BLAST FROM THE PAST-Ramble on rookie free agents
Add yourself to The HERD's Official Roster (guestbook), if you think you are man enough!
The HERD's ULTIMATE link page-add your favorite here!
Of the 13, I have tapes of games of 11 players.
On average, I watched about 3 games of each player.
Here's my review, with categories and players in order:
LOVE EM
Roger Chanoine, OT Temple--Looks the part with long arms. Great feet that mirrors pass rusher. Gets good movement of defender on run plays. Nice proper balance and leverage on run and pass plays. Pass blocks with solid, wide base. Lacks some strength. Can be thrown, but not often. In sum, I love this guy. He's the only one of our UFA's that can be an eventual starter IMO. Oh wait, there is another. I'll get to him later.
LIKE EM
Omarr Morgan, CB BYU--Usually a very good cover guy. Guesses some and can bite big on fakes. Poor tackling techniques and poor awareness in run defense. In sum, could be nice nickel, especially against smaller receivers.
Tyrone Goodson, WR Auburn--Productive, lean, fairly tall(6'2) guy with spindly calves. Looks like Preston Dennard, for those who remember. Does nothing real special, but makes all the plays, including bombs. In sum, 3rd receiver candidate.
FAIR
Fred Pollack, OT Nebraska--Played LT at Nebraska. In a photo with all 5 OL starters, was the only Husker who didn't look moon-faced, i.e. pudgy. Not a good blocker usually. Doesn't do much positive. Pulls quickly but misses open field blocks, often looking like he doesn't know who to block. At times gets some movement. Plays upright too much. Poor in space. Pushes well with arms on the positive plays. But there are too few. In sum, the right size and credentials for OG with us, but hasn't impressed like Chanoine.
Tony Horne, WR Clemson--Catches intermediate passes almost exclusively. And does so stopped with no RAC. Productive and will do middle. Not dangerous. Not impressive. Real positives are outside his receiving. He is real, real tough-altho 5'9", 180. Called the toughest receiver in all college on TV game. Blocks very well. Lowers shoulder after catch to give more than he takes. Athlete, but not impressive receiver really. In sum, he surely could make the team over Goodson due to his special teams and situational strengths. Vermeil had this type on his old Eagles. If my memory serves me, Billy Campfield I believe was one. Alex Hawkins with the old Colts another.
Jeremy McKinney, OT Iowa--Played RT at Iowa. Not strong enough. Needs weight work. Can be thrown like Wiegert. Doesn't hold block. Mirrors pretty well. Particular ability to recover on lost pass block to get rusher second time. Somewhat cement-legged. Slow on pull and real slow downfield. In sum, just fair. Did not distinguish.
Daryl Bush, MLB Florida State--Gets blocked most often. Moves O.K. But not fast enough to sideline. Misses tackles. Nothing special. Certainly far less impressive than Sam Cowart who jumped out at me even tho I was concentrating on Bush. In sum, hype, not hope.
REAL POOR
Billy Austin, S New Mexico--Slow safety. Slow to get there. Gets involved on run but does not hit big-time like Toby or Billy Jenkins Jr. Looks and plays small. In sum, no chance.
Glen Young, DE Vanderbilt--Looks strong. Does not play run well at all. Usually in only on pass plays. Once in a while edge-rushes by running around OT. But way too infrequently. In sum, no chance.
Mark Schultis, P Texas--Kicks very high but very short. Had 2 blocked one week. Holds for FG's. In sum, no chance. But, you don't see enough of a punter to be sure.
Russell Shaw, WR Michigan--The worst UFA. Small. Does nothing. Unimpressive in game after game. In sum, no chance for sure.
DID NOT SEE
London Fletcher, LB John Carroll--I wished I had a tape on him. 6'0" 238lbs. AND 4.45 SPEED!!! Love the sound of that. Also, made 202 taclkes in senior year! Made almost all Division III All-American teams. Nominated for top Div. III player. In sum, I love the guy sight-unseen. You know he'll bust his heart trying. And, with that speed and tackling productivity, special teams natural in 1998. Staring MLB, in 1999-2000 possible. What I'm saying is who knows with a guy like this? Could have been undrafted because "too small" and "small school". Like Sam Mills maybe. Sky's the limit!!!
Corey Stears, DL Mississippi State--Can't find him on tapes. And, Miss St. rotates alot of DL's. In sum, I can't find anything to like here.
BOTTOM-LINE
1. My guys are Roger Chanoine as an OT or OG, and London Fletcher as MLB.
2. Omarr Morgan as a nickel CB and Tyrone Goodson as WR could make team, but Tony Horne could beat out Goodson for non-receiver reasons.
3. Fred Pollack and Daryl Bush, altho hyped, don't show it. Jeremy McKinney too.
LET'S GET READY TO RAM-BLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!