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#53 Pick Anthony Fasano ND
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SteveOS
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/fasano_anthony
SUMMARY
Fasano is a fourth-year player who could have played one more year at Notre Dame, but he chose to come out a season early for the 2006 NFL Draft. He is a very well-built, thick-bodied tight end with the strength to be a good all-around blocker and punishing runner after the catch, but he needs to greatly improve his run-blocking technique in order to play up to his ability. Too often, he stays upright and does not attack the defender when he blocks, which allows aggressive defenders to push him around -- he often over-extends and gets torqued and tossed to the ground. He does, however, do a good job of getting through to the second level and blocking linebackers out of the play. He is a dangerous receiver, who has the hands to make the outstanding catch seem routine, he can get down the seam to stretch the field, and he is a strong and powerful runner after the catch, who consistently gains yards after contact. Overall, Fasano is going to be a very good starting tight end in the NFL, who will impact games as a receiver, and with his work ethic and competitiveness, he will likely improve his blocking technique to the point that he will be a good all-around blocker.
CRITICAL FACTORS
Size Athletic Ability Hands Competes Play Speed Blocking
6.0 6.0 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5
STRONG POINTS
Fasano is a good athlete with the body control and hands to make great catches consistently -- he does a very good job of getting his head and hands around to catch passes that get on top of him fast. He is a very aggressive runner after the catch who will deliver a blow to the tackler, keep his feet, break tackles and gain yardage after contact. He gets through to the second level quickly, makes a good initial block on the linebacker, and he can stay on his feet to maintain blocks in space. He has the natural flexibility to bend his knees and run block with leverage, and when he blocks aggressively, he can seal his man off from the play and eliminate him.
WEAKNESSES
Fasano lacks a burst off the ball to explode into routes, and he struggles to get off the ball and into his route quickly vs. a good jam. On most running plays, he is not an aggressive run blocker, and struggles to block his man -- most of the time, he is a catch blocker, getting stood up and pushed backwards at the point of attack. When his man is not close to him on in-line run blocks, he does not move his feet to get to him to make contact, and usually ends up leaning and reaching, which leads to him getting torqued and tossed off his feet. He does not pass block with leverage or use his hands aggressively, so aggressive pass rushers can drive him backwards and into the quarterback's lap.
POSITIONAL FACTORS
Grade Category Comments/Description
7.0 Hands He has excellent hands and has shown the ability to make great catches seem consistently easy.
5.0 Initial Quickness He gets out of his stance decently, but he does not burst off the ball into routes or on in-line run blocks.
5.5 Release Off Line He has the playing strength to fight through jams, but he lacks the burst and quickness to avoid the quick jam.
6.5 Patterns Despite running upright, he runs very sharp routes, and gets into and out of cuts consistently quick.
6.5 Adjustment Ablility His hands, coordination and body control help him to consistently adjust and make great catches.
6.0 Deep Threat He lacks explosiveness in the route, but once he gets going, he has enough playing speed to get down the seam.
6.5 Run After Catch He is a strong and physical runner who consistently breaks tackles and gains yards after contact.
5.5 Run Block In-Line He's good when he gets after the defensive line aggressively and stays over his feet, but he is not consistent as an in-line blocker.
6.5 Run Block Space He gets to the second level fast, and he does a good job of making contact and blocking linebackers out of the play.
5.5 Pass Blocking He can be good when he bends his knees and is aggressive with his hands, but he gets driven backwards too often.
6.0 Play Strength He has very good playing strength running with the ball, but needs to block with leverage on his run blocks more often.
6.0 Fumbles/Error He's not a fumbler and does not make glaring mental errors, but he needs to use good technique more consistently.
ATHLETIC ABILITY Section Grade: 6.0
Fasano's good athletic ability helped him step up and have an excellent junior season at Notre Dame. He has quick feet to get through the line of scrimmage, to block on the second level, and to get out of cuts in routes quickly, but he is not quick or explosive off the ball. Once in his route, his quickness shows in his ability to get his head and hands around quickly to catch passes that get on top of him fast. His good agility and balance combine with his natural strength to let him keep his feet vs. hard hits and to break tackles. He has the natural flexibility to lower a shoulder to deliver a hard blow to the tackler, but he does not show flexibility in routes -- he tends to be a bit of an upright runner in routes. His combination of good hands, coordination and body control enable him to consistently adjust to off-target passes and make tough catches seem easy.
Q.A.B. Quick Feet C.O.D. Flexibility Coordination
6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.5
COMPETITIVENESS Section Grade: 6.5
Fasano is an extremely tough football player, who consistently has played through pain to stay in the starting lineup, and plays with a tough and aggressive attitude running with the ball -- but he does not show that same tough attitude as a blocker. On the most important downs, he has consistently stepped up and made big plays both as a receiver and a blocker. His overall production has been good, but he is not consistent as a blocker or at releasing off the line of scrimmage. He has very good hands catching every pass thrown his way, runs very aggressively after the catch and consistently gains yards after contact -- He has the strength to be a consistent tackle breaker in the NFL. As an in-line run blocker, he does not fire off the ball and attack the defensive line consistently; too often, he becomes a catch blocker, and can be stood up and pushed backwards by strong defensive linemen. Additionally, he gets over-aggressive on run blocks at times and ends up leaning and over-extending, which allows the defender to torque and toss him off his feet. He is without question a team player, who gives an excellent effort on every snap. Even though he is not always an aggressive blocker, he never gives less than a top-notch effort and always fights and stays after his blocks from snap to whistle to try to block his man.
Toughness Clutch Play Production Consistency Team Player Pride/Quit
6.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 6.0 6.5
MENTAL ALERTNESS Section Grade: 5.5
Fasano is a smart football player, but he does not always maintain his focus or concentration, which hinders his ability to use good technique as a blocker on every snap. He has very good instincts, and they combine with his quick feet to let him react quickly once the play starts, but he does not burst or explode off the ball into his routes. His inability to maintain his concentration really shows in his inconsistent blocking technique, and leads to him getting pushed around at the point of attack, and ending up on the ground more than a player with his size, strength and athleticism should. He does, however, do a very good job of maintaining his concentration to make tough catches every single time.
Learn/Retain Instincts/Reactions Concentration
6.0 6.0 5.5
STRENGTH/EXPLOSION Section Grade: 6.0
Fasano is a well-built tight end with the physique that is ideal to excel as a receiver and blocker. He has been an extremely durable player at Notre Dame, and with his toughness, athleticism and strength, NFL teams should be confident in his ability to be a durable tight end. He does not have an explosive burst off the ball into his routes, and he doesn't fire off the ball on in-line run blocks, but he does have a burst turning upfield after the catch and explosively delivering a blow to the tackler. He has very good playing strength running with the ball after the catch, punishing the tackler, breaking tackles, and gaining yards after contact. However, he does not consistently play strong at the point of attack as a blocker, because when he blocks upright and catches defenders, he can be pushed around.
Body Type Durability Explosion Play Strength
6.0 6.5 5.5 6.0
SUMMARY
Fasano is a fourth-year player who could have played one more year at Notre Dame, but he chose to come out a season early for the 2006 NFL Draft. He is a very well-built, thick-bodied tight end with the strength to be a good all-around blocker and punishing runner after the catch, but he needs to greatly improve his run-blocking technique in order to play up to his ability. Too often, he stays upright and does not attack the defender when he blocks, which allows aggressive defenders to push him around -- he often over-extends and gets torqued and tossed to the ground. He does, however, do a good job of getting through to the second level and blocking linebackers out of the play. He is a dangerous receiver, who has the hands to make the outstanding catch seem routine, he can get down the seam to stretch the field, and he is a strong and powerful runner after the catch, who consistently gains yards after contact. Overall, Fasano is going to be a very good starting tight end in the NFL, who will impact games as a receiver, and with his work ethic and competitiveness, he will likely improve his blocking technique to the point that he will be a good all-around blocker.
CRITICAL FACTORS
Size Athletic Ability Hands Competes Play Speed Blocking
6.0 6.0 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5
STRONG POINTS
Fasano is a good athlete with the body control and hands to make great catches consistently -- he does a very good job of getting his head and hands around to catch passes that get on top of him fast. He is a very aggressive runner after the catch who will deliver a blow to the tackler, keep his feet, break tackles and gain yardage after contact. He gets through to the second level quickly, makes a good initial block on the linebacker, and he can stay on his feet to maintain blocks in space. He has the natural flexibility to bend his knees and run block with leverage, and when he blocks aggressively, he can seal his man off from the play and eliminate him.
WEAKNESSES
Fasano lacks a burst off the ball to explode into routes, and he struggles to get off the ball and into his route quickly vs. a good jam. On most running plays, he is not an aggressive run blocker, and struggles to block his man -- most of the time, he is a catch blocker, getting stood up and pushed backwards at the point of attack. When his man is not close to him on in-line run blocks, he does not move his feet to get to him to make contact, and usually ends up leaning and reaching, which leads to him getting torqued and tossed off his feet. He does not pass block with leverage or use his hands aggressively, so aggressive pass rushers can drive him backwards and into the quarterback's lap.
POSITIONAL FACTORS
Grade Category Comments/Description
7.0 Hands He has excellent hands and has shown the ability to make great catches seem consistently easy.
5.0 Initial Quickness He gets out of his stance decently, but he does not burst off the ball into routes or on in-line run blocks.
5.5 Release Off Line He has the playing strength to fight through jams, but he lacks the burst and quickness to avoid the quick jam.
6.5 Patterns Despite running upright, he runs very sharp routes, and gets into and out of cuts consistently quick.
6.5 Adjustment Ablility His hands, coordination and body control help him to consistently adjust and make great catches.
6.0 Deep Threat He lacks explosiveness in the route, but once he gets going, he has enough playing speed to get down the seam.
6.5 Run After Catch He is a strong and physical runner who consistently breaks tackles and gains yards after contact.
5.5 Run Block In-Line He's good when he gets after the defensive line aggressively and stays over his feet, but he is not consistent as an in-line blocker.
6.5 Run Block Space He gets to the second level fast, and he does a good job of making contact and blocking linebackers out of the play.
5.5 Pass Blocking He can be good when he bends his knees and is aggressive with his hands, but he gets driven backwards too often.
6.0 Play Strength He has very good playing strength running with the ball, but needs to block with leverage on his run blocks more often.
6.0 Fumbles/Error He's not a fumbler and does not make glaring mental errors, but he needs to use good technique more consistently.
ATHLETIC ABILITY Section Grade: 6.0
Fasano's good athletic ability helped him step up and have an excellent junior season at Notre Dame. He has quick feet to get through the line of scrimmage, to block on the second level, and to get out of cuts in routes quickly, but he is not quick or explosive off the ball. Once in his route, his quickness shows in his ability to get his head and hands around quickly to catch passes that get on top of him fast. His good agility and balance combine with his natural strength to let him keep his feet vs. hard hits and to break tackles. He has the natural flexibility to lower a shoulder to deliver a hard blow to the tackler, but he does not show flexibility in routes -- he tends to be a bit of an upright runner in routes. His combination of good hands, coordination and body control enable him to consistently adjust to off-target passes and make tough catches seem easy.
Q.A.B. Quick Feet C.O.D. Flexibility Coordination
6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.5
COMPETITIVENESS Section Grade: 6.5
Fasano is an extremely tough football player, who consistently has played through pain to stay in the starting lineup, and plays with a tough and aggressive attitude running with the ball -- but he does not show that same tough attitude as a blocker. On the most important downs, he has consistently stepped up and made big plays both as a receiver and a blocker. His overall production has been good, but he is not consistent as a blocker or at releasing off the line of scrimmage. He has very good hands catching every pass thrown his way, runs very aggressively after the catch and consistently gains yards after contact -- He has the strength to be a consistent tackle breaker in the NFL. As an in-line run blocker, he does not fire off the ball and attack the defensive line consistently; too often, he becomes a catch blocker, and can be stood up and pushed backwards by strong defensive linemen. Additionally, he gets over-aggressive on run blocks at times and ends up leaning and over-extending, which allows the defender to torque and toss him off his feet. He is without question a team player, who gives an excellent effort on every snap. Even though he is not always an aggressive blocker, he never gives less than a top-notch effort and always fights and stays after his blocks from snap to whistle to try to block his man.
Toughness Clutch Play Production Consistency Team Player Pride/Quit
6.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 6.0 6.5
MENTAL ALERTNESS Section Grade: 5.5
Fasano is a smart football player, but he does not always maintain his focus or concentration, which hinders his ability to use good technique as a blocker on every snap. He has very good instincts, and they combine with his quick feet to let him react quickly once the play starts, but he does not burst or explode off the ball into his routes. His inability to maintain his concentration really shows in his inconsistent blocking technique, and leads to him getting pushed around at the point of attack, and ending up on the ground more than a player with his size, strength and athleticism should. He does, however, do a very good job of maintaining his concentration to make tough catches every single time.
Learn/Retain Instincts/Reactions Concentration
6.0 6.0 5.5
STRENGTH/EXPLOSION Section Grade: 6.0
Fasano is a well-built tight end with the physique that is ideal to excel as a receiver and blocker. He has been an extremely durable player at Notre Dame, and with his toughness, athleticism and strength, NFL teams should be confident in his ability to be a durable tight end. He does not have an explosive burst off the ball into his routes, and he doesn't fire off the ball on in-line run blocks, but he does have a burst turning upfield after the catch and explosively delivering a blow to the tackler. He has very good playing strength running with the ball after the catch, punishing the tackler, breaking tackles, and gaining yards after contact. However, he does not consistently play strong at the point of attack as a blocker, because when he blocks upright and catches defenders, he can be pushed around.
Body Type Durability Explosion Play Strength
6.0 6.5 5.5 6.0
CowboyWay
If Coach would have put me in, we'd a won State
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Westcoasthabsfan said:
Absolutely Agree !!! Fasano is a fine player, but we don't need him. We are one injury away from Pettiti starting again, then our season is done. We should've taken Eric Winston OT, or KO simpson at the very least.
Only reason to take Fasano is because Jerry doesn't think he can sign him come free agency. I hate this pick
Screw The Hall
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Eskimo said:
Like the rest of you ... I'm floored. He better be good, that's all I can say.
Westcoasthabsfan
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Ko Simpson shouldve been the pick in this spot....they shouldve just traded down again instead of picking another TE
Doomsday101
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Wow did not expect that. I like Fasano but really felt Dallas would go else where with the pick like OL
Michael88Irvin
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Official Bio
Strengths:
Has good size and a solid frame...Has excellent hands and will make the tough catch...A great weapon in the short to intermediate passing game...An above average blocker who always gives top effort...Hard working and smart...Is very tough and a gamer...Was very productive and had his best season in 2005.
Weaknesses:
Is not a great natural athlete...Lacks outstanding speed and quickness...Needs to get stronger...Will not stretch the field or do much in terms of running after the catch...Had some trouble with fumbles throughout his final season...Lacks upside.
Notes:
One of the best all-around (blocking and receiving) tight ends in the draft...Is not very flashy and won't amaze you with his physical tools but he possesses top intangibles and just gets the job done...Overachiever in the mold of Mark Bavaro.
Strengths:
Has good size and a solid frame...Has excellent hands and will make the tough catch...A great weapon in the short to intermediate passing game...An above average blocker who always gives top effort...Hard working and smart...Is very tough and a gamer...Was very productive and had his best season in 2005.
Weaknesses:
Is not a great natural athlete...Lacks outstanding speed and quickness...Needs to get stronger...Will not stretch the field or do much in terms of running after the catch...Had some trouble with fumbles throughout his final season...Lacks upside.
Notes:
One of the best all-around (blocking and receiving) tight ends in the draft...Is not very flashy and won't amaze you with his physical tools but he possesses top intangibles and just gets the job done...Overachiever in the mold of Mark Bavaro.
btcutter
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it took the WHOLE damn 10 min to come up with Fasano????? This has Parcells written all over it.
randomly pick a OL would be better than Fasano....are we planning to keep both TE in to help our OL like last yr????
Stupid trade down for this pick
randomly pick a OL would be better than Fasano....are we planning to keep both TE in to help our OL like last yr????
Stupid trade down for this pick
