Forum Replies Created
-
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2016/QB
Who knows. 😉
We could draft Jones with Philly’s 2cd rounder. That would be fitting. imo
Agamemnon
Everything is guaranteed, except the two highlighted boxes. Foles is here next year unless he is traded. imo
AgamemnonJeff Fisher also said that DE Chris Long is expected to be back on the practice field this week. "We'll see where it goes," Fisher said.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 16, 2015
AgamemnonJeff Fisher looking for Case Keenum to provide ‘offensive spark’ for Rams
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams are making a quarterback change.
One day after the Rams lost 37-13 to the Chicago Bears, Rams coach Jeff Fisher named Case Keenum his new starting quarterback and sent Nick Foles to the bench in a move Fisher said he has been contemplating for the past four or five weeks.
“We’re going to go ahead and go with Case,” Fisher said. “This is my decision. Nobody came down the hall and said, ‘This is what we need to do.’ The lack of offensive production is a collective effort and coaching. But we need more production, and it starts with that position.”
Nine games into the season, Foles ranked 32nd in QBR (34.1), 29th in passer rating (75.9) and 28th in passing yards (1,678). As an offense, the Rams are 31st in yards per game and 32nd in passing yards per game.
Nick Foles, right, was part of the trade that sent Sam Bradford to Philadelphia. “By no means do we regret the trade, by no means do we regret the extension,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “Nick is a good quarterback.” AP Photo/Mark ZaleskiDespite those offensive woes, the Rams were 4-3 just two weeks ago, after consecutive wins over Cleveland and San Francisco. However, Foles’ struggles came into view more clearly after back-to-back losses to Minnesota and Chicago, which apparently tipped the scales in Keenum’s favor.
“I don’t expect Nick to like it,” Fisher said. “He’s competitive, but he understands, and we’re gonna move forward here. I’m not saying this is week-to-week, but this is what’s best right now for our team as we move forward, from a production standpoint offensively.”
Keenum has started 10 games since he signed with the Houston Texans in 2012 as an undrafted free agent. In those games, the Texans went 2-8 and Keenum threw for 2,195 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a QBR just above Foles’ current mark of 34.5.
Fisher is seeking to jump-start his offense, and with rookie offensive linemen Jamon Brown (leg) and Darrell Williams (wrist) lost for the season, Keenum’s mobility could be important behind a patchwork offensive line.
“He’s won games at Houston with a team that had significant injuries around him and he found ways to win games,” Fisher said. “We’re going to trust his mobility and his ability to extend plays and things and just give us an offensive spark that we need.”
Fisher stopped short of committing to Keenum for the rest of the Rams’ seven games, but he said he’s not going to have Keenum on a short leash if the QB struggles against Baltimore on Sunday.
“He’s going to play, we’re going to use his legs and going to make some plays,” Fisher said. “Nick also understands that he will eventually be under center for us again. But this is my decision, based on what I think is best for this team, offensively, is to go this direction.”
“This is my decision. Nobody came down the hall and said, ‘This is what we need to do.’ The lack of offensive production is a collective effort and coaching. But we need more production, and it starts with that position.”
Rams coach Jeff FisherKeenum spent part of the 2014 season with the Rams before Houston signed him off St. Louis’ practice squad at the end of that season. Although he never got much of a chance to play in St. Louis, Keenum did enough to impress for the Rams to attempt to get him back.
The Rams traded for Foles and Keenum in March. They sent quarterback Sam Bradford to Philadelphia for Foles and draft picks and reacquired Keenum from Houston for a seventh-round 2016 pick.
Before Foles took a snap in a regular-season game, the Rams signed him to a deal that guarantees him almost $14 million.
“By no means do we regret the trade, by no means do we regret the extension,” Fisher said. “Nick is a good quarterback.”
Fisher said Foles will step into the backup role with rookie Sean Mannion continuing as the team’s third quarterback.
“Nick just needs a break,” Fisher said. “He just needs a break right now. He’s going to continue to work. He’ll run scout team, he’ll be prepared to play, but he just needs to get more experience under his belt in this offense. And we need to do a better job around him. I keep circling back to that. It’s not easy. It’s hard, but to me, it’s the right decision for us moving forward.”
Agamemnonhttp://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/keenum-has-that-it-factor-in-huddle/article_8ece5c0f-1d4e-5c6b-a81a-d5c1e1222de5.html
Keenum has that ‘it’ factor in huddle
August 21, 2015 11:20 pm • By Jim ThomasIt’s not unusual to see coach Jeff Fisher eavesdropping on the offensive huddle during practice at Rams Park.
“I want to hear what’s going on,” Fisher said. “It’s the quarterback’s huddle, and there’s more to operating a huddle than just calling the play.”
Is the quarterback reminding players about situations, down and distance? Does he have command of the huddle?
Case Keenum did last season, even while on the Rams practice squad.
“That’s one of the reasons why we brought him back,” Fisher said. “He’s got that enthusiasm and that ‘it’ factor in the huddle.”
Keenum was in Houston last March, either driving to or coming back from training — he forgets which — when he got the call.
“It was Fish on my phone,” Keenum recalled. “He said, ‘What are you doing? I just traded for you.’ “
When Keenum saw the tease on ESPN later that day — Rams in quarterback trade — he thought he might get some air time on SportsCenter. Alas, that was the same day the Rams swapped Sam Bradford to Philadelphia for Nick Foles. So the deal that brought Keenum here from Houston for a seventh-rounder was almost an afterthought that day.
Keenum is no afterthought on the Rams’ roster, however. He’s fighting for the No. 2 QB spot behind Austin Davis this preseason. And given the team’s forced reliance on backup quarterbacks lately, it’s a position of significance.
The Rams’ last 25 regular-season games, in fact, have been started by backup quarterbacks. Over the past four seasons, 31 of 64 Rams games, dating back to Steve Spagnuolo’s final season as head coach in 2011, have been manned by a backup QB.
Heading into preseason game No. 2, Sunday at Tennessee, Keenum has the lead over Austin Davis for the No. 2 job.
“I’m trying not to compare,” Keenum said recently. “I never compare. For me, I’m preparing to play. I’ve been around this league long enough to know that I’ve started a year as a No. 3, and I started eight games.
“I’ve started a year on another team, really fifth-string, and then started a couple games for that team as well. So I know that anything can happen at any point.”
Keenum, 27, was tremendously productive in college at the University of Houston, finishing his college career as the NCAA’s career leader in passing yards (19,127) and touchdown passes (155).
He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Houston Texans in 2012, spending that season on the Texans’ practice squad. In 2013, an injury to starter Matt Schaub against the Rams opened the door for Keenum to start eight games.
Cut by the Texans on Aug. 31, 2014 after they acquired QB Ryan Mallett, Keenum was claimed on waivers by the Rams, who needed help after Sam Bradford’s season-ending knee injury in their third preseason game (against Cleveland).
Keenum spent part of last season on the Rams’ active roster, without appearing in a game, and spent the second half of the season on their practice squad. Until Dec. 15, that is, when Houston — once again with injury problems at the position — signed him off the Rams’ practice squad onto their active roster. “I left pretty quickly,” Keenum said. “The Texans called on Sunday and I was on a flight Monday morning.”
Next thing he knew, Keenum was in Houston watching film on Baltimore when he got a call from Rams quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti.
“Are you in Houston right now?” Cignetti asked.
“Yeah, Coach. I am. Sorry,” Keenum replied. “I didn’t get a chance to say ‘bye’ or anything.’ “
That’s how quickly it happened. Keenum ended up starting the final two games of 2014 for the Texans, winning both contests. But with last year’s Rams backup, Shaun Hill, off to Minnesota in free agency, Keenum returned to St. Louis via that other quarterback trade in March.
Keenum must have done something right in his first stint in St. Louis to have the team expend a draft pick to bring him back.
“I think it’s a good fit,” Keenum said. “I love playing for (Fisher). I’ve been really blessed to have some great coaches, and he is right there at the top of that list with a bunch of other guys that I’ve had.”
Cignetti, now the Rams’ offensive coordinator, spent a lot of time with Keenum last season.
“We talked a lot of ball,” Keenum said. “Not just our offense, just kind of ball in general. So it was kinda getting on the same page with him. We think a lot alike, which really helps me. I think that’s what a quarterback’s job is — to see the (opposing) defense through his coordinator’s and through his quarterback coach’s eyes.”
While with the Rams last season, Keenum spent a lot of time before games working with Cignetti. They’d go out on the field early and do individual stuff.
“The game’s not too fast for him,” Cignetti said. “He processes information very well. Very smart. He’s a rhythmic passer. Very accurate. He can run the offense.
“We ask our quarterbacks to keep us out of a bad play, so he can come to the line of scrimmage, recognize the defense right (away), make the proper adjustments.”
The coaches could see many of those traits in him on the practice field during his 3½ months with the team last season. “No question,” Cignetti said. “You could just see his functional intelligence.”
And his huddle presence.
“I like to think that I know when the huddle needs a little bit of humor in it,” Keenum said. “It just depends on the situation. I try to just be awkward and just random. Maybe mention that somebody’s fly is unzipped on the sideline or something.”
Naturally, there are times when a more serious approach is needed. Perhaps to regain attention in the huddle, regain focus on the task at hand.
“Just over time, it’s stuff you learn,” Keenum said. “It’s just football, and it’s just playing quarterback, and it’s leadership skills. You can pick that up from anywhere and anybody.”
Agamemnonhttp://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-report/rams-bench-qb-foles-keenum-to-start/article_62d1ed44-4a88-506b-a185-2f118f252f14.html
Rams bench QB Foles; Keenum to start
2 hours ago • By Ben Frederickson, Jim ThomasRams coach Jeff Fisher benched quarterback Nick Foles on Monday and named Case Keenum the starter for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.
In making the announcement at Rams Park, Fisher said Keenum could provide a spark to a team that has lost back-to-back games.
“We’ve been over the last — I would say four to five weeks — looking at the offense and the big picture (on) the offense,” Fisher said at his regular early Monday evening media session. “And just the production of our offense.
“Decided to go ahead and make a quarterback change. We’re gonna go ahead and go with Case. I have recently — an hour or so ago — talked to all three quarterbacks, and Coach (Chris) Weinke.”
Weinke is the Rams’ quarterbacks coach.
“This is my decision,” Fisher said. “Nobody came down the hall and said this is what we need to do. This is my decision. As I told the quarterbacks, the lack of production is not Nick’s fault. The lack of production is a collective offensive effort and coaching.
“But we need more production and it starts with that position.”
Foles, who was traded by Philadelphia to the Rams in the offseason in exchange for quarterback Sam Bradford, has completed 55.6 percent of his passes this season. He has thrown seven touchdowns and six interceptions. His passer rating this season is a lowly 75.9, which ranks 29th in the league.
The Rams signed Foles to a three-year, $26 million contract extension in early August, before he had thrown even a preseason pass for the Rams. The deal included $13.79 million in guaranteed money, and included incentives that could max out the deal at $39.5 million.
“By no means do we regret the trade, by no means do we regret the extension,” Fisher said. “Nick is a good quarterback. He’s captain of the football team. But at this point, right now, based on where we are offensively I feel like this is the direction we have to go.”
In Sunday’s 37-13 loss to the Chicago Bears, Foles completed fewer than 50 percent of his throws (17 of 36), threw a late interception and didn’t look comfortable in the pocket.
Foles threw high and late on several occasions and continued to miss open receivers — including not seeing a wide open Jared Cook in the end zone in the third quarter. Foles instead threw incomplete in the other direction to Brian Quick.
Keenum, who was added to the Rams roster last season, has never started a game for the Rams, but started 10 games for the Houston Texans during his short career.
“As I told Case, he doesn’t have a short leash,” Fisher said. “I’m gonna let him play. I’m gonna let him use his legs, and let him make some plays. Nick also understands that he eventually will be under center for us again.”
After the preseason injury to Bradford on Aug. 23, 2014, the Rams claimed Keenum off waivers from the Houston Texans. He spent the first seven games of the ’14 season on the Rams’ active roster, and then spent the next seven on the practice squad.
But Houston signed Keenum to their active roster Dec. 15, and Keenum led the Texans to victories over Baltimore and Jacksonville in the final two games of the season.
Fisher, however, wanted Keenum back. So on the same day (March 11) that the Rams engineered the Bradford for Foles trade with Philadelphia, they also sent a seventh-rounder to Houston for Keenum.
Keneum has a 55.2 percent career completion percentage, and has thrown 11 touchdowns to eight interceptions in the NFL. He also started eight games with Houston in 2013.
AgamemnonJamon Brown out for season, needs surgery for leg fracture.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 16, 2015
Rookie Darrell Williams had surgery last night for wrist injury. He'll be sidelined for a while obviously.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 16, 2015
A clarification on Darrell Williams wrist injury. It's season-ending. Dislocated wrist. Happened on same play as Jamon Brown injury.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 16, 2015
Fisher said news isn't bad on Havenstein and calf injury, said he's day-to-day or week-to-week.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 16, 2015
Rams will promote OT Isaiah Battle from practice squad, said team is still looking for outside OL help.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 16, 2015
AgamemnonIf Fisher goes 8-8 again, surely it will be some sort of
record.I wonder what QBs will be available in free agency?
Wonder if they’ll draft a QB?w
vIf Fisher goes 8-8, it will be his best year in StL.
AgamemnonDid you see it wv? The Bears were celebrating, before the end of the game they were celebrating.
AgamemnonAttention fashion conscious. We have a full-fledged Grapes alert. Rams are wearing blue on blue today.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 15, 2015
AgamemnonDo I have this right? It’s supposed to be a good year for DEs, CBs, and WRs. Good, as in pretty deep.
Which works out nicely for the Rams.
It appears to be CBs, then WRs, then DEs, then OTs and some TEs. imo
With us having that extra 2cd round pick, we have lots of flexibility at the top of the draft.
AgamemnonLate Round Sleepers
Deiondre Hall, Northern Iowa
– Hall is a player that I have only watched for three games (two in 2014, one in 2015), but he is the type of player that you can take in the late third round and feel comfortable about it because they pay off is so huge. He is a tall corner at 6’2, but his strong enough to hold his own in both Press and run support. From my initial analysis on him, I see excellent ball skills that make him look like that he can be a legitimate wide receiver prospect if he wanted to. He may come from a small school, but this kid can pack a punch and possesses every bit of natural ability as his more known counterparts.
Nick VanHoose, Northwestern
– VanHoose is another guy that I’ve only seen little of, but in the couple live games I’ve seen of him, his ball skills and aggressiveness in attacking the football in the air are remarkable. Although I do not see a big-time athlete or quick twitch in his game, I believe that he can be an effective player at the next level if given the opportunity because of his outstanding effort and zone coverage traits. In my opinion, I’d take him on Day 3 and experiment with him at a potential safety spot as well because of his play strength and wrap up skills at the POA. VanHoose is a versatile player that will start rising on draft boards in the near future.
Adairius Barnes, LA Tech
– I feel fairly comfortable saying that Adairius Barnes is one of the quickest cornerbacks in this class. This short area agility is a good asset to have as a 5’11 cornerback as well as being aggressive in attacking the ball in the air. In fact, he had five interceptions and nine pass breakups last year, leading to a nomination on the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award watch list. What Barnes needs a ton of refinement in is his field awareness in both Zone and Off, as well as his play strength at all levels. He’s not a small cornerback by any means, but he plays like one in reality as he lets bigger receivers take advantage at both the LOS and in the open field. The best fit for Barnes could be as a nickel cornerback, but he could be one of the steals of the draft if put in the right position to succeed as he reminds me a ton of Orlando Scandrick coming out in 2008.
Lots of really good CBs. AgamemnonThird Round
Jonathan Jones, Auburn (#72 on Big Board)
– Smaller cornerback that plays with a competitive edge and swagger at 5’10, 181 lbs. This senior was named to second team All SEC in 2014 with six interceptions and a team-best 11 PBU’s. Jones plays excellent Off coverage as his field awareness is off the charts when reading plays in front of him. He is hard to shake in the open field because of his lightning quick feet and fluid hips when changing directions. Play strength and size are the issues with Jonathan Jones as he does struggle to get off blocks on a consistent basis, but he does not shy away from contact, in fact, he loves it. His ability to play both man and zone at a high level despite his small stature reminds me of a poor man’s Jason Verrett.
DJ White, Georgia Tech (#76 on Big Board)
– 5’11 cornerback that is much more comfortable playing off of his man instead of at the LOS, as this is due to marginal play strength. When in coverage, he displays good COD skills with the ability to plant his foot and get on the hip pocket of the WR. White attacks the football with excellent closing speed along with his best trait in his ball skills. He will get lost at times in zone coverage, but DJ White rarely gives up any separation when in man coverage. Although White is mightily inconsistent in the open field as a tackler, he is willing to sacrifice his body for the team with his effort.
Danzel McDaniel, Kansas State (#80 on Big Board)
– The smooth movement and transitional skills that Danzel McDaniel has when changing direction in/out of his breaks are an invaluable trait that most cornerbacks his size at 6’1 don’t necessarily possess. McDaniel will struggle to consistently look over his shoulder for the ball and will get taken advantage by opposing quarterbacks if he doesn’t find a way to fix that (no pun intended). On tape, McDaniel consistently gives up a ton of separation to receivers who run crisp routes, but that is mainly because of his inability to mentally transition his reads to physical reactions with his feet as quickly as other cornerbacks. What I can tell you is that he is a plus athlete with burner speed on the outside to keep up with the speed demons of the NFL that will give every ounce of effort he has in his body. Overall, a high upside pick that could improve his stock with a good showing at the Senior Bowl.
Keivarae Russell, Notre Dame (#87 on Big Board)
– One of the most naturally gifted cornerbacks in this draft class is Keivarae Russell out of Notre Dame. Before missing all of 2014 with off-field issues, he was considered one of the premier cornerbacks in the nation because of his playmaking ability in both man and zone coverage. With Russell, I see a guy that possesses all the traits that a cornerback needs to be a first round caliber player, but doesn’t always use them to his advantage. Russell is a plus athlete, but doesn’t always trust it and will give up plenty of separation when the receiver breaks off of his route. We’ve seen Russell make big interceptions before, but he struggles to locate the deep ball when in man coverage, and will get burned by opposing offenses as a result. The biggest issue with Russell is that he takes too many unnecessary opportunities. By saying that, he will fall for double moves, stick ‘n’ go routes, and pump fakes, which all lead to the receiver getting behind him for the big play. He takes every opportunity that is given to him, and will either take it back for six, or be watching the receiver celebrate his latest touchdown in the endzone. High risk, high reward pick on Day 2.
Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma (#92 on Big Board)
– Still recovering from a high ankle sprain earlier in the season, Zack Sanchez is one of the most fundamentally sound cornerbacks in this class. When he is in the groove, he can be a premier lockdown cornerback in man coverage, but can also be abused by opposing quarterbacks when not. Scouts surely would like to see more consistency from Sanchez, as his play is very similar to Keivarae Russell in that he is boom or bust when going attacking the ball, or simply biting on a double move. Sanchez is a terrific defender in run support despite his 5’11 175 lb. thin frame and will bust his rear end to make a play for his team. Slowly but surely, Sanchez is moving on up my draft board.
Day 3 Notables
Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech (#108 on Big Board) I like Fuller.
– Before his season ending knee injury, I had Kendall Fuller in my top 75 and initially in the third round because of his inability to stop/start and tendency to take unnecessary false steps in his backpedal when trying to read/react on the play. Fuller is only a junior, and may go back and declare, but this knee injury raises even more questions about him as an NFL Draft prospect going forward as the negatives outweigh the positives. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying that Kendall Fuller’s best fit for the NFL is at free safety instead of cornerback where a team can take advantage of his physicality in run support, high football IQ/field awareness, and range to get over the top. High upside pick nonetheless because of length and plus athleticism. If a team works him out as a safety, we could see late first round talks again with Kendall Fuller, but that is yet to be seen.
Taveze Calhoun, Mississippi State (#141 on Big Board)
– Big, physical cornerback that I would consider converting over to safety for the long term. He displays good field awareness and physicality at the point of attack, but really struggles when put on an island by himself. Calhoun has stiff hips and sluggish feet that can’t take advantage when he makes a solid read in coverage. If he stays at cornerback, he is a day three flyer at best, but if he gets experimented at safety by a couple of teams this offseason, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a team pull the trigger in the third round.
AgamemnonEarly to Mid Second Round
William Jackson, Houston (#34 on Big Board)
– William Jackson is a long corner with plus athleticism at 6’2, 185 lbs. He is sound in both Press and Off with deceptive play strength at both the LOS and the open field. Jackson is best when he is physically engaged with the receiver and able to get his hands on him, but has also showed the skill-set to be an effective player in Off coverage as well. This skill-set includes his innate ability to mentally process plays before they happen, thus putting himself a step ahead of the opponent both mentally and on the field to make a play on the ball. He may lack fluid hips and easy movement skills, but he makes up for that by being able to read the play quickly, while still being able to plant his foot in the ground and drive on the ball with good closing speed. The position he puts himself in is a main reason of why he is considered a “ball hawk”. Jackson times and locates the high point of the ball accurately, thus giving him the advantage to switch roles per se to the receiver and make a play for the INT or PBU. Overall, William Jackson is my top senior cornerback as of right now, and may continue to rise even higher if he does well in the interview room and tests well in the spring.
Will Redmond, Mississippi State (#39 on Big Board)
– Will Redmond has grown on me as one of my favorite players to watch on tape in all of the 2016 NFL Draft class. His competitive toughness and elite athleticism are what he utilizes to his advantage when playing excellent man coverage. Redmond, in my opinion, is the next best Off Man cornerback in this class behind only Vernon Hargreaves III on tape when he is healthy. In fact he was my top senior cornerback and a sure-fire first rounder before tearing his ACL only two weeks ago. It’s a shame because Will Redmond was one of the most electrifying players in all of college football. His elite ball skills and aggressiveness at the POA instill fear in quarterbacks every time they throw his way because they know that he has the ability to take it back for six. While Redmond’s ability to stop/start in between the receiver’s break in his route without any false steps or loss of movement, the only times he will get beat will be when he misreads a play. He either puts himself in bad position because of a late read, or just gets plain lost, and this could lead to why he fails to consistently get off blocks in run support because he is already engaged by the blocker when he finally reacts to the play. However, the main problem is how he will check out medically with that knee. If he can come back and do something for scouts in late April, then he could surge back into Day 1 talks because of his natural gifts on the field as a cornerback.
Kevin Peterson, Oklahoma State (#42 on Big Board)
– Kevin Peterson has been a personal favorite of mine to watch since last year, when he shut down the 7th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft in Kevin White when they faced off against each other one on one. Strictly in terms of shutdown man coverage, we’d be talking about Kevin Peterson as a top ten pick because of his ability to take out a receiver completely out of the game through either Press or Off Man. What makes Peterson so effective? One, he is able to stop/start when reading and reacting to plays as quick as anybody in the country, thus being able to get on the hip pocket of the WR to make the play. Second, his physicality all over the field. Peterson won’t be the guy to get in your face after making a play, but he lets his play do the talking for him. He seems to live on competition and will get handsy with the receiver at all levels on the field, without making it obvious to the officials to warrant a flag. Because of this, you rarely see separation in between the WR and Kevin Peterson. The ONE thing that separates Kevin Peterson from being a first round pick is that he is an average athlete at best. As much as I love Peterson, I worry about his long speed at the next level, and to me, that screams a lot of Brandon Carr. However, if he can prove scouts wrong at the Combine with his measurables, then I could see a uptick in his stock leading up to draft day.
Tre’Davious White, LSU (#46 on Big Board)
– Of all the uber-athletic corners in the 2016 NFL Draft pool, Tre’Davious may be the fastest in terms of pure long speed. LSU takes advantage of his unreal athletic ability by having him return punts, to which he has solidified himself as one of the most feared specialists in the country. However, it is his Off coverage that he looks so smooth in with his quick feet and fluid hips. The ability and traits are all there, but it seems like he doesn’t want to engage in any physical activity on the field whatsoever, thus giving up separation on routes consistently. White’s ball skills are impressive, but he is only able to use them when he is on the hip of the receiver, and in the NFL, he will face much better athletes at WR to where he won’t be able to trail the receiver and still make the play. In zone, White isn’t fundamentally sound quite yet, and that is proven on tape to where he gets lost of where he is on the field, but this can be taught to him when he steps into camp. Overall, White is going to blow up the Combine if he declares, and may be a first round pick if he impresses scouts in workouts because of his immense upside.
Late Second Round
Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech (#52 on Big Board)
– Not the Virginia Tech cornerback you were expecting? Well the redshirt sophomore in Brandon Facyson is as talented as any cornerback in the country. He proved that in 2013 when he was named as a freshman All-American by being one of the most game-changing players in the ACC with five interceptions. He missed the latter part of 2014 with a broken leg and was granted a medical redshirt, but in 2015, he has looked every bit of the player we saw as a true freshman. The 6’2, 200 lb. cornerback has the prototypical size and speed that NFL scouts are looking for in the “new” type of cornerback. As a Press cornerback, he uses his rare length to his advantage by rerouting the WR off of his original path and takes over physically. When the quarterback does throw his way, he again uses that superior length of his to knock away the ball from the receiver. My problem with Brandon Facyson is his lack of fluidity in Off coverage. It’s not that he cannot read/react plays in front of him, but it is the fact that he struggles to plant his foot and change directions on a consistent basis. Although I have seen flashes of success in Off coverage for Facyson, I am much more comfortable playing him up-tight in Press where he can take advantage of his God-given length and play strength. Does he declare? I don’t know, but if he does, he may be one of those ultra high ceiling, very low floor type of players. The Combine will be huge for him if he does indeed decide to declare.
Maurice Canady, Virginia (#65 on Big Board)
– Maurice Canady is another one of those new age cornerbacks that the NFL is looking for because of his 6’2 size and length. On tape, Canady’s football IQ is on display each play, while being able to line up everywhere in the secondary whether that is on the outside, in the slot, or in the back end. Simple as this, Maurice Canady can blanket a WR in Press as he is one of the more effective in this department of the overall class, but struggles to find his footing in Off coverage. Because of his lack of long speed and stiff hips, he will get burned by quicker, faster receivers if he is not able to get his hands on them initially. Despite his play strength at the LOS, he really struggles in the open field as a tackler. In fact, I don’t have much of a problem with his wrap up technique as he will get the job done when needed, but his pursuit angles and effort in getting dirty in run support is very concerning, which leads to his missed tackles. Canady’s versatility to play both inside and out will appeal to scouts as well as his effective play in both Press and Zone, but he must learn how to blanket a receiver by using his feet before he rises any higher than this spot here.
AgamemnonMid-Late 1st Round
Mackensie Alexander, Clemson (#18 on Big Board)
– In my opinion, there aren’t many cornerbacks in the country that have the pure talent of Mackensie Alexander. His natural man coverage traits are obvious with his fluid hips, smooth backpedal, and gifted athletic ability. He has below average size for the position at 5’10, but his “alpha male” competitive toughness and physicality makes up for that in a big way. While he is not afraid to get in his opponent’s face after making a play, he is also vulnerable to being too aggressive at times in coverage. Whenever the receiver makes his break in his route, it’s hit or miss on whether Alexander makes the big play, or gets beat on a double move. I see this type of “hit or miss” in run support as well when he tries to tackle the ball carrier in the open field. Overall, Mackensie Alexander may indeed be the most naturally gifted cornerback in the entire draft in terms of athletic ability and straight up man coverage, but his lack of awareness in zone and “all or nothing” mentality will draw mixed opinions on his evaluation as a whole.
Desmond King, Iowa (#24 on Big Board)
– The ball-hawking junior from Iowa is one of the names to watch out for to rise as we get closer to the 2016 NFL Draft. He is “lockdown” in man coverage and will dare opposing quarterbacks to throw his way. King’s closing speed and ability to process the play mentally before-hand are key reasons of why he is so successful. His ability to close in Off and get hip to hip with the receiver without allowing any separation between them puts himself in perfect position to make a play on the ball when it is throw his way. Hence the word “ball-hawking”, Desmond King arguably has the most natural ball skills of any cornerback in this class. King locates the ball and attacks it in the air with sure hands and timing, which is why he is among the NCAA leaders in interceptions thus far. Desmond King is not the greatest athlete at the cornerback position, but he puts himself in excellent position each and every play with his closing speed and ability to read the field as a whole. One area where I do believe King could improve in primarily is his play strength. Iowa plays him primarily in Off coverage, but I worry about his limitations in Press because I have seen him get out-muscled on blocks and get boxed out in the open field by bigger receivers. Like Alexander, King is mainly “hit or miss” in the open field as a tackler as well as being susceptible to a double move, as he will get greedy to make the “splash” interception. Desmond King is not as naturally gifted an athlete as Mackensie Alexander, but his football IQ, ball skills, and man coverage traits could push him into the top 20 picks if he chooses to declare.
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee (#29 on Big Board)
– My fifth-best cornerback on my board is the uber-athletic player from Tennessee in Cameron Sutton. With his elite COD skills and smooth hip movement in his backpedal, he has the skill-set to be a very good player in man coverage and cut down the separation the receiver creates in and out of his breaks. However, he is his own worst enemy. On the tape that I have seen, Cameron Sutton will over-estimate his own athletic ability, and will in turn, overrun his pursuit angle to his man, or to the ball carrier in run support. The natural traits are there with Sutton, as he has shown the ability to play Press with his uncanny play strength at the LOS, as well as Off with his elite athletic ability, but Sutton has been able to get away with using his natural traits over technique in college to lockdown his man in coverage. In the NFL, Sutton will have to learn to take better pursuit angles, read the play more effectively so he can put himself in more opportunistic position, and trust his technique over his athleticism because he could falter early if he fails to do so. On the other hand, I can’t think of another cornerback that as a higher ceiling than Sutton in this class, and he could very well be the next great cornerback in the NFL if he can learn to play with BOTH technique and athleticism. I’m not sure if another year in college would help his cause, but he is going to be a player worth investing in by the mid to late part of the first round regardless.
Agamemnon
He didn’t even mention Kevin Hogan. He is a link to some videos of the QBs. http://draftbreakdown.com/video/?position=QB
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1851143/kevin-hogan
Kevin Hogan, QB
School: Stanford | Conference: PAC12
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: McLean, VA
Height/Weight: 6-4 / 218 lbs.Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Hogan passes the eye test with a broad-shouldered, well-built frame for the position. Instincts, accuracy and velocity are enough to overcome the quirky delivery.Hogan has good (but not great) accuracy to all levels with especially impressive touch on deep passes when he has the room to step into his throw. While accuracy is a concern, arm strength is not. Hogan has a rifle.
Hogan has been well protected by the elite talent blocking in front of him but when pressure does force him off his spot, he is willing to step up in the pocket, exhibiting poise, toughness and quick decision-making to either throw or run. Hogan shows impressive accuracy when rolling to his right. Like Andrew Luck before him, Hogan is faster (and stronger) than he looks, making him a formidable threat on the run.
Stanford’s scheme calls for lots of play-action, boots and throwing on the move and deep shots – staples of a pro-style offense that suit Hogan’s athleticism and strong arm well.
WEAKNESSES: Elongated delivery. Struggles with accuracy on deep passes. Lacks great mobility that is increasingly valued in the NFL.
Hogan can hit the open man consistently but too often his passes force receivers to adjust their routes slightly, limiting run-after-the-catch opportunities and occasionally leaving pass-catchers vulnerable to big hits. Worse, Hogan will simply air-mail a pass now and then, missing his receiver by a few yards.
IN OUR VIEW: Stanford’s run-heavy offense doesn’t cater to gaudy statistics and Hogan has struggled with consistency, at times, but he possesses many of the traits scouts are looking for and promises to be among the most scrutinized quarterbacks in the country this fall.
Inconsistent or not, quarterbacks with Hogan’s combination of traits and experience in a pro-style offense typically don’t last long on draft day. If Hogan can put it all together in 2015, he could “surprise” and give Michigan State ‘s Connor Cook a run as the top senior quarterback prospect in the country.
COMPARES TO: Philip Rivers, Chargers – Elongated wind-up that will earn plenty of criticism in the pre-draft process but like Rivers, Hogan’s instincts, accuracy and velocity are enough to overcome the quirky delivery.
2016 doesn’t seem as strong as 2015 was for QBs. imo
AgamemnonI don’t know how much credit to give those kinds of things. I don’t know the poster or the source. But, I do plan on focusing on these last 8 games. The first 8 games are now history and I am only going to count what happens from now on out. Even Cook gets a second chance. 😉
AgamemnonUpdated: NFL fined Rams' CB Lamarcus Joyner $23,152 for his hit on Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater, whom league deemed defenseless.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2015
Minimum NFL fine for first-offense hit on a defenseless player. League can add if sees malice. It did not. https://t.co/p6ythGdgmk
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 12, 2015
AgamemnonMedia limited to about 20-minute viewing time Tues: Havenstein was back. McDonald, Quinn weren't practicing.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 10, 2015
Bemoaning team's 3rd-down woes, Fisher said fans might start chanting "Welker" instead off "Gurley" if new WR moves the chains.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 10, 2015
Joyner said he was impressed at how quick Welker looked on the practice field Tuesday.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 10, 2015
Agamemnonhttp://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article28446238.html
NFL rule change will tempt teams to go for two points
By Brian Gosset
Analytics will be in the spotlight during the 2015 NFL season more than ever because of a rule change involving the extra point.
After a few years of trying to change the rule, the NFL and its owners voted 30-2 in May to move the extra-point try from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line.
However, if teams want to go for two points, the ball will remain at the 2-yard line.
The rule change also says the defense can return a blocked extra point or failed 2-point try for two points. Under the previous rule, the ball was dead on a failed try.
The NFL experimented with the longer kick for two weeks in last year’s preseason. Kickers made 94.3 percent of their 33-yard extra points.
The question in 2015: Kick the extra point or go for two?
Brian Burke, creator of Advanced Football Analytics, has worked with numerous teams over the years on the odds of certain in-game scenarios, such as 2-point and fourth-down conversions.
Burke is 50-50 on the change.
“I know its intent,” he said. “It’s important to keep the game interesting, but they may have made it more complicated than it needed to be. The ball is in two different spots now for the extra-point. Overall it’s a better solution. Kicking in general can improve, maybe make narrower posts.”
Burke has studied analytics for nearly 10 years. Each year, teams contact Burke and his company for advice.
“It was a hobby of mine and interesting to me,” Burke said. “I started the website and got phone calls from media and different outlets, and that’s when teams started to call me to consult with them.”
PATs from the 2-yard line had a conversion rate of 99.5 percent, while the all-time success rate of the 2-point conversion is 48 percent. The 32 teams attempted 59 2-point tries last season, converting on 47 percent. Eight teams, including the Cowboys, did not attempt a 2-point conversion.
“More teams will go for two,” Burke said. “It’s twice the risk, but twice the reward. Kicking it is just half the risk, but half the reward.”
Keith Goldner broke the percentages down further. Goldner is chief analyst at numberFire, an analytical company.
According to Goldner, with the ball moved to the 15-yard line, the success rate drops six percentage points to 93.6 percent. The expected point total that comes from a 2-point try is .960, which is higher than expected from an extra-point try from the 15-yard line.
Going for two, under these new rules, is probably smarter, according to Goldner. A lot goes into the decision, and of course, the rate of hitting a 2-point conversion can increase with a little more practice.
“This obviously depends on your personnel and your opponent’s personnel, but running the ball by the goal line has a higher success rate than throwing the ball,” Goldner said. “I am personally a proponent of spreading the field and running the ball into open gaps, depending on how the defense lines up.”
Another reason 2-point attempts might increase is because dual-threat quarterbacks are becoming the norm in the league.
“It will make teams more likely to miss extra points, and as a result, more likely to go for two in general,” Goldner said. “In reality though, as many coaches are highly risk averse, it probably will not have a dramatic immediate effect on coaching tendencies.”
Dallas was among the 30 teams to vote for the PAT change, even though Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey has not missed an extra point in four seasons, hitting on all 179.
“It’ll just be interesting to see how it affects the game,” Bailey said. “I wouldn’t say it’s going to be uncomfortable. We played with it a little bit last preseason, and it wasn’t anything crazy. It’s just going to take getting used to.”
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is OK with the change, particularly the defensive benefit of the new rule.
“Obviously, it makes the extra point that much more challenging,” Garrett said. “I’m glad they did the thing where the defense can return it and get two points. I think that’s a good rule, and I’m glad they kept it at the 2-yard line [on 2-point tries].”
Either way, the percentages will be looked at closely.
That’s where analytics come in.
Burke played football during his high school days — tight end and defensive end — before joining the Navy, where he was a longtime pilot.
“The military is heavy on numbers, so I thought why not football,” he said. “I applied some of the same ideas and concepts. I used to have endless debates with people about sports that would never end, so I created software from grad school and put stats online, and it started to answer many questions.”
Goldner also has a sports background. He played for a two-time state championship tennis team in high school in Pennsylvania, before attending Northwestern University.
“As an undergraduate at Northwestern University, I read Michael Lewis’ The Blind Side,” he said. “In that book, Lewis details a mathematical study by Ben Alamar [currently of ESPN Analytics] discussing why passing is much more efficient than rushing in the NFL. After reaching out to Ben Alamar, I was able to intern with him at the Oklahoma City Thunder for several years. I would later intern at the Philadelphia 76ers and in the ESPN Research department before eventually starting at numberFire.”
Burke focuses more on fourth-down and 2-point conversions, replay challenges and onside kicks.
“Some teams use my tools and models for themselves, and I provide help for teams to make the right decision,” he said. “I’ve worked closely with teams over the years. My tools and models have now been the standard around the league.”
One scenario Burke can recall is when the overtime rules changed. Before, the game would end with any team scoring first. Now if one team kicks a field goal, the other team has a chance to play offense.
Burke said that teams shouldn’t rely on long field-goal tries in overtime.
“When the rule changed, teams weren’t sure how to handle some fourth-down decisions,” he said.
“Long field goals are bad on first possessions. You don’t want that. Punting in long field-goal range might be better.”
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article28446238.html#storylink=cpy
AgamemnonWe are 7th in the playoff picture. Along with a bunch of other .500 teams. Our best chance is that Atlanta folds. imo
AgamemnonMy two cents on a couple of things:
Fisher lost this game by going for two early in the game down by ten. Why do you do that so early in the game with this offense and then run the most obvious play? Stupid. Zuerlein’s field goal at the end of the game wins it instead of tying. Pittsburgh goes for two points so often because they are using their fourth kicker, so what the hell.
I know that Fisher going for 2 is the most popular criticism on the net by virtually everyone. I say they are all wrong. I could do the math again, but I doubt I can change the internet. Maybe some authority figure will write something I can use. If everyone wishes to criticize Fisher then do it because he played for a FG and a tie at the 4 minute mark of the 4th quarter. Anyway we had the ball in overtime and didn’t win. There is the next best place to criticize. imo
Agamemnon…Fisher said on his weekly radio show that he expects the offense to break out soon.
==================
Do you expect that?
w
vFisher would not lie to me. I think more than any other game, this game got Fisher upset. He wasn’t his normal, 24 rule and on to the next game self. He also said he was going to line the defensive line 3 yards of the line of scrimmage and give them a running start.
AgamemnonThis year and this game in particular have really focused fans on the relationships between all the elements of the offense. I remember that during the game I though Joseph dominated Barnes. I need to go back and watch Donall more. I would have used Donall at RT, his best position and only made one change to the lineup, but if they wanted to put Reynolds at RT, I am fine with that.
Fisher said on his weekly radio show that he expects the offense to break out soon.
Agamemnon
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2016charlie_2.php#V2JAvvMo0IvZuvIE.99
Here is one early mock draft.
Here is another early mock draft.
AgamemnonFisher went off on Rodney Harrison, who criticized Fisher last night on NBC for dirty play. We'll have more on this in story form.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 9, 2015
Fisher also defended his track record, said his teams play fast and furious on defense _ yes he said fast and furious _ but not dirty.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 9, 2015
Fisher said Rams will take a more aggressive approach with players on the dangers of substance abuse.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 9, 2015
He also said he'd back up defensive line 3 yards off the line of scrimmage if need be to prevent offsides and neutral zone infractions.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 9, 2015
On all of these topics, Fisher was as emotional and as worked up has he has been since coming to Rams.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 9, 2015
Agamemnon
