rmartin65 Pre-Combine Mock

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

Stephen Paea broke the combine record for bench press and didn't do much at all last year. Not exactly a great indicator of football potential, but it does help weed out the weaker players.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee2cWddxHdI

That wasn't my point at all. Above poster criticized his strength which makes it obvious he has not scouted this guy adequately enough. Bench press doesn't make you a good football player but make sure a guy doesn't bench press 500+ and was a state champion wrestler before you criticize his 'attributes'.

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

Seriously? The guy doesn't have great size at 6'1, 305 but as a former wrestler he does not let that hinder him. Has a good 1st step and his strength is actually one of his biggest assets. The guy will probably be in the top 10 at the combine on the bench press.

Bench press and pushing man back are two entirely different things.

Originally Posted by rmartin65

Did I say something wrong here? Or am I misreading your tone? Probly not, just sending a little of that sarcasm back your way.

Mike Martin is a great prospect to play NT in any scheme. At 6'1", he has a low center of gravity, which allows him to get under offensive linemen and win battles. However, this does not mean he is a small player. At approximately 305 lbs, Martin has about 20 lbs on Mitchell and is 5-10 lbs heavier than Cody. While he is not a huge monster, he has adequate size, especially considering...

I wouldn't mind reading some of the reports you've read. I watched youtube footage of him for a while and didn't really come away impressed but that's just my take.

Yep, Lewis has had problems with school, but he has also been called one of, if not the, best DEs Oklahoma has ever seen. He exhibits everything that you want to see out of a OLB in the 3-4 on the field.

Character is definitely a concern to me when a bigtime athlete, who is probably gifted good grades if he tries even a little bit, is asked to leave as a junior by his coaches. Football is football but being able to handle yourself in a group or as part of an organization is paramount, especially if you expect anything big out of the guy. Jeffry has similar concerns, dedication to himself though instead of the organization he plays for. Broyles as well, stealing gas as a freshman. Being young and dumb is fine but when you've got to lay all your cards down those troubles are still there.[quote]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

No offense, but you really need to do some extra scouting here. I've said as much.

Martin played NT in the 3-3-5 for 3 years on one of the worst defenses in the country. That's not a selling point is it? Guy took double teams his entire career and was still a force every game when healthy. His impact was on the field, not in the stat book. Watch some of his film. Guy absolutely dominated 99% of the people across from him, even when double teamed. I've even seen him split a triple team and make a TFL.

Guy is an absolute beast and was a dominant player at Michigan. Ask any of their opponents who the best player on the team was and you'll get the same answer...."Mike Martin". He did at the Senior Bowl exactly what he did his entire Michigan career, which is dominate.

Dominated his way into the 3rd round. Domination lol....

[mussop]

You amy get your guy Martin. Link

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

I wouldn't mind reading some of the reports you've read. I watched youtube footage of him for a while and didn't really come away impressed but that's just my take.

Character is definitely a concern to me when a bigtime athlete, who is probably gifted good grades if he tries even a little bit, is asked to leave as a junior by his coaches. Football is football but being able to handle yourself in a group or as part of an organization is paramount, especially if you expect anything big out of the guy. Jeffry has similar concerns, dedication to himself though instead of the organization he plays for. Broyles as well, stealing gas as a freshman. Being young and dumb is fine but when you've got to lay all your cards down those troubles are still there.

Sarcasm? I was not being sarcastic at all. I really do enjoy talking about prospects. I have been busier this year than in years past though, so I have not been as active in posting.

If you just google Mike Martin, you will find some reports. But honestly, most of what I am saying about Martin is just what I have observed from watching him over the last 4 years.

I do share your concerns about character. Broyles not so much (he was young, and by all accounts has matured), but Lewis does give me pause. I just feel that he is worth the gamble. But if the Texans do pass on the guy, I will understand the rationale.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

I tried to make a mock that could be acceptable regardless of what goes down in free agency. One thing that I kept noticing was that I wanted to address a ton of positions- even though the need for starters has decreased, depth is still an issue. As such, I was not able to cover all the positions that I would like to cover. Such is the draft I guess.

Let me know what you think.

Round 1- South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery, 6’4” 230 lbs
He may not be a popular pick, but Jeffery has arguably the most talent in the draft. He is a huge receiver with the hands to match- just look at his sophomore year, after which he was considered a potential top 5 pick. Yes, he needs to drop some weight. But the talent is undeniable- he has all-pro caliber hands, has the size and strength necessary to become a fantastic downfield blocker, and does a fantastic job boxing DBs out on jump balls. Hopefully playing and practicing next to a professional like AJ will set him straight.



Round 2- Oklahoma OLB Ronnell Lewis, 6’2” 245 lbs
I think this guy may just be the best pass rusher in this draft. He is a little raw, but has unmatched explosiveness and a knack for making plays behind the line. My biggest worry with this pick is that he may not be available this late. However, I am hoping other prospects make a splash at the combine and pro days.



Round 3- Michigan NT Mike Martin, 6’1” 305 lbs
Another man crush I have, Martin is a perfect fit for the 3-4 system the Texans ran last year. A former wrestler, Martin has an excellent sense for leverage and has violent hands, both of which he uses to both tie up blockers, and get into the backfield. Martin is also a hardworking, blue collar type player that fits the Texans’ locker room to a T.



Round 4- Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles, 5’11” 185 lbs
Without the injury, this guy is a 2nd round pick. The injury knocks him back a couple rounds, but I have no doubt that he will return to prior form. An excellent route runner, Broyles has the uncanny ability to simply move the ball down the field. He may not be the fastest, strongest or quickest player, but he gets open time and time again. As an added bonus, Broyles brings return ability to the table.



Round 5- Virginia Tech OG Jaymes Brooks, 6’2” 310 lbs
Brooks is an athletic interior lineman that, again, projects well in the Texans’ scheme. He is a guy that wont be a starter for a couple years, but can play limited snaps early on.

Round 6- UConn OC Moe Petrus, 6’2” 300 lbs
Another regular on my mocks, Petrus has done nothing to disappoint me. A smart player with good agility, Petrus is similar to Brooks in that while he wont be a starter for a couple years, I see him being a great player down the line.



Round 7- Florida Atlantic RB Alfred Morris, 5’10” 220 lbs
I am a huge fan of Morris, have been since his sophomore year. Morris will work well in a rotation with Foster and Tate, and can be especially useful in short yardage situations, as I rarely have seen him get stuck behind the lines.

Interesting comment Feb 20th by radio Charlie Palillo on Jeffery "it is being said that he has lost 25 pounds. Will a team say 'you lost 25 lbs? Anyone can go on a crash diet. If we give you millions of dollars what keeps you from gaining it all back?"

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Bench press and pushing man back are two entirely different things.

Then you haven't watched the film. Go watch his tape vs. Nebraska this year. Or better yet, go watch his safety against Purdue and then describe to me "pushing man back". Also, I already said he was a state champ wrestler. Add that to the fact that he will be one of the strongest guys at the combine and you might be able to decipher that he knows a little something about leverage and how to use it.

As for domination, guy took double teams his whole career he's not going to put up monster numbers. Still had 64 tackles this year as a NT.

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by cbssports.com

Martin is an undersized nose tackle with loads of experience in a 3-4 defense. But he lacks a consistent anchor against double teams and just does not have the right frame to be an NFL starter. Because of his ability to penetrate against one-on-one blocks, Martin could be a solid rotation player in a 4-3 scheme as a three-technique tackle and move to the nose on passing downs.




Analysis




Pass rush: Provides some secondary interior pass rush, getting most penetration when playing three-technique. Possesses only adequate burst off the snap even when directly over the ball, and his initial pop leaves room to be desired. Hands could be much more violent when trying to gain control of the block. Can bull rush his way past running backs in pass protection. Preferred pass rush move is an arm-over swim move while simultaneously pulling lineman forward. Once momentum is stopped, lacks a critical counter move to progress into the backfield. Spies the quarterback if stoned at the line, but lacks the height and vertical to knock down passes.

Run defense: Uses more hustle than brute strength to stop the run. Gets skinny to split double teams, using good short-area quickness to make a play in the backfield. Runs the line very well, making plays on the ball when he beats blocks on the backside. Rarely goes to the ground, showing good balance from his high school wrestling days. Constantly moving his hands, readjusting them into proper placement. Occasionally too high (despite his short stature), and bows out his arms, hampering his ability to press and lock out. Does not hold his ground while facing a double team, first instinct is to roll away to make a play, which can create a large hole.

Explosion: Does not test offensive linemen with quickness or strong initial punch. Rarely first off the snap. Able to swim past single blockers to penetrate into the backfield. Does not attempt to split double-teams, takes a step back and waits to chase down plays.

Strength: Low center of gravity and generally low pad level allows him to play with initial strength and leverage at the point of attack. Upper-body only average, however, struggles to shed one-on-one blocks or sustain leverage once out of his stance. Pad level rises late in the game.

Look, I'm not calling him a bum but Vernon Gholston could workout like a madman too. The transition to bigger, faster, stronger is going to eat him up. He gets through now and again but mostly, he and his amazing leverage get washed out in the OL or once he get under a guy he can't get back out. I think guys who overcome physical limitations with hustle are great but can be had later or after the draft. I suppose we'll just agree to disagree.