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Pro Day at The "U" Today

With a long storied history of producing NFL stars, including Baltimore Ravens' Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Willis McGahee, the University of Miami is hosting its own Pro Day for NFL scouts today, to come see the players available in next month's draft. The big name that jumps out at me, and should for all Ravens fans is their tight end, Jimmy Graham.

Graham, who has only played college football for one season after playing on the Hurricane's hoops team, is an intrigueing possibility. He is 6'6", 260 pounds and is projected as the 7th best tight end in the draft and a possible third round pick that could end up being a steal if his progression continues to improve. In his lone season playing for the 'Canes, Graham grabbed only 17 receptions for 213 yards, but proved he is a real Red Zone threat with five touchdown passes. As a very good basketball player in his first three years, his athleticism has him drawing comparisons to future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Today is also the Pro Day at Boise State, college home for cornerback Kyle Wilson, who shoud definitely be high up on the Ravens Draft Board.

Most of this info complements of the National Football Post, so click on their link to see the story about the history, past and present, of Miami's contributions to the NFL.

See YouTube video hightlights of Jimmy Graham and Kyle Wilson after the 'Jump.'

Star-divide

 

Miami Hurricanes - Jimmy Graham 14 yard touchdown reception.mov (via The305MiamiCanes)

Here's one on Boise State's Kyle Wilson, although it is a bit much, with the opening scene and accompanying music. However, you can't deny this guy's skills, speed nor his obvious confidence.

#1 Kyle Wilson 11 Career INTs at Boise State (via justfndoit)


The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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Graham would be a great fit here

I have seen reports that he is actually 6’8". So lets say 6’7". Does not have too much football experience and only had 17 catches last year, but is a great athlete. You know we are definitely going to be down there to scout those guys. Darryl Sharpton, MLB, is another player to watch out for.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 26, 2010 10:49 AM EDT reply actions  

Wilson and Graham

You just made me a believer of me with that video. Even though he is short, Wilson looks to have mad ball skills there. Reminds me a little of a shorter Revis. He looks like he could probably play some WR with his hands and skills.

Graham on the other hand, sound like a major project. Def not worthy of a 3rd-4th round pick. 5th round plus would be worth a flyer, but he will probably take a few years to develop.
Here is what ESPN.com says about him:

Separation Skills 3 "Quick enough to run away from linebackers on drag routes. Fluid opening hips on post and corner routes. Flashes the ability to locate seams in zone coverage. Can motion out or line up wide where size causes matchup problems for defensive backs. On the other hand, far too mechanical at this point. Gears down too much and takes too long to transition out of breaks on hitch, curl, fade-stop, speed-out and deep-out routes. "
Separation Skills 4 Big hands so reason to be optimistic will become more consistent in time but traps the ball against frame too much at this point. Appears to lose focus at times and drops passes should catch. Can compete for any and all jump balls.
Ball Skills 2 Takes too long to shed linebackers/defensive ends and can get neutralized at the line of scrimmage at this point but has a great deal of big-play potential. Reaches top speed quickly when gets a clean release and fast enough to make safeties pay when they bite on play action. Not much of a threat to make defenders miss after the catch but powerful open field runner and fast enough to break a long run when catches the ball in space.
Competitiveness/Toughness 3 "There are concerns about overall work ethic and could be far more aggressive when blocking. However, not afraid to go over the middle, fights for yards after contact and fights to stay in position as a blocker on film. "
Blocking 4 "Powerful upper body and can lock out defensive ends. Moves well laterally and can sustain once locked. On the flipside, inexperience is clearly an issue. Footwork is raw. Takes too many false steps and isn’t explosive coming out of stance. "

by Rayisyourdaddy on Mar 26, 2010 11:28 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Ditto

I saw the same you thing saw Ray in Wilson. A very good ball athlete. He tracks the football like WR and he’s elusive once he get the football. He’s very sound fundamentally and looks like a guy who would pay dividends the minute he put on uniform.

The U kid….I don’t know. I question his FBI (football intelligence) even though he played in a pro style offense at the U. This draft is loaded with prospects that have a shorter learning curve than Graham’s and who will probably be able to make an more immediate contribution if called upon.

by Ravens One on Mar 26, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

Graham sounds like a Davon Drew type of prospect. If we’re going to gamble on a late round pick, make it a spead freak WR out of some small school, like a Jonny Knox from last year.

by BmoreBlitz on Mar 26, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yea I have no idea what Ozzie was thinking with Drew and Peerman

There were about 5 other players in those rounds that I would have taken over drew and peerman who have actually made some teams and done alright. But I trust him this year. I’ve been really into the draft since about 2001 and this is by far the deepest and best draft I’ve ever seen.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 26, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

this is by far the deepest and best draft I’ve ever seen.

I whole-heartedly agree. It’s a very deep defensive line class in particular.

by BAL_Hawk on Mar 26, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

It just so happens that this years draft is deep at all the positions we need to fill holes in (CB, DL, TE, WR, LB). I have never seen a group like these positions that have so many players that will be drafted in the 3rd and 4th rounds but could have possibly been early 2nd round picks in other drafts.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 26, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

Deepest draft class since 1983

The presence of so many juniors has pushed a lot of senior down the draft board. Even the worst drafting clubs should get multiple good players from this draft. All this bodes well for the Ravens.

by Ravens One on Mar 26, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

not saying Graham can't play

but honestly what did anyone see in that routine catch that was so amazing? he caught the ball with nobody to contest him and went into the endzone, which is what 80% of TEs in college football would have been able to do in that video.

Maybe as a physical specimen he’s really good looking, but are you really that stoked about an uncontested 14-yard touchdown?

"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden

by jackmca on Mar 27, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

It is crazy to because I have seen a few mock drafts that have us taking Graham in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. I will say a 4th round pick at best depending on how good his pro day is today.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 26, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, WIlson apparently screwed the Ravens over!

With a great Pro Day earlier today. Click here to read all about it.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 26, 2010 5:31 PM EDT reply actions  

Well It's about time someone respected my "U".

Suck one Malor.

Please register for this great American football RPG through this link:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=34554501

by Zachary Beard on Mar 26, 2010 7:52 PM EDT reply actions  

Sad thing is...

my parents wanted me to go there because I have family in that area. Me? I wanted to go up to New England to play hockey and ski. Says enough about my decision-making back then.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 27, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

THE U! ITS ALL ABOUT THE U!! ITS ALL ABOUT THE U!!!

great song. actually its a horrible song but in a kindof enjoyable way…

"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden

by jackmca on Mar 27, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think we need more help on DL than CB, but I really want kyle wilson. He looks like he is going to be a beast in the league. With the way he is working out he may not even be around by the time we pick, but if he is I would love to take him and then a DE in the 2nd. If Graham is around in the 4th I would consider him depending what we did with our first 2 picks. He has potential and although we could use help now at TE, heap is still somewhat serviceable when healthy.

by AV23 on Mar 27, 2010 7:10 PM EDT reply actions  

The worst part is that the Steelers may be targeting him.

by BAL_Hawk on Mar 27, 2010 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think they are seriously looking at him

and although they need o-line help, especially at center, there’s such a need for them at CB as well and he will start somewhere on Day One.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 28, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

That would ruin my whole draft day if they get wilson.

by AV23 on Mar 28, 2010 1:53 PM EDT reply actions  

If they do I hope he has a career ending injury on the first day of OTAs he attends.

Please register for this great American football RPG through this link:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=34554501

by Zachary Beard on Mar 28, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

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