This freshman linebacker didn't have the biggest impact in his first game but he is definitely going to be something special in the future. The strength and speed he has at his size is incredible. On one play he lined up at the line of scrimmage and rushed the passer, he was pushed past the passer by the OT and as the QB stepped in the pocket and took off, Te'o easily caught him from behind showing some of the most amazing burst I have seen in awhile.
Te'o is a prospect who may not see the NFL in awhile because he's said he wants to go on a two year mormon mission in 2010 which means he probably won't see himself declaring until he is about 22 or 23 (he's 18 now) but he could very well have all the essential skills needed to be a LB in the NFL, but until then he is just going to continue making plays for the a tough Fighting Irish defense.
Hey folks, the Super Bowl is a long forgotten memory and next season is looming larger in the future which means that it's time to focus on the next big event and that is the all powerful and mighty NFL Entry Draft! The Draft has the ability to take a team from the bottom of the barrel and turn them into a playoff caliber team (ex. Dolphins and Falcons). So, without further delay, I bring you the player who ranked number 1... this is the moment you've been waiting for people!
Great size, speed and measurables. An extremely strong and physical presence at the linebacker position, he takes on offensive linemen with the greatest of ease and will run them over, run around them or stack and shed them as he has the ability to do any of those. Plays with great intelligence and poise and commits to what he sees showing raw aggression. He is about as sure a tackler as there is, doesn't always go for the big hit but can lay the wood when an opposing player is in his sight. Plays sideline to sideline and keeps everything in front of him, sifts through trash well and despite his limited pass rush variety he is solid on the blitz and when rushing the passer. In coverage, almost second to none, he is comfortable in space and has great ball skills and even knows what to do with the ball once it is in his hands as he has three INT return touchdowns in his career. He's been amazingly productive and durable his entire college tenure, he works hard, he studies harder and he leads his team with intensity and ferocity. Potentially, is the next Ray Lewis.
Weaknesses:
Curry has very few weaknesses, he can be considered over aggressive at times. He also has tighter hips then scouts would like and a limited pass rush variety.
Overall:
The best defensive player in the draft and fits in absolutely any scheme. He'll be a SLB in a 4-3 or a MLB in a 4-3, he could also be an ILB in a 3-4 and some think he could even project outside as 3-4 OLB. The sky is the limit for this prospect and he is easily the best, safest and most pro ready of all the players in this draft class. Defensive Rookie of the Year, almost guaranteed.
Projected NFL Destination:
With the 2nd pick in the NFL Draft the St. Louis Rams select...
There it is folks! Prospect #1, hope you enjoyed reading my Countdown as much as I did writing it.
There were a wealth of players who did not get invites to the combine and here are some of those players who's absence surprised me in light of the fact of some of the higher ranked guys (read Matt Stafford and Andre Smith) not choosing to work out... or in some cases show up would have given these guys an opportunity to shine. Without further delay, here's the All Snub Team Defense!
DE: Philip Hunt, Houston DE: Nick Reed, Oregon DE: Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota DT: Clinton McDonald, Memphis DT: John Gill, Northwestern DT: George Hypolite, Colorado
LB: Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic LB: Brian Toal, Boston College LB: Ashlee Palmer, Ole Miss LB: Antonio Appleby, Virginia
CB: Mark Parson, Ohio CB: Ellis Lankster, West Virginia CB: Jason McCourty, Rutgers
FS: Trimane Goddard, North Carolina SS: Terence Moore, Troy State
Manti Te'o
