NFL Thursday Night Football: San Francisco 49ers vs St. Louis Rams

8:25 PM ET, September 26, 2013

Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO

Matchup to Watch:

49ers running game vs St. Louis front 7:

After the Rams gave up 175 yards to DeMarrco Murray on Sunday, they need to have short memory. Jeff Fisher, who is defensive minded coach, must have been disappointed by the performance. Now they have to face the 49ers who want go back to the running attack. Who will win?? It all depends on who wins in the rushing attack or rush defense.

Players to Watch:

San Francisco:

Safety- Eric Reid

Wide Receiver- Quinton Patton

St. Louis:

Wide Receiver- Tavon Austin

Linebacker- Alec Ogletree

 

 

#35 Eric Reid: 6’1 213,  LSU

1st round 18th pick, Position- Safety

Strength:                      

+  Knows how to break on the ball.

+  If he is part of a gang tackle then he will rip the ball out.

+  Really knows how to set the edge.

 

Needs Improvement:

–         Takes bad angles on tackles so he will miss out on some plays.

–         Does not have good football IQ and will get beat down the field.

–         Doesn’t wrap up when he tackles. He is always trying to go for the big hit.

 

#11 Quinton Patton: 6’0 204, Louisiana Tech

4th round 128th pick, Position- Wide Receiver

Strength:                                

+  Amazing in the open field. Can make a small play into a big one.

+  Have great hands. Catches everything that comes his way.

+  Can win any one on one battle. He is great for a guy his size.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Did play in a offense that was simple and no route progression.

–          Got to add some bulk so he can absorb contact

–          His blocking has to get better if he wants to help the run game.

 

 

 

#11 Tavon Austin: 5’8 174, West Virginia

1^st round 8^th pick, Position – Wide Receiver

Strength:                       

+  Does not drop the ball or fumble.

+  Not afraid to go over the middle.

+  He is quick twitch so he can use a double move.

+  Very good on kick and punt returns.

+  Was taught well on the sideline drill. Keeps two feet in bounds and controls the catch all the way through.

+  Bails his quarterback out in the scramble drill.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Not the best blocker on screens or running plays.

–          Gets knocked off his route if you get physical with him.

–          Bounces to the outside instead of following his blocks and taking what the defense gives him.

–          Stutters step too much instead of just taking what the defense gives him.

–          Needs to understand where the first down marker and gain the critical first down

–          Dos not understand when he is a hot receiver. Need to learn when a blitz is coming, that he is getting the pass fast.

 

 

 

#52 Alec Ogletree: 6’2 242,  Georgia

1^st round 30^th pick, Position – Linebacker

Strength:                       

+  Really good coverage skills he can cover a running back, tight ends and slot receiver.   Had tough task of covering Tony Gonzalez in week 2 and did a good job against him.

+  Can fly all over the field, has great speed to catch up to any play.

+  Blitz really well for a linebacker

+  Will strip for the football if he stands you up.

+  Makes athletic plays all over the field. like make a one handed interceptions.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Too much indecision when he is on the field.

–          Tackling skills are way below average.

–          Needs to take on blocks better if he wants to stop the run. He can’t even get off the block of a wide receiver.

–          Needs to attack the line of scrimmage when he sees run or screen.

 

 

Upset alert…..maybe????: Kent State Golden Flashes vs LSU Tigers

7:00 PM ET, September 14, 2013

Tiger Stadium, BATON ROUGE, LA

 

89^°FHigh

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain: 10%

Wind: NNE at 6 mph

Humidity: 65%

 

Match up to Watch:

 

Dri Archer vs LSU Defense:

If you liked Tavon Austin last year then you will really like Dri Archer. He is as fast and elusive as the top 10 pick for St. Louis Rams. It will be intersting to see if Archer can show off his abilty against the great LSU defense.

 

Players to Watch:

 

Kent State:

Offensive Weapon- Dri Archer

Defensive Tackle- Roosevelt Nix

 

LSU:

Safety- Craig Loston

Defensive Tackle- Anthony Johnson

Guard- Trai Turner

 

 

 

 

 

#1 Dri Archer: 5’8 175

Senior, Position- Offensive Weapon

Grade: 88 Early 2^nd round grade

Strength:

+  The fastest guy on the field. Can out run anyone even Tavon Austin.

+  Only FBS player to have over 1,300 rush yards and over 500 receiving yards last year.

+  Hides the screen game really well so the defense can’t key on it.

+  Elusive. You need to get the ball in his hands in the open field and he can make something happen.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Needs to follow his blockers more, to be an effective running back.

–          Played in a simple offense so can he understand a NFL playbook???

–          Lazy route running. Relies on his speed too much.

–          If you get physical with him then you can knock him off his route.

–          Goes down after first contact

 

 

#5 Roosevelt Nix: 5’11 267

Senior, Position- Defensive Tackle

Grade: 67 Early 4^th round grade

Strength:

+  Has a good motor, flies all over the field to make a play.

+  He loves the game of football and shows his emotions on the field.

+  Defenses coaches have taught him well on stunt plays and he executes it.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Poor job in taking on the double team. Gets pushed back into the second level.

–          Needs to use his hands more to shed the block.

–          Must get his hands in the passing lane if he doesn’t create a pass rush.

–          Tackling skills are below average. Got to wrap up the ball carrier better.

 

 

 

#6 Craig Loston: 6’2 209

Senior, Position- Safety

Grade: 79 Early 3^rd round grade

Strength:

+  Comes down hill hard and fast. Gets into the backfield and stops the run.

+  Takes on blocks at the point of attack instead of waiting for the block.

+  Always takes good angels on tackles, putting himself in good position.

+  Can make plays in the open field after an interceptions.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Weak in man to man coverage and gets beaten down the field.

–          Way too high. Must bend his knees and keep his butt down throughout the play.

–          Dives at the feet instead of going through a ball carrier for the tackle.

 

 

#90 Anthony Johnson: 6’3 294

Junior, Position- Defensive Tackle

Grade: 66 Middle 4^th round grade

Strength:

+  Can get skinny and shoot in between the blockers.

+  Takes on the double team really and does not get pushed back into the 2^nd level.

+  His 4 point stance, is so low and explodes off the ball.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Needs to use leverage better to be more successful.

–          Will stop his feet and can’t create much push.

 

#56 Trai Turner: 6’3 316

Sophomore, Position- Guard

Grade: 77 Late 3^rd round grade

Strength:

+  Works well on a double team and gets to the 2^nd level.

+  Knows how to finish off a block and gets them on the ground.

+  Will take a defender momentum out of the play.

+  Always keeps his legs chopping. Never flat footed.

+  Good understanding of blitz pick up and what his assignment is.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          His stance is a concern. Elbow is resting on his knees and is way too high.

–          Struggles to block at squaring up his block against the linebacker.

–          Must sustain his block better.

–          Can’t create much push on his own. If you are not the low man then you can’t win.

Preview of Preseason St. Louis Rams vs Denver Broncos

St. Louis Rams Rookie Scouting Report:

#11 Tavon Austin: 5’8 174, West Virginia

1^st round 8^th pick, Position – Wide Receiver

Strength:                                                Needs Improvement:

+ Does not drop the                         – Not the best blocker on screens

ball or fumble.                                     or running plays.

+ Not afraid to go                             – He gets knocked off his route very

over the middle.                                  easy.

+ He is quick twitch                           – Always bounce to the outside instead

so he can use a double                        of taking what the defense gives you.

move.

+ Very good on kick and

punt returns.

What to Watch for:

1. Does he show, he is worth a top 10 pick???
2. Is he given more targets???
3. Was he successful in the open field???

 

#52 Alec Ogletree: 6’2 242,  Georgia

1^st round 30^th pick, Position – Linebacker

Strength:                                                Needs Improvement:

+ Really good                                            – Needs to take on blocks better

coverage skills                                            and being effective against the

he can cover a                                            run.

running back, tight                                 – Too much indecision when he

ends and slot receiver.                             is on the field.

+ Can fly all over the field,                    – Tackling skills are way below

has great speed to catch up                   average for a linebacker.

to any play.

+ Blitz really well for a

linebacker

What to Watch for:

1. How was he against the run???
2. Does he get swallowed up by blockers???
3. Was he able to show off his coverage skills???

#67 Barrett Jones: 6’4 306, Alabama

4^th round 113^th pick, Position – Guard

Strength:                                                Needs Improvements:

+ Squares up the                                – Stops his feet when he makes

linebacker at the                                   contact with his block.

second level.                                      – Hands tends to grab outside

+ While playing center,                       the shoulder pads.

he made line calls and                     – Struggles to reanchor and

pointing out the defense.                  gets pushed back.

+ Can stay low throughout             – Not strong enough to drive

the play.                                               his block back.

What to Watch for:

1. How much did he play in the game?
2. Did he get pushed back a lot???
3. Did he play center or guard???

Denver Broncos Rookie Scouting Report:

#92 Sylvester Williams: 6’3 313,  North Carolina

1st round 28th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                                 Needs Improvement:

+ Very explosive off the ball                             – Can not take on double

and causes trouble for a slow                              team and gets himself

footed lineman.                                                    pushed back. He is too high

+ Tackling skills are above average.                    for goalline situations.

Wraps up and throws them down.                     – His motor is below average

If he can’t make a big play

then he quits or slow down.

–  work on getting his hands

up in the passing lane.

What to Watch for:

1. How was the run defense in the game
2. Does he give 110% on every play
3. Did the coaching staff do any stunt plays for him

#38 Montee Ball: 5’10 214,  Wisconsin

2nd round 58th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:                                 Needs Improvement:

+ Great job at pressing the                                – Must improve in his pass

hole and forcing defenders                                 blocking if he wants to

into blocks.                                                             stay on the field.

+ His pad level is always lower                           – Must never expose

then the defenders.                                               the ball when diving

+ Has a nose for the endzone with                     for the endzone.

the record in NCAA for most touchdown

in a career.

What to Watch for:

1. Did he protect the quarterback when in pass protection
2. How many Yards After Contact did he gain
3. Was he used in the passing game

#36 Kayvon Webster: 5’10 195,  South Florida

3rd round 90th pick, Position- Cornerback

Strength:                                                      Needs Improvement:

+ Takes on blocks in the                                  – Fails in his trail technique.

screen game really well                                    If he gets beat then he has

+ Does a nice job of keeping                            no chance to recover.

outside leverage on run plays                         – Very poor tackler. Stops

+ Good football awareness.                               his feet when he attempts

Understands when to sit                                   to tackle.

on a route or give cushion.

What to Watch for:

1. Does he improve in jump ball situations
2. Was he a benefit against the run
3. Did he play and make an impact on special teams

#69 Quanterus Smith: 6’5 250,  Western Kentucky

5th round 146th pick, Position- Defensive End

Strength                                                        Needs Improvement:

+ Always using his hands,                                        – Head will get down at

keeping separation from                                           times and will get out

his blockers.                                                                 of control.

+ Uses leverage really well                                      – Must maintain outside

and putting O lineman on                                         leverage so he can prevent

their heels                                                                    big runs.

+ Rises up against tough                                          – Tackling skills are below

teams like Alabama.                                                    average. Takes poor angles

What to Watch for:

1. With Von Miller out, can he fill in and create a pass rush
2. Is he able to be effective in pass coverage
3. Did he play against first team offense

Tavon Austin #8 pick for the St. Louis Rams

Tavon Austin

Position: Slot Wide Receiver/ Kick Returner/ Punt Returner

Height: 5’9 Weight: 181 Arms: 30 Hands: 9 1/8 40 time: 4.34

Anyone remember Dante Hall??? You know the “Human Joystick”? He play 6 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and broke franchise records in,

Most career kick return yards (8,644),

Most career kick return touchdowns (6),

Most career punt return touchdowns (5),

Most career combined punt and kickoff return touchdowns (11),

Most career All-purpose yards (12,356),

Most kickoff return yards in a single season: 1,718 (2004)

Most All-purpose yards in a single season: 2,446 (2003)

He was a play maker for the Chiefs for a couple of years but he was traded in 2007 to the St. Louis Rams for 3rd round pick and 5th round pick. It didn’t work for the Rams though, they only had him after a year because of injury problems. The Rams have been looking for a play maker since the best show on turf.

Tavon Austin came to West Virginia University as a running back but was converted to wide receiver. He made small contributions his freshman and sophomore year but his junior year was when everyone saw this exciting player.  Austin had 100 receptions for 1,180 yards and eight touchdowns. He added 189 rushing yards on 18 carries and another touchdown. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns. In 2012, his numbers were ridiculous!!!

Receiving: 114 Receptions 1,289 yards 12 touchdowns

Rushing: 72 Attempts 643 yards 8.9 average 3 touchdowns

Strength:

+ Doesn’t drop the ball or fumbles the ball. Has good hands.

+ Not afraid to go over the middle.

+ Has quick twitch so he can use the double move or elude defenders

+ Very good on Kick or Punt returns.

Need Improvement:

– Not the best blocker on screens or running plays.

– He gets knocked off his route easily.

– Will bounce it to the outside instead of following his blockers.

– Can not take on press coverage.

– Keeps running to outside or backwards instead of taking what the defense gives him.

Summary:

We all can agree, Tavon Austin is a play maker but….is he a top 10 pick? I don’t think you take a kick returner or punt returner in the top 10. They keep talking about him as a wide receiver but i think he will be like Dante Hall or Devin Hester who play no factor in the passing game but are great returners. I keep hearing, “well this is a different NFL” well yes offenses are changing but the defenses are changing too. they are faster, stronger and hit harder. I hope i am wrong but i don’t see anything then a kick returner.