Thread: 2010 Safety Prospect Thread

Originally Posted by SmilinAssasSin27

VERY solid player. He's no Berry, but I'm betting he has a better career than Taylor Mays. He is equally as sound vs the run as he is the pass. I'm guessing he's gone before our 2nd round pick comes around.

Watched LSU play Penn St in the whatever Bowl, (cant remember) but let me just say, Chad Jones is a freakin BEAST!
This guy is WAAAY better than Taylor Mays.
All the highlights i have watched and then this game, shows a very good playmaker with excellent in the box tackling/hitting ability, and really good instincs against the pass. Great range in the open field.
He is a little raw, but not nearly as much as most analysts say. Hes not that raw.
Taylor Mays is a react player. He reacts after the play is usually already made. I have watched every game Mays has ever played in. He is not a "playmaker". Hes even regressed a bit this year.
Chad Jones is a "playmaker". He makes plays by reacting and diagnosing the play, before it happens.
Jones is a much better prospect, and a player i would absolutely love for DEN to aquire in the top of the 2nd round.
Shoot, when all is said and done, he may be gone at the bottom of the 1st.
Which really sucks, becuase he would really be a good guy to have Dawkins tutor for a year. This guy is what Barrett was supposed to be, but never panned out.
DEN needs to find a way to aquire a high 2nd round pick, or even another low 1st, and get this guy.

Originally Posted by JDL

It took a hit when the QBs had issues... but it is considered the best DL draft in the past 15-20 years.

Eric Berry is truly special in a way a lot of other high safety picks weren't.

You have solid RB talent (not elite, but solid and a fair amount to choose from.)

OL seems down to me.

LB seems solid and CB seems solid.

Last year's draft was considered one of the weakest in 25 years actually. Everyone has focused on the guys who did make an impact but there weren't an overwhelming number of rookies that did explode, and that wouldn't be too shocking... this isn't an elite draft like it was once thought to be when the QBs were considered better, but you have plenty of top-end talent and it is one of the deeper drafts you'll see.... solid B grade draft where as last year was at best a C- type draft.

Don't forget the WRs. From Bryant and Benn to Tate and LaFell, all could go in round 1. Then ya still have Briscoe, Decker, Gilyard, Mike Williams, Damian Williams, etc, etc etc... WRs are loaded in this draft.

ESPN.com
Archive


Mays gets quacked
If you watched the USC-Oregon game, you might have mistaken Taylor Mays for Willie Mays. As in, Mays was playing center field for a lot of the game, seemingly cautious and waiting for things to break down in front of him. He subsequently took some bad angles on plays, and simply was often too far removed from the play to be the kind of impactful player that most of us know he can be.

So what happened?


After the game, Pete Carroll lamented that he'd made a mistake. Last year, Carroll sent not four, but five linebackers to the NFL, an absurd total by any measure. In all, eight Trojans who played defense in this game last year are now getting NFL paychecks, and it's starting to show. In conference games, where teams are vulnerable to opposing coaches because of scheme familiarity, coaches are often tempted to over-scheme, and what can happen is you have a team trying to process too much information. Players get tentative, don't follow their instincts and make mistakes. Carroll admitted that in preparing for the intricacies of the Oregon offense, he'd asked his linebackers to do too much. May seems to be a victim of both the schemes and his own instincts.

As a senior, you can imagine Mays was seeing the problems in front of him, and knowing that he was the last line of defense for a defense that was continually getting beaten up front, he didn't want to be flying toward the line of scrimmage. He may have lost trust in some of the guys in front of him.

Originally Posted by JDL

...but it is considered the best DL draft in the past 15-20 years.

...I hope so. Getting the interior of that D-line fixed is my #1 (or #1a if interior O-line) focus area.

JMO...

Chad Jones
6'2, 230 pounds | Safety | Louisiana State

Agility/Hips: Does not turn and go with fluidity, but his hips are quick enough in coverage. Needs to take an extra step or two to re-gain his balance when turning .

Ball Skills: Has just 5 interceptions in 3 years with 15 pass breakups. Does not time his leaps well with the ball in the air. Attacks the ball when trying to deflect it rather than swiping his hand vertically. Can position his body well so that he is in better position to make a play on the ball than the receiver.

Body Control: Very good balance that carries maximum power before he pounces to make a tackle. Can stay low and strong through traffic. Does not fall over his own feet when moving in deep coverage.

Instincts/Recognition: Very quick thinker on the field that diagnoses run and explodes downhill. Makes sound decisions on the field and forces the opponent to react to him, not the other way around.

Pass Coverage: Has a lot of experience in the centerfield role, being responsible for a lot of ground in deep coverage. Does not show a tremendous amount of range, often a step or two late to the sideline. Can man up a receiver and use his length to cover up throwing lanes.

Pursuit: Pursues the ball carrier like a linebacker. Takes proper angles and leaves himself in position to make a big hit. Plays downhill with aggression, anger, and explosion. Can close a wide gap in a blink.

Run Support: Usually plays in a single high role, but he showed the ability to fly in to the box and stuff a running back before he breaks free through the second level. Has experience starting in the box as a fourth linebacker.

Speed: Plays faster than he times because of his initial quickness and explosion. However when put deep downfield, his lack of top end/catch up speed can be exposed by a speed receiver.

Tackling: Sure tackler that consistently makes the attempt to wrap up at or below the ball carrier’s waist. Sends a jolt to the ball carrier and often knocks him backward. Has made some of the hardest hits in college football over the past year, a big time force over the middle.

Final Word: After starting for LSU’s talented defense for two seasons, Chad Jones opted to forego his senior season and enter the draft a year early. With the physical package he brings to the table and his experience in the speedy SEC conference, Jones could be a pre-draft riser all the way in to the top 20 picks of the first round. Also a pitcher for the Tigers baseball team, the two-sport star has the kind of physicality that makes a huge difference over the middle with just his mere presence. His ability to tackle in the open field has become a lost art in the NFL, and every team is always looking for defensive backs that can be relied upon as a last line of defense. While his coverage abilities are up and down, the potential is there for Jones to be one of the best safeties in the game. With baseball and school out of the picture, Jones will be able to focus solely on his game which has never been the case. High ceiling prospect here that has the capability of being an immediate starter and Pro-Bowl defensive back.
http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/...draft-scouting

One of those guys DEN wont get, but i really would like to see in DEN.
A Jones/McBath combo would be brutal!!

Originally Posted by SOCALORADO.

Chad Jones
6'2, 230 pounds | Safety | Louisiana State

Agility/Hips: Does not turn and go with fluidity, but his hips are quick enough in coverage. Needs to take an extra step or two to re-gain his balance when turning .

Ball Skills: Has just 5 interceptions in 3 years with 15 pass breakups. Does not time his leaps well with the ball in the air. Attacks the ball when trying to deflect it rather than swiping his hand vertically. Can position his body well so that he is in better position to make a play on the ball than the receiver.

Body Control: Very good balance that carries maximum power before he pounces to make a tackle. Can stay low and strong through traffic. Does not fall over his own feet when moving in deep coverage.

Instincts/Recognition: Very quick thinker on the field that diagnoses run and explodes downhill. Makes sound decisions on the field and forces the opponent to react to him, not the other way around.

Pass Coverage: Has a lot of experience in the centerfield role, being responsible for a lot of ground in deep coverage. Does not show a tremendous amount of range, often a step or two late to the sideline. Can man up a receiver and use his length to cover up throwing lanes.

Pursuit: Pursues the ball carrier like a linebacker. Takes proper angles and leaves himself in position to make a big hit. Plays downhill with aggression, anger, and explosion. Can close a wide gap in a blink.

Run Support: Usually plays in a single high role, but he showed the ability to fly in to the box and stuff a running back before he breaks free through the second level. Has experience starting in the box as a fourth linebacker.

Speed: Plays faster than he times because of his initial quickness and explosion. However when put deep downfield, his lack of top end/catch up speed can be exposed by a speed receiver.

Tackling: Sure tackler that consistently makes the attempt to wrap up at or below the ball carrier’s waist. Sends a jolt to the ball carrier and often knocks him backward. Has made some of the hardest hits in college football over the past year, a big time force over the middle.

Final Word: After starting for LSU’s talented defense for two seasons, Chad Jones opted to forego his senior season and enter the draft a year early. With the physical package he brings to the table and his experience in the speedy SEC conference, Jones could be a pre-draft riser all the way in to the top 20 picks of the first round. Also a pitcher for the Tigers baseball team, the two-sport star has the kind of physicality that makes a huge difference over the middle with just his mere presence. His ability to tackle in the open field has become a lost art in the NFL, and every team is always looking for defensive backs that can be relied upon as a last line of defense. While his coverage abilities are up and down, the potential is there for Jones to be one of the best safeties in the game. With baseball and school out of the picture, Jones will be able to focus solely on his game which has never been the case. High ceiling prospect here that has the capability of being an immediate starter and Pro-Bowl defensive back.
http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/...draft-scouting

One of those guys DEN wont get, but i really would like to see in DEN.
A Jones/McBath combo would be brutal!!

Sounds like a prototype SS (Atwater/Smith type). I'd take him!

Originally Posted by HORSEPOWER 56

Sounds like a prototype SS (Atwater/Smith type). I'd take him!

Yeah. I would just love to get this guy and bring back some Atwater/Lynch, ass kicking, intimidation! Let him learn under Dawkins for a year.

He fits the mold.
"Tackling: Sure tackler that consistently makes the attempt to wrap up at or below the ball carrier’s waist. Sends a jolt to the ball carrier and often knocks him backward. Has made some of the hardest hits in college football over the past year, a big time force over the middle.

The kind of physicality that makes a huge difference over the middle with just his mere presence. His ability to tackle in the open field has become a lost art in the NFL, and every team is always looking for defensive backs that can be relied upon as a last line of defense. While his coverage abilities are up and down, the potential is there for Jones to be one of the best safeties in the game."

That sonds just like Atwater.

The game is almost completely focused on passing anymore. Why would any team want a pas defense liability at safety? The days of the big hitters are over...playmakers are what's needed at safety. Give me a solid tackler that can cover and make plays over the "Intimidator" any day.

Originally Posted by CoachChaz

The game is almost completely focused on passing anymore. Why would any team want a pas defense liability at safety? The days of the big hitters are over...playmakers are what's needed at safety. Give me a solid tackler that can cover and make plays over the "Intimidator" any day.

A fundamental that is lacking in today's NFL!!

I doubt we take any Safeties. We drafted 2 pretty early in 09.

Originally Posted by SmilinAssasSin27

I doubt we take any Safeties. We drafted 2 pretty early in 09.

I'd be surprised also but if there is a stud there somewhere I'd rather have a super stud Safety than a WR, RB, TE, LB as BAP. if we go after one I'd really rather not have any under 220.

Originally Posted by Jrwiz

I'd be surprised also but if there is a stud there somewhere I'd rather have a super stud Safety than a WR, RB, TE, LB as BAP. if we go after one I'd really rather not have any under 220.

I'd rather see Jones back at LSU for another year!!