BFTB Scouting: College Football Week 7

by Wonko on Oct 16, 2010 12:00 AM PDT in NFL Draft

Instead of a recap this week, I want to do a reset of the Chargers' likely positional needs going into the next draft:

QB	Probably none needed. Chargers seem to be sticking with veterans at all 3 spots.
RB	Will probably need to add at least one barring a Sproles return. Bonus points if he can return kicks/punts.
WR	The Chargers will likely lose Vince Jackson and possibly also Malcom Floyd since both will be free agents. The remaining WRs don't project as #1 WRs, so a high pick could be used on the position.
TE	Probably none needed, but perhaps a late round flyer on a decent prospect to compete for a 3rd string job.
OT	With the signing of Marcus McNeill and the decent showing from Brandyn Dombrowski the team would probably just be in the market for a backup/project at OT. Jeromey Clary will be a free agent, so someone needs to come in, but it could be a veteran.
OG	None needed. Plenty of depth here.
OC	Probably none needed. Hardwick still has some years left. Could draft one if they saw value, I suppose.
DE	Travis Johnson and Jacques Cesaire will be a free agents and the unproven Vaughn Martin waits in the wings. They could draft for a starter or draft for depth at this position.
NT	None needed. Plenty of depth here.
OLB	Shawne Merriman is gone, Jyles Tucker could be as well, Larry English is iffy, Shaun Phillips is getting older and the rest of the crew isn't very proven. This could be a very high priority and maybe even get addressed with multiple picks including one high one.
ILB	Stephen Cooper, Kevin Burnett and Brandon Siler (RFA) are all on the last year of their contracts. That leaves only the IRed Donald Butler. They could re-sign one or more of these players, they could draft an ILB high or they could draft for depth.
CB	Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer have solidified this position going forward. The team still could spend a somewhat high pick here if they plan to move Jammer to safety or if they just want a solid nickel back. KR/PR abilties are a plus. Most likely though they will have a similar mix in 2011 as they do in 2010.
S	Eric Weddle is on the last year of his contract (although he'll probably be an RFA). Darrell Stuckey is unproven. Steve Gregory is not a long term solution. Paul Oliver is not irreplaceable. They could draft this position high or for depth or re-sign Weddle and keep the status-quo.
K	Probably none needed.
P	None needed.

Here's the matchups I'm focusing on for week 7:

Missouri	(5-0)	vs	Texas A&M	(3-2)	Saturday 10/16 9:00 AM PT	(Fox Sports)

Texas	(3-2)	vs	Nebraska	(5-0)	Saturday 10/16 12:30 PM PT	(ABC or ESPN)

Ohio St.	(6-0)	vs	Wisconsin	(5-1)	Saturday 10/16 4:00 PM PT	(ESPN)

Every week I'll also ask all of you to please share what games you'll be watching and what players you'd think would look good in blue and gold or just generally impressed/disappointed you.

Missouri vs Texas A&M

This game, for scouting purposes is all about one player. OLB Von Miller. As I mentioned in the intro, the Chargers could be looking to find a difference maker at OLB. Miller gets a challenge in that he's playing a ranked, undefeated team in Missouri this week. The Tigers also boast one of the better pro prospects at QB in Blaine Gabbert, so his pocket presence, line reads and quick passing will all be challenges for Miller. Wake up early and see if we've found our next great pass rusher.

Von Miller, Texas A&M, OLB, Senior, 6'3, 238 lbs (1st or 2nd round) - Miller led the FBS last year with 17 sacks and threw in 4 FF and 21.5 Tackles for loss for good measure. This year teams are scheming against him and he's only got 1 sack, so a breakout this weekend could help his stock. He's seen as more of a 3-4 OLB since as a DE he's not much of a bull rusher and as a 4-3 OLB his pass rushing talents are wasted. He's also got great top end speed so he make plays from the LB spot that don't involve getting to the QB. He uses his hands to set up defenders which really helps him get to the ball carrier in the run game. He motor is high, he's quick, he's a strong tackler, can provid a big hit and is character-issue-free.

Texas vs Nebraska

I introduced you to Texas' 3 CB prospects (Aaron Williams, Chykie Brown and Curtis Brown) in week 5. I brought to you one of the top CBs in the nation in Prince Amukamara back in week 3 when I previewed Nebraska. This week those two teams meet in a rematch of last year's Big 12 Championship game. Its just too bad that neither team has much of a passing game to test these CBs. The Cornhuskers do have WR Niles Paul who will be challenged by the Texas secondary, but my guess is that they'll try to run the ball a lot and leave him mostly out of the game plan. The 'Huskers also have Junior DE/DT Jared Crick who will work to stop the run, get after the passer and force the Longhorns to possibly give something for the Prince to get after.

Pierre Allen, Nebraska, DE/OLB, Senior, 6'4, 261 lbs (mid to late rounds) - He's not a natural pass rusher even though he plays DE in Nebraska's defense. However, he does have the athleticism to play OLB in the 3-4 and the skills in run defense that could make him valuable. He's strong and can hold his defenders at the point of attack and still be quick enough to disengage and make plays. He'd be a bit of a project, but he's a good effort guy that could use his tackling and athleticism to help on special teams while he develops.

Ohio St. vs Wisconsin

Ohio St. got one of my early previews back in week 2. Since then we've been tracking the ups and downs of WR DeVier Posey, the rise of CB Chimdi Chekwa and solid performances from ILB Ross Homan as the Buckeyes have made their bid as the nations #1 ranked team. Homan will have the most work to do facing the power running of the Badgers. I've also got a new prospect to introduce since he's caught my eye as a better fit for the Chargers as the season's gone on. Wisconsin will look to knock Ohio State off their pedestal and will do it featuring some players I preview in week 5. Gabe Carimi is a solid run blocking OT, but with Marcus McNeill's signing isn't as a high a priority as he once was. WR Nick Toon is the most intriguing for Chargers fans. He'd be a depth acquisition in the middle rounds and doesn't project as a #1 WR though.

Brandon Saine, Ohio St., RB, Senior, 6'0, 217 lbs (3rd round or later) - I skipped Brandon Saine the last time through because I saw him as a bruising back that the Chargers wouldn't draft too high. Wisconsin has one of those guys in John Clay that I just can't see the Chargers drafting. However, Saine has become more involved in the passing game, especially with wheel routes, and that's an area the Chargers do covet. So, you end up with a big back that can run between the tackles, but also help with the passing game in the flats and down the sidelines. He's also a willing pass blocker and just overall strikes me as a very interesting 3rd down back (and perhaps more).

Tracking Prospects Mentioned In Previous Articles:

Prospect Name	College	Position	Week 4 Opponent	Notes
Jacquizz Rodgers	Oregon St.	RB	Washington	25 car. 83 yds. 1 TD. That's not a good YPC. Also, 3 rec. 43 yds.
Jonathan Baldwin	Pittsburgh	WR	Syracuse	9 rec. 111 yds. 1 TD.
Armon Binns	Cincinnati	WR	Louisville	5 rec. 111 yds. 2 TDs.
Ryan Broyles	Oklahoma	WR	Iowa St.
Michael Floyd	Notre Dame	WR	Western Michigan	7 rec. 59 yds. 1 TD
Leonard Hankerson	Miami	WR	Duke	5 rec. 72 yds.
Julio Jones	Alabama	WR	Mississippi	8 rec. 188 yds. 1 TD. Excellent day.
Greg Little	North Carolina	WR		NCAA ruled him permanently ineligible.
Chris Owusu	Stanford	WR	Bye	3 rec. 73 yds.
Niles Paul	Nebraska	WR	Texas	Only 1 catch, but Nebraska barely threw the ball
Austin Pettis	Boise St.	WR	San Jose St.	4 rec. 81 yds
DeVier Posey	Ohio State	WR	Wisconsin	8 rec. 108 yds. 1 TD. And all those catches were on wobbly balls. His QB can't throw a spiral.
Terrence Toliver	LSU	WR	McNeese St.	6 rec. 111 yds. 2 TDs against a good secondary.
Nick Toon	Wisconsin	WR	Ohio St.	6 rec. 52 yds
Titus Young	Boise St.	WR	San Jose St.	6 rec. 97 yds. 1 TD
Gabe Carimi	Wisconsin	OT	Ohio St.
Demarcus Love	Arkansas	OT	Auburn
Jason Pinkston	Pittsburgh	OT	Notre Dame
Jared Crick	Nebraska	DE/DT	Texas
Stephen Paea	Oregon St.	DE/DT	Washington
Ian Williams	Notre Dame	DE/DT	Western Michigan	QB hurry
Da'Quan Bowers	Clemson	DE/OLB	Maryland	2 sacks
Ryan Kerrigan	Purdue	DE/OLB	Minnesota	1 sack. 1 offsides penalty
Greg Romeus	Pittsburgh	DE/OLB	Syracuse	Back surgery, out indefinitely
Jabaal Sheard	Pittsburgh	DE/OLB	Syracuse	2 sacks including a stripsack. Awesome.
Ross Homan	Ohio State	ILB	Wisconsin
Nate Irving	North Carolina St.	ILB	East Carolina	Half sack. Broke up a pass.
Greg Jones	Michigan St.	ILB	Illinois
Casey Matthews	Oregon	ILB	Bye	Interception in red zone.
Quan Sturdivant	North Carolina	ILB	Virginia	Injury has limited his playing time lately.
Travis Lewis	Oklahoma	LB	Iowa St.
Colin McCarthy	Miami	LB	Duke
Prince Amukamara	Nebraska	CB	Texas
Chykie Brown	Texas	CB	Nebraska	Picked up a sack
Curtis Brown	Texas	CB	Nebraska
Rashad Carmichael	Virginia Tech	CB	Wake Forest	Pass defensed and a pass interference.
Chimdi Chekwa	Ohio State	CB	Wisconsin
Marcus Gilchrist	Clemson	CB	Maryland	Not a great day returning kick and punts. Fumbled a punt.
Brandon Harris	Miami	CB	Duke
Janoris Jenkins	Florida	CB	Mississippi St.
Patrick Peterson	LSU	CB	McNeese St.	Good on kick returns. Fumbled a punt.
Aaron Williams	Texas	CB	Nebraska
Mark Barron	Alabama	S	Mississippi
Ahmed Black	Florida	S	Mississippi St.	Recovered a fumble on special teams.
Quinton Carter	Oklahoma	S	Iowa St.
DeAndre McDaniel	Clemson	S	Maryland
Deunta Williams	North Carolina	S	Virginia	Forced a fumble in first game back.

Chargers Fan Confidence Poll

Last tallied on 10/20.

14|1:|0|100&chxt=x,y&chco=5098c7&chd=t:54

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Comments

Wow.

I’m more than impressed by your post.

I’m not a college football guy, but you really gave me something to look for and made me wanna watch it. Excelent job on the scouting and assessing the Chargers needs.

by Lightning Hobo on Oct 16, 2010 4:25 AM PDT reply actions

I hope you are right about the 4th year guys being restricted next year, although I am not confident

Weddle, Legs, Clary, Oliver, and B Si all under the Chargers control would help us a ton going forward. Just looking at our needs if we can resigned Floyd we could prioritize this draft on the defensive side. Seems to be a solid class of DBs and DL

IMO

by Foilhat on Oct 16, 2010 8:20 AM PDT reply actions

I don’t know that I’d call Saine a “big back”. He’s smaller than Mathews.

Von Miller sounds like a top 5 pick, which is unfortunate for the Chargers.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Oct 16, 2010 8:29 AM PDT reply actions

Where's the love for Demarco Sampson and Vencent Brown?

Both will prob be mid-round picks this year and are playing in an offense that is based upon Norv’s system.

by Grey Suit on Oct 16, 2010 10:49 AM PDT reply actions

Brown could be a good pickup

He’s an NFL type player i think

San Diego sports are cursed.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 16, 2010 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

I trry to look for games where I have something to say about both teams

And where everybody can see the game. If I can’t get the Aztecs on a channel, then I assume no one else can. I want to put at least Vincent Brown up there as soon as I figure out a good time (Sampson doesn’t get as much love from scouts yet).

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Oct 17, 2010 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Brown is a better overall reciver

but Sampson is having a better season and has better speed. I think brown could turn into a solid #2 NFL receiver (much like Floyd) and I think Sampson will make a good third option and a deep threat.

by Grey Suit on Oct 17, 2010 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions

wonko

i know with the net u might not need this i know 2 great mags that can heip u phil steele college football 328 pages full rosters and he updates his mag on his web-stie and bule ruibbon college football 400 pages lots of coaches comments easyer to read

okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider

by j-man on Oct 16, 2010 12:58 PM PDT reply actions

Add in some love

for my UCLA guys, Akeem Ayers (LB) and Rahim Moore (S). Both are currently Juniors.

by freesia39 on Oct 16, 2010 4:08 PM PDT reply actions

Same problem as the Aztecs

Also, they got trumped by other matchups when they were televised and played someone good. Trust me, I want to fit in Ayers and Moore.

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Oct 17, 2010 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions

We are on National TV on Thursday

Unfortunately, it is against Oregon, so um… maybe you shouldn’t watch.

by freesia39 on Oct 18, 2010 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

wow man

i’m so glad you’re doing this. it’s like cliff notes for the draft. especially since i am clueless about college football (and have no time to watch it anyway). thank you!

by The Train on Oct 16, 2010 5:00 PM PDT reply actions

Again, very good post.

Watched the Nebraska game, Niles Paul killed us (I mean Nebraska) with is inability to make catches…. granted they weren’t easy catches but they were the catches that separates NCAA wideouts from NFL caliber wideouts.

As far as needs for the Chargers I think you are spot on. I think we need to keep Floyd and do everything possible to do so. Having a WR that your QB knows is often invaluable. As far as defense goes, The only person on the list of potential free agents (restricted or otherwise) that I think would hurt to lose is Shaun Phillips. There are some names that I’d like to see us keep but none of them are irreplaceable.

I also would like to see us focus on shoring up our defense with this draft. We have good depth throughout the offense; even though we will need another RB. However we need playmakers, not just role players, on defense a couple of spots…. like LB (IN and out), Safety (free or strong), and a really solid 3-4 DE that can do everthing….

I know, I know, I want it all.

by MacDeezul on Oct 16, 2010 7:50 PM PDT reply actions