ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Notable white offensive skill players cleansed before final cut down:
Chris McGaha (Jacksonville) Black Del Rio cuts a guy I had ranked as a third round talent before training camp even starts- when their receiving corps is nothing to write home about. McGaha is a big framed WR with some solid long speed, great burst and short area explosion. He uses his body well to shield the ball from defenders and has very big Cris Carter like hands. He had a nice junior year campaign for Arizona State with over 700 receiving yards I believe.
Jake Sharp: Sorry for the long explanation here, but here are my comments to try to educate any semi DWFs who might be convinced. Hatie Smith cuts Sharp after less than a one week stint in mini-camp. I had Sharp ranked as my 9th best RB (a 4th round talent). Just on these very Hatieful Black Bears they have Kahil Bell who ran for 2.8 YPC as a senior and ran a 4.78 40 and they have Brandon Minor who runs in the 4.6 range and was less productive in college than Sharp. The Black Bears also picked up big back Harvey Unga in the supplemental draft. Unga runs in the 4.6 range (how many big slow dark hued powerbacks does Hatie need?) and is out for the season already, but still no need for Sharp for Hatie and Jerry Bungholo. Sharp has near world class speed (He's ran a 10.4x 100 meter before according to Brownie Scout.com) and ran a 4.38 at his Pro Day and would have tied Dexter McCluster for fastest shuttle time at the combine. Sharp had close to 1,100 all purpose yards as a junior, while only winning the starting job for the last 8 season games after showing MUCH promise as a sophomore. He out produced Toben Opurum (overall with receiving production included) as a senior while playing with a chronic ankle injury, but somehow Opurum was ranked as a top 10 tailback for 2013- the last time I checked- by NFLdraftscout already listed with a projected 40 time of 4.64. Opurum has far less receiving and potential return skills than Sharp, his lone advantage is power. According to the NFL, Sharp somehow wasn't even considered a top 35 tailback (approximately the number of draft picks + UFA signings each draft year). And somehow trolls like Blacksimus claim that there is no caste system. And lousy players like Mike Hart (Sharp's size with a 4.67 40, who ran for less than 3 YPC last year for the Colts) and Samkon Gado (another ridiculous example of a joke of a recycled player) make rosters every year. What next? Will the NFL bring back Nitrone Means, Bam Morris, Rodney Hampton or draft busts like Kijana Carter, Curtis Ennis or felon Lawrence Phillips? What a joke.
Some other draftable RBs that didn't get a training camp invite:
Blake Smolen: This guy put up all purpose numbers almost as impressive as Brian Westbrook did (at Villanova) for Division II Grand Valley State. Smolen probably runs in the mid 4.5 range like Westbrook and could be a good all purpose scatback or third down back or slot WR. I had Smolen ranked as a 7th round caliber player due to playing in the lower levels and having a bit of a down year statistically as a senior compared to his sophomore and junior seasons, but boy does Blake have some short area explosiveness and receiving abilities.
Luke Lippincott: Luke has a very similar resume to Vai Taua. Tua is getting serious consideration as a late round pick for the upcoming NFL draft why not Lippincott? Lippincott is a similar cutback north-south back to Taua with a nice burst, vision and quick first cut ability, with similar speed, but he is probably an even better receiver. I'd predict he'd have been a 6th/7th round pick or certainly a priority FA if black or Polynesian.
David McCarty: Unfortunately I have never seen him play- so I can't give a scouting report, but I've read some complimentary scouting reports on him and he had a very productive career for FCS University of Albany. He'd probably have been a priority FA if black.
Trevyn Smith: He only ran a 4.68 at his Pro Day, but he has been one of the elite tailbacks in the FCS production wise and has good agility numbers. His speed is just as good as Joique Bell and Pat Paschall who are both still on NFL rosters. Smith didn't get a single look from any NFL team, but I think he'd have been a highly sought after PFA or maybe even a potential 6th/7th round pick if he just had some melanin..
Some whitewashed WR talent I didn't see currently listed on rosters:
Bryan Anderson: I like his game. He's a big WR who adjusts to the ball well- with nice hands- and he uses his height and frame well to shield the ball from defenders. He also tested out much better athletically than I thought he would. In fact his measurables are typical of a starting NFL WR and as I mentioned he'd have a serious height advantage over NFL CBs. I would've bet on him being drafted if black.
Andrew Brewer: was a productive WR for Northwestern as a senior with nice size hands, toughness and solid agility for his size, but he doesn't possess a great 3rd gear. He might have caught on as a 5th or 6th WR- as a Flanker prospect if black.
Pat Simmonds: He is a bigger possession receiver with some Brewer like qualities to his game. He was very productive for Colgate. He didn't test out too well athletically, but his agility numbers are solid and his top production really makes a great case for him. A PFA if black?
Brett Hamlin: Looks like he would have gotten the "chance" to catch on as a 5th or 6th WR- and maybe eventually proven to be a solid slot WR (due to short area quickness and hands), but he is also of the wrong shade. Probably a PFA if black.
I wouldn't bet on any of the final 2 listed- making a final roster if black, but they'd certainly get a much longer look, I haven't found any of these 4 guys names on rosters right now, but I could've overlooked it.
Note: I didn't mention two other white RBs who are rookies because as of now they've gotten a chance, but I expect the Pats will cut Kettani or possibly practice squad him as a future "backup FB"Â candidate. I also have little hope for New Hampshire scatback Chad Kackert to make Black Jack Del Rio's squad despite showing elite explosiveness at his Pro Day.
Will Fat Bastard give the shifty all purpose phenom- Chad Hall- a shot in a Kevin Faulk type role, or as a slot WR for the Eagles- or simply cut him, despite him having an AMAZING camp and pre-season so far and being a high character guy who served his country who even Eagles fans are taking a liking to? I may start on a full breakdown of predictions by team of which white RBs and WRs will be purged and whom will make their squads when I get back from my short getaway. Guys, feel free to add predictions on other positions as well. Hopefully, we'll get a healthy dose of optimistic predictions, but of course I expect some reality based pessimistic predictions as well. Good luck to all our guys!
Edited by: Don Wassall
Chris McGaha (Jacksonville) Black Del Rio cuts a guy I had ranked as a third round talent before training camp even starts- when their receiving corps is nothing to write home about. McGaha is a big framed WR with some solid long speed, great burst and short area explosion. He uses his body well to shield the ball from defenders and has very big Cris Carter like hands. He had a nice junior year campaign for Arizona State with over 700 receiving yards I believe.
Jake Sharp: Sorry for the long explanation here, but here are my comments to try to educate any semi DWFs who might be convinced. Hatie Smith cuts Sharp after less than a one week stint in mini-camp. I had Sharp ranked as my 9th best RB (a 4th round talent). Just on these very Hatieful Black Bears they have Kahil Bell who ran for 2.8 YPC as a senior and ran a 4.78 40 and they have Brandon Minor who runs in the 4.6 range and was less productive in college than Sharp. The Black Bears also picked up big back Harvey Unga in the supplemental draft. Unga runs in the 4.6 range (how many big slow dark hued powerbacks does Hatie need?) and is out for the season already, but still no need for Sharp for Hatie and Jerry Bungholo. Sharp has near world class speed (He's ran a 10.4x 100 meter before according to Brownie Scout.com) and ran a 4.38 at his Pro Day and would have tied Dexter McCluster for fastest shuttle time at the combine. Sharp had close to 1,100 all purpose yards as a junior, while only winning the starting job for the last 8 season games after showing MUCH promise as a sophomore. He out produced Toben Opurum (overall with receiving production included) as a senior while playing with a chronic ankle injury, but somehow Opurum was ranked as a top 10 tailback for 2013- the last time I checked- by NFLdraftscout already listed with a projected 40 time of 4.64. Opurum has far less receiving and potential return skills than Sharp, his lone advantage is power. According to the NFL, Sharp somehow wasn't even considered a top 35 tailback (approximately the number of draft picks + UFA signings each draft year). And somehow trolls like Blacksimus claim that there is no caste system. And lousy players like Mike Hart (Sharp's size with a 4.67 40, who ran for less than 3 YPC last year for the Colts) and Samkon Gado (another ridiculous example of a joke of a recycled player) make rosters every year. What next? Will the NFL bring back Nitrone Means, Bam Morris, Rodney Hampton or draft busts like Kijana Carter, Curtis Ennis or felon Lawrence Phillips? What a joke.
Some other draftable RBs that didn't get a training camp invite:
Blake Smolen: This guy put up all purpose numbers almost as impressive as Brian Westbrook did (at Villanova) for Division II Grand Valley State. Smolen probably runs in the mid 4.5 range like Westbrook and could be a good all purpose scatback or third down back or slot WR. I had Smolen ranked as a 7th round caliber player due to playing in the lower levels and having a bit of a down year statistically as a senior compared to his sophomore and junior seasons, but boy does Blake have some short area explosiveness and receiving abilities.
Luke Lippincott: Luke has a very similar resume to Vai Taua. Tua is getting serious consideration as a late round pick for the upcoming NFL draft why not Lippincott? Lippincott is a similar cutback north-south back to Taua with a nice burst, vision and quick first cut ability, with similar speed, but he is probably an even better receiver. I'd predict he'd have been a 6th/7th round pick or certainly a priority FA if black or Polynesian.
David McCarty: Unfortunately I have never seen him play- so I can't give a scouting report, but I've read some complimentary scouting reports on him and he had a very productive career for FCS University of Albany. He'd probably have been a priority FA if black.
Trevyn Smith: He only ran a 4.68 at his Pro Day, but he has been one of the elite tailbacks in the FCS production wise and has good agility numbers. His speed is just as good as Joique Bell and Pat Paschall who are both still on NFL rosters. Smith didn't get a single look from any NFL team, but I think he'd have been a highly sought after PFA or maybe even a potential 6th/7th round pick if he just had some melanin..
Some whitewashed WR talent I didn't see currently listed on rosters:
Bryan Anderson: I like his game. He's a big WR who adjusts to the ball well- with nice hands- and he uses his height and frame well to shield the ball from defenders. He also tested out much better athletically than I thought he would. In fact his measurables are typical of a starting NFL WR and as I mentioned he'd have a serious height advantage over NFL CBs. I would've bet on him being drafted if black.
Andrew Brewer: was a productive WR for Northwestern as a senior with nice size hands, toughness and solid agility for his size, but he doesn't possess a great 3rd gear. He might have caught on as a 5th or 6th WR- as a Flanker prospect if black.
Pat Simmonds: He is a bigger possession receiver with some Brewer like qualities to his game. He was very productive for Colgate. He didn't test out too well athletically, but his agility numbers are solid and his top production really makes a great case for him. A PFA if black?
Brett Hamlin: Looks like he would have gotten the "chance" to catch on as a 5th or 6th WR- and maybe eventually proven to be a solid slot WR (due to short area quickness and hands), but he is also of the wrong shade. Probably a PFA if black.
I wouldn't bet on any of the final 2 listed- making a final roster if black, but they'd certainly get a much longer look, I haven't found any of these 4 guys names on rosters right now, but I could've overlooked it.
Note: I didn't mention two other white RBs who are rookies because as of now they've gotten a chance, but I expect the Pats will cut Kettani or possibly practice squad him as a future "backup FB"Â candidate. I also have little hope for New Hampshire scatback Chad Kackert to make Black Jack Del Rio's squad despite showing elite explosiveness at his Pro Day.
Will Fat Bastard give the shifty all purpose phenom- Chad Hall- a shot in a Kevin Faulk type role, or as a slot WR for the Eagles- or simply cut him, despite him having an AMAZING camp and pre-season so far and being a high character guy who served his country who even Eagles fans are taking a liking to? I may start on a full breakdown of predictions by team of which white RBs and WRs will be purged and whom will make their squads when I get back from my short getaway. Guys, feel free to add predictions on other positions as well. Hopefully, we'll get a healthy dose of optimistic predictions, but of course I expect some reality based pessimistic predictions as well. Good luck to all our guys!
Edited by: Don Wassall
