IS THIS THE 2006 NFL SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT

OR A CASTING-CALL FOR THE LONGEST YARD?
By Dave Te' Thomas, NFLDraftScout.com

  July 10, 2006 - In mid-July, the NFL will conduct its supplemental draft for players who have lost their collegiate eligibility. While some have extenuating circumstances for being in this phase of the draft, a few of the more notable entrants come with big warning labels attached due to their penchant for getting into trouble off the field.

The four more notable players in this draft are a trio of linebackers; Ahmad Brooks (Virginia), Jason Berryman (Iowa State) and David Dixon (Hutchinson Community College), former U.S. Marine Sergeant, fullback Ahmard Hall (Texas). Two other late entrants into this draft are North Carolina State speedster, receiver Richard Washington and Texas defensive tackle Marco Martin, who never lived up to his prep school performances.

Most scouts feel Brooks and Berryman will be drafted, as Miami has shown a keen interest in Brooks and Green Bay has been evaluating the ability of Berryman. Both have a checkered past off the field that makes one wonder who will be drafting them -- the NFL or the likes of Adam Sandler, Burt Reynolds and the casting director for another possible remake of “The Longest Yard.”

Let’s take a look at the four featured players to see if they are worthy of a team forfeiting a draft pick in the 2007 regular draft in order to select one of these athletes now:

AHMAD BROOKS -- Virginia-Inside Linebacker-#34-6:03.7-259

The son of former Washington Redskins defensive tackle Larry Brooks, Ahmad is by far the best product in this supplemental draft based on on-field performance. However, he comes with a long history of off-field problems and had nagging injuries that lingered during his final season.

After a stellar career at C.D. Hylton High School, where he recorded 207 tackles (144 solos), 34 for losses, five forced fumbles, three sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and 16 quarterback pressures as a senior and also rushed for 848 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 12.6 yards per carry, Brooks was forced to attend Hargrave Military Academy to improve his academic standing.

He then enrolled at Virginia, where he earned a starting job at inside linebacker during 2003 fall camp, becoming the first freshman since P.J. Killian in 1990 to lead the team in tackles. He recorded 117 hits (68 solos) with four sacks and 10 stops for losses. In 2004, Brooks joined Ray Savage (1989) as the only first-team All-American linebackers in school history. He led the team in tackles for the second consecutive year, becoming the first Cavalier to do that in his first two college seasons since Charles McDaniel (1982-83). Brooks totaled 90 hits (39 solos) with eight sacks, 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage and two interceptions. He also deflected four balls and caused a fumble.

Brooks underwent knee surgery during the offseason that would prevent him from playing in the first three contests of the 2005 season. He returned to action as an outside linebacker vs. Maryland, but missed the following game vs. Boston College with an ankle sprain. He returned to inside linebacker, starting his next five games before a back injury forced him to the sidelines for the final two games. He finished with only 27 tackles (10 solos), a 9-yard sack, five pressures and four pass deflections.

Before 2006 spring drills, Brooks was dismissed from the team after failing a drug test. He closed out his Virginia career by starting every game (30) he played in. Brooks participated in 1,886 plays. He recorded 234 tackles (117 solos) with thirteen sacks for minus-110 yards, 21 stops for losses of 130 yards and 31 quarterback pressures. He caused two fumbles, intercepted a pair of passes and deflected fourteen others.

THE GOOD

Positives: Has a very good body frame that continues to grow (could potentially bulk up to defensive end proportions)…Possesses a solid build with a thick bone structure, excellent muscle definition in his chest, shoulders and arms, big, thick hands, firm midsection and hips, thick thighs and calves and a good bubble…Mentally tough and very instinctive player who plays with great alertness, making quick reads and reacting instantly to the ball…Very stout at the point of attack, doing a very good job with his hands to take on and shed blockers…Has above average stack and tackling ability…Plays with leverage and good knee bend…Keeps his pads and a good level and knows how to contain and redirect the tight ends in the short area passing game (uses his hands well to control and always has leverage working towards the outside)…Has the lateral agility and sudden acceleration to make plays in space…Plays well in the flow of the game and can get to the ball with his closing burst and lateral pursuit…Reliable tackler who can break down and will face up, wrap and secure working in space…Has above average hip flexibility, taking proper angles when turning in his pass drops…In nickel and dime packages, he can mirror the running backs thanks to his speed and hip rotation…Shows awareness playing the zone and will settle in with his speed to close and make plays on the ball.

THE BAD

Negatives: Despite his good hand usage, he needs to protect his feet better because he has problems vs. cut blocks when trying to work through trash…Not a natural hands catcher and really needs to look the ball in (will body and double catch the balls)…Still developing his blitz skills, as he tends to show some anticipation and timing but does not always fine the rush lanes (more contain than press)…Had several off-field issues before playing for Virginia and more after arriving on campus that need further evaluation (coaches cite his work ethic and character as being above board, yet dismissed him from the team after a failed drug test in 2006)…Has durability concerns and will need a complete medical evaluation of his surgically repaired knee and the back injury that sidelined him for the last two games of 2005.

THE UGLY

2003: Was arrested twice in Prince William County, Virginia, on April 19 and May 17, 2003. According to the Virginia Courts, Brooks was arrested April 19 for driving 45 mph in a 25-mph zone and was assessed a $60 fine and $52 in court costs. More significant, he was charged May 17 with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Brooks pleaded no contest

at a July 29 court appearance in Prince William General District Court to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.

Chief Judge Wenda K. Travers ruled that Brooks, as a first-time offender, was required to undergo substance abuse screening and assessment, plus any treatment deemed necessary through that process. Brooks was ordered to perform 24 hours of community service in Charlottesville. During the next six months, his driver’s license was restricted and he underwent random drug tests. Any positive, abnormal or diluted screening would have resulted in a conviction. The charges were later dismissed when he returned to General District Court on January 26, 2004.

“It is important to note that he has not been convicted of any crime,” said Chester Banks, the attorney for Brooks. “This is just another avenue for the charges to be dismissed. He wants to get this behind him and be back in the environment [at UVa] that he was in.

“I’m confident this young man will do extremely well in life. He’s a fine person and this is no indication of things to come,” Banks added. Brooks was contrite as he quickly read a statement following the preliminary hearing. He began by apologizing to his family, teammates and schools. “I was in no way found guilty,” Brooks said. “This is only part of a larger picture.”

Brooks was arrested May 17 when police stopped a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass he was riding in after it crossed the center line twice on Waterway Drive in Montclair, Virginia, police said. A bag of marijuana was at Brooks’ feet in the left rear passenger’s seat, according to police. Misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana have been dropped against Marcus Dewayne Hamer, the 19-year-old driver of the vehicle and 20-year-old Dale Barfield, a passenger.

“There was insufficient evidence to link them to knowing of the possession of marijuana, so they were not charged,” said Michael Dixon, senior assistant commonwealth attorney. Regarding Brooks, Dixon also said, “I think the facts were fairly straightforward. There was no prior history and it’s certainly not an unusual disposition to have regarding someone who’s a first offender.” “We decided to handle it this way because we wanted to get this behind us and let the young man move forward without a trial,” Banks said.

2006: On March 28^th, The Virginia football program's rebuilding process began by subtraction yesterday when Al Groh announced that Brooks Brooks was being dismissed from the team. "It is a privilege, and not a right, to wear a Cavalier jersey and to represent our university community," Groh said. "There are certain things that are vital to putting your team together every year, and those things become in sharper focus and multiplied when you're in a rebuilding circumstance."  In February, Brooks was suspended from the team for the spring semester as a result of a failed drug test.

THE INJURY REPORT

2000: Missed most of his junior high school season with a broken bone in his foot.

2005: Underwent surgery in March to regenerate bone growth in his right knee, missing spring drills, August camp and the team’s first three games vs. Western Michigan, Syracuse and Duke…Returned out of shape, appearing in 35 plays vs. Maryland (10/01), but suffered an ankle sprain that sidelined him for the following game vs. Boston College (10/08)…Missed the season finale vs. Miami (11/26) and the Music City Bowl vs. Minnesota with a back sprain.

THE CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.63 in the 40-yard dash…435-pound bench press…34-inch vertical jump…11% body fat.

PLAYER STATISTICS

JASON BERRYMAN -- Iowa State-Outside Linebacker-#84-6:01.0-235

The collegiate defensive end was starting to develop into a top-flight pass rusher for the Cyclones, but after three off-field incidents, head coach Dan McCarney was forced to dismiss Berryman from the team. Iowa State has had several players run afoul of the law in recent years, but Berryman was the only one re-instated to the squad after having to serve more than eight months of jail time for one of his more serious infractions.

Berryman was a highly touted defender at Kashmere High School, where he earned All-District 22 Class 4A honors as a linebacker. He added first-team All-District accolades as a tight end and punter, in addition to garnering Class 22-4A Defensive MVP recognition. The second-team All-City choice finished his career with 140 tackles and 31 sacks. He also amassed 378 rushing yards and 280 receiving yards, as the team compiled a 14-8 record his final two seasons.

As a true freshman at Iowa State in 2003, Berryman replaced an injured Tyson Smith at right defensive end, going on to earn Freshman All-American and Big Twelve Conference Newcomer of the Year honors. He led the NCAA Division 1-A’s first-year down linemen with 110 tackles (61 solos), adding three sacks, nine stops for losses and 19 quarterback pressures.

Berryman was primed for a breakout 2004 season, but he was arrested for several incidents. In July, he pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal mischief after a May 27 arrest for breaking the driver’s side window of an automobile owned by his ex-girlfriend during a heated argument May 7.

On Aug. 24, he was again arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of first-degree theft when he stole $4 from Jeffrey Kemble, a student at Iowa State, and punched him in the face before stealing a cell phone from Thomas Peters, another ISU student, to prevent him from calling the police. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges, but was sentenced to a 300-day jail sentence, $1,500 in fines and two years of probation, serving 258 days at the Story County jail before he was released.

On June 14, 2005, Berryman re-enrolled in school and was allowed to participate in informal summer football workouts after his release from jail. He started every game at “Rush” end, ranking third on the squad with 72 tackles (38 solos). He led the team with 7.5 sacks and ranked second on the squad with eleven stops behind the line of scrimmage. He added eight pressures with two pass break-ups and an interception. He also recovered and caused a fumble.

On Jan. 28, 2006, former ISU receiver Jamaul Montgomery was arrested for disorderly conduct, a simple misdemeanor, and Berryman was cited for being on the premises underage at Club Element. Berryman, 20, was cited for being on the premises underage, which was listed as an alcohol offense. No arrest was made, but in early February, Berryman was dismissed from the team and decided to apply for the 2007 NFL Supplemental Draft.

In 24 games at Iowa State, Berryman started 23 times. He recorded 182 tackles (99 solos) with 10.5 sacks for minus-74 yards and 20 stops for losses of 96 yards. He registered 27 quarterback pressures, three pass deflections and two interceptions for 20 yards in returns. He also caused and recovered a pair of fumbles.

THE GOOD

Positives: For a linebacker, Berryman has a solid build with room to add more bulk…Has good upper body muscle tone, good bubble, thick thighs and calves and an athletic physique, with a tight waist, firm midsection, minimal body fat (8.6 percent) and fluid change of direction agility…Has good quickness and nimble feet to drop back in pass coverage, demonstrating the agility and balance to chase down plays along the sidelines…Does a good job of reading keys and understanding the plays as they develop…Plays better on the move, but can stack and shed vs. the smaller blockers…Has quicker hands on the pass rush than in run containment…Has the short area burst to seal the outside edge and force the runners back inside…Does a better job of avoiding trash on the move than at the X’s…Shows good desire and stays low in his pads when closing on the ball…Has enough quickness to slip through blocks and get to the quarterback when coming off the edge…Keeps the ball in front of him and has the speed and hand usage to reroute tight ends and backs in the short area passing game…Quick straight-line blitzer with a good feel for finding the tight spaces when generating backside pursuit…Has the upfield burst, doing a nice job of dipping his shoulder and bending the corner (very effective at surprising a lethargic offensive tackle)…Plays with good desire and burst to close on the quarterback, taking proper angles to make the plays in the backfield.

THE BAD

Negatives: Doesn't have the frame needed to add more bulk to be a down lineman and will have to shift to linebacker at the pro level…As a rush end, he was more effective avoiding blocks rather than taking them on, as he did not have the size or anchor to prevent the bigger offensive linemen from riding him wide or washing him out of the play…Does a decent job of stacking and controlling when working in-line vs. the run, but catches too much, struggling to split double teams…His weight room strength is sometimes negated when he lets blockers into his body (too often, he fails to extend his arms to keep blockers away from his frame)…Better playing in the box, as he does not show the anticipation ability and is slow to react when having to handle man coverage assignments…Not stiff, but his pass drops are too inconsistent to flow to the ball and his pass drop depth is too shallow, allowing a quicker receiver to elude and separate…Will get a little too reckless in his pursuit and does not show the stop-and-go action to recover quickly…Has some hip stiffness that makes his pedal look choppy when going in reverse…Has had several off-field incidents that need further evaluation.

THE UGLY

2004: In July, he pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal mischief after a May 27 arrest for breaking the driver’s side window of an automobile owned by his ex-girlfriend during a heated argument May 7. He was placed on probation from a deferred judgment.

In August, he was again arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of first-degree theft, when he stole $4 from Jeffrey Kemble, a student at Iowa State, and punched him in the face before stealing a cell phone from Thomas Peters, another ISU student, to prevent him from calling the police. Berryman had apparently denied stealing the phone, but when a police officer tried calling the number, a phone in Berryman's pants started ringing. Kemble told police that he asked Berryman, "What's up?" as he and Peters passed by Berryman and did nothing to provoke the attack.

Berryman, who had been in jail since his arrest on August 4, told District Court Judge William Pattinson that being a star athlete away from the "sheltered life" he enjoyed in Texas with his family caused him to make a poor decision. He also said he drank too much that night. "For the past 96 days, I've thought about the incident that happened," Berryman said. "I've regretted it every night."

Cahill said the jail time Berryman has already served was an effective punishment for his crimes, and argued that his virtually clean legal slate should also be considered. Despite the pleas from friends, family and Berryman's attorney, Pattinson was not convinced enough to give a deferred judgment to Berryman and spare him the felony charge. "This wasn't a bar fight," Pattinson said. "This was something different." Pattinson's ruling was met with tears from Berryman's family. "You squandered an incredible opportunity and an incredible future for $4 and a cell phone," Pattinson said. "That makes zero sense."

A 10-year prison term for the felony charge was dismissed, but a jail term was imposed on the other charge. Berryman was then convicted of serious misdemeanor assault and felony first-degree theft. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges, but was sentenced to a 300-day jail sentence, $1,500 in fines and two years of probation, serving 258 days at the Story County jail before he was released. Upon his release, Berryman re-enrolled at Iowa State on June 14, 2005.

2006: One of the conditions for Berryman being re-instated to the team in 2005 Berryman was that head coach Dan McCarney made him sign a behavioral contract that outlined how he must conduct himself while attempting to return to the team. But, on January 28, former ISU receiver Jamaul Montgomery was arrested for disorderly conduct, a simple misdemeanor, and Berryman was cited for being on the premises underage at Club Element. Berryman, 20, was cited for being on the premises underage, which was listed as an alcohol offense. No arrest was made, but in early February, Berryman was dismissed from the team and decided to apply for the 2007 NFL Supplemental Draft. While Berryman was cited at Element that Sunday morning for being a minor on the premises, he was not linked to the fight that took place at the establishment.

THE CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.72 in the 40-yard dash…Bench presses 225 pounds 17 times…4.48 20-yard shuttle…7.38 three-cone drill…32-inch vertical jump…9’11” broad jump.

PLAYER STATISTICS

DAVID DIXON -- Hutchinson Community College
Outside Linebacker-#6-6:02.1-244

Dixon is an incredibly gifted athlete with exceptional quickness, range and tackling ability. Coming from the junior college ranks, the NFL teams have had to scramble to obtain whatever film they could find on him, but this is a player with a high ceiling.

Regarded as the premier junior college linebacker in the country in 2004, Dixon joined the work force in 2005 and did not play football. He originally planned to enroll at Kansas State in 2006, but decided to declare for the NFL Draft instead. Few athletes in the draft possess the athletic ability that Dixon displays -- running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, with a 44-inch vertical jump, 49-inch triple jump and a 465-pound bench press. That leaping ability was evident as he blocked ten kicks in two seasons in the junior college ranks.

Dixon enrolled at Blinn (Tex.) Junior College in 2003, where he was a first-team All-American and All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference pick. He registered 79 tackles (46 solos) with six sacks, an interception and five blocked kicks. Dixon then transferred to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College in 2004. He picked up first-team All-American honors from the NJCAA, was named Jayhawk Football Conference Player of the Year and was a finalist for National Defensive Player of the Year honors.

That season, he led the junior college ranks with 161 tackles (112 solos) and set school and conference single-season records with 43 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He blocked five kicks, caused four fumbles and intercepted two passes while recording 8.5 sacks. He gained 81 yards on three punt returns (27.0 avg) and 306 yards on eleven kickoff returns (27.8 avg).

In two junior college seasons, Dixon registered 240 tackles (158 solos) with 14.5 sacks for minus-96 yards and 60 stops for losses of 207 yards. He blocked ten kicks, intercepted three passes and caused five fumbles.

THE GOOD

Positives: Has a well-built frame with thick bone structure, broad shoulders, muscular arms, big hands, good bubble and good-sized legs, thighs and calves…Is a strong presence on defense who needs to be accounted for on every play…Plays alert and is quick to read and react, making proper body adjustments on the move…Flashes outstanding strength at the point of attack and can fill the rush lanes with authority…Has very good stack/tackle ability vs. the inside run…Does a very good job of using his hands to control the blocker, easily adjusting and reacting to the plays in front of him…Flashes the hand strength to play off blocks…Has the outstanding speed, leverage and range to reach the outside, doing a nice job of avoiding blocks in attempts to shut down the cutback lanes…Can turn and run with good change of direction agility and is a hard hitter who explodes behind his tackles…Has the vision, awareness and turning ability to stay with tight ends and backs in pass routes…Effective when planting and driving out of his breaks, flying to the ball instantly, showing the hip flexibility and control to stay tight on the hip of the receiver…Has the natural hands to reach and pluck the ball away from the body’s frame…Has a great initial burst on returns, showing the ability to twist and adjust in attempts to squeeze through tight quarters to gain valid yardage on kickoffs… Has outstanding leaping ability and timing to knock down kicks at the line of scrimmage.

THE BAD

Negatives: Struggles in the classroom, forcing him to sit out the 2005 season due to academic ineligibility…Good at using his hands to fend off blocks, but needs to use his punch with more consistency to shock and jolt the opponent…Makes plays in front of him, but will bite on play-action and fakes when he eyes the backfield too long…Has the speed to cover in one-on-one situations, but must improve his timing picking up switch-offs when working in the zone.

THE UGLY

Teams are usually very reluctant to draft a player from the junior college ranks. While his statistics are truly impressive, having failed to qualify for a major college in 2005 and forced to join the work force to care for family issues, some teams might feel that he will need more time to develop at the next level. Academically, he struggled, bringing up some more red flags and questions over his ability to grasp a playbook. However, he is in the mold of the Colts’ Robert Mathis and the Ravens’ Roderick Green. Given a patient coaching staff to help him develop, he might have better upside than most teams can imagine.

THE CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.42 in the 40-yard dash…465-pound bench press…44-inch vertical jump…49-inch triple jump.

PLAYER STATISTICS

AHMARD HALL -- Texas-Fullback-#46-5:10.6-232

The former U.S. Marine Sergeant was a third-year walk-on who attended Texas on the G.I. Bill before being awarded a scholarship as a senior. He was tabbed the Big Twelve Conference Sportsperson of the Year in 2004-05 and also was the Big Twelve candidate for the NCAA Sportsmanship Award. He played in 24 games for the Longhorns, taking over fullback duties in 2005.

An active member in community service with military veterans , Hall served in numerous missions around the world as a member of the Marines, including missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan, before joining UT as a walk-on in 2003 He quickly climbed to the ranks of Marine Sergeant and is currently on inactive reserve.

Hall redshirted in 2003 at Texas. He appeared in eleven games as a reserve fullback in 2004, scoring on his only rushing attempt while also leading the special team coverage units with ten tackles (8 solos). He started twice at fullback in 2005, managing 10 yards on one carry and 42 yards on three catches with a touchdown.

In 24 games at Texas, Hall started two times. He gained 11 yards on two carries with a touchdown, caught three passes for 42 yards (14.0 avg) and a score and recorded ten tackles (8 solos). He also was credited with nine touchdown-resulting blocks.

THE GOOD

Positives: Solidly-built athlete with a thick upper body and strong legs...Physical lead blocker who flashes suddenness through the holes...Shows good weave in his run past the line of scrimmage...Decent route runner who shows good body adjustment going for the off-target passes...Has a low center of gravity through the holes as a lead blocker, rarely ever going to the ground as he does a good job of keeping his shoulders square upon contact...Shows the cutback ability to bounce to the outside...Delivers crunching cut-blocks on the perimeter and shows aggression and proper arm extension staying back to pick up the blitz.

THE BAD

Negatives: Lacks the ideal size you look for in a classic fullback…Despite his quickness, he is more of a one-cut runner, but can make the initial tackler miss...Needs to show better hip snap when attacking the holes...Has adequate hands for the reception, but he needs to refine his route running as he has difficulties keeping track of the ball outside of the short area.

THE UGLY

Hall will turn age 27 during the course of the 2006 season. He is a bit of a tweener, as he lacks the size of an ideal fullback and is more of a straight-line runner who does not show the lateral agility to get wide and turn the corner as a tailback. Despite his timed speed, he is not explosive enough to pop out the back side of the hole. As a blocker, he gets stoned in the hole when he gets too high in his stance. He was only moderately involved in their passing game, but while he showed the speed to runs check downs, he was never used as a hot receiver.

THE CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.49 in the 40-yard dash…Bench presses 225 pounds 24 times…35-inch vertical jump… 10’0” broad jump…4.22 20-yard shuttle…7.22 three-cone drill.

PLAYER STATISTICS

RICHARD WASHINGTON-North Carolina State-Wide Receiver-#6-5:11.6-172 [FULL DRAFT BIO]

 Washington left the school under mysterious circumstances. He was twice suspended for disciplinary reasons, with the second resulting in his dismissal. Head coach Chuck Amato agreed to release him from his scholarship, so Washington could enroll at Mississippi, under the condition that Richard not speak to the media in regards to the reason for his dismissal.

   Regarded as the “next Deion Sanders” coming out of high school, Washington was moved to flanker at NC State. He appeared in nine games in 2003, starting vs. Wake Forest, but sat out the Virginia and Florida State contests after suffering two broken ribs vs. Duke and was suspended for the Western Carolina game due to disciplinary reasons.

He still finished third on the team with 44 receptions for 500 yards (11.4 avg) and six touchdowns. He added 28 yards on eight carries (3.5 avg) and recovered a blocked punt for a score. His six scoring grabs set a school season-record for freshmen and his catches and receiving yards rank second on the Wolfpack’s annual record chart for first-year players.

   Washington started five of eight games at flanker in 2004. He missed the team’s final three contests due to a knee injury suffered vs. Clemson, finishing second on the squad with 29 catches for 348 yards (12.0 avg) and a pair if touchdowns. He added 133 yards on twelve carries (11.1 avg), 6 yards on a punt return, 155 yards on seven kickoff returns (22.1 avg) and posted two solo tackles.

   In only seventeen games at North Carolina State, Washington caught 73 passes for 848 yards (11.6 avg) and eight touchdowns while starting six times. He gained 161 yards on 20 carries (8.1 avg) and recorded two solo tackles. He added 155 yards on seven kickoff returns (22.1 avg) and 6 yards with a touchdown on two punt returns.

THE GOOD

Positives…Once he is on the moves, he does a good job of gobbling up the cushion… Good route runner who is best when avoiding defenders and finding the holes rather than attacking the opponent…Shows a smooth weave, good leverage and quick transition to accelerate through his speed cuts…Settles instinctively underneath and carries route depth well…Gains separation with his ability to sink his hips and accelerate through the cut…Has the speed to get down field and the jumping ability to compete for the ball in flight (tends to jump too often, though)…Has a knack for locating the ball on a late read or with his back to the quarterback…While he doesn’t always generate his second gear, he is a dangerous threat with the ball in his hands because of his elusiveness and hip wiggle that generally makes the initial tackler miss.

THE BAD

Negatives…Trying to escape the jam, Washington tends to take false steps and cocks before firing up field…Will be late, rather than slow, trying to get to the ball away from him…Has trouble fielding the low ball at times…Tends to jump too much and is prone to body and double catching…Not the type that shows willingness, strength or technique when asked to block…Despite his timed speed, he fails to show consistency with his burst or second gear…Needs to show better concentration going for the ball, as he will lose site of the pigskin because he becomes conscious of the defender about to hit him…Must develop more upper body strength and use his hands more to defeat the press.

THE UGLY

   Washington has a slight, almost frail-looking frame and struggles to escape the jam once the defenders gets his hands on Washington’s body. He has a very cloudy past and several off-field issues that led to his dismissal from North Carolina State that needs further evaluation. The school refuses to reveal the problems, but they were not academically related. After all of the recent troubles by Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes, the Steelers’ first round pick could have competition from Washington for my own “Popeye Jones, When Are You Ever Going to Grow Up” Award.

THE PLAYER STATISTICS