Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Rams claim a CB off waivers
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October 11, 2016 at 5:00 pm #55009
znModeratorLA is claiming former Jaguars CB Dwayne Gratz off waivers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2016
October 11, 2016 at 5:03 pm #55010znModerator2013 SCOUTING REPORT
CB DWAYNE GRATZ
5’11”
201LBSOVERVIEW
Even though Connecticuts 2011 Orange Bowl, 48-20, blowout loss to Oklahoma was not particularly fine moment for the Huskies - or Big East Conference football - Gratz actually matched his teams offensive point total (six, as the other touchdown came on a kickoff return) by intercepting Sooners quarterback Landry Jones and returning the ball 46 yards to the end zone. Making that sort of play as a sophomore, and building on it over the next two years, has allowed scouts to project him as mid to late-round pick.
Gratz was a first-team all-region pick in Piscataway, N.J., as well as an all-county pick in track (he set the school record in the 55-meter hurdles), but Big East rival Rutgers couldnt lock him up. In his redshirt freshman season, he played in all 13 games, coming on to start four of the last five games of the regular season (20 tackles, four pass break-ups). He started all 13 games of UConns co-Big East championship 2010 season (63 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass break-ups) that unfortunately ended with the BCS bowl loss to the Sooners. The team didnt make it to a bowl at all in 2011, though Gratz played well enough as a 12-game starter (53 tackles, 4.5 for loss, three interceptions, four pass breakups) to garner second-team All-Big East honors from league coaches. As a senior, Gratz registered 53 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He was named second-team All-Big East for the second consecutive year.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Combines NFL height and overall strength. Stays low in his stance and when opening up in bail coverage. Good closing ability, quick to attack short passes to knock them away or make the tough tackle. Aggressive hitter, can put his helmet on the ball or cut down ballcarriers equally well near the line or in space. Used as a blitzer regularly and is fast to close off cutback lanes on run plays when uncovered. Quick hands and feet to consistently beat receiver blocks. Capable of making the interception with his hands or body on poor throws, fair ball skills to grab low or high passes.
WEAKNESSES Aggressiveness can be used against him, keeps his eyes in the backfield a long time, allowing his man to get deep and he lacks pure recovery speed to catch up. Struggles to track the football. Drops his head and goes down to the ground too early on some tackle attempts. Backpedal can be slow and choppy. Looks to be stiff in the hips.
BOTTOM LINE Gratz first stepped into the limelight with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown against Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones in the teams 48-20 loss to the Sooners in the 2011 Orange Bowl. He followed that up with two consecutive second-team All-Big East seasons, using his NFL-quality size, strength, and agility to handle receivers on the outside. As there are some questions about his long speed and hips, a potential move to safety could be in his future. However, Gratz will still likely find himself selected in the middle to late rounds.
October 11, 2016 at 5:07 pm #55011znModeratorfrom the wiki
Dwayne Gratz
College career
Gratz enrolled in the University of Connecticut, where he played for the Connecticut Huskies football team from 2008 to 2012. After redshirting during the 2008 season, he saw his first collegiate action in 2009. He played in all 13 games and started four of the final five games of the regular season, and recorded 20 tackles and four pass deflections. In 2010, he started all 13 games at cornerback. He had a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter of the 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. He was the third-leading tackler on the team with 63 stops, and also led the team with nine pass breakups. In 2011, he was named to the all-conference second team. He was the fifth-leading tackler on the team with 53 tackles and was tied for the team lead with three interceptions, had 4.5 tackles for loss for 12 yards on the year and also had four pass breakups. In his final collegiate season, he made 53 total tackles, 3.5 TFLs and led the team with three interceptions to go with 11 pass breakups, and was named to the all-conference second team for the second consecutive season.
Professional career
Gratz was drafted in the third round, with the 64th overall pick, by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2013 NFL Draft. He registered his first career interception on November 10, 2013 against Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker.
On October 10, 2016, Gratz was released by the Jaguars.
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http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-fantasy/0ap2000000291415/Jaguars-defense-INT
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Rams claim Dwayne Gratz
Zac Jackson
The Rams have claimed cornerback Dwayne Gratz.
Gratz was waived by the Jaguars Monday when the team activated cornerback Aaron Colvin.
The Rams need help at cornerback with Trumaine Johnson expected to miss some time. Last weekend the Rams released cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who has since signed with the Giants.
Johnson suffered a high ankle sprain in last weekend’s loss to the Bills.
Grazt had played in three games this season for the Jaguars. He played in 40, starting 25, since being drafted by the Jaguars in 2013. He has three career interceptions.
October 11, 2016 at 5:18 pm #55014
AgamemnonParticipant
AgamemnonOctober 11, 2016 at 5:56 pm #55023znModeratorThanks ag, good find.
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October 11, 2016 at 6:37 pm #55027znModeratoroff the net from alyoshamucci
Huge fan of Gratz …
I don’t know what happened with he and the other kid they drafted that year … but my guess is he was not utilized correctly. Long arms … like … crazy long.
Had to look it up, 32 1/8th … ran a 4.47 and put up 22 reps
October 13, 2016 at 12:45 am #55126znModeratorWELCOME GRATZ
Cornerback Dwayne Gratz attended his first practice as a Ram on Wednesday afternoon after what’s surely been a whirlwind few days. A third-round pick out of Connecticut in 2013, Gratz played the first three-plus years of his career in Jacksonville. Gratz said Wednesday getting cut from the team that drafted him was tough, as one would expect.
“But now I’m here. It’s a better opportunity for me, and I’m looking forward to playing with these guys,” Gratz said. “I’d rather be here than to be on the couch. The team seems to like me, so I’m just going to go out here and do me.”
Gratz, who has amassed three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and 119 tackles in his career, said he’s learning essentially a whole new scheme. So that means there’s a lot of studying for him to do to catch up.
“It’s always hard when you’re learning a new defense,” Gratz said. “But coming here, be studious, listen to what the coaches are teaching me, and just go out there and do what they tell me.”
Fisher said Gratz has a better chance to contribute on special teams than on defense for now. But the cornerback is working hard to ensure he’s ready if and when he’s called upon.
“I don’t know yet,” Gratz said of how much he’ll play on Sunday. “I’m going to learn a little bit more today. I just went out there and practiced today. It was a good day, and we’ll just see what happens tomorrow.”
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