http://secondroundstats.com/2013/02/18/cbs-1/ The breakdown really ends up favoring Xavier Rhodes. As Simon has noted, he plays press technique more than anyone else. Only 14.5 percent of non-intercepted quarterback passes went toward Xavier Rhodes' coverage...and only 6.9% were complete. He did have more pass interference than the other guys though...looks like by a pretty good margin. Average distance of completion (pre-YAC) was only 5.70 yards. And 80% of the completions he allowed were short of the 1st down marker.
Interesting. Why do you say that? He certainly has two question marks for me; how fast is he deep......although going back and watching him stride for stride with 4.42 Michael Floyd allayed some of those. And the other is how sticky his hips get when faced with real movement at the line of scrimmage.
I think he has good enough speed and good enough hips. Solid ball-skills. But he is a bit sloppy and doesn't have great click and drive ability.
Interesting. I actually think that's one of his strengths Not a lot of wasted movement, in part because for a guy purported to be 6'2, he tends to play like a 5'10 guy and doesn't uncurl at all, which doesn't affect his ability to click and close. By the very nature of human physiology, it should take the taller players slightly more time to change direction at pace, especially when changing from back foot to front.
I think Xavier Rhodes is an excellent player. But based on what I've seen through the years in college and in the All Star practices I've been to over the last 4 years...sometimes I wonder if being allowed to physically press players at the college level isn't in some ways an unfair advantage, and an opportunity to mask some of your deficiencies. Sean Smith was the press KING when he came out of Utah. That was his deal. I think back to Alterraun Verner, whom I liked in college. In the All Star practices, I thought he was good, I thought he still looked like one of the best there, but he was asked to press more (as were all the others) and some of the others there just took to the press more viciously and looked a little more interesting doing it. Yet, it didn't translate. Today, Alterraun Verner is a 1000 snap starter and a quality one at that. He certainly isn't being shown up in the NFL by a Jamar Wall or a Patrick Stoudamire Jr. Similarly this year when we got into press situations in the All Star practices, suddenly Khalid Wooten (whom I still like more than most) was king. But he's not actually getting much traction out there with the scouts.
Any thoughts on Brandon McGee? I watched some film and came away thinking that based on physical talent there's no reason that he can't succeed at an NFL level. Fast, powerfully built, good size and quick. Pretty aggressive and physical as well. Here's some film against FSU- as usual it provides a good look at the beastly Menelik Watson as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8qahOLtB1A
I like the Sam Madison comparison you made in another thread. The fan base wouldn't be happy with the pick but what do they know?
Well 98% of the fan base are idiots and only 2% of the fan base actually go to games so the sooner they shut their yap the better for all of us. Plus, it's difficult to say what the fan base will say and do because we haven't had free agency yet.
Oh I am in agreement with you. I am not completely sold on Rhodes at 12 but like you said I have no idea what the team needs are until free agency happens. I don't like the idea of taking a corner or receiver at 12. Too risky and takes time for these positions to contribute at next level. It seems like the Dolphins are letting Randy Starks walk, they aren't high on moving Odrick inside, and Soliai has one year left on his deal. If you stay put at 12 I think Sheldon Richardson is a GREAT pick. Could the Dolphins be bold and look to move up for a player like Star Lotulelei or Bjoern Werner? With all that said I do not see how they do not value Odrick inside. He is a far better 3 technique than 5 technique. This really pisses me off because they could have had Dez Bryant, Jason Pierre Paul, or Earl Thomas. I know it is always easy to do this in retrospect but those three players even the uninformed fans were calling for.
I still feel Rhodes could become a better safety than Jairus Byrd. He's an outstanding press corner, but IMO he's even better with the ball in the air, especially with the action in front of him where he seems like a naturally decisive ball-hawk. If it's between bump & run with his back to the QB or safety where he's watching the action most of the way, I think safety allows him to be a better playmaker. Perhaps a 6+ per year INT guy, and IMO it would allow him to better utilize his physicality and do so in more intimidating fashion b/c he'll be afforded more hitting opportunities than at corner. Rhodes having a chance to build up steam and unload on pass catchers all across the field is quite enticing to me. Plus he can come up and play man if needed.
I love breakdowns like this. I wonder how much of an effect that Florida State's pass rush had on Rhodes's stellar numbers? Of the three, Johnthan Banks played with by far the worst pass rush.
KB what is your opinion on Banks teammate Darius Slay and do you think he's a possibility for the Phins in round 3?
I feel like that about all these scouts and breakdown gurus. It does not take but looking at a few plays to know whether a player is a beast, and that is the end of analysis for draft purposes. All this other stuff is noise.
Yet you're hanging out in a draft forum?? And you're right. Most scouts and breakdown gurus just watch a few plays. No wonder the draft is such a crapshoot when all scouts do is watch a few plays. Dear oh dear.
That's not very accurate imo. Sometimes it only takes a few plays to show the upside, what a player is capable of, but that hardly shows show downside in terms of flaws and inconsitencies- that takes more time. I'm just starting to see the downside of Cornelious Washington, who looks and test out like a maniac 1st rounder but plays at time like someone who is destined for arena football. The warts take more time to reveal themselves. I've seen the upside of Sanders Commings, Brandon McGee and Menelik Watson- that isn't really hard to do. Seeking out their weaknesses takes longer, watching entire games or unbiased clips that show more than just the good stuff. If players were judged and rated as you suggest Tyler Bray might be the first pick of the draft. It doesn't work that way.
