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David Carr, QB, Fresno St.

 

 

Jordan: The worst thing they've done with him is tinker with his mechanics. He has all the tools to be another Troy Aikman, only more athletic, and a year ago, he was really closing in on being a Pro Bowl quarterback. He has outstanding arm strength--just a notch below the Vick/Favre class--good mobility, and he had a lot of trust in his teammates. That trust seems to have worn off, and he seems to be struggling to prevent himself from reverting to his old mechanics. They've really tinkered with his delivery, and his overall throwing mechanics simply seem awkard. As long as Andre Johnson is healthy, he's going to be a pretty good, reliable passer, but that's more a testament to how good Johnson is than to Carr being a good QB. Still, though, if they REALLY improve their offensive system, offensive line, and the game starts to slow down for him, he could emerge as a top guy.

 

Set Up-6-

Delivery-6-

Read Coverages-5+

Throw Short-5+

Throw Deep-6+

Mobility-6

Leadership-5+

 

Overall Rating: 5.9^

 

 

 

Domanick Davis, RB, LSU

 

 

Jordan: Has average size but good speed and excellent short, choppy steps and burst. A talented slasher. Runs with outstanding quickness, change-of-direction ability, and acceleration. He looks like he could have the makings of a special runner. Runs tough, shows good power and his feet never stop moving. He catches the ball out of the backfield naturally and gets it turned up-field and is a dangerous speedy, shifty runner slashing downhill. I don’t think even he knows how good he could be, although he did talk about 2,000 yards rushing.

 

Instincts-6

Inside Running-6-

Outside Running-7-

Hands/Receiving Skills-6+

Block-5

 

Overall Rating: 6.4^

 

 

 

Andre Johnson, WR, Miami (Fla), 6’2” 230 LBS, 40 time: 4.41

 

 

Jordan: Has great speed, but not world class. The Terrell Owens comparison was unfair. Doesn’t have T.O.’s world class speed or his Barry Sanders-rivaling moves. T.O. is unique, Andre Johnson is just Andre Johnson. He does have one thing in common with T.O., though--he can take over games. He has tremendous size that gives him an advantage over defensive backs, he can run down the field and split the seem deep, he can leap and come down with the jump ball (tremendous vertical...people really overlooked that aspect of his physical talent), and he knows how to take full advantage of his physical tools. He's extremely aggressive and plays with an incredible level of confidence. He has very reliable hands as well. He's pretty close to the complete package, and in a way, he could be the league's most valuable player.

 

Hands-6

Patterns-5

Receive Short-7-

Receive Deep-7-

Catch In Traffic-7-

Run After Catch-6+

Block-7

 

Overall Rating: 7.1

 

 

Jabar Gaffney, WR, Florida, 6’1” 195 LBS, 40 time: 4.51

 

 

Jordan: Has flashed the talent that made them select him #33 overall after David Carr. Has size, quickness out of his breaks, and playmaking ability. Absolutely unstoppable at Florida. He’s athletic, he adjusts to the ball extremely well, has excellent reaction time. I see no reason for him not to become a premier #2 receiver opposite Andre Johnson, especially since they seem to have a very balanced offensive attack and yet are willing to spread it out. If David Carr just can take that next step, can find the fluidity of offensive efficiency, they could be unstoppable. But I don’t think they have that kind of system—they’re going to be very good, but I don’t think they’ll ever reach the level that they are capable of unless they hire Mike Martz as offensive coordinator (after he’s fired) in the off-season or something.

 

Hands-5+

Patterns-6

Receive Short-6

Receive Deep-6-

Catch In Traffic-6

Run After Catch-6

Block-5

 

Overall Rating: 6.1^

 

 

 

Corey Bradford, WR, 40 time: 4.28

 

 

Jordan: Has national-caliber track star speed. Can catch the ball in the open field and just blaze down the field with long strides all the way to the endzone. He can get behind the corner by simply running past him, and he has outstanding athleticism. He’s an acrobat—he’ll come down with the difficult catch way out in front of him and he’ll leap for the ball and pluck it out of the air. He’s a special talent just starting to emerge as a truly lethal receiver. His main problem has been getting a rapport with a QB as a top wideout.

 

Hands-5+

Patterns-5

Receive Short-6

Receive Deep-7

Catch In Traffic-6-

Run After Catch-6+

Block-5

 

Overall Rating: 6.3^

 

 

 

Billy Miller, TE

 

 

Jordan: Developing into Carr’s security blanket. Has big, soft hands, will stretch the middle of the field. He runs above average, he has a great feel for the open areas, and his routes are so far ahead of the curve for a young tight end it’s ridiculous. He plays like a 10-year-vet who’s been a top receiving tight end for his entire career. He works the field extremely well and he basically runs around defenders and gets open. As far as blocking is concerned, he’s just average. He’s not particularly strong, but he generally keeps his man in front of him and does a solid job of screening and walling off.

 

Hands-7

Patterns-7

Receive Short-6+

Receive Deep-6

Catch In traffic-6

Run After Catch-6-

Block-5

 

Overall Rating: 6.7^

 

 

 

Mark Bruener, TE

 

 

Jordan: Always had soft hands and has been a very good short range pass receiving tight end; comes in handy down in goal line situations in that facet. As the years have progressed, he has gotten fewer and fewer opportunities, and it’s sad, because I know what he can do…and as he’s gotten less and less practice in the receiving aspect, his hands have become inconsistent. He’s just not used to catching the football anymore. But he’s still a force in short yardage and goal line situations. It’s mostly his blocking that makes him so special in those short yardage situations, and that helps him get open in those situations for the key reception as well. He’s powerful, he has a powerful upper body and plays with excellent leverage, he keeps his hands inside, and he uses his strength to full advantage taking advantage of the correct power angles.

 

Hands-6

Patterns-4

Receive Short-5

Receive Deep-3

Catch In Traffic-6

Run After Catch-4

Block-6+

 

Overall Rating: 5.4v

 

 

 

Todd Wade, OT, Boston College

 

 

Jordan: Typical right tackle. Not very athletic, more of a consistent type of worker who can be beaten without a whole lot of work and attention to detail but will give you 100% every time out there and not completely embarrass himself. He’ll come off the ball and get good drive movement on a left end, and he can seal linebackers inside as well. He’s a very solid tackle in the running game—not devastating—but he certainly compares favorably to, say, Scott Gragg. He’s a very appealing guy to run behind on the strong side if you’re a back who likes to run off tackle, and you pretty much know where he’s going to be in pass protection. You know ahead of time that he’s not very athletic and will have difficulty with faster, more athletic defensive ends, but you also know he’s going to at least get his hands on the guy and slow him down.

 

Run Block In Line-6

Run Block On Move-4+

Pass Block-5-

Ability to Adjust-4+

 

Overall Rating: 5.6

 

 

Steve McKinney, C

 

 

Jordan: Made a sound conversion to center. He was the kind of offensive guard in Indianapolis that benefited largely because of the blocking scheme. I wouldn’t call him a very good drive blocker, but he’s excellent in the hole as a center. He makes all of the calls, he gets off the ball quickly, and he is a real presence inside in terms of finishing off his combo blocks at the point and then getting to the second level and driving linebackers off the ball. He has above average athleticism and very good quickness in-line. You can pull him and he’s a solid guy to run behind, he’ll get out and down the field and execute cut blocks and things of that nature. He’s an extremely aware player, capable of picking up the inside blitzer. He’s a very solid, dependable offensive lineman.

 

Run Block In Line-6-

Run Block On Move-6

Pass Block-6

Ability to Adjust-6+

 

Overall Rating: 6.2

 

 

 

Chester Pitts, OT

 

 

Jordan: His growth as a left tackle was impressive, considering he was projected to play either guard or right tackle coming out. He has good feet, outstanding size, strength, and power, and flashes absolutely dominating ability. He has an outstanding hand punch, a wide base, quick feet, though he’s not a “big dancing grizzly bear” type. He was a power left tackle who neutralized his opponent with his huge frame, strength, and good technique. When a really fast, explosive end gained the corner on him, that’s when he had problems—when he wasn't able to stun the end with his initial hand punch. If he locks on, it’s over, like the elite left tackles of today—Willie Roaf, Jonathan Ogden, Flozell Adams, Tarik Glenn, Walter Jones, Orlando Pace, and Bryant McKinnie. But he doesn’t have any of their athleticism or consistently superb recovery technique. Apparently they moved him to left tackle last season, but having not seen an Texans games this past year, I can't give any updates.

 

Run Block In Line-6-

Run Block On Move-5+

Pass Block-6

Ability to Adjust-6-

 

Overall Rating: 6.0^

 

 

 

Zach Weigert, OG

 

 

Jordan: Really solidified the position with just average play. He’s not going to get much movement in the running game—he lacks fundamental strength and pop at the point of attack, though he’ll battle hard. He’s not very athletic, but he’s all right pulling. He’s just an average screen-and-wall off sort of guard, an Adam Timmerman type but he plays lower and with a wider base. But that’s really what Carr wanted most—a guard who would keep his man in front of him and give him some time and space to step up in the pocket and make a throw. They could certainly upgrade, but I think they’re satisfied with the assistance he provided.

 

Run Block In Line-5-

Run Block On Move-5

Pass Block-5+

Ability to Adjust-5

 

Overall Rating: 5.4

 

 

 

Victor Riley, OT, Auburn


 

Jordan: Big, pure run blocking tackle. Even though tackles tend to have very little to do with the running game unless a team relies heavily on sweeps and toss plays (such as the Chiefs), the strong side tackles occasionally have SOME impact in-line, and this guy is really good in that aspect. He’s as thick as any guard, he has long arms, and he is a good athlete for someone his size. Sometimes I wonder why they don’t try him at guard.

 

Run Block In Line-6+

Run Block On Move-5-

Pass Block-5-

Ability to Adjust-4+

 

Overall Rating: 5.8

 

 

 

Gary Walker, DT/DE

 

 

Jordan: I loved him in Houston/Tennessee with the Oilers, then in Jacksonville, and now in Houston with the Texans. He has rare talent. He is built oddly for a DT—very round, but he’s extremely quick and explosive. He naturally separates from blocks, he has phenomenal quickness and explosiveness, he’s extremely strong and has incredibly strong hands. The knock on him with the Oilers and Jaguars was that he was somehow inconsistent, but I didn’t see that at all—the man is simply a PLAYMAKER, something that is so fucking rare at defensive tackle these days. In a league of DTs who just sit around holding the point, he was blowing plays up, either in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage, or he would back up and get the ball carrier after a gain of 2. He was the most active DT I’d seen in the NFL maybe ever, simply because he was so consistently around the ball. And he has retained that activeness as he moved to defensive end in the 3-4, which is basically like playing defensive tackle, only you’re a little less responsible for inside running gaps. He has outstanding strength, quickness, explosiveness, athleticism, and speed and just makes so many fucking plays you’ve gotta love him.

 

Recognition-7+

Pursuit-8-

Run Defense (POA)-7-

Pass Rush-7-

 

Overall Rating: 7.3

 

 

 

Seth Payne, DT

 

 

Jordan: One of the most underrated players in the game. Extremely strong, quick, and a technical genius. Uses his hands incredibly well to separate, relentless at the point of attack. Incredibly intelligent, knows everything about how to play the game and the nuances of his position and shows outstanding instincts and awareness of where everyone is. You look at him and think “oh, he’s white, he’s got to just be BLUE COLLAR”…whatever the hell that means. I know I’ve said it in the past, and now I’m ashamed, because that is the dumbest fucking term for a football player I’ve ever heard. I guess it means that they’re just “lunch pail” type players, rather than elite athletes, but man, that’s just stupid, because I’ve seen plenty of athletic guys called “blue collar” as well, just because they’re WHITE. Notice how black guys are never blue collar. It’s fucking hilarious. Anyway, this guy is exceptionally strong and quick, he can collapse running lanes, he hustles, he gets in on every play. The best way to put it is HE PLAYS EVERY DOWN AS IF IT IS HIS LAST. I love players like that—they make NFL films the treat to watch that it is. He’s a classic football player.

 

Recognition-8

Pursuit-6

Run Defense (POA)-7

Pass Rush-5+

 

Overall Rating: 6.6

 

 

 

Robaire Smith, DT

 

 

Jordan: Had a big season in Tennessee—built so naturally stout and has so much quickness with his bulk. But he has short arms, like tyrannosaurus rex arms. It’s funny watching him work, because with those arms he just can’t separate using his hands. However, he compensates, which is incredible. He has unbelievable explosiveness off the snap, he’s got incredible strength and power, and once he gets himself loose, he’s in the backfield in the blink of an eye blowing it up. He plays with outstanding leverage and gets underneath blockers and just stuffs the run all by his lonesome. But, well…I’d be an idiot if I said Albert Haynesworth’s size, strength, and explosiveness didn’t help him. Haynesworth didn’t exactly free him up and just let him roam free inside or anything, Smith did that on his own—but Haynesworth DID often force ball carriers to run over to Smith’s side, and as a result, Smith was able to make more plays. Nonetheless, I think him moving to defensive end in the 3-4 scheme should compensate.

 

Recognition-6

Pursuit-6+

Run Defense (POA)-6+

Pass Rush-6

 

Overall Rating: 6.6

 

 

 

Jason Babin, DE/OLB,

 

 

Jordan: Defensive end in college, racked up the sack totals and has outstanding speed and athleticism. So what better than for him to play outside linebacker in the 3-4? But he didn't really have the kind of impact they had hoped for this year, although he did flash a lot of potential. If he fully grasps the scheme next year, he could be ready to break out and at least push double digits in sacks.

 

 

 

Morlon Greenwood, OLB, Syracuse

 

 

Jordan: Excellent athlete. Smooth hips, great speed, knows his limitations from a size standpoint. Runs to the ball like he’s in a hurry (wow, was that a stupid similee). A very explosive undersized linebacker. Will drop off into coverage and can run with many receivers down the field. Definitely an emerging player but with Thomas and Seau out there with him, obviously he’s going to be overshadowed and not get the opportunity to make as many plays.

 

Read and React-6

Pursuit-7

Blitz/Rush-6+

Run Defense (POA)-4+

Pass Coverage-6-

Tackle-6

 

Overall Rating: 6.3^

 

 

 

Jamie Sharper, ILB

 

 

Jordan: For whatever reason, they thought he could be an outstanding blitzer in the 3-4. But he just isn’t a pass rusher. He has outstanding athletic ability, and he has vastly improved his football skills over the years to where he can read blocks, elude them, run to the ball, and make the big hit. He’s a sideline-to-sideline pursuer who is now an extremely intelligent player. He can still come on the blitz every now and then from the inside linebacker position, and that’s much more suited to his talents. He’s a very solid ILB in this scheme with his size, speed, closing burst, quickness, agility, and just overall reliability.

 

Read and React-6+

Pursuit-7-

Blitz/Rush-6-

Run Defense (POA)-6-

Pass Coverage-6

Tackle-6+

 

Overall Rating: 6.5

 

 

 

Kailee Wong, ILB/OLB,

 

 

Jordan: Electric speed, at times was awesome to watch in Minnesota. After his first few weeks, he led all Pro Bowl votes for MLBs and was just a tackle machine (in terms of racking them up...not consistency, which is the problem). But his lack of size and discipline, and just missed tackles everywhere, led to his undoing. At times he was a big hitter who could splatter you, and at other times he just totally whiffed or took a terrible angle. So he came here, where they felt he could be a tremendous pass rusher with his blazing speed, and he did show flashes. But the bottom line is he’s just not a pass rusher, that’s not his game—he’s a MLB who runs sideline to sideline, and if he could ever become a consistent tackler and learn to slip blocks more consistently, he’d be a Pro Bowler. You stick this guy on artificial turf, and he’s just electric. But he’s also a sacrificial lamb of defensive integrity with his all-or-none approach.

 

Read and React-5+

Pursuit-8-

Blitz/Rush-6

Run Defense (POA)-4-

Pass Coverage-5-

Tackle-4+

 

Overall Rating: 5.3

 

 

 

Antwan Peek, OLB/DE

 

 

Jordan: Converted defensive end had an impressive first year with the Texans. Hands down their best pass rusher that year, he has great speed off the edge and shows flashes of being a true QB headache. But he never really expanded on any of that this season. They're definately looking for an upgrade.

 

NOT RATED

 

 

 

Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina

 

 

Jordan: Extremely fluid, sudden cover corner with good speed, but his lack of size was a concern for scouts, and you do have to wonder if he can match up with big receivers. He showed flashes of both brilliance and rookieness in Texans’ camp, and in college, he made a lot of plays that made people take notice, and yet he was anything but a shutdown, sure thing sort of guy. His success will probably play a big part in determining the outcome of this season for the Texans.

 

 

 

Phillip Buchanon, CB, Miami

 

 

Jordan: I said he was this league’s next shutdown corner. I felt he was the second best player in the draft the year he came out. Well, perhaps I was wrong, but he certainly has the talent. He has blazing speed, outstanding ball skills, and is lethal as a punt returner and after the interception. Those skills are all there. And that Monday Night game—Javon Walker does that to EVERYONE, it’s not Buchanon’s 5’9” height coming back to haunt him…well, it is, but it wouldn’t have helped any if he were 6’0” instead, Walker’s 6’3” with Domanique Wilkins leaping ability. Anyway, this guy just seems like he might be too big a high-stakes gambler to ever emerge as the shutdown corner that he’s capable of becoming, but he should be fun to watch either way.

 

Key and Diagnose-6-

Man Coverage-6-

Zone Coverage-7

Hands-7+

Run Support-4

Tackle-4

 

Overall Rating: 5.9

 

 

 

Marcus Coleman, CB/S,

 

 

Jordan: Gets his hands on a lot of passes, has elite size, but his choppy big-corner steps cause him problems when he has to turn and run. He’s not fluid, he definitely looks more like he belongs at safety. He has good hands and with his height, he has never had any problem getting his hands on passes. If they put him in centerfield, he’ll no longer have to worry about running with fast receivers, in particular fast receivers that get him spun around and have him stumbling his way down the field trying to catch up.

 

Key and Diagnose-5+

Man Coverage-4+

Zone Coverage-6

Hands-7-

Run Support-6

Tackle-6

 

Overall Rating: 5.9^

 

 

Eric Brown, S

 

 

Jordan: He was awesome during the early part of his career in Denver as the heir apparent to Steve Atwater. He hit like Roy Williams hits for Dallas right now, truly like a 4th linebacker, only harder. Just incredibly strong and, if he made contact, you were going down, and he would just lay you out. And he had outstanding speed and range and could cover the entire field like Sean Taylor. He was the heir apparent to Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith. But a knee injury or two later, and he’s nothing like he was. They still drool over the talent he used to have, but unfortunately, it’s just no longer there. He’s an all right hitter, but he’s not the incredible one he was before, and he is a liability in coverage. But perhaps they figure it takes longer to recover from the injuries he’s suffered and he’ll be better this year. Or maybe they just don’t think he’s the answer but don’t have anyone else to replace him right now.

 

Key and Diagnose-5

Man Coverage-4-

Zone Coverage-4+

Hands-6

Run Support-6-

Tackle-6-

 

Overall Rating: 5.2v

 

 

 

Kris Brown, K

 

 

Jordan: I LOVED this guy coming out of Nebraska. He is one of the most professional kickers you’ll ever see, whatever that means—basically, that he doesn’t get too high or too low, he goes out there and quietly does a phenomenal job. He had a miserable time in Heinz Field, but it was later proven that the field is simply nearly impossible to kick FGs consistently on. Everything from 55 and in, he’s about as good as anyone. He has a strong, accurate leg. Excellent range. He gets excellent lift/elevation on his kicks and he puts a nice touch on it (this is something nobody ever talks about, but like QBs when passing the ball, kickers have touches when they kick FGs—and kickoffs for that matter. Ask Norm Johnson about this—he used to be able to make his kicks hook intentionally if there was just a little bit of wind. He could angle his kick and put the perfect amount of speed and angle combination to get it to start out wide and hook down the middle of the goal posts). By Brown’s touch, I just mean that he has a nice strong, yet not line-drive, kicking style. His kicks are given the best chance to go through.

 

 

 

Chad Stanley, P

 

No Picture Available :-(

 

Jordan: Getting out of Candlestick Park was the best thing that ever happened to him. He settled down in Houston, finally starting to demonstrate the strong leg that led the nation in punting his senior year. He does have a strong leg, though he’s still working on improving his average and consistency, and he can get plenty of air under it. He’s nothing special as a directional kicker, but with his hang-time alone he can pin you inside the 20. He mainly needs to work on getting a few yards that he lost coming out of college back on his leg.