The Mel Kiper Jr. 2007 Draft Report has arrived

[gureski]

Maybe I missed something but I thought KGB converted to christianity a few years back? I recall stories about his faith and conversion and such. I can't imagine Poppinga isn't Christian.

[b bulldog]

Isn't Poppy a mormon?? Mormons are not Christain right??

[MJZiggy]

Depends on who you ask.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Mormons are Christians in a sense. They believe in Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God.

KGB is Christian.

[b bulldog]

Do they believe salvation is through Jesus Christ and that he is the triune God? if not, they are not Christain!

[Fritz]

I have a friend who teaches a "Religions of the World" class and he insists that Mormons are not Christians.

[MJZiggy]

Well, the Mormons think they are, but I believe the Pope would disagree...

[gureski]

FB's

FB's

I read over the FB's this morning and although Kiper only covers 6 guys in detail, it's clear that there is one stud prospect and some guys that will be able to turn into solid NFL players.

Brian Leonard, Rutgers
6'-1&1/2", 235lbs, 4.55 (40)

I'm pretty sure this guy has been talked about so I wont spend too much time on him.

The impressive thing about Leonard, to me, is the pass catching ability that goes along with the rest of his traditional FB skills. The kid has a nose for the endzone and he racked up receptions like crazy!

In high school, Leonard set a NY state scoring record with 107 TD's. He was a two-time All-State player and an All-American as a Senior. He also was an All-League pick in Basketball and a sprinter for the track team.

Leonard's rushing and TD totals speak for themselves and seem Alstott'ish BUT the real eye opener for me was his reception totals:

2002 Red-Shirted
2003 Big East Freshman of the Year, 1,368 all purpose yds, 14 TD's, 53 receptions for 488 yds receiving!!!!! Went over the 100 yds total offense mark 8 times in 2003.
2004 In 10 games (missed 1 due to injury), First Team All-Big East, 732 yds rush, 7 TD, 61 receptions, 518 yds receiving (led the nation in receptions by a RB),
2005 Repeated as First Team All-Big East, 740 yds rush, 11 TD's, 55 receptions, 568 yds receiving, 6 TD's (17 total TD's)
2006 With the emergence of another weapon out of the backfield, Leonard's work load was lightened and he blocked more from the FB position. 423 yds rushing, 5 TD's, 38 receptions, 294 yds receiving. All-American honors, Draddy Trophy Winner,

Finished his collegiate career as the School and Big East Conference all-time leader in receptions (207) and consecutive games with a reception (47)

Kiper says, "Leonard isn't going to be a great lead blocker as a FB, a la Lorenzo Neal in S.D., but he's solid and solid, and showed some good skills in that area down in Mobile. His greatest strength is his natural athleticism. Leonard has a great vertical jump.... known as the 'Leonard Leap', jumping over defenders in highlight reel-type plays. With his hands and running ability, he offers a lot of versatility. Leonard could be a Frank Wycheck type H-Back in the NFL., or a true FB, and even a situational tailback."

Combine Notes:
4.52 (40) 28 reps on the bench press, 34 1/2" vertical leap

Thoughts as I read his bio:

The receptions stand out. That's unreal. And people are praising Lynch for his receiving ability....Lynch's had one season with 30 something receptions. This guy's low was better then Lynch's best!

I think this kid could be a great goal line back. He's got the pedigree going back to High School. It's not like there aren't a lot of people in NY or anything...right? To set the TD record in NY means you did something special.

I could see this guy in the backfield with Morency being the MEAT to a meat and potato's running game.

I also wonder if he couldn't be moved to TE and turn into a Pro-Bowl type TE? He's got the hands. He's athletic enough. I wonder.

Mel has Leonard going to the NY Giants in the second round, 51st overall pick and just 4 picks after the Packers select in the 2nd round.

LaRon McClain Alabama
6' 1/4" tall, 255lbs, 4.85 (40)

McClain doesn't have the eye-popping stats that a Leonard does but he's labeled by Kiper as, "..a hard nosed and very under-rated football player."

Kiper also says, "McClain doesn everything you ask of a traditional fullback; he blocks very effectively, catches the ball out of the backfield, and can occassionally run the ball up the gut."

Combine notes:
4.90 (40), 14 reps bench press, 29 1/2" vertical leap.

Thoughts as I read the bio:

Just a solid FB candidate. Nothing flashy. Mel seems sure the kid will make it in the NFL.

Deon Anderson, Connecticut
5'-10 1/2" tall, 246 lbs, 4.72 (40)

Kiper says Anderson missed the 2005 seson for 'personal' reasons but never really expands on that.

Mel says Anderson is, "...one heck of a lead blocker in the Big East and does an excellent job on special teams."

Anderson went to high school in Rhode Island and aside from earning All-Conference honors in football, he was an All-American Wrestler, and finished 4th in New England in the Shot Put (track).

Mel talks a lot about Anderson's ability and willingness to contribute on special teams.

Mel says, "Anderson doesn't just bring excellent athleticisim to the table; he brings leadership. As a wedge buster on kickoff coverage, he throws his body arond and makes plays and as a FB, is an exxcellent lead blocker."

Combine Notes: 4.73 (40), 23 reps bench press, 33" vertical leap.

Misc Thoughts as I read the bio:

The comments about the major contributions on special teams and strong leadership sparks comparisons to William Henderson. Not by Mel, but by me as those are things Henderson specialized in.

Sounds like a Packer kind of guy, more importantly, a Thompson kind of guy.

Cory Anderson, Tennessee
6'-2 1/4" tall, 250 lbs, 4.72 (40)

Per Kiper, "A true FB with great athleticisim for the position, Anderson has to get better as a blocker as that will be his main focus at the pro level. He didn't play a full season in football til he was a junior in high school, focusing instead on his basketball career."

Anderson red-shirted in 2002 and then played 2003 as a back up DE. He got into 6 games that year and didn't do much. In 2004 he was moved to FB and started 12 of 13 games.

Per Mel, "While he was good, Anderson never took his game to an elite level. However, with his physical skills, people will be intrigued and perhaps take a flyer on him in the mid to late day two range."

Combine notes:
4.70 (40), 19 reps bench press, 37" vertical leap.

My thoughts:

He's only played 5 years of football!! He's probably a guy who could still get better as he continues to learn the position and acclimate himself to the position at higher levels. He's got the athleticism to do the job. Kind of a project, I guess.

Jason Snelling, Virginia
5'-11" tall, 233 lbs, 4.75 (40)

The kid has great stats but he played HB in 2006 so it's kind of skewed. He nearly doubled his number of career rushes in 2006 so that's why his stats in 2006, though impressive, shouldn't be too big of a factor in evaluating him as a FB. It just shows he has the ability. Mell calls him, "...a tailback in a fullback's body."

High School stats worthy of mention (from Virginia): 3,300 yds rushing in his H.S. career, 1,444 rushing & 14 TD's as a senior. All-Virginia honors for his Senior year. Also played 4 years as the center fielder for the baseball team.

Combine Notes: 4.79 (40), didn't lift, 30" vertical leap.

My thoughts:

I think his offensive stats make him look better then he is. As a FB, he will need to do FB things first. That or he will have to be so great on offense, a al Leonard, that you can live with any lack of true FB skills because he m akes up for it on offense. I don't get the feel that this kid's offense is so overwhelming good that he can get by the way an Alstott or Leonard can/will. I'd rather see some other team take the flyer on this kid.

Stan White, Ohio State
6'-1" tall, 250 lbs, 4.72 (40)

Per Kiper, "A hard working, super smart, and extremely versatile performer, White has the ability to play multiple positions and should pay dividends on special teams as well."

Went to high school in Baltimore and was an All-State LB. Came to Ohio State as a LB in the same class as A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter but was moved to TE during his red-shirted season of 2002.

White became the Buckeyes starting FB in 2005 and was the starter in 2006.

Whtie is the son of former NFL LB Stan White.

Kiper says, "...works very hard as a blocker... good hands for the reception... ...plays a very determined brand of football... could be a true FB in the NFL or perhaps see time as a MOVE TE or an H-Back..."

Mel thinks he will be a late round pick or a priority undrafted free agent.

My comments after reading the bio:

This kid could be a dark horse in the Packers FB search. Son of a former player and a guy who is connected to A.J. Hawk via being in the same class at Ohio State. I'm sure Hawk will be able to fill management in on White, if they ask him. Potential to play special teams and possibly even grow into the TE position. Interesting guy that would be nice as a late round pick or a undrafted FA signing.

[gureski]

You'd think Poppinga would be able to roam better in coverage if he's a Mormon. They cover alot of ground.

ba dump bump....

Thank you...thank you...

Maybe Thompson should get a Jahova's Witness to be our coverage LB. Now there's a religion that covers alot of area!

ba dump bump....CLANG....

[Guiness]

Well, the Mormons think they are, but I believe the Pope would disagree...

Holy Theology Batman!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Seems Christian to me, but what do I know? I'm barely through my satori.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Re: FB's

I also wonder if he couldn't be moved to TE and turn into a Pro-Bowl type TE? He's got the hands. He's athletic enough. I wonder.

Probably too short to be a stud TE. He ran his 40 in the low 4.5s--while the best these other FBs ran is the low 4.7s. People can't think of him as just a FB. He's a guy that can play FB. He's a guy that can be a situational HB (3rd down and goalline). He's a guy you can spread out wide. He's a guy that should give you good special teams play also.

[Spaulding]

Gureski, anything on Jacoby Jones out of Lane college?

Some rumors suggestion another late round gem like Coleston. Just curious to know what the hair had to say about him in his report.

Thanks much