in the draft. His ability to control the line of scrimmage is special, and he could be the rare center taken in the first round. He did nothing as a senior to hurt his stock, and he is still at the top of most center boards as April approaches. The best center prospect since Nick Mangold. If he were a tackle he would be a top 5-10 pick but centers don't carry the same value which is why you see him in the late 1st or early 2nd in most mocks. Solidified his hold on the #1 Center slot based on a great week at the Senior Bowl. Also proved he could play guard at the Senior Bowl.
This kid eat, sleeps and poops football, he plays along the same line as J.Long does. He gives us more depth by allowing Satele to fight it out as a guard and at worst Satele is a backup C/G.
2. R.Ayers OLB 6'3 273 Robert Ayers had a monstrous senior campaign and was consequently named to the All-SEc First Team. Ayers collected just three sacks, but had 15.5 TFL. Strong Vs. the Run, Quick off the Ball, Showed he can get After the QB.
Rising up the draft boards as a strong DE that would play SOLB in our defense. Huge kid with excellent speed just what the doctor ordered.
2. K.Urbik G 6'5 323 Urbik has the size of a tackle and the game of a guard. He is a physical lineman that can overpower defenders at the point of attack. Urbik doesn’t just control them, he locks on and rides them until the whistle blows. He makes sure his man will not be in on the play. He has decent footwork in a short area, and has the ability to neutralize his man in pass protection. Versatile, Strong, Tough and Nasty Blocker.
This kid is another physical Olineman that will come into camp battling for a starting position.
3. C.Francis CB 6'0 180 An All-WAC second-teamer who has a troubled past. Francies had 69 tackles, three picks, 3.5 TFL and three passes broken up. He could sneak into the third round. Excellent size/speed combination for a corner. Likes to play bump 'n run. Has good hips and is able to turn and run with receivers. Displays good coverage awareness and ball skills. Had a great week at the Senior Bowl and is among the fast rising corners in the draft.
Solid CB that is given a year to develope and then replace W.Allen, physical player with real solid size.
4. J.Brinkley ILB 6'2 270 5/11/08: Jasper Brinkley was a late first, early second-round prospect before suffering a nasty injury during the 2007 season. He has to prove himself all over again this year. Brinkley is a beast in between the tackles. He has tremendous size and is a force against the run. His size and power make it difficult for blockers to move him out of hole to open up running lanes. Brinkley shows the ability to occupy a blocker then shed when the action comes his way. He is quick in a short area and is aggressive filling the hole, and should be a fantastic run stopper in the NFL. A member of the All-SEC First Team, Brinkley is a monstrous linebacker who has a nose for the quarterback and with his size and pass rushing skill he could also play some defensive end. Could be a good fit for a 3-4 as an inside or outside backer due to his unique combination of size and quickness.
I believe Jasper becomes one of the best players on our defense in 3/4 years that opposing RB's will not want the ball in the 4th quarter of games.
5. D.Bruton FS 6'1 210 A team captain going into the 2008 season, David Bruton recorded 85 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions.A nose for the ball. Shows good awareness. Better than average athlete. Good tackler who excels against the run. A special teams contributor. Top athlete on the Notre Dame defense.
7. A.Hartline OT 6'5 295Andrew Hartline had big shoes to fill with Joe Staley heading to the NFL. It's safe to say that he performed well, earning a spot on the All-MAC second team. Hartline, an athletic lineman, anchored a front that yielded just 16 sacks.
7. M.Pryor NT 6'1 310Thanks to 11 TFL and 4.5 sacks, Myron Pryor was elected to the All-SEC Second Team.
7. A.Dixon NT 6'3 330 A monstrous nose tackle who was a third-round prospect on this chart until he suffered a knee injury last season. One of the largest run-stuffers in this class.
This offseason changes our team alot, our Oline that once was lacking depth and still had question marks at Guard now becomes our strength with competition everywhere for starting spots. We shore up the open holes at ILB and OLB with great size and strength.
The only position that still needs some more attention is the FS spot, I don't believe we can solve all our problems in one offseason but upgrading the trenches and CB spots allows us to get away with less at FS this year.
Two late round NT's to develope behind Fergy and Solai, NT's seem to be hard guys to draft and more late round guys seem to find their way into solid NFL'ers.
No huge signings in the FA market but a few that will bring us more bang for the buck. Cantry is entering his best years, McFadden or Bodden are really good CB's that won't break the bank but will be tremendous upgrades from Goodman last year.
Austin could be that diamound in the rough that our FO found last season in Fasano, there's no real risk but a great reward in this kid.
Re-Sign V.Carey OT/OG, Y.Bell SS, C.Crowder ILB
Shopping Spree
R.Willis OT - Gives us depth and if he proves that he's a starter we can move Carey inside. In 10 games as a starter he gave up 1.5 sacks on a pathetic Seattle team.
M.Austin WR - A big, young WR that has a chance to excel in our offense.
C.Cantry DE - More depth to the D-line, Chris is slowly becoming a dominant force at the end position. Holliday may end up being cut for cap space and being replaced by a younger player with alot more upside.
B.McFadden CB - Solid under the radar type CB whose outstanding in coverage and from a punishing 3/4 defense at Pitts.
OR
L.Bodden CB - One of the top press corners in the NFL, Leigh Bodden struggled last year because Matt Millen foolishly decided that Bodden could play in a zone scheme. I don't think this guy can ask too much when he's coming off a year where he didn't start, possibly a incentive ladden contract would be best.
2009 Draft
1. A.Mack C 6'4 315 Alex Mack continues his dominance on the field and atop these rankings. It's hard to imagine that he'll make it past the Cardinals, Steelers and Bills in the first round. Alex Mack nearly left for the NFL a year early. That's not surprising, as the unanimous All-Pac-10 first-teamer is the best center prospect in a long time. Mack is the top center in the draft. His ability to control the line of scrimmage is special, and he could be the rare center taken in the first round. He did nothing as a senior to hurt his stock, and he is still at the top of most center boards as April approaches. The best center prospect since Nick Mangold. If he were a tackle he would be a top 5-10 pick but centers don't carry the same value which is why you see him in the late 1st or early 2nd in most mocks. Solidified his hold on the #1 Center slot based on a great week at the Senior Bowl. Also proved he could play guard at the Senior Bowl.
This kid eat, sleeps and poops football, he plays along the same line as J.Long does. He gives us more depth by allowing Satele to fight it out as a guard and at worst Satele is a backup C/G.
2. R.Ayers OLB 6'3 273 Robert Ayers had a monstrous senior campaign and was consequently named to the All-SEc First Team. Ayers collected just three sacks, but had 15.5 TFL. Strong Vs. the Run, Quick off the Ball, Showed he can get After the QB.
Rising up the draft boards as a strong DE that would play SOLB in our defense. Huge kid with excellent speed just what the doctor ordered.
2. K.Urbik G 6'5 323 Urbik has the size of a tackle and the game of a guard. He is a physical lineman that can overpower defenders at the point of attack. Urbik doesn’t just control them, he locks on and rides them until the whistle blows. He makes sure his man will not be in on the play. He has decent footwork in a short area, and has the ability to neutralize his man in pass protection. Versatile, Strong, Tough and Nasty Blocker.
This kid is another physical Olineman that will come into camp battling for a starting position.
3. C.Francis CB 6'0 180 An All-WAC second-teamer who has a troubled past. Francies had 69 tackles, three picks, 3.5 TFL and three passes broken up. He could sneak into the third round. Excellent size/speed combination for a corner. Likes to play bump 'n run. Has good hips and is able to turn and run with receivers. Displays good coverage awareness and ball skills. Had a great week at the Senior Bowl and is among the fast rising corners in the draft.
Solid CB that is given a year to develope and then replace W.Allen, physical player with real solid size.
4. J.Brinkley ILB 6'2 270 5/11/08: Jasper Brinkley was a late first, early second-round prospect before suffering a nasty injury during the 2007 season. He has to prove himself all over again this year. Brinkley is a beast in between the tackles. He has tremendous size and is a force against the run. His size and power make it difficult for blockers to move him out of hole to open up running lanes. Brinkley shows the ability to occupy a blocker then shed when the action comes his way. He is quick in a short area and is aggressive filling the hole, and should be a fantastic run stopper in the NFL. A member of the All-SEC First Team, Brinkley is a monstrous linebacker who has a nose for the quarterback and with his size and pass rushing skill he could also play some defensive end. Could be a good fit for a 3-4 as an inside or outside backer due to his unique combination of size and quickness.
I believe Jasper becomes one of the best players on our defense in 3/4 years that opposing RB's will not want the ball in the 4th quarter of games.
5. D.Bruton FS 6'1 210 A team captain going into the 2008 season, David Bruton recorded 85 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions.A nose for the ball. Shows good awareness. Better than average athlete. Good tackler who excels against the run. A special teams contributor. Top athlete on the Notre Dame defense.
7. A.Hartline OT 6'5 295Andrew Hartline had big shoes to fill with Joe Staley heading to the NFL. It's safe to say that he performed well, earning a spot on the All-MAC second team. Hartline, an athletic lineman, anchored a front that yielded just 16 sacks.
7. M.Pryor NT 6'1 310Thanks to 11 TFL and 4.5 sacks, Myron Pryor was elected to the All-SEC Second Team.
7. A.Dixon NT 6'3 330 A monstrous nose tackle who was a third-round prospect on this chart until he suffered a knee injury last season. One of the largest run-stuffers in this class.
This offseason changes our team alot, our Oline that once was lacking depth and still had question marks at Guard now becomes our strength with competition everywhere for starting spots. We shore up the open holes at ILB and OLB with great size and strength.
The only position that still needs some more attention is the FS spot, I don't believe we can solve all our problems in one offseason but upgrading the trenches and CB spots allows us to get away with less at FS this year.
Two late round NT's to develope behind Fergy and Solai, NT's seem to be hard guys to draft and more late round guys seem to find their way into solid NFL'ers.
No huge signings in the FA market but a few that will bring us more bang for the buck. Cantry is entering his best years, McFadden or Bodden are really good CB's that won't break the bank but will be tremendous upgrades from Goodman last year.
Austin could be that diamound in the rough that our FO found last season in Fasano, there's no real risk but a great reward in this kid.
