A shout out to Pain Train

[Hawk Sista]

Did he nail the Russell Wilson thing or what? Who do you like us taking, Mr. Train??? I will listen this time, I swear.

[NorthHawk]

Yah. Pain was way far out in front of the parade on that one. To the point he was getting teased a little about a Bromance with Wilson.
I think many of us - if not most thought Wilson might have a chance but in a few years, not right away.
Were we wrong.

[RiverDog]

Pain Train was, indeed, way ahead of the curve with Russell Wilson. So was Irish Greg. He was just as much of a pre draft advocate of Russell Wilson as Pain Train was.

[PasadenaHawk]

Pain Train was, indeed, way ahead of the curve with Russell Wilson. So was Irish Greg. He was just as much of a pre draft advocate of Russell Wilson as Pain Train was.

Don't recall IG calling for Wilson but I'll take your word for it. I'd like to hear from either of these guys who might be the next big thing. I've just been reading up on guys who are on pundits lists that might be on the board when we select. I don't watch nearly enough college ball to be able to think of any sleepers.

[PasadenaHawk]

Did he nail the Russell Wilson thing or what? Who do you like us taking, Mr. Train??? I will listen this time, I swear.

Sis, how are you doing? I said a prayer for you yesterday.

[Eaglehawk]

Sista,

Amen! I remember Pain Train and his ravings! The guy was spot on about RW. I wonder how is he doing?

My well wishes to all.

[Zorn76]

Pain_Train, with his RW call, is a 1st ballot PI/HawkShack.com HOF inductee already:)

[FolkCrusader]

Hey, I loved RW. I just thought he was a backup QB is all. OK, I missed too

[Hawk Sista]

I accused RW of getting lucky as I thought he was trying to throw balls out of play.... Uhhhh, WRONG.

Thanks Pasadena, Eagle, others - I appreciate it. The 4th round of chemo is done now and I'm bald as hell. I've been working and toughin' it out, but I ain't gonna lie... It's no picnic. Prognosis continues to be good, though. One day at a time. Thanks for checkin in.

[PasadenaHawk]

Good to hear Sis!

[Hawktown]

I accused RW of getting lucky as I thought he was trying to throw balls out of play.... Uhhhh, WRONG.

Thanks Pasadena, Eagle, others - I appreciate it. The 4th round of chemo is done now and I'm bald as hell. I've been working and toughin' it out, but I ain't gonna lie... It's no picnic. Prognosis continues to be good, though. One day at a time. Thanks for checkin in.

So Sorry to hear about this, not sure how i missed it before.

Alkalinize your body and you would be SURPRISED how healthy you will be and FEEL.

I am not advocating you stop your prescribed treatment, I would like for everyone to be aware of where cancers can originate from and how to prevent it yourself. I personally would not let them touch me with any medicine as i believe the side effects do more damage in the long run than good. Just read this over and then do A LOT of research on CANDIDA, you will find that we have all been lied to for decades for big pharma/FDA to control population and/or keep you sick so they can keep their jobs!

You are welcome to disagree and this is no jab at anyone, just some very disturbing info which could be classified as genocide by YOUR US government.

Hope you get well and have a long healthy life sis!!!

http://www.naturalnews.com/038266_cance ... ions.html#

Watch this also, it is a little long but very disturbing.

http://thekeybiotics.com/video_toon4.html

[monkey]

I remember Pain being quite good at the pre draft stuff...Wilson wasn't the only one he nailed.
I've been HOPING that he'd do some pre draft stuff here.
I'd really like to see some more draft threads up in here! Pain is good at the draft stuff.

[RiverDog]

I accused RW of getting lucky as I thought he was trying to throw balls out of play.... Uhhhh, WRONG.

Thanks Pasadena, Eagle, others - I appreciate it. The 4th round of chemo is done now and I'm bald as hell. I've been working and toughin' it out, but I ain't gonna lie... It's no picnic. Prognosis continues to be good, though. One day at a time. Thanks for checkin in.

It probably isn't worth a Tinker's damn, but I'm in your court, Sis. I'd kiss you on the cheek if I could.

[Hawktawk]

I never had a clue who Russell Wilson was till the 2012 preseason. But once I saw him play I knew he was the guy who should start. As for Sista we are all pulling for your complete recovery, as 12s and as people. Fight the good fight...

[RiverDog]

I never had a clue who Russell Wilson was till the 2012 preseason. But once I saw him play I knew he was the guy who should start. As for Sista we are all pulling for your complete recovery, as 12s and as people. Fight the good fight...

I saw quite a bit of Wisconsin football in 2011. I worked 2nd shift on Saturdays and most of the Big 10 games started early. I also watched the entire Rose Bowl, where Wisconsin nearly beat Oregon. Russell was the top QB in the country in rating and completion percentage as I seem to recall, so it's not as if he came from out of no where. If he was 5-6" taller, he would have been a top 3 pick. Like many others, I was doubtful because of his height, but was willing to take a chance on him in the later rounds and figured he was a better gamble than Kellen Moore, whom some people were wanting us to take that year.

[Pain_Train]

Thanks for the kind words folks.

There isn't much value added if I tell you that I really like Mike Evans for example, so I'll tell you where my views differ from the consensus.

I'm not in love with Sammy Watkins. I just don't get all the hype. He looks pretty darn good, but I don't see this thing on film that somehow makes him elite. Mike Evans is better and will be a better pro.

The two guys I'm way higher on this year than most everybody else at the skill positions are Penn WR Allen Robinson and Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk. Not that we need another RB, but if Seastrunk goes to the right situation, he'll be a come from nowhere fantasy phenom, like Doug Martin a couple years ago. He reminds me of Jamaal Charles. Other than Seastrunk, I don't think there are any running backs in this class that separate themselves from the field. Seastrunk isn't just a guy who runs fast like Chris Johnson / Darren McFadden, he has the vision, burst and the lateral agility to really excel.

Although I suspect we'll take Kelvin Benjamin if he is there @ 32, because Pete and John have been trying to get that guy here forever, a big, physical WR (BMW, Jameson Konz, Kris Durham, Luke WIllson, even Chris Harper), the guy I like better is 6'3" Allen Robinson. He had a poor combine, only running 4.6 and I was shocked. He looked much faster on film. At his pro day a few days ago though, he blew everyone away with a 42 vert, a 40 time in the mid 4.4s, and an 11'1 broad jump. This is after dropping weight to get to 208 to get faster. Most everyone has him as a 2nd rounder, but I'd go as early as mid 1st for him.

The guy I really can't get a handle on is our own ASJ. With his physical skillset, he should have done much more over his college career, but he only had the one standout year at U.W. Maybe it was due to all his little injuries in 2013, but he just didn't get the separation he should have been getting, like he did as a sophomore. He's a person I thought of as a mid 1st rounder when I started looking at TEs, but now I consider a mid 2nd. He just isn't as explosive enough to have be an elite break away player like a Jimmy Graham. He's more of an Antonio Gates, which ain't bad.

I've got a feeling that one of those three will be our pick if we stay @ 32, Robinson, Benjamin, or ASJ. We'll find another OT to backup Baily later. If all those guys are gone, I'd try to trade down 10-15 spots to pick up a late 3rd rounder and then select Donte Moncrief. Not as good / consistant on film as Robinson, but he some crazy highlights. At 6'2 and running a 4.40, he's pretty impressive. I'm not saying anything different from everyone else though when I see him as a 2nd rounder player though, just projecting the Hawks draft. Martavis Bryant is the other big/fast WR that is worth taking mid 2nd, but I don't like him as much. He doesn't have a knack for jumping and highpoint the ball, but way to often waits for it to come to him, and falls down catching it.

And FYI, the QB I like this year better than most people is Aaron Murray. He should at least be in the talk for early 2nd round. If he goes to the 4th round, I'd love to see us pick him up to be our long term backup, if B.J. Daniels hasn't progressed.

[monkey]

Mike Evans is better and will be a better pro.

The two guys I'm way higher on this year than most everybody else at the skill positions are Penn WR Allen Robinson and Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk.

Although I suspect we'll take Kelvin Benjamin if he is there @ 32, because Pete and John have been trying to get that guy here forever, a big, physical WR (BMW, Jameson Konz, Kris Durham, Luke WIllson, even Chris Harper), the guy I like better is 6'3" Allen Robinson.

The guy I really can't get a handle on is our own ASJ.

We'll find another OT to backup Baily later.

If all those guys are gone, I'd try to trade down 10-15 spots to pick up a late 3rd rounder and then select Donte Moncrief. Not as good / consistant on film as Robinson, but he some crazy highlights. At 6'2 and running a 4.40, he's pretty impressive. I'm not saying anything different from everyone else though when I see him as a 2nd rounder player though, just projecting the Hawks draft.

Martavis Bryant is the other big/fast WR that is worth taking mid 2nd, but I don't like him as much. He doesn't have a knack for jumping and highpoint the ball, but way to often waits for it to come to him, and falls down catching it.

This is why I wanted to see you talk draft Pain...good stuff.
Going point by point: 1. I couldn't agree more. Evans will be a STAR IMO. I like Watkins, I like Watkins a lot, but Evans has that size that as a Seahawks fan I just WISH we could land! He'd be the absolute perfect WR for us.
Having said that, we are lucky this year in that, there are several other WR's that I believe will do VERY well for us here. One of the players I am enamored with is Cody Latimer from Indiana. His skills just JUMP off the screen when watching him on film...he even blocks as though he's on fire. I REALLY like him.
2. I'd be interested in hearing why you like Allen so much, because I think he will likely be available for us, and personally, I'm not sold.
I can see the potential, I'm not quite sold...but I'm open to being sold on him. Seastrunk on the other hand I agree with you completely on. In fact, I'll go so far as to say, I think he has perennial pro bowler, future fantasy star written all over him. He could very well become the next truly great RB in the NFL. I like him a lot.
3. Again, you're going to have to sell me on Allen because I'd rather have Benjamin if we're looking at a tall guy with not much YAC ability.
You couldn't be more right about Pete desperately looking for that guy though! It's all part of Pete's big offensive blueprint.
4. Me either. ASJ is confusing.
5. I like several tackles in the first if they slide, or even a few most people think will be available or even reaches. Joel Bitonio for example. I am completely sold on him. Completely. I think that if the WR's we would have taken are gone, and he's sitting there, then not taking him would be criminal.
6. It's funny, I actually like Donte Moncrief, though I lump him in with Allen as a guy we would be better off trading down and taking. I see them as slight reaches in the first round. Not horrible reaches though. The one thing that must be factored in when looking at Moncrief though is, he played in a TERRIBLE offense with a HORRIBLE QB! The offense made no sense at all. None. WTF were they trying to even accomplish?!? And Bo...well BO doesn't know passing. That guy couldn't hit the broad side of a barn...with his fist!
You can't knock Moncrief for playing in an embarrassingly stupid offense.
7. Martavis Bryant is really a question of whether or not he's finally decided to apply himself. He claims that he has, which means, slightly more than nothing at all.
IF he's decided he wants to work hard, he'll be a good one, possibly great. The potential is there, no doubt, it's just a matter of putting in the work.

FYI the guy who I like in mid rounds at WR (possibly round 4) is Jared Abbrederis from Wisconsin. He's the exact opposite of Bryant. He's not as talented, (though he is athletic) but his work ethic is off the charts, his will to compete and win is downright Seahawks-ish. (FYI He played with Russell Wilson one season, though that one lone year really shouldn't factor into anything, it's still interesting to note).
The guy was originally a walk on, who played so hard, and worked so hard that he earned a scholarship and became a VERY good receiver for the Badgers. At 6-2 190 he's not what I would call big, but the way he plays, he PLAYS BIG. His attitude when fighting for balls, and blocking...again, he's a Seahawks type of player from what I am seeing.

If it happened that somehow we weren't able to get our WR that we wanted and we had to "settle" for this guy in the fourth round, I'd still be thrilled. We'd still need our "X" receiver eventually because he's not that guy, but he could be another Doug Baldwin.

Finally, if it happens that the WR's and Tackles we want are gone when we pick (it's possible) then I say take Ryan Shazier.

[Zorn76]

P_T,

I'd love to read an in depth report from you re: OL that could be there when we draft.

This is by far and away the most pressing need we have going into 2014, and one that will most certainly require depth, even if the FO feels that we have some decent options already on the roster.

Great read on your WR take as well btw.

[RiverDog]

I like Evans, too. In another thread, he was one that I said I was keeping an eye on. If he falls into the 20's, I wouldn't mind trading up to snag him.

Not too particularly thrilled about Benjamin. The rap on him is that he doesn't have great hands. Ever since Largent, I've had my expectations raised considerably with regards to pass catching ability.

[NorthHawk]

I think the FO first choice at WR would be Benjamin because of his size.
The two others I hope they are considering are Jordan Matthews from Vanderbilt and Martavis Bryant.
Bryant Is interesting in that he played behind both Hopkins and Watkins so he never really got the chances he might have at another school to be the man. He might be a sleeper in the sense he's been overshadowed.

Abbrederis reminds me of Largent. Sneaky fast, good route runner, and very good hands. He needs to work on his strength as he could only muster 4 reps at 225 lbs.

Donte Moncrief is another possibility. Big body type, but not overly tall. Apparently a good blocker so he could fill a void with Tate leaving.

[RiverDog]

I think the FO first choice at WR would be Benjamin because of his size.
The two others I hope they are considering are Jordan Matthews from Vanderbilt and Martavis Bryant.
Bryant Is interesting in that he played behind both Hopkins and Watkins so he never really got the chances he might have at another school to be the man. He might be a sleeper in the sense he's been overshadowed.

Abbrederis reminds me of Largent. Sneaky fast, good route runner, and very good hands. He needs to work on his strength as he could only muster 4 reps at 225 lbs.

Donte Moncrief is another possibility. Big body type, but not overly tall. Apparently a good blocker so he could fill a void with Tate leaving.

First choice of those expected to be available at #32, maybe. But if Evans were to drop that far, which I'll admit is pretty unlikely, they'd be foolish to pass him up for Benjamin.

[Hawk Sista]

A. Thanks for the info HawkTown. I will read up. It's kinda easy to say what I "would do" if I were to get cancer. But as a full-blown cancer patient who is in the pipeline of big pharma insanity.... It's different.... The fear of my own mortality kicks into overdrive and I listen to my oncologist. I hear you though... I do read a lot, ask a lot of questions and have been keepin it real between the ears and in my heart. Again, thank you for sharing.

B. RiverDog.... I'd take a kiss on the cheek from you any day of the week & 3 times on Super Bowl Sunday. Thank you for that! :-*

C. Thanks a ton, HawkTalk - I appreciate the support!

D. Hello Pain.... Thanks for checking in. I say we take all your picks! I kinda quit researching players some years ago... I'd think I knew a lot & then with the _______ pick in the draft, the Seahawks select... Lawerence (who???) Jackson, Kelly (Mini-me) Jennings, Chris (over-reeeeaaachh) Spencer, James (mr. Boom AND bust in the same series) Carpenter, Christine (why are we drafting a female running back???) Michael etc... Even Bruce (what you talkin bout, Willis) Irvin. I'm not saying all these guys are busts... I'm saying they were way off my radar.

All this to say, I'm taking the lazy way out & letting you guys do the work, so when we draft Maynard (who the hell is he and why did we do that??) Jones (yes, I made him up)... I will feel less duped. I must say, I feel so much better with the current regime & their track record.... I'm just happy to watch & learn. Welcome back, Pain.

[EntiatHawk]

PT, Thanks for the thoughts on the draft. I just do not watch enough College ball to have get a good feel on many players. Rely on guys like you : )

Also this year is going to be very interesting. We sat smug during FA's and obviously will be looking at the draft and for value pick post draft for some prove it players. I want this team to reload and be even meaner this coming year. Dang can we get to some football!!!

[Hawktown]

A. Thanks for the info HawkTown. I will read up. It's kinda easy to say what I "would do" if I were to get cancer. But as a full-blown cancer patient who is in the pipeline of big pharma insanity.... It's different.... The fear of my own mortality kicks into overdrive and I listen to my oncologist. I hear you though... I do read a lot, ask a lot of questions and have been keepin it real between the ears and in my heart. Again, thank you for sharing.

B. RiverDog.... I'd take a kiss on the cheek from you any day of the week & 3 times on Super Bowl Sunday. Thank you for that! :-*

C. Thanks a ton, HawkTalk - I appreciate the support!

D. Hello Pain.... Thanks for checking in. I say we take all your picks! I kinda quit researching players some years ago... I'd think I knew a lot & then with the _______ pick in the draft, the Seahawks select... Lawerence (who???) Jackson, Kelly (Mini-me) Jennings, Chris (over-reeeeaaachh) Spencer, James (mr. Boom AND bust in the same series) Carpenter, Christine (why are we drafting a female running back???) Michael etc... Even Bruce (what you talkin bout, Willis) Irvin. I'm not saying all these guys are busts... I'm saying they were way off my radar.

All this to say, I'm taking the lazy way out & letting you guys do the work, so when we draft Maynard (who the hell is he and why did we do that??) Jones (yes, I made him up)... I will feel less duped. I must say, I feel so much better with the current regime & their track record.... I'm just happy to watch & learn. Welcome back, Pain.

I completely understand Sis and hope no offense was taken.

Good luck in your journey!!!

[Hawk Sista]

No offense at all!!! I appreciate the concern. Thank you

[Pain_Train]

Mike Evans is better and will be a better pro.

The two guys I'm way higher on this year than most everybody else at the skill positions are Penn WR Allen Robinson and Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk.

Although I suspect we'll take Kelvin Benjamin if he is there @ 32, because Pete and John have been trying to get that guy here forever, a big, physical WR (BMW, Jameson Konz, Kris Durham, Luke WIllson, even Chris Harper), the guy I like better is 6'3" Allen Robinson.

The guy I really can't get a handle on is our own ASJ.

We'll find another OT to backup Baily later.

If all those guys are gone, I'd try to trade down 10-15 spots to pick up a late 3rd rounder and then select Donte Moncrief. Not as good / consistant on film as Robinson, but he some crazy highlights. At 6'2 and running a 4.40, he's pretty impressive. I'm not saying anything different from everyone else though when I see him as a 2nd rounder player though, just projecting the Hawks draft.

Martavis Bryant is the other big/fast WR that is worth taking mid 2nd, but I don't like him as much. He doesn't have a knack for jumping and highpoint the ball, but way to often waits for it to come to him, and falls down catching it.

This is why I wanted to see you talk draft Pain...good stuff.
Going point by point: 1. I couldn't agree more. Evans will be a STAR IMO. I like Watkins, I like Watkins a lot, but Evans has that size that as a Seahawks fan I just WISH we could land! He'd be the absolute perfect WR for us.
Having said that, we are lucky this year in that, there are several other WR's that I believe will do VERY well for us here. One of the players I am enamored with is Cody Latimer from Indiana. His skills just JUMP off the screen when watching him on film...he even blocks as though he's on fire. I REALLY like him.
2. I'd be interested in hearing why you like Allen so much, because I think he will likely be available for us, and personally, I'm not sold.
I can see the potential, I'm not quite sold...but I'm open to being sold on him. Seastrunk on the other hand I agree with you completely on. In fact, I'll go so far as to say, I think he has perennial pro bowler, future fantasy star written all over him. He could very well become the next truly great RB in the NFL. I like him a lot.
3. Again, you're going to have to sell me on Allen because I'd rather have Benjamin if we're looking at a tall guy with not much YAC ability.
You couldn't be more right about Pete desperately looking for that guy though! It's all part of Pete's big offensive blueprint.
4. Me either. ASJ is confusing.
5. I like several tackles in the first if they slide, or even a few most people think will be available or even reaches. Joel Bitonio for example. I am completely sold on him. Completely. I think that if the WR's we would have taken are gone, and he's sitting there, then not taking him would be criminal.
6. It's funny, I actually like Donte Moncrief, though I lump him in with Allen as a guy we would be better off trading down and taking. I see them as slight reaches in the first round. Not horrible reaches though. The one thing that must be factored in when looking at Moncrief though is, he played in a TERRIBLE offense with a HORRIBLE QB! The offense made no sense at all. None. WTF were they trying to even accomplish?!? And Bo...well BO doesn't know passing. That guy couldn't hit the broad side of a barn...with his fist!
You can't knock Moncrief for playing in an embarrassingly stupid offense.
7. Martavis Bryant is really a question of whether or not he's finally decided to apply himself. He claims that he has, which means, slightly more than nothing at all.
IF he's decided he wants to work hard, he'll be a good one, possibly great. The potential is there, no doubt, it's just a matter of putting in the work.

FYI the guy who I like in mid rounds at WR (possibly round 4) is Jared Abbrederis from Wisconsin. He's the exact opposite of Bryant. He's not as talented, (though he is athletic) but his work ethic is off the charts, his will to compete and win is downright Seahawks-ish. (FYI He played with Russell Wilson one season, though that one lone year really shouldn't factor into anything, it's still interesting to note).
The guy was originally a walk on, who played so hard, and worked so hard that he earned a scholarship and became a VERY good receiver for the Badgers. At 6-2 190 he's not what I would call big, but the way he plays, he PLAYS BIG. His attitude when fighting for balls, and blocking...again, he's a Seahawks type of player from what I am seeing.

If it happened that somehow we weren't able to get our WR that we wanted and we had to "settle" for this guy in the fourth round, I'd still be thrilled. We'd still need our "X" receiver eventually because he's not that guy, but he could be another Doug Baldwin.

Finally, if it happens that the WR's and Tackles we want are gone when we pick (it's possible) then I say take Ryan Shazier.

1) Cody Latimor - I paid attention to Latimore because he was one of this years high SPARQ athletes at WR. (I had hard time finding Indiana full game footage though, but I found a few things that concerned me. #1 - he releases of the line high and runs poor routes most of the time, rounding them off with stutter steps rather than making one foot plant and sharp cuts. Needs to correct. He's a great specimen though and got away with it. His open field running is great and shows he should be able to plant and cut better so he has me a little up in the air. Other people say he has too many lack of concentration drops, but I only found the Orange Bowl full game online, so didn't see any myself. But I agree with the 3-4th round grade I see on him. He reminds me a bit of Alex Bannister - running high with long strides. Not sure he'll make it.

2) Allen Robinson - Kind of the opposite of Latimore. Good release. Runs right at the DB instead of going around him and makes the DB adjust. Natural and fluid in routes. Good field awareness to find open zones. Runs like a RB in the open field. Great hands. Strong. Wins those 50-50 balls 80% of the time. Watching his video it just jumps out at me that he is the best player on the field.

5) I haven't scouted OL this year. It is probably the hardest position for me to review because I never know what was called and what the protection was supposed to be. Disclaimer - I tend to just watch the one on one battles when I see them (which misses a big part of the mental game as a lineman.) I look for three things: 1)Feet. If you have to take big steps or especially cross your feet, you lose. I look for guys have have than knack of shifting / sliding and keeping their center of gravity over their base to maintain leverage at all times. Carpenter never has gotten this thing figures out and gets off balance frequently, preventing him from using his great strength / mass to full potential. 2) Hands. Violent hands. I want guys who punch instead of grab. And if they get beat only grab if they are up close inside the chest plate where it doesn't get called. 3) Natural knee benders. Worst thing about Brenno is that he gets stood up too often and loses leverage and loses the battle. Walter Jones of course is the best example ever of a tall guy who stayed squat in his stance all the time. Like you are about to sit down in a chair but then hold it there and play from that position. (Note - I've mentioned before that I played guard in high school and was terrible. On the JV time. Only got into two games my whole "career:, and I think the coach was doing me a favor. It is only later that I developed an appreciation for good line play.)

[NorthHawk]

It's funny you mentioned Robinson.
I was reading The Huddle Report and Boylhart says he is a lazy route runner who doesn't always give great effort (paraphrasing from memory).
I haven't seen him play, so I have no comment, but it's interesting to read a contrary opinion considering most other things I have read say Robinson is much better than that.

[Pain_Train]

It's funny you mentioned Robinson.
I was reading The Huddle Report and Boylhart says he is a lazy route runner who doesn't always give great effort (paraphrasing from memory).
I haven't seen him play, so I have no comment, but it's interesting to read a contrary opinion considering most other things I have read say Robinson is much better than that.

I have Penn vs Wisconson on my hard drive. I'll look it over and see if I can see it there.

[NorthHawk]

It's funny you mentioned Robinson.
I was reading The Huddle Report and Boylhart says he is a lazy route runner who doesn't always give great effort (paraphrasing from memory).
I haven't seen him play, so I have no comment, but it's interesting to read a contrary opinion considering most other things I have read say Robinson is much better than that.

I have Penn vs Wisconson on my hard drive. I'll look it over and see if I can see it there.

Looking at his comments, he says about Robinson:
Lack of consistency and attention to detail
Runs lazy routes if he's not the primary receiver
Half hearted blocker
Doesn't reach out from his body unless the ball is over his head
Won't go down for balls near his feet
Doesn't have breakaway speed - only gets deep against safety's
Doesn't high point the ball to make the play.

Sounds like a bad laundry list and I doubt all really are issues, but the important ones of concern are consistency, speed, and effort. Although competing for all passes, body catching, and not catching the ball at its highest point are pretty important, too.

[c_hawkbob]

Here's my dark horse late rounder/ UDFA:

Alejandro Villanueva. A 25-year-old who is making up for lost time.

Four years ago, as a wide receiver, he led Army in catches (34), receiving yards (522) and touchdowns (five). This was after a two-year stint as a triple-option O-lineman and a try at defensive end as a freshman. As Army experiments go, this seemed fitting given that Villanueva is 6-foot-9. Certifiably intriguing, he received a last-minute invite to the 2010 East-West Shrine game—so last minute that the official game program went to press before his name could be added. Panthers defensive line coach Sam Mills, one of the game’s guest assistants, spent the practices turning Villanueva into a tight end. His stat line (one catch, eight yards) stood out less than his overall disillusionment with big-time football. “For some [prospects], this is all they can do,” Villanueva said at the time.

And then he went off to war. To Afghanistan. During the surge. Three times. The last two as a platoon leader with the 75th Ranger Regiment—the force in which former Cardinals safety Pat Tillman was serving when he lost his life. The years went by in a blur, with no birthday or Christmastime stories to mark the passing of time. Keeping a hand in the game, as one might expect in a war zone, was a big ask. “I’d usually watch games on the Armed Forces Network,” he says. “Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes whoever’s got the remote wants to watch How I Met Your Mother. It’s pretty cool to see guys I’ve played against, either from the teams Army played or just guys I played against at the Shrine game.” He earned a ticket to Detroit’s super casting call this Saturday, but if he can’t prove he belongs, he might well have to redeploy.

His workout video from 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHTLt_KxR2Q

[NorthHawk]

Wow, 6-9.
I'm not sure I would want to be on the ground at that height in a War Zone.
If he can catch he would be a good addition to almost any team especially in the Red Zone.
He would also bring a level of maturity to some of the younger teams that might need it.
Good luck to him - I hope he can get a firm grip on the brass ring.

[c_hawkbob]

Wow, 6-9.
I'm not sure I would want to be on the ground at that height in a War Zone.
If he can catch he would be a good addition to almost any team especially in the Red Zone.
He would also bring a level of maturity to some of the younger teams that might need it.
Good luck to him - I hope he can get a firm grip on the brass ring.

There's a short interview with him at the 1:20 mark of the Detroit Regional Combine video up on Seahawks.com. He certainl seems to have his sh#t all in one sock. That maturity level and height are what i like about him. He's a big, well proportioned athlete with a good head on his shoulders. I just wish they'd given his combine results so we'd have idea of his speed and quickness (not that i expect a lot in that department, but there is a minimum just to be NFL material).

[NorthHawk]

Took a look at the video link, Bob.
He looks like he has some decent hands and at 6-9 could be a target in the Red Zone.
I wonder what his concentration is like with someone like Kam flying at him at full speed.
In any event, he deserves a chance to compete and I wish him well. Maybe he will be with us.

[c_hawkbob]

Took a look at the video link, Bob.
He looks like he has some decent hands and at 6-9 could be a target in the Red Zone.
I wonder what his concentration is like with someone like Kam flying at him at full speed.
In any event, he deserves a chance to compete and I wish him well. Maybe he will be with us.

We happen to have a uniquely effective way of finding out!