cowboyjoe
02-17-2009, 12:32 PM
Personally, I think he will go in the 2nd round due to him being a center
NFL Combine: Oregon's Max Unger receiving first-round marks from NFL scouts
Posted by Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian February 16, 2009 19:55PM
Categories: Ducks, NFL Local Ties, Oregonian story
Oregon offensive lineman Max Unger's versatility has scouts excited.Days before Oregon offensive lineman Max Unger was to report to Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, he felt good about clearing one burden off his plate.
"I sold my truck today," Unger said Sunday from Los Angeles. "I'm pretty happy about that."
The opportunity before him is worth smiling about, as well. Unger is among the players from Oregon and Oregon State to receive invitations to the combine, which begins Wednesday and runs through Monday. A nondescript recruit for Oregon in 2004, Unger has parlayed his development, versatility, durability and consistency into a probable NFL career.
Unger has a chance to become the first offensive linemen out of the state to be selected in the first round since Minnesota drafted Gary Zimmerman out of Oregon in 1984. Zimmerman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer.
To prepare for what amounts to a long, exhausting job interview, Unger spent time at Athletes' Performance training center in Carson, Calif., practicing drills and running through mock interviews. He has received advice from other players who have gone through the scouting and drafting process, including former college teammate Geoff Schwartz, an offensive tackle with the Carolina Panthers.
"I expect it to be pretty taxing," Unger said. "A lot more mentally than it is physically."
Unger didn't project to be a future first-round pick when he signed with Oregon in 2004. At the time, that year's recruiting class was regarded as the program's greatest, and Unger was one of the little-hyped three-star recruits, according to Rivals.com.
In 2005, as a redshirt freshman, Unger started at left tackle for a team that allowed 20 sacks. He started there again in 2006 and was chosen second-team all-Pacific-10 Conference. In 2007, he was moved to center and was first-team all-conference that season and in 2008. He made 51 consecutive starts.
Last month, Unger played guard at the Senior Bowl.
In a telephone interview, one NFL scout credited Oregon offensive line coach Steve Greatwood Unger's development.
"He's done a real good of developing this guy that wasn't highly recruited," he said.
That said, the scout believes Unger (6-foot-5, 299 pounds) lacks the athleticism of most offensive tackles chosen in the first round and projects more as a guard or a center. Those positions typically are not taken high in the first round, but the scout said Unger's versatility should land him in the latter part of the first round.
The Associated Press
Max Unger could become the first offensive lineman out of the state of Oregon to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 25 years.
"I think he could be one of the few guys that you ever draft and say, 'He's an offensive lineman,'" the scout said. "He could play anywhere."
That ability, the scout said, speaks well to Unger's football IQ.
"Any time you play different positions you have to have a real good level of maturity, instinct and work ethic," the scout said.
Versatility can translate into roster flexibility.
"Most teams dress eight offensive linemen," the scout said. "So when you have a guy that can play all three positions, that's something nobody has. Now you can dress an extra player at another position, like an extra wide receiver, depending on your game plan for that week."
Unger said he has done his share of mock draft-surfing online but doesn't believe what he reads.
"You can have your ego puffed up or crushed pretty easily," he said.
Unger said he wouldn't be picky about what position he plays.
"Any position would be great," he said. "But I feel more comfortable playing inside than outside."
Either way, the NFL scout said, Unger has a bright future.
"Whoever gets him," the scout said, "could get a potential All-Pro."
A NFL scout who scouts Pac-10 games offers a quick snapshot on several other prospects:
Patrick Chung, defensive back, Oregon: "He should do pretty well. Good athlete. He should go around the second round."
Jairus Byrd, defensive back, Oregon: "I think some where in the third-round range. We'll see what he runs. He's a real good player, very productive."
Jeremiah Johnson, running back, Oregon: "He's maybe a fifth or sixth round guy. Lack of size court hurt him a bit. Talented guy in his own right. Needs to find a role, a team that seeks out a guy like him, who can catch the ball, run and play a backup role and special tams."
Andrew Levitre, offensive line, Oregon State: "Like Max, has shown some versatility. Probably more of an inside player because he's only 6-foot-2."
Sammie Stroughter, wide receiver, Oregon State: "He's a real inspirational guy, tough, a playmaker. He gave them a lot of pop in the punt return game. He's pretty good. But because of his height (5-foot-9) he's going to have to run pretty well."
Oregon State players invited to the NFL Combine and the round they are projected to be selected in by NFLDraftscout.com
Player Position Projected round
Andrew Levitre OL third round
Keenan Lewis DB third or fourth round
Victor Butler DE fifth or sixth round
Brandon Hughes DB seventh round
Sammie Stroughter WR seventh round
Oregon players invited to the NFL Combine and the round they are projected to be selected in by NFLDraftscout.com
Player Position Round
Max Unger OL First round
Patrick Chung DB Second round
Jairus Byrd DB Third round
Jeremiah Johnson RB Third round
Fenuki Tupou OL Third round
Ra'shon Harris DE Sixth round
Jaison Williams WR Seventh round
NFL Combine: Oregon's Max Unger receiving first-round marks from NFL scouts
Posted by Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian February 16, 2009 19:55PM
Categories: Ducks, NFL Local Ties, Oregonian story
Oregon offensive lineman Max Unger's versatility has scouts excited.Days before Oregon offensive lineman Max Unger was to report to Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, he felt good about clearing one burden off his plate.
"I sold my truck today," Unger said Sunday from Los Angeles. "I'm pretty happy about that."
The opportunity before him is worth smiling about, as well. Unger is among the players from Oregon and Oregon State to receive invitations to the combine, which begins Wednesday and runs through Monday. A nondescript recruit for Oregon in 2004, Unger has parlayed his development, versatility, durability and consistency into a probable NFL career.
Unger has a chance to become the first offensive linemen out of the state to be selected in the first round since Minnesota drafted Gary Zimmerman out of Oregon in 1984. Zimmerman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer.
To prepare for what amounts to a long, exhausting job interview, Unger spent time at Athletes' Performance training center in Carson, Calif., practicing drills and running through mock interviews. He has received advice from other players who have gone through the scouting and drafting process, including former college teammate Geoff Schwartz, an offensive tackle with the Carolina Panthers.
"I expect it to be pretty taxing," Unger said. "A lot more mentally than it is physically."
Unger didn't project to be a future first-round pick when he signed with Oregon in 2004. At the time, that year's recruiting class was regarded as the program's greatest, and Unger was one of the little-hyped three-star recruits, according to Rivals.com.
In 2005, as a redshirt freshman, Unger started at left tackle for a team that allowed 20 sacks. He started there again in 2006 and was chosen second-team all-Pacific-10 Conference. In 2007, he was moved to center and was first-team all-conference that season and in 2008. He made 51 consecutive starts.
Last month, Unger played guard at the Senior Bowl.
In a telephone interview, one NFL scout credited Oregon offensive line coach Steve Greatwood Unger's development.
"He's done a real good of developing this guy that wasn't highly recruited," he said.
That said, the scout believes Unger (6-foot-5, 299 pounds) lacks the athleticism of most offensive tackles chosen in the first round and projects more as a guard or a center. Those positions typically are not taken high in the first round, but the scout said Unger's versatility should land him in the latter part of the first round.
The Associated Press
Max Unger could become the first offensive lineman out of the state of Oregon to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 25 years.
"I think he could be one of the few guys that you ever draft and say, 'He's an offensive lineman,'" the scout said. "He could play anywhere."
That ability, the scout said, speaks well to Unger's football IQ.
"Any time you play different positions you have to have a real good level of maturity, instinct and work ethic," the scout said.
Versatility can translate into roster flexibility.
"Most teams dress eight offensive linemen," the scout said. "So when you have a guy that can play all three positions, that's something nobody has. Now you can dress an extra player at another position, like an extra wide receiver, depending on your game plan for that week."
Unger said he has done his share of mock draft-surfing online but doesn't believe what he reads.
"You can have your ego puffed up or crushed pretty easily," he said.
Unger said he wouldn't be picky about what position he plays.
"Any position would be great," he said. "But I feel more comfortable playing inside than outside."
Either way, the NFL scout said, Unger has a bright future.
"Whoever gets him," the scout said, "could get a potential All-Pro."
A NFL scout who scouts Pac-10 games offers a quick snapshot on several other prospects:
Patrick Chung, defensive back, Oregon: "He should do pretty well. Good athlete. He should go around the second round."
Jairus Byrd, defensive back, Oregon: "I think some where in the third-round range. We'll see what he runs. He's a real good player, very productive."
Jeremiah Johnson, running back, Oregon: "He's maybe a fifth or sixth round guy. Lack of size court hurt him a bit. Talented guy in his own right. Needs to find a role, a team that seeks out a guy like him, who can catch the ball, run and play a backup role and special tams."
Andrew Levitre, offensive line, Oregon State: "Like Max, has shown some versatility. Probably more of an inside player because he's only 6-foot-2."
Sammie Stroughter, wide receiver, Oregon State: "He's a real inspirational guy, tough, a playmaker. He gave them a lot of pop in the punt return game. He's pretty good. But because of his height (5-foot-9) he's going to have to run pretty well."
Oregon State players invited to the NFL Combine and the round they are projected to be selected in by NFLDraftscout.com
Player Position Projected round
Andrew Levitre OL third round
Keenan Lewis DB third or fourth round
Victor Butler DE fifth or sixth round
Brandon Hughes DB seventh round
Sammie Stroughter WR seventh round
Oregon players invited to the NFL Combine and the round they are projected to be selected in by NFLDraftscout.com
Player Position Round
Max Unger OL First round
Patrick Chung DB Second round
Jairus Byrd DB Third round
Jeremiah Johnson RB Third round
Fenuki Tupou OL Third round
Ra'shon Harris DE Sixth round
Jaison Williams WR Seventh round