Rodrique Wright Draft Journal III

[trickblue]

Rodrique Wright Draft Journal III

By J. Darin Darst
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Rodrique Wright checks in with his third Draft Journal as CBS SportsLine.com follows the former Texas defensive tackle, who tries to make the leap from college to the NFL.

[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Wright recently participated in Texas Pro Day and discusses the media hype for Vince Young, getting his weight down and how he spends his free time. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] By Rodrique Wright[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] NFL Draft Prospect [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Everything went well at Pro Day. I ended up redoing my shuttle drill because at the NFL combine it was the last drill I did and I was winded. I felt like I could improve the time, and I did. The first time it was a 4.58 and this time it was a 4.47. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] I also did a position drill, a bag drill and a weight drill. I also did some stance and starts and showed my technique. It was a real good sweat to show the scouts how long I could last.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Rodrique Wright [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]

[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Position: DT[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Height: 6-5[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Weight: 315[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] School: Texas[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Note: Was a first-team All-American and Lombardi Award finalist. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Yr Tcks Solo Sacks TFL QBP [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'02 46 20 4.5 14 15 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'03 36 18 1.0 3 7 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'04 80 39 7.5 12 30 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'05 65 29 4.5 13 15 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Tot 227 106 17.5 42 67 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Key: TFL = Tackles for Loss; QBP = Quarterback Pressures [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] There was a lot of media and scouts there. I knew it was going to be the Vince Young show because he didn't do anything at the combine. He's a potential top 10 pick and a lot of people are interested in him. I already displayed most of what I can do at the combine, so I knew he was going to get a lot of looks. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] The Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns were the three coaching staffs running my position drills and some other coaches watching the drills and taking notes. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] During the season I played at 315 to 317, and at Pro Day I weighed in at 303. I originally got the weight down because I felt like I would be best suited at a 3-4 end-type of tackle. I felt like a lot of people might find that appealing if I come in slim, but still lift well and run quick as opposed to coming it at 317. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] The Dolphins and Cowboys had me doing 3-4 end drills. If I don't play 3-4 end, I could easily get the weight back up. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Now that Pro Day is over, I'm saying in shape and waiting for any team that comes calling for potential visits. If I don't get any visits, then just get ready for minicamp. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] I'm basically working out four times a week, lifting weights and working on cardio and even doing a little football-type stuff. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] On my days off, I don't do anything. It's a real crisp feeling to wake up and just say, "Man, I'm not doing anything today." [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Two of my buddies are still on the team and they took over my lease, but I'm still staying with them. When Drew Kelson and Frank Okam get up and go to class and go to practice, I'm by myself on my days off. When they are gone I basically hang around the apartment, watching TV and trying to find something to do.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] I definitely get on the Playstation and play NBA Live or NCAA Football. Sometimes I play as myself -- No. 90 in the game -- but mostly I'm playing as Kelson (No. 4), who is one of our fastest linebackers so whenever I blitz it's like a guaranteed sack. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] If I'm playing in a season, I always play with Texas, but if I'm playing against somebody I might choose somebody different. I always have to have a quarterback who can run and a team that has a good defense.[/FONT]​

 

[Eskimo]

It is interesting that we were looking at him at 3-4 end. The only problem is we are pretty deep and young with Ellis, Canty, Spears, Ratliff and Coleman. Arguably one of these guys won't even make the roster because 3-4 teams usually don't carry many DL compared to LBs.

 

[cleverusername]

It is interesting that we were looking at him at 3-4 end. The only problem is we are pretty deep and young with Ellis, Canty, Spears, Ratliff and Coleman. Arguably one of these guys won't even make the roster because 3-4 teams usually don't carry many DL compared to LBs.

I wonder if we're considering picking him up and trading ellis?

 

[JackMagist]

It is interesting that we were looking at him at 3-4 end. The only problem is we are pretty deep and young with Ellis, Canty, Spears, Ratliff and Coleman. Arguably one of these guys won't even make the roster because 3-4 teams usually don't carry many DL compared to LBs.

I found that interesting as well. He could be a good fit at DE in a 3-4 and could move inside on those plays where we go with a 4-3 front (we still do that occasionally). He is a bit too tall at 6'5" for the NT job IMO. I don't expect us to take him since we have other needs and there are players of similar value that fill those needs better.

 

[Rush 2112]

We'll be a better team when guys like Coleman aren't on it.

Wright vs Coleman......huge upgrade.

NE 3-4 DE's:

Seymour 1st round #6.

Warren 1st round #13.

Backups Hill and Green went in 2nd and 4th rounds.

 

[JackMagist]

We'll be a better team when guys like Coleman aren't on it.

Wright vs Coleman......huge upgrade.

NE 3-4 DE's:

Seymour 1st round #6.

Warren 1st round #13.

Backups Hill and Green went in 2nd and 4th rounds.

Coleman makes a good rotation guy to give Canty and Spears breathers and there is nothing wrong with having a guy like him as a role player on the team. Wright is going to go high enough that he (and WE) would be expecting to see significant playing time and maybe start. But we have starters already in place.

Mind you I like the guy and would love to have him on the team. I just think that there are other players that would improve the team more to be had in the spot it would take to get him. This is nothing against Wright at all; it is just that his position is a low priorty for us right now.

 

[Eskimo]

We'll be a better team when guys like Coleman aren't on it.

Wright vs Coleman......huge upgrade.

NE 3-4 DE's:

Seymour 1st round #6.

Warren 1st round #13.

Backups Hill and Green went in 2nd and 4th rounds.

You have to remember the base alignment is now 3-4. We used to carry 9 DL frequently in the past but now only 6 or 7 will dress up for games. Seeing as how we already have:

Fergy
Spears
Canty
Ellis
Pepper
Ratliff
Coleman

That really doesn't leave much room for anyone else. A rookie DE would actually probably be 3rd string which means a late round pick.

We will probably be focusing on OL, LB, WR and FS in this draft. 3 of these positions are fairly deep so it should work out well for us.

 

[Rush 2112]

You have to remember the base alignment is now 3-4. We used to carry 9 DL frequently in the past but now only 6 or 7 will dress up for games. Seeing as how we already have:

Fergy
Spears
Canty
Ellis
Pepper
Ratliff
Coleman

That really doesn't leave much room for anyone else. A rookie DE would actually probably be 3rd string which means a late round pick.

We will probably be focusing on OL, LB, WR and FS in this draft. 3 of these positions are fairly deep so it should work out well for us.

What exactly have Pepper, Ratliff, and Coleman done in the NFL?

Rat and Pepper APPEAR to have some potential.

Coleman bridged the gap until we were able to acquire real defensive lineman. Soon to go the way of Carson, Brooks, Blade, Stewart, Eatson, Cooper......

Rookie DL to be 3rd string? You mean like Spears and Canty?

Take 6 DL to game and 3 of them are a couple notches above camp fodder.

What would you do?

 

[Q_the_man]

For the last 5 months i've been saying draft Him, period especially since he has fallen to ijto the late 2nd or 3rd round

that's why i think we will trade down............. to me he is #1 on my draft board....

 

[Rack]

What exactly have Pepper, Ratliff, and Coleman done in the NFL?

What guarantee is there that Wright will ever do anything in the NFL?


I've watched him play. He didn't impress me. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up being a day 2 pick. He'll likely go in the 3rd round.

 

[trickblue]

What exactly have Pepper, Ratliff, and Coleman done in the NFL?

Rat and Pepper APPEAR to have some potential.

Coleman bridged the gap until we were able to acquire real defensive lineman. Soon to go the way of Carson, Brooks, Blade, Stewart, Eatson, Cooper......

Rookie DL to be 3rd string? You mean like Spears and Canty?

Take 6 DL to game and 3 of them are a couple notches above camp fodder.

What would you do?

You are right about Rat and Pepper having potential, but in fairness they have not had a chance to prove anything yet as they are basically rooks...

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Rodrique Wright Draft Journal III

By J. Darin Darst
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Rodrique Wright checks in with his third Draft Journal as CBS SportsLine.com follows the former Texas defensive tackle, who tries to make the leap from college to the NFL.

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Wright recently participated in Texas Pro Day and discusses the media hype for Vince Young, getting his weight down and how he spends his free time. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]By Rodrique Wright[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]NFL Draft Prospect [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Everything went well at Pro Day. I ended up redoing my shuttle drill because at the NFL combine it was the last drill I did and I was winded. I felt like I could improve the time, and I did. The first time it was a 4.58 and this time it was a 4.47. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]I also did a position drill, a bag drill and a weight drill. I also did some stance and starts and showed my technique. It was a real good sweat to show the scouts how long I could last.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Rodrique Wright [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]

[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Position: DT[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Height: 6-5[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Weight: 315[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]School: Texas[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Note: Was a first-team All-American and Lombardi Award finalist. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Yr Tcks Solo Sacks TFL QBP [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'02 46 20 4.5 14 15 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'03 36 18 1.0 3 7 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'04 80 39 7.5 12 30 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]'05 65 29 4.5 13 15 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Tot 227 106 17.5 42 67 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Key: TFL = Tackles for Loss; QBP = Quarterback Pressures [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]There was a lot of media and scouts there. I knew it was going to be the Vince Young show because he didn't do anything at the combine. He's a potential top 10 pick and a lot of people are interested in him. I already displayed most of what I can do at the combine, so I knew he was going to get a lot of looks. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]The Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns were the three coaching staffs running my position drills and some other coaches watching the drills and taking notes. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]During the season I played at 315 to 317, and at Pro Day I weighed in at 303. I originally got the weight down because I felt like I would be best suited at a 3-4 end-type of tackle. I felt like a lot of people might find that appealing if I come in slim, but still lift well and run quick as opposed to coming it at 317. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]The Dolphins and Cowboys had me doing 3-4 end drills. If I don't play 3-4 end, I could easily get the weight back up. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Now that Pro Day is over, I'm saying in shape and waiting for any team that comes calling for potential visits. If I don't get any visits, then just get ready for minicamp. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]I'm basically working out four times a week, lifting weights and working on cardio and even doing a little football-type stuff. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]On my days off, I don't do anything. It's a real crisp feeling to wake up and just say, "Man, I'm not doing anything today." [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Two of my buddies are still on the team and they took over my lease, but I'm still staying with them. When Drew Kelson and Frank Okam get up and go to class and go to practice, I'm by myself on my days off. When they are gone I basically hang around the apartment, watching TV and trying to find something to do.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]I definitely get on the Playstation and play NBA Live or NCAA Football. Sometimes I play as myself -- No. 90 in the game -- but mostly I'm playing as Kelson (No. 4), who is one of our fastest linebackers so whenever I blitz it's like a guaranteed sack. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]If I'm playing in a season, I always play with Texas, but if I'm playing against somebody I might choose somebody different. I always have to have a quarterback who can run and a team that has a good defense.[/FONT]
​

Looks like a very talented player........Go Cowboys!

 

[Rush 2112]

You are right about Rat and Pepper having potential, but in fairness they have not had a chance to prove anything yet as they are basically rooks...

Pepper is a 6-2 NT. He's not playing 3-4 DE.

Coleman has been here a few years and done zero.

Time to upgrade.

 

[Rush 2112]

What guarantee is there that Wright will ever do anything in the NFL?


I've watched him play. He didn't impress me. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up being a day 2 pick. He'll likely go in the 3rd round.

What guarantees Spears and Canty will ever do anything in the NFL?

If they bust let's go with high recycled camp fodder in Coleman/Rat?

Coleman is not an athlete.

Get him off the roster.

 

[trickblue]

Pepper is a 6-2 NT. He's not playing 3-4 DE.

Coleman has been here a few years and done zero.

Time to upgrade.

I have no problem dumping Coleman, but I want to see a little of Ratliff and Pepper before I pass judgement...

 

[Rush 2112]

I have no problem dumping Coleman, but I want to see a little of Ratliff and Pepper before I pass judgement...

If we're smart Pepper will be our 3rd string NT this year and maybe 2nd string when Fergie rides off into the sunset in a couple years.

Bad teams rely on street free agents at crucial positions going into season.

Tucker..........

 

[Eskimo]

Pepper is a 6-2 NT. He's not playing 3-4 DE.

Coleman has been here a few years and done zero.

Time to upgrade.

Most teams that run 3-4 defenses do not invest all that heavily in the 3-4 DE position - this is a position usually occupied by DT-types who are good run pluggers.

Given that we already have adequate starters in Canty and Spears (and Wright is not better than either of them) who are both young and a good 1st backup in Ellis and another young guy who demonstrated excellent potential when he was on the field in Ratliff this is a very low draft priority.

What is a priority is fixing the shambles that is our LB corps - the position where you spend premium picks if you are running a 3-4 defense.

 

[Eskimo]

If we're smart Pepper will be our 3rd string NT this year and maybe 2nd string when Fergie rides off into the sunset in a couple years.

Bad teams rely on street free agents at crucial positions going into season.

Tucker..........

Depth at every position is not likely these days.

Also BP doesn't like the fat run-stuffer types. The amount of agile, low weight NTs available in FA is miniscule.

I personally would have no problems bringing in Sam Adams as the backup.

 

[Rush 2112]

Most teams that run 3-4 defenses do not invest all that heavily in the 3-4 DE position - this is a position usually occupied by DT-types who are good run pluggers.

Given that we already have adequate starters in Canty and Spears (and Wright is not better than either of them) who are both young and a good 1st backup in Ellis and another young guy who demonstrated excellent potential when he was on the field in Ratliff this is a very low draft priority.

What is a priority is fixing the shambles that is our LB corps - the position where you spend premium picks if you are running a 3-4 defense.

Are you serious? NE has 4 3-4 DE's. Two in the first round, one in second and one in 4th? SD has Castillo and Olshansky.

Ellis won't be around much longer.

We're talking about using 3rd rounder to add size/youth to a DL that cut Glover and will likely do the same with Ellis inside of 12 months.

3 or 4 LB positions are set. On top of that Al/KB come into consideration at SOLB.

I'm talking a 3rd for Wright.

Guess what round our SOLB might come in?

 

[Rush 2112]

Depth at every position is not likely these days.

Also BP doesn't like the fat run-stuffer types. The amount of agile, low weight NTs available in FA is miniscule.

I personally would have no problems bringing in Sam Adams as the backup.

No, but at the most important position in the 3-4 it's crucial.

They aren't available in FA?

Good, so that leaves one option which takes place on 4/29.

Thanks.