nittany ram wrote:

I can picture him dying with his head cradled in Arya’s lap or something.

I like Arya’s first re-encounter with the Hound.

Hound: You left me to die.
Arya: I robbed you first.

Nick Scott seemed off the NFL’s radar, with one exception

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/football/nfl/penn-state-s-nick-scott-seemed-off-the-nfl-s/article_ac91b384-6ad4-11e9-8566-37b0930f5006.html

Nick Scott was watching the NFL scouting combine on television March 4, and wishing he was there, when his relationship with the Los Angeles Rams began.

Scott, a Penn State safety who grew up in Lancaster, was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida training for a shot at a pro career. After a workout, he went back to his hotel and turned the TV to NFL Network. Defensive backs, Scott’s peers, were testing at the combine.

Scott’s phone rang, an unfamiliar number. It was John Fassel, the Rams’ special teams coordinator.

“I’m here in Indy, sitting in the stands,’’ Fassel said. “I’ve got your highlights up, and I’m wondering why in the heck you’re not here.’’

Scott had been a foundational special teams player at Penn State, special teams captain in 2017 and defensive captain in 2018. But most media outlets that rate potential draftees didn’t even have a rating for him.

Fassel, and the Rams, were exceptions.

That March day, on the phone, Fassel told Scott, “I’m going to to everything I can to get you drafted for the Los Angeles Rams.’’

They chose Scott in the seventh round, with the 243rd pick.

When Fassel called this time, Scott said, “What’s up, coach? You kept your word. I appreciate it.’’

The Rams have nine safeties on their roster, including a veteran free agent, Eric Weddle, signed in March, and a second-round pick in this draft, Taylor Rapp.

Special teams appear to be Scott’s meal ticket for now.

“I do see myself as a safety first,’’ he said, “But I have a lot of experience, and a lot of passion, for special teams. It’s a phase of the game I’ve really grown to love.’’

A true grinder to help us in run defense.

One-on-one with @Coach_Henny after the addition of @GregGaines99! pic.twitter.com/jWWrlBU2IK

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 27, 2019

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Grown man strength by Greg Gaines to split the double team. #Huskies #AppleCup https://t.co/zI9pZLxcCY

— Rob Rang (@RobRang) November 25, 2016

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UW Greg Gaines avoids the reach block on this outside zone to blow up the run pic.twitter.com/oMMcZPsVCf

— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) January 24, 2019

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Greg Gaines is a hoss. Sorta loses this snap at first, but just grinds through it. pic.twitter.com/MhZDLsBVpz

— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) January 27, 2019

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Greg Gaines (DT #99) for Washington playing below pad level is great to see. Powerful, run stuffing DT playing at the LOS. Yes, please.

He's had 65 tackles, 13 TFL and 5 sacks over the last two years. He could certainly be a name we see at the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/Q1VbUogsG9

— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) September 5, 2018

Billy_T wrote:

That makes sense, Nittany. But I thought most of them did follow her.

???

Just a big bunch of warriors. There’s still some Dothraki back in Dothraki land.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/josh-carraway?id=2557883

OVERVIEW

It was a disappointing year for the Horned Frogs, barely making a bowl game with a mediocre six wins (one over FCS for South Dakota State). Carraway, however, earned his second straight first-team All-Big 12 nod by racking up 11 tackles for loss, including a team-leading eight sacks. He had similar numbers as a junior in 2015 (11.5 TFL, nine sacks, three forced fumbles) and was a part-time starter as a sophomore (33 tackles, five for loss, two sacks) as TCU went 23-3 over those two seasons. Carraway redshirted in 2013 due to depth in the team’s front seven, one year after playing in four games as a reserve.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Outstanding athlete. Explosive with plenty of twitch. Has sudden, bouncy feet. Plus range as tackler. Possesses speed to win foot race down the line as a backside chaser when unblocked. Fluid hips and good acceleration to leverage wide, flowing runs to the sideline. Gets maximum arm extension when landing the early punch. Intriguing pass rusher. Has an NFL-level burst upfield. Flexibility creates ability to dip and corner the edge sharply. Has breathtaking closing burst to the quarterback as a rusher. Flashes of hand fighting provide hope for improvement. Transitioned from strong side to open side as a senior with no issues.

WEAKNESSES

Playing demeanor is too kind. Needs to inject some dog in his play. Lightweight at setting the edge. Gets jostled around far too easily to be trusted against the run. Needs to cut hands loose earlier in the rep and with more purpose. Content to ride on blocks rather than fight his way through them. Passive at point of attack and rarely imposes his will downhill. Technique and footwork seem random at times. Will have to learn how to take on blocks and stand his ground. Easily washed down by down blocks. Ragged, grab-and-drag tackler. Will need to find counter rush move to offset lack of play strength against redirect blocks around the arc.

SOURCES TELL US

“No, he’s not the toughest guy out there, but neither was Bruce Irvin when he came out. Do you remember that? I’m not saying he’s Irvin, but those players with pass-rush traits usually go higher than you expect them to. Coaches get paid to improve the technique. You can’t coach his speed.” — NFC director of personnel

BOTTOM LINE

Several boxes go unchecked for Carraway, but his outstanding athleticism and potential as an edge rusher will provide draft value. His instincts are a long way off and he lacks the functional strength and toughness at the point of attack that most teams require on the edge, but a big combine could heat his draft stock up. He will require patience and much more technique work, but he does possess NFL traits as a developmental prospect.

-Lance Zierlein