The Official 2010 NFL Draft Thread

[Rastak]

Raiders pass......? Trade I guess.

[Bretsky]

How about Mays, Griffin, or Kindle...........let me fall to you TT

[RashanGary]

I love these reaches. Should help the Packers get someone they really want.

We don't know what a reach really is. We have such limited knowledge of these guys.

[superfan]

Draftcountdown.com describes Troup as a run stuffer in the 3-4 - do the Bills even run a 3-4?

Surprising pick.

They run the 3-4 as of this offseason.

Thanks, Lurker!

[Sparkey]

Everson Griffon

[Rastak]

Ravens snuck in the card to take Gronkowski?

[Freak Out]

WTF? Raiders?

[OS PA]

This is crazy - Oakland traded with New England, Oakland's trip lapsed, Baltimore is on the clock, but it's New Englands pick.

[Rastak]

Looks like Pats took Gronkowski......


Analysis
Release: Good initial quickness off the snap. Quick enough that he was often lined up wide in this offense. Good use of hands to fight through the initial jam by the defender when coming out of the three-point stance. Good lateral agility to elude and get into his route quickly. Good acceleration and at least adequate straight-line speed to challenge defenders down the seam.

Hands: Considered his best skill. Soft, reliable hands to pluck the ball outside of his frame. Good flexibility for a man his size. Can bend low to get the ball off his shoe-tops or reach high and wide to snatch it out of the air. Can track the ball over either shoulder. Good concentration to catch the ball with defenders draped over him. Typically catches the ball with his hands, but will body-catch when he feels a big hit coming to protect the ball. One area he'll need to improve on in the NFL is timing his leaps. Allows shorter defenders to knock the ball out of his hands by misjudging his leap, not fully using his natural size advantage and failing to high-point the pass.

Route running: Gains a quick release off the snap and has enough straight-line speed to challenge down the seam. Good use of shoulder and head fakes to get the defender leaning and has good body control and balance to change directions quickly. Understands where the holes in the zone are and settles nicely. Varies his speed to gain a step against defenders more athletic than he is.

After the catch: Isn't going to make many people miss due to his elusiveness, but is a physical, throw-back type tight end with the ball in his hands. Tough to bring down due to his toughness, strength and determination.

Blocking: A legitimate in-line blocker. Provides a solid pop to the defender off the snap and works to sustain. Good lateral agility to mirror the defender and has the hand strength and accurate hand placement to latch on. Good strength to ride the defensive end in pass protection or against the run. Reliable seal blocker on the edge and is surprisingly effective driving defenders off the ball. Not as effective getting to and blocking at the second level, though he appears to have the natural skills to ultimately be successful in this area.

Intangibles: Has to prove he's healthy after missing the entire 2009 season due to back surgery and concerns over nerve damage. Underwent a microdiscectomy on Sept. 24, but only began running and working out extensively in January. Good bloodlines. Brother, Chris, is a senior H-back from the Wildcats and a potential NFL prospect. Another brother, Dan, played tight end for Maryland and, as a seventh-round pick, appeared in two games as a rookie for Detroit.

NFL Comparison: Jason Witten, Cowboys

[RashanGary]

I'm hoping Eric Norwood drops to us.

[Rastak]

This is crazy - Oakland traded with New England, Oakland's trip lapsed, Baltimore is on the clock, but it's New Englands pick.

Yes, insane......and the Vikes aren't involved!

[Freak Out]

Crazy shit.

[green_bowl_packer]

I just can't believe Kindle has fallen this far...

I'm starting to think that he's a mess and wouldn't want to touch him. (Now it looks like NE trades up to pick him so what do I know)

ADD, Narcolepsy, DUI, driving into the building - don't report it until the next day. . .

All of this with an impending knee issue that he played with all last year, seems like UT used him.

[steve823]

DAM RAVENS

[mission]

How about Mays, Griffin, or Kindle...........let me fall to you TT

yessssssss