Atlanta Falcons Talk - All Forums

Nick Saban produces NFL players

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:35:59 +0000

Alabama has 5 players projected to be picked in the 1st Round. Wow. Talk about a football factory, if I was a highschool player wanting to go to the NFL then Alabama is the way to go...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/wr...?hpt=hp_t3

Football Gameplan's 2012 NFL Mock Draft Video - February

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:14:53 +0000

Good evening Falcons fans! Here's my Feb mock draft video!

Enjoy!

Em

Abe on 790 with Stews

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:35:38 +0000

Chasing the ring.
Link
With falcons or wherever Peytons going. I think he was kidding though.

Falcons Re-sign G Andrew Jackson

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:36:01 +0000

It's not much, but it's Falcons News.

Scout.com

Source: Falcons sign guard Andrew Jackson
by Aaron Wilson of Scout.com, February 22, 2012 at 4:13 am ET

Andrew Jackson Profile

The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed former seventh-round offensive guard Andrew Jackson, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. He was picked 210th overall out of Fresno State last year.

Jackson, 26, was an All-Western Athletic Conference selection. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder was also a first-team Academic All-American.

For more coverage of the NFL, go to profootball.scout.com.

Follow me on Twitter: @RavensInsider

PFT - Falcons won’t overpay to keep Curtis Lofton, John Abraham

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:00:57 +0000

Falcons won’t overpay to keep Curtis Lofton, John Abraham

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 22, 2012, 12:09 PM EST
New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons Getty Images

Curtis Lofton and John Abraham are both stalwarts of Atlanta’s defense, but as free agency approaches, the Falcons seem willing to let both of them walk.

The Falcons are widely expected to use the franchise tag to keep one soon-to-be free agent, cornerback Brent Grimes. But Lofton and Abraham are also soon-to-be free agents, and the Falcons aren’t planning to overpay to keep either one of them.

Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Falcons won’t be crushed if Lofton leaves because many within the Falcons organization believe that Lofton is a liability against the pass. That doesn’t mean the Falcons won’t make any effort to re-sign Lofton, but it sounds like the Falcons are going to be willing to let Lofton test the market, and if some team offers him more than the Falcons think he’s worth, they’ll say goodbye and put Akeem Dent, a third-round draft pick last year who played in all 16 games as a rookie, in the middle linebacker spot.

As for Abraham, who has led the team in sacks for two straight years, the Falcons apparently think he’s too one-dimensional and, at 33, too old. Abraham will apparently need to see if some other team wants a situational pass rusher who turns 34 in May.

For the Falcons, who traded away this year’s first-round draft pick as part of the deal to acquire Julio Jones last year, free agency will be their best chance to improve the roster. But at the moment, the talk in Atlanta is more about which free agents the Falcons will be losing.

List of Questions Falcons Should Ask Players at the combine.

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:38:23 +0000

1) Are you a dog lover?( obvious first question)

2) Can you turn your head and run at the same time?

3) Are you a douche?

4) Do you hate us?

5) Have you ever been in a bathroom stall with another man? (not going to put up his picture)

6) Do you have a hot wife/girlfriend who is crazy. {RIP Left Eye} and watch out Brent.

7) Are you an icon? And By the way have you seen my laptop it was on the desk before you came in?

8) Do you have any Pornstars as references?

9) Do you have any strippers as references? ( Who does'nt shout out to Joy and Sinnamon with an S)

10) Do you have any prostitute references and if so would you call them before the Super Bowl?

Add your own any team any player

PFW: Falcons Had Right Idea In Trading For Jones

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:13:39 +0000

Quote:Falcons Had Right Idea In Trading For Jones

This was going to be a column urging clubs to be bold in restricted free agency, to make Steelers WR Mike Wallace and Texans RB Arian Foster offers that their current clubs would struggle to match. Easy for me to write, right? Not. My. Money.

If ever there was a year for a team to consider taking a big swing in restricted free agency, this is it.
Foster and Wallace are among the most talented restricted free agents ever. Yes, I said ever. They are blue-chip players just entering the prime of their careers. Each turns 26 in August. Neither comes with health concerns.

Teams with plenty of salary-cap space and either 1) multiple first-round picks or 2) a first-round selection in the back half of Round One should ponder the possibility of making an offer to either player. I am not the first person to suggest that Wallace could be just what the Patriots' offense needs, and I will not be the last. And if I were Bengals owner Mike Brown, I would be getting longtime RB coach Jim Anderson's scouting report on Foster, who might be the game's most versatile back.

The downside on making an offer to Foster or Wallace? It will be expensive, both in terms of dollars (eight figures, easy) and draft picks (at least one first-rounder, assuming each player is given the highest RFA tender).

The price of sitting at this poker table soars should either player receive the non-exclusive franchise tag. In that case, it will take a major financial commitment PLUS two first-round picks to sign Wallace or Foster. (The exclusive franchise tag would forbid them from negotiating with other clubs completely.)

Opening the wallet in restricted free agency has paid off for some teams over the years. The Jets surely never regretted acquiring RFA RB Curtis Martin from New England for a first- and a third-round selection in 1996. Likewise, the Patriots were happy to give up a second- and a seventh-round pick for RFA Dolphins WR Wes Welker in '07.

The cost of acquiring a big-ticket restricted free agent is high, but that's part of the deal, and should the player become a difference maker, no one's going to sweat the receipt.

Of course, when an aggressive, high-cost move doesn't pan out, the tab is tough to take, and the criticism bubbles and flows.

Some will suggest Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff blew it last April when he traded first-, second- and fourth-round picks in 2011, as well as first- and fourth-round selections in 2012, to move up to take WR Julio Jones. The Falcons didn't even win a playoff game this past season, after all, and their first-round pick now belongs to Cleveland.

But let's suppose the Falcons didn't make the trade for Jones. It is likely they still would be looking for a wideout to complement Roddy White. Perhaps they would have considered addressing the position in free agency, or with the No. 22 pick that now belongs to Cleveland.

Instead, they have Jones, who showed tremendous promise as a rookie, under contract for three more seasons, with a team option for 2015. Despite missing three games with a hamstring injury, Jones hauled in 54 passes for 959 yards and eight touchdowns. Just 23 years old, Jones is a Pro Bowl-caliber talent.

Whom would you rather have? Jones, whom the Falcons signed to a four-year, $16.18 million contract, including a $10.27 million signing bonus, or Wallace, who figures to draw a far more lucrative offer if he's allowed to negotiate with other clubs?

All things considered, there's a strong case for Jones at that price, right?

This is to take nothing away from Wallace, who's swift, hardworking and well-rounded. He is more accomplished than Jones. The Steelers would be wise to sign to a long-term deal. If they do not, another club surely will jump at the chance, and it could be an offense-altering move for that team.
The Falcons took their big swing last April. My goodness, did it seem like they gave up a lot for Julio Jones.

But how much was it, really, when considering the cost of doing business in free agency?

Anthony Collins

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:04:36 +0000

FA OT

ProFootballFocus: 2011 Pass Blocking Efficiency: Offensive Tackles

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:35:25 +0000

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/201...e-tackles/

Above is the link. I would normally post the whole thing, but it would require way too much in the way of editing even be readable. I'll just post the four most relevant bits of information that I took from it.

1. Harvey Dahl played 200 snaps at RT for the Rams, and his play in that time gave him the best PBE rating in the entire league. They note that his relatively low snap count(most of the guys on the list around in the 500 snap range) and the fact he played in an offense that got the ball out quickly helped, but it's still impressive.

2. Tyson Clabo ranked 8th in the league in PBE. This put him above a few well known names such as Matt Light, Jake Long, and Michael Roos.

3. Duane Brown of the Texans placed 12th on the list. For those that do not know, Brown was picked in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft. We traded up for Sam Baker at 21st, while Brown was picked 26th.

4. Sam Baker was the 2nd worst in the entire league in PBE. Absolutely horrible. He's three spots behind GUY WHIMPER for the love of all. Ouch.

Eric Weems is a filthy mouth (Twitter discussion)

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:02:23 +0000

Eric Weems @ericweems
I don't jerk off in public but I been out doing myself

Eric Weems @ericweems
Fuck, I had to say Fuck one time.. LOL

Eric Weems @ericweems

Easy like Sunday Morning
19 Feb @JediFalcon1

@ericweems Your account still hacked?
19 Feb Eric Weems Eric Weems @ericweems

@JediFalcon1 no it never was
19 Feb @JediFalcon1

@ericweems interesting... freedom of speech is cool but not like you did when youre a free agent trying to get a job
Eric Weems Eric Weems @ericweems

@JediFalcon1 still the same twitter just wasn't back then an you wasn't following like now
Hide conversation

11:06 AM - 19 Feb 12 via UberSocial for BlackBerry · Details

Stanford Routt KC Chiefs

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:45:39 +0000

Looks like the Chiefs have snagged up the former Raider.

Do you all think this in anyway effects Grimes staying or leaving?

http://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-ci...three-year

Jason La Canfora On Brent Grimes

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:54:35 +0000

Link

Quote:Falcons: Two emerging talents on defense are worthy -- linebacker Curtis Lofton and corner Brent Grimes -- but in the end look for Grimes to get the tag. Corners are in short supply, and Atlanta's secondary already is iffy. Grimes is vital for them and another player the team wants to lock up long-term, according to a league source. The corner free agent market is also thin, so Grimes would be a prized asset.

NFP: My Sunday Best: Assistant Coaching Hires

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:52:21 +0000

Quote:My Sunday Best: Assistant Coaching Hires

Offensive line—Pat Hill, Falcons. The world mostly knows him as the former head coach at Fresno State, but Hill once was a very respected tight ends and offensive line coach under Bill Belichick. In addition to being capable of developing talent and promoting offensive line teamwork, Hill should have good ideas for the Falcons’ run game.

How to grade the CB position

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:09:52 +0000

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL-...ition.html

Quote:How to grade the CB position
By Matt Bowen

Let’s go outside the numbers today and talk CBs. A premium position in today’s NFL vs. the spread looks we see on Sundays and a draft class that has some top tier talent: LSU’s Morris Claiborne, Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick, North Alabama’s Janoris Jenkins, Nebraska’s Alfonzo Dennard, etc. But what are you looking for when you turn on the tape and study these players?

Here are my five keys I use when grading CB prospects…

1. Technique: I always start with technique at the CB position, because I want to target prospects that have some polish to their game. Watch their footwork, hands, plus the speed and athletic ability to open their hips and run. You want to see a clean “plat and drive” on the ball, a corner that can “mirror” the release of a WR, and maintain their initial leverage. Remember this: if they are sloppy with their technique on tape that is what you are getting in the NFL. You don't want to waste practice time trying to coach up technique to get a rookie ready to play.

2. Speed (and “recovery” speed): CB is a “stopwatch position.” You need to get a 40-time on all of these prospects; however, you must also apply that to the game tape. If you have a 4.4 guy, do you see that speed on tape? Check out how the prospect plays the top of the vertical route tree (corner, post, fade) and see if it matches up with the time he posts at the combine. It is one thing to run a 4.4 (or even sub 4.4) 40, but if you don’t see it translate to the field, this is a problem. A 4.5 guy can play like a guy who has 4.4 speed if he is solid in his technique, understands WR splits and plays through the initial release on tape. Bottom line: don’t be sold on 40-time alone with the CB position.

3. Press-coverage: I don’t see a ton of press-coverage in the college game and when I do, the technique is average—at best. Think about this: these rookies have to play press-coverage in the NFL to take away the slant and the fade on the goal line, the 3-step game in blitz-man and vs. a stack or bunch look. Do they punch with the proper hand (outside hand vs. inside release, inside hand vs. outside release), slide their feet and cut off the initial stem of the receiver? Playing from a press-look isn’t about being the toughest guy on the field. That’s high school stuff. Instead, it is about playing with the proper technique and killing the route on the release.

4. Finish the play: My main focus when watching Senior Bowl practices last month down in Mobile was seeing if the CBs wanted to compete in one-on-ones. And part of that is making the play on the football. PBU’s (passes broken up) are nice—and do end drives—but you want to draft CBs that finish the play and force turnovers. That translates to wins in the NFL and you want to find CBs that come up with INTs. Elite CBs in college often don’t see many targets throughout the season (and offenses can scheme away from them because of the wide numbers on the field), but keep an eye on their “finish” when they drive on a route.

5. Tackling: You have to tackle in the NFL and there is no such thing as a “boundary corner” on Sundays. No other way to say it, because every defense carries Cover 2 in their game plans and when a WR “cracks” or stems inside to the safety, the CB must then replace the safety in the run front. Do they wrap up or do they dive at the ball carriers legs with their heads down? Are they physical and willing to attack the line of scrimmage? Plus, can they play from an off-man position, drive on the slant, the out or the one-step “smoke” route and make the tackle in space? I played for coaches in the NFL that wouldn’t allow a CB to even step on the field if they went into a shell when the ball carrier pressed the edge of the defense. Can’t play soft in this league—so find out if these prospects want to hit.

A strategy for the Off Season

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:50:09 +0000

Here is what I would do with the off season personel decisions.

1. At the beginning of free agency, I would fire two faxes out. One would go to Mario Williams with an offer of five years (20M signing, 70M total). The other would go to Marcus McNeil,or whomever they like best at LT, for five years (10M signing, 40M total). I would structure the deals so that the combined impact on this season's cap would be $15M.

2. I would offer Lofton a four year deal averaging $5M/year. If he does not accept, we simply plug Dent into the MLB role and move on.

3. I would offer Grimes a four year deal averaging $7M/year. Despite all the attention he has gotten, most teams will look at his size and not go hog wild for him. There will be quite a few CB's looking for a job at the same time. I think Grimes would accept the offer.

At this point, we will have added a dominant pass rusher with 4-3/3-4 versatility, a quality LT and kept our best CB. And, we will have eaten through 23M of the 30M in cap space. since we don't have a first round pick, I am guessing that we will need about 4M in cap space to sign our draft picks. That leaves us with only 3M in cap space to fill our needs.

Before I move on to the next set of moves, let's take a look at those needs. Obviously, we all know about the interior OL. Hawley and Reynolds did not do a good enough job. Hawley is a Center and plugging him into the RG spot yielded the expected result. The good thing is that Hawley gained very valuable playing experience and will be a better Center for it. Reynolds is best suited for the RT position. He was lousy at RG and I do not expect him to be a whole lot better at RT. Having said that, I still think he has value as a back up to Clabo. In my opinion, McClure will be back next season and either Johnson or Jackson will be playing next to him. My guess is that Jackson will win that contest.

The secondary has been a sore spot. I suspect that our pass rush will improve, but something has to be done about all the blown coverages. From my memory, nearly every single blown coverage involved DeCoud. The knee jerk reaction would be to dump him. I would keep him and see how he responds to the new coaching. We hired Nolan for a reason. Let's see if he can simplify the assignments. DeCoud can be signed to a three year deal averaging 2M/year. We will need to draft a Safety (competition). That will leave us with only $1M to fill out the roster. So, let's make some cap space.

4. We try to trade Turner. His new team will need to restructure his deal to lessen the cap hit. I can see a team giving him a three year deal, hoping to get two good seasons from him. If we can trade him, the most we can expect is a 6th rounder. The real benefit would be the $7.5M that we would save in cap space. We would also drop Mughelli and save another $3M. Of course, Baker will get dumped and the team will gain another $3M in cap space. After those three moves, we would have $13.5M in cap space (plus the 4M needed to sign the draft picks).

5. Sign another RB. The best fit would be Jason Snelling. He is a power runner with excellent receiving and blocking skills. Several posters feel that he is not as good as Turner....they are right. Well, he is not as good as Turner was. However, for the money, he will be a much better value for the next four years. We sign him to a four year deal averaging 3.5M/year. He and Rodgers should combine for 1400 yards on the ground and 500 yards through the air.

6. We sign Harry Douglas to another four year deal. We should be able to keep him for an average of 4M/year. He will get more action in the new offense and he will be the guy to step into Roddy's shoes after two more seasons. We always have to think ahead. Roddy is a bit mercurial and is not a spring chicken. It is best to have a guy in the wings ready to go.

7. We use 4M in cap space to sign filler players to round out the roster. We want to keep 2M in cap space to have the flexibility to make sudden moves, if required.

DRAFT:

2nd round[b]: TE.[/b] A good one should fall to our pick. Allen, Charles or Fleener. It doesn't matter to me. He studies under Gonzo for a year and then takes over.

3rd round: NT. We need to transition to the 3-4. I have my eye on Mister Cobble. He is a big, quick and aggressive DT from U of Kentucky. He will be seen as a "reach" pick but I think he will surprise us much like another UK grad (Peters) did. This is strictly a need pick and one that should work our for the long haul.

5th round: Safety. I don't have a name yet. However, the 5th round is good territory to find developmental RB's, Safeties and LB's. We go for the smatest player available. I am looking at Harrison Smith (ND).

6th round: This one comes from the Turner trade. I would go for another LB. We will need depth at this position. Tank Carder (TCU) might work out well here.

6th round: QB. Now is the time to take a smart guy that has mediocre athletic tools. Small school guys usually don't benefit from fancy training facilities. We draft him and work on him for three years.

7th round: Special teamer. We want an athlete that is hungry.

There you have it. I know there are some weak points. Every team has them. In my opinion, this strategy makes the most our of the cap space and allows us the ability to restructure Ryan's contract for even more cap space, going forward.

Jason La Canfora possible cap casualties.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:25:09 +0000

Quote:Ward, Newman and Cooley highlight "Cap Casualty Season"
By Jason La Canfora
NFL Network

This is the time of year many NFL veterans dread. It's when that contract that looked so appealing just a few years ago -- in an era where nothing is fully guaranteed in this league -- suddenly becomes much less palatable.

It's a time for teams to get cap-compliant and prepare for the 2012 season; a time of contract restructuring, and in many cases, of players being released. "Cap Casualty Season," you could call it. Age, injury, lack of production, a bloated contract or all of the above can lead to many a player looking for a new home. Just ask Stanford Routt, who a year ago at this time was becoming one of the highest-paid corners in the NFL with the Raiders, and is now on free agent visits. (Albeit pocketing that $20 million guaranteed surely provides some solace, and the immediate interest from outside clubs has been significant.)

For many others, the segue to that next team, and next contract, could be far more drawn out and circuitous. In many cases, it's a hulking, ominous, looming roster bonus that leads to a departure. Of course, Peyton Manning immediately comes to mind on this subject -- something that has been covered ad nauseum. But beyond Peyton, the majority of those set for big roster-bonus paydays are in good shape. Kevin Kolb has the biggest -- a $7 million roster bonus due March 17 with the Cardinals -- and absent a power play for Manning himself, Kolb's in good shape for pocketing that.

Other bonuses, like New England's Tom Brady ($6 million), Philadelphia's Cullen Jenkins ($5 million) and Cincinnati's Leon Hall ($5 million), seem automatic to be picked up, even with Hall coming off injury. Routt's former secondary partner in Oakland, Michael Huff, however, could be in serious danger of hitting the open market with a $4 million roster bonus due by March 16. (And with the Raiders still over the cap, an exodus could be coming; more on that below.)

Otherwise, some the biggest roster bonuses go to San Francisco's Frank Gore ($3.6 million), Jacksonville's Mike Thomas ($3.5 million) and Marcedes Lewis ($3 million), Denver's Champ Bailey ($3 million) and the New York Jets' Antonio Cromartie ($3 million). Again, all likely to stay put, with all of those players just one year into their latest contracts. A few young players with roster bonuses at least worth monitoring: Mark Sanchez is due $2.75 million on the 15th day of the league year, which begins March 13; and Dez Bryant, also underachieving, is due $1.44 million on the 10th day of the league year.

But Huff isn't the only defensive back to be staring at an uncertain future. Terence Newman already got one more year in Dallas than many figured, and with a $6 million base salary coming off a subpar season, this could be the end. The Vikings, in rebuild mode, face a dilemma with corners Antoine Winfield ($7 million base) and Cedric Griffin ($4.1 million), and it's hard to imagine both of them back. The Ravens carried Domonique Foxworth a year longer than I thought they would, given his injury history, but I can't imagine they pay his $7 million base coming off another lost season.

As for pass-catchers, the Ravens are very unlikely to pick up Lee Evans' $1 million roster bonus. He gave them nothing after the trade with Buffalo and he couldn't finish a catch in the AFC Championship Game that would have sent Baltimore to the Super Bowl. Green Bay faces a $2.2 million roster bonus for Donald Driver, but the Packers are loaded with young weapons at wideout. Meanwhile, the Steelers are going to have to start paying their young wide receivers, which is why league sources say the Steelers won't bring back Hines Ward and his $4 million salary. Pittsburgh, like Oakland, is still trying to get under the cap. And at tight end, as much as Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan loves tight end Chris Cooley, he is oft-injured and his $3.8 million base may be too steep, especially if Fred Davis is brought back.

On the offensive line, St. Louis' Jason Smith won't be back at his current base salary ($10 million), according to a league source, and is a candidate to be cut. San Diego is very unlikely to bring back tackle Marcus McNeill with his $10.5 million base. Arizona has Levi Brown counting $17 million against the cap, with over $8 million in base salary, which will lead to a restructured deal or him hitting the open market, too. Willie Colon ($4.5 million base) is not willing to take a pay cut to stay in Pittsburgh following another injury-marred season, and at his age, Steve Hutchinson ($6.95 million base) might not make sense for a rebuilding Vikings team.

The Raiders have difficult decisions with linebackers Aaron Curry ($5.75 million base salary) and Rolando McClain, whose off-field issues and attitude may have worn out his welcome with Reggie McKenzie trying to establish a new mentality as Oakland's general manager. Kamerion Wimbley, another highly paid Raiders linebacker (due to make $11 million in 2012), is not interested in taking a pay cut to stay, league sources said. Oakland defensive lineman Tommy Kelly ($6 million base) is another potential cap target. The Raiders are likely to restructure Richard Seymour's massive deal, as well.

Aaron Kampman's injury woes and $4.6 million salary may be too steep for the Jags. Carolina loves linebacker Thomas Davis, but after yet another major injury, it's more likely he returns on a reworked contract than on his existing one.

In any given year, there are always a few shockers, or unexpected moves. But in general, if you follow the money, and play a little arm-chair Moneyball, many of the forthcoming transactions are not all that difficult to figure out. Come 2013, with the cap likely to spike dramatically with new TV money coming in and teams required to spend 90 percent of that figure in actual payroll dollars, perhaps fewer 'name' players will be left on the street.

In fact, I strongly believe by 2013 or 2014 we see most teams re-investing even more heavily on their own talent to meet that 90 percent threshold, which would mean even less prime, mid-20s talent getting anywhere near the market. Those who do become available will carry significant concerns with injury, attitude, work ethic or off-field activities.

It will make even more sense to spend on those players you already know and have developed as the economics of this new CBA play out in the coming years, and the revenue streams continue to pour in.

But in the mean time, there will be a bloodletting of talent, and those purges will only increase after the combine, with some players willing to restructure during February meetings with team officials and others awaiting their chance to test the market.

Curtis Lofton 790 The Zone Interview

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:29:45 +0000

Curtis Lofton interview

We will see what happens... If the 2 down LB thing is true (if Mike Nolan really thinks that) it looks like Lofton will most likely walk unless the FA market doesnt turn out the way most thing it would

Little Brothers

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:53:38 +0000

My daughter, who is in the 4th grade, performed a Taylor Swift song at the elementary talent show tonight in front of probably 200-300 people.

She got an unscheduled special guest at the 46 second mark of this video, her kindergartner brother, although I think she was completely ignorant to that fact.

Funny stuff.....of course I am biased.

Shawntae Spencer allowed to seek trade.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:29:44 +0000

He is a Nolan guy had arguably his be statistical season under Nolan. Would you be willing to give up anything for him.

Shawntae Spencer
Scouts, Inc.Grade: 74 | Key

Comment: Spencer has been an effective press corner with good man cover skills. He is a tall corner with good downfield speed and long arms that allow him to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage or re-route them after the release. He is more effective in tight man coverage than when in off coverage and still needs work on his route recognition and reading the quarterback's eyes from zone. He can extend the cushion with his pedal and is fluid and quick to flip his hips to open and run with receivers on deep routes. He has improved on run support but tends to dive at the ball carrier's legs rather than square up and form tackle.

An intersting comment by BVG

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:13:00 +0000

Quote:Q: Why come back to college?

BVG: What I found – and this would be rather similar for anybody in the NFL that is a first-timer, whether it’s a first-time head coach, first-time general manager, first-time coordinator – the NFL, you’re playing to win, and then you’ve got your business side of things. To be quite frank about it, a little bit of the business side is political in its makeup. I just felt like after four years, I was to the point where I wanted to be more involved in selection of players and who was playing. Again, this is not a big issue, because development is a big part of good coaching in the NFL. But there’s some players where the development part of it, you’re out of that. If you’re talking about a six-, seven-, eight-year veteran, they’re where they are. If there was something I missed about the college thing, it would have been that – the enjoyment of developing, whether it was Odell Thurman little Monticello or Thomas Davis out of Randolph-Clay – those were good trips over three or four years to take someone that’s not capable of playing college ball into kind of an All-American status, that’s an enjoyable thing in what we do. Being back in college with the recruiting and being able to choose the players that you want and then setting standards and expectations, and then you either get the job done or you don’t. The development part is attractive to me now that I’ve been in both scenarios. I’m a big believer in a player puts his name on it and a coach puts his name on it. If you’re going to put your name on it, you want every opportunity to have it any way you want it.

I think this is what Mr.Blank meant by us needing a fresh set of eyes.