*Spoilers* Player reviews: 2008 Draft

[ebongreen]

A little project that has interested me for a while is comparing notes on what draftable players' strengths and weaknesses are, something that can be done for each draft path as well. I'll post a sample review or two here shortly. If you're interested, play along!

[ebongreen]

Calais Campbell

Position: RE
OVR Potential (Balanced): 89
Personality: Headliner

Best Attributes:

• Top-flight speed: 94
• Pass rush moves: both PMV and FMV top over 90
• Size: 6'7", 290 lbs. (99)
• Youth: 21 in 2008

Worst Attributes:

• Personality
• Only average strength: 84
• Average learning: 85

Summary:
Campbell is a very good right end, especially for a 4-3 defense. He has the size most 3-4 teams prefer in their ends, but lacks the brute strength to successfully take on combination blocks. He has the athleticism and awareness to successfully drop back into coverage on zone blitzes. Though he lacks elite durability, I've never seen him injured, and his health is generally good.

His speed and acceleration are top-notch and combine with his pass-rush moves to make him a 10-15 sack threat every year when used properly. Halfbacks and quarterbacks find it nearly impossible to elude him on cutbacks or scrambles past the left-tackle position, and if you can scheme him past the left tackle no pass-blocking back can keep him from a drop-back passer.

His personality will make him an expensive headache to sign and a disruptive influence if things don't go well. In the English path, he's a great player to "rent but not own" - I generally draft him, play him for 3-4 years, then trade him in the last year of his rookie contract to some other team and replace him with a more-talented and easier-to-manage player. In a less talent-rich path, I'd give serious consideration to keeping him around, even with his issues.

YMMV Overall Grade: B+

Sample stats:
50 tackles, 24 TFLs, 13 sacks, 2 deflections, 1 FF, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 defensive TDs, 6 missed tackles, 6 big hits

[ebongreen]

Earl Bennett

Position: WR
OVR Potential (Balanced): 90
Personality: Guru

Best Attributes:

• Durability: 99
• Personality
• Learning: 92
• Catch in traffic: tops out at 91

Worst Attributes:

• YAC skills: Trucking 46, Elusiveness 78
• Average overall athleticism for a starting WR: Athleticism grade 89

Summary:
Bennett is a very solid receiver, but lacks any game-breaking attribute. He's playbook-smart, aware, develops quickly as a player, a good route-runner, catches well, and will develop the hands to make the tough catch in zone coverage against hard-hitting linebackers and safeties. But he's not fast enough to threaten deep against top-flight CBs, isn't elusive in the open field, isn't tall enough to be a classic possession receiver, won't make most spectacular catches, and can't out-jump defenders for the ball. Athletically he keeps company with Roydell Williams and the Packers' James Jones, hardly names that inspire mortal fear in defensive backs.

What he will absolutely do is show up every game. He's basically indestructible, far and away the most durable of the useful 2008 WR draft class. Due to his learning ability, he also has a habit of performing above expectations, and he'd be a virtual cinch to re-sign at a fair (or even discount) price due to his personality.

He's very much a "jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none" - practically the definition of an overachiever at wideout - which makes him a capable #2 or #3 WR. In the English path, he's replaceable sooner rather than later, but if you have a soft spot for him and his skills, he'll repay your loyalty with consistent performance over the long haul.

YMMV Overall Grade: B+

Sample stats:
(as a #2/#3 WR) 40 catches, 750 yards, 6 TDs, 6 drops, long of 43, 150 YAC

[kcarr]

Dre Moore

Position: DT
Potential overall (balanced): 91
Personality: Superstar

Best Attributes:
Strength
Elite Power moves
Finesse moves very good for a DT
Learning

Worst Attributes:
Block shedding
Play recognition
Stamina

Summary:
Moore is a tremendous defensive tackle in terms of both physical ability and positional skills. His strength and power moves make him a terror stuffing the run and his finesse moves are elite for a DT and decent even for a DE especially in a 3-4. He can easily fill any position along the line in a 3-4 having the strength of an elite NT and the versitility of a DE. He is also dominant as a DT in a 4-3 and can even fill in as a run stuffing DE. The only position along the defensive line which he cannot fill in an very effective manner is the RE spot in a defense which requires a top pass rusher from that position.

Dre's low play recognition and his average speed for a DT limit his ability to drop back into coverage during zone blitz plays. His low block shedding rating means that he will occasionally be trapped in blocks before he can make a move and he can struggle once in that position. Also, his conditioning is not elite making him best used in a rotation where he can take an occasional play off to catch his breath. The one other problem with Moore is his personality. While he is not the most disruptive player in this draft in those terms he is no peach either.

All in all Moore is able to be a disruptive force and as he can be had for a mid 3rd round pick he is definitely worth the pick. After his initial contract is up there is no shortage of teams willing to take him off your hands in exchange for a 1st and a 3rd when he becomes a RFA.

Overall Grade: A-
Sample Stats:
37 tackles, 17 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 FF, 1 recovery, 4 missed tackles, 6 big hits

[kcarr]

Mario Manningham

Position: WR
Potential overall (balanced): 90
Personality: Superstar

Best Attributes:

Speed
Route running
After catch moves
Jumping

Worst attributes:

Durability
Only average size

Summary:
Manningham is an excellent value pickup in the late 3rd or early 4th round. He has the speed to be a deep threat allowing him to get behind all but the best corners. He has no noticeable weaknesses among his receiving skills as well as the ability to make a defender or two miss and turn a short route into a big gain. He also has the leaping ability and the hands to make an occasional spectacular play leaping over a defender.

True weaknesses in mario's game are few and far between. His durability is only average but I have never experienced any real problems with him being unable to stay on the field. Other than that he has no major weaknesses. His height, catching in traffic, spectacular catch, and catching are not elite but they are very good. His personality can also cause some problems when it comes time to renegotiate his contract but that is no reason to not atleast get the 3 years productivity out of him.

Overall Manningham can be an excellent #2 reciever, or even a #1 if you are short on talent or running a pass first offense, who can be had for the best price of any of the high quality recievers in the class.

Overall Grade: B+
Sample Stats:
(as a #2 Receiver in a pass first offense) 68 catches, 1025 yards, 6 TDs, 6 drops, long or 65, 330 YAC

[ebongreen]

Re: Mario Manningham

So, with four reviews posted - is this something folks like or dislike? Want to see more players and more paths?

Things to add or delete? For example, peak potential list for developing stats, like the maximum Catch for a WR or Finesse Moves for a DL?

This is an informal beta survey - provide your opinion!

[Pigtoe]

Re: Mario Manningham

Good job I tried doing 1 or 2 of these but I only could only think of half the content you guys had so it wasn't worth postiong I don't think u need every stat, just a POT rating for the balanced philsophy, or any other 1 if it's unusually high or low

[ebongreen]

Re: Mario Manningham

Check the edits. Better?

[Pigtoe]

Re: Mario Manningham

Thanks I can't edit kcarr's post but manningham is 90 OVR as balanced, 94 OVR as speed. I always found he drops a lot of balls as a rookie but then his hands are amazing.

[kcarr]

Re: *Spoilers* Player reviews: 2008 Draft

Do you know dre's as a balanced NT? I am currently using him as a 3-4 DE. I think it is a 92 as a balanced DT but not sure.

[ebongreen]

Re: *Spoilers* Player reviews: 2008 Draft

Dre Moore's Balanced DT Pot is 91, according to past research.

[kcarr]

Re: *Spoilers* Player reviews: 2008 Draft

ok, thanks

[TomBrady]

Re: *Spoilers* Player reviews: 2008 Draft

Thanks. Theese are great. Might post some after I've finished this season. Drafted Dennis Dixon (Best QB in the draft IMO. Dont let the low OVR potential fool you), Ray Rice, Mario Manningham, Dre Moore, Xavier Omon, Jerome Felton and Zack Bowman.
Might make a review on Dixon, Rice and Bowman.

[kwpit79]

Re: *Spoilers* Player reviews: 2008 Draft

Zach Bowman is really frustrating. I keep drafting him becuase of his solid potential (CBs are hard to find in this game, unless you have a high first round draft pick), but his learning abilitly really limits his ceiling as a player. He seems to always be a lower 80s, nickel-back type of corner for me.