bearcat14
Water Engineer
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RE: Greg Blair gets another year also!
(12-25-2012 05:36 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote: (12-19-2012 10:31 AM)eroc Wrote: (12-18-2012 05:59 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote: (12-18-2012 05:31 PM)eroc Wrote: (12-18-2012 04:52 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote: Trying to be objective I would think there is more to gain by returning and proving he isn't a one year wonder and that he can be effective in different systems. And not that I've done any research, but I haven't heard anyone talk about him as a likely early round (say R1-3) pick; actually I haven't heard him mentioned anywhere wrt to the draft.
On the other hand, he had a great year and there's probably a lot more room to go down than to go up especially with all new coaches along with the injury risk. Hopefully he gets great advice either way and takes it very seriously. I suspect he will.
BHawk;
The draft stuff hasn't started to surface just yet. Looking at it objectively, i feel that there is a higher element of risk in coming back. New coach, new system, heavy losses on the DL and secondary, and the omnipresent injury risk. if he was in Derek Wolfe's situation, where the defense, as a unit, was able to absorb the scheme for a season and get blooded in, it would be a no brainer. i think he would have trouble replicating his productivity given those circumstances.
Let me be clear, though. i would welcome him back with open arms, should he stay. i'm just not sure, given his situation, that he should if a pro op opens up for him.
Not that I am suggesting I know the "right" answer, but a "pro op" doesn't just open up. He's got to make a decision well before the draft, and (at least realistically) before the Combine assuming he can wrangle an invite. Maybe somebody has the exact timeline details, but the bottom line is that he doesn't get the luxury of seeing what happens in the draft or even what free agent opportunities he might have. In other words, there is no actual "pro op" to pop up much less actually accept before making his decision. The best he has is an educated guess - which is why I said I hope he gets good accurate advice.
With all the usual caveats, I decided to do a quick check on his draft prospects. nfldraftscout.com lists him as the #10 ILB although I'm not sure if that takes underclassmen into account. I think somebody mentioned pass coverage as his major weakness; that probably has a huge relation to his listed 40 speed of 4.86 which is the highest of any ILB in their top 25. It's probably an open question whether he can improve that, and by how much, with another year at UC.
For reference, last year, the 10th ILB drafted (as classsified by the same source), didn't go until late in Round 6; #189 overall.
i'm fresh out of p!ss. congrats Bearhawkeye, you caught me using the English language too loosely.
I wasn't playing a word game with you. My point is these guys need to get the best advice and projections they can and then make a decision assessing the risks, pro's and con's for their situation. FWIW, here's another projection from an SI writer:
Quote:Blair, Drane among Belk Bowl NFL Draft prospects
12/24/12 at 3:16pm by dclark
Bearcats linebacker Greg Blair and safety Deven Drane are two players preparing for the Belk Bowl who SI.com’s Tony Pauline expects will be drafted.
Pauline went bowl by bowl in his feature examining NFL Draft prospects to watch in bowl games. Here’s analysis of his three draft prospects from the Belk Bowl:
Conner Vernon, WR, Duke: Vernon is neither big or fast, but he is incredibly productive and reliable. He plays smart, tough football and always finds a way to make the reception. Vernon has the skills and substance to be a third receiver at the next level and should lend a hand on special teams. 4th Round
Greg Blair, LB, Cincinnati: Blair did not register on the scouting radar at the start of the season but has turned heads after a dominant senior campaign. He ended the year topping the Cincinnati defense in tackles, tackles for loss and was among the leaders in pass defenses. He’s a complete linebacker who plays with infectious intensity and will be a steal on the draft’s final day. 5th Round
Deven Drane, S, Cincinnati: Drane has been a consistent player in the Bearcats secondary the past two seasons. The junior is well-versed in all areas of the game, displaying ball skills in coverage as well as toughness defending the run. 6th Round
If this ends up being the consensus, R5 (or R6 in the case of Drane) probably isn't high enough to come out early for most, but of course every situation is different. On the other hand, as somebody noted in the comments, credibility might be in question as Kelce didn't even rate a mention.
Not mentioning Kelce doesn't mean anything other than the guy left him out of the conversation....There is still a lot of time left as teams are just getting there boards in order...Things always change right up until draft day as more information becomes available on each potential pick...UC will have another surprise like A. Rob going in the 4th to NYG last year...Jones did not play the best talent by a long shot !
As well as meddling way to much in position coaches decision making processes.
Not that this was unique to UC, it just will prove it's self a factor in who the NFL evaluates as worthy talent vs. Jones's, and identified by those players who will go unsigned vs. those who will....Right now Teams are developing their own evaluations vs. the scouting services who have already submitted their's. All teams subscribe. But the final analysis is always done internally. This will be adjusted by pro day workouts/combine, and personal visits. Last year for instance neither John Hughes, or A. Robinson had a national draft grade prior to this period...It's easy to see how confusing, and or misleading the process is...FWIW Tubbs , and the D corrd. Will influence this decision more than anything else....Well see ?
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