jeanpierre

R1/24 Mikel Leshoure RB - Illinois (HT: 6-0 - WT: 230)

Best Size/Speed Combination in the draft; got his act together after altercation in 2009 displaying maturity and focus; capable of monster games and carrying the load; willing blocker in pass protection


R2/56 Muhammad Wilkerson, DT - Temple (HT: 6-5 - WT: 305)

Athletic Big Man who would be a natural DE in a 3-4 alignment; but with his athletic ability could be a freak at the 5-technique positon; moving up draft boards into the first round now...


R3/72 Quinton Carter, S - Oklahoma (HT: 6-0⅝ - WT: 211)

Go to Roman Harper's Wikipedia page and you'll see 'em swinging a golf club; picking Carter would help 'em stay there; he has excellent coverage skills at S: Fluid, Good Angles, Smart and has excellent community track record; not sure he's be there this late but would be a steal at this slot ...

R3/88 Mark Herzlich OLB - Boston College (HT: 6-3⅝ - WT: 250)

Natural fiery leader/linebacker; survived serious illness to return and play at high level; playmaker who likes to be in on every play, but disciplined and stays in assignments...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

jeanpierre

jeanpierre

Has anyone seen any announcements regarding visits by prospects to the Saints Training Facility?

papz

Besides visiting some prospects at the Senior Bowl, I haven't seen anything about certain prospects visiting. I think most are getting prepared for those Bowl games and for the combine.

My favorite linebacker in this year's draft.
NFLDraft101.com: Nate Irving (North Carolina State) NFL Draft Scouting Report

If it weren't for those unfortunate injuries, he'd already be in the NFL. Excellent tackler, punishing, and around the ball. If he can shake his injury bug, he's going to be a really good player.

jeanpierre

I've watched his film and seen him play; his tackling technique is poor which is surprising because NC State has a good history of putting out good defenders...

Before the car accident in '09; he had 4 interceptions in '08 which jumps out at you as he is a linebacker...

If we could somehow pick him up as a mid fourth round pick, he'd be good value there; but with pressing needs at RB, SS, DE, DT he'd definitely be a luxury as an add'l MLB with Vilma locked up to 2013...

This CBA crap and FA is gonna really shape this year's draft; you'll probably see need have more influence in the decision making this season because of the CBA issues...

But I agree that he's an intriguing pick...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

papz

I've watched him play since he was a freshman and never once has the thought of him having poor tackling technique come across my mind.


If anything, he's an excellent tackler. I haven't read or seen anything that even remotely suggest otherwise. Oh and he can play both inside and out. You did read his profile right?

A few sleepers to watch for though is Nate Irving out of NC State, a thumper with great technique who can wrap up on tackles.

Draft Q&A with DraftCountdown.com | Dynasty League Football

NATE IRVING – LB – NORTH CAROLINA STATE: Irving was another linebacker who performed well in drills and showed very good understanding in coverage and against the run. He finds the right lane and breaks plays up before they start. Irving’s story is also intriguing because of the horrific car accident that he survived last year. He is another every-down type of ‘backer due to his smarts and natural instincts to find the ball.

On Location: Senior Bowl South Recap | Day 2 | NFL Insider - Insider info
LB 56 Nate Irving (6’1, 235 lbs.)

In his first season back after last year's car accident, Irving showed off the kind of play recognition skills that helped to earn him the Predator nickname. He’s very smooth in the way he flows to the ball, showing off smooth transition to plant-n-drive and react to plays in front of him. The one thing that really stood out to me was how he worked in pass coverage. When he would drop into his zone, he would not just sit there and read the QB’s eyes, he would identify people as they entered his zone and shadow them as they passed through, never committing himself too much to where he would leave a gaping hole. Irving showed solid tackling technique all night long and seemed to always be around the ball.

DraftNasty.com :: 'Matt's Mitt': UCF vs NC State In-Game Scouting Report 9-11-10

Just to show I'm not being bias... I did find one person that shares your opinion.

North Carolina State

Nate Irving – Linebacker: While he is a touch shorter than is ideal for an interior linebacker and his judgment will come into question following his involvement in a car accident that cost him the entire 2009 season, Irving still has enough skills and upside to get a good deal of attention in the upcoming draft. He has shown great awareness and toughness in the run game and good ability to drop into coverage in the passing game. Perhaps his best asset is his willingness to take on blockers and be disruptive. That being said, he also has inconsistent tackling technique and somewhat limited athleticism. Since physical gifts are often more valued by NFL teams than leadership and experience, this will drop him from being a potential 2nd or 3rd round pick to a 4th or 5th rounder.

4th and Goal: Champs Sports Bowl and Insight Bowl Previews - Blogs

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

jeanpierre

Nate Irving 2011 NFL Draft Profile - ESPN

Tackling 3 Shows good initial pop. Can deliver a blow if he times out the hit. But gets away with below-average technique and needs to improve in this area. Does not always wrap up. Has a tendency to arm tackle or approach too high. Also is inconsistent in space. Will struggle to redirect if he takes a poor angle. See too many times on tape where he gets into the backfield and disrupts but is not able to break down and make the tackle.

papz

Scouting reports... a battle of contradictions. I've read a few more pieces stating he sometimes take bad angles and lack athleticism. I also read quite a few contradicting that... some of which is posted up top.

The further we get into the season, the more NC State ILB Nate Irving is looking more and more like the guy we saw in 2008. He’s always possessed good instincts and read and react ability inside, but he seems to have his first step back in order to quickly attack downhill and close on the ball carrier. Plus, he’s always been a secure wrap-up tackler and if he can check out medically, he looks like a guy who could come in and make a contribution early in his NFL career at any of the 4-3 linebacker spots.

Here's the full article : Scout

LB Nate Irving: No. 56 (6-1, 235)
A physical, wrap-up tackler who possesses impressive lower body strength with the ability to drive his legs through contact. Exhibits a good first step but displays only average straight-line speed in pursuit. However, he reads and reacts quickly to the play and is consistently getting good jumps on the football. Does a great job playing with leverage when taking on linemen in the hole and holding his ground at the point of attack. Is consistently working his way toward the play, even through contact, and uses his hands well to stack shed when needed. Also, plays the piano well down the line and keeps himself clean when shuffling his way through traffic

A Look at the Wolfpack

Nate Irving missed the past season due to a horrific car accident which he was lucky to survive. He is back this year and doesn't look like he has missed a beat. He dominated Georgia Tech with 16 tackles and 2 sacks. Irving has decent size and really good speed. He makes plays sideline to sideline but he is also very physical at the point of attack. He has good instincts and does a decent job sifting through traffic, although at times he will get caught running around blocks because he trusts his speed so much. He is a sure tackler and is always around the ball. If he keeps playing the way he has been playing he could push his way up into the discussion of being a potential first round pick.

Draft Bulletin

Irving is an absolute tackling machine. He’s had his fair share of double digit tackling games, and has the athletic ability to excel in coverage. He has great fundamentals and plays smart football, and has become an above average pass rusher as a senior

2011 NFL Draft Rankings | Outside Linebackers |

I guess we'll see once he makes it to pros how poor his technique really is. I stand by what I say and what I've seen... Nate Irving is an excellent tackler.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

jeanpierre

NC State LB Nate Irving and Boston College LB Mark Herzlich are two really inspiring stories regarding overcoming challenges...

While there'll be concerns regarding long-term health issues for these guys affecting their draft status, their stories of overcoming adversity should also serve them well...