Who's Got Next?
By Hunter Ansley
Hunter is a freelance writer who has been published by ESPN the Magazine. He runs Draft Zoo.com
Send Hunter an e-mail here: draftzoo@gmail.com
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Five guys who could become the latest low-round picks to star in the NFL.
Don’t be surprised if the NFL Draft soon finds a new home outside the familiar confines of Radio City Music Hall. I’m thinking maybe the MGM Grand. Or how about Caesars Palace? Don’t believe me? Roger Goodell has already begun to entertain the idea of turning the draft into a roving event much like the Super Bowl, and Las Vegas makes perfect sense.
The draft is the world’s largest gambling event. None of that paltry $10,000 entry fee foolishness that those slouches at the World Series of Poker mess with. Here, teams bet upwards of $40 million on the most volatile of variables - athletes in their early 20s. Yet, every year some team manages to find that elusive river card that somehow escaped the grasp of their competitors. Sure, these guys might not turn out to be the next Tom Brady, and no one is guaranteeing a super model wife with an actress ex-girlfriend and an illegitimate son, but, hey, these guys can dream right? At the very least, they’ll be drafted in a late enough round to surprise a lot of teams if they become stars.
The Next Matt Cassel? Chase Patton, QB, Missouri
It’s probably not fair to compare any of the late round quarterback prospects in this draft to Tom Brady. It may not even be right to compare first-round locks like Matt Stafford or Mark Sanchez to him. But if you set the sights a little lower, a few Matt Cassel-esque guys might come into view.
Everyone knows Cassel’s story: zero starts since high school. Backed up some of the most accomplished players in college and professional football. Then took advantage of his first chance in eight years by parlaying one starting season into a fat contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Of course, it’s more likely that Channing Tatum will win an Oscar than it is that this situation will repeat itself. But, if there’s one guy who can keep the hopes of backups and bad actors alive, it’s Missouri’s Chase Patton.
Patton was widely considered a top-five quarterback coming out of high school before finding a niche as Gary Pinkel’s favorite ball-cap-wearing clipboard holder. Like Cassel, Patton has great size (he’s 6-4 224) and an arm that can make all the throws in the right system. Despite his lack of production, there are more than a few scouts who like him better than the other Chase, the stat-hound Chase, Chase Daniel, like the nearly 30 scouts that showed up in Columbia last Thursday to watch Patton workout.
It won’t happen right away, and Patton may have peaked as a benchwarmer, but if he lands in the right lap he could be in a position to shock the world. Here’s hoping he finds his own Brazilian lingerie model. Maybe Adriana Lima. No, she’s mine.
The Next Brian Westbrook? Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian
When fans think of a great running back who managed to slip through the cracks only to land on a team that seemingly climbs on his back every Sunday, Brian Westbrook is usually the guy in mind. Coming out of Villanova, Westbrook was far from an unknown, but he was no sure thing. As an NFL star, Westbrook has become one of the most difficult backs to defend due to an amazing ability to weave between tacklers and an uncanny knack for catching passes out of the backfield. Despite the fact that Bernard Scott’s stats came at the D-II level, one below Westbrook, his versatility in college is on a level that not even Westbrook can touch.
As a senior, Scott racked up 2,156 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Not bad, but that’s only half the story. The stat that has scouts dipping into a previously unknown patch of pigskin in Texas is Scott’s 47 receptions for 826 yards and six scores. That’s a 17.6 yards per catch average if you’re counting. Trust me, you have to be special to draw NFL execs to a city that’s halfway between Dallas and nowhere.
Scott has a long way to go before anyone mistakes him for a Pro-Bowler, and he may not even be the highest-rated prospect from Abilene Christian, but he’s well on his way to becoming a weapon. He showed at the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game that he has the vision and quick feet to make linebackers look like toddlers. Scarier still is that 4.44 40 that burned most of the top backs in Indy worse than George Hamilton’s forehead.
The Next TJ Houshmandzadeh? Austin Collie, WR, BYU
So, there’s no ponytail. And Austin Collie’s last name is slightly easier to pronounce, and a lot friendlier to pre-teen boys stuck in wells on 1950s television shows. Why were water wells so dangerous on Lassie? Anyway, the non-moniker comparisons are pretty stark. In fact, Houshmandzadeh was actually a much lower-ranked prospect coming out of Oregon State in 2001 than Collie is today. TJ was looked at as sixth-to-seventh round guy and ended up fulfilling the latter half of that projection when the Bengals drafted him with the 204th pick. Of course, the rest is history. During his seven years in Cincinnati, The Persian Ponytail made quite a name for himself as the steady, efficient counter to Chad Johnson’s erratic nature and big-play flair. Housh has put up more than 900 yards and four scores in each of the last five seasons, and is now looking to step into the top role in Seattle.
Collie’s no slouch himself when it comes to production. His 1,538 receiving yards were tops among FBS players in 2008, and his 15 touchdowns weren’t too shabby either. Like TJ, he won’t fly by any corners with pure speed, but his 4.5-4.6 range 40s are plenty fast to become a top-flight possession receiver at the next level. With so many wideouts enticing gleeful giggles from scouts with low times this year, Collie could be in for a fall come draft day.
Smarter evaluators, however, will notice his sure hands and effective route running. The former BYU star did play in a pass-happy offense known for inflating stats, but watching Collie on film shows his desirable ability to settle into zones and use his body to beat the defender to the ball, much like Houshmandzadeh. Now if he would only grow some long locks, the comparison would be complete. Except that I don’t know if Mormons are allowed to do that. I don’t even know if Collie’s a Mormon.
The Next Joey Porter? Cody Brown, DE/OLB, Connecticut
One of the most difficult positions to grade is quickly becoming one of the most sought after in the NFL. The 3-4 rush linebacker is rare in the NCAA, and the habit of turning collegiate defensive ends into stand-up players at the next level has left more than a few head men wondering if they’d be happy as a truck driver and not a coach.
Still, there are plenty of success stories. Like Joey Porter. A high school receiver turned Colorado State defensive end turned insane NFL sack machine, Porter is a perfect example of what can happen when the right player finds the right system. His 22 career sacks in Fort Collins, Colorado have transferred quite well to the NFL.
Cody Brown has an eerily similar skill set. When Porter came out, he slipped to the third round due to concerns about his ability to change directions and his lack of experience off the line. Brown has been criticized for the same shortcomings. Again, I know measurables aren’t everything, but the numbers match up. Both guys stand at about 6-2 244 pounds. Both have 40 times in the high 4.6 to 4.7 range with broad jumps over 10 feet. And, get ready for this, both notched 22 career sacks at mid-level programs.
There’s a chance that Brown won’t ever make the impact that Porter has, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be feared. If the right coaches get a hold of him, he could develop into a pass-rushing terror in an aggressive 3-4 scheme like the one employed by Porter’s former team, the Steelers. Either way, Brown has Edward Scissorhands-style violence in his hands and a motor that won’t quit. He’ll probably be stuck in a situational role early on, but that’s not always a bad thing. Just ask Porter.
The Next Asante Samuel? Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland
No, I don’t mean the next corner to leave a perennial Super Bowl contender for a franchise that can’t seem to get over the hump, or learn the NFL rules book. I mean the next corner with good ball skills and decent straight-line speed who is catching some flack for being less than aggressive as an NFL Draft prospect. Samuel was far from the sure-fire shutdown specialist he is now when he was coming out of Central Florida. Take a look at him. If he turned sideways he’d be harder to spot than Bill Belichick’s fleet of camera-wielding spies. But Samuel has used his strengths to become one of the best defensive backs in the league. His athleticism is almost unparalleled, and he sees the field, like, well, an Eagle.
Barnes may be a bit of stretch, but I’ve been high on him all offseason. True, he sometimes struggles out of cuts, and he is a drag-down tackler, but the guy can play. Although Samuel is clearly better at changing directions and making plays while running back, both guys possess an innate ability to see the ball and close in a hurry. Barnes’ senior season was cut short by a shoulder injury, but he picked off six passes in one-and-a-half seasons while breaking up 14 others.
Samuel was dogged back in 2003 for being too soft, too finesse. But check on some of the film and you’ll see that both were willing tacklers who used their paper-thin frames as best they could. Of course, this is real life, and paper doesn’t always beat rock-solid muscle, but Barnes is an excellent corner when he keeps everything in front of him, and he could be a steal for someone in the third round. Worst case, he has the height and vision to be a solid safety.
Thanks for your time. And if you see Chase Patton, or Matt Cassel for that matter, anywhere near Adriana Lima please let him know what’s up.
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22
Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7
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© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
Hunter is a freelance writer who has been published by ESPN the Magazine. He runs Draft Zoo.com
Send Hunter an e-mail here: draftzoo@gmail.com
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Five guys who could become the latest low-round picks to star in the NFL.
Don’t be surprised if the NFL Draft soon finds a new home outside the familiar confines of Radio City Music Hall. I’m thinking maybe the MGM Grand. Or how about Caesars Palace? Don’t believe me? Roger Goodell has already begun to entertain the idea of turning the draft into a roving event much like the Super Bowl, and Las Vegas makes perfect sense.
The draft is the world’s largest gambling event. None of that paltry $10,000 entry fee foolishness that those slouches at the World Series of Poker mess with. Here, teams bet upwards of $40 million on the most volatile of variables - athletes in their early 20s. Yet, every year some team manages to find that elusive river card that somehow escaped the grasp of their competitors. Sure, these guys might not turn out to be the next Tom Brady, and no one is guaranteeing a super model wife with an actress ex-girlfriend and an illegitimate son, but, hey, these guys can dream right? At the very least, they’ll be drafted in a late enough round to surprise a lot of teams if they become stars.
The Next Matt Cassel? Chase Patton, QB, Missouri
It’s probably not fair to compare any of the late round quarterback prospects in this draft to Tom Brady. It may not even be right to compare first-round locks like Matt Stafford or Mark Sanchez to him. But if you set the sights a little lower, a few Matt Cassel-esque guys might come into view.
Everyone knows Cassel’s story: zero starts since high school. Backed up some of the most accomplished players in college and professional football. Then took advantage of his first chance in eight years by parlaying one starting season into a fat contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Of course, it’s more likely that Channing Tatum will win an Oscar than it is that this situation will repeat itself. But, if there’s one guy who can keep the hopes of backups and bad actors alive, it’s Missouri’s Chase Patton.
Patton was widely considered a top-five quarterback coming out of high school before finding a niche as Gary Pinkel’s favorite ball-cap-wearing clipboard holder. Like Cassel, Patton has great size (he’s 6-4 224) and an arm that can make all the throws in the right system. Despite his lack of production, there are more than a few scouts who like him better than the other Chase, the stat-hound Chase, Chase Daniel, like the nearly 30 scouts that showed up in Columbia last Thursday to watch Patton workout.
It won’t happen right away, and Patton may have peaked as a benchwarmer, but if he lands in the right lap he could be in a position to shock the world. Here’s hoping he finds his own Brazilian lingerie model. Maybe Adriana Lima. No, she’s mine.
The Next Brian Westbrook? Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian
When fans think of a great running back who managed to slip through the cracks only to land on a team that seemingly climbs on his back every Sunday, Brian Westbrook is usually the guy in mind. Coming out of Villanova, Westbrook was far from an unknown, but he was no sure thing. As an NFL star, Westbrook has become one of the most difficult backs to defend due to an amazing ability to weave between tacklers and an uncanny knack for catching passes out of the backfield. Despite the fact that Bernard Scott’s stats came at the D-II level, one below Westbrook, his versatility in college is on a level that not even Westbrook can touch.
As a senior, Scott racked up 2,156 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Not bad, but that’s only half the story. The stat that has scouts dipping into a previously unknown patch of pigskin in Texas is Scott’s 47 receptions for 826 yards and six scores. That’s a 17.6 yards per catch average if you’re counting. Trust me, you have to be special to draw NFL execs to a city that’s halfway between Dallas and nowhere.
Scott has a long way to go before anyone mistakes him for a Pro-Bowler, and he may not even be the highest-rated prospect from Abilene Christian, but he’s well on his way to becoming a weapon. He showed at the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game that he has the vision and quick feet to make linebackers look like toddlers. Scarier still is that 4.44 40 that burned most of the top backs in Indy worse than George Hamilton’s forehead.
The Next TJ Houshmandzadeh? Austin Collie, WR, BYU
So, there’s no ponytail. And Austin Collie’s last name is slightly easier to pronounce, and a lot friendlier to pre-teen boys stuck in wells on 1950s television shows. Why were water wells so dangerous on Lassie? Anyway, the non-moniker comparisons are pretty stark. In fact, Houshmandzadeh was actually a much lower-ranked prospect coming out of Oregon State in 2001 than Collie is today. TJ was looked at as sixth-to-seventh round guy and ended up fulfilling the latter half of that projection when the Bengals drafted him with the 204th pick. Of course, the rest is history. During his seven years in Cincinnati, The Persian Ponytail made quite a name for himself as the steady, efficient counter to Chad Johnson’s erratic nature and big-play flair. Housh has put up more than 900 yards and four scores in each of the last five seasons, and is now looking to step into the top role in Seattle.
Collie’s no slouch himself when it comes to production. His 1,538 receiving yards were tops among FBS players in 2008, and his 15 touchdowns weren’t too shabby either. Like TJ, he won’t fly by any corners with pure speed, but his 4.5-4.6 range 40s are plenty fast to become a top-flight possession receiver at the next level. With so many wideouts enticing gleeful giggles from scouts with low times this year, Collie could be in for a fall come draft day.
Smarter evaluators, however, will notice his sure hands and effective route running. The former BYU star did play in a pass-happy offense known for inflating stats, but watching Collie on film shows his desirable ability to settle into zones and use his body to beat the defender to the ball, much like Houshmandzadeh. Now if he would only grow some long locks, the comparison would be complete. Except that I don’t know if Mormons are allowed to do that. I don’t even know if Collie’s a Mormon.
The Next Joey Porter? Cody Brown, DE/OLB, Connecticut
One of the most difficult positions to grade is quickly becoming one of the most sought after in the NFL. The 3-4 rush linebacker is rare in the NCAA, and the habit of turning collegiate defensive ends into stand-up players at the next level has left more than a few head men wondering if they’d be happy as a truck driver and not a coach.
Still, there are plenty of success stories. Like Joey Porter. A high school receiver turned Colorado State defensive end turned insane NFL sack machine, Porter is a perfect example of what can happen when the right player finds the right system. His 22 career sacks in Fort Collins, Colorado have transferred quite well to the NFL.
Cody Brown has an eerily similar skill set. When Porter came out, he slipped to the third round due to concerns about his ability to change directions and his lack of experience off the line. Brown has been criticized for the same shortcomings. Again, I know measurables aren’t everything, but the numbers match up. Both guys stand at about 6-2 244 pounds. Both have 40 times in the high 4.6 to 4.7 range with broad jumps over 10 feet. And, get ready for this, both notched 22 career sacks at mid-level programs.
There’s a chance that Brown won’t ever make the impact that Porter has, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be feared. If the right coaches get a hold of him, he could develop into a pass-rushing terror in an aggressive 3-4 scheme like the one employed by Porter’s former team, the Steelers. Either way, Brown has Edward Scissorhands-style violence in his hands and a motor that won’t quit. He’ll probably be stuck in a situational role early on, but that’s not always a bad thing. Just ask Porter.
The Next Asante Samuel? Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland
No, I don’t mean the next corner to leave a perennial Super Bowl contender for a franchise that can’t seem to get over the hump, or learn the NFL rules book. I mean the next corner with good ball skills and decent straight-line speed who is catching some flack for being less than aggressive as an NFL Draft prospect. Samuel was far from the sure-fire shutdown specialist he is now when he was coming out of Central Florida. Take a look at him. If he turned sideways he’d be harder to spot than Bill Belichick’s fleet of camera-wielding spies. But Samuel has used his strengths to become one of the best defensive backs in the league. His athleticism is almost unparalleled, and he sees the field, like, well, an Eagle.
Barnes may be a bit of stretch, but I’ve been high on him all offseason. True, he sometimes struggles out of cuts, and he is a drag-down tackler, but the guy can play. Although Samuel is clearly better at changing directions and making plays while running back, both guys possess an innate ability to see the ball and close in a hurry. Barnes’ senior season was cut short by a shoulder injury, but he picked off six passes in one-and-a-half seasons while breaking up 14 others.
Samuel was dogged back in 2003 for being too soft, too finesse. But check on some of the film and you’ll see that both were willing tacklers who used their paper-thin frames as best they could. Of course, this is real life, and paper doesn’t always beat rock-solid muscle, but Barnes is an excellent corner when he keeps everything in front of him, and he could be a steal for someone in the third round. Worst case, he has the height and vision to be a solid safety.
Thanks for your time. And if you see Chase Patton, or Matt Cassel for that matter, anywhere near Adriana Lima please let him know what’s up.
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22
Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9