Showing posts with label Ravens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ravens. Show all posts

2.05 New Orleans Chocolate City — RB Bernard Pierce

In the real world: SI.com's Tony Pauline has compared him to Curtis Martin last summer. Kevin Weidl calls him a good fit for a zone-blocking team. Steve Muench wrote back on February 16: “He is a powerful runner who can grind out tough yards between the tackles and pick up yards after contact. However, the combine isn't a great platform for Pierce's greatest strengths: his power and determination.” He never played a full season at Temple—a series of minor injuries kept him from doing that. With the Ravens, he'll replace the retired Ricky Williams as the Ravens' #2 back.
In the TUFF world: Running backs can be found in Round 3 of the NFL Draft, like Frank Gore and Jamaal Charles. But Pierce's job situation is different than theirs in that he's stuck behind Ray Rice, one of the NFL's rare every-down backs, which means he has more value to the Indy Hoosier Daddy's than anyone else. I realize that New Orleans is rebuilding its depth at RB, just not sure about passing up WR A.J. Jenkins for Pierce. (I know, I passed up Jenkins, too, but I have an excuse.)

3.09 Tennessee Taz Devils — WR Tommy Streeter

In the real world: Kevin Weidl: "Flashes ability to win with size, but stiff and does not appear to catch the ball naturally." Steve Muench wrote on February 1: "Streeter caught just six passes in the first two years of his career, but he had a breakout season in 2011 with 46 catches, 811 yards and 8 TDs. However, his lack of experience will be a concern. Streeter also lacks ideal ball skills and the quick-twitch burst to get away with sloppy footwork as a route-runner, and that's why he projects as a Day 3 pick. However, he also has upside with the length, speed and athletic ability to develop into a legitimate vertical threat at the next level." He should have stayed another year, but this way, he can learn from playing behind Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin and Tandon Doss, so give him three years to see if he can rise above Boldin or Doss.
In the TUFF world: Tennessee has the luxury of waiting that long, if they so desire. They've got plenty of depth between Austin, Green, Holmes, Demaryius Thomas, and Wallace.

4.16 Minnesota Fats — RB Bobby Rainey

In the real world: Who is Bobby Rainey? I'll let Matt Waldman (who publishes his own Rookie Scouting Portfolio every year) give you the detailed answer to that question, because he was WAY off my radar. Short answer: He's an undrafted free agent running back from Western Kentucky, signed by the Ravens. Waldman and Chad Rueter (CBSSports.com) compare him to Brian Mitchell, another small but heavy RB from a small school.
In the TUFF world: When looking at Mitchell's stats playing for the Redskins and Eagles, I figure Rainey will be, at best, someone you pluck off the waiver wire because your two best RBs are on a bye or one's one a bye and the other is hurt. In other words, he won't help anyone much more than, say, this guy.