Any Texas Tech fans?

[TimeKeeper]

Robert Johnson seems like he'd be a good receiver if he could change his attitude. He spent too much time in Leach's dog house though. Think Antonio Bryant 2 steps faster

 

[Aikbach]

Sounds like a taller and healthier version of Wane McGarity.

Texas Tech produces gaudy numbers for their skill positions but seldom are they worthwhile pros.

Defensively however they produce some nice prospects.

 

[Deputy493]

I am a Tech alum and I would be all for drafting Filani in the mid rounds, as high as the 4th........he has pretty good NFL size and although raw numbers may not show his game speed, he rarely gets caught.....he flat out took over some games as a WR......He is not the typical system Tech WR. Filani will make some tough catches over the middle too, although he will drop the occasional pass, but would be good value from 4th on, IMO........Robert Johnson would not be bad either later.........I would not touch Hicks with a 10 foot pole......physically he would seem to have all the talent, but could not stay on the field for Tech with attitude and academic problems and many games he would disapear, didn't seem to play at %100 or seem to have his heart in the game..........

but I would love to take a flyer on Filani and maybe in the later rounds Johnson if there.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Who are all theses busted Tech WR's that everyone keeps talking about?

The only WR Tech has produced in recent years regarded as any type of pro prospect is Wes Welker, and he's performed above expectations.

 

[doomsday_II]

Robert Johnson seems like he'd be a good receiver if he could change his attitude. He spent too much time in Leach's dog house though. Think Antonio Bryant 2 steps faster

Johnson reminds me of Hines Ward in background and physically. Former QB, great hands, rock-solid strong. Just don't know if he is fast enough or has good route running skills.

 

[Txguy86]

Johnson is actually "statistically" faster than filani. But Filani has much better break away speed.

 

[silverbear]

Jerry Rice wasn't a burner either.

Not saying Filani is the next Jerry Rice but there is such a thing as 40 speed and football speed. You rarely see Filani caught from behind.

I'm not talking about getting caught from behind, I'm talking about getting separation... I just don't see him being able to do that in the NFL...

Rice was faster than Filani is... Joel is listed as a 4.65-4.7 second 40 type, Jerry was more of a 4.5-4.55 second 40 type...

 

[Deputy493]

I'm not talking about getting caught from behind, I'm talking about getting separation... I just don't see him being able to do that in the NFL...

Rice was faster than Filani is... Joel is listed as a 4.65-4.7 second 40 type, Jerry was more of a 4.5-4.55 second 40 type...

A. Boldin's draft stock fell in the draft because he ran in the 4.6-4.7 range in all of his workouts prior to the draft.........he turned out to be great.......too many get hooked on workout warrior stats, when they should probably look at game speed a little more.......there have been several 4.3 guys that bust in the NFL because they don't play with game speed.

Filani is a very good WR, period, that took over many games the past few years at Tech......don't get the tunnel vision of simply looking at 40 times and bench reps.

If you all recall, Michael Irvin wasn't very fast either.

 

[Deputy493]

The only WR Tech has produced in recent years regarded as any type of pro prospect is Wes Welker, and he's performed above expectations.

Actually to the Tech laymen, Wes Welker is performing above expectations, but to Tech fans, alum etc....that watch them every week, we all knew Welker would be a steal for some NFL team.....I was POed when the Cowboys didn't sign him when they could've........no they draft Zuriel Smith who couldn't carry Welker's jock..........

as far as you grouping in all Tech receivers, when Leach started at Tech we had a bunch of smaller, quicker WRs, like Carlos Francis..........this group we are talking about........Filani, Johnson, and even Hicks when his head is screwed on right all have NFL size and all can run and break tackles......they can be more physical..........I am not talking about taking these guys in the 1st round, but if you look at guys like TO and Chad Johnson, and Colston this year, they weren't taken on the 1st day either.

 

[Txguy86]

Heres some video on him its on youtube. About 1:50 in he makes his mark on the game and you will see his quickness. Keep your eye on Number 8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RiBFESVX4FE

 

[Txguy86]

I want to verify thats the 1:50 min mark in the clip

 

[Bob Sacamano]

A. Boldin's draft stock fell in the draft because he ran in the 4.6-4.7 range in all of his workouts prior to the draft.........

that's because he was coming off a terrible knee injury, and it doesn't hurt that he's a former QB

btw, FSU's Chris Davis is another late 2nd day pick at WR to look out for, he's fast as hell and a playmaker, but he was playing in the bogged down FSU O, and Drew Weatherford wasn't exactly the model of consistency at QB

 

[silverbear]

A. Boldin's draft stock fell in the draft because he ran in the 4.6-4.7 range in all of his workouts prior to the draft.........

Boldin was apparently hurt that offseason, but in reality is generally a 4.55 40 type...

there have been several 4.3 guys that bust in the NFL because they don't play with game speed.

Superstar Randal Williams comes to mind... so does Alexander Wright...

Filani is a very good WR, period,

Filani is a very good COLLEGE WR, period... there is every reason to doubt whether or not he'll ever be a successful NFL WR, because of his speed... the DBs in the NFL are MUCH faster, and if you can't get open, you won't get many chances to catch the ball, will you??

Which is why he's not even considered a first day draft prospect on any draft board I've seen... the consensus seems to have him going in the 5th or 6th rounds...

If you all recall, Michael Irvin wasn't very fast either.

Michael Irvin was a lot faster than Filani is...

Look, this may sound like a UT fan just raggin' on Tech, but going into this season I had Hicks fairly high on my draft board... he fell off that board by basically disappearing this year... but it is legitimate to note that the stats of any Tech WR should be discounted a bit, because of the system they run there...

It is also legit to be highly suspicious of Filani's NFL prospects, when he runs a 4.7 40... I personally wouldn't take a chance on that sort of WR, particularly not when the Boys have a number of big WRs, but could use a bit more speed in their WR corps... IOW, is Filani good enough to supplant Miles Austin or Sam Hurd, or should we be looking for a smaller, sub-4.4 second 40 type, who might also be able to help out on kick returns??

 

[Txguy86]

Guys can get faster it takes alot of hard work and alot of TIME, but guys can get faster and if he can get it down to the 4.6-4.69 range thats a hell of an improvement.

 

[silverbear]

Guys can get faster it takes alot of hard work and alot of TIME, but guys can get faster and if he can get it down to the 4.6-4.69 range thats a hell of an improvement.

If he can post a 4.6 or a little under at the combines, or in on-campus Pro Day workouts, I'll move him up my draft board a round or two...

Not until then, though...

 

[WDN]

Boldin was apparently hurt that offseason, but in reality is generally a 4.55 40 type...



Superstar Randal Williams comes to mind... so does Alexander Wright...



Filani is a very good COLLEGE WR, period... there is every reason to doubt whether or not he'll ever be a successful NFL WR, because of his speed... the DBs in the NFL are MUCH faster, and if you can't get open, you won't get many chances to catch the ball, will you??

Which is why he's not even considered a first day draft prospect on any draft board I've seen... the consensus seems to have him going in the 5th or 6th rounds...



Michael Irvin was a lot faster than Filani is...

Look, this may sound like a UT fan just raggin' on Tech, but going into this season I had Hicks fairly high on my draft board... he fell off that board by basically disappearing this year... but it is legitimate to note that the stats of any Tech WR should be discounted a bit, because of the system they run there...

It is also legit to be highly suspicious of Filani's NFL prospects, when he runs a 4.7 40... I personally wouldn't take a chance on that sort of WR, particularly not when the Boys have a number of big WRs, but could use a bit more speed in their WR corps... IOW, is Filani good enough to supplant Miles Austin or Sam Hurd, or should we be looking for a smaller, sub-4.4 second 40 type, who might also be able to help out on kick returns??

This is from the East-West Shrine practice.....

I've received several questions about Texas Tech wide receiver Joel Filani. Filani, like teammates Jarrett Hicks and Robert Johnson, will need to use this week to prove they are more than just products of Tech's system, which is set up to produce big yardage totals. Just look at the history of Tech quarterbacks for proof that big numbers don't necessarily translate into NFL-caliber prospects.

The biggest question about Filani is his speed. He has been clocked at 4.76 seconds in the 40, according to one AFC scout. He is scheduled to do his pre-draft training at Athlete's Performance in Tempe, Ariz. Such top prospects as Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and LSU's JaMarcus Russell are currently working out at the facility.

Right now, Filani is projected as a mid- to-late third round pick.


Filani is legit. He is right there at the cusp of day one with a slow 40 speed. I would imagine that it will only get better. He is doing very well in the conventional offense that they are running there at the East-West shrine game. Beating these faster DBs.

 

[silverbear]

This is from the East-West Shrine practice.....

The biggest question about Filani is his speed. He has been clocked at 4.76 seconds in the 40, according to one AFC scout. He is scheduled to do his pre-draft training at Athlete's Performance in Tempe, Ariz. Such top prospects as Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and LSU's JaMarcus Russell are currently working out at the facility.

Right now, Filani is projected as a mid- to-late third round pick.[/I]

By whom??

I ask because the most reputable draft site out there IMO, NFLDraftCountdown.com, lists him as the 20th best WR available, and I highly doubt that 20 WRs will come off the board in the first 3 rounds...

He is doing very well in the conventional offense that they are running there at the East-West shrine game. Beating these faster DBs.

Wide receivers always have an advantage over DBs in these all-star games... it should also be noted that he's not going up against the good DBs in this draft class; none of the DBs on the East team are in the top 10 at their respective positions in the NFLDraftCountdown ratings... indeed, only one of them is in the top 16 at his position (Kevin Payne of Louisiana-Monroe, who might be this year's version of Patrick Crayton)...

So, IF he's having success at the Shrine game practices, he's doing so in a format that is tailored for him to have success, against a collection of fringe NFL prospects... and none of them is particularly fast, none of them has a 40 time of under 4.5 seconds according to NFLDraftCountdown...

Clearly, having some success against that crew is not the same thing as having success against honest to Gawd NFL DBs...

 

[WDN]

By whom??

I ask because the most reputable draft site out there IMO, NFLDraftCountdown.com, lists him as the 20th best WR available, and I highly doubt that 20 WRs will come off the board in the first 3 rounds...



Wide receivers always have an advantage over DBs in these all-star games... it should also be noted that he's not going up against the good DBs in this draft class; none of the DBs on the East team are in the top 10 at their respective positions in the NFLDraftCountdown ratings... indeed, only one of them is in the top 16 at his position (Kevin Payne of Louisiana-Monroe, who might be this year's version of Patrick Crayton)...

So, IF he's having success at the Shrine game practices, he's doing so in a format that is tailored for him to have success, against a collection of fringe NFL prospects... and none of them is particularly fast, none of them has a 40 time of under 4.5 seconds according to NFLDraftCountdown...

Clearly, having some success against that crew is not the same thing as having success against honest to Gawd NFL DBs...

Success is success no matter how you slice it. He is doing what you expect him to do. In a system that is "not" his forte. Again I will reiterate there is such a thing as game speed and 40 speed. Don't be tied up in numbers afterall it was those numbers that made the Jets take Blair Thomas over Emmitt Smith.


I'm not really sure who wrote those articles but I was pointing out that Filani has some recognition as to being a first day pick. I fully realize that he won't be any higher than what that guy pointed out but that isn't Filanis' fault. He is going to get hammered by the "system" tag. He is going to get hammered by that 40 time unless he runs better on his pro day. As far as NFL draft countdown I bet Colston wasn't in the top picks and if you had to do the draft over then I'm sure he is a top 10 pick despite being from Hofstra.

I guess my point is that while you are saying system I am saying that he would produce no matter where he went. Good routes also create seperation. While watching Filani he hardly ever had any problems getting open and when he wasn't he still had the hands to get the ball.

I think he could make a very good 2nd/ 3rd option in the NFL.

 

[Deputy493]

and where did any of us argue we should take Filani on the first day? I said in the mid rounds, maybe as early as the 4th...........that would be a risk worth taking, especially to those of us who have seen him play a lot more than others.

 

[silverbear]

Success is success no matter how you slice it.

So using that logic, if I get straight A's in junior high school, that means I'm destined to get a Masters degree with honors...

He is doing what you expect him to do.

Against a bunch of DBs, the majority of whom will never make it in the NFL... yeah, that means he's ready to use and abuse Terence Newman... LOL...

Again I will reiterate there is such a thing as game speed and 40 speed.

And I'll reiterate that if you can't run faster than a 4.7 40, it's HIGHLY unlikely that you'll ever amount to anything as an NFL WR, no matter how good your hands are (and Filani's are excellent)... if you can't get open, you won't get many balls thrown your way...

I'm not really sure who wrote those articles but I was pointing out that Filani has some recognition as to being a first day pick.

Then provide us with a link to where you found the quote you shared with us... it makes a difference, whether the guy who said it is an acknowldged draft "expert", or just some fantasy football geek with his own blog...

I manange to cite MY sources as to his draft prospect (well, actually, my one source at this point)...

I fully realize that he won't be any higher than what that guy pointed out but that isn't Filanis' fault. He is going to get hammered by the "system" tag. He is going to get hammered by that 40 time unless he runs better on his pro day.

And that IS his "fault"... it's also the point I've been making all along...

As far as NFL draft countdown I bet Colston wasn't in the top picks and if you had to do the draft over then I'm sure he is a top 10 pick despite being from Hofstra.

Colston was rated to go right about where he did by those folks... really, it's pretty clear that you've never been to that website (if you had, you'd know that they gave Colston a pretty fair write up), so it's kinda weak for you to try to dismiss them without knowing what they're about, just because you don't like what they had to say about your precious WR...

I guess my point is that while you are saying system I am saying that he would produce no matter where he went.

And I'm saying that beating the slower, less talented DBs he saw in college is NOT the same thing as beating NFL DBs... he probably hasn't faced more than 6-10 DBs in his entire NFL career who are that good...

Good routes also create seperation.

Not when you run a 4.7 40, they don't... there ain't too many SMUs or Southeast Louisianas on your averaage everyday NFL schedule...

While watching Filani he hardly ever had any problems getting open

Again, do try to grasp one basic fact-- NFL DBs are much, much better, much, much faster, than your average college DB...

[/quote]I think he could make a very good 2nd/ 3rd option in the NFL.[/QUOTE]

And I think his max ceiling would somewhere around 20-30 catches in a season-- IF he ever even makes an NFL 53 man roster, which I seriously wonder about...