Anatomy of a prospect: Western Illinois OLB Jason Williams

[cowboyjoe]

Anatomy of a prospect: Western Illinois OLB Jason Williams
3:50 PM Fri, Mar 20, 2009 | Permalink
Rick Gosselin E-mail News tips
There wasn't much NFL love for the Missouri Valley Conference in February. Not a single player from the league's nine schools was invited to the scouting combine.

But the NFL is starting to warm up to the Valley now. In particular, the NFL is warming up to Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams.

Williams had the credentials for an invite. A two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year, Williams forced a school-record six fumbles in 2008 and an NCAA-record-tying 14 in his career. He finished fourth in the voting for the 2008 Buchanan Award as the best player at the FCS level. But the NFL did not consider him one of the top 330 prospects in the 2009 draft, so he was not invited to Indianapolis for the combine.

A slew of NFL teams did show up for his pro day, though, and Williams showed them he belonged in Indy. He measured 6-1, 238 pounds, clocked a 4.49 in his 40-yard dash, benched 225 pounds 26 times and skied 39 inches in his vertical jump. That showed the NFL he has the speed, strength and athleticism to compete at the next level. It also sent him zooming up a thin linebacker board. The top-rated outside linebacker in this draft Aaron Curry (6-1 1/2, 254) ran a 4.52, benched 25 and verticaled 37.

Williams could be the highest non-combine player drafted in April.

 

[28 Joker]

I like this guy.

I said it would take a fourth rounder to get him, but now, it looks like he might break into the third round.

Marcus Freeman (Ohio State) had a great pro day, too. I like him. He might crack round 2.

Darry Beckwith is a solid player, but I don't think he's the best guy for the job at this point.

I would take Dannelle Ellerbe over Beckwith and not hesitate. Ellerbe's short shuttle was outstanding. He's the guy I would look for. However, cover 2 teams are going to want him, too. They are going to want him in the middle according to Bunting.

Getting a good ILB who can cover looks bleak after 3 rounds.

 

[28 Joker]

Darry Beckwith only recorded a 4.50 short shuttle. This measures his quickness and ability to change directions quickly. That number isn't good for a middle linebacker. Bunting says it's alarming.

Dannell Ellerbe ran a 4.25 short shuttle. That is very good. In fact, it's the best time by all the middle linebackers in the draft, except for Ray Maualuga. He hasn't run it, yet. He's been hurt.

Ellerbe is athletic and can really cover. He could put on 4 pounds and play at 240 and be an every down player some day.

I've been on Ellerbe over Beckwith for a while, and this is more evidence. Ellerbe had a great year his junior year. He played all the linebacker positions and was banged up this year. That's why his production dropped.


http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/03/behind-the-times-mlb-short-shuttle/


Here is Bunting analyzing the short shuttle times. Ellerbe is the best so far, and Lofa Tatupu had a great one, too. Although, his 40 time was high.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I like Ellerbe alot too 41, in fact me and Vintage are starting a Ellerbe Bandwagon club if you want to hop on too, invitation is open

 

[28 Joker]

I like Ellerbe alot too 41, in fact me and Vintage are starting a Ellerbe Bandwagon club if you want to hop on too, invitation is open

Thanks. I'm on.

 

[Vintage]

Ellerbe to Dallas!

 

[cowboyjoe]

i dont know zoners, i think i like jason williams better, look at this on the guy you want from georgia
Dannell Ellerbe
ILB, Georgia
War Room analysis
Strengths: Combines athleticism, instincts and competitiveness to make plays all over the field against the run and pass. Reads plays fast and shows quick feet to get started toward the ball in a flash. Shows speed to track down plays in pursuit. Fills holes quickly; takes on lead blockers aggressively at the point of attack, sheds them and makes tackles on inside runs. Gets good depth in pass drops and shows the loose hips and agility to change directions and explode toward receivers. Flashes the ability to close quickly on passes; either delivers hard hits after catches or reaches in front of receivers to break up passes. Shows the athleticism and speed to pick up running backs out of the backfield, and stays on opponent's hip all over the field in man-to-man coverage.



Weaknesses: Looks a little short on film; lack of height was also apparent at the East-West Shrine Game practices. Gets engulfed and ridden out of plays if offensive linemen lock up on him. Does not show the elite speed that top NFL middle linebackers have. Is not an explosive or polished pass rusher, and struggles to pressure the quarterback on blitzes. Has some off-field concerns.



Bottom line: Highly productive at Georgia, Ellerbe has all the physical tools to carry over that performance to the NFL. His lack of ideal height and speed are not major impediments; he is strong enough to hold up at the point of attack, and he uses solid instincts and quick feet to play faster than his 40 time.


However, his draft stock could be hurt by off-field red flags. He was suspended for the first three games of the 2006 season after borrowing a teammate's car without permission, using another person's driver's license to gain entry into a strip club, getting into a car accident and initially being charged with DUI (that charge was later dropped due to the lack of an administered test, but Ellerbe did plead guilty to underage possession of alcohol while driving and reckless driving). While Ellerbe is an ideal middle linebacker for today's NFL and has a chance to be an early pick, he could slide down some draft boards if teams are not convinced he'll stay out of trouble.

 

[Vintage]

Strengths: Combines athleticism, instincts and competitiveness to make plays all over the field against the run and pass. Reads plays fast and shows quick feet to get started toward the ball in a flash. Shows speed to track down plays in pursuit.

So he's athletic and fast....

Fills holes quickly; takes on lead blockers aggressively at the point of attack, sheds them and makes tackles on inside runs.

So he can take on blockers and shed them...

Gets good depth in pass drops and shows the loose hips and agility to change directions and explode toward receivers. Flashes the ability to close quickly on passes; either delivers hard hits after catches or reaches in front of receivers to break up passes. Shows the athleticism and speed to pick up running backs out of the backfield, and stays on opponent's hip all over the field in man-to-man coverage.

So he can cover....

Weaknesses: Looks a little short on film; lack of height was also apparent at the East-West Shrine Game practices. Gets engulfed and ridden out of plays if offensive linemen lock up on him.

So now.... he can't get off blocker? ***? They just said he could.

Does not show the elite speed that top NFL middle linebackers have. Is not an explosive or polished pass rusher, and struggles to pressure the quarterback on blitzes. Has some off-field concerns.

Wait. So now... he's not fast enough. LOL. OK.

Bottom line: Highly productive at Georgia, Ellerbe has all the physical tools to carry over that performance to the NFL. His lack of ideal height and speed are not major impediments; he is strong enough to hold up at the point of attack, and he uses solid instincts and quick feet to play faster than his 40 time.

So... now we are back to him being athletic/quick enough/fast enough/can hold up at the POA.

Glad we came full circle on this.

Sounds good.

Draft him.

 

[28 Joker]

Vintage,

That's pretty funny. I go through the same thought process when I read those things.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I go to NFLDraftScout for all my reading

I don't bother with anything else, they're very good and never contradict themselves

 

[28 Joker]

i dont know zoners, i think i like jason williams better, look at this on the guy you want from georgia
Dannell Ellerbe
ILB, Georgia
War Room analysis
Strengths: Combines athleticism, instincts and competitiveness to make plays all over the field against the run and pass. Reads plays fast and shows quick feet to get started toward the ball in a flash. Shows speed to track down plays in pursuit. Fills holes quickly; takes on lead blockers aggressively at the point of attack, sheds them and makes tackles on inside runs. Gets good depth in pass drops and shows the loose hips and agility to change directions and explode toward receivers. Flashes the ability to close quickly on passes; either delivers hard hits after catches or reaches in front of receivers to break up passes. Shows the athleticism and speed to pick up running backs out of the backfield, and stays on opponent's hip all over the field in man-to-man coverage.



Weaknesses: Looks a little short on film; lack of height was also apparent at the East-West Shrine Game practices. Gets engulfed and ridden out of plays if offensive linemen lock up on him. Does not show the elite speed that top NFL middle linebackers have. Is not an explosive or polished pass rusher, and struggles to pressure the quarterback on blitzes. Has some off-field concerns.



Bottom line: Highly productive at Georgia, Ellerbe has all the physical tools to carry over that performance to the NFL. His lack of ideal height and speed are not major impediments; he is strong enough to hold up at the point of attack, and he uses solid instincts and quick feet to play faster than his 40 time.


However, his draft stock could be hurt by off-field red flags. He was suspended for the first three games of the 2006 season after borrowing a teammate's car without permission, using another person's driver's license to gain entry into a strip club, getting into a car accident and initially being charged with DUI (that charge was later dropped due to the lack of an administered test, but Ellerbe did plead guilty to underage possession of alcohol while driving and reckless driving). While Ellerbe is an ideal middle linebacker for today's NFL and has a chance to be an early pick, he could slide down some draft boards if teams are not convinced he'll stay out of trouble.

Those off the field flags could hurt his draft stock. However, some teams like to gamble more. I knew about the borrowed car incident, but I didn't know about that other stuff. Perhaps, he falls into round four and he's a better value there. However, this linebacker crop isn't deep. The cover guys are really not deep.


Did Jason Williams run the short-shuttle? His times are blank on his pro day stat sheet (NFLDraftScout).

If he dodged those drills, I would question it. Is he just a straight-line guy?

I don't know. I've never seen him play.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Those off the field flags could hurt his draft stock. However, some teams like to gamble more. I knew about the borrowed car incident, but I didn't know about that other stuff. Perhaps, he falls into round four and he's a better value there. However, this linebacker crop isn't deep. The cover guys are really not deep.


Did Jason Williams run the short-shuttle? His times are blank on his pro day stat sheet (NFLDraftScout).

If he dodged those drills, I would question it. Is he just a straight-line guy?

I don't know. I've never seen him play.

I heard that he did run the shuttle, and they weren't very good because it was on a basketball court

nvm, I was mistaken, only did the 40, bench and vertical

 

[28 Joker]

I go to NFLDraftScout for all my reading

I don't bother with anything else, they're very good and never contradict themselves

Yeah, they seem to be the best place to go for scouting reports. I like the draft projections, too. I use them and Bunting for the projections.

 

[28 Joker]

I heard that he did run the shuttle, and they weren't very good because it was on a basketball court

I heard his 40 time was on a basketball court, and he went to Northwestern's pro day and ran faster. 4.44

I would like to see his shuttle time.

Freeman put up a really good one. 4.08, I think. Bunting said that he's a solid 3rd rounder who could sneak into the end of round 2.

He ran a 4.51, too.

Can we trade him for Barbie?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I heard his 40 time was on a basketball court, and he went to Northwestern's pro day and ran faster. 4.44

I would like to see his shuttle time.

Freeman put up a really good one. 4.08, I think. Bunting said that he's a solid 3rd rounder who could sneak into the end of round 2.

He ran a 4.51, too.

Can we trade him for Barbie?

I'd be a happy man if we ended up with Freeman, Williams or Dannell Ellerbe

 

[28 Joker]

I'd be a happy man if we ended up with Freeman, Williams or Dannell Ellerbe

I agree. I'm not seeing much else. The pick'ins are slim. Ellerbe in round 4 would be nice. Perhaps, he slips. That's where I"m going to slot the ILB. He's a steal in round four if he behaves. If Dallas takes Freeman, they would have to do it at 69 if he's even still there.

However, it only takes one team to say: This dude can play. I'm taking him in round 3, anyway.

Edit:

NFLDS has him going in the third: # 95

That's cutting it close.

Freeman 2-3
Ellerbe 3
Williams 3-4

If Dallas really likes one of these guys, they will have to either, take one or sweat it out or move up with # 69 or # 97.

 

[hendog]

I like Ellerbe alot too 41, in fact me and Vintage are starting a Ellerbe Bandwagon club if you want to hop on too, invitation is open

Hendog mock draft 1.0

Already on it.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Hendog mock draft 1.0

Already on it.

whoohoo!

 

[BAT]

I prefer Williams or Phillips. Both have high work ethic and CHARACTER. More leaders on this team, not thugs, are needed to get to the next level_not just a victory in the playoffs, but team cohesiveness.


I like Freeman too, but not in the 2nd, like he's projected. Either Phillips or Williams will be there in the 3-5 round range. Much better value, and upside.

 

[Rampage]

do we have a realistic shot at Ellerbe?