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ALPHABETICAL LISTING - NAMES ADDED DAILY, CHECK BACK REGULARLY!!!  SAM AIKEN (6�2� 205) WR NORTH CAROLINA � 68 catches for 990 yards (12 games) and four scores as a senior, following a 46 catch, 789 yard, 8 TD campaign (also 12 games) in 2001. Made huge strides during the All-Star season, catching six passes for 136 yards in the East-West Shrine Game - then impressing more scouts with several more catches in the Senior Bowl. Also got decent grades for his blocking as well as getting off the snap while ranking among the top two receivers on the South squad. Reportedly only dropped one pass the entire week. Excellent size and is regarded as a decent physical specimen, runs routes, gets yards after the catch and improvises well � all of which should translate into at the very least being a dependable third down possession option. According to one NFL scout "He can go make a play in a crowd, make the big catch," Bradway said. "His body type is conducive to that. He plays physical and strong. This is a guy who�s going to play in the National Football League, he�s an attractive player to us because he�s been durable and he�s been productive." Personality wise, Aiken comes across as the quiet type to doesn�t call attention to himself. Grew up in a military family living in six different states before reaching eighth grade. On the downside Aiken�s 40-time only comes out at 4.60, and does not project as a breakaway type threat. Some feel Aiken could sneak his way among the top ten receivers in this years draft and possibly be taken as high as the second round, although Rounds 3-4 are more likely.NNAAMDI ASOMUGHA (6 2 �� 210) S CALIFORNIA � Like to thank Rob�s Scouting for alerting me to this tip. Scouts have been drooling over his workouts, and has elevated himself from fourth round to at leas mid-third round � and could even find his way into the tail-end of the second round. Has been running 40�s in the 4.38 to 4.44 range, along with a 4.22 short shuttle and 7.03 three-cone drill. Alternated between corner and safety throughout his Cal career, along with seeing time in the centerfield �Rover� position. An aggressive player who�s smooth for his size, and is willing to participate in run-support. Will jam receivers at the line and is capable at playing the ball. Room for improvement areas include taking better angles along with cutting down on missed open-field tackles. Was highly regarded coming out of high school, and was listed among the top 20 DB�s in the country. Last name is pronounced AH-SO-MOO-GAH. Is cousin of former NFL receiver Iheanyi Uwaezuoke.BOSS BAILEY (6�3" 230) OLB GEORGIA � Younger brother of former Bulldog star and current Washington Redskin Champ Bailey. Depending on who you listen to, Boss can go as early as the middle to late first round, or last well into the second. Does not have tremendous size, but his athleticism is wowing scouts. Was reported by one source to have once record a school record 46 inch vertical leap, which may qualify as a record among any NFL prospect. Was also a State Champion in the 110 meter high-hurdles in high school and is currently recorded in the 4.62-4.66 range in the 40. On the field, Boss is a sideline-to-sideline talent with the speed and range of a secondary performer. Also a great special teams performer who will always be a threat to block kicks. However, the negatives are just as significant. Has an injury history including ACL tears with both knees: the left in 1997 and then the right on the opening kickoff of the 2000 season. Also is criticized for constantly missing tackles, according to some sources at an average of five per game this past season. Even with those shortcomings, Boss finished the �02 season with 114 tackles, 9.5 TFL�s, six sacks, four passes broken up and one forced fumble.TULLY BANTA-CAIN (6�2� 265) DE CALIFORNIA � 6�4� according to NFL Draft Blitz, but sized in at 6�2� 265 at the combine. Cousins include ex-baseball player Jeffrey Leonard as well as the NBA�s Rodney Rogers. Continued has rapid rise up draft board by recording a 4.62 time during his on-campus workout, after previously thought to be in the 4.75-4.8 range. Posted even more impressive times with some other agility drills. Has now gone from being a 5th-6th round projections to mid-second round, and perhaps even higher. Despite the concern about being big enough to play on the line in the pros, Banta-Cain is considered one of the best speed rushers available in the draft (though he could now end up an outside LB in a 3-4). Recorded 22 TFL�s along with 13 sacks this past season, along with 17 TFL�s and eight sacks in 2001. All of this was accomplished despite facing constant double-teams playing for the lowly Cal program. Is considered raw in some aspects, and had some inconsistencies throughout his career. Also, critics point to the fact that TBC had some of his better games v. lesser competition. There are also questions about Upper-body strength, though TBC is credited for doing 25-225 lb reps. Still, the off-season works has been impressive enough and should project at the next level as nothing worse than a situational pass-rusher.NICK BARNETT (6�2� 235) OLB OREGON ST � His stock has risen rapidly in the late stages to the point that Barnett will at the very least be a solid second round selection in what is a relatively weak linebacker year. Had a tremendous senior campaign that some him improve in tackles (121 from 73 the year before), sacks (6 from 2) and TFL�s (21 from 6). Does not have the vertical leap of a Boss Bailey, but wowed scout by doing 32 225-lb reps, and runs a very respectable 4.58. Played this past season in the 220 lb range, leading some to believe that he�s a dreaded �tweener� between outside backer and strong safety. An athletic sideline-to-sideline talent who diagnoses and anticipates both run and pass plays. Great pursuit and blitzing skills, but improvement is need when it comes to shedding/fighting off multiple blockers. One interested party who found his way to Pro Day workouts in Corvallis was Green Bay GM/Coach Mike Sherman, who is in dire need of linebacking help. Kansas City is among other teams interested, although Nick made the mistake of wearing a Raiders jersey to his interview there (HE FORGOT THEY WERE A DIVISION RIVAL!!!!)JULIAN BATTLE (6�2 200) S TENNESSEE � On the plus side has been reported to be running some 40-times in the low 4.4�s, after originally thought to be in the 4.5 area. Also has a ton of natural ability, has great size for the position, has tremendous big-play ability, and is considered to have as much upside as any defensive back in this year�s draft. Also saw time at the cornerback position in the latter stages of his senior season, but projects more as a safety at the next level. Strengths lay more in run support and blowing plays up in the backfield than playing in pass defense. Many questions also remain about his instincts, as he was disappointing in some circles in �02 after a stellar junior campaign. There are also critiques about his instincts, and is said to be slow in reacting and taking to instruction. Was also a disappointment among scouts in the post-season All-Star circuit, while battling a hamstring problem. Battle transferred to UT after a two-year JUCO career that had Battle seeing time at wide receiver as well as cornerback. Could go as early as the second round, but could slide well into the third or even fourth round.ANQUAN BOLDIN (6�2� 205) WR FLORIDA ST � Declared after his junior year and was being bandied about as a possible late first-round selection. That went by the wayside after clocking a shockingly slow speeds that ranged between 4.71 and 4.83 during on-campus workouts, which could cause Anquan to slip all the way to round three. Previously, Boldin was thought to have speeds upwards into the 4.45 range. Still brings a lot to the table in terms of being a physical specimen, and has apparently picked up some bulk, weighing in most recently at 218 lbs � putting him at the size teams covet. Is physical, but the former quarterback is raw and actually still learning the receiver position. Does run decent routes and is willing to go over the middle. Was among the best preps in America account for 56 TD�s in his senior season, passing for 2,482 yards (36 TD�s) and rushing for 1,497 (20 TD�s). Missed 2001 with a torn ACL (which could account for the drop in speed), but bounced back last year with 65 receptions for 1,011 yards and a conference leading 13 TD receptions. More importantly, by the end of the season the coaches thought the �flash and dash� were back.KYLE BOLLER (6�4� 225) QB CALIFORNIA � Or 6'3" 234 according to the combines. Moving up the draft boards like no one else, Boller opened eyes during Senior Bowl week with his great arm-strength/velocity - then despite not doing any throwing during the Indy combine, really wowed the scouts with 4.61 clocking in the 40. Boller was previously thought to be in the 4.8/4.9 range. Boller is also supposedly capable of a 360 degree dunk and has a 35" vertical leap. Big, strong guy with above average arm who in the last year has made the transition from thrower to passer. College career reads to a slightly lesser extent of Carson Palmer. Four-year starter, a disappointment for the first three before vastly improving as a Senior. 38 Int�s v. 36 TD�s and a 45 percent completion percentage, before improving to 53 percent, 2,815 yards 28 TD�s, 10 INT in �02. A suspect supporting cast around him, as well as working for three different offensive coordinators attributed to much of his woes in Berkely. Current Cal Coach also worked with Joey Harrington as a O.C at Oregon. On the plus-side, he is very experienced operating under a pro-style offense, and has dealt with adversity before. Thought to be a second round pick in early January, Boller has risen to #3 on the QB draft board, and may end up pushing Marshall's Byron Leftwich for #2 and could be nabbed as high as possibly #4 overall with the Bears, which would be a tremendous opportunity.TYLER BRAYTON (6�6� 270) DE COLORADO � Powerful, emotional leader who gives 100 percent on every play. A tweener who played most of his college career at DE but saw time in the interior this past season. Physically, he is a better fit at the end. Ran an outstanding time (4.67) at the combine but usually runs in the 4.85 � 4.90 range. Very powerful with a 435 pound bench press and 640 pound squat, along with a 35-inch vertical. Very intelligent player with long arms, which he knows how to utilize to his advantage. Excellent at recognition skills locating the ball. Weaknesses are lower body strength as well as having that explosive first step coming off the line. Some are turned off by his tweener-status, but versatility and willingness to play anywhere on the line may actually be an advantage in the end. Graduating with a 3.7 GPA and has been an honor roll student since high school. Depending on how much teams were sold on the impressive combine, Brayton may have very well found his way into a Round 2 selection.LANCE BRIGGS (6�1� 230) ILB ARIZONA � Has reportedly bulked up into the 240-245 lb range. In his on-campus workout ran just under a 4.8, along with a 34-inch vertical, a 9�4� long jump, a 4.49 short shuttle and a 7.16 cone drill. One-time fullback saw most of his duty in a 4-3 scheme that utilizes two inside backers, but also can play as a weak-side backer as well as in a 3-4 scheme. Impresses from an athletic standpoint, but could be more physical, but is a good run-stopper who will make plays sideline-to-sideline. Reads and reacts along with dropping back into coverage. Better making plays forward than in reverse. Was reported to be one of the leaders of a revolt that attempted to oust Coach John Mackovic at the end of last season. Since Mac is well respected in NFL circles, some feel Briggs stock will drop. I don�t think it will be a big deal, not like it�s police blotter or anything. Some like Briggs enough to stick him in the second round, although mid-to-late in the third seems more likely.CHRIS BROWN (6�1� 220) RB COLORADO � 6�3� according to the OCSN site, regardless will be one of the bigger backs in pro ball, with speed to go along with it. Appeared to be heading back to CU, as he was slated as a second or third rounder before the McGahee injury � now projects as a solid second rounder, perhaps even late first-round. Declares for the draft after a 1,841 yard, 19 TD season despite missing two games. Burst onto the scene in 2001 with a 196 yard, 6 TD performance to close the regular season v. Nebraska followed by 182 yds and three scores in the conference championship tilt. Should be an every down pick, both between the tackles and outside as well as a decent (but not great) receiving threat. Durability is also a minor concern, as he has been dinged the past two seasons.TYRONE CALICO (6�4� 220) WR MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST � Some publications such as NFL Draft Blitz and the Sporting News do not even have this physical specimen going in Day One, while others believer a team could snatch Calico as early as late in Round 1. Size and workout numbers are just going to be too good for anyone to pass up for long. Recorded a sparkling 4.27 (electronic) at the combine. Also power-cleans 375 pounds and has a 40� vertical along with a 10� 7� long jump. Statistical numbers were not spectacular (40/606 last year, 37/583 the year before) but keep in mind his team was run-oriented. Will play physical while stretching the field. Many still talk about a sensational catch made at Mississippi State in 2000. Critics will point to the fact that he has questionable hands and will have trouble adjusting to the ball. Still the potential is too good for Tyrone not to go in the first 50 picks. Think Jerry Porter, or even a poor man�s Terrell Owens/David Boston.DALLAS CLARK (6�4� 240) TE IOWA � Not all top draft prospects started out as Parade All-Americans in high school. In fact, Clark was a walk-on and started out in the Iowa program as a linebacker, hoping just to get a shot at special teams. Before the 2001 season, Coach Kirk Ferentz talked Dallas into converting to tight end, just as he was busy making then tight end Eric Steinbach into an All-American guard. The development of Clark took off from there, with 38 receptions for 539 yards (14.2 avg) and four scores, followed up by 43 receptions for 742 yards (17.3) along with 4 TD�s, the highlight being a 95-yard score v. Purdue. An even bigger play that day was a 7-yard TD on fourth down which won the game with 1:07 to go. Season ended with Clark winding up as the unlikely recipient of the John Mackey award as a junior, given to the nations top tight end before declaring for this year�s draft. Dallas has a reputation for being a tough, smart player, and carries an unconfirmed time of 4.6 in the 40. Is reliable in the blocking game opening holes as well as for his pass-catching prowess. As of early February, projections had Clark going anywhere from the second round to lasting until Rounds 4-5.ANGELO CROWELL (6�1� 230) LB VIRGINIA � Younger brother of Lions WR Germaine Crowell. May not have the best size/speed combination (4.7-4.8 40 time), but is a �does-it-all� type of player and an ironman who did not take a play off in his final two years at UVA, recording 299 tackles, 16 TFL�s, 7 sacks, two interceptions, 5 passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and an impressive eight forced fumbles. Played inside in Coach Al Groh�s 3-4 scheme, displaying great strengt, leverage, and ability to shed tackles. Was among the best linebackers performing during Senior Bowl week, impressing with his intensity and physical presence. Weak area considered to be in pass defending. Capable of playing inside or outside, look for Crowell to be utilized as an inside backer in the pros to maximize his tackling strengths. Look for the impressive post-season workouts to elevate Angelo into Round 3 status.KEVIN CURTIS (5�11� 190) WR UTAH STATE � Showing scouts that he may project to more than just being a 'posession' receiver, was clocked at 4.43 at the Indy combines, then bettered that with a 4.37 during his on-campus workout. Other numbers that pop out are a 100 catch/1531 receiving yard season in 2001, good for first in catches and third in receiving avg. in all of D-1 football. And then there is the Wonderlic test, where KC posted a near-perfect 48 score, and also interviewed very well in pre-draft interviews. Curtis proved the 2001 season was not a fluke by following up with a 74 catch/1258 yard campaign this past season, despite getting much more attention from the opposition. In addition to the speed, Curtis possesses great hands and runs precise routes. Scouts also feel that Curtis could also do well as a returner. Holding Curtis back on draft day will be the fact that the size numbers just do not measure up, along with not playing top caliber opponents. Curtis also falls short when it comes to the physical aspects of the position, and could well be pushed around in the pros. Was not highly-regarded coming out of high school and JUCO, walking on to the USU program in 2000. Was also a Mormon missionary (missing two years) so Curtis will enter the NFL as a 25-year old rookie. Still, Curtis projects as a good #2 or #3 receiver and could go as high as late in the second round, although more likely a 3rd/4th round selection.SAMMY DAVIS (5�11� 185) CB TEXAS A&M � At the combines ran a 4.46 along with a 40� vertical and 18 225-lb lifts. Experienced, physical corner who will jump on would-be receivers on short and medium routes, especially going over the middle. Lacks the sustained top-end speed to keep up on the deep routes though. Saw significant time in the Aggies secondary as a frosh, and was an All-Big 12 performer from his sophomore season on. Rarely needed help from the safety to get the job done. Good ball awareness and will come up to play the run. Could use another 10 pounds so he can do better in bump or press coverage. A solid third round pick who appears late-second on some draft boards.KEN DORSEY (6�5� 200) MIAMI QB � One of the most decorated signal-callers in college history, finishing with a 38-2 record and coming within a questionable OT PI call of finishing with 35 straight wins and two national championships. Interesting that his completion percentage dropped each year following his freshman year, bottoming out at 56.5 last year. TD/INT ratio dropped as well from 25/5 in 2000 28/12 in �02, but still only 28 INT�s v. 86 TD�s for the career. Also averaged 8.3 yards per attempt. Besides the won-loss record, Dorsey�s height also works to his advantage. Will not scamper for yards, but has a very impressive 4.69 time in the 40. Draft stock went down after a so-so performance in the Fiesta Bowl, followed by a disappointing outing a week later in the East-West Shrine Game. Has also been on the frail side throughout his Hurricane career, but has reportedly put on some bulk in the off-season. Also the arm is accurate, it also does not have a top-end throwing arm, and will obviously not have nearly the weapons at his disposal that he did at UM. Best case scenario has a team looking at his resume at making Dorsey a third round pick as the first QB after the big six (Palmer, Leftwich, Boller, Ragone, Simms, Grossman). But is possible that some other QB�s you may not have heard of go as well and Dorsey is left sitting until well into the fourth round.MIKE DOSS (5�11� 204) S OHIO ST � 40 time checks in the 4.45 range. Interesting to note program height was 6� even two years ago, now scouts say he is closer to 5�10�. Some say his stock has dropped after a sometimes inconsistent season for the Buckeyes, along with his slightly shrinking height. On Mel Kiper�s board he has dropped slightly from 16th in the pre-season to 23rd in January. However, Doss is still projected as the best safety on the board along with USC�s Troy Polamalu. Considered to have skills comparable to the Bears Mike Brown, in other words strong in a number of areas, including blitzing, tackling, and pass defense. Very instinctive player who has a knack for being at, or around the football. Even blocked a pair of punts during his junior season. Also is a great leader on the field. Although the likes of cornerbacks Andre Woolfork, Terrence Newman, and Marcus Trufant will go first, Doss remains an attractive late first-round possibility, although I have a feeling he will now slide to mid-second. Prospective teams expected to be interested include the Falcons, Packers, and Steelers. The Green Bay situation is particularly interesting as the team�s need for defensive backs will increase even more with Charles Rogers joining Randy Moss and Marty Booker in the division.DAMON DUVAL (6�1� 190) P/K AUBURN � It�s debatable whose performance has gone downhill in the past year � Is it David the Golfer or Damon the kicker??? Perhaps we need to check if vertigo is involved in Damon�s woes as well. Came into the 2002 season as one of the nations best duo kicker/punter prospects in quite a while. However his confidence appeared to suffer during his senior season and the leg strength seemed to be down as well. Before �02 was great at making the clutch field goal, best example being a late game 44-yarder in adverse weather conditions that proved the difference in an upset of Florida. Also had a 44-yard punting average that year and was named a finalist for both the Ray Guy (top punter) and Lou Groza (kicker) awards. Since rarely does someone perform punter and full-time place-kicker duties in the NFL, Duval is best projected in a punting/kickoff role, with perhaps some long field-goal attempts thrown in. Off-season has probably dropped him out of the first-day, but look for him to latch on with someone in Rounds 4-5. |
