Bolts From The Blue - 2014 San Diego Chargers Undrafted Free Agents WatchAn Unofficial Los Angeles Chargers Blog Created By The Fans, For The Fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47753/btfb-fv.png2014-08-01T14:31:03-07:00http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/rss/stream/57077862014-08-01T14:31:03-07:002014-08-01T14:31:03-07:00Chargers UDFA Watch: Gregory Ducre
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The final part of a five part series profiling a few of the Chargers undrafted rookies and evaluating their chances at making the final roster. For our final installment in the series, we assessed former Washington cornerback Gregory Ducre.</p> <p>When deciding which players I wanted to feature in this <a target="_blank" href="http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014-san-diego-chargers-training-camp/2014/7/28/5943745/undrafted-free-agents-watch">five part series</a>, I had a few in mind from the get-go. <span>Chris Davis</span>, <span>Alden Darby</span>, and <span>Tenny Palepoi</span> were shoo-ins. I also wanted to feature a couple of offensive players, and our own Robert Falkenberg contributed a great article on the undrafted rookie wide receivers. For the fifth and final profile of the series, I narrowed my choices down to <span>Adrian Phillips</span>, <span>Branden Oliver</span> and <span>Greg Ducre</span>. Philips was a star at safety for the Texas Longhorns, and Oliver is the greatest running back in the University of Buffalo's history. Ducre was a solid cornerback for Washington, but he lacks the star power and name recognition of Phillips and Oliver.</p>
<p>So, why am I choosing Ducre? Well, because I don't give a damn about star power and name recognition. And because Bolts From The Blue's Richard Wade already wrote <a target="_blank" href="http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014/5/22/5741756/will-rookie-free-agent-running-back-branden-oliver-make-san-diego-chargers">a similar piece</a> on Oliver. But mostly because collegiate success, or lack thereof, doesn't always predict a player's success at the professional level. Ducre is a fascinating prospect who may end up one day being the best player of San Diego's undrafted free agent class. Let's take a closer look at the 22-year-old from Los Angeles.</p>
<h4><b>Performance</b></h4>
<p>Ducre was not a star in college by any stretch of the imagination, but he was a immediate producer for Steve Sarkisian's Washington Huskies, playing in all 13 games as a true freshman and working his way into the starting lineup his sophomore season. He started six games in 2011 and racked up 37 tackles with an interception, but was inconsistent and didn't solidify himself as a full-time starter until his senior year. 2013 was his best season in a Huskies uniform, totaling 37 tackles to go along with two interceptions and a forced fumble.</p>
<p>With only a year and a half of starting experience, Ducre didn't cause much buzz headed into the NFL Draft until he participated in Washington's pro day, blowing away the spectators with a 4.32 time in the 40-yard-dash. The only player in the draft who ran a faster time in the 40 was Kent State burner <span>Dri Archer</span>, who was picked in the third round by the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>. Ducre ran track for the Huskies and finished second in the Pac-12 in the 60-yard-dash with a blistering 6.81. He has truly elite speed, which makes NFL coaches drool. That alone, added with his MVP performance in the College All-Star Game, made Ducre an intriguing prospect for NFL teams. He was projected as a fourth or fifth round pick, but in a deep cornerback class, Ducre didn't hear his name called. Luckily for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">Chargers</a>, he decided to come back to Southern California and signed with San Diego shortly after the draft.</p>
<h4><b>Strengths</b></h4>
<p>Ducre possesses average height and size for a cornerback at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but he is much stronger than advertised (17 bench press reps on 225 pounds) and is a proficient open field tackler. He is fast enough that wide receivers will never be able to outrun him, and his closing speed and short-area burst keeps him in close company with the wideout. He doesn't have the height to consistently out jump his opponent but his 35 inch vertical helps him make up for any height differential.</p>
<p>In Eric Williams of ESPN.com's camp report for Thursday, he mentioned Ducre, who was playing with the third team.</p>
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<p>"Undrafted rookie free agent cornerback Greg Ducre made a nice interception on an out route intended for receiver <span>Torrence Allen</span> thrown by Brad Sorensen. The former University of Washington player also had a nice pass breakup during team drills later in practice."</p>
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<p>Ducre's first interception of the 2013 season came in Week 2 against Illinois, sleuthing out a trick play and undercutting the receiver for the ball. Watch Ducre at the top of the screen as he works his way to the other side of the field for the interception.</p>
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<p>Ducre's speed and aggressiveness brought him another interception, this one against arch-rival Washington State.</p>
<p><iframe height="310" width="480" src="http://viewrz.com/embed/boltsfromtheblue-com-3" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>The ball is clearly behind the receiver, but Ducre made a good adjustment on the ball and was able to corral it as he fell to the ground.</p>
<h4><b>Weaknesses</b></h4>
<p>With those two gifs above, you've now seen the Greg Ducre highlight film from 2013. Yeah, he didn't have many highlights to show. The problem with Ducre is that he has had all of these physical tools for a long time but was never able to put them all together for a whole season at Washington. While strong for his body size, he still got pushed around by bigger receivers and struggled against blocks. If your running back gets past the secondary Ducre is the guy with the wheels to catch him, but Ducre's also likely the guy you successfully blocked to open up a hole in the secondary.</p>
<h3><b>Overall</b></h3>
<p>I like Ducre as a prospect, and if he were to be signed to the Chargers practice squad, it would be considered a win for the organization. He's an elite athlete who has shown flashes of NFL ability, although they were few and far between. What it comes down to now for Ducre is coaching. He has all of the physical tools to be a starting corner in the league, but his technique needs improvement, and he'll have to learn how to deal with larger receivers if he is to find a place in the NFL.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Chances Greg Ducre makes the final roster: </i>15%. Ducre's competition in camp is too great for him to realistically have a shot at making the team as a cornerback, and he didn't have any experience in college on special teams. With that said, Ducre is a candidate to be added to the practice squad, where he could develop into a good player who can eventually make his mark in the league. For now though, that's all speculation, and based on what we've seen on the field of Ducre, he'll have to dominate in the preseason to even get consideration for the final roster.</p>
https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014-san-diego-chargers-training-camp/2014/8/1/5947455/san-diego-chargers-udfa-watch-gregory-ducreShane Theodore2014-07-31T12:12:58-07:002014-07-31T12:12:58-07:00Undrafted Free Agent Watch: DT Tenny Palepoi
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<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Part four of a five part series profiling a few of the Chargers undrafted rookies and evaluating their chances at making the final roster. Today we take a look at Tenny Palepoi, a defensive tackle from Utah.</p> <p>When looking at the University of Utah's football program, the best memories are their two BCS bowl wins, the first under former coach Urban Meyer and the second coming in current coach Kyle Whittingham's fourth season at the helm. Whittingham won five bowl games in his first five years but in the four years after that, the Utes have won just one bowl, lost another and missed the postseason in the last two seasons.</p>
<p>Utah's 5-7 season in 2013 was due to an absence of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but they consistently boast one of the best defensive programs in the country. Numerous NFL players played their college ball in Salt Lake City, including our own Eric Weddle. Every year it seems that the NFL welcomes a new defensive Ute to its ranks, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> made what was considered by many to be their best undrafted free agent signing when they inked <span>Tenny Palepoi</span> to the roster.</p>
<p>Palepoi, a junior college transfer, made the most of his two seasons in Utah, morphing into one of the best nose tackles in the country. Palepoi was projected to be drafted in the fifth or sixth round, and for a player of his talent to drop all the way out of the draft was surprising.</p>
<p>Unlike most other rookies, Palepoi is married and has two children. His father played for the Samoan rugby team and his brother played four years in the NFL, playing with three teams.</p>
<p>With the Chargers, Palepoi is trying to crack a defensive line group that shows promise, but has yet to meet potential. So what are Palepoi's chances of making the Chargers? Let's start with his collegiate career.</p>
<p><b>Performance</b></p>
<p>Coming to Utah from the junior college ranks, Palepoi got a chance to contribute and capitalized. He played in all 12 12 games in 2012,. making two starts, and collected a respectable 21 tackles and two sacks from the nose tackle position. Many snaps that would've gone to Palepoi instead went to star lineman Star Lotulelei. When Lotulelei left Utah to become a first round NFL draft pick, the starting nose tackle job was handed to Palepoi with big shoes to fill, and he filled in admirably. Voted a captain his senior year, Palepoi started all 12 games on his way to a second team All-Pac-12 selection. His production spiked up too, going from 21 tackles in 2012 to 53 in 2013. Palepoi was a force in the middle, racking up 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.</p>
<p><b>Strengths</b></p>
<p>At 6-foot-1, 298 pounds, Palepoi is large enough to force double teams in the trenches but he has quickness and agility that allows him to push past defenders. He possesses great closing speed and is a sure tackler. His body control affords him the ability to finesse his way past defenders instead of relying on brute strength.</p>
<p>Check out this play from Utah's blowout win over Weber State last year. The Wildcats lined up in the triple option, but Palepoi wrecked the play by destroying his blocker and engulfing the Weber State quarterback. Watch Palepoi, #91, burst through the line and push past his blocker with ease before crunching the QB.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://viewrz.com/embed/boltsfromtheblue-com" width="480" height="310"></iframe></p>
<p>Palepoi is able to use his strength to push back the blocker, then uses his feet and agility to get past him and to the quarterback.</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses</b></p>
<p>While his average size for a nose tackle didn't hinder his collegiate production because of his athletic ability, Palepoi doesn't have the size to be a starter or even a featured role player at nose tackle in the NFL, with short arms and a small frame. If he doesn't beat the blocker off the snap, he doesn't have the arm extension to gain separation and isn't strong enough to push around an NFL lineman.</p>
<p><b>Overall</b></p>
<p>Palepoi's biggest issue is where he would play. He isn't strong enough to play nose tackle in the NFL, and the Chargers drafted <span>Ryan Carrethers</span> to play that position anyways. The defensive ends seem to be nearly locked up as well, not allowing much room in the group for Palepoi to break through.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Chances Tenny Palepoi makes the final roster: </i>15%. He'll get his chances in preseason and it would be a victory if the Chargers were to sign him to the practice squad, but Palepoi isn't good enough yet to be one of the best 53 men on the team. Watch for the Chargers to move him around the line a bit in the preseason, experimenting with him in different looks and schemes. Give him a year on the practice squad to get stronger and learn how to disengage from NFL blocks, and he could be a candidate to come into 2015 and really contribute.</p>
https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014/7/31/5947451/san-diego-chargers-udfa-watch-tenny-palepoiShane Theodore2014-07-29T13:30:04-07:002014-07-29T13:30:04-07:00San Diego Chargers UDFA Watch: Wide Receivers
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<figcaption>Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Part three of a five part series profiling a few of the Chargers undrafted rookies and evaluating their chances at making the final roster. Today we showcase a few players, taking a look at the undrafted rookie wide receivers that signed with the Chargers.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">One of the biggest areas of need for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a> headed into this offseason was at wide receiver. <span>Keenan Allen</span> emerged as a star in his rookie season, but Malcolm Floyd was injured in Week 2 and missed the rest of the season while <span>Vincent Brown</span> struggled to contribute. <span>Eddie Royal</span> and <span>Seyi Ajirotutu</span> are reliable when called upon but there was a clear desire at Chargers Park to bring in more weapons for <span>Philip Rivers</span>. They drafted former Baylor speedster <span>Tevin Reese</span> and <span>Marion Grice</span>, a running back who was a force in the passing game at Arizona State in addition to being the workhorse back. But Tom Telesco and Co. weren't done there, signing a large group of undrafted rookie wide receivers. Do any of them have a chance at making the regular season roster? We evaluated them below, but first let's take a look at a few other undrafted wide receivers who Chargers fans may remember.</p>
<h5><b><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link">Bryan Walters</span></span></span></b></h5>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In 2011, <span>Walters</span> caught the attention of those who watched him in preseason action.<span> He was signed as an undrafted rookie in 2010, but a hamstring injury forced him to miss training camp and the preseason, prompting the Chargers to release him and eventually sign him to a futures contract. In 2011, he finally got his chance in San Diego, and performed well, </span>tying <span>Vincent Jackson</span> with 10 receptions during the 2011 preseason. <span></span>Walters scored once and finished with 122 yards (2nd only to VJ).<span> Walters actually made the regular season roster but fizzled out to the tune of three receptions for 27 yards in 2011. San Diego let him go before the 2012 season started. </span>Walters is now a Seahawk; he even had one start last season, but did not have a stat line.<span> </span></p>
<h5><b><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link">Mike Willie</span></span></b></h5>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In 2012, <span>Mike Willie</span> caught our attention with a gaudy 22.5 average per reception in the preseason and a fairly spectacular TD catch. Willie did pretty well in the 2013 preseason too, scoring twice on six receptions. His performance was overshadowed by <span>Dan DePalma</span>, the 2013 eye catching receiver (he finished only behind Green and Gates in receptions with 10 during the preseason, leading all wide receivers in catches before going on the IR right before the final cuts). Willie was signed to the 2012 Chargers practice squad, but was released before the 2013 season. He is now a member of the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> but has yet to record a catch in a regular season game.</p>
<h4><b><i>The New Guys</i></b></h4>
<h5><b><span class="sbn-auto-link">Micah Hatfield</span> (6-foot-1, 182 pounds)</b></h5>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span>Hatfield</span> had issues with injuries while he was at Oregon State.<span> </span>When healthy though, he flashed track star speed and decent hands. His total stat line in college was unimpressive: 20 receptions in 4 years for 234 yards and 4 TD’s. This goes against the usual pattern for a FA receiver. Most of these guys come from small schools where they put up huge numbers; Hatfield went to a big school and was never even a starter. Still, the 24-year-old has shown persistence and an excellent work ethic in rehabbing a broken leg in 2009 and a broken thumb in 2011. He is on the small side, but did win his state’s 100 meter hurdles title in 2008 and posted a 4.44 second 40 yard dash, so he has speed to work with.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">His only touchdown of the 2013 season came in a blowout loss, but you can see at the bottom of the screen the speed that allowed him enough separation to haul in the catch.</p>
<p><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/aob22"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/aob22.gif" title="made at imgflip.com"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Hatfield does a great job of getting off the line quickly and making his break early, giving him separation from the cornerback, and not allowing either the corner or the safety to catch up with him. At this point in the game, backups were playing and allowing the touchdown to Hatfield almost seemed merciful by Washington, but that's all there is to show for his 2013 campaign.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i>Chances that Micah Hatfield makes the final roster: </i>5%. </b>It's a shame that Hatfield never really got a chance to excel in Corvallis, as he was stuck behind star <span>Brandin Cooks</span> and consistent threat <span>Richard Mullaney</span> for the duration of his career. He won't make the team but could be a candidate to sign to the practice squad.</p>
<h5><b><span class="sbn-auto-link">Torrence Allen</span> (6-feet, 188 pounds)</b></h5>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Speaking of small schools and big numbers, <span>Torrence Allen</span> went to West Texas A&M where he racked up 3,098 yards and 24 TD’s in his last two college seasons.<span> </span>I could not find any tape of him, but his draft report was not positive.<span> </span>Allen has toughness and a strong work ethic, but is not elusive, needs work on his use of hands and is not a great route runner. His mediocre speed gives him issues in getting separation and he's not strong enough to avoid being diverted off his routes by big corners. To top it off, he has little special teams value.<span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span></span><i style="font-weight: bold;">Chances Torrence Allen makes the final roster: </i><span>5%. </span><span>He </span>grades out as a slot receiver, not suited for the outside.<span> </span>If I had to guess at a receiver that won’t make it past the first cut out of the rookie free agent receivers, it would be Allen.</p>
<h5><b>Brelan Chancellor (5-foot-9, 188 pounds)</b></h5>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Another Texas boy, <span>Chancellor</span> played his college ball about 25 miles from my house, at the University of North Texas. Whereas Torrence Allen has limited special teams value, returning kicks and punts is Chancellor’s best skill set. He was one of 10 players last year to score on both a punt and kick-off return. He also rushed for 2 TD’s in the Mean Green’s win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Finally, he was named Conference USA’s Special Team Player of the Year for 2013. He doesn't have the ideal height of a wide receiver, but his 41 inch vertical jump and giant hands help make up for his lack of size.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It is for his special team prowess that I give him an outside shot at still being in a Charger uniform in September.<span> </span>Very little is listed in his college team’s bio page about his receiving, but does extoll his all-purpose yards and excellence as a returner.<span> </span>With the Chargers looking for alternatives to Woodhead and Keenan Allen in return duties, there may be an opportunity for Chancellor, especially if Tevin Reese has issues in the return game.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here's an example of the type of game-changing ability Chancellor can bring to special teams. Keep in mind that this is not against weak competition, but rather SEC power Georgia. Watch that last burst of speed that made two Bulldogs collide into each other.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/aob77"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/aob77.gif" title="made at imgflip.com"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It's important that he did that against such a power program. Playing at a small school like North Texas, rare are chances to play nationally ranked teams, and when Chancellor did, he had a knack for making a big play or two. Against LSU in 2012, he racked up 114 yards and two touchdowns, scoring one of them on an 80 yard catch-and-run. Here's another return showing off his quick feet and blazing wheels.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/aobe4"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/aobe4.gif" title="made at imgflip.com"></a></p>
<p>Chancellor ended up getting tackled before reaching the end zone, but the move he put on the opposing team's gunner is filthy, and those kind of moves would be a welcome sight for a Chargers punt return man.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Chances Brelan Chancellor makes the final roster: </i><span>20%.</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>I saw him play in a few games and it looked to me like he has a real knack for kick returns. Give him a few yards to work with and he is a threat to take it to the house at any given moment. If any of these WR's in this group make the team, it'll be Chancellor.</p>
<h5><b><span class="sbn-auto-link">Javontee Herndon</span> (6-feet, 194 pounds)</b></h5>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span>Herndon</span> is another receiver from a big school (Arkansas) that did not put up eye-catching numbers or have many starts in his career.<span> </span>In fact, he was so under the radar going into the draft that there was not a draft profile on him at NFL.com.<span> </span>(There was for Allen and Chancellor, but not for Hatfield either.)<span> </span>The reports from his pro-day were that he showed some nice speed (4.44 in the 40 like Hatfield), but also dropped several passes.<span> </span>That is not a recipe for success in camp.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here's one of the few highlights from Herndon's collegiate career, hauling in a touchdown pass on a trick play. Watch his route at the bottom of the screen.</p>
<p><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/aoax8"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/aoax8.gif" title="made at imgflip.com"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Notice that he didn't even need to gain any separation, he simply ran a stop and go route. The cornerback bit on the trick play and Herndon had all the room he needed.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Chances Javontee Herndon makes the final roster: </i><span>5%. </span>He played for a good program at Arkansas and was able to contribute, but his skills just don't translate well to the NFL. He likely won't be wearing the Chargers uniform in the 2014 season.</p>
<h4><b>The Other Guy</b></h4>
<h5><b><span class="sbn-auto-link">Dontrelle Inman</span> (6-foot-3, 205 pounds)</b></h5>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The only other new receiver in camp is <span>Dontrelle Inman</span>. He is not a rookie, having not been able to make the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jaguars</a> roster in 2011 (I should stop right there), and moving to Toronto to play for the Argonauts in 2012 and 2013. He has the talent to succeed up in Canada, but he's not quite good enough to hang with the NFL. With the number of returning proven receivers on the roster, Inman will have to really impress to avoid a future not involving Canadian Dollars.</p>
<h4><b>So Who Is The Next Walters or Willie?</b></h4>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If I were a wagering man, I would put my money on Hatfield.<span> </span>The leg injury is 5 years in the rear view and did not effect his speed last season.<span> </span>I've watched his game film last year and he runs good routes, shows intelligence, and has an ability to line up in multiple locations.<span> </span>I also believe that if he does not attract our attention in preseason, he too will go the way of Walters or Willie by playing in Canada or elsewhere.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The one player out of this group that <i>might</i> have a shot at making the Chargers roster is Chancellor, and that would be as a returner.<span> </span>He will have to show immediate production in the preseason in his opportunities.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Unless these guys make huge strides in training camp and preseason to impress coaches, don't expect any of them to make the 53-man-roster come September. The joker in the deck is (of course) health, but barring major injury, the best chance of seeing these guys in a Chargers uniform after preseason would be if they were re-signed to the practice squad.</p>
https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014-san-diego-chargers-training-camp/2014/7/29/5945469/san-diego-chargers-udfa-watch-wide-receiversSDNativeinTXShane Theodore2014-07-29T12:06:53-07:002014-07-29T12:06:53-07:00San Diego Chargers UDFA Watch: Alden Darby
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<figcaption>Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
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<p>Part two of a five part series profiling a few of the Chargers undrafted rookies and evaluating their chances at making the final roster. Today we examine Alden Darby, the safety from Arizona State who was a favorite of both his coaches and fans in Tempe.</p> <p>I am going to be upfront with you, I had a lot of fun doing the research for this article. I'm headed into my sophomore year at Arizona State University, and I got to witness first-hand the best season Arizona State football has experienced since their trip to the Rose Bowl in 1997, winning 10 games and the Pac-12 South. So, while going through film of <span>Alden Darby</span>, a lot of the games I evaluated him on were games that I was present at.</p>
<p>With all of that said, I'm still a professional and remain unbiased in my evaluation of a player. So, before we break down his game, here's a little bit more about the name. Darby played safety for the Sun Devils, and his leadership and character made him very popular in Tempe. While he didn't get drafted in May, the 22-year-old from Long Beach signed with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> a couple of days after they drafted his teammate at Arizona State, Marion Grice. But the transition from the collegiate ranks to the NFL is a difficult one, and Darby joins a crowded Chargers group of safeties. Let's take a look at Darby, starting with his career as a Sun Devil.</p>
<h4><b>Performance</b></h4>
<p>Named to the Pac-12 First Team in 2013, Darby was a senior leader and captain for Todd Graham's Sun Devils. Scarcely recruited out of high school, Darby signed to Arizona State and contributed right off the bat, playing in eleven games as a true freshman. He earned the starting safety job his junior season, and started the next 27 games Arizona State played. His senior year he tallied 72 tackles, which is impressive considering his position. In Graham's defense, Darby played as a boundary safety, meaning that he played a role similar to the role Troy Polomalu plays in Pittsburgh. He was a ballhawk, totaling ten interceptions in his career and 8.5 tackles for loss. He also played the regular corner and nickelback positions in the last two years of the Dennis Erickson era.</p>
<p>It's notable as well to acknowledge Darby's background. Both of his parents were in and out of jail throughout his childhood, and he was raised by his stepfather. His upbringing adds to his strong intangibles, and he was loved by Arizona State coaches for his leadership and character. He was the first Sun Devil to wear the revered Pat Tillman #42 practice jersey. These qualities are not to be undervalued, and captain <span>Eric Weddle</span> will likely notice them while working with Darby in training camp.</p>
<h4><b>Strengths</b></h4>
<p>Darby's job in Tempe was to be a ballhawking defender, and that's exactly what he is. He's versatile and is an intelligent player, Darby made the secondary calls and checks for the Sun Devils. He was also the primary gunner on special teams for Arizona State and excelled at it. Darby flies around the field, and is a big hitter who is thicker than his 5'10", 190 pound frame suggests.</p>
<p>Against USC in 2013, Darby had his finest collegiate game, picking off Cody Kessler in an Arizona State rout.</p>
<p><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/aonlt"><img title="made at imgflip.com" src="https://i.imgflip.com/aonlt.gif"></a></p>
<p>Darby showed his playmaking ability, timing his jump on the route perfectly and then weaving his way to the end zone. He intercepted running back Tre Madden later in the same quarter, sleuthing out the halfback option play and jumping in front of the receiver, adjusting his body to make the catch.</p>
<p><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/aooqf"><img title="made at imgflip.com" src="https://i.imgflip.com/aooqf.gif"></a></p>
<p>The intelligence to recognize which direction the halfback option was going, coupled with the ability to get back in coverage in time and pick off the ball make for an impressive play from Darby.</p>
<h4><b>Weaknesses</b></h4>
<p>While a playmaker with a high football IQ and strong intangibles, Darby is not without his flaws. He has struggled in man-to-man coverage, lacking the speed and agility to keep up with top tier wide receivers. Now, take another look at the interception gif directly above. Darby does a great job of recognizing the play and making a break on it, but if a quarterback was throwing the ball instead of a running back, would Darby have had the time to get back in position? NFL quarterbacks won't loft the ball like Madden did above.</p>
<p>Darby lacks great hands, and has dropped multiple interception chances. He doesn't possess the speed to be a starting cornerback at the next level but isn't bulky enough to play strong safety in the NFL. Darby is a ferocious hitter, but that works against him sometimes and he's missed tackles from going for the big hit before.</p>
<p>Speaking of tackling, Darby has room for improvement. He racked up a lot of tackles while in Tempe but was often trucked or stiff armed by opposing ball carriers. Check out this play from the USC game.</p>
<p><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/aop2g"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/aop2g.gif" title="made at imgflip.com"></a></p>
<p>Darby makes a good read on the ball carrier and appears to size him up well but still gets bowled over by the USC back. Darby made contact with the running back at the 30 yard line and got pushed back to the 35, going from a five yard gain to a first down. That won't cut it in the NFL.</p>
<h4><b>Overall</b></h4>
<p>I like Darby a lot, both as a fan who watched him at every home game last year and as a journalist covering the team for <a href="http://houseofsparky.com" target="_blank">House of Sparky</a>. He makes his teammates better, and is a leader of men. However, when looking at the Chargers safeties, it's hard to envision Darby finding a niche. <span>Eric Weddle</span> is All-World at free safety, and Darby is competing with three incumbents from the 2013 season. <span>Darrell Stuckey</span> is a captain, who hasn't played much on defense but is a special teams ace, <span>Jahleel Addae</span>, who made the team as an undrafted rookie last year and is challenging for the starting position at strong safety, and converted cornerback <span>Marcus Gilchrist</span>. Undrafted rookie <span>Adrian Phillips</span> is also trying to win a spot on the team.</p>
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<p>Alden Darby acclimated well this spring. Chance he becomes second undrafted rookie safety to make Chargers in as many years (Jahleel Addae).</p>
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) <a href="https://twitter.com/UTgehlken/statuses/479696550210195456">June 19, 2014</a>
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<b><i> Chances Alden Darby makes the final roster</i></b>: 30%. As with <span>Chris Davis</span>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014-san-diego-chargers-training-camp/2014/7/28/5943501/san-diego-chargers-udfa-watch-cb-auburn-chris-davis">who we profiled in part one of this series</a>, Darby will likely need to demonstrate ability on special teams. He's not an exact fit at either cornerback or safety, but could play some zone corner and be a special teams gunner in addition to being a backup at either free or strong safety. Is that enough to make the Chargers? I wouldn't put my money on it, but his work ethic and leadership make him a great ambassador to the game of football and will aid him in carving out a solid NFL career.</p>
https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014-san-diego-chargers-training-camp/2014/7/29/5945065/san-diego-chargers-udfa-watch-alden-darbyShane Theodore2014-07-28T09:00:02-07:002014-07-28T09:00:02-07:00San Diego Chargers UDFA Watch: Chris Davis
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<figcaption>John David Mercer-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>Part one of a five part series profiling a few of the Chargers undrafted rookies and evaluating their chances at making the final roster. This time, we'll take a look at former Auburn cornerback Chris Davis, who made a name for himself at the end of last year's college football season.</p> <p>It's been a couple of months since the melodrama that is the NFL Draft, and the rush to sign the top undrafted rookies that follows is just as interesting. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> signed a strong group of undrafted free agents to their 90-man-roster, and will go through training camp and the preseason with these rookies, finally cutting the roster down to a final 53 before San Diego travels to Glendale to open up the regular season against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> on Monday Night Football.</p>
<p>Many, if not all of the undrafted rookies will not make the final roster, but the Chargers have made stars out of undrafted free agents in the past. Have you heard of future Hall-of-Famer Antonio Gates, who has made eight Pro Bowls in his illustrious career as a Charger? Yeah, he was undrafted. <span>Malcom Floyd</span>, <span>Mike Harris</span> and <span>Kwame Geathers</span> also made the Bolts without having their name called at Radio City Music Hall. The most recent diamond in the rough for San Diego through undrafted free agency came in the form of <span>Jahleel Addae</span>, who made the team last year out of Central Michigan and is challenging for the starting job at strong safety in this year's training camp.</p>
<p>So, out of all the undrafted rookies that the Chargers brought into camp, which have the best shots at surviving the final cuts and setting up permanent residence in San Diego? We took a look at all of them and profiled the players who have a realistic shot to crack the 53-man-roster. Today's player is none other than <span>Chris Davis</span>, the former Auburn Tiger who is known around the country as the guy who ran back a missed field goal against Alabama to win the Iron Bowl.</p>
<h4>Performance</h4>
<p>Davis' return against the Crimson Tide is by far the defining moment of his football career, but he was an accomplished player before the iconic play. Davis started three years at cornerback for Auburn, playing on the boundary. Common thought is that the field corner is the better player because he's responsible for more of the field, but the field corner is often not even in man coverage and is often aided by linebacker and safety help. The boundary corner plays much more man-to-man, and having played boundary corner in college helped give Davis the one-on-one experience he'll need to make it in the NFL.</p>
<h4>Strengths</h4>
<p>Another requirement of playing the boundary corner is the ability to crash the line and bring down a running back through traffic, and Davis has that ability. At 5'10", he doesn't have the height of the new-age prototype NFL cornerback, but he's taller than both <span>Jason Verrett</span> and <span>Brandon Flowers</span>, the two splashy additions in the San Diego secondary. Draft scouts evaluated Davis as a great open-field tackler who is strong in press coverage and is able to re-route receivers off the line, a talent that defensive coordinators love. He totaled 74 tackles in 12 starts last year with 15 pass breakups. His tackling would be a welcome sight in a Chargers secondary that struggled last year to bring down ball carriers on the first try, and a cornerback that can knock a wideout off of his planned route can completely throw off the quarterback's rhythm. He uses all 200 pounds he has to get off blocks well, and is very physical for a cornerback. If he were to make the Chargers, he'd be best suited to play in nickel and dime coverages.</p>
<h4>Weaknesses</h4>
<p>While his strengths bode well for Davis, he has drawbacks that gave cause for concern headed into the draft. He has short arms and isn't very fluid with his movement, allowing wide receivers to gain separation when they make their breaks. He doesn't have great ball skills, and failed to record an interception in his college career. He also struggled against larger wideouts and in the red zone, and both weaknesses were exposed at the climax of the BCS National Championship Game against Florida State. Davis drew the assignment of covering 6-foot 3 <span>Kelvin Benjamin</span>, and Benjamin made him look diminutive in catching the game-winning touchdown over Davis.</p>
<h3>Overall</h3>
<p>When evaluating Davis' chances at making the roster, it goes beyond his ability. <span>Shareece Wright</span>, <span>Richard Marshall</span> and <span>Steve Williams</span> are locks to make the team, and the team spent a first round pick on Verrett and recently plucked Flowers from Kansas City. Davis is locked in competition with <span>Greg Ducre</span>, <span>Marcus Cromartie</span>, <span>Crezdon Butler</span> and <span>Brandon Ghee</span>, and unless he performs at an elite level in training camp, his chances at making the final roster are bleak. He's been practicing with the third team thus far in training camp, and has impressed against mediocre competition.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>There doesn't seem to be room for him on this team, but undrafted rookie CB <span>Chris Davis</span> is looking good. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Auburn?src=hash">#Auburn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash">#Chargers</a></p>
— UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) <a href="https://twitter.com/UTKevinAcee/statuses/492832172491804673">July 26, 2014</a>
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<p><span>Chris Davis</span>, Auburn cb who returned Alabama's missed Field goal, had a nice interception at chargers camp. He's battling to make the team.</p>
— Alex Flanagan (@Alex_Flanagan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alex_Flanagan/statuses/493178051572682753">July 26, 2014</a>
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<p>The fact of the matter is that if Davis makes this team, it won't be as <i>just </i>a cornerback. He'll have to show the ability on special teams that he showcased at Auburn if he wants to make it in San Diego. He has elite speed (4.55 40-yard-dash at the combine) and his success returning punts in college will have to translate over to the pros. He only returned 17 punts in 2013, but averaged 18.7 yards per return. If you think that his return against Alabama was a fluke due to the Crimson Tide having the field goal team on, then you need to watch <a target="_blank" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/09/auburn-chris-davis-punt-return-touchdown_n_4247326.html">his return against Tennessee for a touchdown</a>. Davis muffed the ball, then weaved his way through the Volunteers en route to an 88 yard touchdown. With Keenan Allen's emergence as a top-tier wide receiver making him too valuable to put back to receive punts, and Danny Woodhead's ineffectiveness at kick and punt returner, Davis could carve out a role there.</p>
<p><i><b>Chances that Chris Davis makes the final roster: </b>35%</i>. Davis is a solid cornerback who will find a job somewhere in the NFL. It just likely won't come in San Diego. Unless he demonstrates an ability to immediately contribute on special teams, his skills at cornerback won't be enough to crack the depth chart of a suddenly-deep Chargers secondary.</p>
https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014-san-diego-chargers-training-camp/2014/7/28/5943501/san-diego-chargers-udfa-watch-cb-auburn-chris-davisShane Theodore