Blaine Sumner, Where are You?

Red_One43 · Post by **Red_One43** » Sat Aug 06, 2011 10:14 pm

Anybody have any news on Blaine Sumner, THN Nose Tackle favorite?
I looked on NFL.com in the player tab and could not find him.

I would think that someone would invite him to camp and develop him into at least a back up NT.

Red_One43 · Post by **Red_One43** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:12 pm

Video on Blaine Sumner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CObtOq1MRA

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:50 pm

It's weird... seems like he'd be a no brainer as a free agent... but he's nowhere to be found.

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:21 pm

You'd think SOMEONE would sign him just based on his strength.
As far as his highlights, remember he played D II. I doubt if any of the players shown trying to block him will ever be on NFL rosters.

Red_One43 · Post by **Red_One43** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:33 pm

I emailed Wes Bunting from National Football Post. Wes did a short articl e on Sumner. If he responds, I will post his response.

Red_One43 · Post by **Red_One43** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:46 pm

After reading this, it makes it even harder to understand why Sumner hasn't been invited to a camp.

Wes Bunting, National Football Post

Blaine Sumner is a 6-1, 335 pound nose tackle prospect from Colorado School of the Mines. He’s a three-year starter who accounted for over 30 tackles as a senior, 6.5 tackles for loss and a half sack. However, Sumner is a making a lot of noise this pro day season because of impressive numbers off the field.

The girthy nose tackle pumped out 52-reps on the bench at the Air Force pro day, breaking the all time Combine record of 49 which was just recently set by Oregon State’s Stephen Paea.

Sumner is gifted powerlifter as well who has marks of 900+ pounds on the squat, 600+ pounds on the bench, dead lifts over 800 pounds and hang cleans 400+ pounds. All mind blowing numbers.

However, I got my first look at the guy on the football field yesterday and here are my thoughts…

Possesses some natural bend to his game when asked to coil up into this stance. Displays an above-average first step off the ball for his size, can gain leverage on contact and has a powerful lower half when working the bull rush. Can downright dominate at the point of attack when need be and overwhelm blockers into the backfield. Demonstrates better ball awareness than I expected and does possess some closing range in pursuit.

However, is a stiff, linear athlete. Doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher. Is raw technically, too often leads with his head, doesn’t maximize his length and lacks ideal hand placement initially into contact Allows himself to get upright too easily, especially in the face of a double, but is just so physically powerful he can get away with it at the small-school level.

Overall, the intriguing strength numbers have helped, gaining Sumner some additional attention during the post season. He’s a naturally strong kid who when he keeps his base down can consistently overwhelm and work his way into the backfield. However, he’s stiff, a limited as a pass rusher and simply plays too high when asked to anchor.

Me personally, I wouldn’t give him a draftable grade. I see him more as a size free agent who I wouldn’t mind having in camp. However, with the lack of ideal talent at the nose tackle position this year and the potential of being unable to sign free agents after the draft, I do think Sumner at least gave himself a shot at a draft pick late come April.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/52r ... OH-MY.html

TCIYM · Post by **TCIYM** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:25 pm

he’s stiff, a limited as a pass rusher and simply plays too high when asked to anchor.

That would render Sumner pretty useless in a 3-4 base defense. All the brute strength in the world doesn't equate to football skill at the professional level. Defensive linemen have to play with leverage and all indications are Sumner does not do that. That makes him a project and teams don't have time for projects this season. The most he would be is a camp body, and even then he would be useless if he can't practice the way opposing NFL defenses play. Workout videos and game video of a player simply overpowering collegiate athletes who also aren't good enough to play at the NFL level doesn't mean a thing to pro scouts and coaches. They are looking for players who can be coached up, not players who have to be coached on basic fundamentals. Sumner is "obviously" a long-term project who may never be NFL caliber. Not only the Redskins but 31 other franchises have deemed him unworthy of the investment thus far.

Red_One43 · Post by **Red_One43** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:55 pm

Consensus Draft on Blaine Sumner:

"Overview: Very productive 4-year-starter, small-school pure nose.

'07: 33 total tackles, 7 TFLs, 6.5 sacks.
'08: 32-4.5-1.5
'09: 33-7-4, along with 2 hurries and a FR.
'10: 32-6.5-.5, along with 2 FRs, and 3 blocked kicks.

Also ran the ball occasionally in SY or goal line. Career rushing mark: 26-38-3.

Strengths: Freakishly strong pure nose. Has squatted 1000 pounds. Has done 50 reps at 225, with a 635 bench max. 425 hang clean. Plays with good leverage. Can stone the double team at this level. Pro size. Quicker than you might think. Very consistent and reliable. Will earn his money.

Weaknesses: Short arms. No versatility. A little overaged. Maxed out. May be too tightly wound. Despite his straight line speed, will not be much of a pass rush threat at the next level.

Projection: Priority UDFA who will be a tough cut for a 3-4 team."

Short arms (He would not be the first to over come that) and the age thing (can't find anything on his age) could be the biggest factors. The lack of pass rush is the same thing scouts said about Aubrayo Franklin, formerly of the SF - 2011 Free agent class, and that was as an established pro. He's a space eater.

He appears to have a high motor and he sounds coachable and he appears t have heart for the game. All teams passing on guys does not mean that they are right. Give the guy a shot. With a lot of the big guys we see going in and out of camps and this guy can't even get a peek in the door? Don't get it. Maybe they feel there would be to big a media distraction for a guy not likely tomake the team - just throwing one out there.

http://www.fanaticalfootballfiend.com/3 ... ports.html

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:50 am

The only reason I can think of why he hasn't even been invited to camp is the possibility that his incredible strength has been chemically enhanced.

Red_One43 · Post by **Red_One43** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:17 am

yupchagee wrote:The only reason I can think of why he hasn't even been invited to camp is the possibility that his incredible strength has been chemically enhanced.

That thought crossed my mind.

He addressed that in this interview with CriticalBench.com. But no talk of passing tests.

CB: Tell us about your football experience thus far?

BS: I've played football since I could walk. When I was in elementary school, I was the smallest kid on the team and played Nose Tackle. We moved up to the mountains of Colorado in the 3rd grade and they moved me to Middle Line Backer (MLB) (I was still the smallest player on the team) I played MLB all through high school and was pretty dominant being 250 lbs. my senior year. When I went to the Colorado School of Mines they moved me back to NT and I was about 260 lbs. when I reported. I've played my whole collegiate career between 315-330 lbs. I've received multiple All-Conference and All-State awards. I look forward to playing in the NFL.

CB: What are the challenges of coming up as a powerlifter?

BS: The biggest for me was when I started getting real big and people (mostly high schoolers) started accusing me of using steroids. I have never touched them and it got frustrating listening to lazy people try to discount my efforts. Injuries are also difficult to overcome and it's important to stay on top of regeneration using foam rolling, stick rolling, ice baths, etc.

http://www.criticalbench.com/interview_ ... Sumner.htm

Red_One43 · Post by **Red_One43** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:34 am

His agent is Kevin Poston of the Poston Brothers (Andre Carter is one of the Poston Brother's clients).

My agent Kevin Poston and friend Jeff Ruffin for believing in me and taking a chance on me to provide a shot at the NFL.

http://www.criticalbench.com/interview_ ... Sumner.htm

Perhaps this is why he hasn't been picked up.

At the epicenter of this whole thing are two agent brothers who are fast becoming persona non grata around the NFL. Carl and Kevin Poston, owners of Professional Sports Planning, Inc., have gained a notorious reputation for being tough and unreasonable negotiators over the years. But their shenanigans over the past two years involving six of their high profile clients may one day drive them out of the player agent business, as NFL clubs may become loath to doing business with these two men at all costs.

http://www.patsfans.com/articles/patrio ... stock.html

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 7:02 am

^ If true, we will know once he fires the vermin.