Plankton
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http://m.jsonline.com/sports/packer...ects-running-backs-b99486145z1-301335901.html
1. TODD GURLEY, Georgia (6-0 ½, 225, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior from Tarboro, N.C. "You start comparing him to Bo (Jackson) and Herschel (Walker) and Adrian (Peterson), that's when you know you're dealing with a special player," said one scout. "Physically, this dude can do everything. He's my favorite player in the draft. He's a football all-day guy." Scored 44 TDs, second in Bulldogs' history to Walker's 52. "Gurley's different than Marshawn (Lynch)," a veteran scout said. "More explosive than Eddie George. Fred Taylor wasn't as explosive, either. Probably better than Steven Jackson. I don't think he's better than Bo Jackson." Rushed 510 times for 3,285 yards (6.4-yard average, 36 TDs) and caught 65 passes. Suffered a torn ACL Nov. 15 and underwent surgery 10 days later. "I'd worry about him lasting," a fourth scout said. "He's like Adrian and (Walter) Payton, very violent and aggressive as a runner. I'm not sure he's as dynamic as those guys. He could be." Scored 12 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.
2. MELVIN GORDON, Wisconsin (6-0 ½, 215, 4.46, 1): Fourth-year junior from Kenosha Bradford. "He's really good," one scout said. "He's got really good vision and feet and burst and acceleration. He doesn't have the top-end elite speed, and he's going to need work in the pass game." Compared most often to Jamaal Charles (5-11, 199, 4.40), the Chiefs' third-round pick in 2008. "But Jamaal catches the ball out of the backfield really well," another scout said. "That's not a part of his game (Gordon) is developed in. Even a year ago they were replacing him on third downs with James White. He's got solid speed, not special. He's an outside runner that will have to run inside in the NFL, and that's going to be a challenge. I don't think he's a complete back." Finished with 631 carries for 4,915 (7.8, 45 TDs) and 22 receptions. Fumbled 12 times. "He doesn't have any holes," a third scout said. "His speed is fast enough. His pass pro is good enough. Great kid." Wonderlic of 20. "Is he going to be Todd Gurley or Earl Campbell?" a fourth scout said. "No, no way. But there's a lot to go on with that guy. There's a role for that guy. That's what everybody's playing. You're playing roles."
3. AMEER ABDULLAH, Nebraska (5-8 ½, 203, 4.52, 2): Compared by two personnel men to Giovani Bernard. Has the exact size and speed as the Bengals' second-round pick in 2013. "They ended up drafting Jeremy Hill last year because they wanted a guy to run really hard between the tackles," one scout said. "Bernard's really tough in a spread offense on screens, draws and receiver stuff in space. Abdullah will be the same thing. He runs excellent routes, has great ball skills and instincts. He's fumbled the ball too much (24) but some weren't his fault. His game translates well to the zone scheme in the NFL." Led RBs in vertical jump (42 inches), broad jump (10-10) and reps on the bench press (24). "I think he has more of a chance than Gordon," a second scout said. "He's like LeSean McCoy. He can break you down and make you miss. He can beat a linebacker one on one. He needs more work in pass pro." Finished with 813 carries for 4,588 (5.6, 39 TDs) and 73 receptions. Team MVP last two years. "I'm not sold on him," said a third scout. "Little. Not a good blocker." From Homewood, Ala.
1. TODD GURLEY, Georgia (6-0 ½, 225, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior from Tarboro, N.C. "You start comparing him to Bo (Jackson) and Herschel (Walker) and Adrian (Peterson), that's when you know you're dealing with a special player," said one scout. "Physically, this dude can do everything. He's my favorite player in the draft. He's a football all-day guy." Scored 44 TDs, second in Bulldogs' history to Walker's 52. "Gurley's different than Marshawn (Lynch)," a veteran scout said. "More explosive than Eddie George. Fred Taylor wasn't as explosive, either. Probably better than Steven Jackson. I don't think he's better than Bo Jackson." Rushed 510 times for 3,285 yards (6.4-yard average, 36 TDs) and caught 65 passes. Suffered a torn ACL Nov. 15 and underwent surgery 10 days later. "I'd worry about him lasting," a fourth scout said. "He's like Adrian and (Walter) Payton, very violent and aggressive as a runner. I'm not sure he's as dynamic as those guys. He could be." Scored 12 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.
2. MELVIN GORDON, Wisconsin (6-0 ½, 215, 4.46, 1): Fourth-year junior from Kenosha Bradford. "He's really good," one scout said. "He's got really good vision and feet and burst and acceleration. He doesn't have the top-end elite speed, and he's going to need work in the pass game." Compared most often to Jamaal Charles (5-11, 199, 4.40), the Chiefs' third-round pick in 2008. "But Jamaal catches the ball out of the backfield really well," another scout said. "That's not a part of his game (Gordon) is developed in. Even a year ago they were replacing him on third downs with James White. He's got solid speed, not special. He's an outside runner that will have to run inside in the NFL, and that's going to be a challenge. I don't think he's a complete back." Finished with 631 carries for 4,915 (7.8, 45 TDs) and 22 receptions. Fumbled 12 times. "He doesn't have any holes," a third scout said. "His speed is fast enough. His pass pro is good enough. Great kid." Wonderlic of 20. "Is he going to be Todd Gurley or Earl Campbell?" a fourth scout said. "No, no way. But there's a lot to go on with that guy. There's a role for that guy. That's what everybody's playing. You're playing roles."
3. AMEER ABDULLAH, Nebraska (5-8 ½, 203, 4.52, 2): Compared by two personnel men to Giovani Bernard. Has the exact size and speed as the Bengals' second-round pick in 2013. "They ended up drafting Jeremy Hill last year because they wanted a guy to run really hard between the tackles," one scout said. "Bernard's really tough in a spread offense on screens, draws and receiver stuff in space. Abdullah will be the same thing. He runs excellent routes, has great ball skills and instincts. He's fumbled the ball too much (24) but some weren't his fault. His game translates well to the zone scheme in the NFL." Led RBs in vertical jump (42 inches), broad jump (10-10) and reps on the bench press (24). "I think he has more of a chance than Gordon," a second scout said. "He's like LeSean McCoy. He can break you down and make you miss. He can beat a linebacker one on one. He needs more work in pass pro." Finished with 813 carries for 4,588 (5.6, 39 TDs) and 73 receptions. Team MVP last two years. "I'm not sold on him," said a third scout. "Little. Not a good blocker." From Homewood, Ala.
