Links and News:

• Former East Providence High School and Boston College Standout Jamie Silva was picked up by the Colts

• No Suspensions for the Celts Skirmish (video)
• The PawSox are playing solid ball going 14-11 as of now
• Randy Moss to start a NASCAR Team
• No One trusts the Jets
• Gotta See this One: Peyton Bitching to his linemen and gets told to sit down (video)

(Rak, 21. Sherry 84 before Cranston West Game)

It seems like just yesterday we were getting yelled at together by our freshmen coach, telling us that we ran like our grandmothers. And after that we were walking out as Captains together in our final high school game vs Lasalle and now my former teammate Matt Sherry is in the NFL!

Former Hendricken and Rhode Island High School standout was drafted in the 6th round by the Bengals (thus making the Bengals my 2nd favorite teams).

Sherry played four years at Bishop Hendricken High School then taking his talents to Villanova. He became a captian in his 5th year. He lead his team in recieving and lead the America team in recieving in the Texas vs the Nation game earlier this year. 

CBS Sportsline: Sherry put on a show during his All-Colonial Athletic Association senior season, leading the team in catches (37) and yards (461) in a run-first system and also caught five touchdowns. His performance in the El Paso all-star game really cemented his chance as a potential late-round selection, showing the consistent hands a good reserve tight end must have to stay in the league.

Congrats to Matt Sherry! Take it to the house baby! YEA HAWKS! Good luck in the league, were proud as hell!

(Sherry 84, Tomillio 24, Petarudy 56, Rak 21 Captains)

Hendricken Hawks 2002-03 Senior Team

Also a good read:

Projo Matt Sherry Article

Bengals coach Lewis Talks about Sherry

CBS Anayalsis:

In 46 games at Nebraska, Ruud started 33 contests. He registered 216 tackles (117 solo) with 4 ½ sacks for minus-43 yards, 25 stops for losses of 84 yards and 16 quarterback pressures. He caused six fumbles and recovered two others, returning two for a total of 53 yards. He deflected 13 passes and intercepted five others for 208 yards in returns, including three touchdowns

Positives: Has a solid build and lean and defined upper- and lower-body muscles, broad chest and room to carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk to help his body mature at strong-side linebacker … Quick to key and diagnose the play and is active vs. the run, showing the functional strength to take on blockers and the hand usage to shed blocks … Uses his hands effectively to control and reroute tight ends and short-area receivers … Instinctive player with good vision and shows good tackling form, using his hands effectively to take on, shed blocks and make the play … Has a decent change of direction, showing a nice spring in his step and while not quick-twitched, he does have enough of a lateral flow to the ball … Opens his hips properly and is fluid in his pass drops, staying low in his turn-and-go action … Doesn’t always play with leverage to contain vs. plays directed at him, but has enough chase speed to pursue plays away from his territory, as he can sift through trash quickly … Shows the initial first step as a blitzer to generate decent backside pursuit, but needs to improve his strength to be more effective with his inside gap responsibilities … Stays close to the tight end and runs with acceleration in man coverage … Not a natural mover in pass coverage with sudden change-of-direction agility, but can plant and drive cleanly in transition and close on plays in front of him … His vision and awareness let him get a good jump on the ball and he does a decent job breaking down in space … Takes good angles shortening his path to the ballcarrier and while he might bite the runner’s ankles at times, he has the hand strength to hold on until help arrives … Has good hip snap and arm extension, timing his leaps well to compete for jump balls … Catches the ball cleanly and runs with a good stride on interception returns … More of a blitzer than a pass rusher, but does have a nice spin move to slip off blocks.

Negatives: Has good straight-line quickness, but struggles to redirect, showing some hip stiffness when attempting to change direction … Will lose leverage on inside run plays when he leads with the wrong shoulder … His lack of bulk causes him to get engulfed by the larger blockers and while he needs to add more weight, it could impact his timed speed … Needs to use his hands better when attempting to chase and drag down the ballcarriers (can grab, but lacks the strength to jerk to the ground, needing help to complete the play) … Good wrap-up tackler, but needs to play under control more, as he tends to over pursue … Gets a little out of control in his backside pursuit, causing him to miss some tackles behind the line of scrimmage … Moves well when covering, but needs to show better sideline range, as he has a tough time weeding through traffic … Can control the tight end and mirror his moves in the short area, but was rarely asked to drop back in zone coverage until shifting to the strong-side as a senior … Flashes a good spin move, but his swim moves are negated by his short-arm approach (needs to extend his arms better to stave off blockers trying to latch on to his jersey) … Has good speed to mirror short-area receivers, but is sluggish redirecting and lacks the second gear to trail on deep routes.. Might still be nursing a knee injury he suffered late in the year.

Son of Jackie Slater, tremendous special teams player who was rising up draft boards

Mike Reiss:

The selection of jack-of-all-trades Matt Slater of UCLA in the fifth round — following a trade up the board — was reflective of the value the Patriots place on special teams.

While Slater has experience at safety and receiver, he made his mark in college on special teams. He had three touchdowns on kickoff returns last year, setting a single-season UCLA record. So this is a choice that will make special teams coach Brad Seely happy.

The Patriots obviously had strong feelings for Slater, as they traded fifth-round and seventh-round selections to move up the board. It’s an interesting move considering Slater’s primary value figures to come on special teams, and not on offense or defense.

The Patriots’ coverage units were statistically solid last year — ranking second in the NFL in punt coverage and 11th in kickoff coverage. Their return units were also solid — fourth on kickoffs, and 11th on punts.

The team’s continued focus in this area could be connected to the Jets and Dolphins employing a similar style of special teams play — with big, physical players. In a division that appears to be getting better, special teams could take on added importance

JUCO transfer with tremendous speed.

Height: 5-9^1/2 | Weight: 185 | 40-Time: 4.38

Strengths:
Good athleticism…Great speed and quickness…Excellent feet…He has fluid hips to turn and run in coverage…Pretty tough and physical..Has good body control…Very aggressive with a terrific motor…Has a lot of experience against elite competition.

Weaknesses:
Average height and bulk…Poor awareness…Lacks a burst to close..Sub par hands and ball skills…Doesn’t make many big plays…Not a great tackler…Work ethic has been questioned..Needs technique work…Has durability issues…Upside is limited.

Notes:
Transfer from Butler County Junior College…A three-year starter in the SEC…Was overshadowed by David Irons and Patrick Lee during his college career but he’s a fine pro prospect in his own right…He probably profiles as more of a nickel or dime type at the next level…Underrated player who could be a nice late round surprise.

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Surprising pick but a solid future pick. Will compete for  the back up position.

NFL Network was saying that the could either groom him for five years down the road or show case him in the preseason, get teams attention and work a trade ala Matt Hasselbeck.

Mel Kiper said that some teams have him as high as a first round pick.

Most teams had him in the second tier of QBs

I think it was a smart move by the Pats.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225 | 40-Time: 4.61

Strengths:
Has excellent size and a big frame…Terrific athleticism…Great timed speed…Arm is strong enough to make all the throws..Nice touch and timing..Is mobile enough to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet…Can throw on the run…Hard worker…Very competitive…Team leader…A lot of experience…Has a ton of upside.

Weaknesses:
Inconsistent with his accuracy..Mechanics need some refinement..Struggles under pressure and makes poor decisions…Does not read defenses well..Still raw and is probably a better athlete than quarterback…Could have some durability concerns.

Notes:
Was essentially a four-year starter…Missed time with a thumb injury that required surgery in ‘06..Has everything you look for in terms of physical tools as well as top intangibles…An extremely intriguing prospect with the talent to eventually start at the next level..Not a finished product and will require some patience but you have to love his potential..Appears to be the quintessential developmental signal caller.

Solid, productive Player out of Michigan

Big and Fast will compete with fellow Michigan Wolverine Hobson at OLB and be a solid special teams player.

Strengths:
Has excellent size and a big frame with long arms…Very athletic…Fantastic timed speed…Nice quickness and agility…Strong and powerful…Terrific pass rusher and blitzer…Makes a lot of plays behind the line…Offers some versatility…He does an adequate job in coverage…Still improving and has upside…Had a big senior year.

Weaknesses:
Does not have a great motor…Work ethic has been questioned…Intelligence may be a concern…Slow to read and react…Needs to play with better leverage…Was only a starter for two seasons…Sub par ball skills…Pass rush repertoire is limited.

Notes:
Was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of the prep ranks…He could project to a 4-3 (SAM) or 3-4 scheme…A real interesting prospect with a unique set of physical tools…Presents a rare combination of production and triangle numbers…Talented but may need to be pushed in order to fulfill his potential…May have played out of position in college…His best fit might be a pass rushing outside linebacker in a 34.

Wierd pick. I had a lot more CBs on the board ahead of him but of course we always defer to the Pats front office. 

CBs I had ahead: Justin King Penn State, Charles Godfrey Iowa,  Tyvon Branch Uconn, Terrell THomas USC, Dejaun Tribble BC to name a few.

Terrence Wheatley CB Colorado

Strengths:
Very fast with good quickness and a burst to close…A fantastic athlete with great agility…Smooth with fluid hips…Playmaker with good hands and ball skills…Smart with good instincts…Physical and always plays hard…Has special teams potential.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the ideal size or bulk that you’d prefer…Needs to get stronger…A marginal tackler…He’ll struggle when matched up against big pro wideouts…Has some pretty serious durability and health concerns…May not have a lot of upside.

Notes:
His father, Randolph, ran track at Arizona State…He was plagued by a wrist injury that required multiple surgeries early in his career…Probably profiles as more of a nickel or dime guy at the pro level…Good cover guy with solid intangibles who will be held back by his size…Will enjoy a nice career as a backup and special teamer.

Height: 5-9^5/8 | Weight: 187 | 40-Time: 4.37

4:23  MCklevin and Ryan Clady go off the board

428 Panthers select Johthan Stewart.

Surprising move, i thought they would go OT.

Bears are up they will go Lineman, Williams OT vandy

 4:37 Chris williams to the Bears

•       Why is Albert Falling so much?
• Lions select another WR…..hahah
• Prediction Lions take Otah OT Pitt
• Steve Young pisses me off

442 Lions trade with Chiefs

• Cheifs will take Albert

444 Chiefs Select Brandon Albert

•  Chiefs get dorsey and Albert solid draft by them- Maybe the top rated player and top 10 rated player

4:57 Lions take Boston College Godser Cherilus

• Two BC players in the first 17 picks not bad, not bad

5:00 Raves trade up with the Texans

• They will take a QB prob Joe Flacco with this pick

5:02 Ravens select QB Joe Flacco Deleware

 Flacco or Falco?

 5:22  Bucs select Talib Kalib Rapper of Black Star

• Solid player who love the movie cheech and chong

5:38  Cowboys select Felix Jones

• Perfect fit for Cowboys, excellent one two punch for the boys

5 :51 Titan select Johnson

• Wow I think that Vince NEEDS a productive WR and with all them being on the board and passing on ALL of them stupid stupid move

6:26 THE SUCKS GET DUSTIN KELLER

I really like the Pick. Plugs a need for us. Top ILB on board.

 Mayo can play anywhere. Inside or Outside.

Led SEC in tackles

6′1 242 Lbs

140 tackles this season

8 games of 10 tackles plus in 2007

Smart player

Great character

2007 All Sec

Ran 4.5 40 dash

NFL Draftcountdown scouting report:

Strengths:
Very athletic…Has excellent timed speed and quickness..Physical and plays bigger than he is…Has terrific range and does a great job in pursuit…Reliable tackler and will deliver the big hit…Smart with good awareness and instincts…Has a non-stop motor…Fluid & smooth in coverage…Versatile…Productive..Nice program pedigree.

Weaknesses:
Undersized and doesn’t have either the ideal height or bulk that you look for..Has trouble taking on and shedding blockers…Needs to be protected up front…Just a marginal blitzer…Durability may be an issue…Probably not a good fit for everyone.

Notes:
The next in a long line of top Volunteer linebackers…Can project inside or outside depending on the defensive scheme and has experience at both…Best fit may be as a middle ‘backer in a Cover 2 or on the weakside..Not a traditional thumper but he will prove awfully attractive to teams that are willing to sacrifice some size for