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Author Topic: Undrafted Free Agents  (Read 287 times)
jonesbonesy
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« on: April 28, 2008, 11:05:37 AM »

OAKLAND
Wagner Chris TE South Dakota State
Rankin Louis RB Washington
Simmons Shane ILB Western Michigan
so far

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« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2008, 11:17:22 AM »

No DT so far then?
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jonesbonesy
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« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2008, 04:33:57 AM »

Well we have 2 olineman
OG Brandon Rodd, Arizona State
Overview
The native Hawaiian is a 36 game starter for the Sun Devils in four years. He started at the money position of left tackle. Extremely durable and experienced, starting every game of his college career. Honorable Mention All Pac-10 in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
Strengths
Good size at 6-4, 302 pounds. Quick first step against the pass rush. Has good experience against some of the top pass rushers in the country. Very smart player on and off the field. Received his degree before his senior year even began, and was named 2nd Team Academic All Pac-10. Has the versatility to play either tackle or guard, but should be given the chance to play left tackle in the NFL.
Weaknesses
Struggles against top competition. Playing in a huge Thanksgiving night game against USC for the Rose Bowl, Arizona State allowed 6 sacks, 4 of them to the man lining up opposite Rodd, Lawrence Jackson. Rodd struggles with the pass rushers possessing both quickness and strength.
Projection
Plays the premiere offensive line position in the NFL of left tackle, but also has the versatility to play either right tackle or guard. Does not have the best footwork, and that will ultimately doom him away from protecting the QB's blindside at left tackle. Nonetheless, Rodd is a very intruiging prospect and should go in the middle of the 2nd day.

OLB Malik Jackson, Louisville
Overview
Malik is a graduate of Dunwoody (GA) High School where he was an extremely physical, hard-hitting defensive back. He was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Dunwoody High School, logging 93 tackles, including 65 solo stops, two tackles for loss and four forced fumbles as a senior when he earned All-Region and second-team All-County honors. He has been clocked as fast as 4.45 in the 40. Added size and bulk while redshirting in 2003, and began to get some serious playing time at linebacker in 2005.

Strengths
A Playmaker. Very fast for a linebacker and hits with power. Very solid in pass defense. Good hands. Wraps. Fearless. A real striker and enforcer type. Deadly blitzer and sack specialist. Leaps over trash and gets to the QB. Great burst off the edge when blitzing.
Weaknesses
Not as big as you want at OLB and not an ideal ILB because of his attributes in pass defense. Known more as a safety playing LB than as a true LB in terms of his skill set at this point. What makes him special at the collegiate level is his blitzing ability, but he may not have the same success against NFL O-linemen. Has only done it for one year to this point, and made his last year his worst. Has some head questions. Goes into funks and disappears. Moody.
Projection
Because of his striking ability and speed he could be over drafted and might go as early as the 4th round.


C Adam Spieker, Missouri
Adam Spieker Scouting Report - 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

FB Matt Hahn, Penn State
Strengths: Hard worker who did the dirty work well. ... Developed into an adequate blocker despite having to grow into the fullback position. ... Showed decent speed and good hands that made him a threat in the passing game.

n Weaknesses: Tore his ACL at Indiana as a senior and his progress stunted. ... Didn’t have enough speed to be a tailback, and wasn’t big enough to be a dominant blocker or short-yardage threat in the running game. ... Wasn’t able to fully work out for scouts because of the injury.

n When he’ll go: Certainly has little chance to be drafted. A potential free agent, though.


SS Darrick Brown, McNeese State

« Last Edit: April 29, 2008, 04:57:43 AM by jonesbonesy » Logged

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« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2008, 06:52:52 AM »

Jackson could be an interesting prospect. The fact that he isn't as big as they would like didn't stop the likes of Zack Thomas. Not so sure about Rodd.
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the watchman
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« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2008, 07:12:32 AM »

Jackson could well turn out to be a Strong Safety after reading his blurb. There was nothing on the official site about these guys that I could see...
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« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2008, 08:30:58 AM »

Teams sign rookie free agents

According to the list in this article, it doesn't mention Brandon Rodd or Matt Hahn.
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« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2008, 08:53:26 AM »

Just looked at the "Silver and Black Pride" Blog and this is the list posted there:
 
LB Shane Simmons (Western Washington)
TE Chris Wagner (South Dakota State)
RB Louis Rankin (Washington)
C Adam Spieker (Missouri)
OL Brandon Rodd (ASU)
FB Matt Hahn (Penn State)
CB Derrick Brown (Southern Utah)
LB Malik Jackson (Louisville)

Mind you, during the draft, the live feed etc. coming from NFL.com was extremely unreliable. So why shouldn't the articles be any better.

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R8RMR
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« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2008, 12:35:27 PM »

Found this on 3 more of the UDFA signings.

LB Shane Simmons (Western Washington)

In his three years at WWU, Simmons was twice first-team and once second-team all-conference. He was especially productive in his senior season, accumulating 125 tackles in 10 games. He would have been equally, or more, of a factor on defense in 2006 (56 tackles in five games) had he not missed the last half of the year with a shoulder injury. Started his career at Idaho, but transferred back to Western Washington after a friend was murdered.

Positives: A smart, hard-working and instinctive player who is beyond active. ... Plays fast, and his quick reaction and football intelligence allows him to get to the ball quicker than his timed speed indicates. ... A sideline-to-sideline player who does not give up on plays to the outside and takes good angles to the ball. ... Solid tackler in space, even against bigger backs and receivers. ... Good backpedal and change of direction abilities, and should handle zone coverages.

Negatives: Some consider him an inside-outside 'tweener. ... Undersized and not overly strong, he may struggle to get off or through blocks in the NFL. ... Will also have issues covering big-bodied tight ends in space. ... Can get muscled out of the hole by fullbacks. ... Does not blow up ballcarriers. ... Needs to step up his game for the level of competition.


TE Chris Wagner (South Dakota State)

Overview
3 year starter for the Jacks. More of a classic style TE who is counted upon to block first, catch second.
The 6-6, 255lb TE was the primary receiver on his team.  This small school prospect could stick if he can block.

Chris became a primary receiving target during the 2006 season ... preseason second-team All-America selection by Lindy’s ...
lettered in basketball at SDSU during the 2005-06 campaign after averaging 1.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in nine games

Strengths
Outstanding blocker who engages and is able to seal the defender or drive him back. Good height and body frame. Good hands and is able to pluck the ball.

Weaknesses
Needs to bulk up and get stronger. Lacks elite speed and explosion. Will probably struggle against the bigger bull rushers at the pro level.


RB Louis Rankin (Washington)

Is coming off an outstanding senior season that saw him earn All-PAC-10 honors.  Rushed for 1,294 yards, including a pair of 200-yard games.  Has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and can also help on special teams.  Averaged over five yards per carry during his collegiate career.  At 200 pounds, Rankin is undersized to carry the load at the NFL level.  Never averaged more than 18 crries per contest at collegiate level.  Defenses in the PAC-10 not as tough as in some other leagues.  Does not possess great top-end speed and is not a “special” athlete

Rankin grew up locally in Stockton, CA.  He's 6-1 and just over 200lbs.  He had one of the most productive years in 2007 ever for a RB at the school.  He is also a returner, which is likely the Raiders primary interest.  They must be looking for a way to replace Carr.  Rankin is unlikely to make the roster with all of the depth at that position.

His uncle is former NFL wide receiver Webster Slaughter who played for five different NFL teams between 1986-98
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the watchman
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« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2008, 12:50:49 PM »

Thanks for digging those out mate. You can find some gems in the undrafted FA. Dallas did with Romo.
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« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2008, 01:01:32 PM »

There are still a couple of signings that there are no details about. I will see what I can find. Thought you would appreciate the Webster Slaughter connection with Rankin.
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« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2008, 02:34:40 PM »

Here is all that I have found for Hahn and Brown. Brown appears to be known for his exploits in Track & Field.

FB Matt Hahn, Penn State

Hahn measures in at 6?0, 236 lbs and is coming off of a knee injury suffered in the middle of his Senior year.  Thought to be more of an H-back, he can play fullback or tight end.  He looks at blocking the same as scoring touchdowns, and is selfless for the good of the team.  The knee injury was serious, though I couldn’t find which ligament(s) were torn.

Biography: Starter the past two seasons and as a senior Matt rushed the ball 15 times for 82 yards and an impressive 5.5 yard average per carry. He had a long run of 15 yards and one touchdown. Matt also excelled as a receiver, garnering 9 receptions for 47 yards for a 5.2 yards per reception average. He hauled in one touchdown reception this year.

Positives: Athletic, hard-working lead blocker who does the little things well. Quick out of his stance, fluid moving about the field, and shows terrific blocking vision. Works hard, redirects to linebackers on the second level, and always gets a pad on defenders.

Negatives: Possesses marginal speed. Lacks punch and pop at the point, rarely getting movement from blocks.

Analysis: Hahn who has great work ethic and leadership skills, possesses the size/speed numbers to be a number two fullback at the next level. Seen as insurance at FB and he will need to make this team on Special Teams


SS Darrick Brown, McNeese State

A track and field standout at McNeese, he is four year lettermen also played wide receiver during his career.

Darrick Brown had five tackles against Southeastern Louisiana and four each against Stephen F. Austin, Louisiana-Lafayette and South Dakota and he finished the year with 34 total tackles along with a fumble recovery.

He also spent two seasons as a wide receiver for the Cowboys, catching 16 passes for 317 yards and three tds, his longest 51 yards.

Darrick is 6-4 and 200 pounds and Marcus is 6-3 and 200 pounds. Both have speed in the 4.3s in the 40 yard dash.

Darrick will leave next week for Oakland where he will join up with former McNeese assistant coach Adam Henry who is now a Raider assistant coach.

The 6-3, 201lb safety was an estbalished sprinter for the McNeese State Cowboys.
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« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2008, 09:43:59 AM »

There is some rumour doing the rounds that we have signed three more UDFA, offensive linemen Shannon Tevaga and Noah Sutherland from UCLA and LB Ronnie Pentz from SanDiego. Can't find confirmation of this yet though.
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jonesbonesy
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« Reply #12 on: May 12, 2008, 11:16:47 PM »

Defensive tackle Tranell Morant, who participated in the three-day rookie minicamp on a tryout, was signed to the Raiders roster.

Center Adam Spieker was waived.

Tranell Morant
   
 Class:
RS Senior
 
 Hometown:
Miami, Fla.
 
 High School:
Braddock
 
  Last College:
University of Florida
 
 Height / Weight:
6-6 / 275
 
 Position:
Defensive Tackle
 
 Experience:
1V
 ASU: Former University of Florida transfer who was moved from defensive end to defensive tackle in the spring...was inactive during spring drills due to injury, but figures to return for the fall in full health and will compete to help replace four departed lettermen at defensive tackle...tall, athletic lineman with remarkable size.

2006: Played in nine games...totaled six solo tackles and a 10-yard sack...was injured against UCLA on Nov. 18, and missed the remainder of the season...made two solo tackles against No. 12 Oregon on Sept. 30...sacked Washington State quarterback Alex Brink for a 10-yard loss on Nov. 11...was listed as a preseason third-team All-Pac-10 selection and the No. 5 Pac-10 Impact Newcomer for 2006 by Athlon Sports.

2005: Sat out the season while serving on the defensive scout team.

LAST COLLEGE: Saw action in 11 games as a reserve defensive end at the University of Florida n 2004 (every game except the Peach Bowl vs. Miami)...participated in 232 plays...saw the first action of his career vs. Eastern Michigan, playing 42 snaps...had a career-high three tackles vs. LSU...six of his 12 tackles on the season came in a three-game stretch (LSU, Middle Tennessee State and Mississippi State)...also saw action on punt return and field goal and extra point block teams...worked with the scout team at defensive end in 2003...dressed for two games (FAMU, SJSU) but did not see action.

HIGH SCHOOL: A graduate of Braddock High School in Miami, Fla....considered the ninth-best strongside defensive end prospect in the south and the 23rd-best in the nation by rivals.com...had 19.5 sacks as a senior...had 58 tackles and 25 tackles for loss through nine games of his senior season...recorded 12 sacks in just six games as a junior...finished with 36 tackles, four forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered for touchdowns...averaged 17 points and 15 rebounds a game as a junior on the basketball team.

PERSONAL: Majoring in business...is interested in a career in law enforcement...mother is Denice Morant of Miami, Fla....has an older brother, James Biggers Jr. (28), and twin sisters, Dashawnda and Lashawnda (21)...his cousin, Udonis Haslem, plays for the Miami Heat, and his cousin, Johnny Dingle, is a sophomore defensive end at West Virginia...enjoys fishing, scuba diving and playing Madden Football on Playstation...worked with the canine unit of the Alachua County Sheriff's Department in Florida...born on Sept. 15, 1984 in Miami, Fla....full name is Tranell Demetrium Morant.


Morant's Career Statistics


TACKLES                G    UA     A Total    TFL-Yds    PD   FF   FR Blkd
2006................   9     6     0     6    1.0-10      0    0    0    0
TOTAL...............   9     6     0     6    1.0-10      0    0    0    0

SACKS                  G    UA     A Total   Yds
2006................   9     1     0   1.0    10
TOTAL...............   9     1     0   1.0    10

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« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2008, 06:53:16 AM »

His performance at DT for the Sun Devils is a bit scant but the coaches have obviously seen enough to want to bring him back. Good luck to him.
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