Time to wrap up Ravens links for the final two players the team selected in April's draft. We'll see what people think of Virginia Tech wide receiver Justin Harper today and check out links for Oklahoma running back Allen Patrick later this week.

Round 7 (215th overall): Virginia Tech WR Justin Harper

6 feet 4, 198 pounds

Here's what NFL.com says about this pick:

Harper has excellent size and speed, but he played only about half the snaps at Virginia Tech. He showed good hands at the combine.

Harper had 41 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Hokies.

A scouting report on NFLDraftCountdown.com from Scott Wright:

Strengths: Very good height and bulk...Has long arms...Excellent athleticism...Soft hands and he'll make the spectacular catch...Nice body control and ball skills...Terrific leaping ability...Strong and aggressive...Runs hard...Superb awareness..Has some upside.

Weaknesses: Timed speed is nothing to write home about..Not very quick or explosive and lacks a burst...Does not get a lot of separation...Drops too many balls...Not very elusive and won't do much after the catch...A sub par blocker..Never "The Guy" in college.

Here's what Scouts Inc. has to say about Harper:

Harper possesses the frame to add bulk and strength without losing too much speed and he has the tools and size to be effective at the next level with solid coaching and sound strength program. On the other hand, he is raw and is too easily neutralized by press coverage at this point so he projects as a seventh round pick.

SI.com's scouting report on Harper:

POSITIVES: Strong possession wide out with reliable hands. Works hard to get open, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and adjusts to the errant throw. Looks the pass in. Possesses a straight-line burst of speed, displays a sense of timing, and makes the difficult over-the-shoulder reception downfield. Physically defeats defenders and takes the big hit while holding onto the pass. Fearless and will extend or expose himself in a crowd to make the catch.

NEGATIVES: Marginal downfield blocker. Lacks the second gear and the ability to beat defenders in a foot race.

In a Q&A in The University Daily Kansan, we learn that Harper's favorite movie is Hoosiers, his favorite food is lasagne and Jay-Z was bumping on his IPod in the past year.

Not a lot of YouTube love for Harper. You can click on this link to see a video of his 84-yard punt return in the Orange Bowl, but I wouldn't click on it if you get sea-sick easily. The video's taken from a fan in the stands.

And finally, a breakdown from The Sun:

2007 statistics: 41 catches, 635 yards, five touchdowns.

Strengths: Has prototypical size and speed but needs to be able to run in pads. Might have finally realized his potential with big senior season.

Weaknesses: One-year wonder at Virginia Tech. Is he the 41-catch guy from his senior year or the one who barely registered his first three seasons?

Click here for links to other Ravens draft picks.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

Round 6 (206th overall): Cincinnati safety Haruki Nakamura

5 feet 10, 190 pounds

Nakamura kept a diary on BearcatInsider.com as he prepared for the draft. Here's an excerpt from one of his entries:

A shot at a dream, a dream that so many people out there feel is out of my reach because of my size, speed, or whatever else they can come up with. That fire inside that has brought me this far is beginning to fuel one more time, just to shut some mouths and open some eyes. The raging desire to establish my name in a league that people don't believe I will last in. If I were to truly listen to some of those things, I would have given up a long time, but that's not me, that's not how I was brought up and that's not how I play football.

Good profile on Nakamura in The Chronicle-Telegram. In high school at St. Edward (Ohio), he nearly quit football as a junior because he was a third-string quarterback. One of the players in front of him: Ravens quarterback Troy Smith. The article also talks about how Nakamura's mom forbid him to play football as a youngster, and how he's used his size as motivation:

“A lot of people assume that because I’m not that big of a guy, I wouldn’t be a physical player,” said Nakamura. “It’s true. I’m not 6-2 and 225 pounds. But in my eyes, that’s part of the fun. I like surprising people.”

The Chronicle-Telegram caught up with Nakamura after he was drafted:

“When I got the phone call, it was the biggest relief,” said Nakamura. “There’s a lot of weight off my chest. Now I can relax and get ready to play more football.”

NFL.com's scouting report on Nakamura:

Classic over-achieving blue collar free safety who simply makes too many plays to not get a shot at the next level. While Nakamura lacks the elite straight-line speed of some of the other higher profile athletes at the position, he plays with instincts, physicality and an ability to step up his level against top competition. Nakamura's versatility as a return specialist just adds to his value.

SI.com's scouting report on Nakamura:

POSITIVES: Productive, hard-working college defender with limited upside. Intelligent, displays good instincts, and quick diagnosing the action. Physical, works to get involved, and a willing volunteer in run defense. Displays a burst of straight-line speed, takes good angles to the action, and wraps up when tackling.

NEGATIVES: Undersized, has tackles broken, and struggles getting off blocks. Lacks top sideline-to-sideline range as well as speed to the flanks.

And finally, a couple of very well-done highlight videos on YouTube. Take note of Nakamura stopping No. 27 of Rutgers on a couple of occasions. That's Ravens second-round pick Ray Rice. Looks like Nakamura will see some familiar faces when he gets to his first minicamp.

Here's Nakamura's player page on Cincinnati's Web site.

And finally, a breakdown from The Sun:

2007 statistics: 85 tackles and four interceptions.

Strengths: Smart player who served as the defensive quarterback of the Bearcats. Led team to 10-win season. He's a sure tackler.

Weaknesses: Size. He might not be big enough to play safety in the NFL.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Round 4 (133rd overall): Weber State offensive tackle David Hale

6 feet 6, 308 pounds

Here's what NFL.com says about this pick:

Hale put himself on the map with a solid performance at the East-West Shrine Game. He has the size to play at the next level, but lacks athleticism. Coming from lesser competition, it could take a few years for him to develop.

Here's a Q&A with Hale on NFLDraftBlitz.com that was published in January. Here's what he said were his strengths:

Ahh, just knowing the game. I study the game. I got a little nasty streak. I will go all the way to the whistle.

Here is SI.com's scouting report on Hale:

POSITIVES: Hard-working blocker with adequate size. Quick in all aspects of the game, displays solid footwork sliding off the edge, and anchors in pass protection. Effectively works his hands throughout the action, shows the ability to adjust, and jolts opponents with good hand-punch. Nasty and shows a large degree of toughness to his game. Quick in his head picking up assignments and works well with teammates.

NEGATIVES: Not a dominant drive-blocker and marginally effective opening holes for the running game. Gets minimal results blocking in motion.

Here's Hale's player page on Weber State's Web site.

And video of Hale from the combine:

Finally, The Sun's breakdown:

2007 statistics: His team's offensive line allowed just 12 sacks in 11 games.

Strengths: Size and experience. He's huge and has the frame to add pounds. Four-year starter at Weber State.

Weaknesses: Not very athletic and played against Championship Subdivision competition like first-round pick Joe Flacco.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Round 4 (106th overall): New Mexico WR Marcus Smith

6 feet 1, 214 pounds

Smith had 91 catches for 1,125 yards and four touchdowns as a senior.

Here's a scouting report on Smith from NFLDraftCountdown.com's Scott Wright. Smith's weaknesses according to Wright:

Not very quick or explosive...May struggle to separate in the pros...Still has some work to do in the route running department...Does not use his hands well...Not a finished product and still needs to work on mastering the nuances of the position.

Interesting profile of Smith by ESPN.com's Chris Low. Smith's mother died of a brain aneurysm during his senior season, but that wasn't the first time he faced tragedy:

His father had never been a part of his life. His oldest brother, Maurice, had already been dead for 13 years. He was shot and killed near the San Diego apartments they lived in while riding his bicycle. Smith was only 9 at the time, and it was the start of a tragic seven-month stretch in 1994 that taught him at a young age how fleeting life can be. Maurice's drive-by shooting occurred in March of that year. His grandmother (Sheila's mother), Barbara Lewis, died in August of cancer. A day after her funeral, Smith's uncle, William Lewis, was shot and killed following an argument just down the street from where they all grew up. The only reason he was in town was to bury his mother. Smith has a second brother, Alex, who's currently in prison and isn't scheduled to be released until later this year.

"I know she's watching, so I'm not about to take any plays off, whether it's a game or a practice," Smith said of his mother in the article. "I can feel her right there on my shoulder. I know she'll always be with me."

Here's an article from The Albuquerque Tribune about Smith. It talks about how he didn't start playing football until the ninth grade and was originally recruited as a running back:

When Smith arrived, he found a crowded field of running backs, led by star DonTrell Moore, stealing all the playing time he wanted. "I was mad," he said. "I pouted, I got angry, I wanted to give up. I thought I deserved to have the ball in my hands, and I couldn't let go of the idea that I was the star." Smith wanted to quit when UNM coaches moved him to wide receiver, but his mother told him to stick with the Lobos.

Here's Smith's player page on New Mexico's Web site.

And finally, a breakdown from The Sun:

2007 statistics: 91 catches, 1,125 yards, four touchdowns.

Strengths: Good size and speed, ideal for a slot receiver in the NFL. Also can play on special teams right away.

Weaknesses: Experience. Started his college career as a running back, so like Cousins, he's still learning how to play his position.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

Round 3 (99th overall): UTEP offensive tackle Oniel Cousins

6 feet 4, 308 pounds

Here's what NFL.com says about Cousins:

At this point in the third round, Cousins is a good value. He's a converted defensive tackle that has solid skills along the offensive line and is a decent depth player at the pro level.

Pro Football Weekly's take on the Cousins pick:

UTEP OT Oniel Cousins is at least a year away from contributing but has all the physical attributes needed to start in the NFL. It may take a year to absorb a playbook and learn protection schemes, but if the light comes on, he could turn out to be a steal for the Ravens at the back of the third round.

Cousins was born in Jamaica before moving to the U.S. as a teenager. According to CBSSports.com, he never saw a football game until his sophomore year of high school. In college, he started out as a defensive tackle before switching to the offensive line. Cousins struggled as a left tackle starter in '06 and was replaced in the lineup. But he improved drastically as a senior when moved to right tackle.

Here's Cousins' player page on UTEP's Web site.

Some YouTube highlights of Cousins:

And finally, a breakdown from The Sun:

2007 statistics: Earned All-Conference USA first-team honors. Had 78 knockdown blocks and allowed just three sacks on 440 pass plays.

Strengths: Versatility. Has played both tackle positions and can play guard. Has a big upside because he's still learning to play on the offensive line.

Weaknesses: Experience. Played his first two seasons at UTEP on the defensive line.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Round 3 (86th overall): Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski

5 feet 11, 210 pounds

Here's what NFL.com says about Zbikowski:

A hard-nosed safety who can hit and play strong in run support. Also a special teams return man who can be a valuable contributor in the kicking game, something new coach John Harbaugh will love in Baltimore. Not extremely quick, but has a good sense of the game.

Here's Scott Wright's scouting report from NFLDraftCountdown.com. Zbikowski's weaknesses according to Wright:

Shorter than you would prefer...Does not have great timed speed...Is not a great athlete...Can be too aggressive at times...Does not have fluid hips and could be a liability in coverage...Is prone to biting on fakes...Will need to work on his tackling fundamentals...Might be a one dimensional in-the-box type...Has a limited upside.

You're going to hear a ton about Zbikowski's career as a boxer. Here's a link to an SI.com in-depth profile about Zbikowski in the ring. Here's a snippet:

As he got older, Tom gravitated toward football and boxing. He still has scars on his hands from breaking into whatever E.J. [his brother] told him to break into. He once banged his head against a brick fireplace because it was the most efficient way to prove how hard his head was. Tom was, to put it one way, active.

And here's what he says in the article about why he boxes:

"It's just that feeling," Zbikowski says. "It's a whole 'nother world in there, than watching it from the outside. It's hard to explain what it's like. That feeling that you have what it takes to step into the ring. There's not too many people that can say they've stepped into any ring with a serious partner. That one-on-one battle, you can't blame anyone else, it's just you and him. That's it."

A five-minute YouTube video of Zbikowski's football highlights:

And footage from one of his boxing matches:

Here's Zbikowski's player page on Notre Dame's Web site.

And finally, a breakdown from The Sun:

2007 statistics: Had a career-high 80 tackles (42 solo) with a sack and two interceptions. He also returned 23 punts for 234 yards (10.2-yard average).

Strengths: A big-time playmaker. Has seven career touchdowns - two on interceptions, two on fumble recoveries and three on punt returns. Should make big contribution on special teams.

Weaknesses: Freelances too much in the secondary. Goes for the big hit or big interception, leaving the defense exposed.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Round 3 (71st overall): Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden

6 feet 1, 233 pounds

Gooden was a big-time recruit coming out of high school, picking the Hurricanes over schools like Ohio State, LSU and Tennessee. The people over at NFL.com really like the pick for the Ravens:

Looking back in a few years, Gooden might be the best player taken on the second day. He has great athletic ability and gives the Ravens depth in a linebacker corps that is aging.

This South Florida Sun-Sentinel article says Gooden improved his draft stock at Miami's Pro Day. He played outside linebacker for most of his career, but switched to the middle as a senior because of injuries to other players. Gooden was named the team's defensive MVP.

"I don't think I've started to peak yet," Gooden said in the article. "I can't wait to show my skills at the next level."

Here's Scott Wright's scouting report on NFLDraftCountdown.com. Here's what Wright says about Gooden's weaknesses:

Instincts and awareness are questionable...A tad undersized...Is not stout at the point...Doesn't necessarily play with a nasty demeanor...He is not much of a pass rusher or blitzer...Did not make a lot of impact plays behind the line of scrimmage.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. had Gooden ranked as the second-best outside linebacker in the draft.

NFL.com's Mike Mayock had Gooden ranked as his third-best outside linebacker.

Here's Gooden's player page on Miami's Web site.

And a short YouTube video of Gooden:

And a breakdown from The Sun:

2007 statistics: Led team with a career-high 100 tackles (60 solo), including three stops for losses, an interception and three pass deflections.

Strengths: Athleticism. Should be able to make his mark on special teams right away. Can play inside and outside.

Weaknesses: Before last season, he missed time with injuries in the previous three seasons.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

With the 24th pick in the second round (No. 55 overall), the Ravens added Rutgers running back Ray Rice.

Rice, 5 feet 8 and 199 pounds, had 2,012 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior last season. He was a true workhorse, piling up 380 carries, second-most in the nation. Rice had 335 carries as a sophomore in 2006. According to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., Rice runs a 4.42 40-yard dash.

Here's a YouTube clip of Rice

The Sun's breakdown of Rice:

2007 rushing statistics: 2,012 yards, 380 carries, 24 touchdowns.

Strengths: Excelled in big games. Got better each season. Durable.

Weaknesses: Size. He could take a beating, but if used right could provide a good 1-2 punch with Willis McGahee. Wasn't asked to catch the ball much out of the backfield. Had just 37 catches in three seasons.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
                    

While opinions vary on which quarterback the Ravens are targeting in this weekend's draft, most agree that they are likely to have their signal-caller of the future by Saturday night.

One possibility is Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco. The Sun's Ken Murray wrote a thorough piece in yesterday's newspaper about the strong-armed quarterback.

At 6 feet 6, Flacco is the biggest of the top quarterback prospects, and scouts say he has the biggest arm. ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Flacco ranked as the 24th-best prospect:

Not only does he have tremendous size, but Flacco has the best arm of any quarterback in this year's draft. He should develop into a solid starter in the NFL.

Fore more information on Flacco's college career, I called on Kevin Tresolini of The News Journal in Wilmington, Del. Kevin has covered Delaware football since 1999.

Q: What are Flacco's strengths that make him one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft?

A: In my opinion, and from people I’ve talked to, three things – his arm, both in terms of accuracy and ability to throw long; his head, in that he’s a quick learner, able to grasp complex concepts and is quite composed in action; and his size.

Q: What did Flacco struggle with in college? In what areas will he most need to improve at the next level?

A: Delaware tried to run him some on the option as a junior, but not as a senior. He wasn’t bad at it, but he did slightly injure his knee, and I think they realized it wasn’t worth the risk considering how much damage he could do with his arm. He seems much more comfortable as a classic drop-back guy, though he did show quite an ability to scramble when he had to. The NFL guys say his footwork needs to improve. Tall guys often look a little gangly trying to run, Flacco included. But Delaware coaches often said he moved pretty well.

Q: Mel Kiper Jr. has said Flacco has the best arm in the draft. Do you have any stories/examples where his arm strength was on display?

A: I remember when Flacco first came to Delaware in 2005, but he could not play because Pitt didn’t give him his release. I casually asked a couple tight ends one day at practice about him. Their eyes grew wide as they told me about balls he’d thrown that sailed 70, 75 yards. But his aim and accuracy were also quite legendary. There was a game at Richmond in 2006 when he threw a pass to wide receiver Aaron Love that Love, just 5-foot-9, marveled at, turning in heavy traffic to see the ball coming right to him in a precise spot where he could catch it. He threw a downfield bullet to wideout Jonathan Heydt in a win at Towson in 2007 that looked like a center fielder throwing a baserunner out at home plate, because of the timing, velocity and aim.

Q: Why did Flacco transfer to Delaware?

A: He was one year behind Tyler Palko, who was penciled in as the starter after being second-team All-Big East and Pitt’s MVP as a sophomore in 2004. Flacco did not see himself getting an opportunity to be the No. 1 guy until his senior year, 2007.

Q: What can you tell us about Flacco off the field? What was he like with teammates, coaches and the media?

A: Flacco is very unpretentious and easy-going off the field. I wouldn’t consider him the demonstrative, rah-rah type, but once the team was on the field, he definitely exuded leadership. With the media, he was very honest, without being cocky or arrogant or giving into the hype. He really became more comfortable with the spotlight and media attention as his senior year progressed. My favorite Flacco quote actually came after a 62-56 five-overtime loss to Richmond in 2007. His perspective seemed right on: “I’ve never been involved in a game more fun than that. Obviously, it’s not very fun right now. But when you look back on it, I mean, what more could you ask? It was a hell of a football game. Both teams had multiple chances to take advantage of situations and they ended up coming out on top. You’ve got to credit those guys. They fought just like we did.”

Q: What was Flacco's signature moment at Delaware?

A: A couple come to mind: In that 2007 Richmond game, his headiness was quite apparent at the end of regulation, when he rushed the team into position with the clock running out and scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, practically ripping the ball out from under center in the process. He also made several big completions while scrambling, including a 44-yard fling down the right sideline to Mark Duncan on a third-and-13 from the Delaware 25-yard-line in the NCAA quarterfinal win at Northern Iowa. Both Flacco, rolling to his right, and Duncan were about to go out of bounds. The third-quarter play kept alive a drive that resulted in a touchdown with 2:56 remaining as Delaware took charge 29-20 in a game it won 39-27. To me, it demonstrated what a cool customer he is – no panic – but also how skilled he is.

More on Flacco

ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Ravens selecting Flacco with their second-round pick at No. 38.

Kiper has Flacco ranked as his No. 2 quarterback overall.

NFL.com's Mike Mayock also has Flacco rated as the No. 2 QB.

And finally, highlights courtesy of YouTube:

The Sun's breakdown of Flacco:

2007 passing statistics: 4,263 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions, .635 completion percentage.

Strengths: Best arm in the draft, ideal size, throws very accurate deep ball. Very heady player. Took Delaware to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision championship game.

Weaknesses: Level of his Championship Subdivision competition is a concern. Started his college career at Bowl Subdivision Pittsburgh but transferred to Delaware after it looked as if he would be a reserve behind Tyler Palko until his senior year. Flacco faced only one Bowl Subdivision team last season (434 yards, four TD passes vs. Navy). Also, he split his snaps under center and in the shotgun, a concern for some.

Click here for previous draft profiles.

Photo by Colby Ware, Special to The Sun

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)