February 19, 2008
Last time we hit you hard with an article claiming that Sam Baker, Justin King, Steve Slaton and Quentin Groves were overrated. We are back with even more negativity to throw around. The following prospects have various flaws to their design and will more than likely flop on the next level. Hopefully, you look forward to the reasoning behind RB Jamaal Charles’ demise. Find out why former Cardinal QB Brian Brohm is at a disadvantage this April and why S Thomas DeCoud would lose any and all confidence against elite passers.
Clearly, every prospect in the draft has flaws. Without a doubt though, technical flaws and complacency among prospects go along way to determine who will bust or not when forecasting for the NFL Draft. Through recent years, I have had many people criticize me for my comments or pat me on the back for exposing virtually unknown problems with prospects. Regardless though, the players listed throughout this article in the “Sizing Up” series will be shown to have the problems stated herein and these problems will more than likely effect them on the next level, unless of course they can correct them.
RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
Before I begin, after doing research and watching plenty of DVDs, VHS tapes, and YouTube videos, there are a ton of misleading scouting reports on Jamaal Charles. Regardless, Charles was semi-productive as a Longhorn until his junior season where he put his name on the map nationally. In 2007, Charles toted the pigskin 258 times for 1,619 yards and 18 scores. In 2006 and 2005, Charles combined for 275 carries, 1,708 yards and 18 touchdowns. He measures in at nearly 6’1”, 200 lbs. Charles is not much of a receiver out of the backfield, grabbing just 17 receptions as a junior. Charles is a former track star that will likely shine at the NFL Combine due to scouts expecting a great forty time from the former Longhorn.
Everything that glitters isn’t gold though. We already mentioned Charles’ lack of production in the receiving department. Other prospects his size, notably Reggie Bush, have always been known for their pass catching abilities. Charles will not wow any scouts with his blocking either. He is nowhere near as big as he looks in pads and his strength while running between the tackles is minimal. Charles has questionable vision while running with the pigskin as well. Despite the lack of publishing, word from some scouts is that Charles already has a negative perception following him due to the comparisons between him and Tatum Bell.
Through all of the negativity, there have been glimpses of toughness and improvement throughout his career. In 2007, Charles’ breakout season, the Longhorns offense ran on more of a traditional philosophy rather than the spread offense that we have seen in previous years. His speed will take your breath away. Charles is the type of RB that has the talent to take it to the house, if he can break a tackle and find the open field in front of him. His athleticism is top-notch but as a RB on Sunday’s, he will have to shake the skepticism surrounding him. As it was previously noted, Charles has improved throughout his career and further improvements could advance his chances at being a legitimate starting RB in the NFL but as of the moment, he is a change of pace prospect at best.
QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
Brian Brohm is an intriguing prospect that comes from a school where passers usually throw up good statistics. As a senior at Louisville, Brohm threw for 4,021 yards, 30 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and completed 65% of his passes. All of those numbers are legit but there is more punch to this prospect than what the paper says. He has prototypical size for a QB (6’4”, 225 lbs.) but looks a tad Ken Dorsey-ish without his pads.
For all of you draftniks preaching about Brohm and his ability to pan out as a franchise QB, the fact is that he resembles QB Rex Grossman in more ways than one. On some occasions, Brohm looks like the Heisman-caliber QB he was expected to be but on other occasions, Brohm looks distraught, dazed, and just tosses the pigskin down the field hoping for a miracle catch. His injury history isn’t talked about as much as it should be either. He tore his ACL in 2005, tore ligaments in his throwing hand in 2006, and had to have his non-throwing shoulder repaired in 2007. Brian Brohm has zero mobility so if he goes to a team with a less-than marginal offensive line, Brohm will have an even weaker opportunity to succeed. His upside is not very good either unless Brohm can prove he can hang around the pocket while receiving pressure from the defense and make a tough throw. Brohm was never asked to make a tough throw while at Louisville.
On the positive side, Brohm’s mechanics are as good as anyone’s. He does not throw the ball from inconsistent angles nor does he struggle to read defenses. His arm is stronger than he gets credit for plus he is accurate. His brother Jeff bounced around the NFL as a QB and he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies to play baseball. Still, it is either feast or famine with Brian Brohm. He is a first or second round prospect that isn’t perceived as having much potential on the next level to improve. We may have already seen the most that he has to offer.
S Thomas DeCoud, California
DeCoud is one of the lesser known prospects that will be drafted higher than he should be. In a relatively weak class of safeties, DeCoud was a tackling machine for the Golden Bears, wrapping up 71 solo tackles as senior in 2007. He had just 1 interception throughout his career at California though. DeCoud was able to force 2 fumbles but he is not known to be a powerful hitter. At 6’2”, 202 lbs., this Pinochle, California native has room to bulk up.
As some sources have said, DeCoud is an excellent special teams’ prospect but when it comes to his coverage skills, they are mediocre. He does turn his hips and runs well but would struggle in a Cover-2 system where defensive backs are expected to play closer to the line of scrimmage. The biggest issue with DeCoud will be his instincts. He is very impressionable as in he will bite on the pump fake a lot and get crossed up by elite WRs moves. His timed speed isn’t very good and he is very inexperienced with only one complete season at safety under his belt (2007).
We already mentioned DeCoud’s ability as a special teams’ guy. Don’t ever under appreciate the special teams’ aspect of the NFL but DeCoud is expected to be one of the top five safeties drafted in the NFL Draft, leaving his ceiling at the second round. Even if DeCoud slides into the fourth round, he will be a bit overrated. There are too many unknowns surrounding DeCoud come draft day. His aggressiveness needs to be contained but that is still a plus. Maybe it is the upside or potential he has shown on special teams that makes him such a highly sought after prospect despite the lack of a true “star” at his position in 2008. Regardless, the odds of DeCoud becoming a Pro Bowl special teams’ athlete are greater than him excelling at S in the next ten years.
