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Strengths & Weaknesses Of Day Two Picks

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Kendall Langford
Selected by: Miami Dolphins
Round: 3 Pick (Overall): 3(66)
DE (6'5 ", 287, 4.95) HAMPTON
Scouts Grade: 69
Flags: (S: SPEED) Player lacks ideal speed at position

Strengths:
Has a great frame and shows the ability to play around 290 pounds. Displays a violent punch, has a mean streak and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly. At his best playing inside and taking on blocks. Can be very difficult to move when he stays low. Has experience lining up at defensive tackle and is versatile enough to slide inside as a 3-4 end in the NFL. Wraps up upon contact and is a reliable open field tackler. Is a relentless pass rusher and flashes the ability to fight though double teams. Use hands to protect legs, stays balanced and can get over cut blocks. Drives legs once engaged, shows adequate lower body strength and can push tackles back into the pocket. Looks to knock the ball loose when gets to the quarterback and is a ball hawk. Tall, jumps well and blocked a kick during 2006 season.

Weaknesses:
He lacks the burst and athletic ability to apply any consistent pressure as a pass rusher. Needs to know his role and must maintain bulk in order to be successful as a 3-4 end in the NFL. Plays far too high at times and can get driven off the ball. Lacks great awareness and doesn't always get hands up when isn't going to get to the quarterback.

Overall:
In Langford's first three seasons at Hampton (2004-'06), he appeared in 36 games (27 starts) and recorded 164 total tackles (42.5 for losses) and 18.5 sacks. As a senior in 2007, he started all 11 games and finished the season with 72 tackles (13.5 for losses), six sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. He began his career at defensive tackle, moving to right defensive end in 2005 before switching to the left side in '06. Playing at a small school obviously raises concerns about Langford's ability to make the leap to the NFL. He needs to become a more fundamentally sound run defender and learn to play with more consistent leverage. However, Langford has the frame, bulk and natural strength to take on blocks as a two-gap end in a 3-4 alignment. That's why we think the small-school product will not last long on Day 2 of the 2008 draft.

Shawn Murphy
Selected by: Miami Dolphins
Round: 4Pick (Overall): 11(110)OG (6'3", 320, 5.4) UTAH STATE
Flags: (S: SPEED) Player lacks ideal speed at position

Strengths:
Is tall with good bulk for his frame. Displays quick feet. Gets set quickly in pass pro and shows the ability to mirror and slide versus quicker pass rushers. Has a quick first step and can consistently get in position as a run blocker. Displays good range and can hit the moving target on the second level.

Weaknesses:
Is too much of a finesse player. Is not physical or tough enough for our liking. Lacks explosive power and does not show the ability to jar defenders with his hand punch. Does not get enough of a push in the run game. Needs to improve his footwork and hand placement. Awareness in pass pro is inconsistent. Plays with a narrow base and struggles to anchor versus more powerful bull rushers.

Overall:
Murphy went on a religious mission in Brazil from 2003-04. He enrolled and played one season at Dixie State CC in 2005. He transferred to Utah State in 2006 and went on to start in all 24 games for the Aggies as a junior and senior. A high school defensive end, Murphy played at left tackle in '06 before being moved to left guard in '07. He is the son of former Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy. Murphy played tackle at Utah State but projects as a guard in the NFL. He is a position-and-wall-off type blocker with good size and agility but marginal strength and toughness. Murphy has late-round value as a developmental project for teams willing to sacrifice power for agility.


Jalen Parmele
Selected by: Miami Dolphins
Round: 6Pick (Overall): 10(176)RB (5'11", 224, 4.469) TOLEDO
Scouts Grade: 33

Strengths:
Displays good patience along with solid vision when running between the tackles. Shows sound lateral movement near the line of scrimmage, finds cutback lanes and does a nice job of getting vertical after cuts. Displays natural ability to turn shoulder pads and get skinny when running through small openings. Does a sound job of keeping his feet churning upon contact and will fall forward to end runs. Finishes runs along boundary turning upfield for extra yards instead of dipping out of bounds. Shows good balance and shakes off would-be arm tacklers. Stays alert, plays with a mean streak and can cut blitzing linebackers to the ground when asked to help out in pass protection. Snatches the ball out of the air and isn't going to drop many passes that should catch. Has experience returning kickoffs, has flashed big-play potential in that role and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses:
Lacks prototypical power for a back with his size and is going to have problems pushing the pile in short-yardage situations. Isn't quick enough to turn the corner with any consistency in the NFL and lacks the second gear to outrun defenders when gets into space. Takes too long to change directions and isn't going to make many defenders. Lacks suddenness and isn't elusive enough to make defenders miss in the open field. Puts the ball on the ground too much and needs to work on pressure points as a ball carrier. Does not run efficient routes and will have trouble separating from man coverage at the next level.

Overall:
YOU CAN READ THE REST OF THE PLAYERS BIOS AT
http://thedolphininsider.blogspot.com/
 
Why are you missing so many picks? And Murphy didn't even give up a single QB hurry last year. That's amazing.. Now on to Donald Thomas-

http://www.nfldraft.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?sport=1&player=38854&type=scoutingreport#scouting

*2nd fastest lineman at the combine running a 5.00 forty !! He had the fastest 10 yard split of ANY lineman at the combine.. That's #1 for ALL offensive lineman at a time of 1.72..

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The Good: This former walk-on is very quick off the ball and explodes into his blocks. Thomas has a quick, strong hand punch that gives him an advantage and allows him to use his fine physical talents to carry out assignments. He has the athletic ability and strength to continue to progress as an NFL lineman.

The Bad: Thomas has ability, but he is a raw, developing lineman with limited experience. He only started from his late-junior season on at Connecticut. He needs overall strength work, especially in the lower unit where he is barely adequate.

Outlook: Thomas is a borderline top 200 prospect who will likely fall to the late second day of the draft based on potential and limited playing time. He is a possible NFL starter, but Thomas must continue to improve and develop with experience to take advantage of his impressive athleticism.



http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/donald-thomas?id=844

Overview One of the more intriguing guard prospects in the 2008 draft, Thomas' stock skyrocketed this season as he finally turned his athletic potential into on-the-field production. A rare athlete for the position, Thomas is well built and flashes explosiveness and nastiness in his blocking. Thomas' star is on the rise after impressive performances at the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game.

High School Lettered three times in football, playing both as a defensive lineman and a tight end...Recorded six sacks his junior year...A versatile athlete who earned a total of 10 varsity letters, including three as a center in basketball and four more as a pitcher and first baseman in baseball...An All-Division baseball player and was also named the SEC's Player of the Week once as a senior in basketball...Member of the National Honor Society.

Thomas Shines at Combine

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/AllStories/MFootball/2008/02/26/20080226a.html

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (February 26, 2008) - Former Huskies Tyvon Branch and Donald Thomas represented the University of Connecticut football program with pride this past week at the annual NFL Scouting Combine at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Branch tested on Tuesday along with the rest of the defensive backs in attendance. Thomas also played in the Hula Bowl. After the game he flew to Houston to also participate in the annual East-West Shrine Bowl.
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On

Saturday, Donald Thomas stacked up favorably against his fellow draft-eligible offensive linemen.

The West Haven, Conn. native was second amongst offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (5.00 seconds). He also tied for 12th in the bench press with 28 reps and was fifth in the 3-cone drill with a time of 7.45 seconds. Perhaps more importantly for an offensive lineman, Thomas’s 40-yard dash included the combine’s fastest 10-yard split (1.72 seconds) and the third-best 20-yard split (2.89 seconds) amongst offensive linemen.


In addition to the measured tests like those above and having their physical measurements taken, prospects also perform on-field individual position group drills for the benefit of general managers, head coaches and scouts, the results of which are far more subjective. Prospects also take a Wonderlic aptitude test, a Cybex test, have injuries evaluated and are often individually interviewed by interested NFL franchises.
The 2008 NFL Draft will be held April 26-27 in New York City
 
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