2007 DRAFT PROSPECT PROFILES: MLB

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:56 pm

Paul Posluszny, Penn State… 6-2, 238, 4.62, SR… Entered the season considered by many to be a potential top 10 prospect for the 2007 draft, but struggled to regain the form that made him a consensus All-American in 2006 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament suffered in the Nittany Lions’ bowl game last January. Also started the season lining up at SSLB where he wasn’t comfortable. Poluszny is a weight room warrior who has bulked up to 238 pounds; is also a tough player who is a solid tackler in the open field; smart player who always seems to be around the ball; has excellent instincts and flows easily to the ball; agile athlete who slices through traffic and uses hands well to fend off blockers; mostly a sideline-to-sideline type who takes good pursuit angles; hasn’t decent speed with a 40 clocking in the 4.6 range, however, Poluszny doesn’t really have explosive upfield quickness and doesn’t make many plays in the backfield; reasonably fluid in coverage and gets good drops, but doesn’t break on the ball that well when playing in reverse; Poluszny is also a great character player who is also a standout in the classroom.

Patrick Willis, Mississippi… 6-1.5, 234, 4.62, SR… Thought about entering the 2006 draft, but opted to return for his senior season where he has continued to be one of the most productive defensive players in the country. Willis isn’t all that big at a shade over 6-1, 230, but has close to defensive back speed; very athletic player who was a star RB and receiver in high school where he was also an honorable mention all-state basketball player. Led the entire nation in solo tackles in 2005 when he piled up 128 overall stops including 9.5 for loss and three sacks; on pace to post well over 100 tackles again this fall; very fluid player who can play in space; can change direction and runs well to the ball; while not big is seldom blocked as he does a nice job slicing through traffic; keeps feet alive and does a good job using hands to keep blockers off legs; instinctive run defender who often beats the blocking to the point of attack; tough player but doesn’t always wrap up when he tackles; also will gamble at times and take poor angles to the ball; has outstanding range in coverage and can run with most RBs and TEs but needs to react better once the ball is in the air. Only question regarding Willis is durability as he has been banged up on occasion. Missed spring practice this year recovering from foot surgery; also had a broken finger, and a shoulder problem last fall

Link

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 2:29 pm

I really like both those players, however I don't know if they are a #6 talent.

However, MLB is IMO a top priority on defense so if they have good comibines and personal workouts, then I think we should consider...

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:53 am

air_hog wrote:I really like both those players, however I don't know if they are a #6 talent.

However, MLB is IMO a top priority on defense so if they have good comibines and personal workouts, then I think we should consider...

I like both these guys too. But unfortunately, this years draft does not have any real explosive prospects at MLB or DE. That sucks because those positions are priority needs for us on defense. I don't even think Gains Adams is worth the #6 pick.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:27 pm

SkinsFreak wrote:But unfortunately, this years draft does not have any real explosive prospects at MLB or DE.

This is the truth, at least among the better known names. There is a chance that a diamond in the rough is out there atthese two positions in later rounds but certainly there is no clear cut talent in the first round.

Given that a really good player might be available in later rounds at a reasonable price MEANS that anybody but us will get him. :evil:

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:08 am

Okay, BossHog made a great point in his Top 32 Draft Prospects article about Patrick Willis.

He said

Willis is a sound tackler from the SEC

And if you think about it, that makes perfect sense.

Seriously, who was the Defensive Rookie of the Year this year? DeMeco Ryans, 2nd Round Pick, Alabama/SEC.

And he is physically built exactly like Willis. He's short, stocky, and plays with tons of heart.

Now I really want to trade down to like Number 20, pick up a 2nd/3rd Rounder, and grab Willis who could be an Instant starter on our Defense for years to come.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:57 am

These guys are both Second round picks or third round. No way should we draft these guys in first round. Plus we have a middle linebacker. We want Calvin! We want Calvin! We want Calvin the truth Johnson!

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:44 am

More on Patrick Willis

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:47 pm

1niksder wrote:More on Patrick Willis

Tough guy with lots of character and potential. I have never watched him play but the stats and his personal circumstances show hunger for success.

I am not sure he should be our choice at #6 but I would love to give him a chance to play for us. Thanks.

Some of you may have seen him play in college but the TRUE question is: Is he really NFL starter material? :shock:

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:13 pm

Regarding Patrick Willis

Redskin in Canada wrote:...I am not sure he should be our choice at #6 but I would love to give him a chance to play for us. Thanks.

Some of you may have seen him play in college but the TRUE question is: Is he really NFL starter material?

aah! the wonder of it all :lol:

It's the old "good news, bad news" scene

the good news for us each year is we only have a few draft picks so that lessens the chances of making a mistake with our picks :idea:

the bad news is that we have less chances of finding a future star NFL player. :wink:

RagingRigginz · Post by **RagingRigginz** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 4:12 pm

One guy at MLB I know the Skins are looking at is Chad Nkang. He and I both go to Elon University, a D I AA school. Originally he's from MD, so he's a hometown boy. He's an absolute freak and a little undersized. There is talk of moving him to safety once he's drafted. He's 6 1 220. And he runs the 40 consistently at 4.4. He was clocked at 4.38 earlier this year. He played in the Hula Bowl and was MVP of his team. He said that the Skins scouts have been at his games this year.

After the Hula Bowl he said that the Colts, Panthers, Redskins, and Bucs ahd been talking to him. If he does well at the combine, best case scenario he goes 3rd round. Most predict around 4th/5th if he falls a little. This guy is an absolute freak. He was the number one LB in D I AA the last two years.

http://www.elon.edu/athletics/profile.a ... 3&sport=fb
http://www.elon.edu/athletics/news/?id=916661
http://org.elon.edu/athletics/stats/fb/ ... M#TEAM.IND

He's an absolute freak... been a finalist for the Buchannon award the last two years (DIAA's equivalent of the Butkus award).

Something to keep your eyes peeled for.

CPallDAY08 · Post by **CPallDAY08** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 4:38 pm

HEROHAMO wrote:These guys are both Second round picks or third round. No way should we draft these guys in first round. Plus we have a middle linebacker. We want Calvin! We want Calvin! We want Calvin the truth Johnson!

no we dont! no we dont!

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:13 pm

RagingRigginz wrote:One guy at MLB I know the Skins are looking at is Chad Nkang. He and I both go to Elon University, a D I AA school. Originally he's from MD, so he's a hometown boy. He's an absolute freak and a little undersized. There is talk of moving him to safety once he's drafted. He's 6 1 220. And he runs the 40 consistently at 4.4. He was clocked at 4.38 earlier this year. He played in the Hula Bowl and was MVP of his team. He said that the Skins scouts have been at his games this year.

After the Hula Bowl he said that the Colts, Panthers, Redskins, and Bucs ahd been talking to him. If he does well at the combine, best case scenario he goes 3rd round. Most predict around 4th/5th if he falls a little. This guy is an absolute freak. He was the number one LB in D I AA the last two years.

http://www.elon.edu/athletics/profile.a ... 3&sport=fb
http://www.elon.edu/athletics/news/?id=916661
http://org.elon.edu/athletics/stats/fb/ ... M#TEAM.IND

He's an absolute freak... been a finalist for the Buchannon award the last two years (DIAA's equivalent of the Butkus award).

Something to keep your eyes peeled for.

I like those kind of guys. Any video of him out there?

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 3:37 am

RagingRigginz wrote:One guy at MLB I know the Skins are looking at is Chad Nkang. He and I both go to Elon University, a D I AA school. Originally he's from MD, so he's a hometown boy. He's an absolute freak and a little undersized. There is talk of moving him to safety once he's drafted. He's 6 1 220. And he runs the 40 consistently at 4.4. He was clocked at 4.38 earlier this year. He played in the Hula Bowl and was MVP of his team. He said that the Skins scouts have been at his games this year.

After the Hula Bowl he said that the Colts, Panthers, Redskins, and Bucs ahd been talking to him. If he does well at the combine, best case scenario he goes 3rd round. Most predict around 4th/5th if he falls a little. This guy is an absolute freak. He was the number one LB in D I AA the last two years.

http://www.elon.edu/athletics/profile.a ... 3&sport=fb
http://www.elon.edu/athletics/news/?id=916661
http://org.elon.edu/athletics/stats/fb/ ... M#TEAM.IND

He's an absolute freak... been a finalist for the Buchannon award the last two years (DIAA's equivalent of the Butkus award).

Something to keep your eyes peeled for.

I say we take him. Have him Bulk up to like 230lbs. I love his Bio this guy has character.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:43 pm

According to this article:

3. Patrick Willis/MLB/Mississippi: Willis gave good effort all week and looked strong in the box. Problem was he struggled making plays out to the sidelines or in reverse. He does not resemble the first-round talent many have pinned him to be.

Was one who struggled all week.