The Second Coming of Dorsey Levens

[HarveyWallbangers]

Weaknesses: According to Pro Football Weekly scouting reports: Runs almost like he's afraid. Plays too soft and tends to bounce everything outside. Goes down far too easily on contact. Should break more tackles. Makes himself small instead of dropping his shoulder. Hears footsteps. Not tough mentally or physically. Often lands in the doghouse. Textbook underachiever.

Noteworthy: Was suspended for 2005 opener at Florida for a team rules violation involving a parking decal. Has had other character issues, but running backs coach Edgar Bennett said Wynn has the right frame of mind.

[Patler]

Another pre-draft report:

Wynn's biggest issue is a perceived lack of intensity and work ethic, and that seems to limit his upside. He certainly has the talent to be a good NFL tailback, but needs to prove he's committed to making it happen

His suspension:

Suspended by coach Urban Meyer for the '06 opener for what Wynn described as "a little parking decal incident." . . .

The Florida's coaching staff feelings, per JSO:

DeShawn Wynn was the leading rusher for the national champion Florida Gators in 2006. He's a big, strong, gifted player who can play both running back and fullback.

But make no mistake about it, no one at Florida was sad to see Wynn go.

A headache from the day he walked onto the Gainesville campus, Wynn constantly pushed the envelope. And he repeatedly raised the blood pressure of his coaches.

In 2005, Urban Meyer's first season as the Gators' boss, the coaches were looking for Wynn to run a play during spring drills. Wynn didn't exactly endear himself to his new staff, though, when they saw him standing on the sideline, talking on his cell phone.

[Patler]

From a pre-draft scouting report on Wynn:

Is thought to be as a third-round talent but a questionable pick at that round because of inconsistent play and practice habits and a chronic shoulder problem.

Gosh, I've been waiting for you to show up and come up with some of the facts for me

Where do I send the bill????

[Harlan Huckleby]

Another pre-draft report:

I haven't questioned that he had problems in college. Despite his 7th round pedigree and reputation, he rose to top of the heap in GB.

Many talk today like they knew Wynn would fail. But there's a lot of chance involved. If Wynn doesn't get the shoulder injury last night, he quite likely would have had a big night. (The coaches rated him a better runner than Grant, after all.)

If Wynn clocks in with 120 yards, how many people are here today saying they just know he is a bum? None. Harvey might even repeat his praise from a couple weeks ago, ( I paraphrase), " I saw something special in that kid last summer."

It's fun to dog a player, particularly when saying he is weak/lazy/lacking heart, etc. And the opportunity arose when he got put on IR. Cheap.

[Bretsky]

Another pre-draft report:

I haven't questioned that he had problems in college. Despite his 7th round pedigree and reputation, he rose to top of the heap in GB.

Many talk today like they knew Wynn would fail. But there's a lot of chance involved. If Wynn doesn't get the shoulder injury last night, he quite likely would have had a big night. (The coach's rated him a better runner than Grant, after all.)

If Wynn clocks in with 120 yards, how many people are here today saying they just know he is a bum? None. Harvey might even repeat his praise from a couple weeks ago, ( I paraphrase), " I saw something special in that kid last summer."

It's fun to dog a player, particularly when saying he is weak/lazy/lacking heart, etc. And the opportunity arose when he got put on IR. Cheap.

I think being thrown to the top due to multiple injures would be more accurate.

Grant practiced with the first team much of last weak; him passing Wynn was more of a when than an if IMO. TT liked Grant well enough to give up a future draft pick and that was also an indicator of how sold he was on our current RB's.

How do you know the coaches rated him above Grant ? Wynn had the whole pre season to learn our system; Grant has only been here for a few weeks and getting use to how things work in GB.

I don't recall HW saying he saw something special in Wynn; maybe I'm wrong.

Anything we can get out of him is a plus for a 7th rounder. He is what I thought he was

A talented guy I'd never want to rely on

[Patler]

Another pre-draft report:

I haven't questioned that he had problems in college. Despite his 7th round pedigree and reputation, he rose to top of the heap in GB.

Many talk today like they knew Wynn would fail. But there's a lot of chance involved. If Wynn doesn't get the shoulder injury last night, he quite likely would have had a big night. (The coaches rated him a better runner than Grant, after all.)

If Wynn clocks in with 120 yards, how many people are here today saying they just know he is a bum? None. Harvey might even repeat his praise from a couple weeks ago, ( I paraphrase), " I saw something special in that kid last summer."

It's fun to dog a player, particularly when saying he is weak/lazy/lacking heart, etc. And the opportunity arose when he got put on IR. Cheap.

Nice sermon, but not very accurate, in my opinion. It seems to me people are only again stating the same concerns they have had about Wynn ever since he essentially missed all of training camp. There were plenty of complaints when he made the team by default, almost. There were complaints then, and later about a few minor nicks, and then his cramping problem after one drive. Ragging on him is not something new. Its simply more of the same.

Wynn did not rise to the top of the heap. The heap sort of slid away from around him, leaving him at the top of a pretty small bump. He did nothing to grab the job and "run with it". At one point he was the healthiest back they had, as even Grant had a hamstring issue for a couple weeks.

As far as Grant, they seemed to be working him in a little more for several games until his untimely fumble. Then he sat. Now it looks like he will have a chance to grab the job. We'll see if he does. Nothing was proven by one game against Denver.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think being thrown to the top due to multiple injures would be more accurate.

nah. He looked better than the other guys. Grant hasn't been injured.

TT liked Grant well enough to give up a future draft pick

Grant cost a 6th round pick, Wynn a 7th. Whoopie Dooo - they are both bargain basement guys.

Grant has only been here for a few weeks and getting use to how things work in GB.

He came to GB Sept 1. We're in week 9.

I don't recall HW saying he saw something special in Wynn; maybe I'm wrong.

If necessary, I'll ask the librarian, Scott Campbell, to dig through the archives and find it.

We were arguing about whether stats alone told the story of Wynn's abilities, I said I based my opinion on what I saw qualitatively from the preseason game. Harvey thrust out his chest and said he too recognized a diamond in the rough, or words to that effect.

[Patler]

I haven't questioned that he had problems in college.

You didn't??? What did you mean by this:

HarveyWallbangers wrote:
His college coaches didn't think much of him. Basically, the negatives about him in college have stayed with him in the pros. Get over it, Harlan.


What negatives?

[Bretsky]

Another pre-draft report:

I haven't questioned that he had problems in college. Despite his 7th round pedigree and reputation, he rose to top of the heap in GB.

Many talk today like they knew Wynn would fail. But there's a lot of chance involved. If Wynn doesn't get the shoulder injury last night, he quite likely would have had a big night. (The coaches rated him a better runner than Grant, after all.)

If Wynn clocks in with 120 yards, how many people are here today saying they just know he is a bum? None. Harvey might even repeat his praise from a couple weeks ago, ( I paraphrase), " I saw something special in that kid last summer."

It's fun to dog a player, particularly when saying he is weak/lazy/lacking heart, etc. And the opportunity arose when he got put on IR. Cheap.

Nice sermon, but not very accurate, in my opinion. It seems to me people are only again stating the same concerns they have had about Wynn ever since he essentially missed all of training camp. There were plenty of complaints when he made the team by default, almost. There were complaints then, and later about a few minor nicks, and then his cramping problem after one drive. Ragging on him is not something new. Its simply more of the same.

Wynn did not rise to the top of the heap. The heap sort of slid away from around him, leaving him at the top of a pretty small bump. He did nothing to grab the job and "run with it". At one point he was the healthiest back they had, as even Grant had a hamstring issue for a couple weeks.

As far as Grant, they seemed to be working him in a little more for several games until his untimely fumble. Then he sat. Now it looks like he will have a chance to grab the job. We'll see if he does. Nothing was proven by one game against Denver.

[Harlan Huckleby]

and then his cramping problem after one drive.

Ahh yes, the cramping!!! "definitely a result of dehydration" you sez. "Could be poor conditioning", I sez

How the worm has turned.

Ragging on him is not something new. Its simply more of the same.

The constant injuries were exhausting. IF people are just fed-up with that, fine. But the other stuff, statements about his heart, etc., are just blood sport.

Wynn did not rise to the top of the heap. The heap sort of slid away from around him

They had PLENTY of opportunity to move Morency, Grant or Jackson ahead of him. Last week, MM made a definitive statement that Wynn is numero uno.

[HarveyWallbangers]

We were arguing about whether stats alone told the story of Wynn's abilities, I said I based my opinion on what I saw qualitatively from the preseason game. Harvey thrust out his chest and said he too recognized a diamond in the rough, or words to that effect.

Wrong. This is what I stated:

1) I wasn't impressed with him early. I think it was the intrasquad scrimmage.
2) When everybody thought he should be cut after the last preseason game (when he had a bunch of carries, but not a lot of production), I stated that he actually looked good enough to keep on the roster.
3) When people were tooting his torn a bit during the season, I stated that I wasn't impressed. That he was getting better blocking than other players. I said that I didn't think he was special. I did give him credit for his long TD run against the Giants. He's looked pretty ordinary to me. He's also a terrible receiver. On the plus side, form most accounts, he's been a pretty good pass protector.
4) I stated early that Grant flashed more than any other RB in his limited appearances. I thought he was more intriguing than the others, and that coming from a guy who actually thought Brandon Jackson would be a good player.

I'm not always right, but I haven't wavered on Wynn.

[Harlan Huckleby]

You didn't??? What did you mean by this:

I'm asking for negatives from his days in Green Bay.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm not always right, but I haven't wavered on Wynn.

you were perched on the fence. wouldn't have taken much of a breeze from either direction.

[Patler]

I think being thrown to the top due to multiple injures would be more accurate.

nah. He looked better than the other guys. Grant hasn't been injured.

Yes, Grant was injured for a while when he first came to GB.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Yes, Grant was injured for a while when he first came to GB.

ya, I remember that now. (It was SO LONG ago I forgot - damn he's been riding the pines a long time. ) But he needed a couple weeks to learn the plays, that was no biggy.