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March 2010
DT Corey Peters on Browns’ draft radar
The Cleveland Browns are proving that they’ll leave no stone unturned in their search of defensive tackle prospects in this year’s NFL draft. University of Kentucky defensive tackle Corey Peters is the latest prospect to be linked to the club.
Peters worked out for Cleveland a week ago and impressed members of the coaching staff. He has generated some interest around the league working out for New England as well. He is scheduled to visit the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans this week.
In a draft class deep at the D-tackle position, the underrated tackle won’t take a back seat to anyone.
“I’m extremely confident in my abilities,” Peters said. “I feel like I’m better than a lot of the guys out there. I’m on the cusp of being everything I can possibly be as a player. I have a lot of upside and have been training for the NFL since I stepped on campus.”
The 6-foot-3, 302-pound Peters led the SEC in tackles-for-loss and sacks among his peers this past season. He was first-team All Conference Coaches and second-team AP.
Peters is gifted athletically, aggressive and can do a lot of things in the trenches. He’s a good overall player but does have some flaws. Peters must improve on his upper body strength and finishing plays. His strength has improved, which was made evident at the school’s Pro Day when he banged out 26 reps of 225 pounds. He put up some pretty good numbers during the workout to increase his draft stock.
The Browns play a 3-4 defense, which could be a challenge for Peters, who would likely line up at nose tackle.
“I talked to several teams about playing nose and it’s something I’m open to,” he said. “I’ve never played the position before, but I feel like I’m an extremely smart player who can pick up on anything.”
Making the transition to nose tackle shouldn’t be too difficult for the two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll student. His versatility, physical tools and intelligence should help him become an impact player. He has often been compared to Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko for his play.
“I pride myself on leading by example,” Peters said. “I’ve never been a hype man or rah-rah guy and took my academics very seriously. I just want to be a professional player and take care of business on the field.”
Meet Corey Peters…
TweetBrowns showing interest in rising DT prospect Troup
Defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy are regarded as the best in their class and rightfully so. However, there is another prospect who is in popular demand. University of Central Florida defensive tackle Torell Troup is receiving mad attention from NFL teams as we approach April’s draft.
The Cleveland Browns are among several teams showing interest in the highly sought after prospect. Browns defensive line coach Bryan Cox will be on UCF’s campus on Monday, March 29 for a private workout with Troup.
Cleveland is looking for a young middle man on defense to groom behind 31-year-old nose tackle Shaun Rogers.
“To learn from a guy like Rogers would be great,” Troup said in a recent phone interview. “He’s a man in the middle of the D-line and a superb athlete even though he is so big. I’ve watched a lot of film on him and have followed him throughout his career.”
Troup had a pretty busy week last week. The school held its Pro Day on Friday where he took part in position drills only. The defensive tackle stood on his numbers from last month’s Scouting Combine.
Former Browns head coach and current Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel was in town last Monday to work the player out. And the following day New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick paid Troup a visit.
This week will be more of the same. Members of the New Orleans and Denver coaching staffs are due in on Wednesday for private workouts. On the same day, Troup will hop a flight to Detroit for a visit with the Lions and from there will travel to Minnesota.
“I’d rather be busy than no one calling me at all,” Troup said. “I want to show teams the kind of person I am and the player they’ll be getting should they draft me. I’m a very responsible and accountable person. That’s something my coaches have instilled in me. I will bring a good work ethic and always willing to learn. I’m very coachable and a team player. I have a lot of free time right now but hope to stay busy all the way up to draft day.”
Big C’s scouting report
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Troup is a well-rounded and physical defensive tackle. He’s extremely versatile and shows supernatural strength by devouring double-team blocks. You can watch Troup on film eating up blockers like a sit-down dinner at a buffet.
Troup would fit well into any defensive scheme due to his ability to play the 3-technique and nose tackle position. He is probably better suited to play nose in the pros.
The D-tackle is explosive off the snap and very athletic for a guy his size, showing outstanding agility and quickness to angle and stunt. His quick first step allows him to get off the ball quickly and into the backfield to wreak havoc. He plays with great leverage and anchors well at the point of attack.
On the downside, Troup will need to improve on his overall pass-rush skills and balance at the next level.
Teams had some concerns about Troup because he played against lesser competition in Conference USA. But after watching film they learned that he fared well in games against higher level opponents such as Miami and Texas. Troup further demonstrated his ability to compete at a higher level at the East-West Shrine game.
Troup’s stock has risen considerably since his showing at the combine. He’s projected as a third-round pick but is likely to come off the board in round two due to his rare talent to play either tackle position. Both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive teams are targeting him.
TweetFormer Ohio State LB Freeman’s NFL dreams cut short
Huber Heights native and former Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman had a lifelong dream of playing in the NFL. The dream became somewhat of a reality when he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 draft.
Freeman saw action in all four preseason games with the Bears, but was waived before the start of the regular season. He was later signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad and ended up finishing the season on the Houston Texans practice squad.
The linebacker drew considerable interest from teams once the season was over and decided to sign with the Indianapolis Colts. It was at that time Freeman learned he would never play football again. Freeman went in for a physical in early February and was diagnosed by a Colts team physician as having an enlarged heart valve.
“It was hard to hear that football was being taken away, but life is much bigger than that for me,” Freeman said in a phone interview on Wednesday. “Sooner or later you’re going to be done. I have enjoyed playing the game since I was six years old. Even though I can’t play anymore I still have a love and a passion for it. I’ll just turn the page to the next chapter in my life.”
Freeman went on to say that he was told no team would pass him with his medical condition. He said he was thankful the doctors caught it before something tragic happened.
The former Wayne High School star hoped for a career of longevity in the league but it all came to an abrupt halt with the news. Freeman has indeed turned the page to the next chapter in his life. He married his college sweetheart, Joanna Freeman, on Feb. 20. The two are the proud parents of 2 ½-year old Vincent Freeman, a.k.a Buddy.
Although Freeman’s playing days are over, he hasn’t strayed far from the game. He’s trading in his uniform for the infamous Tressel sweater vest. Freeman will work as an undergraduate assistant on the Buckeyes football coaching staff this season.
“Coach (Jim) Tressel gave me the opportunity to be on the staff,” Freeman said. “It’s a lot different than playing, but it’s exciting because it gives me the chance to stay close to football. You feel like you’re a part of the team since playing football was taken away from me so quickly. Hopefully, one day I can become a coach.”
Despite having three knee surgeries in college, Freeman had a productive playing career while at Ohio State. He’s three classes away from obtaining his master’s degree in sports management and has no regrets.
“I think you have to find the positive in everything,” Freeman said. “God has a plan for everybody and this was his plan for me. You can’t have football as the head of your life because that can be taken away at any moment. My family and religion definitely comes first in my life. I can still be successful without playing the game. I’m excited and motivated about starting my new life.”
TweetBrowns showing interest in Cribbs-clone Barnes
Cleveland Browns wide receiver/kick returner Josh Cribbs could receive some assistance in the kicking game this season — from his clone.
Bowling Green receiver/returner Freddie Barnes has been compared to Cribbs due to his versatility and special-teams ability. The Browns have an interest in the first-team All-MAC performer and could select him in April’s NFL draft.
Cleveland has 12 picks overall including five in the first three rounds. The team is believed to be in search of a slot and/or spot duty receiver in the draft. Barnes ranks high on that list. If the Browns can pair Cribbs and Barnes in the Wildcat, fans could see an explosion on offense.
“It’s an honor to be compared to Josh Cribbs,” Barnes said in a recent interview. “Josh did some great things at Kent State as well as for the Browns. To be compared to him makes me want to work even harder so I can live up to his standards. Josh is one of the best. I put his film on to see where I stack up and know I have to get better.”
Barnes set an NCAA single-season record with 155 receptions last season. He added 1,770 receiving yards, second-best in the country, and 19 touchdown receptions, tops in the nation. And yet he was snubbed by the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine. Barnes had been downgraded for his lack of speed but set out to prove scouts wrong during his Pro Day workout.
The 6-foot, 212-pound Barnes ran in the 4.6 range in the 40-yard dash, further raising questions about his ability to separate from pro cornerbacks. He was outstanding in receiving drills, which were conducted by Cincinnati Bengals receivers coach Mike Sheppard. The Bengals are also a team showing interest in Barnes.
Barnes is projected as a mid-to-late round pick and vows to persevere just as he’s always done. The receiver was injured and missed the final three games of his junior season only to battle back to have a phenomenal senior season.
What may be the player’s true testament of perseverance took place before he was even born. Barnes’ mother, Clarissa Charles, was at an abortion clinic when she was pregnant with him. She was there to have the procedure but a powerful force from within moved her against following through. Charles was 14 at the time.
“My mother having me is a blessing in itself,” Barnes said. “I feel I can make my mother happy if I reach my dream for the sacrifice she made for me. I’m not living my life for me right now. I’m living for my family and trying to improve on everything in my life.”
Barnes will never be mistaken for Usain Bolt in terms of speed, but he plays fast and is productive. He’s athletic with a huge upside and playmaking ability. I had one NFL scout call him this year’s draft’s Anquan Boldin.
“I’m just a kid chasing a dream,” Barnes said. “That motivated me to excel in college and I will continue to pursue my dream of playing in the NFL. I’m hungry and any team that takes me is going to get my all.”
TweetColeman picks up the pace, says he’d be a good fit for Bengals
Englewood native and former Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman’s draft stock is on the rise like prices at the pumps after a stellar Pro Day performance. The biggest knock on Coleman entering the draft was speed, or a lack thereof. He addressed concerns about his speed by running a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash.
“I think the coaches and scouts really wanted to see if I could exceed their expectations during the workout,” Coleman said this week. “I believe I definitely exceeded my performance of what they thought I would have done at the combine.”
An abdominal strain kept Coleman from taking part in drills, except for the bench press, at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. The Northmont graduate did 19 reps of 225 pounds on the lift. Coleman posted some impressive numbers at OSU’s workout and nailed the position drills.
“They came in there thinking that I was a slow safety,” Coleman said. “But they left with the perception that my speed is up there with the corners. I think that opened up their minds even more to my versatility.”
The hard-hitting strong safety brings a lot to the table in terms of playing ability. I had one scout compare Coleman’s playmaking ability to that of Indianapolis Colts All-Pro Bob Sanders. He firmly believes that he can be that type of impact player in the pros.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Coleman is arguably one of the ‘Top 5’ safeties in this draft. A number of teams including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Indianapolis and New England are showing interest. Coleman worked out for New England on March 19 following his Pro Day performance.
Coleman is projected as a late second- or third-round choice in April’s draft. Three of the teams showing interest — New England, Cleveland and Cincinnati — have a plethora of picks in those rounds. New England owns the 44th, 47th and 53rd overall picks. Cleveland owns the 71st, 85th and 92nd overall picks. Cincinnati has the 84th pick and picked up a third-round compensatory pick, 96th overall.
Cincinnati has a real need at strong safety behind starter Roy Williams. Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense would be ideal for Coleman due to his aggressive play.
When asked about the possibility of playing in the Bengals’ aggressive and attacking defense Coleman was excited.
“I think one of their requirements is to fulfill a need of having a versatile defensive back,” he said. “If they’re looking for a strong safety that can support the run and make plays in coverage, I’m their guy.
“It would be great to play in Cincinnati. My entire family are big Bengal fans. It would present them with an opportunity to come watch me play on Sundays. That would be a great thing to have. I would love to play in that defense because they do a lot of things I love doing. It would be a tremendous honor to be picked by the Bengals.”
TweetBrowns re-sign Yates
The Cleveland Browns have re-signed unrestricted free agent offensive lineman Billy Yates.
Yates joined the Browns as a free agent on September 16, 2009 after spending his rookie season in Miami (2003) and the following five years in New England (2004-08). He appeared in seven contests with Cleveland all in a reserve role. He has seen action in 32 career games logging 11 starts.
TweetGilyard could be Bengals’ second-round choice
The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock with their second-round draft selection and it’s no surprise who is coming off the board. University of Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard would be a sexy pick for the hometown Bengals for a number of reasons.
The team is in need of a young playmaking receiver to groom behind Chad Ochocinco. I believe Gilyard fits the bill. That being said, the receiver may not be available with the 54th overall pick.
Gilyard’s stock has risen since his school’s pro day March 10 where he ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. This was a vast improvement from the 4.61 he ran at the Scouting Combine last month.
Gilyard has been worked out by Denver and New England and has a visit lined up with Tennessee. New England owns the 44th, 48th and 53rd overall picks.
Many draft prognosticators/experts have a hard time believing Gilyard belongs among the elite receivers. Some view him as nothing more than a utility player in the pros.
Former UC quarterbacks/receivers coach Charley Molnar, who is now the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Notre Dame, would be the first to argue Gilyard’s ability on the field.
“Mardy focused on every skill to help him become an elite receiver,” Molnar said in a recent phone interview. “Not just catching the ball, but hand placement, putting the ball away after the catch, route-running technique, etc. He took all those things very seriously. He was always looking to perfect his skills. Mardy is a perfectionist when it comes to his craft.”
Gilyard would always listen to coaching points because he never wanted to make the same mistakes twice, Molnar said, and if an opponent shut the receiver down he would always practice extra hard to counter that move.
“Mardy’s number one attribute is his competitiveness,” Molnar said. “It shows in practice and obviously it shows in games. Mardy doesn’t like to lose in any drill. In my three years coaching him, very rarely did he lose a drill. He was tremendously competitive when we got into those situations.”
Molnar went on to say that Gilyard’s competitive nature really showed in the game against Pittsburgh, where he put the team on his back and helped lead them to the Big East championship. The Pittsburgh game showed the culmination of Gilyard’s work.
Gilyard was recruited to Cincinnati as a defensive back and became a project receiver for the Bearcats. We know how that turned out. Gilyard finished his career as Cincinnati’s all-time leader in receptions (204), receiving touchdowns (25), receiving yards (3,003), all-purpose yards (5,904), kickoff returns (93) and kickoff return TDs (4).
Gilyard didn’t get to be a high-profile player without hard work and good study habits.
“Mardy has football intelligence,” Molnar said. “He understands defensive players’ individual strengths and weaknesses. He could look at a guy and get a good feel for what type of coverage that guy was going to play on him. And knew what moves he could use on the guy. Mardy was pretty good at that.”
The biggest knock on Gilyard coming into the draft was a lack of speed, but he addressed that at pro day. Now the question is, does he have first-round speed?
“In my mind he does,” Molnar said. “I saw how well he ran in games the last three years. Mardy separated from most every defender that we played. Speed is only relative to, is he worth 10 million dollars a year. He’s certainly going to play in the NFL. It’s just a matter of when he gets drafted. Mardy may not be the fastest guy in the group of receivers, but he’s certainly fast enough to excel in the NFL.”
TweetUSC safety Mays ‘Taylor’ made for Bengals defense
The Cincinnati Bengals have the 21st overall pick in April’s NFL draft and could use the selection on University of Southern California safety Taylor Mays. The Bengals have a real need at strong safety behind starter Roy Williams and will likely address the position via the draft.
There is no question Williams still has the ability and desire to play at a high level, but the frequent forearm injuries remain a concern. Williams has missed 25 games over the last two seasons due to the injury. An insurance policy is more than necessary.
Although Mays would be a perfect fit for the Bengals’ aggressive and attacking defense, he must first become available. After a show-stopping performance at the Scouting Combine last month, there are no guarantees he will be there when the Bengals make their selection.
Mays will have to make it past the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 6 and No. 14 overall picks for that to happen. The team is in the market for a safety since releasing Deon Grant. I think this pick is a no-brainer. No one knows Mays better than Seahawks new head coach Pete Carroll, who coached him for four seasons at USC. Not to mention his former position coach Ken Norton Jr., who also joined the coaching staff this offseason.
Should Mays slip past Seattle, he could be there for the Bengals at No. 21.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Mays would flourish in Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense. Zimmer loves to bring the strong safety down in the box to support the run or blitz the passer, which is a strength of Mays. Who better to learn Zimmer’s defense from than Williams, who would act as a mentor.
Mays’ freakish athleticism at safety reminds me a lot of Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis coming out of Georgia in 2005. Davis split time between safety and linebacker his rookie season before making a permanent switch to outside linebacker a year later.
Mays’ questionable instincts and poor change-of-direction skills in coverage could be headed down the same path. The player tends to take bad angles in coverage and would rather make a big hit than make a play on the ball. Mays will need to be more consistent making plays on the ball in the pros. Presentation may be something else to improve on.
According to multiple sources, Mays could see his stock dip on draft day if Seattle fails to pull the trigger. I’m told that Mays did not interview well with some teams at the Senior Bowl and combine. It was also stated that the player came across as arrogant and with an over-inflated ego.
Mays is a physically gifted and talented athlete. I believe the good far out-weighs the negatives. I think the Bengals will overlook Mays’ weaknesses and make him their selection.
I will be joining 1410 WING ESPN Radio Host Mark Neal on the highest rated sports talk show in Dayton and Dayton Sports Scene, Wednesday, March 17 to discuss the latest with the Bengals and Browns. I will be joining Mark periodically throughout the year, so stay tuned.
When you think sports talk radio think 1410 ESPN.
TweetBig C scouting the Bengals: TE Scott Sicko worth a look
The H-Back position could see a rebirth in the NFL this season with a special group of prospects entering this year’s draft. At the top of my list are Pittsburgh tight end Dorin Dickerson, Kentucky fullback John Conner and little-known New Hampshire tight end Scott Sicko. Of the three, Sicko may be the best kept secret.
I learned recently that the Cincinnati Bengals will not only be looking at the tight end position in the upcoming draft, but H-backs as well.
For inquiring minds, H-back is not to be confused with the halfback position. H-back is a hybrid position, a cross between a tight end and fullback, and will line up in the backfield or on the line, or be sent in motion.
The Bengals re-signed tight end Daniel Coats who played an H-back role in the offense last season although his performance left much to be desired. The club is expected to bring in some new talent to create competition at the position. The Bengals are hoping to have a more explosive offense next season and the H-back could play a vital role.
I believe Dickerson, Conner and Sicko would all push for playing time as rookies. However, Sicko could likely be had with a late-round selection.
Like NFL scouts, I have to do my homework when evaluating prospects. I have to watch film, talk to players, coaches, trainers and scouts, etc. Admittedly, I knew nothing about Sicko until after I went through the process. I was impressed what I learned.
Sicko has flown under the radar playing in what was formerly known as Division I-AA but known now as the AFCA. Now he’s popping up on teams’ boards after an impressive performance at the school’s pro day last week.
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Sicko ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, did 22 reps of 225lbs on the bench press, posted a 35-inch vertical jump and 10.2 broad jump. Those numbers would have placed him in the Top 10 in all four events among tight ends participating at the Scouting Combine last month.
Sicko’s 40 time and broad jump would have put him second only to Dickerson, who was the top performing tight end in Indianapolis.
The New England Patriots were the only team that bothered to show up for the workout, but word travels quickly in the NFL. After receiving word of the tight end’s performance teams started calling to set up visits. Sicko is scheduled to meet with Jacksonville this week.
“I’ve talked to seven or eight teams about Scott since the season ended,” New Hampshire tight ends coach Brian Barbato said in a recent phone interview. “I’ve had considerable conversation with at least five individuals that were genuinely interested in Scott.”
Sicko is coming off a tremendous senior season where he was the Wildcats’ leading receiver with 57 catches for 725 yards and nine touchdown catches.
“We were lucky to have some very good tight ends and Scott is as multiple as we have ever had as far as things we asked him to do,” Barbato said. “His adaptability from the blocking game to pass catching has been a great weapon for what we like to do on offense.”
Barbato added that Sicko is one of the best people he has ever met and a very coach-able kid.
The skinny
Sicko is a blue-collar guy who is very versatile and the tendency for having big games. He shows good athleticism, soft hands and is aggressive at the point-of-attack. The tight end shows unbelievable speed and quickness in open space. He would definitely be a match-up problem for any linebacker trying to cover him, especially at H-back.
Sicko averaged 12.7 yards per reception and 55.8 yards per contest this past season.
Coming from a spread offense at New Hampshire, Sicko will have to put some time and effort into improving his blocking skills at the next level. He’s a fast learner in the film room and does a great job adjusting to defenses. Sicko is an unselfish player and his work ethic might be his greatest attribute.
TweetAkwasi Owusu-Ansah steals show at O-State’s pro day
Indiana (Pa.) University defensive back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah was allowed to take part in Ohio State’s pro day on Friday and stole the show. The Division II prospect more than showed he belonged with the big boys. He was the big boy on this day.
The 6-foot, 207-pound Owusu-Ansah recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time among those participating in the school’s workout. Teams in attendance clocked him between a 4.34 and 4.36 seconds on field turf. He also ran an impressive 4.05 in the 20-yard shuttle. Owusu-Ansah stood on all his other numbers from the Scouting Combine last month.
If those numbers weren’t enough to prove he belongs, Owusu-Ansah did something even more incredible. He pumped out 21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press despite a torn labrum in his shoulder.
Pittsburgh Steelers team doctor James Bradley is scheduled to perform surgery on Owusu-Ansah’s left shoulder Wednesday, March 17. The defensive back is expected to make a complete recovery and be back on the field in time for training camp barring setback.
Owusu-Ansah is projected as a second- or third-round choice in April’s NFL draft.
After running that blazing 40 time, Owusu-Ansah was asked to stick around to take part in position drills with Buckeyes Kurt Coleman, Anderson Russell, Andre Amos and Jamario O’Neal. Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle led the D-back drills. Again, the small school talent received rave reviews with his performance.
“I had quite a few coaches come up to me afterward and say great job keep it up,” Owusu-Ansah said in a phone interview following the workout. “It meant a lot that they acknowledged me and now I know all the hard work is paying off.”
Owusu-Ansah spent some time training with Rutgers standout cornerback Devin McCourty, who is projected as a first-round prospect, Cincinnati receiver Mardy Gilyard, as well as others in Naples, Fla., before the combine.
“I took advantage of every day I was out there with those guys,” Owusu-Ansah said. “I think Clif Marshall, Performance Director at Ignition, is a great trainer and I am very thankful I got him. Not only did Clif help me physically, he helped me spiritually as well. Every Wednesday we would have bible study and talk about life experiences. It was great. Clif is a trainer who gives his players personal attention and makes you work hard. Just being around Clif and those guys from the bigger schools definitely helped me a lot.”
The intriguing defensive back prospect has several visits scheduled with NFL teams.
Owusu-Ansah, a product of Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio, was in awe just being on Ohio State’s campus, but didn’t allow it to affect his performance.
“Growing up a Buckeye fan, it was pretty cool seeing all the former alumni that you watched on television and cheered for and are now watching you,” he said. “Being able to work out with the current players was big for me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to perform on a bigger stage. That’s something I wouldn’t have had if I was at IUP. I think I showed teams that I could definitely perform at a higher level.”
TweetTE Watson signs with Browns
The Cleveland Browns bolstered its passing game today with the signing of free agent tight end Ben Watson.
According to ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Watson signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Browns that includes $6.35 million in guaranteed money.
Watson spent six seasons with the New England Patriots before joining Cleveland.
“We viewed Ben as one of the top all-around tight ends in the free agent market,” said Browns General Manager Tom Heckert. “Because of his athleticism and intelligence, he has proven valuable as both a receiver and blocker during his career, and has performed well in both facets. He comes from a winning program in New England and possesses the traits that we like in a player. We feel as though he can help us in many different areas and we are excited about his addition to our team.”
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Watson has appeared in 71 regular season games in his career, including 47 starts. During that time he has caught 167 passes for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns.
TweetBengals and Browns eyeing DB prospect Owusu-Ansah
Every year during draft time you hear about a little-known prospect who is creating a buzz among NFL scouts. You can call these players what you like, sleeper, diamond in the rough or hidden gem. This year is no different. Indiana (Pa.) University defensive back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is the undisputed Division II talent entering April’s draft.
Owusu-Ansah, a product of Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio, has generated a ton of interest since his performance at the scouting combine last month. In fact, a handful of teams lobbied Ohio State University to allow the defensive back to take part in the school’s pro day on Friday. The university obliged and Owusu-Ansah will now showcase his skills along with other Buckeye players.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns are among the teams showing interest in Owusu-Ansah.
The 6-foot, 207-pound Owusu-Ansah is a very intriguing prospect. He has size, outstanding speed, quickness, explosion and tremendous ball skills. Owusu-Ansah recorded eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2008, so teams didn’t bother to throw his way this past season.
Aside from being a solid defender at cornerback, Owusu-Ansah is a dangerous return-man. He returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns in ‘09. He ranked in the top 15 in the nation in both kickoff and punt return average.
Owusu-Ansah is very versatile and will likely be moved to safety in the pros where he can better utilize his athletic ability. He shows good change of direction, plays physical and is extremely strong.
I witnessed the player’s strength firsthand during training when he banged out four reps of 315lbs. on the bench press. Owusu-Ansah was fresh off a shoulder injury which kept him out of the East-West Shrine game when he accomplished the feat.
According to his agent Nate Haber, Owusu-Ansah insists on benching tomorrow with a torn labrum in his left shoulder to show scouts his incredible strength.
Let me be the first to call the 4.47 40-yard dash Owusu-Ansah ran in Indianapolis bogus. I’m told that there was no consistency between scout’s times and electronic recording times this year. I learned that several teams clocked Owusu-Ansah in the high 4.3’s. We should learn more about his speed after tomorrow’s workout.
According to IUP defensive backs coach D.K. McDonald, Owusu-Ansah has been heavily scouted by the NFL since his junior season. The coach believes his former student has what it takes to play at the next level.
“The great thing about Akwasi is that he’s very intelligent and extremely coachable, coach McDonald said in a phone interview. “I’m sure he’s going to put in the effort because he has all the tools to do so. He’s a special player who is still learning, but I know he’s going to make things happen.
“Like I told all the scouts and coaches, they’re not going to have any character issues with Akwasi. I’ve talked to every NFL team and many head coaches about Akwasi during this process. This university is extremely proud of Akwasi as a man and what he’s done for us on the football field. I look forward to watching him play on Sundays.”
Watch video…
TweetOhio State’s Gibson moving up the draft board
Former Ohio State defensive end Thaddeus Gibson was very impressive before scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. Now the all-Big Ten performer on defense is looking to build on his performance at the school’s Pro Day on Friday, March 12.
Gibson is projected to come off the board in the second-round of April’s draft, but is like a man smoking at a gas station about to blow up. So it could be sooner rather than later.
Although the player had a good overall showing in Indianapolis, he seeks redemption in at least one area of his performance.
“I was happy with my overall performance at the combine, but feel I could have ran faster,” Gibson said during a phone interview. “I know for a fact that I will run faster at pro day. I wasn’t happy with my 40 time. I’m anxious and excited I get to run again before NFL scouts. Friday can’t come fast enough.”
The 6-foot-2, 243-pound Gibson ran a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash but insists he can run in the mid 4.6 range. The player is hoping to accomplish that on Friday.
“I’m ready to showcase my skills at pro day,” he said. “It’s all about a team falling in love with you. All you can do is go out there and perform. I’m excited to go out there and show them once again what I can do.”
Gibson showed teams what he could do this season recording 45 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, along with four sacks, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and an interception.
The underclassman spent four years at Ohio State before declaring himself eligible for the draft. He had another year of eligibility remaining after receiving a redshirt in 2006. However, Gibson felt it was time to move on but enjoyed his Buckeye experience.
“Having the opportunity to play at Ohio State was a great experience,” he said. “If I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing. I learned a lot as a person while playing for the Buckeyes. Coach (Jim) Tressel really teaches you the game of football and the game of life all at once. It was a win, win situation for me.”
Gibson is scheduled to graduate in June with a bachelor’s degree in African-American studies.
NFL teams love Gibson’s versatility and have started to take notice of his ability on the field. He met with roughly 26 teams while in Indy. I’m told that the Cleveland Browns are one team who holds Gibson in high regard.
Gibson worked out as an outside linebacker and defensive end during drills. He showed good athleticism dropping back into coverage and was very quick to react on a play. I believe Gibson demonstrated to scouts that he is not just a pass-rusher. He should have no problem making the transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Gibson has drawn comparisons to James Harrison (Steelers) and Joey Porter (Dolphins) who are both premier outside pass-rushers in the 3-4.
Gibson has no qualms about making the switch to outside linebacker.
“I’ll play whatever a team wants me to play” he said. “I’m just excited about the opportunity of playing at the next level and ready to go. Whatever team drafts me is going to get a high-motor guy who is willing to contribute in anyway possible. It doesn’t matter what team takes me or where I play on the field. I’m ready to roll.”
TweetBengals close to deal with OL Williams
One day after reportedly reaching a deal to re-sign defensive tackle Tank Johnson, the Bengals are believed to be close on another deal.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Cincinnati Bengals are close to a deal with offensive guard Bobbie Williams. The unrestricted free agent Williams has been a fixture along the Bengals offensive line since joining the club March 26, 2004.
Williams will be 34-years old this year and will likely sign a deal that would keep him in Cincinnati for the remainder of his career. Williams is known as a leader on the field and in the locker room.
TweetCribbs agree to terms with Browns
What has taken months to hash out, the two sides have finally reached an agreement in Cleveland.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, returner/wide receiver Josh Cribbs has agreed to terms on a 3-year, $20 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. It is believed that more than $7 million of the contract is guaranteed money.
Cribbs’ new deal replaces his current contract which had three years remaining and worth just over $1 million per year.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Cribbs, a two-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL with 1,994 total return yards, the fourth-highest total in NFL history. He also finished third in kickoff return average (27.8) and fourth in punt return average (12.4), with a league-leading four total touchdown returns.
Cribbs will hold a press conference at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 5 to announce his new deal with the Browns.
TweetBrowns trade Williams
The Cleveland Browns have traded defensive lineman Corey Williams and their 2010 seventh-round draft choice to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2010 draft, a pick obtained by Detroit from Denver.
In his two seasons with the Browns (2008-09), Williams played in 32 games with 18 starts and registered 88 tackles, 4.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
The Browns currently own 11 picks in the 2010 NFL Draft, including nine over the first five rounds.
TweetBrowns tendered restricted free agents
The Cleveland Browns have tendered one-year contracts to the following restricted free agents:
S Abram Elam
RB Jerome Harrison
LB D’Qwell Jackson
LB Matt Roth
LB Jason Trusnik
FB Lawrence Vickers
The team also tendered all three of their exclusive rights players:
LB Marcus Benard
LB Blake Costanzo
RB Chris Jennings
TweetRoy Williams could be back with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to talk contract with representatives for free agent strong safety Roy Williams. Williams’ agent, Jordan Woy, said today that the two sides are talking in an effort to get a deal done that would bring the former Pro Bowl safety back to Cincinnati.
The Bengals signed Williams to a one-year contract during the offseason in 2009. The 9-year veteran safety fractured his right forearm in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve. Williams finished the season with 28 tackles.
Williams, 29, reunited with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and was an impact player on defense before the injury. Head Coach Marvin Lewis has already expressed his desire to have the hard-hitting safety back in uniform.
TweetBengals rookie vows to be better next year
Cincinnati Bengals running back Bernard Scott had a terrific rookie season serving as backup to starter Cedric Benson and on special teams. The runner finished the regular season with 892 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. He was second on the team in rushing with 321 yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
When asked about his production during the 2009 season, Scott was very humble and downplayed his performance.
“I think I had a decent year, but it’s really not about me it’s about the team,” Scott said in an interview. “I think overall as a team we didn’t reach our goals. If we would have won more games then I could have looked at myself and tried to achieve some of my individual goals. But for me the team comes first.”
There is no question Scott was a pleasant surprise for the Bengals on offense. The team has something to build on with the one-two punch of Benson and Scott in the backfield.
Scott is an outstanding inside, outside runner with the ability to break long runs. He’s exceptionally quick, elusive, with a good initial burst and is very versatile. The runner may lack patience waiting for running lanes to develop but improved in that area as the season progressed. He’s a sensational runner nonetheless and should have continued success in the team’s offense.
“Everything was a learning experience in my first year in the league,” Scott said. “It was definitely a positive having good guys like Ced (Benson) around that I could learn from. Hopefully, I’ll come back next year as a better player and make this a better team.”
The only way to improve one’s game is by putting in hard work during the offseason. Aware of challenges that face him next season, Scott is planning to use the offseason to dissect and perfect his game.
“I’m going back to watch film and see what areas I can improve my game,” Scott said. “I want to be better overall and more of a factor next season. I have a year under my belt and the team will be counting on me to perform. My plan is to work diligently in the offseason to improve so when things start I can hit the ground running next season. I’m excited about this team’s future and want to contribute. I believe the best is yet to come with me.”
TweetWR Mitchell might be nice fit for Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are in search of a deep-threat receiver and could have their eyes fixed on South Florida speedster Carlton Mitchell in April’s draft. In a receiving class short on playmakers and speed, the team interviewed more than 30 receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine, searching for that hidden gem.
Mitchell could be that guy and is likely to shoot up draft boards after his performance on Sunday, Feb 28.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Mitchell impressed scouts by running a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash. At least five teams had him clocked as low as 4.44. The junior receiver finished in the Top 10 among receivers in the 40-yard run, bench press (16 reps) and broad jump - 10 feet, 2 inches. Mitchell also showed good ball skills and athleticism during receiving drills.
Mitchell interviewed with Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and his staff Saturday night in Indianapolis.
“I don’t know exactly how the team felt about me, but the vibe I got in the room, I say the interview went well,” Mitchell said. “Coach Lewis was a very cool, laid-back guy. I’m actually a fan of the team and familiar with what they do offensively. It would be a great fit for me. I would love to play in Cincinnati.”
South Florida receivers coach Phil McGeoghan believes Mitchell has what it takes both on and off the field.
“Carlton is very polished in terms of presentation,” McGeoghan said during a recent phone interview. “He speaks well and does all the right things. He doesn’t go out or drink. He’s very focused and a spiritual young man. I think teams are going to be very impressed with the way he presents himself.”
When asked to draw a comparison to Mitchell in terms of ability only one name came to mind.
“There are not too many people I would say Carlton is a lot like,” McGeoghan said. “But if I had to pick one, I would say he’s a lot like Chris Henry. Carlton is a guy who can come in and be a third receiver or spot-duty guy right away. He’s a big size/speed guy and those types of receivers are hard to find.”
McGeoghan went on to say that Mitchell is a work in progress because he’s young, but does more good things on the field than bad.
Big C’s take
Mitchell is a rare size-and-speed combination receiver that doesn’t come along very often. He’s extremely quick, explosive and athletic with nice hands and tremendous leg strength. Covering cornerbacks find themselves back on their heels rather quickly due to the receiver’s outstanding acceleration. Aside from his ability to stretch the field, Mitchell is a physical blocker on the perimeter. He is said to be a very hard worker and a student of the game.
Areas for improvement: Coverage recognition … fine-tune route-running, better consistency catching the ball in traffic … needs to be more consistent catching the ball away from his body with his huge hands.
Mitchell is projected as third- to fourth-round selection but should see his value increase.
TweetFormer Cleveland Browns strength and conditioning coach lands in Memphis
Former Cleveland Browns strength and conditioning coach Tom Myslinski has been hired to serve as the Football Strength Coach at the University of Memphis.
Myslinski served five seasons with the Browns, the last three as the head strength and conditioning coach. He was the club’s assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2004, while also working on a part-time basis in 2003.
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