HeadCase
dazed and confused
edited for length
SPORTSDAY NFL Columnist:
Rick Gosselin
The NFL wants productive players – but it wants them to fit the prototypes in height, weight and speed. Intelligence, hand size and arm length also come into play at various positions.
The NFL wants tackles with length. You need long arms and legs to steer the speed rushers coming off the edge. The prototype would be Tony Ugoh, a three-year starter and All-SEC selection as a senior at Arkansas. He goes 6-5, 301 with 36-inch arms. He will benefit on draft day from his measurables.
The NFL can live with shorter guards. The prototype there is 6-4, 305. The NFL can live with even shorter centers. The prototype there is 6-3, 300.
Wanted: tall QBs
But the NFL cannot live with shorter quarterbacks. The prototype for the position is 6-3, 220 pounds.
The NFL wants its quarterbacks to stand at eye level with the offensive and defensive linemen. To make plays down the field, you must be able to see down the field. A 6-0 quarterback is continually looking through windows in his pass protection to throw.
Big hands catch on
Bigger hands translate to more reliable hands on draft day. Nine-inch hands are good, 10-inch hands are better. Johnson has hands that measure 9¾. Ted Ginn Jr. of Ohio State is six inches shorter (5-11) than Johnson but has bigger hands. They measure 10 inches across. David Clowney of Virginia Tech has 10¼-inch hands. He's 6-0, 188 pounds with 4.39 speed. The NFL loves his measurables.
In the thick of it
Height isn't as big a factor for running backs as thickness. Barry Sanders was only 5-8 but was thick across the thighs and chest. He weighed 205 pounds and could absorb a hit.
The NFL prototype for the position is 5-11, 215 pounds with 4.4 speed. Marshawn Lynch of California fits the prototype to a tee at 5-11, 215 with 4.48 speed. That will get him drafted in the first round – not necessarily the 1,356 rushing yards he gained last season in the Pac-10.
There are exceptions in every draft. Small players make it every year. So do short players. And slow players. But they earn their spots in training camp in August. They don't get the benefit of the doubt in April.
MEASURING UP: OFFENSE
The minimum measurables for each position in the NFL draft:
Quarterback
Measurables: 6-3, 220, 4.75 speed
Key trait: A quarterback doesn't need to be a runner, but he must have foot quickness for escapability.
Prototype: Jay Cutler (6-3, 226, 4.77 speed). Denver, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Drew Brees (6-0, 213, 4.81 speed). San Diego, 2nd round, 2001.
Halfback
Measurables: 5-11, 215, 4.40 speed
Key trait: Defenders are bigger in the NFL and deliver bigger hits than they do in college. So runners must have some thickness through their legs and chest to absorb 16 weeks of punishment.
Prototype: Joseph Addai (5-11, 214, 4.40 speed). Indianapolis, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Maurice Jones-Drew (5-6½, 207, 4.39 speed). Jacksonville, 2nd round, 2006.
Fullback
Measurables: 6-0, 240, 4.60 speed
Key trait: NFL looks for fullbacks who are blockers first, receivers second, runners third. So the day of the 230-pound fullback is coming to an end.
Prototype: Cory Schlesinger (6-0, 247). Detroit, 6th round, 1995.
Exception: B.J. Askew (6-3, 233). N.Y. Jets, 3rd round, 2003.
Wide receiver
Measurables: 6-2, 200, 4.40 speed
Key trait: Speed to stretch the field. You can find possession receivers in the second day of every draft. The speed all goes in the first day.
Prototype: Roy Williams (6-2½, 212, 4.37 speed). Detroit, 1st round, 2004.
Exception: Anquan Boldin (6-0½, 216, 4.62 speed). Arizona, 2nd round, 2003.
Tight end
Measurables: 6-5, 250, 4.50 speed
Key trait: Running teams want bigger tight ends to block. Passing teams want faster tight ends to stretch defenses.
Prototype: Todd Heap (6-5, 252). Baltimore, 1st round, 2001.
Exception: Alge Crumpler (6-2, 262). Atlanta, 2nd round, 2001.
Offensive tackle
Measurables: 6-5, 310, 34-inch arms
Key trait: Pass protection is more steering than blocking on the edge. So tackles need long arms to shove rushers wide of the pocket. Height and 35-inch arms are the attractive commodities.
Prototype: D'Brickashaw Ferguson (6-6, 312, 35½-inch arms). NY Jets, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Jordan Gross (6-4, 300, 33¼-inch arms). Carolina, 1st round, 2003.
Guard
Measurables: 6-4, 305, 33-inch arms
Key trait: Arm length is less important inside, where guards are asked to block in a closet. It's more important to have lower-body thickness to anchor against the growing number of 310-pound defensive tackles.
Prototype: Logan Mankins (6-4, 307). New England, 1st round, 2005.
Exception: Jake Scott (6-5, 295). Indianapolis, 5th round, 2004.
Center
Measurables: 6-3, 300, 32-inch arms
Key trait: Bulk is less important than athleticism. A center needs to pull, slide over to help the guard and also step out on the middle linebacker. But the center also needs some anchor against 3-4 defenses when a nose tackle is on his helmet.
Prototype: Nick Mangold (6-3½, 300). N.Y. Jets, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Todd McClure (6-1, 289). Atlanta, 7th round, 1999.
MEASURING UP: DEFENSE
The minimum measurables for each position in the NFL draft:
Defensive end
Measurables: 6-4, 270, 4.6 speed
Key trait: Size is flexible depending on if it's a 4-3 defense or a 3-4, or if the end is playing strong side or weak. Bulk is needed on the strong side, speed on the weak side.
Prototype: Justin Smith (6-4, 275, 4.58 speed). Cincinnati, 1st round, 2001.
Exception: Dwight Freeney (6-1, 268, 4.39 speed). Indianapolis, 1st round, 2002.
Defensive tackle
Measurables: 6-3, 305
Key trait: In an era of specialization, the NFL rotates pass rushers into the game on passing downs. The NFL wants tackles who can play the run.
Prototype: Kevin Williams (6-4, 304). Minnesota, 1st round, 2003.
Exception: Casey Hampton (6-1, 314). Pittsburgh, 1st round, 2001.
Outside linebacker
Measurables: 6-3, 240, 4.50 speed
Key trait: The outside linebackers need to be the most versatile players on the field. They must have the bulk to stalemate pulling guards and tackles on run downs and the speed to chase running backs down the field in pass coverage.
Prototype: Derrick Johnson (6-3, 242, 4.50 speed). Kansas City, 1st round, 2005.
Exception: Ernie Sims (5-11, 231, 4.50). Detroit, 1st round, 2006.
Middle linebacker
Measurables: 6-2, 240, 4.60 speed
Key trait: Middle backers often have to engage a center or guard on rushing downs, so he must have the upper-body strength to stalemate a block in the hole.
Prototype: Dan Morgan (6-2, 240, 4.59 speed). Carolina, 1st round 2001.
Exception: Lofa Tatupu (5-11½, 238, 4.83). Seattle, 2nd round, 2005.
Cornerback
Measurables: 5-11, 190, 4.40 speed
Key trait: Speed, speed, speed: Speed to break on the ball, speed to turn and run with a wide receiver, speed to come up in run support.
Prototype: Marcus Trufant (5-11, 199, 4.38 speed). Seattle, 1st round, 2003.
Exception: Jason David (5-8½, 175, 4.37 speed). Indianapolis, 4th round, 2004.
Safety
Measurables: 6-0, 200, 4.45 speed
Key trait: In the 1990s, the NFL looked for run-support safeties. In the 2000s, the search is on for ballhawks. Now it's more important to play the ball when it's in the air than when it's on the ground. So the days of the 4.50 safeties are dwindling.
Prototype: Michael Huff (6-0, 204, 4.34 speed). Oakland, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Bob Sanders (5-8, 204, 4.40 speed). Indianapolis, 2nd round, 2004.
SPORTSDAY NFL Columnist:
Rick Gosselin
The NFL wants productive players – but it wants them to fit the prototypes in height, weight and speed. Intelligence, hand size and arm length also come into play at various positions.
The NFL wants tackles with length. You need long arms and legs to steer the speed rushers coming off the edge. The prototype would be Tony Ugoh, a three-year starter and All-SEC selection as a senior at Arkansas. He goes 6-5, 301 with 36-inch arms. He will benefit on draft day from his measurables.
The NFL can live with shorter guards. The prototype there is 6-4, 305. The NFL can live with even shorter centers. The prototype there is 6-3, 300.
Wanted: tall QBs
But the NFL cannot live with shorter quarterbacks. The prototype for the position is 6-3, 220 pounds.
The NFL wants its quarterbacks to stand at eye level with the offensive and defensive linemen. To make plays down the field, you must be able to see down the field. A 6-0 quarterback is continually looking through windows in his pass protection to throw.
Big hands catch on
Bigger hands translate to more reliable hands on draft day. Nine-inch hands are good, 10-inch hands are better. Johnson has hands that measure 9¾. Ted Ginn Jr. of Ohio State is six inches shorter (5-11) than Johnson but has bigger hands. They measure 10 inches across. David Clowney of Virginia Tech has 10¼-inch hands. He's 6-0, 188 pounds with 4.39 speed. The NFL loves his measurables.
In the thick of it
Height isn't as big a factor for running backs as thickness. Barry Sanders was only 5-8 but was thick across the thighs and chest. He weighed 205 pounds and could absorb a hit.
The NFL prototype for the position is 5-11, 215 pounds with 4.4 speed. Marshawn Lynch of California fits the prototype to a tee at 5-11, 215 with 4.48 speed. That will get him drafted in the first round – not necessarily the 1,356 rushing yards he gained last season in the Pac-10.
There are exceptions in every draft. Small players make it every year. So do short players. And slow players. But they earn their spots in training camp in August. They don't get the benefit of the doubt in April.
MEASURING UP: OFFENSE
The minimum measurables for each position in the NFL draft:
Quarterback
Measurables: 6-3, 220, 4.75 speed
Key trait: A quarterback doesn't need to be a runner, but he must have foot quickness for escapability.
Prototype: Jay Cutler (6-3, 226, 4.77 speed). Denver, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Drew Brees (6-0, 213, 4.81 speed). San Diego, 2nd round, 2001.
Halfback
Measurables: 5-11, 215, 4.40 speed
Key trait: Defenders are bigger in the NFL and deliver bigger hits than they do in college. So runners must have some thickness through their legs and chest to absorb 16 weeks of punishment.
Prototype: Joseph Addai (5-11, 214, 4.40 speed). Indianapolis, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Maurice Jones-Drew (5-6½, 207, 4.39 speed). Jacksonville, 2nd round, 2006.
Fullback
Measurables: 6-0, 240, 4.60 speed
Key trait: NFL looks for fullbacks who are blockers first, receivers second, runners third. So the day of the 230-pound fullback is coming to an end.
Prototype: Cory Schlesinger (6-0, 247). Detroit, 6th round, 1995.
Exception: B.J. Askew (6-3, 233). N.Y. Jets, 3rd round, 2003.
Wide receiver
Measurables: 6-2, 200, 4.40 speed
Key trait: Speed to stretch the field. You can find possession receivers in the second day of every draft. The speed all goes in the first day.
Prototype: Roy Williams (6-2½, 212, 4.37 speed). Detroit, 1st round, 2004.
Exception: Anquan Boldin (6-0½, 216, 4.62 speed). Arizona, 2nd round, 2003.
Tight end
Measurables: 6-5, 250, 4.50 speed
Key trait: Running teams want bigger tight ends to block. Passing teams want faster tight ends to stretch defenses.
Prototype: Todd Heap (6-5, 252). Baltimore, 1st round, 2001.
Exception: Alge Crumpler (6-2, 262). Atlanta, 2nd round, 2001.
Offensive tackle
Measurables: 6-5, 310, 34-inch arms
Key trait: Pass protection is more steering than blocking on the edge. So tackles need long arms to shove rushers wide of the pocket. Height and 35-inch arms are the attractive commodities.
Prototype: D'Brickashaw Ferguson (6-6, 312, 35½-inch arms). NY Jets, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Jordan Gross (6-4, 300, 33¼-inch arms). Carolina, 1st round, 2003.
Guard
Measurables: 6-4, 305, 33-inch arms
Key trait: Arm length is less important inside, where guards are asked to block in a closet. It's more important to have lower-body thickness to anchor against the growing number of 310-pound defensive tackles.
Prototype: Logan Mankins (6-4, 307). New England, 1st round, 2005.
Exception: Jake Scott (6-5, 295). Indianapolis, 5th round, 2004.
Center
Measurables: 6-3, 300, 32-inch arms
Key trait: Bulk is less important than athleticism. A center needs to pull, slide over to help the guard and also step out on the middle linebacker. But the center also needs some anchor against 3-4 defenses when a nose tackle is on his helmet.
Prototype: Nick Mangold (6-3½, 300). N.Y. Jets, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Todd McClure (6-1, 289). Atlanta, 7th round, 1999.
MEASURING UP: DEFENSE
The minimum measurables for each position in the NFL draft:
Defensive end
Measurables: 6-4, 270, 4.6 speed
Key trait: Size is flexible depending on if it's a 4-3 defense or a 3-4, or if the end is playing strong side or weak. Bulk is needed on the strong side, speed on the weak side.
Prototype: Justin Smith (6-4, 275, 4.58 speed). Cincinnati, 1st round, 2001.
Exception: Dwight Freeney (6-1, 268, 4.39 speed). Indianapolis, 1st round, 2002.
Defensive tackle
Measurables: 6-3, 305
Key trait: In an era of specialization, the NFL rotates pass rushers into the game on passing downs. The NFL wants tackles who can play the run.
Prototype: Kevin Williams (6-4, 304). Minnesota, 1st round, 2003.
Exception: Casey Hampton (6-1, 314). Pittsburgh, 1st round, 2001.
Outside linebacker
Measurables: 6-3, 240, 4.50 speed
Key trait: The outside linebackers need to be the most versatile players on the field. They must have the bulk to stalemate pulling guards and tackles on run downs and the speed to chase running backs down the field in pass coverage.
Prototype: Derrick Johnson (6-3, 242, 4.50 speed). Kansas City, 1st round, 2005.
Exception: Ernie Sims (5-11, 231, 4.50). Detroit, 1st round, 2006.
Middle linebacker
Measurables: 6-2, 240, 4.60 speed
Key trait: Middle backers often have to engage a center or guard on rushing downs, so he must have the upper-body strength to stalemate a block in the hole.
Prototype: Dan Morgan (6-2, 240, 4.59 speed). Carolina, 1st round 2001.
Exception: Lofa Tatupu (5-11½, 238, 4.83). Seattle, 2nd round, 2005.
Cornerback
Measurables: 5-11, 190, 4.40 speed
Key trait: Speed, speed, speed: Speed to break on the ball, speed to turn and run with a wide receiver, speed to come up in run support.
Prototype: Marcus Trufant (5-11, 199, 4.38 speed). Seattle, 1st round, 2003.
Exception: Jason David (5-8½, 175, 4.37 speed). Indianapolis, 4th round, 2004.
Safety
Measurables: 6-0, 200, 4.45 speed
Key trait: In the 1990s, the NFL looked for run-support safeties. In the 2000s, the search is on for ballhawks. Now it's more important to play the ball when it's in the air than when it's on the ground. So the days of the 4.50 safeties are dwindling.
Prototype: Michael Huff (6-0, 204, 4.34 speed). Oakland, 1st round, 2006.
Exception: Bob Sanders (5-8, 204, 4.40 speed). Indianapolis, 2nd round, 2004.
