Skinny
01-24-2008, 09:01 PM
Interesting Prospect ...
All-SEC performer prepares for the NFL Draft.
Jan. 23, 2008
MOBILE, Ala. - Nearly an hour after the initial Senior Bowl practice concluded, former Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris Williams was still dressed, spending time getting to know several National Football League general managers, pro scouts and draft insiders.
Every player invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl, slated this Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, longs for the one-on-one, post-practice opportunities. From the players' prospective, it's a rare chance to impress and build relationships with key NFL Draft decision makers. If team officials are wanting to talk, it's a clear sign of interest.
Williams, a graduate of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., who came to Vanderbilt as an unsung prospect five years ago, is creating plenty of interest.
Williams, an All-Southeastern Conference performer this season, has been one of the Senior Bowl's most watched prospects since measuring in at a shade over 6'6" and 320 pounds. Generating interest much as former Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler did at practices leading to the 2006 Senior Bowl, Williams has helped himself immensely in the eyes of most keen draft observers.
Reached by telephone Tuesday, well-known ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Williams has helped himself at the practices, displaying excellent abilities and techniques to go with ideal NFL offensive line size.
"He's done nothing to hurt himself, and probably even strengthened his status," Kiper said. "I've got Chris going 19th to the Eagles (in updated draft projection) and I can see him moving up from there."
One draft-oriented website, ProFootballWeekly.com, profiled Williams as its featured player in Wednesday editions. Another well-respected observer, Frank Coyle of www.draftinsiders.com, has been impressed. In a front-page column, Coyle offered the following praise after Tuesday's practice: "Chris Williams of Vanderbilt had a fine practice. He is a massive athlete with footwork, technique and great power. He comes off the ball with a strong punch and fine functional strength to get a consistently good push at the line of scrimmage." ESPN.com's insider site devoted to Senior Bowl coverage called Williams "probably the top offensive line prospect on this (South) squad. Williams had a very good practice, however, and stays square to his target with excellent lateral agility. He has the light feet and natural knee bend to adjust and recover when beaten."
Williams is hoping to become the second Vanderbilt player in the last two years chosen in the first round of the NFL draft, following Cutler's No. 11 selection by Denver in 2006. Cutler just completed his first full year as a starter at quarterback for the Broncos, finishing as the AFC's fifth-ranked passer.
If Williams continues to impress the rest of this week and at the upcoming NFL Combine, he could also become just the second Vanderbilt offensive lineman ever selected in the opening round. Will Wolford, a 1986 graduate, was selected 20th overall by Buffalo, and went on to a distinguished 12-year career with the Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.
________________________
Vanderbilt OLT Chris Williams
Ht: 6-6 1/8; Wt: 320; 40-time: 5.1 (est.)
Arms: 32 7/8 in.; Hands: 9 7/8 in.
Upside: Very naturally athletic mover. Plays with great balance and is rarely on the ground. Shows the ability to recover when he gets out of position. Can slide, mirror and shadow defenders in pass protection. Shows the agility to cut off the wide rush and adjust to sudden, inside counter moves. Shows solid anchor strength to hold his ground and the agility to run pass rushers wide of the pocket. Matched up very favorably with Florida DE Derrick Harvey and showed he could handle edge speed. Good pass sets. Shows spurts of aggressiveness. Very smart. Voted team captain.
Downside: Wish he played with more vinegar. Can be late off the ball and does not look to drive defenders into the ground. Uses too much finesse. Takes some questionable angles. Not a great finisher — too often stops working before the whistle. Does not play with power. Average arm length. Too often carries his hands low and lacks pop in his punch. Gets out to the second level too quickly and will overrun his target. Plays down to the level of competition and needs to be challenged. Not self-motivated.
The way we see it: A much better pass protector than run blocker, Williams has all the athletic ability needed to protect the blind side. He has quick feet, agility and balance and could start 10 years in the league at left tackle. However, he can be frustrating to watch in the run game. Technique (hands, punch, footwork) will need some refinement, but he should be able to step into a starting lineup readily. Stock will ascend as the draft draws nearer and NFL coaches see his raw tools.
http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012308aab.html
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Senior+Bowl/2007/rock012308.htm
All-SEC performer prepares for the NFL Draft.
Jan. 23, 2008
MOBILE, Ala. - Nearly an hour after the initial Senior Bowl practice concluded, former Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris Williams was still dressed, spending time getting to know several National Football League general managers, pro scouts and draft insiders.
Every player invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl, slated this Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, longs for the one-on-one, post-practice opportunities. From the players' prospective, it's a rare chance to impress and build relationships with key NFL Draft decision makers. If team officials are wanting to talk, it's a clear sign of interest.
Williams, a graduate of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., who came to Vanderbilt as an unsung prospect five years ago, is creating plenty of interest.
Williams, an All-Southeastern Conference performer this season, has been one of the Senior Bowl's most watched prospects since measuring in at a shade over 6'6" and 320 pounds. Generating interest much as former Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler did at practices leading to the 2006 Senior Bowl, Williams has helped himself immensely in the eyes of most keen draft observers.
Reached by telephone Tuesday, well-known ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Williams has helped himself at the practices, displaying excellent abilities and techniques to go with ideal NFL offensive line size.
"He's done nothing to hurt himself, and probably even strengthened his status," Kiper said. "I've got Chris going 19th to the Eagles (in updated draft projection) and I can see him moving up from there."
One draft-oriented website, ProFootballWeekly.com, profiled Williams as its featured player in Wednesday editions. Another well-respected observer, Frank Coyle of www.draftinsiders.com, has been impressed. In a front-page column, Coyle offered the following praise after Tuesday's practice: "Chris Williams of Vanderbilt had a fine practice. He is a massive athlete with footwork, technique and great power. He comes off the ball with a strong punch and fine functional strength to get a consistently good push at the line of scrimmage." ESPN.com's insider site devoted to Senior Bowl coverage called Williams "probably the top offensive line prospect on this (South) squad. Williams had a very good practice, however, and stays square to his target with excellent lateral agility. He has the light feet and natural knee bend to adjust and recover when beaten."
Williams is hoping to become the second Vanderbilt player in the last two years chosen in the first round of the NFL draft, following Cutler's No. 11 selection by Denver in 2006. Cutler just completed his first full year as a starter at quarterback for the Broncos, finishing as the AFC's fifth-ranked passer.
If Williams continues to impress the rest of this week and at the upcoming NFL Combine, he could also become just the second Vanderbilt offensive lineman ever selected in the opening round. Will Wolford, a 1986 graduate, was selected 20th overall by Buffalo, and went on to a distinguished 12-year career with the Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.
________________________
Vanderbilt OLT Chris Williams
Ht: 6-6 1/8; Wt: 320; 40-time: 5.1 (est.)
Arms: 32 7/8 in.; Hands: 9 7/8 in.
Upside: Very naturally athletic mover. Plays with great balance and is rarely on the ground. Shows the ability to recover when he gets out of position. Can slide, mirror and shadow defenders in pass protection. Shows the agility to cut off the wide rush and adjust to sudden, inside counter moves. Shows solid anchor strength to hold his ground and the agility to run pass rushers wide of the pocket. Matched up very favorably with Florida DE Derrick Harvey and showed he could handle edge speed. Good pass sets. Shows spurts of aggressiveness. Very smart. Voted team captain.
Downside: Wish he played with more vinegar. Can be late off the ball and does not look to drive defenders into the ground. Uses too much finesse. Takes some questionable angles. Not a great finisher — too often stops working before the whistle. Does not play with power. Average arm length. Too often carries his hands low and lacks pop in his punch. Gets out to the second level too quickly and will overrun his target. Plays down to the level of competition and needs to be challenged. Not self-motivated.
The way we see it: A much better pass protector than run blocker, Williams has all the athletic ability needed to protect the blind side. He has quick feet, agility and balance and could start 10 years in the league at left tackle. However, he can be frustrating to watch in the run game. Technique (hands, punch, footwork) will need some refinement, but he should be able to step into a starting lineup readily. Stock will ascend as the draft draws nearer and NFL coaches see his raw tools.
http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012308aab.html
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Senior+Bowl/2007/rock012308.htm