Scouting Reports- MLB

A-H / I-P / Q-Z

Nate Irving                                                                                                                       North Carolina St

    Has marginal size and decent athleticism.  Runs ok and is an aggressive player.  Despite being aggressive he is pretty disciplined and doesn't bite on fakes a lot.  Always around the ball.  Does a good job avoiding blocks.  Struggles a little at the point of attack due to lack of ideal bulk but he is physical and battles.  Little stiff in the hips and struggles a little in coverage.  Has experience inside and out but his stiffness will keep him inside.  Survived a horrific car accident in 2009.  Sustained many injuries in the crash.  Seems to have gotten more speed and explosiveness the further he gets from the accident.  Potentially could develop into a starter if he continues to return to form.

Ben Jacobs                                                                                                                                     Fresno St

    Has decent size.  Runs ok in a straight line but is really stiff.  Mostly an in the box type.  Really struggles to get off blocks.  Is a solid tackler.  Might lack the ability needed to make it on the next level.

Brad Jefferson                                                                                                                        Georgia Tech

    Looks the part and is a decent athlete.  Play on the field leaves a lot to be desired.  Has decent speed and flexibility.  Has good size and is aggressive.  Doesn't play up to size and almost seems like he lacks bulk when he is playing.  Really struggles to get off blocks.  Is aggressive but often overruns plays and misses a lot of tackles.  Gets out of position in coverage.  Gets some dumb penalties called on him.  Missed four games in 2008 with a dislocated wrist.  Has some ability but needs to be productive. 

Troy Johnson                                                                                                                                         Iowa

    Has decent size but is limited athletically.  Tackles well and will make some plays against the run.  Really struggles in coverage and is consistently beaten.  Is stiff and plays some on his heels so he can't change direction.  Doesn't have good speed and therefore gives up a lot of long plays.  Decent college player who lacks the athleticism needed.

Greg Jones                                                                                                                                 Michigan St

    Had a tremendous career in East Lansing.  Is a little undersized but has elite instincts.  Has a great first step and is always around the ball.  Not overly fast and might be a little stiff but he has an amazing nose for the ball.  Moves well laterally and gets down the line well.  Is a good tackler, especially for his size.  Will get blocked from time to time but he has a high motor and never stays blocked.  Is a decent pass rusher because of his good first step and his instincts.  Size and athleticism are a concern but if he can get in a 4-3 system and get some protection up front, he can be a really good pro.  Reminds me an awful lot of Zach Thomas.  Also has really good leadership abilities.  Solid player who will be good value because he is bound to slide a little because he isn't overly versatile.

Elijah Joseph                                                                                                                                     Temple

    Has good size.  Has a decent burst and average speed.  Physical tackler.  Much better if he gets cover up front.  Struggles to get off blocks.  Has decent awareness in coverage but has limited athleticism.  Has played outside but is a better fit inside.  Also has special teams experience which will end up being his calling card.  Missed time at the end of this past season due to a knee injury and hasn't been able to fully work out for scouts.

Marquis Kirkland                                                                                                                          Villanova

    Is a little undersized.  Has good instincts and moves well laterally.  Is often around the ball.  Plays with good enthusiasm.  Is a good player when he is protected up front and is free to run.  Really struggles to get off blocks.  Doesn't always bring his arms when he tackles.  Got away with it on his level of competition but won't on the next level.  Good lower level player who will have to shed blockers better to get a chance.

Orie Lemon                                                                                                                              Oklahoma St

    Has good size and really good instincts.  Active player who is often around the ball.  High motor who seems to love the game.  Flows to the ball really well, sifting through blockers and is decent laterally.  Plays faster than he times.  Is a good tackler.  Has good instincts in coverage.  Lacks athleticism to be great in coverage but is decent.  Missed 2009 season due to torn ACL.  Figures to slide down the draft board due to slow timed speed but he will be a hard player to cut.

Anthony Leonard                                                                                                                    West Virginia

    Has good size.  Is physical and aggressive.  At times he will overrun the play.  Lacks speed and quickness.  Production is inconsistent and he will disappear for stretches. 

Greg Lloyd                                                                                                                                 Connecticut

    Son of form Steeler Greg Lloyd.  Has really good size.  Is a good, physical tackler.  Is pretty good in the box.  Will take on blockers.  Has good instincts and recognition.  Doesn't run well and struggles with anything outside of the box.  Is only a two down LB.  Tore two knee ligaments in 2009.  Plays too high because he struggles to play with knee bend.

Michael Lockley                                                                                                                  Florida Atlantic

    Has good size.  Productive player who is a good tackler.  Has decent timed speed but doesn't play to that speed.  Is a little stiff.  Has good awareness in coverage.  Good college player who might lack the ability needed but is worth bringing to camp.

Scott Lutrus                                                                                                                                Connecticut

    Team leader who has good size.  Played outside and could still get a look out there but is a better fit inside.  Has decent instincts.  Is physical but at times struggles to get off blocks.  Is stiff and struggles in space.  Isn't as consistent of a tackler as he should be.  Smart player who is often in position.  Has a history of stingers and has missed significant time with them.  Good, smart college player who might lack the athleticism and durability for the next level.

Rory Malone                                                                                                              Mississippi Valley St

    Has decent size.  Small school player who was good on his level but will be making a huge jump in competition.  Is a big hitter who has a nose for the ball.  Only has average speed and is a little stiff.  Might be a developmental type.

Matt Marcorelle                                                                                                                            Delaware

    Has good size and decent athletic ability.  Dominant player on his level but will be making a jump in competition.  Doesn't play up to his timed speed.  Missed much of 2006 with a shoulder injury and missed some time this past season.  Good developmental type.

Mark Masterson                                                                                                                                Maine

    Has good size.  Has experience inside and out.  Has good instincts and has been a good player on his level.  Has played well against top competition.  Runs ok but not really to his timed speed.  Is a little stiff and could do a better job taking on blockers.  Marginal prospect who could be a developmental type.

Casey Matthews                                                                                                                               Oregon

    Has good bloodlines but isn't as athletic as other players from his family.  Has good size.  Plays the game downhill.  Has inconsistent instincts.  High effort player who is all over the field but doesn't always make the play.  Needs to be protected up front.  Struggles to get off blocks or avoid traffic.  Is a little stiff and will miss some tackles in open space.  Will struggle some in coverage.  Has limited upside.  Can be a decent player on the next level in the right scheme.

Marshall McFadden                                                                                                         South Carolina St

    Undersized LB who was fairly active against his level of competition.  Has good timed speed but doesn't play to his numbers.  Will be making a big jump in competition.  Might really struggle taking on blockers on the next level.  Has some athleticism but doesn't play to it and might not be productive enough for the next level.

Mike Mele                                                                                                                            Massachusetts

    Transfer from Syracuse who lacks size.  Looks more like a S but doesn't have speed to move there.  Has decent speed for LB.  Active player who is a decent tackler.  Battles to get off blocks but is undersized and gets engulfed from time to time.  Struggles at the point of attack.  Likely doesn't have the size and athleticism to make it but has been productive and might get a chance.

Cobrani Mixon                                                                                                                                  Kent St

    Has decent bulk but looks a little short.  Has decent speed and quickness.  Is an aggressive player who flies around the field.  Doesn't make as many plays as he should.  It almost seems like he might struggle to see over big lineman to find the ball.  Transferred from Michigan.  Has some ability and could be a good developmental player.

Mike Mohamed                                                                                                                            California

    Has good size.  Smart player who is pretty good at everything but not elite at anything.  Has decent speed and flows to the ball well.  Stays square to the line of scrimmage and is a decent tackler. Inconsistent taking on blockers.  Will have some games where he struggles to get off blocks and will have some games where he fights off blocks well and keeps people off his body.  Makes a ton of tackles and shows good discipline.  Is a little tight in the hips.  Has good timing on his delayed blitz.  Has some experience outside and could get a look there as well.  Solid player who will be a good pro.

Gerald Munns                                                                                                                               Arizona St

    Has good size.  Does a good job taking on and shedding blockers.  Is pretty good in the box.  Lacks speed and is a little stiff.  Try hard player who will end up being a little overaggressive to compensate for his lack of speed and quickness.  Tackles pretty well.  Has good instincts against the pass but sometimes struggles to get there.  Solid two down LB who might be a little underrated.  He also contributes on special teams.  Will have to answer questions about missing last eight games in 2008 due to personal reasons.

Jared Norton                                                                                                                                        Texas

    Has good size.  Doesn't have great instincts.  Lacks speed and gets caught inside.  Doesn't have the speed to get to the sideline.  At times struggles taking on blockers.  Missed most of 2009 with a shoulder injury.

Kyle O'Donnell                                                                                                                                  Liberty

    Has decent size.  Makes a ton of plays.  Dominates his level of competition.  Will be making a huge jump in competition.  Has decent instincts and decent hands.  Lacks great speed or athleticism.  Long shot but productive.

Chimso Okoji                                                                                                                                       Brown

    Good Ivy league player.  Has good size.  Dominated his level of competition.  Makes a lot of plays.  Lacks speed and isn't real quick laterally.  Has good recognition but might lack the athleticism needed for the next level.

Rodney Paulk                                                                                                                        South Carolina

    Is a little undersized.  Has struggled to stay on the field.  Aggressive player who overpursues a lot.  Misses a number of tackles.  Struggles a little at the point of attack.  Doesn't look as fast and athletic as he once did.  Had a knee injury in 2008 and then tore an ACL in 2009.

Ronnie Paulo                                                                                                                                       UNLV

    Has good size.  Active player who plays with a good motor.  Has decent speed.  Is an inconsistent tackler and at times will struggle to get off blocks.  Solid player who also has a history of ankle problems.

Al Pierce                                                                                                                                             Lehigh

    Is really undersized.  Lacks elite athleticism and doesn't have the speed to move to S.  Has outstanding instincts and makes a ton of plays.  Dominates his level of competition.  You just wish he was bigger.  Unlikely to get a chance but is a player.