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04-19-2007, 01:03 PM
yah I know, more fodder for our Pats bruthas to glout about, but I've read a couple other position analysis of theirs, pretty solid.
Here's the link, and the comments of the only the top2 to keep it not so long.
http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=24864&pcid=46
Best of the Bunch
Alan Branch, Michigan (6-5, 325)
Strengths: Branch is the epitome of strength and power. He tosses 300-pound linemen around like they’re rag dolls. Branch has a huge frame but his cat-like quickness makes him extremely difficult to block. He does an excellent job of battling multiple blockers, discarding them and making the play. Branch was the driving force behind a dominating Michigan defensive last year. He consistently collapses the pocket on passing downs and clogs up the middle against the run. Branch made a ton of plays in the backfield during his college career. An absolute beast who commands double teams on practically every play can be used at different positions along the defensive front.
Weaknesses: Branch doesn’t record a lot of sacks but that number is a bit deceiving. Even when he doesn’t get credit for a sack, he’s usually bearing down on the quarterback. Branch has had problems keeping his weight in check and some have accused him of taking plays off. However, that’s common for 21-year old college kids who weigh 325 pounds. Sometimes guys that big take a breather every now and then when their team is beating the snot out of Indiana late in the third quarter. Ask Notre Dame and Wisconsin how many plays Branch takes off.
Overall: One of two things is going on with Branch. Either reports of him slipping in the draft are false or he’s an absolute jerk. That’s the only way he can be sliding down draft boards because on the football field, Branch is a monster. There were games last year – not plays, entire game – where Branch couldn’t be blocked. He was seriously in the opposing backfield on virtually every play. Plus, since he went to Michigan, we know he was poorly coached, so he has a lot of upside. I don’t get to have private interviews with these guys but if you’re talking about Branch purely in a football sense, he’s one of the top defensive players in this draft. I would be shocked if he made it out of the top 10. The Dolphins would have a steal on their hands if Branch were still on the board at pick No. 9.
Draft Projection: High-first round
Amobi Okoye, Louisville (6-2, 302)
Strengths: Okoye is a physical marvel. Despite being just 19-years-old, Okoye has a scary combination of speed, quickness and strength. The thing that’s even scarier is he has yet to reach his full potential, which is why Okoye has NFL teams drooling over him. Okoye has a great feel for the game and a quick initial burst off the ball. He was extremely productive at Louisville, recording 23.0 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks over his career. Okoye isn’t as big as some tackles but he holds up well against the run and displays good pass rushing skills from the inside.
Weaknesses: Obviously when a team drafts someone who won’t be able to legally buy alcohol for two more years, there’s a risk involved. Okoye is a smart guy who everyone says is mature beyond his years but the bottom line is he will be a 20-year old rookie. He’s still raw and far from a finished product. Okoye wasn’t as dominant as Branch was in college and probably will take a little longer to contribute at the pro level while he continues to develop. The question for teams selecting in the top 10 will be whether or not they think Okoye is worth the wait. My guess is the answer to that question will be yes.
Overall: Okoye is one of the more intriguing players to ever enter the draft because he’s so young. He blew NFL scouts away at the Senior Bowl and Combine with his maturity and most people don’t believe his age will be an issue. He’s already a good player but it’s scary to think how good Okoye can be in the future after he gets more coaching and stronger under an NFL weight program. Okoye has all the physical tools and the right mindset to be a special player in the NFL. A team may just have to wait a year or two before they see a huge payoff on its investment.
Draft Projection: High-first round
***
BTW, regarding Branch...
Plus, since he went to Michigan, we know he was poorly coached, so he has a lot of upside.
WTF is up with that?
Here's the link, and the comments of the only the top2 to keep it not so long.
http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=24864&pcid=46
Best of the Bunch
Alan Branch, Michigan (6-5, 325)
Strengths: Branch is the epitome of strength and power. He tosses 300-pound linemen around like they’re rag dolls. Branch has a huge frame but his cat-like quickness makes him extremely difficult to block. He does an excellent job of battling multiple blockers, discarding them and making the play. Branch was the driving force behind a dominating Michigan defensive last year. He consistently collapses the pocket on passing downs and clogs up the middle against the run. Branch made a ton of plays in the backfield during his college career. An absolute beast who commands double teams on practically every play can be used at different positions along the defensive front.
Weaknesses: Branch doesn’t record a lot of sacks but that number is a bit deceiving. Even when he doesn’t get credit for a sack, he’s usually bearing down on the quarterback. Branch has had problems keeping his weight in check and some have accused him of taking plays off. However, that’s common for 21-year old college kids who weigh 325 pounds. Sometimes guys that big take a breather every now and then when their team is beating the snot out of Indiana late in the third quarter. Ask Notre Dame and Wisconsin how many plays Branch takes off.
Overall: One of two things is going on with Branch. Either reports of him slipping in the draft are false or he’s an absolute jerk. That’s the only way he can be sliding down draft boards because on the football field, Branch is a monster. There were games last year – not plays, entire game – where Branch couldn’t be blocked. He was seriously in the opposing backfield on virtually every play. Plus, since he went to Michigan, we know he was poorly coached, so he has a lot of upside. I don’t get to have private interviews with these guys but if you’re talking about Branch purely in a football sense, he’s one of the top defensive players in this draft. I would be shocked if he made it out of the top 10. The Dolphins would have a steal on their hands if Branch were still on the board at pick No. 9.
Draft Projection: High-first round
Amobi Okoye, Louisville (6-2, 302)
Strengths: Okoye is a physical marvel. Despite being just 19-years-old, Okoye has a scary combination of speed, quickness and strength. The thing that’s even scarier is he has yet to reach his full potential, which is why Okoye has NFL teams drooling over him. Okoye has a great feel for the game and a quick initial burst off the ball. He was extremely productive at Louisville, recording 23.0 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks over his career. Okoye isn’t as big as some tackles but he holds up well against the run and displays good pass rushing skills from the inside.
Weaknesses: Obviously when a team drafts someone who won’t be able to legally buy alcohol for two more years, there’s a risk involved. Okoye is a smart guy who everyone says is mature beyond his years but the bottom line is he will be a 20-year old rookie. He’s still raw and far from a finished product. Okoye wasn’t as dominant as Branch was in college and probably will take a little longer to contribute at the pro level while he continues to develop. The question for teams selecting in the top 10 will be whether or not they think Okoye is worth the wait. My guess is the answer to that question will be yes.
Overall: Okoye is one of the more intriguing players to ever enter the draft because he’s so young. He blew NFL scouts away at the Senior Bowl and Combine with his maturity and most people don’t believe his age will be an issue. He’s already a good player but it’s scary to think how good Okoye can be in the future after he gets more coaching and stronger under an NFL weight program. Okoye has all the physical tools and the right mindset to be a special player in the NFL. A team may just have to wait a year or two before they see a huge payoff on its investment.
Draft Projection: High-first round
***
BTW, regarding Branch...
Plus, since he went to Michigan, we know he was poorly coached, so he has a lot of upside.
WTF is up with that?