Matt Schaub, QB, Virginia, 6’5” 237 LBS, 40 time: 4.95

Jordan: Huge guy with marginal arm strength. When in rhythm, he throws all of his passes with a tight spiral and in-stride, but when things aren't clicking for him, his passes tend to flutter and end up off-target. His deep balls tend to flat-out hang like Domonique Wilkins...or Darockwilder/Funkzilla from Go_Niners' nutsack on KFFL before he scorns him on fanhome. He puts a ton of air under them. He could probably start and succeeed in the right system, but I can't see that ever happening. But then again, SOMEBODY has to notice how good he is in preseason, a la Matt Hasselbeck. He's actually further along than Hasselbeck was before a couple of years playing in Seattle. The Saints would be wise to sign him when/if he becomes a FA. The Bills would be wise to trade for him, as would the Browns, Raiders, and Ravens.
Warrick Dunn, RB, Florida St.

Jordan: Exceptionally quick, agile back. If you give him a big hole and make it simple, he’s deadly. But he’s not really able to create on his own like he used to, and he never has been very powerful, although he IS more of a North-South guy than East-West (I agree with the couple of intuitive scouts (oxymoron?) who noticed this before me). The thing with him is, if Michael Vick is in the game, it’s going to put defensive lines on their heels and open gaping holes for him to run through despite having a marginal offensive line. He has excellent shiftyness and open-field maneuverability, which makes him a lethal receiver out of the backfield. He also really appears to be an intelligent runner. He has a great feel for WHERE to run, which is always a good thing.
Instincts-7-
Inside Running-6
Outside Running-6
Hands/Receiving Skills-7-
Block-4
Overall Rating: 6.6
T.J. Duckett, RB, Michigan St

Jordan: He has started to become a more physical runner since entering the NFL--maybe because he has to be. With Dunn doing well as the feature guy, his best hope to get on the field has to do with his elite size. He is a load to take on and he runs with good leverage. If he gets a hole, he'll show you the shocking speed he has for a 260-pound guy. But I don't really know if he'll ever be their feature guy. He could be a Stephen Jackson-like back, but he may have already carved himself his niche.
Instincts-6
Inside Running-6
Outside Running-5+
Hands/Receiving Skills-6-
Block-5
Overall Rating: 5.8^
Roddy White, WR, Tulane, 6'0" 208 LBS, 40 yard dash: 4.44
Jordan: The sad thing is we'll never get to see how truly sensational he is. And he is; he's truly sensational. He looks a lot more like 6'4" than 6'0," but regardless of his actual height, he certainly plays like he's 6'4." There were times during his rookie year when he resembled Randy Moss; he was incredible at adjusting to the ball in the air. He can just go up over the top of the defensive back and pluck it or snatch it out of the air. He does an outstanding job of using his body to shield defensive backs from the ball. He has excellent speed and gets downfield in a hurry. He has soft, absolutely stellar hands. He attacks the football and smoothly catches it. He's already a premier guy, but his statistics will never justify the rating I give him (unless he switches teams), which is an analysis on the individual, not his numbers.
Hands-8
Patterns-5
Receive Short-6
Receive Deep-7
Catch In Traffic-8-
Run After Catch-6-
Block-5
Overall Rating: 7.1
Dez White, WR

Jordan: He’s always caught my eye as a big-play receiver. He has sick moves, outstanding big-play speed and burst. He can be one of those after-the-catch demons in the poor man’s Terrell Owens/Koren Robinson/Anquan Boldin mold purely in terms of that ability (of course, he’ll never be the deep threat than any of those three men are). A big part of what held him back was shitty quarterbacking and conservativeness by Dick Jauron in Chicago. But the other part is just his lack of development in the finer points of the game. He doesn’t consistently fight for the ball and he doesn’t really have the work ethic to force his own. He has the ability and if he’d work his ass off and scream at the idiotic coaches and quarterbacks to get him the damn ball, he could emerge as a Pro Bowl caliber wideout. But right now, he’s a #2, probably more of a #3 since he just doesn’t get a whole lot of touches.
Hands-6-
Patterns-5
Receive Short-6
Receive Deep-5+
Catch In Traffic-4+
Run After Catch-7
Block-5
Overall Rating: 5.6^
Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio St. 6’5” 200 LBS, 40 time: 4.49

Jordan: "The best clutch receiver in the draft, had to put up with a conservative offense and a lousy quarterback. He’s a big-time receiver and quite possibly the best receiver in Ohio State history. Just so you know, the likes of David Boston, Cris Carter, Joey Galloway, and Terry Glenn played at Ohio State. Jenkins is more polished than any of them. He has soft hands, outstanding concentration and ball skills, and adjusts to the deep ball better than anyone in the nation not named Randy Moss. He almost single-handedly won the national title for Ohio State last year. Is smooth and has good speed. Not a true breakaway guy, and could be more physical, but then he’s just fine the way he is."
That was a quote of mine on Jenkins from two years ago, when he was coming out. He's already showing flashes of what I said despite playing with Ron Mexico. See, I told you I know what I'm talking about. JT4GM.
Jerome Pathon, WR

Jordan: Good speed, has excellent burst out of his cuts. In terms of running those square ins and square outs, he’s as good as you’ll find. He can leave corners slipping trying to stay with him out of his break. He has decent hands and he has some big play ability, and with those abilities, you’d think he could be a dynamic receiver, but for whatever reason, it hasn’t happened. He has had injury problems in the past, and it doesn’t help that he’s been stuck behind Marvin Harrison and then Joe Horn over the course of his career. He has always been productive when given the opportunity, though.
Hands-6-
Patterns-7-
Receive Short-6
Receive Deep-6-
Catch In Traffic-5
Run After Catch-6-
Block-5
Overall Rating: 6.1
Alge Crumpler, TE, North Carolina

Jordan: Big, athletic, natural target. Has the lineage (Carlester Crumpler and someone else from his family both played tight end at the pro level). He’s better than all of them. Has good speed, runs exceptional routes and understands the nuances of his position. A solid blocker who works to finish, and does a great job of selling the block and then coming off the line and getting wide open. Has great hands and makes all the catches, including the acrobatic ones. A tough guy who will come up with a pass in traffic. You have to wonder what kind of numbers he’d post in a truly dynamic offense with a passer like Matt Schaub at the helm. He might rival Tony Gonzalez/Antonio Gates in the receiving department.
Hands-7
Patterns-7
Receive Short-7
Receive Deep-7-
Catch In Traffic-7
Run After Catch-5+
Block-6
Overall Rating: 7.1
Todd Weiner, OT

Jordan: Above average athletic ability for a right tackle. Has good feet and can slide in pass protection. Generally keeps his man in front of him. Not a particularly strong guy, lacks the ability to make a difference when they try to run wide. And he can be overpowered in the passing game when matched up with a good power rushing left end. He’s certainly not an elite offensive lineman, but he has the ability to be a good one.
Run Block In Line-5-
Run Block On Move-6
Pass Block-4+
Ability to Adjust-6
Overall Rating: 5.2v
Kynan Forney, G

Jordan: Their best offensive lineman. He has a good combination of power and quickness. He gives them their best chance of getting movement at the point of attack and he's their most consistent player at the second level. Todd McClure gets there just fine, and Alex Gibbs' blocking scheme makes that offensive line open holes a mile wide, regardless of whether they have the 93 Cowboys' o-line or the 2004 49ers', but Forney is the guy who has the most athletic talent, and I think he'd be the one guy who would have a good shot at starting elsewhere.
Run Block In Line: 6
Run Block On Move: 6+
Pass Block-6
Ability to Adjust-6+
Overall Rating: 6.4
Roderick Coleman, DT

Jordan: He possesses a sensationally quick first step. He is always the first guy off the ball, and he gets such a good forward surge that less athletic guards find themselves in compromised positions trying to stand him up, much like Scott4949 with fanhome administrator Tim Taylor at the gay bar. When he wants to, he can be EXTREMELY stout one-on-one at the point of attack--he has the perfect low center of gravity that you're looking for--but he'd much rather use his quickness and move laterally in those situations. Still, he's a more complete player than John Randle ever was--he just doesn't quite possess Randle's pure electric quickness.
Recognition-6+
Pursuit-7
Run Defense (POA)-6+
Pass Rush-7+
Overall Rating: 7.1
Patrick Kerney, DE, Virginia Tech

Jordan: I have a much better grasp of how good this guy is now, having watched him extensively in recent weeks (well, as I write this thing). First of all, he is a TREMENDOUS athlete. He has great speed and burst combined with very good strength. He uses his hands and arms about as well as anyone to ever play the game of football and has a ridiculous motor. He plays with that "bull-in-a-china-shop" type of mentality. He has freakishly long arms and the quickest hands in the NFL. He's King as far as shedding blocks is concerned. He keeps his feet moving, keeps his arms and hands moving, and if you think you have locked onto him, that's when he suddenly does a "rip" move and leaves you watching him close on the play with his safety-type speed (around 4.6). He's very strong against the run and you do NOT want to block him with a tight end. You do that, you have no chance of going anywhere, unless you plan on running to the weak side. He will throw pretty much every tight end in the game aside/in the backfield and stuff the run.
Recognition-7-
Pursuit-7+
Run Defense (POA)-7
Pass Rush-7
Overall Rating: 7.1
Darrell Shropshire, DT, South Carolina

Jordan: My God this guy is a stout run defender. He has the classic NT build and he generates the perfect low center of gravity to dominate at the point of attack. Granted, I kind of think Olin Kreutz is overrated, especially if you put heavy emphasis on him an in-line blocker, but he simply OWNED Kreutz more often than not, AND, even the double team of Reuben Brown/Kreutz was not able to consistently handle him, even in the initial stages (before the "post" man left for the linebacker at the second level). He'll throw off everything you want to do trying to run inside. Watch for this guy--he could be another Chris Draft (another guy whose dick I rode when he was a backup, special teams-caliber linebacker with the 49ers, and then he went on to have a lot of success as a starting LB with the Falcons, and now with Carolina).
Recognition-6
Pursuit-5+
Run Defense (POA)-7+
Pass Rush-6-
Overall Rating: 6.3^
Chad Lavalais, DT, LSU

Jordan: Yeah, he's a strong run defender. He effortlessly made the transition to the pro game, and he's ready to have a very successful career as an "all guts but no glory" player. He has not only the classic strong hands and upper body, but the outstanding base to go with it. He plays with exceptional leverage and has all of the intangibles to play his role perfectly for a long time. He'll play to the whistle and make the tackles north-south and even a little bit east-west. They're stacked in that front 4, that you can never question.
Recognition-7+
Pursuit-5+
Run Defense (POA)-7
Pass Rush-4+
Overall Rating: 6.3^
Keith Brooking, MLB, Georgia

Jordan: The leader of their defense. Intelligent, intense, and athletic. Can run like a deer, is a good tackler, and possesses the ability to read plays before they develop and blow them up that way. Has good strength but still needs to work on not getting hung up on the blocker so often. Yeah, the back's got 4 or 5 yards running right at you if someone's at the second level and has position on you; try not to give him 11. That's an area he needs to get better at, if he's to remain at ILB. They seem to be convinced he's a better fit at WLB, which is obviously why they signed Ed Hartwell in the first place, although one can't help but wonder what kind of 3-4 they would be with Lavalais and Shropshire rotating at NT, Kerney having already played end in the 3-4 (although it was a bad fit for him, it did really help him develop into the kind of player he is by forcing him to hone his strength and technique), and Brooking and Hartwell (who played in Baltimore's 3-4, obviously) at ILB. Not to mention, Babineaux is a 'tweener (DT/DE hybrid). But enough of this entire defensive unit rant--I might as well add that Ronnie Heard runs no better than the average linebacker, since I'm not going to waste my time writing up an entire scouting report on him. OK, there. This isn't a position-by-position analysis, bitch, it's a bunch of scouting reports on individual players, so why the fuck am I talking about the entire unit in Keith Brooking's scouting report? Well, because I can--I'm Jordan Taber, I own this fucking site, and you will sit there and take it and like it.
Read and React-7
Pursuit-7
Blitz/Rush-5
Run Defense (POA)-5
Pass Coverage-6+
Tackle-6+
Overall Rating: 6.8
Edgerton Hartwell, MLB, W. Illinois, 6'1" 250 LBS, 40 yard dash: 4.74

Jordan: Intelligent, instinctive, intense. The quiet warrior at MLB. Will fill with a fury. Gets underneath blockers’ pads and closes holes, steps up, fills, and wraps up while making head-on collisons. Takes excellent pursuit angles and is solid in coverage. Runs sideline to sideline. Despite average speed, he has developed into an outstanding football player. The guy simply knows how to play the game (and makes great reads, getting great jumps to compensate for a lack of speed) and always plays with a full tank. His intensity and focus make him special.
Read and React-7+
Pursuit-7-
Blitz/Rush-6-
Run Defense (POA)-6+
Pass Coverage-6
Tackle-8-
Overall Rating: 7.2
D’Angelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech

Jordan: "May not be 4.15 fast but still has blazing speed. Can turn and run with anyone. Has fluid hips and demonstrated all the skills necessary to succeed at the next level in man coverage. Goes up and plays the ball and will come up and hit you. A very aggressive, confident corner—those two qualities are most important in any corner succeeding at the next level. This guy has shutdown corner potential, no doubt."
Yours truly said this before the start of the 2005 season. Wow, I got one right! He has become possibly the closest thing in today's game to a shutdown corner. Now he's not THAT fast, as I said already last year, but he DOES have great speed nonetheless (4.4-4.45). He also just has a feel for man coverage. He knows just how much contact he can get away with. He has incredible hands--he catches absolutely everything coming his way. And as far as hitting is concerned, you won't find many better. He will come up, lower his shoulder, and strike a blow through you. Things he can improve on? His overall knowledge of the position--he's obviously a smart player to be as far along as he already is (arguably the best corner in football), but Aenaes Williams he ain't. Deion Sanders, perhaps.
Key and Diagnose: 7-
Man Coverage-8-
Zone Coverage-7
Hands-8
Run Support-6+
Tackle-7
Overall Rating: 7.3^
Jason Webster, CB, Texas A&M, 5’9” 185 LBS, 40 time: 4.41

Jordan: Has the blazing speed and sticky cover skills to be another Aaron Glenn. But the thing that has held him back is his inability to play the ball unless it’s in front of him, which he is exceptional at. He has great closing speed on the football and is outstanding in zone/man-off coverage and, with just about anything thrown underneath, he is as good as pretty much anyone. But when he has to turn and run and play the deep ball over his head, that’s where he has had problems. The fact that he’s only 5’9” doesn’t help him, either. But there’s ways to at least somewhat overcome that; he just can’t seem to learn to turn his head back at the proper time to knock it away. And his constant injuries have hindered his development somewhat as well.
Key and Diagnose-5
Man Coverage-5+
Zone Coverage-7
Hands-5
Run Support-6-
Tackle-6-
Overall Rating: 6.0
Antuan Edwards, S, Clemson, 6'1" 210 LBS

Jordan: Has top-notch athletic ability. Big, fast, quick, can jump. But he’s still extremely raw and hasn’t put it all together yet. Has started to become more aggressive and confident though, and that’s the main thing a DB needs—confidence. If you’re a DB and you’re not confident, just go home. Or just get your ass over to the bench and collect your lucky $500,000 annual salary. Confidence doesn’t seem to be a problem with this guy. He goes after you. But he’ll never be the kind of impact player that LeRoy Butler was in his prime. He doesn’t have that natural lightning rod leadership, intelligence, or legendary knock-out hitting ability.
Key and Diagnose-6-
Man Coverage-5+
Zone Coverage-5+
Hands-5
Run Support-6-
Tackle-6-
Overall Rating: 5.7^
Todd Peterson, K, Georgia, 5’10” 177 LBS

Jordan: One of the few bright spots on the team. Actually hit some longer range field goals and was very consistent overall. He still doesn't have a big leg, and I doubt he repeats his 2004 season performance elsewhere--his success reminds me of Wade Richey's in 1999. Fluke success stemming from little pressure playing for a shitty team.
Greg C: Peterson isn’t a great kicker, but he’s (somewhat) reliable. I was hoping we’d sign Paul Edinger away from the Bears after the 2002 season, but if things go according to this plan, our kicker won’t really matter, because we’ll be blowing out teams and dominating the clock.
Jay Feely, K, Michigan, 5'10" 206 LBS

Jordan: Solid, makes most kicks from 30 and in. Not anything special but holds down the fort.