More and more signs pointing to Erasmus James...

[htismaqe]

I'm hearing more and more draftniks saying we're going to draft Erasmus James.

[eazyb81]

ugh....Erasmus has bust written all over him.

They have an article in the Star this morning that is focused on him....

DAMMIT CARL!

[Kyle401]

You mean Erasmus "Walking Injury" James the finesse pass rusher from Wisconsin?

[the Talking Can]

oh god...if we take him over Pollack.....shit, I'm warming up my "Epic Meltdown" right now!

I'll be ready for you, CP. You pig ****er.

[JimNasium]

Can you say "Chiefs Planet Meltdown?"

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by rufusmaqe

I'm hearing more and more draftniks saying we're going to draft Erasmus James.

what's funny, and sad, is that I was getting ready to post a thread with the title "We'll Get What We Want This Year"....

my point being there were too many good options for CP to screw up...of course, I underestimated the pig ****er....James....ughhh

[Chiefnj]

He seems like a good kid and hard worker. Talented when healthy. All that being said I think Pollack and Merriman are better DE prospects for the Chiefs.

[the Talking Can]

Posted on Tue, Apr. 19, 2005
Wisconsin standout insists injuries behind him

By RANDY COVITZ

The Kansas City Star

Perhaps no player was poked and prodded more at the NFL Scouting Combine than Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James.

Doctors, trainers, scouts and coaches examined James' hip, which was injured so severely in 2003, he missed his entire junior season. They checked out James' ankle, which he sprained in the seventh game last year, sidelined him for one game and slowed him down for two more.

They even inspected a shoulder, just in case they might find something.

“That was from two years ago,” James said. “They kind of backtrack …The first thing when you get in there, and they're looking down your sheet, and they see that hip injury, it's a pretty big issue.”

Once James, a 6-foot-4 1/8 , 266-pounder, convinced teams his injuries are a thing of the past, he vaulted up the draft boards and could be the first defensive lineman selected in Saturday's NFL draft.

Despite missing some time because of the high ankle sprain, James tied for the Big Ten lead in sacks with 8.0 and was selected Big Ten Defensive Player and Defensive Lineman of the of the Year.

“If he was not the most dominant player in the country, he was one of them,” said Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez. “All you had to do was turn on the film, and you'd see one guy who was at a different speed than everybody else on the field.

“Ras was not on the radar screen when the season started. No one knew Erasmus James. He wasn't on any preseason All-American teams.”

James, in fact, was known more as a basketball player in Pembroke Pines, Fla., and didn't play any high school football until the football coach at McArthur High School convinced him to go out for the team as a senior.

“I looked like a defensive end,” James said, “so he brought me out there, put me down in that stance, and ever since it's been working for me.”

James' one season of high school football was enough to draw interest from nearby Miami, Florida State and North Carolina State, but he made the unlikely decision to leave sunny Florida for snowy Wisconsin.

“It was the farthest away,” James explained, “but they'd just come off back-to-back Rose Bowls, the defensive linemen were leaving, and it was a great academic school as well.”

After sitting out his freshman year in 2000 because he was a partial qualifier, James became a starter in 2002 and was on the threshold of making the early Outland and Nagurski award lists in 2003 when pain began shooting through his hip during pre-season camp.

“It was very frightening because they said it would be about three games,” James said. “Three games came, and it just kept getting worse. Doctors in Wisconsin didn't know anything about it, they just kept comparing it to Bo Jackson, and how his career was ended. … when you put faith in doctors, and the doctors don't know what's going on. You're definitely worried.

“They sent me to a doctor with the New York Giants, and I went out and he said I didn't need surgery, just rehab.”

James returned for his senior season last year and dominated the competition until spraining the ankle when he was chop-blocked against Purdue. He helped the Badgers jump out to a 9-0 start, but Wisconsin, like James, limped to the finish, losing its last three games, including the Outback Bowl.

James elected to rest his ankle and sat out the Senior Bowl, so most of the questions teams have for him are not about his playing ability but his durability.

“The ankle's good,” James said. “I've had a good amount of time off. The hip has passed with flying colors.

“I think I've proven myself on the field this past year. But they still want to look at the hip and look at all these different issues.”


kc star

[BigChiefFan]

Chuck Cook sure didn't sound sold on James and at this point, all I give a shit about is what the CHIEFS think, not what somebody specualting, thinks we MAY do. Cook sounded alot more enthusiastic about Pollack over James.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

He seems like a good kid and hard worker. Talented when healthy. All that being said I think Pollack and Merriman are better DE prospects for the Chiefs.

I also think Tuck from Notre Dame in the 2nd might be a better DE choice than James.

I read on one draft profile where his comparison would be to Javon Kearse. that would work real nice IMO. Here is his profile from nfl.com...

Prospect Profiles


Justin Tuck
Position: Defensive End
College: Notre Dame
Height: 6-4
Weight: 256
Hometown: Kellyton, Ala.

Analysis | Injury Report | Agility | High School | Personal


OVERVIEW
Justin Tuck is an extremely quick and agile player who possesses very good strength for a player of his size. He was a relatively unknown prospect coming out of high school and spent his freshman season as a redshirt. But he established himself as the premier pass rusher in the history of Notre Dame football over the last two years.

Tuck was the Alabama Class 4A Player of the Year as a senior at Central Coosa County (Kellyton, Ala.) High. He lettered as a linebacker and tight end, recording 492 tackles with 37 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries and 115 catches for 2,106 yards and 17 touchdowns during his career. He was named the Alabama Class 4A Player of the Year as a senior in 2000. Tuck helped his team to a 10-2 record in 2000 (after 0-10 mark his freshman season) with 167 tackles, nine sacks, eight fumble recoveries, seven caused fumbles and two interceptions at middle linebacker. He also caught 19 passes at tight end for 324 yards and four touchdowns. The two-time team captain captured all-state honors as a senior and was selected for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.

Tuck averaged 17.6 points and 11.3 rebounds as a senior in basketball on a state title team that finished 23-6. The two-time captain in basketball was twice named MVP of the Alabama 4A state championship basketball team. He also won three letters in baseball as a first baseman and leftfielder.

The cousin of Baltimore Ravens defensive end Adalius Thomas, Tuck spent his 2001 season redshirting as a 235-pound outside linebacker. In 2002, He moved to defensive end, appearing in every game and earning one start. He finished that campaign with 44 tackles, five sacks, 10 stops for losses, a forced fumble and five pass deflections.

Tuck had a breakout year in 2003, setting the school single-season record with 13½ sacks, adding 73 tackles, three forced fumbles and 19 stops behind the line of scrimmage. However, in the season finale vs. Syracuse, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, undergoing surgery in December. The injury would sideline him for 2004 spring drills.

In 2004, Tuck faced constant double-team coverage and did not match his lofty statistics from the previous season, as he still had some problems with his knee, which eventually prevented him from playing vs. Oregon State in the Insight.com Bowl. He concluded the season with 47 tackles, six sacks and 14 stops for losses.

Tuck holds the Notre Dame career-record with 24½ sacks, topping the previous mark of 22½ by Kory Minor (1995-98). For his career, he totaled 164 tackles (113 solo) with 43 stops for losses of 210 yards, four forced fumbles and seven pass deflections. His 43 stops behind the line of scrimmage broke the previous school all-time record of 42 by Anthony Weaver (1998-2001).


ANAYLSIS
Tuck has a developing frame with good muscle development, but still needs to increase his strength to combat the larger defenders at the pro level. He shows good quickness off the ball, along with above-average hand usage and lateral agility to slip blocks. He has very good agility and balance to play on his feet. Tuck uses his hands well to protect himself from cut blocks, but needs to separate and shed quicker when locked on.

He can bend his knees and play with leverage, but is not real stout to anchor at the point of attack or to take on pulling offensive guards on traps. He has very good instincts and awareness, as he is quick to squeeze vs. down blocks.

He has above average anchoring ability, but can still be driven back when run against. Tuck is more of a factor on plays away in which he's quick to redirect and chase from the backside. He also pursues downfield with good effort and speed. He has quickness coming across the blocker's face and enough strength to collapse the lane vs. inside runs. Tuck shows a good burst to the ball when working inside and the speed to chase down ball carriers. He runs well in the open, giving good effort to chase and pursue. He also takes good angles to the ball and has a good take-off on his pass rush.

On running plays, he needs to square his base better, as he will turn his shoulders and get sealed off some at the point of attack. Still, he comes off the line with good pad level and body lean. He can burst around the corner with speed, loop through the gaps with quickness or bull rush straight up with power.

He also shows a very good upfield burst and hand technique (good pop & jerk, rip, swim back inside) with the hip flip to get an edge. He can dip and bend the corner and has explosive acceleration to the quarterback when he comes free.

Tuck can also perform in a two-point stance as well as drop in coverage in some zone blitz situations. He's a solid tackler, aggressive to get to the ball and will bring his hips and unload on ball carriers. His biggest question is his ability to hold up at the point due to a frame that looks lean in the lower body. Still, he never gives up in pursuit, makes every effort to close rush lanes and has the sudden burst to make opposite field tackles. He has good burst to close and the body control to capture ball carriers in space.

He makes some very big hits on the move and while he might not have the lower-body strength to hold his ground vs. the larger blockers, he is superb in working on stunts and getting through the gaps. His speed allows him to reduce the pocket and he has shown the acceleration needed to come off the edge and get to the quarterback. He has good burst in his pass rush and can generate consistent pressure on the pocket. He has the burst and acceleration needed to work in space and changes direction as if he was a 225-pounder.

The main thing Tuck portrays on film is his aggressiveness and ability to play at a high intensity level. In a scheme that will allow him to stunt and play uncontested off the edge, some team could find a difference maker here. One issue that will have to be dealt with is his right knee, as the 2003 injury continued to affect his play in 2004 and finally forced him to sit out the Insight.com Bowl. Look for someone to take him in the first round, if they are confident that he will overcome his knee problem.


INJURY REPORT
2003: Saw limited action vs. Michigan State due to a shoulder contusion … Suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the season finale vs. Syracuse … Underwent reconstructive surgery in December.

2004: Missed spring drills with an ankle sprain and to continue recovering from right knee surgery … Did not play in the Insight.com Bowl due to swelling in his right knee.


AGILITY
4.56 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 4.62 in the 40-yard dash … 380-pound bench press … 560-pound squat … 336-pound power clean … 34½-inch vertical jump … 33¾-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands.


HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Central Coosa County (Kellyton, Ala.) High … Named the Alabama Class 4A Player of the Year as a senior in 2000 … Helped his team to a 10-2 record in 2000 (after 0-10 mark his freshman season) with 167 tackles, nine sacks, eight fumble recoveries, seven caused fumbles and two interceptions at middle linebacker … Also caught 19 passes at tight end for 324 yards and four touchdowns … His career totals included 492 tackles, 37 sacks, 26 caused fumbles, 17 fumble receivers, 115 receptions for 2,106 yards and 17 touchdowns … First-team Alabama All-State at tight end in 1999 … Captain as both a junior and senior … Earned Alabama All-State honors as a senior … Selected for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Averaged 17.6 points and 11.3 rebounds as a senior in basketball on a state title team that finished 23-6 … Four-year letterman and two-time captain in basketball … Two-time MVP of the Alabama 4A state championship basketball team with a 28-2 record as a junior … Won three letters in baseball as a first baseman and leftfielder.


PERSONAL
Will graduate in May 2005 with a degree in Management … Enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business … Tuck's cousin, Adalius Thomas, played football at Southern Mississippi and is now a defensive end with the Baltimore Ravens … Sister, Tiffany, played basketball at Lincoln University … Born Justin Lee Tuck on March 29, 1983 … Resides in Kellyton, Ala.

Copyright NFLDraftScout.com,

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Kyle401

You mean Erasmus "Walking Injury" James the finesse pass rusher from Wisconsin?

Didn't we already have Erasmus James on this team...........................R-Kal Truluck= 6'4 260# pass rusher/finese guy

[Mr. Kotter]

If we are gonna go....Surtain, OLB, DE, and CB, essentially in the first for rounds (plus comp next yr for Surtain), then I'm with Coogs; I like Tuck in the second....after drafting Davis or Ware in the first. THEN we go nickle CB in the third round with a guy like McFadden, Webster, or Foxworth.

FTR, here's what ESPN is saying about James:

Erasmus James
DE | (6'4", 266, 4.78) | WISCONSIN

Scouts Grade: 93

Flags: (D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy
View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History

Strengths: Has adequate overall size, a terrific frame and the potential to get bigger. Has a powerful upper body. Knocks offensive linemen back upon initial contact. Is athletic and smooth. Has the COD skills to work back inside as a pass rusher. Has long arms and has learned to use them well. Has shown much improved array of pass rush moves. Is quicker than fast. Has very good anticipation and initial quickness. Fires off the ball quickly and with good leverage Has good instincts and does a fine job of locating the ball. Is disciplined for such a productive pass rusher. Does a good job of keeping contain. Played with a much higher motor in 2004. Fights through double teams and shows terrific stamina. Shows very good closing burst to the quarterback. Is a powerful tackler that also has improved in terms of wrapping up in space. Will chase and pursue versus the run.

Weaknesses: Lack of ideal base is a concern. Still needs to improve lower body strength. Must be able to hold his ground better at the POA in the NFL. Has adequate top-end speed for an edge rusher but not elite. Won't be able to turn the corner as easily in the NFL. Durability is a severe concern.

Overall: James improved his draft value as much or more than any other prospect in the 2005 class as a senior in 2004. After sitting out the entire 2003 season with a hip injury there were lots of questions about James' durability, shape, explosiveness and strength. With 34 total tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 10-of-11 regular season games played in 2004, the fifth-year senior put a lot of those fears to rest. James did miss one game in 2004 due to an ankle injury but it was not serious and he showed no ill effects from the previous season's hip injury. James lacks elite top-end speed and he still must improve his bulk and lower body strength, but his improvement as a senior shocking. He played with better technique, a much higher motor, showed more power at the POA and also showed much more explosive burst when closing in on the quarterback/ball carrier. He could slip a little bit due to his durability concerns but James played his way into the first round of the upcoming draft.

[shaneo69]

I haven't really seen anyone saying that we're going to take him. But that said, if we did pick him, I would be happy because it means Hicks' ass is on the bench.

Has anyone checked out the video clips on ESPN.com of the top 25 prospects? It's free; go over there and take a look at James' video and tell me who he reminds you of. He looks like a true DE, not a hybrid LB/DE, and if he puts on 15 lbs, he would be the prototype size. Then look at Pollack's video. I'm sorry, but the guy does not look big enough to be a DE.

I wouldn't be too disappointed with James.

[htismaqe]

I just hope we don't draft him. He's gonna be a huge bust.

[tyton75]

I actually saw some game footage of him yesterday from the NFL Draft coverage on ESPN that I taped... he is REALLY good with his hands... and he has the ability to get the Tackle off balance..

he's not in my top 8 that i would like us to get, but he's a player if he stays healthy