Henry Coley was another great defender on a bad Virginia team...

I like him to make the team and make Hawthorne, his contracts and mis-tackles, expendable...

In interviews I've seen, he impressed as a very mature, grounded young LEADER...

He can bring the wood - which is something we haven't had from linebackers in a while...

And he probably just needs to be coached up...

Saints Coaches should role the dice, cut bait with Hawthorne, and move him behind Anthony/Ellerbe in the middle...

Don't really think he's that much a gamble...

Pro Day Results
40-yard dash: 4.95 and 4.98 seconds
Analysis

Strengths Team captain and voracious film watcher. Lauded by coaching staff for leadership traits. Found his way into eight sacks thanks, in large part, to ability to shadow and close out QBs who tried to leave the pocket. Big, strong hands and plays with grown*-man strength. Packs a powerful punch behind his pads as a tackler. Willing to step up and thump against linemen drifting to the second level looking for action.

Weaknesses Duck*-footed playing style with heavy, lumbering legs. Marginal athlete with stiffness that slows his chase to the perimeter. Ran painfully slow 4.95 40 at his pro day. There are times when he plays with great instincts, but his reaction time off the snap is curiously slow on some snaps. Needs to play in zone coverage to hide his lack of athleticism in man coverage.

Draft Projection Priority free agent

Bottom Line Heavy-hitting inside linebacker with a knack for getting after the quarterback when he's turned loose as a blitzer, but too stiff and slow to field his position as a pro. Coley's intangibles and leadership traits could get him into a camp, but his lack of functional quickness is a major concern.