Rod Davis Scouting Report

BigBull45 · 04-17-2004, 04:23 PM

ILB Rod Davis
(6'-2",239 Lbs,4.75 40 yd dash) Southern Mississippi

Notes: Four-year starter in high school who moved from defensive back to linebacker as a senior.Redshirted in 1999.Played in 12 games and started 10 at middle linebacker in 2000 and finished with 94 tackles,seven tackles for a loss and one sack.Also registered seven pass breakups,two interceptions and one forced fumble.Led the team in tackles with 100 in '01 and added ten tackles for a loss,three sacks,four pass breakups,two interceptions,one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.Started all 13 games in '02 and led the team with 168-23.5-10.5.Also had three pass breakups,two interceptions,one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.Third-team Associated Press All-American in '02 and a Butkus Award semifinalist.Started all 12 games in which he played in '03 with 164-20-4 and four pass breakups,11 QB hurries,one fumble recovery and five forced fumbles.Three-time first-team All-Conference USA selection.

Positives: Superproductive.Adequate size and strength.Great football intelligence and an active playmaker.Sure tackler.Reads and reacts quickly.Very good change of direction.Plays faster than timed speed because of his great instincts and recognition skills.

Negatives: Lacks great speed and explosiveness.Does not use his hands well to shed blockers.Tight hips.Slips blocks more than he takes them on.Questionable character.

Summary: Looks like the next Ray Lewis based on his production but may turn out more like Dana Howard (1994 Butkus Award winner who fizzled in the pros)at the next level due to his lack of speed and inconsistent effort.Can't be more than a two-down linebacker in the NFL and is a longshot at that.

chRxis · 04-17-2004, 04:51 PM

davis is solid, but not the answer the Saints need. they need a possible all-pro at the mlb position, and i think that vilma, with the front four we have, is quite capable of acheiving just that. i also think that lehman on the outside would give us good coverage as well as blitzing packages that the Saints desperately need. Lehman is also a proven leader, as noted by the Sooners winning a national championship in 2000 and leading them back to the championship game last year.

Danno · 04-17-2004, 05:28 PM

Is there one single person on this site that doesn\'t think he\'d be an immediate upgrade at MLB over Orlando Ruff and Darrin Smith?
The boy has game speed. He will be a starter for a long time in this league. Maybe never a top 10 MLB but pretty damn close. Kinda like a Vaughan Johnson. The silent contributor.
I\'d take him in the 3rd, if we don\'t get Vilma in the 1st. I\'d even risk 2B on him if we don\'t get Vilma.
He is a player.

[Edited on 17/4/2004 by Danno]

chRxis · 04-17-2004, 05:54 PM

vaughn johnson would have been a no-name player without the tenacity of Swilling, the heart of Mills, and the ferocity of Jackson. Davis would have at the best only Rodgers (not saying too much) to help him out. Our LB\'s are, well let\'s face it, horrible. Davis would not make the impact that Vilma would. Don\'t get me wrong, he\'s a great player that I loved to watch in college, but like I said, we need an impact starter from day one, and i\'m sorry, Rod Davis is not that player.

Danno · 04-17-2004, 06:02 PM

vaughn johnson would have been a no-name player without the tenacity of Swilling, the heart of Mills, and the ferocity of Jackson. Davis would have at the best only Rodgers (not saying too much) to help him out. Our LB\'s are, well let\'s face it, horrible. Davis would not make the impact that Vilma would. Don\'t get me wrong, he\'s a great player that I loved to watch in college, but like I said, we need an impact starter from day one, and i\'m sorry, Rod Davis is not that player.

I agree on Vilma, but I also think that Davis @ MLB and a DJ Williams at OLB would be better that Vilma at MLB and Grant @ OLB.
But at least we\'re talkinf LB upgrades, which is good.
I\'m not concerned with the names or positions, just that they have LB after their name.

chRxis · 04-17-2004, 06:07 PM

Vilma and Lehman would be a much better fit than Williams and Davis. Williams is at least a year off from being a productive pro football player, key word pro. Vilma could have came out last year and been a top 15-20 pick. Williams still needs to hone his skills for the nuances of the game. Doing that at the pro level is tough. Again, while you are right, any combination of new LB\'s would suffice, I think the Saints would be much, much better off with Vilma and Lehman.

Danno · 04-17-2004, 06:26 PM

Again, while you are right, any combination of new LB\'s would suffice, I think the Saints would be much, much better off with Vilma and Lehman.

I wouldn\'t beetch one second if they chose ANY combo of LB\'s in this draft.
Boulware, Lehman, Vilma, DJ, Seigler, Davis, Smith, Fox, Thomas, Dansby, Watson, and about 20 more. There are no sure things and lets face it, the scouts are a bit more informed than we are.
Is Vilma a good fit for the type of defense we run?
Is Davis the perfect compliment to DJ Williams and Rodgers?
Does a Siegler, Davis or Watson fit better with our defensive scheme?
Would a Donterrious Thomas, who can play all 3 LB positions, be a better option at 2A than Vilma at 1?
These are questions I\'ll admit I have no flipping clue about.
I\'m just hoping we don\'t drat a OG, OT, C, TE, RB, or QB with our 1st pick. Unless of course Manning gets caught with some Gaunja and some Hookers and slips to 18!
Hey, I guy can dream can\'t he, even its a perverted warped one at that?

I mean, who hasn\'t been caught with some weed and a couple o\' hookers? Right?

JimBone · 04-17-2004, 06:33 PM

I am trying to figure out why you guys keep on insisting that the Saints are taking not one, but two linebackers on the first day of the draft. I dont think going that route makes a whole helluva lot of sense. They resigned Derrick Rodgers, James Allen and Sedrick Hodge were both first day picks two and three years ago. Cie Grant was a first day pick last year. I know that most of those guys are unheard of around the league, but with two extra LB\'s, the numbers just dont add up. Cie Grant, Derrick Rodgers, and James Allen are most likely gonna start for us on opening day.

I am all about the Saints drafting Vilma or Williams in the first....OR...Dontarious Thomas in the second....OR..perhaps Daryl Smith or Rod Davis.

My point is the Saints will probably add one linebacker...hard to imagine them taking two.

Danno · 04-17-2004, 06:46 PM

I am trying to figure out why you guys keep on insisting that the Saints are taking not one, but two linebackers on the first day of the draft. I dont think going that route makes a whole helluva lot of sense. They resigned Derrick Rodgers, James Allen and Sedrick Hodge were both first day picks two and three years ago. Cie Grant was a first day pick last year. I know that most of those guys are unheard of around the league, but with two extra LB\'s, the numbers just dont add up. Cie Grant, Derrick Rodgers, and James Allen are most likely gonna start for us on opening day.

I am all about the Saints drafting Vilma or Williams in the first....OR...Dontarious Thomas in the second....OR..perhaps Daryl Smith or Rod Davis.

My point is the Saints will probably add one linebacker...hard to imagine them taking two.

Excellent point Jim. It makes more sense to add 2 CB\'s than it does 2 LB\'s doesn\'t it.
LB is a weak point on this team and too many of us want wholesale changes for 2004.
But you nailed it
SLB-Hodge and Allen will fight it out. The winner should be more than adequate.
MLB- Grant, Ruff and Smith should fight it out. The winner should be more than adequate.
WLB- Rodgers and ????? Maybe Grant if he doesn\'t work out at MLB. Maybe Vilma if Grant wins the MLB comp.

I\'m starting to think Vilma may be the solution at MLB or or even WLB.

I\'m not convinced enough to change my sig, but its danm close.

Cadillac · 04-17-2004, 06:49 PM

Athletically, I just am not sure that Davis has the athletic abilities to be a successful NFL LB.

Sure, he had enough game speed to be \"fast enough\" in college, but fast enough in college doesn\'t usually cut it in the NFL. So I question his speed.

Furthermoe, he was only able to manage 9 strength reps at the combine, and 12 at his individual workout. By comparison, Vilma did 23 at his pro day. DeAngelo Hall, a CB, did 15. Gamble, another CB, did 16.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/in...orkouts#vatech

I just don\'t think a MLB who is weaker than most CBs will be able to cut it in the NFL.

04-17-2004, 04:23 PM	#1
BigBull45 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 128	Rod Davis Scouting Report ILB Rod Davis (6'-2",239 Lbs,4.75 40 yd dash) Southern Mississippi Notes: Four-year starter in high school who moved from defensive back to linebacker as a senior.Redshirted in 1999.Played in 12 games and started 10 at middle linebacker in 2000 and finished with 94 tackles,seven tackles for a loss and one sack.Also registered seven pass breakups,two interceptions and one forced fumble.Led the team in tackles with 100 in '01 and added ten tackles for a loss,three sacks,four pass breakups,two interceptions,one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.Started all 13 games in '02 and led the team with 168-23.5-10.5.Also had three pass breakups,two interceptions,one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.Third-team Associated Press All-American in '02 and a Butkus Award semifinalist.Started all 12 games in which he played in '03 with 164-20-4 and four pass breakups,11 QB hurries,one fumble recovery and five forced fumbles.Three-time first-team All-Conference USA selection. Positives: Superproductive.Adequate size and strength.Great football intelligence and an active playmaker.Sure tackler.Reads and reacts quickly.Very good change of direction.Plays faster than timed speed because of his great instincts and recognition skills. Negatives: Lacks great speed and explosiveness.Does not use his hands well to shed blockers.Tight hips.Slips blocks more than he takes them on.Questionable character. Summary: Looks like the next Ray Lewis based on his production but may turn out more like Dana Howard (1994 Butkus Award winner who fizzled in the pros)at the next level due to his lack of speed and inconsistent effort.Can't be more than a two-down linebacker in the NFL and is a longshot at that.
BigBull45 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 128

04-17-2004, 04:51 PM	#2
chRxis 500th Post Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 690	Rod Davis Scouting Report davis is solid, but not the answer the Saints need. they need a possible all-pro at the mlb position, and i think that vilma, with the front four we have, is quite capable of acheiving just that. i also think that lehman on the outside would give us good coverage as well as blitzing packages that the Saints desperately need. Lehman is also a proven leader, as noted by the Sooners winning a national championship in 2000 and leading them back to the championship game last year.

04-17-2004, 05:28 PM	#3
Danno Site Donor 2014 Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,640	Rod Davis Scouting Report Is there one single person on this site that doesn\'t think he\'d be an immediate upgrade at MLB over Orlando Ruff and Darrin Smith? The boy has game speed. He will be a starter for a long time in this league. Maybe never a top 10 MLB but pretty damn close. Kinda like a Vaughan Johnson. The silent contributor. I\'d take him in the 3rd, if we don\'t get Vilma in the 1st. I\'d even risk 2B on him if we don\'t get Vilma. He is a player. [Edited on 17/4/2004 by Danno]

04-17-2004, 05:54 PM	#4
chRxis 500th Post Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 690	Rod Davis Scouting Report vaughn johnson would have been a no-name player without the tenacity of Swilling, the heart of Mills, and the ferocity of Jackson. Davis would have at the best only Rodgers (not saying too much) to help him out. Our LB\'s are, well let\'s face it, horrible. Davis would not make the impact that Vilma would. Don\'t get me wrong, he\'s a great player that I loved to watch in college, but like I said, we need an impact starter from day one, and i\'m sorry, Rod Davis is not that player.

04-17-2004, 06:02 PM	#5
Danno Site Donor 2014 Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,640	Rod Davis Scouting Report vaughn johnson would have been a no-name player without the tenacity of Swilling, the heart of Mills, and the ferocity of Jackson. Davis would have at the best only Rodgers (not saying too much) to help him out. Our LB\'s are, well let\'s face it, horrible. Davis would not make the impact that Vilma would. Don\'t get me wrong, he\'s a great player that I loved to watch in college, but like I said, we need an impact starter from day one, and i\'m sorry, Rod Davis is not that player. I agree on Vilma, but I also think that Davis @ MLB and a DJ Williams at OLB would be better that Vilma at MLB and Grant @ OLB. But at least we\'re talkinf LB upgrades, which is good. I\'m not concerned with the names or positions, just that they have LB after their name.

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04-17-2004, 06:07 PM	#6
chRxis 500th Post Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 690	Rod Davis Scouting Report Vilma and Lehman would be a much better fit than Williams and Davis. Williams is at least a year off from being a productive pro football player, key word pro. Vilma could have came out last year and been a top 15-20 pick. Williams still needs to hone his skills for the nuances of the game. Doing that at the pro level is tough. Again, while you are right, any combination of new LB\'s would suffice, I think the Saints would be much, much better off with Vilma and Lehman.

04-17-2004, 06:26 PM	#7
Danno Site Donor 2014 Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,640	Rod Davis Scouting Report Again, while you are right, any combination of new LB\'s would suffice, I think the Saints would be much, much better off with Vilma and Lehman. I wouldn\'t beetch one second if they chose ANY combo of LB\'s in this draft. Boulware, Lehman, Vilma, DJ, Seigler, Davis, Smith, Fox, Thomas, Dansby, Watson, and about 20 more. There are no sure things and lets face it, the scouts are a bit more informed than we are. Is Vilma a good fit for the type of defense we run? Is Davis the perfect compliment to DJ Williams and Rodgers? Does a Siegler, Davis or Watson fit better with our defensive scheme? Would a Donterrious Thomas, who can play all 3 LB positions, be a better option at 2A than Vilma at 1? These are questions I\'ll admit I have no flipping clue about. I\'m just hoping we don\'t drat a OG, OT, C, TE, RB, or QB with our 1st pick. Unless of course Manning gets caught with some Gaunja and some Hookers and slips to 18! Hey, I guy can dream can\'t he, even its a perverted warped one at that? I mean, who hasn\'t been caught with some weed and a couple o\' hookers? Right?

04-17-2004, 06:33 PM	#8
JimBone 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Thibodaux, La Posts: 614	Rod Davis Scouting Report I am trying to figure out why you guys keep on insisting that the Saints are taking not one, but two linebackers on the first day of the draft. I dont think going that route makes a whole helluva lot of sense. They resigned Derrick Rodgers, James Allen and Sedrick Hodge were both first day picks two and three years ago. Cie Grant was a first day pick last year. I know that most of those guys are unheard of around the league, but with two extra LB\'s, the numbers just dont add up. Cie Grant, Derrick Rodgers, and James Allen are most likely gonna start for us on opening day. I am all about the Saints drafting Vilma or Williams in the first....OR...Dontarious Thomas in the second....OR..perhaps Daryl Smith or Rod Davis. My point is the Saints will probably add one linebacker...hard to imagine them taking two.
	Aaaaaayyyyyy!! -The Fonz

04-17-2004, 06:46 PM	#9
Danno Site Donor 2014 Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,640	Rod Davis Scouting Report I am trying to figure out why you guys keep on insisting that the Saints are taking not one, but two linebackers on the first day of the draft. I dont think going that route makes a whole helluva lot of sense. They resigned Derrick Rodgers, James Allen and Sedrick Hodge were both first day picks two and three years ago. Cie Grant was a first day pick last year. I know that most of those guys are unheard of around the league, but with two extra LB\'s, the numbers just dont add up. Cie Grant, Derrick Rodgers, and James Allen are most likely gonna start for us on opening day. I am all about the Saints drafting Vilma or Williams in the first....OR...Dontarious Thomas in the second....OR..perhaps Daryl Smith or Rod Davis. My point is the Saints will probably add one linebacker...hard to imagine them taking two. Excellent point Jim. It makes more sense to add 2 CB\'s than it does 2 LB\'s doesn\'t it. LB is a weak point on this team and too many of us want wholesale changes for 2004. But you nailed it SLB-Hodge and Allen will fight it out. The winner should be more than adequate. MLB- Grant, Ruff and Smith should fight it out. The winner should be more than adequate. WLB- Rodgers and ????? Maybe Grant if he doesn\'t work out at MLB. Maybe Vilma if Grant wins the MLB comp. I\'m starting to think Vilma may be the solution at MLB or or even WLB. I\'m not convinced enough to change my sig, but its danm close.

04-17-2004, 06:49 PM	#10
Cadillac 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 121	Rod Davis Scouting Report Athletically, I just am not sure that Davis has the athletic abilities to be a successful NFL LB. Sure, he had enough game speed to be \"fast enough\" in college, but fast enough in college doesn\'t usually cut it in the NFL. So I question his speed. Furthermoe, he was only able to manage 9 strength reps at the combine, and 12 at his individual workout. By comparison, Vilma did 23 at his pro day. DeAngelo Hall, a CB, did 15. Gamble, another CB, did 16. http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/in...orkouts#vatech I just don\'t think a MLB who is weaker than most CBs will be able to cut it in the NFL.
Cadillac 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 121	\'They want to give me $6 million. What do I do? - Fred Thomas