Announcement

**Imperial Sports Page** · 03-11-2006, 05:15 PM

When it comes to the offensive line, the strength in this draft class is at center. There are few if any guards or tackles that you would think are first round guys. In fact, most are not even second rounders in my opinion.

Shawn D'Arcy, C, Florida - The top rated lineman coming out of college this year, D'Arcy had only played in 3 games until he became the Gator starting C as a senior. He had 41 KRBs last year though, and is among the fastest and most agile linemen.

Lincoln Edge, C, UCLA - Edge is a little lighter, and doesn't have as much strength as D'Arcy, but he does have three years as a Bruin starter under his belt. His 61 KRBs as a senior gave him 134 for his career, and he gave up 6 sacks. Only two sacks in his junior and senior year combined. He was All Pac-10 center all three years he started, and was a national All-Academic team member in '06.

Seth Stender, C, Georgia Tech - When he came to GT, Stender was so impressive he started right away and didn't miss a game his freshman and sophomore years. This last year he ran into academic problems though and missed he year. So, instead of going back to school he is entering the draft. His youth, and lack of playing last year clearly makes him the most raw of the top centers.. He was the ACC Top Offensive Freshman and Freshman All-American in '04. He had 69 KRBs and gave up 5 sacks in his 24 starts.

Gerald Shelton, C, Texas A&M - Shelton was the leader of a line group that paved the way for All-American RB and National Top Offensive Player of the Year, J.B. Lincoln (Jr). Shelton himself was 2nd team All-American, and in two years as a starter had 101 KRBs. His pass blocking is a bit questionable though. He gave up 8 sacks in his college career.

Van Holliday, C, Ohio State - His 71 KRBs as a senior helped him become 1st team All-American. He started 3 years for the Buckeyes, and was 1st team Big Ten all three of those years. He is a much better run blocker then a pass blocker, but he did go his junior year without giving up a sack. He gave up 7 the other years combined. After 36 games at Ohio State, he had 171 KRBs, a NCAA career record.

Dusty Stewart, G, Georgia - The farthest along in his deveolpment among the guards of this draft. He is of good size, 6-5 and just over 290 lbs. and across the board a decent lineman. His performance level dropped some in his senior year from his junior, and some wonder about his work ethic and consistency. He had 78 KRBs in three years of starting, but gave up 19 sacks. He also struggled in school quite a bit.

J.R. Bias, G, Oregon - Although he finished out his college career stronger then Stewart, being named 1st team All-American in '06 and 1st team Pac-10 in '05 and '06, Bias is considered to be less refined. His strength just isn't as high as it should be, and he will need some time to develop his technique more. Once he does several scouts believe he will be better then Stewart. He started 3 years for the Ducks, piling up 98 KRBs and reducing his sacks given up each year.

Brad Borders, G, Tennessee - Borders is the biggest of the top guards, weighing 316 after packing on 4 pounds for the combine. And is the strongestof all guards in the draft. This is why scouts have moved him up their board, atleast those who like big guys. Falling in love with combine numbers can be dangerous though, and Borders only has one year of starting under his belt.

Blake Banks, T, Florida - A SEC All-Academic team member two years in a row, Banks is one of the smart guys. Lineman need to be smart more then people realize. But they also need to run block, and that is something Banks never had to worry much about with the Gators. He started 3 years for Florida and put up only 69 KRBs in 201 chances.

R.J. Robertson, T, Florida - Florida's other tackle, and perhaps the better of the two. He certianly is more of a balanced player, able to run block as well as he can pass block. He may not be someone you throw in as a rookie though. With only one year of starting at Florida he will take some time to develop some more. Down the road though, he could be a respectable starter.

Darrell Steed, T, Oregon State - A three year starter who got worst every year for some reason, scouts are not sure why. He was 2nd team Pac-10 in '04 as a sophomore, and then never saw anoter award thrown his way. If he wants to make it in the Imperial League he will just have to regain the drive he had as a sophomore.

Hope no one was looking to improve the kicking game this year, because there is not a lot of real solid help in this area. There are a couple guys who could make it in the league, but overall most of these guys will have to go to Arena or Canada before they get a shot with an Imperial team.

Earnest Jue, P, UCLA - This is the only punter who anyone should take before round seven, but not before round six. He is pretty much as good as he will ever get. He should has some good control of where he places the ball, with 31 punts inside the 20 over 3 seasons as the Bruin punter. Plus he went to Brea-Olinda high school in Brea, CA, where I lived as a kid, so I like him.

Vinny Kelley, P, Georgia - Despite his 48 punts inside the 20 over his 3 seasons in Georgia, his directional punting is actually supposed to be worse then Jue's. I think it's because he went to Georgia, they stink. The guy can hold for a kick like nobodies business though. Get'R done mofo!

Bobby Daft, K, Boston College - He made 28 of 39 FGs over two seasons as the kicker in Boston, and was 2nd team Big East both years. Scouts like him more for his power then his accuracy though, with a long of 51 in college.

Everyone wants that stud defensive lineman, or 3 or 4 of them actually. The strength lies with the DE's this year over the DT's, and there is only one possible top 5 pick in the bunch. Or even top 10.

Raymond Webb, DE, Georgia - Webb hit the scene big time as a redshirt sophomore, getting 44 tackles, 11 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss. In '05 his production slipped a litte as he started only 9 of the 12 games he played. He finished with 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 17 TFL. His time on the field was nearly cut in half though that year. And last year he missed the season, because of academic problems. Some look at this as why he never put on the weight that Imperial teams would like him to have. He is a small guy at 5-11 and 231 lbs. Still, he possesses tremendous strength, technique, and quickness of the line. Big time player, hopefully his head is right.

Freddie Swift, DE, North Carollina State - Freddie has been the talk of scouts for several years now. He broke onto the national scene in '04 with 57 tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 30 TFL. In '05 he was named 1st team All-American when he piled up 72 tackles, 21 sacks, and 30 TFL. He was 1st team ACC both years, and still made 2nd team ACC his senior year despite missing some several games with a dislocated shoulder. He has proto-typical size and excellent speed. His 46.0 sacks is a NCAA career record.

Burt Dukes, DE, Texas - Nothing sounds more Texan then a name like Burt Dukes. Dukes is a Texas native, who got his hance to start for the Longhorns his senior year. He performed very well, and could make a good 3-4 DE because of his ability against the run. Dukes missed Texas' bowl game this year though, because of a hip condition. Does that carry over to the Imperial League? His agent says no, and he looked ok at the combine, so lets hope not.

Arnold Meadows, DE, Florida State - Meadows has the scouts on his side. They say he has talent and he looked great at the combine, so he is high on the DE lists. Still, his college career left something to be desired. A total of 20 games played, only 4 starts. The starts came his senior year, which was shortened by a torn knee ligament. He is looking healthy though, and scouts are hoping he can keep his college pace of one sack in less then every two plays in the Imperial League.

Bennie Garner, DE, Michigan - Garner only had 3 starts in his days in Ann Arbor, sitting behind the pass rush specialist Monty Ellis most of his time. Ellis though is not looked at as a good pro prospect, while Garner's all around game seems to have won him some fans. His size is not hurting him either, weighing in at 275. In 12 games and 3 starts during his Michigan career he had 30 tackles, 12 sacks, and 14 TFL.

Casey Jameson, DT, Notre Dame - A two time Independent 1st team DT, Jameson had 39 tackles, 5 sacks, and 14 TFL as a redshirt sophomore. After missing the '05 season though Jameson had to work his way back onto the coaching staffs good side, and only started 4 games compared to his 12 two years ago. He is highly consistent though, and always has his motor running. In 16 starts in 23 games, he finished with 57 tackles, 10 sacks, and 24 TFL.

Gino Leclair, DT, Wisconsin - In the Wisconsin 3-4 defense Leclair always found himself in rotation with Karl Austin, with Austin getting most of the playing time. Maybe this is why the Badgers never really competed for a Conference title, because the Imperial scouts say Leclair is the better of the two. Atleast Gino knows the role of backup well, because tha is most likely his role in the Imperial League for some time.

Drew Cook, DT, Colorado State - Cookk started getting playing time as a true sophomore, and cracked the starting lineup as a junior. His senior season he was on the Mountain West Conference 1st team. Cook is a bit undersized, and may not ever be a star in this league. He could though, become a pretty good second guy on the inside for a 4-3 team.

Kris Benson, DT, Kansas State - His 43 tackles and 7 sacks as a senior earned him Big 12 2nd team honors, and in 19 career starts he has 84 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 29 TFL. At only 265 lbs though he is greatly undersized, and the smart thing would be for a team to try him out a DE in training camp to see how he looks there. Otherwise I worry he justdoesn't have the strength to go up against inside guys all day. I see some potential here though.

Mel Andrews, DT, Virginia - Though it was really his second best season, Andrews won ACC 1st team honors back in '04. In '05 his production dropped a little, and then he picked it up and had his best year as a fifth year senior. In three seasons as a starter he had 124 tackles, 46 assists, 18 sacks, and 30 TFL. If he shows he can stop the run well enough, he should be a starter in this league down the road.

At linebacker this year we should see several 1st and 2nd round guys. This is one of the more solid areas of the draft. Some of these guys will be long time, successful players in this league.

Wes Martin, ILB, Michigan - Martin has been the defensive leader of Michigan for two seasons from his MLB spot, being named Big Ten 2nd team both seasons. Plain and simple, he has an all-around game with no major weakness and several strengths. This guy should go early, and should be expected to start as a rookie.

Dexter Gregg, ILB, Oregon State - A Pac-10 1st teamer two years running, he just missed 100 tackles both his junior and senior years. He first became a starter as a true sophomore though, and should be another guy who starts as an Imperial League rookie. Not as strong or mobile as Martin, going off of his combine numbers. It also shows in his pass coverage, where his main weakness is in man coverage. With 238 career tackles in college though, he sure can play the run.

Winston McKnight, ILB, Wisconsin - Dear Winston just couldn't take it anymore. Waiting for his chance to play at Wisconsin just wasn't what he wanted to do any more. So after being redshirted as a freshman, and watching as a sophomore, McKnightsaid screw it and has entered the draft. And it may not have been a bad decision. Scouts point out he has the physical skills needed for the next level, and staying another year at Wisconsin would have been another year behind starter Tito Monroe.

Chester Lavigne, ILB, Miami (FL) - Lavigne has 27 college starts, but didn't make a big impact in Miami until his senior season, when he outplayed both previous seasons combined. He was ACC 1st team in '06, and should make the move to the next level smoothly. Is a good run stuffer and can cover the pass. His only weakness seems to be pass rushing, with only 2 career sacks in college.

Darrin Angelo, ILB, Clemson - A stellar run stopper who was a big star on the Clemson campus. In his two years starting he took down guys for 202 tackles, 35 for a loss. He never recorded a sack though. Still, he is a two time ACC 1st team member, and the 2005 ACC Top Defensive Player of the Year. He does not do real well in a zone coverage defense, and lacks the strength for those jaw dropping hits.

Victor Barber, OLB, Clemson - Angelo's partner in crime at Clemson. He lacks the flashy numbers though because Angeo took them away. He also was in more of a rotation system at the OLB spot then Angelo was inside. Still, Barber is a darn good OLB, who has an ACC 1st team and ACC 2nd team honor to his credit. He his fast, and can cover any RB or FB well from the WLB spot. Maybe even WRs, he did run a 4.39!

Andre Munoz, OLB, North Carolina State - With Freddie Swift playing DE in front of him, Munoz never had to worry about learning how to rush the passer, and so he can't really. He makes up for that though with a nose for the ball carrier, and some good coverage skills. He was ACC 1st team in '06, as well as 2nd team All-American and named to te All-Senior team. His 3 forced fumbles and 3 INTs helped him there.

Devin Bell, OLB, UCLA - Bell is a Pac-10 2nd team member who showed high cosistency and good work ethic. He started two seasons, and though didn't pile up the tackles (82 combned) he made plays. He had 3 INTs from the LB spot and did well when in man coverage. He is a very solid run defender.

**Imperial Sports Page** · 03-11-2006, 05:18 PM

Defensive backs are to be found easily in this draft, right near the top of the draft boards. There are many good cornerbacks, so much so that a few teams may get some 2nd round bargains. Saftey is not as strong, but a couple playmakers can be found there too.

Duane Edwards, CB, Notre Dame - An Independent 1st team selection all three years he started for the Irish, even though his only played 8 games his senior year because of a knee injury. He had 6 career INTs, 2 for TDs. Only Scott Fortune had a faster 40 time then Edwards here at the combine, he rated as the strongest of the CBs, and was 4th in the agility drill. His play did seem to drop some his senior year though.

Preston Benson, CB, USC - Benson is the smaller, faster, and more agile of the dynamic duo of CBs from USC. He is also the late bloomer. He didn't start or even play much until his senior year, but looked great with 5 INTs, 3 forced fumbles, and 12 defended passes. He will return both punts and kicks too. Man coverage seems to give him some coverage. Pac-10 1st team member in '06.

Tommy Johnson, CB, USC - Johnson is the ying to Benson's yang. While Benson excelled at zone coverage and struggles with man, Johnson is an excellent mam to man guy, but could use some zone coverage work. He started three years for the Trojans, and had 10 career INTs, 135 tackles, and 26 defended passes.He is a bit slow for a top corner, and that may be why some have Benson a bit higher on their lists. Was Pac-10 2nd team two years.

Wayne Rose, CB, Tennessee - Nothing but production. That is what the VOls got from Rose for three years as a starter. On top of his 8 career INTs, he also had 6 forced fumbles, and he also had 146 tackles. Oh yeah, and 44 defended passes. These numbers led him to being a 2 time All-American, along with SEC 1st team member twice, 2nd team once, and he made the '06 All-Senrio team. He has excellent size and top level speed, which help him cover any WR across from him. They say he can be fooled some by a WR, but his speed must have made up for it in college because it didn't show.

Howie Causey, CB, Brigham Young - This Mountain West 1st team CB may be a bit on the small side at 5-9, but he plays like the big boys. Two year starter who finished college with 11 INTs, 3 for touchdowns. Sure he can't lay the huge hits on a guy, but afterall he is a cornerback, is that really that important? Someone will take him early in the draft and be pretty happy.

Buddy Fountaine, CB, Boise State - He was a big part of the Bronco's pass coverage for three years, playing in every game over that stretch and starting the last 24 games. He is a two time WAC 1st team member who finished with 14 INTs and 6 forced fumbles. As an added bonus to his excellent cover corner play, he averaged 31.6 yards per kickoff return his senior year.

Isaac Sneed, CB, Pittsburgh - Sneed is an all around good CB. He didn't stand out nationally but was a workhorse player for Pitt. He started three seasons, his best being perhaps his sophomore year. He did finish with a solid senior showing though, an improvement over his junior year despite getting zero INTs. He was a true four year senior, and because of that missed out on that extra year to develop.

Kris Benton, S, Mississippi - This kid is going to be an interesting one to watch, and was one of the hot topics here in Las Vegas. He is coming out extremely early after having problems with classes at Mississippi. He had very limited playing time as a true freshmen, and because he hasn't learned the game yet he lacks the ability to diagnose plays well.

Quinn Surdyk, S, Texas - Had an outstanding sophomore season with 3 INTs, 44 tackles, a sack, and 10 defended passes. Then for some reason he was taken out of the starters role as a junior and senior. He still got playing time but not anywhere as much. When he did play he had an impact, only giving up 1 catche in 8 games last year, and had 2 INTs, one taken back for a TD.

Gus Kaye, S, Florida - Started only as a senior, with limited playing time before that. Still he showed he could play, and was best in run support, getting 55 tackles and 20 assists. Could be a hit, could be a miss. Hard to tell with this guy.

Who is there, not listed among the top prospect, who may make an impact as a late round selection? Well, if there was a sure way to tell they would be 1st rounders. Still there are some guys the strippers and I liked that could be flying under the radar a bit. They probably won't be stars, but in the right situation they could help a team. I know I will cheer them on.

Luke Lucas, QB, Stanford - This kid had the future by the balls. Fairly highly recruited, he chooses to stay in Callifornia and goes to Stanford. He was the future, and possibly present, of the Cardinal. Instead something happens before his freshman year and he gets suspended for breaking an undisclosed team rule. Things must have been irrepairable, because he has entered the draft. Not a lot is expected of this kid, but I see where, given time to learn a system, he could actually be very useful to a team down the road.

Andre Dixon, WR, Arizona State - Started as a junior and senior for the Sun Devils. He had a tremendous junior year with 59 receptions for 1047 yards and 9 TDs. Those numbers dropped some as a senior and so did his draft position. His speed is part of what is hurting him. He has never shown the knack for big play making and unless he is wide open just doesn't break many tackles. The rest this kid seems to have in my eyes, and the strippers'.

Jamie Dawson, G, Texas - Only a starter for one year and arthroscopic knee surgery after the season seem to have hurt his stance in the eyes of Imperial teams. But lets look at the facts, the kid can run block. He had 47 KRBs in '06, 6th best for a single season in school history. This is a school that produced the Powers #1 pick last year Nolan MacClelland.

Calvin Skerritt, T, Mississippi - Born and raised in Oxford, MS, and then went to college there. Well, this kid better get ready to leave home for the first time, because someone will take him in this draft. He was not a full time starter until his senior year though, and still has some things to pick up. After a few years of backing up though, he may make a decent starter for someone on the right side of their line.

Daniel Burke, DT, Washington - Started 13 games in his final three seasons with the Huskies. He never really stood out much, and may have been hampered some by injuries as was the case his senior year. Still the guy is able to get inside and fill up some space, which could help others around him make the plays.

Tyrell Mannino, ILB, Nebraska - Technique isn't something this guy was ever really concerned with. Getting his nose into lineman and fullbacks to bust up running plays, and taking down running backs is what he is all about. Just 100% blue collar. In two seasons as a starter he had 158 tackles, 66 assists, and 31 TFL. Sure he can't cover a TE, just don't have him do it.

Lonnie Trout, OLB, Washington - The opposite of Nebraska's Mannino. Not much strength, but he has the skills to pay the bills. His 101 tackles, 38 assists, 3 INTs, and 19.3 PD% in 22 games for Washington shows he can play some ball.

Broderick Gerhardt, CB, Penn State - Ok, so the guy may have a hard time tacklling an 8 year old girl, it's not his fault. Girls develop faster then boys. What he does bring to the table though is some decent speed, and the ability to cover guys effectively. Pretty successful college kick returner, too.

Malcom Parrish, S, Illinois - Not much on man coverage, but he is a tough, physical safety who can play the run and knock a receiver around up at the line. He had 163 tackles in three years as a starter.

**Imperial Sports Page** · 03-11-2006, 05:19 PM

Bill Grandt's Mock Draft

1. Murfreesboro - RB Scott Fortune

2. Boston - C Shawn D'Arcy

3. Wichita - DE Raymond Webb

4. Iowa City - ILB Wes Martin

5. Orlando - ILB Dexter Gregg

6. Vancouver - CB Duane Edwards

7. Portland - WR Dominic Field

8. Houston - WR Bryant Becker

9. Madison - OLB Victor Barber

10. Reno - S Quinn Surdyk

11. Lansing - C Seth Stender

12. Albuquerque - CB Howie Causey

13. Texas - ILB Chester Lavigne

14. Tulsa - WR Sherman Jarvis

15. Lawrence - CB Wayne Rose

16. Dakota - OLB Andre Munoz

17. Fresno - DE Freddie Swift

18. Portland - DE Burt Dukes

19. Lansing - G J.R. Bias

20. Salt Lake City - C Lincoln Edge

21. Anchorage - TE Jorge Donnalley

22. Louisiana - C Gerald Shelton

23. West Virginia - RB Nicky Kersey

24. Montreal - CB Buddy Fountaine

25. Cleveland - DE Arnold Meadows

26. Texas - WR Blake Ameche

27. Vermont - RB Tony Moriarty

28. Houston - ILB Winston McKnight

29. Wichita - TE Irv Molnar

30. Cleveland - T Blake Banks

31. Boston - S Kris Benton

32. Norfolk - CB Tommy Johnson

**sovstar** · 03-11-2006, 05:29 PM

perty

**P. Diddy** · 03-11-2006, 05:50 PM

Duane is high on my list, yesh. Wonder how Gil devined that?

**MrBigglesworth** · 03-11-2006, 05:56 PM

Nick Kersey falling to 23? :shock:

**Suicane** · 03-11-2006, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by MrBigglesworth

Nick Kersey falling to 23? :shock:

I need to ask Cringer for a draft pick or 2 back. :cry:

**SteveBsFan** · 03-11-2006, 06:21 PM

I don't think Webb is falling past Boston. The Woodring trade gives me that idea.

Good read though

**MrBigglesworth** · 03-11-2006, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by Houston_GM

I don't think Webb is falling past Boston. The Woodring trade gives me that idea.

Good read though

Boston only has 2 DE's on the roster right now.

**BuddaKINGII** · 03-11-2006, 07:08 PM

I love this kind of stuff gives the players and draft some background. 8)

**BOSS** · 03-11-2006, 07:22 PM

Nice job, some good reading there.

**Cringer** · 03-11-2006, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by MrBigglesworth

Nick Kersey falling to 23? :shock:

That's what I said when I got to that pick.

**Matt** · 03-11-2006, 09:56 PM

:thnx:

**Suicane** · 03-12-2006, 01:46 PM

Man, Freddie Swift won the lottery.

Announcement

2007 Draft: Players To Watch; Draft Guide and Mock Draft

2007 Draft: Players To Watch; Draft Guide and Mock Draft

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment