Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

By Joe Fortenbaugh and Wes Bunting:


There’s a good chance that you’ve never heard of Louisiana-Monroe defensive end Aaron Morgan.


Don’t feel bad, because there are probably some NFL teams hoping Morgan remains a secret as well—at least for another six weeks.


The senior defensive end took part in Louisiana-Monroe’s pro day on Tuesday and apparently made an impression on the personnel in attendance from the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints.


Both teams stuck around after the pro day to put Morgan through a more extensive workout, according to a league source that was in attendance at the pro day.


Morgan (6-4, 240 pounds) recorded 45 tackles (28 solo), nine sacks and one interception for the 6-6 Warhawks in 2009. The 21-year-old finished his career at Louisiana-Monroe with 130 tackles and 22 sacks.


Here’s NFP Director of College Scouting Wes Bunting’s take on Morgan, who the NFP has ranked as the 15th overall defensive end prospect:


Morgan exhibits impressive body control and power when using his long arms to disengage from blocks on contact. He’s violent and does a great job working his hands and feet together. He’s sudden on contact. He does a nice job dropping his pad level once he gains a step and exhibits impressive closing speed on the ball. But he lacks a great initial burst off the edge and isn’t a guy who will consistently threaten the corner. Morgan needs to do a better job keeping his pad level down when trying to disengage and change directions. He uses his short-area quickness and hands to sidestep blocks and fight his way through contact. He isn’t powerful vs. the run game. ??


He’s driven back at the point of attack and lacks the power to consistently anchor on contact. He plays with a great motor and works hard in pursuit. He exhibits impressive closing speed on the ball and can make plays away from his frame. He’s a coordinated athlete who showcases the footwork to drop off in coverage and looks comfortable in his back-pedal and changing directions. Morgan plays tough inside and is effective when asked to shoot gaps and penetrate the backfield. He’s a funny athlete who’s effective inside and disengaging from blocks off the edge but looks ideally suited to play 3-4 OLB.

Source: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

heard and saw him in person. I live down the road. FA or a late rder.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

maybe we sign him as a UFA but a he is a project at best. He hasn't faced a lot of great OL in that division, let's be honest. and DE isn't WR so please no comparisons to Colston.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

No, we can't compare him to Colston, but what about Jahri Evans? How many great defensive linemen did he face at Bloomsburg? Payton has done well with small school "projects" since being hired as coach. I'm not saying that Morgan is great or even good, but they must have seen something special in him to want to get a closer look. If they take a fly on him with a 7th round pick or as a free agent and he makes the team, then great. If he is drafted in the 7th round and doesn't make the team, then he just becomes one of many that don't make the NFL being drafted that late.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

He faced some of the best in the SEC and Big 12.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Al Davis know about this. That dude is just plain crazy. He might take him with the first draft pick

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Had a sack against Texas and they have a good OL.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

yea but colt mccoy has this fetish about laying underneath other guys......on the field of course

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

what are you trying to say there Canton? that Colt really likes a longhorn?

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Colt would of outran him if he could have..bank on it... this kid is a playa..and i know talent my friends...

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Should we call him Colt "Boytoy" McCoy? :)

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Are u drunk again?..im not defending Colt ..but what are u gonna say when we draft him?.....lol

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

I was just joking Strat. Calm down buddy..... I figured that would get a rise outta ya.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

No..i dont care..im not a fan of his...i like the rookie that took his place in the championship game..lol

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

I actually picked Bama to win that game. I just didn't feel like Texas had seen a defense like that one, up until then. But, who knows. If Colt plays the entire game, it could have been a completely different ball game.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

But this Morgan kid ..has potential...ive seen a few games he played and he was very active...another small school gem?

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Possibly. I believe in Payton's talent evaluations. If we take him, then there has to be a good reason.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Hey, why not someone from ULM? It's bout time we had someone to represent from my stomping grounds! ULM had a great program back when Stan Humphries was there as QB, and they won the 1AA National Championship.

Speaking of Texas, we were at the Texas/Colorado game last fall, and the first half, it was all Colorado! Sure was hoping the Buffs were gonna pull an upset...but it was not to be. (Hubby was a Buff). :(

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Back then they were NLU. They had some solid pros come out of there

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

I certainly remember when it was NLU. ;) It was when I went there! And Pat Collins was coach. Jackie Harris, Jessie Garcia (k), Stan Humphries....even ol' Bubby Brister came outta there!

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Remember Roosevelt Potts? Looked like a promising young back with the Colts several years back, but ironically was busted for pot.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

He was from Winnsboro right?

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Rayville, but close.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Yep, I remember Roosevelt Potts! Sure do!

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Didn't Robert Boucher Jr., and Lyle Robideaux come out of there as well?

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

studs

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

He could be a situational pass rushing end down the road. Would work for me as an UFA.

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Robideaux was the freaking man!http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...Waterboy_2.jpg

Re: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan
 

Late round? I agree SP has an eye & a knack for picking the small school talent.