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 (9)
                    

Most draft pundits agree that Michigan's Jake Long is the best offensive tackle in the draft.

Even more share the same opinion that Boston College's Matt Ryan is the top quarterback.

But when it comes to this year's group of cornerbacks, opinions vary as to who should be the top prospect. Some prefer Troy's Leodis McKelvin. Others like Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers Cromartie. South Florida's Mike Jenkins has his share of fans.

And then there's Kansas' Aqib Talib.

At 6 feet 2, 202 pounds, Talib left school one year early to enter the draft. Known as a gambler, he had 13 interceptions during his college career. ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Talib rated as the 14th best player overall:

A game-changing cover corner who had 11 interceptions the past two seasons. Talib has outstanding recovery speed and tremendous leaping ability. He also showed his versatility by catching eight passes (four for touchdowns) on offense.

To get a better idea on how Talib projects as an NFL prospect, I called on Tully Corcoran, who has covered Kansas athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal since 2004.

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

A: His size and explosive athletic ability are what separate him. He's 6-foot-2 with outstanding leaping ability, which makes him very difficult to beat on deep post patterns or in jump-ball situations. Also, he's a risk taker. He loves to jump patterns, which occasionally gets him into trouble, but produces a lot of picks.

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

A: As I said, he's a gambler. You can get him with a double move or catch him sitting on a pattern that isn't there. He's an adequate, but not great, tackler and KU played a lot of zone defense, so he may need to prove he can cover one-on-one. He did seem to struggle with big receivers, too, as evidenced by Nebraska's Maurice Purify, who burned him for three scores.

Q: What went into Talib's decision to leave school early?

A: First of all, he was projected as a first-round pick, which makes it a fairly easy decision. But he does have a young daughter who he'd like to support and, after four years in school, he's fairly close to a degree anyway.

Q: I have read that Talib's work ethic wasn't great when he got to Kansas. Is that true, and if so, how did it change over the course of his career?

A: I haven't heard that. However, he was a bit of a wild man initially. He's stubborn as hell, doesn't like being told what to do and has a risk-taking streak in him that carries off the field. From everybody I've talked to, the birth of his daughter forced him to mature quite a bit. Kansas coach Mark Mangino says he's been a model citizen the last couple of years. Whether that's true, I don't know. But he's been consistently praised for his competitiveness and work ethic as long as I've been around him. You have to keep in mind, Talib isn't one of those guys who was always told he'd play in the NFL. Basically, nobody but Wyoming and Kansas wanted him as a high schooler, and he developed his speed late by running track his junior season. He's always felt like he had something to prove.

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

A: With the media, he was a riot. He was the guy you always wanted to have a mic in front of, because you never knew what he was going to say. By the end, I think he grew weary of all the attention a little, but he loves the spotlight. As I alluded to earlier, he gave Mangino some discipline-related problems early in his career, but by the end, the two seemed to understand each other. From what I can tell, he was popular with his teammates. His best friend is Anthony Collins.

Q: Why was he suspended during fall camp in 2006?

A: Probably for failing a drug test.

Q: What was Talib's signature moment at Kansas?

A: The pick-six against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl (video below). You just knew he was going to make a big play in that game and, sure enough, he scores the first touchdown of the game, high-stepping into the end zone.

More on Talib

According to Pro Football Weekly, Talib told NFL teams at the combine that he tested positive for marijuana three times while at Kansas:

Talib was suspended for two games in 2006 for disciplinary reasons and has numerous non-drug-related issues that concern teams, although he has told teams that he has changed his ways since his daughter was born on June 22, 2007.

Here's a separate Q&A with Talib on Pro Football Weekly.

Talib talked to NFL.com about his work habits when he first got to Kansas:

A player who came to Kansas with a self-described poor work habits, Talib showed some signs of immaturity during his first season, when he redshirted. "That was a very immature person as far as the workout schedule and everything," said Talib. "I was just kind of immature and on my own schedule, like 'I'll get on the Stairmaster and not lift weights.' It was me not knowing what I had a chance to do. It was just me being very young and not thinking."

Scouts, Inc. has Talib ranked as the 21st player overall.

ESPN.com's Kiper has Talib ranked as the second-best cornerback.

ESPN.com's Todd McShay has Talib slipping to No. 20 and the Tampa Bay Bucs.

SI.com's Don Banks has Talib going to the Texans with the 18th pick.

NFL.com's Vic Carucci also has Talib going to the Texans.

ESPN.com's Kiper has Talib going seventh to the Patriots.

NFL.com's Mike Mayock has Talib ranked as the second-best cornerback.

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley has the Ravens taking Talib with the eighth pick.

Here's some YouTube video of Talib. First, his interception returned for a touchdown against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl last season:

And here's video of Talib getting beat in a game against Kansas State:

Click here for previous draft profiles.

Photo credit: MCT photo

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

With the draft a little more than two weeks away, who the Dolphins will take with the top pick remains a mystery.

One possibility is Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long.

In fact, as I was writing this, Yahoo Sports and The Miami Herald reported that the Dolphins have started negotiations with Long. He's still far from a sure bet to go No. 1 though.

The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder was the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year during his junior and senior seasons.

According to NFL.com , he allowed just three sacks in his last 26 collegiate games and was penalized just once in 1,743 plays. ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Long ranked as the fifth-best player overall, calling him a "top-drawer left- or right-tackle prospect."

To get a better idea on how Long projects as an NFL prospect, I called on Michael Spath from TheWolverine.com.

Q: What are Long's strengths that make him a probable top-five pick?

A: Long has been one of the most consistently dominant offensive lineman I have ever watched at Michigan. A starter at right tackle in each of his first two seasons, he started at left tackle in 2006 and 2007, giving him the versatility to play on either side. That versatility helps his draft stock because teams with a need on either side of the line know he can fit there. Most scouts have been talking about Long as a right tackle because he’s a stronger run-blocker than pass-blocker, but I believe he is adept at both. An intense competitor, Long will not allow an opponent to get the best of him. He first worked to become physically stronger than his foes, then through the years became mentally stronger and a perfect technician. Combine an attitude of always seeking improvement with a mean streak and a desire to never lose a one-on-one battle, and you have a complete football player.

Q: In what areas will he most need to improve at the next level?

A: Though he is a good pass-blocker, that is his greatest weakness. In Big Ten play, Long did not face many dominant rush ends. The ones he did, could generally find a little bit of success when they went with a speed move, which was Buckeye Vernon Gholston’s trademark. Long will not be outmuscled, but he can be a tad slow off the corner, and needs to improve his footwork if he’s going to play left tackle in the NFL.

Q: Describe Long's ability as a run-blocker compared to a pass-blocker.

A: Long is a mauler. There were more than a few occasions this year where Long would ride a defender 10-15 yards downfield, pancake him and then stand over the top of him, holding the defender down. He has both tremendous leg drive and upper-body strength, giving him the advantage on running plays against almost any man he lines up against. Give him that extra heads-up that he knows what’s coming, and he will knock guys off the ball quickly. Though he lacks lateral speed, Long can move downfield quickly, often shedding one defender en route to another.

As a pass-blocker, his strength is matching up with heftier defensive ends that want to bull-rush him or want to outwork him because it never happens. Like I mentioned earlier, if you can operate on the line of scrimmage far enough out, you stand the best chance to beat Long to the edge. But in situations where it’s one-on-one and you’re trying to win that battle through physical determination, it’s not going to happen.

Q: Does Long possess a mean streak that we see in many great offensive linemen? Any examples?

A: Sorry, I keep jumping ahead with my answers. In the Capital One Bowl victory over Florida this year, Long just buried the defensive end opposite him, Derrick Harvey (video below), and would not get off of him. I honestly thought he was going to draw a penalty but I think even if he had, Long was sending a message that Michigan had brought its nasty attitude to the field, and it was going to be a long day for the Gators. Early in ball games, he’ll do that. He’ll try to physically beat the opponent down so much that he brings out the quit in them.

Q: How did Long perform when going up against some talented defensive line prospects like Ohio State's Gholston?

A: He gave up a sack. As noted, he struggled with Gholston this season, but that’s the first sack he’s allowed in his career. He wasn’t matched up against Harvey in the bowl game when the Gator nabbed a few quarterback takedowns. It’s difficult to fully assess Long because the stature of Big Ten defensive ends the past few seasons hasn’t been great. But against very good ends, such as Illinois’ Will Davis and Penn State’s Maurice Evans, Long dominated.

Q: Describe Long's personality. What is he like off the field, and what was his relationship like with teammates, coaches and the media?

A: He’s like a lot of Michigan football players -- coached to be a tad boring in speech, though he always had a good sense of humor, and if you could isolate him one-on-one, or at least pull him away from the cameras, the cliched answers would disappear and you’d get a very honest interview with him. He’s intelligent and well-spoken and never ever shied away from the media, even after a tough loss, which earned him respect from those that cover the Michigan team. He was a favorite among the coaches and his teammates because of the way he went about his business on and off the field.

Q: What was Long's signature moment at Michigan?

A: Unlike a skilled athlete, I don’t know that you can pinpoint one moment. I think Long will forever be remembered by Michigan fans as someone that said no to the NFL dollars to return for his senior season. Honestly, that was a huge deal because many felt Long was a better prospect than Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas, who was chosen third overall a year ago by the Cleveland Browns. He could have had it all, but he passed on the NFL to become a two-time captain and try to lead Michigan to a Big Ten title and a win over Ohio State. It obviously didn’t happen, but that selflessness will never be forgotten by fans.

More on Long

Scouts, Inc. has Long ranked as the third best player overall.

ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Dolphins taking Long with the top pick:

While I have DE Chris Long graded slightly higher, Jake Long makes the most sense here. I'm still a firm believer that Jake Long will be an upper-echelon starting left tackle in the NFL. With the addition of G Justin Smiley and current Miami OT Vernon Carey back at his natural position on the right side, the Dolphins would finally solidify their offensive line and give QB John Beck and RB Ronnie Brown far greater chances for success.

ESPN.com's Kiper has him going No. 1 also.

SI.com's Don Banks has the Rams taking Long with the second pick:

We've had Michigan's Long to the Rams for the longest time, but there's a very real chance the pick could be [Vernon] Gholston, given their equally pressing need for more edge pass rush. St. Louis has always had a touch of dysfunction as an organization, and now with owner Georgia Frontiere having passed away and her children becoming more involved in the operation of the franchise, there's even more uncertainty surrounding which way the Rams will go in this draft. Logic says it has to be either a defensive end or an offensive tackle.

Long tied Gholston at the combine as top performers in the bench press test. He put up 225 pounds 37 times.

Long describes holding as an art form to AOL Fanhouse's Michael David Smith:

"I'll admit that I hold," Long said. "I get my hands inside and hide that I'm holding." Long talked about the way he works on getting his hands in good position so that he can grab an opposing defensive lineman's jersey without the referee being able to see it, and he sounded as though he works on holding the same way he works with a coach on his footwork, or with a personal trainer on his bench press.

Here's video of him going up against Florida and Derrick Harvey, who is expected to be a first-round pick, in the Capital One Bowl:

Click here for previous draft profiles.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

Last year, it was Paul Posluszny.

The Penn State LB was taken 34th overall in the 2007 draft by the Buffalo Bills, the latest NFL product from "Linebacker U."

This year, it's Dan Connor. The 6-foot-3, 233-pound linebacker was an All-American as a senior and set the all-time Nittany Lions record for career tackles. He finished first in the Big Ten and seventh in the country in tackles in 2007. Connor played middle linebacker as a senior but played outside earlier in his career.

NFL.com's Mike Mayock has Connor ranked as his second-best inside linebacker prospect, and Scouts, Inc. ranks Connor as the 23rd best player overall.

To get a better idea of how Connor projects as an NFL prospect, I called on Jeff Rice, beat writer for the Centre Daily Times and my former sports editor at The Daily Collegian.

Q: What are Connor's strengths that make him a first-round prospect?

A: He’s just a great all-around player -- decent size, decent speed and great instincts. He can rush the passer, play the run, cover tight ends and tailbacks and has a great mind for the game.

Q: In what areas will he most need to improve at the next level?

A: Every NFL coach wants every defensive player to get faster. Connor must work on continuing to develop his speed while he adds size. He developed several pass-rushing moves last season but can continue to improve in that area.

Q: Connor played both inside and outside at Penn State. Where do you see him playing in the NFL?

A: I see Connor as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense or possibly an inside linebacker in a 3-4. He could play in the middle but would need to add at least 10-15 pounds, in my opinion.

Q: He got in Joe Paterno's doghouse during his sophomore year and was kept out of the lineup for three games. What was the reason for the punishment, and did he have any other character issues?

A: Connor made several inappropriate prank telephone calls to a former Penn State assistant coach during the summer before his sophomore season and was suspended for the first three games of that year. I think the experience opened his eyes -- he stayed out of trouble after that. I think it was a case of Connor’s goofy sense of humor going a little too far; I can’t recall him having any other character issues.

Q: Describe Connor's personality. What was his relationship like with teammates, the media and coaches?

A: Connor showed different sides to different people. In practices and in games, he was all business -- focused, determined and not one to say much. With the media, he was honest and straightforward. In talking to friends and family members, I discovered that Connor had a playful side, but he rarely showed it to the public eye.

Q: Connor's former teammate Posluszny was drafted in the second round of the 2007 draft. How do the two players compare?

A: Connor and Posluszny are very similar in terms of work ethic and instincts. They both make plays all over the field and they never take plays off. Connor has a little more lateral speed, and Posluszny, pound for pound, might be a little stronger.

Q: What was Connor's signature moment at Penn State?

A: It’s difficult to say. I think Connor’s legacy was not that he made all sorts of big plays, but that he made almost all of the little ones. He rarely if ever came off the field but made as many stops late in the fourth quarter as he did early in the first quarter.

More on Connor

ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Chargers taking Connor at No. 27:

San Diego is one of the few teams with the luxury to draft the best available athlete, and since there isn't a good tackle value still on the board, Connor becomes a very attractive option. He can fit well at one of the inside linebacker spots in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme and should eventually become an upgrade over current starter Stephen Cooper, who led the team in tackles in 2007 but has physical limitations.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Connor the third-best inside linebacker available.

NFL.com's Mayock has Connor going to the 49ers at No. 29:

The San Francisco 49ers would love to add Dan Connor from Penn State. You plug him next to Patrick Willis, forget about that inside linebacker position for the next 10 years.

NFL.com's Pat Kirwan has the Giants taking Connor with the final pick in the first round:

The Giants could wind up with a terrific linebacker at this spot. Jerod Mayo (Tennessee) as well as Connor may both be here, but Connor's leadership and production are the tie-breakers. Connor could play the weakside in the Giants defense and has the football intelligence to understand the fire-zone scheme New York plays. Connor has 35 starts, 419 tackles, 34 tackles for a loss and 9 sacks.

Connor tells The Daily Collegian his favorite movie is Kingpin.

Connor attended the combine but had to leave early because of the flu. When asked how he performed on a scale from 1-10 at Penn State's Pro Day, Connor said "probably like a 13."

And finally, a Connor video on YouTube:

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

During a recent chat on ESPN.com, Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart was asked what NFL running back he compares himself to.

His response?

I would say Jamal Lewis.

Stewart is listed at 5-foot-11, 235 pounds. Lewis is listed at 5-foot-11, 245 pounds.

He ran for a school-record 1,722 yards last season, and while few question Stewart's ability, injuries are another matter. He recently had surgery to correct a turf toe injury. Stewart says he'll be ready to go in a couple of months, but others wonder whether he'll be ready for NFL training camp.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Stewart as his fourth-rated running back but has dropped him from his list of the top 25 players overall because of the injury:

A strong and athletic, big running back who displays tremendous patience with the way he sets up his blocks.

To get a better idea of how Stewart projects as an NFL player, I called on John Hunt from The Oregonian:

Q: What are Stewart's strengths that make him a first-round prospect?

A: Stewart's strength is his strength. He's a physical freak who is nearly as strong as former Duck [and current Raven] Haloti Ngata and can run a 4.3 40. He is probably as physically gifted as any current NFL running back.

Q: What areas will he need to improve on in the NFL?

A: He needs to get better at making people miss. Stewart always has invited contact, but at the next level, defenders won't be easily bowled over or run around.

Q: Describe Stewart's personality. What is he like off the field, and what was his relationship like with teammates, coaches and the media?

A: He is a very nice, religious guy with a boyish personality. This is no thug or prima donna, and we will never read about Stewart on a party boat or making it rain. Coaches talk fondly of him, and he has always been very accessible and polite to the media.

Q: How did Stewart deal with expectations once he arrived at Oregon? Is he considered the biggest recruit in school history?

A: He is the biggest recruit in school history, and that probably was a little weight on his shoulders at first, because injuries kept him from producing like the blue chipper that he was.

Q: How are Stewart's skills as a blocker and receiver in the passing game?

A: Both could use a little work. Obviously he has the tools to be an effective blocker. As a receiver, he was not asked to do much. He dropped the occasional low pass but was fairly sure-handed.

Q: ESPN.com says durability is a concern with Stewart. Do you agree, and what is his injury history?

A: Stewart has battled ankle, toe and hamstring issues during his college career -- so, yes, the injury knock is accurate. What he did show, though, was an increased toughness and ability to play with pain (the turf toe) in his junior season. Editor's note: This question was answered before Stewart had the turf toe surgery.

Q: Why did Stewart decide to skip his senior season and enter the draft?

A: He was ready, pure and simple. And he got favorable feedback from the draft folks.

Q: What was Stewart's signature moment in college?

A: It was the season opener in his freshman season when he carried about six Houston Cougars for about 30 yards (video below). That made it obvious that this was no ordinary freshman and no ordinary back.

More on Stewart

The Texans seem to be a nice fit for Stewart. ESPN.com's Todd McShay has him going to Houston with the 18th pick . So does Kiper and SI.com's Don Banks.

Here's an interesting ESPN.com feature on Stewart from the fall. As a seventh grader, Stewart was 5-foot-3, 135 pounds, but he transformed into a 5-foot-10, 200-pounder by the time he was a freshman in high school. Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson compares Stewart to Rams running back Steven Jackson.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer breaks down Stewart's combine performance. He bench pressed 225 pounds 28 times, second among running backs, and ran a 4.48 40-yard dash.

And finally some videos to leave you with.

Here are highlights from Stewart's freshman season in 2005:

And Stewart showing his speed by breaking off an 88-yard touchdown run last season:

Click here for more draft profiles.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

You may not have seen much of him on Saturdays, but if scouts and draft pundits are on target, you'll enjoy watching Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin on Sundays.

Don't let the small school fool you. Troy has played against several BCS schools during the past two seasons, including Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma State, Georgia, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Nebraska.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has McKelvin listed as the No. 14 player overall:

Not only is McKelvin a very good cover man with superior recovery ability (he runs in the 4.38 range) and the aggressiveness to get the job done in run support, he also has made a name for himself as the top return man in the entire nation. He has stood out this season in games against the likes of Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma State and Georgia. With his speed and versatility, McKelvin will bring great value to a football team.

McKelvin, 5 feet 11, 190 pounds, ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine. As a return man, he tied an NCAA Division I record with eight touchdowns (seven on punts, one on a kickoff).

To get a better handle on how McKelvin projects as a pro, I called on Bobby Matthews, sports editor at The Troy Messenger.

Q: What are McKelvin's strengths that make him a first-round prospect?

A: McKelvin's biggest strength is his vision. Whether as a defender or kick returner, he's got an uncanny ability to see the field and understand everything that's going on -- and his role to play. I'm not trying to downplay his other assets, because he's impressively fast, has great hands and is pound-for-pound one of the strongest guys on the Troy team. He's impressive in drills, but even moreso in pads on game day.

Q: What about McKelvin might concern NFL scouts?

A: There's no downside to McKelvin. This is a guy who, in all honesty, should have been playing for a bigger school than Troy. I can't tell you with any certainty why he wasn't.

But he's had no off-the-field problems at the university.

I think that going to a smaller school has sort of given McKelvin something extra. Maybe it's a shot of humility, or maybe it's a realistic attitude that you don't see in many college athletes. He's also injury-free, which was one of the things mentioned repeatedly by scouts at Troy's second pro day Tuesday.

Q: What has the college competition been like for McKelvin at Troy? How has he fared against BCS schools like Florida and Oklahoma State? I read that he shut down Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson in 2006. Is that accurate?

A: He did indeed shut down Johnson in 2006 [Johnson was limited to two catches for 9 yards]. The out-of-conference schedule for Troy is always strong. In 2007 alone, Troy played Arkansas, Georgia and Florida. Troy led Georgia and had a shot at an upset before falling by 10. McKelvin has logged playing time -- and fared extremely well -- against big-time competition. Against Oklahoma State in 2007, he played well defensively in addition to returning a punt for a touchdown. Against Sun Belt foes, McKelvin has led a defense that helped Troy to back-to-back shares of the conference title.

Q: Was he recruited by a lot of schools coming out of high school, or did academic problems scare them off? How did he pick Troy?

A: I believe Troy was pretty much the only IA school to offer McKelvin a scholarship. I don't think he had academic problems coming out of high school, but I can't say that for any certainty. I think a lot of schools flat-out missed the boat on McKelvin.

Q: Describe McKelvin's personality. What is he like off the field, and what was his relationship like with teammates, coaches and the media?

A: McKelvin is friendly with everyone, but he's also a terrible interview. He'll tell you whatever you want to know, but he often gets so excited that he'll sort of talk over himself, if that makes any sense. His coaches and teammates love the guy. He's approachable by just about everyone. I think that going to a smaller school has really kept him down-to-earth.

Q: When did McKelvin first start showing up on NFL radar screens?

A: I'd say his breakout season was 2006. That's when everyone sort of knew that if he stayed injury-free in his senior season that he'd be very good.

Q: What are his strengths and weaknesses as a cornerback?

A: His strengths are his speed and hands. He's one of the few corners you can leave to cover a receiver one-on-one.

Against Georgia Tech in 2006, most of the defensive coverages called for McKelvin to be one-on-one with Johnson, and McKelvin just blanketed the guy.

His biggest weakness: McKelvin’s so good that he'll sometimes take chances that he shouldn't, trusting his speed to be enough to get him back in the play. At the Sun Belt level he could do that. Against SEC opponents, he had to adjust that aspect of his game.

Q: What makes him such a dangerous return man?

As I said earlier, I think it's his vision. He sees blocks coming and the angles defenders take. He knows when to use the wall, and when to make a cutback. When McKelvin returns kicks in practice, I've seen other players stop their drills just to watch him. These are college kids, often impressed with nothing but themselves -- but they're impressed when McKelvin returns kicks. That just sort of stands out to me.

More on McKelvin

ESPN.com's Jeffri Chadiha says academic problems prevented McKelvin from playing at a bigger college program:

He landed at Troy because academic problems scared off bigger programs when he was graduating from Ware County (Ga.) High School in 2004. Georgia liked him, but the Bulldogs never offered a scholarship. Georgia Tech said it would take him if he raised his SAT scores, but the school never followed up.

What's most impressive about McKelvin is that he hasn't forgotten that feeling of being dismissed because of his academic shortcomings. Instead of dropping out of school to train for the combine and his personal workout, he continues to work on the 14 hours he has left to complete his degree in sports medicine.

Scouts, Inc. has McKelvin ranked as the No. 10 player overall.

ESPN.com's Todd McShay has the Ravens selecting McKelvin with the eighth pick:

Unless [Matt] Ryan slips, Baltimore will need to wait at least a round to address its seemingly endless need for an upgrade at quarterback. Ellis is not an ideal fit for its defensive scheme and wouldn't fill a need position, but in this scenario he is a strong possibility for a Ravens organization that is among the league's most disciplined when it comes to drafting for value. With all that in mind, McKelvin makes the best match. He is the most natural cover corner this class has to offer and he also can provide competition for Yamon Figurs in the return game.

ESPN.com's Kiper has the Saints taking McKelvin at No. 10.

CBSSports.com also has the Saints taking McKelvin.

FoxSports.com has the Patriots selecting McKelvin with the seventh pick.

NFL.com also has the Patriots taking McKelvin.

NFL.com's Mike Mayock has McKelvin listed as the top corner available.

A Press-Register article says McKelvin shined against tough competition:

[Against Oklahoma State] he had seven solo tackles, forced a fumble, broke up three passes and had one tackle for a loss on defense. He also returned five punts for 135 yards and one touchdown.

McKelvin seemed to play his best against Troy's toughest opponents. Against Arkansas, he had nine tackles (seven solos) and five kickoff returns for 127 yards. Against Florida, he picked up six unassisted tackles and had seven kickoff returns for 134 yards. He added seven unassisted tackles and 121 yards on six kickoff returns against Georgia.

SI.com's Bucky Brooks has McKelvin ranked as the top cornerback in the draft.

And finally, a clip of McKelvin's punt return for a touchdown against Oklahoma State:

Click here for previous draft profiles.

Photo credit: Associated Press

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

The emphasis this offseason in the NFL has been on getting to the quarterback.

The Giants -- the NFL's league leaders in sacks last season -- winning the Super Bowl illustrated that a great pass rush can make up for other shortcomings on defense.

We've already covered a couple of guys that figure to be able to get to the quarterback -- Ohio State's Vernon Gholston and Virginia's Chris Long.

Today, meet Miami's Calais Campbell. A prospect who was as highly regarded as Gholston and Long entering his junior season, but who now projects to be a late first-round pick.

Campbell had a disappointing senior season, registering just six sacks after posting 10.5 as a sophomore. He wasn't great in combine workouts either, running a 5.1 40-yard dash and bench pressing 225 pounds 16 times.

Sidenote: In fairness to Campbell, strength/speed guru Tom Shaw explained to me a couple months ago that players with long arms will always have a difficult time with the combine's bench press test.

Still, ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Campbell ranked as his 17th-best player overall:

Physically imposing with his height and wingspan, Campbell is able to beat offensive tackles with either speed or power. He does a good job of varying his pass rush moves, while also proving to be solid against the run.

To get a better idea on how Campbell projects as an NFL prospect, I called on Miami Herald reporter Susan Miller Degnan:

Q: What are Campbell's strengths that make him a likely first-round pick?

A: Campbell is very mature, articulate and level-headed. He accepts criticism and truly wants to improve. He is not egotistical, and is very much a team-oriented person. Physically, he's a 6-8, 280-pound tower of terror. He's lean, but muscular and agile and has great initial burst and speed. He has extremely long arms and very strong hands, so opponents have great difficulty getting into his body. Offensive linemen struggle trying to pull him, grasp him or get their hands on him. "He's so physical and strong with his hands that he can twist and do things with guys who are 300-pound linemen that I haven't seen other guys do," Miami defensive line coach Clint Hurtt said.

Q: In what areas does he need to improve? Is Campbell's physical strength a concern?

A: This past season, Campbell sometimes failed to catch his prey after a tremendous first move toward the quarterback. Scouts Inc. said he needs to improve his "closing speed" and doesn't always get great hand placement. He also sometimes tires toward the end of the game. That would probably be more a matter of improving his endurance, as opposed to overall strength.

Q: Why did Campbell decide to skip his senior season? Has he graduated?

A: Campbell struggled for months about whether to forgo his senior season. In fact, during winter break, as the deadline to petition the NFL approached, he'd go back and forth, he said, still unable to make the annoucement. Word among insiders was that he had already made up his mind before break, but then got increasingly introspective. A couple times we exchanged text messages and he conceded he was flip-flopping and having difficulties pulling the plug on UM.

But ultimately, knowing that his No. 1 goal was to earn his college degree, with his dream being to play in the NFL, he decided to leave UM since he got that degree (in sociology with a minor in advertising) in December. His dad, Charles Campbell, died in late 2003, leaving Calais' mother Nateal and eight children. Though his siblings all appear to be successful or at least headed in the right direction, the NFL money could be used to help his family.

Considering UM's poor 2007 season, no veteran quarterbacks in 2008 and the hiring of a new defensive coordinator, Campbell likely figured there was no way the Hurricanes could win it all next season. And he is projected as a first-rounder, so the timing is right.

Q: Some would argue that Campbell had a better sophomore season than junior season. Would you agree, and if so, what were some reasons for the decrease in production?

A: Yes, I agree. And so does he. He was disappointed in this past season, saying he tried too hard to be a leader and sometimes forced plays -- even when they weren't his to make. Campbell was a preseason Playboy All-American after a sophomore year in which he was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference, with 10.5 sacks -- 15th in the nation and fourth among sophomores. He had 84 tackles, including 20.5 tackles for losses, which ranked fourth in the nation. He also had three forced fumbles and 17 quarterback pressures.

Because of his success last season, Campbell was double-teamed much of this season, and he found it more difficult to break free to pursue the quarterback. He struggled at times but still finished with 50 tackles -- 12.5 for losses -- six sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also had an interception.

Q: Describe Campbell's personality. What is he like off the field, and what was his relationship like with teammates, coaches and the media?

A: The guy is a gem. He's truly a warm, kind-hearted young man, who is outgoing and well-spoken and so nice to everyone -- and not in a phony way. He's a big teddy-bear type, very demonstrative.

And boy, is he ever hyper. Campbell is the player, who, during games, looks toward the fans and repeatedly lifts his arms skyward, and then toward his body. "I'm a very outgoing, optimistic person, " he told me. "I've always been the guy to keep everyone excited. It stinks when people boo, so I try to give them reason to cheer."

The beat writer who gets to cover Campbell will be one lucky person. He's always been helpful and kind to reporters. No matter how bad the situation, he has talked to us. He's just plain classy.

"He's a great person," Hurtt told me. "The guy has unbelievable work ethic, and he's an extremely intelligent football player -- very coachable and humble. He stays very level-headed, and he's always asking questions and eager to learn. It's very rare to get someone so down-to-earth. He's the same kid he was when he got here as a freshman."

More on Campbell

SI.com's Tony Pauline said Campbell's stock slid at the combine:

Scouts were surprised Campbell entered the draft after a poor junior campaign. He began the season as a potential top-10 pick, left college as a middle first-round choice and left the combine struggling to stay in the top 25 selections.

ESPN.com's Todd McShay has Campbell ranked as the 26th-best prospect.

FoxSports.com's mock draft has the Vikings selecting Campbell with the 17th pick.

CBSSports.com has Campbell going to the Redskins at No. 21.

Denver Post writer John Henderson wrote a nice feature on Campbell prior to his junior season. The piece talks about how Campbell tried to play peacemaker during the infamous brawl between Miami and Florida International:

"The whole time I didn't know what was going on behind me, who was getting beat up," Campbell says. "I see a couple of FIU guys and I was like, 'Calm down! Calm down! We're out here to play football. We're not out here to fight.' One or two of the guys said, 'Yeah, I'm with you.'"

Click here for a highlight video of Campbell on YouTube. Note -- The music in the video contains language that could be offensive to some readers.

And finally, click here for previous draft profiles.

AP photo

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 1:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

It seems the closer we get to the draft, the higher Sedrick Ellis' stock will go.

Early draft projections had LSU's Glenn Dorsey as the top defensive tackle. Now, not only is Ellis is in the conversation, but some draft experts have him rated higher.

After coming back for his senior season, Ellis impressed draft experts at the Senior Bowl. Here's what Mel Kiper Jr. had to say in an ESPN.com article:

The best player at the Senior Bowl, by far, has been USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. He's quick out of his stance and uses his hands extremely well. LSU DT Glenn Dorsey might be the No. 1 pick, but you are splitting hairs between Dorsey and Ellis.

To get a better idea on how Ellis projects as an NFL prospect, I contacted L.A. Times writer Gary Klein, who covers USC:

Q: What are Ellis' strengths that make him a first-round prospect?

A: Ellis' greatest strength is just that: his overall strength. He is a wide-bodied but solid 305 pounds and consistently overpowered or shed blockers. Those characteristics were on display throughout the last two seasons when offensive linemen from other Pac-10 schools voted him the winner of the Morris Trophy as the league’s top defensive lineman. Ellis also apparently impressed NFL evaluators at the Senior Bowl, contributing to his rise in draft projections.

Ellis excelled at USC despite playing for several defensive line coaches —- Ed Orgeron, Jethro Franklin and Nick Holt/David Watson. The turnover did not appear to bother him or slow him down. He has said he learned something from all of them and his ability to adapt will no doubt serve him well as a pro.

Q: What areas will he need to improve on in the NFL?

A: I am not an NFL expert, but it would seem that Ellis needs to continue improving in all phases to become an accomplished pro. The NFL, obviously, features bigger, stronger, faster and more experienced athletes. So there will no doubt be an adaptation period that Ellis, like all rookies, will go through.

He’ll need to maintain his strength over the course of a longer season and remain composed if veteran offensive linemen initially get the better of him in practice and in games.

Q: Why did Ellis come back for his senior season? Where was he projected to be selected had he left school early?

A: Ellis came back for a fifth and final season because he realized he could increase his draft stock with another year of experience and also help USC make a run at the national championship.

He never revealed where the NFL projected him after his junior year, but it almost certainly was not the top half of the first round; otherwise he would have made himself available for the draft. So his decision to return apparently was the correct one.

Q: What kind of defensive scheme does USC run, and what kind of scheme do you think Ellis would best fit in the NFL?

A: USC mainly ran the 4-3 defense favored by coach Pete Carroll during Ellis’ time at USC. In 2006, however, USC had a preponderance of talented linebackers and the Trojans ran a 3-4 hybrid with a linebacker lined up along the line of scrimmage in the “elephant” position.

As a nose tackle, Ellis played well in whatever scheme USC utilized. His strength, experience and his football smarts would seem to give him a solid base to work from in whatever scheme the team that drafts him employs.

Q: Describe Ellis' personality. What is he like off the field, and what was his relationship like with teammates, coaches and the media?

A: Ellis almost always displayed a gregarious personality with the media. He never shied from answering questions directly and did so with some thought.

Early in his career, like many young college players, Ellis struggled with the commitment to the classroom and attention to detail, trying his coaches' patience in the process. But he seemed to turn it around after [Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle] Mike Patterson departed for the NFL, giving Ellis an opportunity to start. Ellis subsequently evolved into one of the team leaders.

It’s worth noting that while fellow defensive lineman Lawrence Jackson and linebacker Keith Rivers were among the four elected team captains in 2007, it was Ellis who stepped up in practice after the embarrassing loss to Stanford and quietly but forcefully addressed teammates about the need to keep playing on. He commanded the respect of other players.

Q: What was Ellis' signature moment at USC?

A: Ellis made numerous outstanding plays in big games so there isn't any single one that stands out.

People who do not follow USC closely will probably remember Ellis for the muscleman pose he struck after sacking Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter in a nationally televised Thanksgiving night game last season. The pose drew a 15-yard penalty.

But Ellis rarely made mistakes that cost his team. While cameras focused on USC’s linebackers and ends in anticipation of highlight-reel hits, Ellis clogged the middle to stop the opponent’s running game or manhandled centers on his way into the backfield in passing situations.

Q: Describe Ellis' effectiveness against the run compared to his effectiveness as a pass rusher.

A: Ellis the immovable object was a big reason why USC ranked second nationally in total defense and fourth in rushing defense in 2007. He had 12.5 tackles for losses.

Ellis is most effective against the run, but his strength and savvy also make him a force as a pass rusher. He finished his career with 17.5 sacks.

More on Ellis

As of Sunday night, only Ellis' bench-press number was available on NFL.com's Web site with combine results. He did not disappoint in that category, however, benching 225 pounds 34 times, which tied him for fourth among defensive linemen. According to The Orange County Register, Ellis is one of three USC players during Carroll's tenure to bench press more than 500 pounds. Ellis is 6-feet-1, 305 pounds.

Scouts, Inc. has him ranked as the sixth-best player overall, and ESPN.com's Todd McShay ranks him the third-best defensive lineman.

McShay had the Ravens selecting Ellis with the No. 8 pick in his most recent mock draft (Insider subscription required):

Baltimore would like to use this pick to put an end to a seemingly endless pursuit for a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, there isn't one worth selecting here with Ryan off the board. Instead, the Ravens could go with the best value on the board (Ellis) or fill a hole at either cornerback (Mike Jenkins) or left tackle (Ryan Clady). Knowing the Ravens' draft-day discipline, Ellis will be the pick in this scenario.

ESPN.com's Kiper has him ranked the sixth-best player overall, saying "Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and a nonstop motor."

SI.com's Bucky Brooks ranks Ellis the fourth-best defensive lineman:

An undersized interior player with outstanding athleticism, power and quickness. The two-time All-American overcomes his size deficiencies by playing with great leverage at the point and relying on outstanding agility to defeat blockers. With such impressive movement skills, Ellis is ideally suited to play nose tackle in a "one-gap" scheme (Tampa-two) that features a number of slants and stunts upfront. If placed in the right system, scouts expect Ellis to become a force as an interior penetrator/pass rusher. Expect Ellis to emerge as a top-10 selection on draft day.

SI.com's Don Banks has the Bengals taking Ellis with the No. 9 pick.

One CBSSports.com mock draft has the Dolphins selecting Ellis with the top pick.

A video tribute to Ellis:

And some highlights of Ellis from the Senior Bowl:

For previous draft profiles, click here.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
                    

Meeting high expectations has never been a problem for Brian Brohm.

The Louisville quarterback was regarded as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation at the time of his recruitment. Now four years later, he's projected to be a likely first-round pick in the NFL draft.

Standing at 6-feet-3, 225 pounds, Brohm elected to return for his senior year in 2007 after leading Louisville to an Orange Bowl victory during his junior campaign. Last season, the Cardinals struggled to a disappointing 6-6 finish, but Brohm still put up big-time numbers.

He had a stellar college career, throwing for 71 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Brohm was the Conference USA freshman of the year in 2004. In '05, he was the Big East offensive player of the year. And as a junior, Brohm earned MVP honors of the Orange Bowl, completing 24 of 34 passes for 311 yards in a win over Wake Forest. As a senior, Brohm threw for 4,024 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Brohm supporters point to his intelligence, accuracy and work ethic. Critics point to his lack of mobility and possible durability issues.

To help us out with how Brohm projects as an NFL prospect, I called on Brian Bennett, who covers Louisville for The Courier-Journal.

Q: What are Brohm's biggest strengths?

A: Brohm's biggest strength is his intelligence and understanding of the game. This comes from being in a football family where he was brought up as a quarterback from the crib and quizzed on the finer points of offense at the family dinner table. He has a great feel for the quarterback position and works hard at learning what he doesn't know.

Q: What challenges could he possibly face at the next level?

A: Brohm's hands are somewhat small for a quarterback, and he has struggled at times in poor weather conditions. He's not the most mobile guy in the world, though he has a good pocket presence.

Q: If you haven't addressed these qualities already, please assess Brohm's leadership, arm strength and mobility.

A: Brohm's arm may not be the strongest scouts have ever seen, but it's good enough to get the job done. He worked hard this offseason to get stronger and put more velocity on his throws, and it showed with some extra zip on his passes. Whatever he may lack in mobility or pure arm strength, he makes up for in intelligence and game management.

Q: What is Brohm like off the field? What has his relationship been like with teammates, the media and the coaching staff?

A: Brohm has been a star since grade school and was on the cover of SI as a high school teammate, so he's used to the spotlight. But he also comes across as quite humble. In four years at Louisville, I can't remember him saying a single regrettable sentence. His team struggled his senior year, but he never complained publicly. Coaches and teammates have always described him as classy and hard-working.

Q: Some draft pundits question Brohm's durability. Do you think that's a fair concern? What kind of injuries has he had at Louisville, and how much time has he missed?

A: Brohm proved he could get through a whole season as a senior, but he did hurt his ankle in the final game and skipped the Senior Bowl. He has had some freak injuries; he hurt his knee without really being hit as a sophomore; tore thumb ligaments as a junior when he landed on his hand; and hurt his non-throwing shoulder in the 2006 Orange Bowl. He has some durability concerns, but nothing that I think is too major.

Q: Did Brohm meet expectations at Louisville after being tabbed one of the nation's top quarterbacks coming out of high school? How did he react to this season's disappointment?

A: Absolutely. In fact, he may one day be remembered as the best player in school history. He was a three-year starter (and split time as a freshman), led the Cardinals to their first-ever BCS game and set all kinds of passing records. As I mentioned earlier, he handled this difficult past season exactly the way you'd want a leader to handle it. He was disappointed, but he never made that disappointment public.

Q: Why did Brohm choose to return for his senior year? Did he express any regret after the season?

A: He said he wanted to come back and lead Louisville to a national championship. He also gauged his draft position and felt he would be a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, and he felt he could improve that. He also wanted to play one more year at Louisville, his hometown school where both his brothers played and now coach and where his father also played. The Brohm family is really close, and they enjoyed having that extra year together.

Q: What was Brohm's signature moment at Louisville?

A: Without question, it was winning the 2006 Orange Bowl, a game in which he was MVP. That was the school's biggest bowl victory ever, and Brohm fulfilled his promise by leading the team there.

Q: How much of an affect did his brother Jeff have on Brian's decision to go to Louisville? What is their relationship like?

A: Not just Jeff, but also his brother Greg, who's the director of football operations. I think Brian was always destined to go to Louisville because the school is so ingrained in his family. It also helped that the program was on the rise and Bobby Petrino, a noted quarterback tutor, had recently come aboard as coach. Jeff and Brian are close, and Jeff is able to give him some "tough love" by being critical of his younger brother without it becoming personal. Jeff is a bright football mind in his own right who had a chance to be the offensive coordinator at Alabama last year but turned it down in part to spend one more year with Brian.

More on Brohm

Impressing NFL scouts with his smarts, Brohm is the second