USC RB Chauncey Washington a Top 75 pick? (1 Viewer)

[Sigmund Bloom]

Link

Chauncey Washington, RB, USC

Washington, for the most part considered a second-tier running back, was the star of USC's pro-day. He weighed 218 pounds, then averaged 4.35 seconds in the 40. His second attempt timed at 4.32 which brought a large cheer from scouts and fans in attendance. Washington's performance solidified him as a top-75 pick and there's a good chance he could break into the second round.

I'll admit Washington has NFL size, and he runs with enough power to make that speed more valuable - but he never looked like a 4.35 guy at USC, and I have no idea why teams would trust that to translate to the field. Of course, I had no idea why a team would take Chris Henry in the 2nd last year either...USC homers? thoughts?

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Link

Chauncey Washington, RB, USC

Washington, for the most part considered a second-tier running back, was the star of USC\'s pro-day. He weighed 218 pounds, then averaged 4.35 seconds in the 40. His second attempt timed at 4.32 which brought a large cheer from scouts and fans in attendance. Washington\'s performance solidified him as a top-75 pick and there\'s a good chance he could break into the second round.

I\'ll admit Washington has NFL size, and he runs with enough power to make that speed more valuable - but he never looked like a 4.35 guy at USC, and I have no idea why teams would trust that to translate to the field. Of course, I had no idea why a team would take Chris Henry in the 2nd last year either...USC homers? thoughts?

He\'s a plodder, a second day draftee at best IMHO. He\'s also had a bunch of injury problems and isn\'t much of a receiver. I don\'t get the prediction either.

 

[NorrisB]

As a USC homer, he was easily the worst/slowest RB USC had. I trust my eyes more than what his 40 time came out as, he made LenDale White look like a speed demon, I thought his 40 time would have been in the 4.6-4.8 range. He isnt quick enough to charge full speed to the line and than cut outside when there's nothing there. When he runs and doesn't hesitate he's great. Unfortunately he likes to dance 50% of the time.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Nice knee drive for a bigger guy. Is he really a 210lb RB??...he looks bigger.

4.35/40:

 

[Chaos Commish]

He ran those sizzling 40s at 218 pounds. Chauncey hasn't so much had injury problems as he's had academic problems. I don't see an injury worry. He was legendary for being the only Trojan to ever catch Reggie Bush from behind, so this speed is legit, but like some it doesn't always transfer to the field. You could say the same of JStewart. He only turns it on when the field is wide open, whereas others are using that speed all the time. Chauncey is pretty old, maybe 24 by the time the season starts. He's been through a lot at USC and I always pulled for him. His learning difficulties in the classroom had nothing to do with being lazy and not caring. This man worked very very very hard to stay academically elligible, and I respect that, even when he failed.

All that said, I think Norris B and the other naysayers are right. He just doesn't have the natural gifts of an NFL RB. I give him an outside shot in a perfect situation if he can correct or overcome a few things, like receiving and vision and using his speed. He does remind me of Addai without the great hands though. Hope he made some money with those 40s and hope he surprises us all.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

He ran those sizzling 40s at 218 pounds. Chauncey hasn't so much had injury problems as he's had academic problems. I don't see an injury worry. He was legendary for being the only Trojan to ever catch Reggie Bush from behind, so this speed is legit, but like some it doesn't always transfer to the field. You could say the same of JStewart. He only turns it on when the field is wide open, whereas others are using that speed all the time. Chauncey is pretty old, maybe 24 by the time the season starts. He's been through a lot at USC and I always pulled for him. His learning difficulties in the classroom had nothing to do with being lazy and not caring. This man worked very very very hard to stay academically elligible, and I respect that, even when he failed.

All that said, I think Norris B and the other naysayers are right. He just doesn't have the natural gifts of an NFL RB. I give him an outside shot in a perfect situation if he can correct or overcome a few things, like receiving and vision and using his speed. He does remind me of Addai without the great hands though. Hope he made some money with those 40s and hope he surprises us all.

But do you think a team would actually use a top 75 (or even top 100, or even 150!) on the guy as Pauline is suggesting?

 

[Maroney=Speed]

He ran those sizzling 40s at 218 pounds. Chauncey hasn't so much had injury problems as he's had academic problems. I don't see an injury worry. He was legendary for being the only Trojan to ever catch Reggie Bush from behind, so this speed is legit, but like some it doesn't always transfer to the field. You could say the same of JStewart. He only turns it on when the field is wide open, whereas others are using that speed all the time. Chauncey is pretty old, maybe 24 by the time the season starts. He's been through a lot at USC and I always pulled for him. His learning difficulties in the classroom had nothing to do with being lazy and not caring. This man worked very very very hard to stay academically elligible, and I respect that, even when he failed.

All that said, I think Norris B and the other naysayers are right. He just doesn't have the natural gifts of an NFL RB. I give him an outside shot in a perfect situation if he can correct or overcome a few things, like receiving and vision and using his speed. He does remind me of Addai without the great hands though. Hope he made some money with those 40s and hope he surprises us all.

But do you think a team would actually use a top 75 (or even top 100, or even 150!) on the guy as Pauline is suggesting?

Found this line very Interesting. 'You could say the same of JStewart.'

 

[Chaos Commish]

He ran those sizzling 40s at 218 pounds. Chauncey hasn't so much had injury problems as he's had academic problems. I don't see an injury worry. He was legendary for being the only Trojan to ever catch Reggie Bush from behind, so this speed is legit, but like some it doesn't always transfer to the field. You could say the same of JStewart. He only turns it on when the field is wide open, whereas others are using that speed all the time. Chauncey is pretty old, maybe 24 by the time the season starts. He's been through a lot at USC and I always pulled for him. His learning difficulties in the classroom had nothing to do with being lazy and not caring. This man worked very very very hard to stay academically elligible, and I respect that, even when he failed.

All that said, I think Norris B and the other naysayers are right. He just doesn't have the natural gifts of an NFL RB. I give him an outside shot in a perfect situation if he can correct or overcome a few things, like receiving and vision and using his speed. He does remind me of Addai without the great hands though. Hope he made some money with those 40s and hope he surprises us all.

But do you think a team would actually use a top 75 (or even top 100, or even 150!) on the guy as Pauline is suggesting?

Well, he is faster than Chris Henry. Those runs could make some team plunge, sure. I have him in a tier between RB 15 and 20. I expect 20-24 backs (including a couple FBs) to be drafted. If teams are more interested in CoP contributors they have much better options in the draft. If a team is looking to develop someone they may not want to leave him an UDFA for Shanny to bring in. Mid 3rd feels too soon, but it's not out of the question, either is udfa. It's that kind of year. I just want to get it over with.

 

[NoFBinLA]

Link

Chauncey Washington, RB, USC

Washington, for the most part considered a second-tier running back, was the star of USC's pro-day. He weighed 218 pounds, then averaged 4.35 seconds in the 40. His second attempt timed at 4.32 which brought a large cheer from scouts and fans in attendance. Washington's performance solidified him as a top-75 pick and there's a good chance he could break into the second round.

I'll admit Washington has NFL size, and he runs with enough power to make that speed more valuable - but he never looked like a 4.35 guy at USC, and I have no idea why teams would trust that to translate to the field. Of course, I had no idea why a team would take Chris Henry in the 2nd last year either...USC homers? thoughts?

CW did everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - right last Wednesday.Fantastic 40. Caught the ball well. Ran good routes. Lifted well.

Made a great impression. If there is a run on RBs in the second/third round (as I think there might be) Washington might go in that third round.

But I don't know about it. While Pete Carroll himself said (and you can here it on the mini press conference I covered that day :shamelessplug) that CW moved up two rounds - but he didn't know where he was ranked by teams in the first place.

If CW was ranked 6th round (a safe assessment given his lack of anything at the Combine and spotty track record at USC), two rounds still keeps him out of that first 90 or so picks. Second round? I dunno. They (the team) would have had to be hot for him to begin with and I just don't know. As you say Bloom - who saw Henry in the second last year? You never know - like another Carroll once wrote (this would be Lewis) - I believe 6 impossible things before breakfast. Never is that saying more apt than on Draft Day. Anything can happen.

Now a different question. Is he worth it? CW has speed. He can catch the ball. He DID fight some injuries at 'SC - ankle, hamstring and knee injuries. He did have academic issues (bad if the guy has to study a playbook, IMO) but fought through that. But when they wanted a big year out of him, he never delivered.

I think he has upside. I think he could become a good #2 - someone a team might even line up outside or as a second back in a 2 back formation ala Reggie Bush.

But at the end of the day - I think he's not someone you see as a #1.

He could go round 3 - a good last impression (Pro Day) could do that. But before that I would be stunned.

Now here's the thing to watch - who brings him in for a closer look. Depending on if any team does (or which team does) - you might be able to read into that.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

As you say Bloom - who saw Henry in the second last year?

Gosselin did, and others, I just didn't buy that a team could put so much weight on a 40.

 

[Iron_Far]

How bad are those academic issues? I've heard it might be a learning disability?

 

[KoolKat]

Just another guy for some poor sap to waste a pick on. There are always a few middle-round RBs that get drafted too high, and the same can be said for 1st round WRs.

 

[Chaos Commish]

How bad are those academic issues? I've heard it might be a learning disability?

He missed two full years because of academic issues and it was never an issue of him not being in class. Not trying outside of class? Probably. He's reasonably well-spoken. Better than Emmitt Smith anyway, and he fought hard with tutors, friends, coaches, etc., to regain eligibility. If anything, the process matured him and he obviously learned how to take a test. I'd guess his wonderlic isn't totally embarrassing like some, but still low enough to make you wonder. RB is supposed to be the easiest position to learn and the most instictive, so.

 

[NoFBinLA]

How bad are those academic issues? I've heard it might be a learning disability?

He missed two full years because of academic issues and it was never an issue of him not being in class. Not trying outside of class? Probably. He's reasonably well-spoken. Better than Emmitt Smith anyway, and he fought hard with tutors, friends, coaches, etc., to regain eligibility. If anything, the process matured him and he obviously learned how to take a test. I'd guess his wonderlic isn't totally embarrassing like some, but still low enough to make you wonder. RB is supposed to be the easiest position to learn and the most instictive, so.

Re: the bolded text: That's what I have been hearing the most - it gets spun that he fought through it and grew b/c of it. Honestly, having talked to him once or twice, he's pretty well spoken and comes across as sharp enough - so it's one of two things. Could be a learning disability. Could be a lack of effort (as CC points out - outside the classroom) at one point. I haven't read anythign about a learning disability so my guess is, he hit a snag and for some reason slacked off - lots of college kids have it happen. And lots of them recover. Seems like he got his head on straight. That'll be the key though - he's a guy for whom the team 1 on 1 interview is a make or break prospect I think. The speed is nice - but when they talk to the guy - that'll make a huge difference I think. (for good or bad)

 

[John Mamula]

Link

Chauncey Washington, RB, USC

Washington, for the most part considered a second-tier running back, was the star of USC's pro-day. He weighed 218 pounds, then averaged 4.35 seconds in the 40. His second attempt timed at 4.32 which brought a large cheer from scouts and fans in attendance. Washington's performance solidified him as a top-75 pick and there's a good chance he could break into the second round.

I'll admit Washington has NFL size, and he runs with enough power to make that speed more valuable - but he never looked like a 4.35 guy at USC, and I have no idea why teams would trust that to translate to the field. Of course, I had no idea why a team would take Chris Henry in the 2nd last year either...USC homers? thoughts?

Washington is solid. Doesn't have that burst and is not much of a receiver but holds on to the rock and has the fundamentals to block well. However, with his size he runs fast enough and could be a very solid performer for a NFL team moreso than a fantasy team. He got a lot of looks at USC last year moreso because Carroll was comfortable with him that he wouldn't turn the ball over compared to some of the Freshmen and Sophomores on the team, but there were 2-3 RBs on USC that had more pure talent.I could see him being a late 2nd round guy if he had a good combine in conjunction with what he did at the college level.

Definitely better than a Chris Henry who never did anything at the college level.

If a team wants a guy to get them a consistant 3-4 yards, can block, and is a real solid guy, I can see them pulling the trigger in the late 2nd. Dude doesn't dance around...just hits that hole and gets what is there to take.

Re: his academic ineligibility, he did do everything he could to get back on the field. Take it for what it is worth.

 

[John Mamula]

As a USC homer, he was easily the worst/slowest RB USC had. I trust my eyes more than what his 40 time came out as, he made LenDale White look like a speed demon, I thought his 40 time would have been in the 4.6-4.8 range. He isnt quick enough to charge full speed to the line and than cut outside when there's nothing there. When he runs and doesn't hesitate he's great. Unfortunately he likes to dance 50% of the time.

Not sure how many games you saw in person.You think Washington was worse than Hershell Dennis? Desmond Reed? CJ Gable?McKnight has more explosiveness ala Reggie Bush and Stafon Johnson is a straight out stud. However Washington was more reliable to get those sure yards and for teams that USC could run up the middle on at will Washington was the go to back.He's not flashy, but that doesn't mean he is the worst.

 

[Donnybrook]

Strange choice of works by the SI reporter "solidified him as a top-75 pick". I believe solidified means that some scouts had him in the top 75 prior to his pro-day. By all accounts that was not the case.

Just on that fact alone, I would be inclined to think that the reporter doesn't know WTH he is talking about.

 

[LawFitz]

Shanarat will take this guy in Round 6 and he will be the next Denver stud. Mark it.

 

[NorrisB]

As a USC homer, he was easily the worst/slowest RB USC had. I trust my eyes more than what his 40 time came out as, he made LenDale White look like a speed demon, I thought his 40 time would have been in the 4.6-4.8 range. He isnt quick enough to charge full speed to the line and than cut outside when there's nothing there. When he runs and doesn't hesitate he's great. Unfortunately he likes to dance 50% of the time.

Not sure how many games you saw in person.You think Washington was worse than Hershell Dennis? Desmond Reed? CJ Gable?McKnight has more explosiveness ala Reggie Bush and Stafon Johnson is a straight out stud. However Washington was more reliable to get those sure yards and for teams that USC could run up the middle on at will Washington was the go to back.He's not flashy, but that doesn't mean he is the worst.

CJ Gable is a good RB, the other two guys wernt even in the RB rotation, so I didnt consider them and Reed was primarily a kick returner, and he was suffered an injury at Notre Dame that effectively ended his career. I think he was worse than these guys:CJ GableMoodyMcKnightSJohnsonHavili