LB Danny Clark Raiders
"That one was hard on me, that one was the hardest," Shell said of releasing Clark. "He gave us everything he had, worked hard. Not to say the rest of them didn't, but this kid was demoted to the second team and he worked his tail off and never said a word, just kept working. Hopefully he'll catch on with somebody." Art Shell

SUMMARY
Roach is a good athlete with good instincts and toughness, but he does not deal well with blockers and is not a consistently productive player. He tends to make most of his plays downfield because even when he uses his hands well against blockers, he tends to back up and give ground. While Roach has flashed the ability and willingness to fill the hole aggressively and the strength to stack the point of attack, he does not consistently get free to make the play and often he just gets tied up in the hole while the ball carrier runs right by him. He is a smart and instinctive linebacker, which helps him to do a solid job in zone coverage and to pick up running backs on short routes, but he lacks the playing speed and explosiveness to stay with RBs and tight ends down the field in man-to-man coverage. Does not use his hands well against low blocks and struggles to move around in traffic to make plays -- he needs a clear path to the ball to make plays. Overall, Roach has the ability to start at middle linebacker in the NFL, but he is not productive enough. Will do well in short-yardage situations and on special teams.



STRONG POINTS
Roach is a tough linebacker who can fill the gap aggressively, has the strength to stand up the lead blocker in the hole, free up and make the tackle. Has good instincts, which helps him consistently read and react to the play. Smooth and fluid dropping off the ball in zone coverage, reads the quarterback well and breaks and closes on the ball quickly to make the tackle right after the catch. Flashes the quick hands to jolt the blocker to stay free.



WEAKNESSES
Roach does not move through traffic well -- gets bumped around and struggles against low blocks in traffic. Does not use his hands consistently against blockers, and once a blocker gets a hold of him, he struggles to consistently shed and make plays. While he has athleticism to pick up running backs out of the backfield, he lacks the playing speed to stay with RBs and tight ends down the field. Lacks explosiveness to finish plays consistently.

How many of you agree that we should have kept Jamaal Branch over Aaron Stecker. It must be the Aaron Curse.