tfydraft:Cotton Bowl: LSU vs Texas A&M

[cowboyjoe]

Cotton Bowl: LSU vs Texas A&M
7

Jan
http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=4190
3 Keys from the scout

1. Patrick Peterson and Morris Claiborne vs. Jeff Fuller and Ryan Swope is a strength versus strength match up. LSU is ranked 9th nationally in pass defense. Texas A&M is 18th in passing offense. The game will be determined based on how well the Aggies move the ball in the air. A mid-season switch at quarterback cut down on the Aggies turnovers and that will be key since Claiborne and Peterson combined for 9 interceptions.

2. LSU must control Von Miller. Miller is among the biggest defensive impact players in the country. He is known for sacking the quarterback but he is also adept in pass coverage and in pursuit as well.

3. What surprises does LSU have in store? The Tigers have used fake kicks, 4th down tight end reverses, and touchdowns in the return game to win this year. Without knowing who will play the most snaps at quarterback for LSU, and how either will play, it’s tough to see LSU consistently move the ball against the Aggies rushing defense. With over a month to prepare Les Myles and company will have had ample opportunity to find some weaknesses to exploit.

Bold Prediction: LSU was among the most disappointing teams in the nation this year. The Aggies finished strong and put together a season that is 2-3 wins better than what anyone expected of them. Both teams will be physical and there’s no reason to believe that the Tigers can eliminate the mistakes that have plagued them all year. Texas A&M 31 LSU 23

LSU

Round Full Name Pos Num Yr Comments
1st Patrick Peterson CB 7 3Jr Talented athlete that’s growing as a cornerback besides showing dynamic skills as a punt returner. Will enter the draft and is an early choice.
2nd Drake Nevis DT 92 4Sr Explosive lineman coming off a sensational senior season. Quick, athletic and intense. Makes plays all over the field but has size limitations which will knock down his draft grade.
2-3 Kelvin Sheppard ILB 11 5Sr Underrated middle linebacker prospect that is a three down defender.
4th Terrance Toliver WR 87 5Sr Well sized receiver who never took his game to another level.
5-6 Joseph Barksdale T 78 4Sr Big, strong lineman who engulfs opponents at the point of attack. Gets movement run blocking and plays with good fundamentals. Turned in an improved senior season.
6-7 Lazarius Levingston DE 95 5Sr Somewhat underrated defensive lineman that did not improve as we thought possible.
FA Jai Eugene CB 4 5Sr Inconsistent cover corner who flashes skills.
FA Brandon Taylor CB 15 3Jr
FA Stefoin Francois S 23 4Jr
FA Richard Murphy RB 18 5Sr
Texas A&M

Round Full Name Pos Num Yr Comments
1st Von Miller OLB 40 4Sr Pass rusher moving up draft boards. Projects to OLB in a 3-4 yet also has the growth potential to stay at defensive end. Makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage and explosive in the defensive front seven.
3rd Jeff Fuller WR 8 3Jr Tall possession wide out that’s shown an improved game.
4-5 Jerrod Johnson QB 1 5Sr Strong armed passer in the midst of a disappointing campaign. Went from potential first round pick to probably late round pick.

Game Preview: Brent Foshee


Prospect Preview: Tony Pauline

 

[realtick]

Watch Patrick Peterson blow this bowl game up and tantilize Cowboy fans with something they can't have.

 

[DBOY3141]

If we can't get the Prince at #9, trade down to the Vikings at 12, pick up a few picks....draft Miller. He will be a stud. Spencer is in his last year and has not earned a contract extension. If Spears isn't getting a contract, then Spencer certainly doesn't deserve one.

You don't get points for "almost" getting to the QB.

Miller and Ware would be awesome.

 

[TheCount]

Peterson hasn't done a heck of a lot so far.

Von Miller however is tearing it up.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Peterson hasn't done a heck of a lot so far.

Von Miller however is tearing it up.

Von tearing it up? What game were you watching?

He had the one sack and maybe 3 tackles, couple hurries?

I guess if that's tearing it up.

 

[TheCount]

Von tearing it up? What game were you watching?

He had the one sack and maybe 3 tackles, couple hurries?

I guess if that's tearing it up.

I wasn't watching the stat sheet, that's for sure. He was disruptive the entire game.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

I wasn't watching the stat sheet, that's for sure. He was disruptive the entire game.

the next time that guy says something bright will be the first time.

you are right, he had a heck of a game.

Peterson was giving quite the cushion on pass defense, looked a little stiff coming out of breaks too. I don't see him as a disruptive force, but more a sure tackling kind of corner. I'm really concerned about his size against speedy NFL receivers.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

the next time that guy says something bright will be the first time.

you are right, he had a heck of a game.

Peterson was giving quite the cushion on pass defense, looked a little stiff coming out of breaks too. I don't see him as a disruptive force, but more a sure tackling kind of corner. I'm really concerned about his size against speedy NFL receivers.

:laugh2:

Oh here we have the college football guru.

Tell me, how was Miller disruptive the entire game? Based on what that he did?

To me it looked alot like he's a pass rusher, and that's it. He got a couple hurries and got the sack, but he also played on a defense that let up 40 plus points, took some plays off, got pushed out of the play on the long run in the first half by the fullback, while the running back ran right by his lane, allowed the QB to run right by him on the TD in the first half, and had like 3 tackles the entire game, one of which was the sack.

Tell me how he had a great game.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Also just to be clear, i was talking about how Peterson had a poor game as well, getting beat for pretty much everyone of Fullers 7 catches for 84 yards.

That doesn't however, mean that i think either PP or Von arn't great prospects. Just commenting on them not having good efforts this particular game.

However, for our team, Miller isn't a guy that i see on our radar. We already have enough undersized LB's in our 34 and don't really need another guy in the 240 lb range. We should be looking for bigger, more physical LB's from now on.

 

[TheCount]

:laugh2:

Oh here we have the college football guru.

Tell me, how was Miller disruptive the entire game? Based on what that he did?

To me it looked alot like he's a pass rusher, and that's it. He got a couple hurries and got the sack, but he also played on a defense that let up 40 plus points, took some plays off, got pushed out of the play on the long run in the first half by the fullback, while the running back ran right by his lane, allowed the QB to run right by him on the TD in the first half, and had like 3 tackles the entire game, one of which was the sack.

Tell me how he had a great game.

Well first of all, you might actually want to look at his stats if you're gonna keep using them as justification for whatever agenda it is that you have.

However, for our team, Miller isn't a guy that i see on our radar. We already have enough undersized LB's in our 34 and don't really need another guy in the 240 lb range. We should be looking for bigger, more physical LB's from now on.

I don't think anyone said anything about the Cowboys drafting him, is that why you're so upset with people praising him?

I don't expect the Cowboys to take him because where he gets taken simply won't line up with our pick, but I certainly wouldn't let the fact that he's not 6'4" 270 lbs put me out.

 

[dbair1967]

I thought both were pretty ordinary.

Miller's biggest concern to me is lack of size. He looks more like a big safety than a 3-4 OLB. he looks like he has explosiveness however.

I think Peterson ultimately ends up at FS. Maybe not initially, but not very long into his NFL career.

 

[TheCount]

I thought both were pretty ordinary.

Miller's biggest concern to me is lack of size. He looks more like a big safety than a 3-4 OLB. he looks like he has explosiveness however.

I think Peterson ultimately ends up at FS. Maybe not initially, but not very long into his NFL career.

There are smaller guys at 3-4 OLB that do okay, we've got one right now in Butler, who I'd like to see more of for sure.

I think you can make it at a "small" size, you just have to be explosive and have an elite motor. I don't know enough about Miller to say he fits the bill on the later, but I thought he looked good in the game.

Peterson was interesting to watch. He was giving a lot of cushion. Not jamming his receiver even when he did play closer. He looked smooth out there but I think a few times he got out of his back peddle a bit early. He didn't seem particularly in a rush to do anything, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I was hoping to see more fire out of him on such a big stage.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Well first of all, you might actually want to look at his stats if you're gonna keep using them as justification for whatever agenda it is that you have.



I don't think anyone said anything about the Cowboys drafting him, is that why you're so upset with people praising him?

I don't expect the Cowboys to take him because where he gets taken simply won't line up with our pick, but I certainly wouldn't let the fact that he's not 6'4" 270 lbs put me out.

Why when you watch a game and critique a player does it automatically mean you hate the guy and are upset that he's so good?

I swear you people make no sense sometimes.. i've already said he is no doubt a great player, but he didn't have a very good game.

He had one sack, a few pressures, and very few other plays. He was a one trick pony who got run right by on a couple plays and took some plays off as well. I simply wasn't impressed.

As far as his draft prospects, i can see him going to either a 43 or a 34 team, although we don't need any smaller LB's on this team. I would hope we start looking for bigger, more physical backers from now on.

As for his motor, it may have just been the bowl game, but i didn't see a high intensity player out there. As i said, he definately took some plays off and went half speed out there, and didn't play at all like what i saw out of the LSU defense. You want high motor, intense, passionate football, just watch their defense again that game. They were relentless out there. Physical, determined, hard hitting, making plays.. just very spirited football. I hope some of our players were at the game because they could take a lesson or two from watching LSU's defense last night.

 

[TheCount]

Why when you watch a game and critique a player does it automatically mean you hate the guy and are upset that he's so good?

Fair enough, but if you disagree with someone's opinion of a player there are probably more polite ways to say so that to ask them what game they were watching. Just my opinion.

Maybe not the best way to start a debate on a player.

 

[RS12]

I kind of like Shepard from LSU.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Fair enough, but if you disagree with someone's opinion of a player there are probably more polite ways to say so that to ask them what game they were watching. Just my opinion.

Maybe not the best way to start a debate on a player.

You'll have to excuse my bluntness. Im fighting with insomnia right now, so i tend to be on the cranky side ha.

No offense intended.. i apoligize.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I kind of like Shepard from LSU.

Did he play last night? I didn't notice him at all.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Forgetting the play Miller made for a loss at the goalline?

He made like 5 plays in the backfield and youre dismissing it as nothing.


Having said that I would agree w/ you comment on his lack of fire.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Forgetting the play Miller made for a loss at the goalline?

He made like 5 plays in the backfield and youre dismissing it as nothing.


Having said that I would agree w/ you comment on his lack of fire.

No he made a couple nice plays.. but i mean this is a guy we're talking about as a potential top 20 pick here.

He just didn't dominate or impress me as much as i thought he would. He made a few good plays, but made a few bad plays as well. It seems like he's mainly a pass rusher. An undersized one at that for a 34 LB. As far as the Cowboys, i don't see us having him on our rader. He's still very talented though. Great athlete.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

No he made a couple nice plays.. but i mean this is a guy we're talking about as a potential top 20 pick here.

He just didn't dominate or impress me as much as i thought he would. He made a few good plays, but made a few bad plays as well. It seems like he's mainly a pass rusher. An undersized one at that for a 34 LB. As far as the Cowboys, i don't see us having him on our rader. He's still very talented though. Great athlete.

Well I wouldnt sleep on taking a pass-rusher, Spencers in a contract year and its never a bad idea to emulate the 07 Giants. So I was looking at him late 1st/early 2nd.

But thats a speedy group of players LSU has in the backfield and he was getting there for sure.

But he really did seem to be kind of ho-hum about the whole thing. It was a great game in the 1st half, his team was winning, plays were being made and he barely had a pulse. I wonder if hed be a guy who got paid and just sort of did his 9-5 and not much else.

Considering his position, his projected range, and trendy black glasses. I will cross him off my list