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Being an ND fan, I know that Watson is a tackling machine. I swear the guy would get 10-15 tackles every single game. While I would much rather have Vilma, the price to trade up this year was too much and he was the next best option.

BigBull45

LB COURTNEY WATSON
(6\'-1\",237 Lbs,4.54 -40 yd dash) Notre Dame

Notes: Played running back,reciever,and returner in high school and lettered in basketball and track,where he long-jumped 23 feet.Redshirted in 1999.Played in 11 games in 2000,mainly on special teams and recorded 11 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.Entered the starting lineup at inside linebacker in \'01,starting all 11 games and making 76-13 and two sacks.Also broke up three passes and intercepted one pass that he returned 31 yds for a touchdown.Started 10 games in \'02,missing two games with a viral infection and the Gator Bowl with a sprained right knee.Recorded 90-10-3 with eight passes broken up,four interceptions and one interception,which he returned 60 yds for a touchdown.Sat out the first game of \'03 due to NCAA violation.Moved from weak side to middle linebacker and started the next ten games,leading the team in tackles with 117.Also had 15 tackles for a loss,3.5 sacks,two interceptions that he returned for 48 yds,three pass breakups and one forced fumble.Butkus Award semifinalist.Graduated in May 2003 and is working on a graduate degree.

Positives: Thickly built with a good motor.Very active.Good football intelligence.Reads and reacts quickly.Shows some pop as a tackler.Can fight through trash and stay on his feet.Flies to the ball.Uses his hands well to disengage from blockers.Good playing strength.Very good overall athletic ability.Has a 38 inch vertical jump.Can stay on the hip of backs in man-to-man coverage.Plays fast and has quick feet.Agile and versatile.Has the speed to play outside and the toughness to play inside.Very smart and articulate and would represent a team well.

Negatives: Lacks ideal height by NFL standards.Can play with better pad level.Shows some stiffness in deep drops.Can be overaggressive at time and will overrun the ball.Can improve his upper body strength.

Summary: Very productive, high-motor \'backer with good instincts and intelligence.Versatility will make him a first day pick.

[Edited on 25/4/2004 by BigBull45]

See yall at the dome on sunday !