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From what I have seen, he is a very good MLB. If I had my choice, I would probably take him over Laurinaitis at this point. I think the perception that he disappears might be due to him playing alongside Cushing and Matthews, two other legitimate playmakers. There are only so many opportunities for each defender.
That "midget rb" may be under the radar but he is a serious ball player. He's still a freshman, give him a few years to develop and add some lbs. He could be another MJD type back.
Will be nothing more than an average LB in NFL. He is overated in my opinion because he plays for Ohio State. I think he is too small to play mike anyways so i expect him to get moved to the weakside due to his size and speed. Porbably will impress with speed at combine so will most likely be a top 15 pick. But not worth it.Maualuga is a great NFL prospect. I think his durability will be only question. Between him and A. Curry out of Wake, they are two best prospects this year I think.
Yeah, if you are gonna crack on Jacquizz Rodgers, you haven't been watching him. Fantastic season by him and he's schooled plenty of teams, not just USC. That said, the whole of USC looked like crap that game and completely played without focus.Other than that, I pretty much agree with a lot of what has been said here. He's a fierce player, fast and good with his hands as well as tough on opposing players. He'll go high in the 2009 draft (unless he implodes between now and then) and disappears at times because there are so many solid players around him to make plays.
Physically he is one of USC's most talented linebackers ever but no way is he much better than Lofa. Lofa was never caught out of position and had perhaps the best nose for the ball of any USC defender since Ronnie Lott and Clay Matthews Sr.
Bob Davie thinks Spikes is going to be a 3-4 OLB and Kiper doesn't even have him as one of the seven LBs in his top-25. I'm like you in thinking you can't play MLB much better than Spikes has played it this year, but there must be something in his measurables that has the pros downgrading him as a NFL MLB.
Well perhaps, but he's got a frame that can put on 15 pounds without affecting his mobility much. 6'3 240 right now, one of the fastest LB's in the draft, I don't really see what the issue is. As for those draft experts, Kiper has Tebow as his #2 junior TE. A good bit of these rankings are about throwing #### against the wall and hoping it sticks.
In that right system I think he can be successful, but I really question his sideline to sideline speed. He's a menace in the middle of the field, but I don't think he moves well enough laterally to cover that much ground at the NFL level. College? Yes. NFL? I doubt it.I think a similar talent can be mined out toward the end of the draft so unless Spikes were to slip to the 2nd/3rd round I'd rather wait.
Brinkley is the only truly elite LB prospect on these lists.
Tatupu is good, but also slightly overrated.....The NFL is primarily about stud talent, the coaches will figure out how to deploy the talent. Give me a guy with his physical gifts and we'll get him to make plays. It's not like Lofa can play in any type of scheme, he's very undersized for a MIKE and will never be able to take on interior blockers....."Rey Rey" will blow up guards and fullbacks all day as well as play sideline-to-sideline......Maleauga >>> TatupuThe verdict will be delivered soon enough.....
That's why I have him pretty high. But you are right, it seems he's not getting a lot of love. Not sure what others are seeing
I think Spikes will end up being the better (and more versatile) pro. Laurinaitis is only up there on the MLB list if its a cover-2 system.
Agreed in part.I don't think either Maualuga or Brinkley will be three down LB's. Downhill thumpers who are ideal for 4-3 Mikes. Love Brinkley being as underrated as he is. Someone's going to get a 2-3 round steal. For me, he is easily the best in this class in his likely role.I see Spikes as strictly a 4-3 WLB. I don't see the stack and shed to play the middle in the NFL, nor do I see the rush/coverage skills to play in the 3-4. I do think he has the best chance to be on the field in nickel situations if he lands as a WLB.Laurinitis is a non-factor in these rankings IMO. Posluszny or Hawk redone. Good not great players.That's why I have him pretty high. But you are right, it seems he's not getting a lot of love. Not sure what others are seeingI think Spikes will end up being the better (and more versatile) pro. Laurinaitis is only up there on the MLB list if its a cover-2 system.
Completely disagree with you on Spikes and Laurinitis. Spikes did not impress me in all in the game I broke down (Florida Miami). And Laurinaitis is very overhyped.Here is my blurb on Spikes from that game:
That is a great comparison. When you tell him where to go, he is going to blow up plays. Hut if you have him read and react, he is going to get himself in a lot of trouble.
Sounds like the same things people used to say about Sam Mills and Zach Thomas. Million dollar talent doesnt mean anything if he has a 10 cent head. I think Rey will be great in the NFL but if he cannot absorb the schemes he will not come close to matching Lofa for production. Lofa is not a product of the system either, he is great because he is smart and would be great in any system because he is smart. He doesn't play in the Tampa-2 which funnels everything to the Will or the Pittsburgh 3-4 which is designed for the OLBs to make plays, he plays the Mike in a standard 4-3 and excels because he is smart and has enough physical talent to make his talent work for him.
:IBTL: See also, Lavar Arrington. I'll take a smart, disciplined, hard working but modestly talented LB over an uber-athlete who isn't disciplined every day of the week. The top of the IDP LB rankings is filled with far more guys like that (Fletcher, Tatupu, Pierce, etc.) than it is with guys who have huge combine numbers but who don't learn and play within their schemes.
