Veteran pro football scout Bruce Kebric gives controversial Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o a first-round draft grade and is not as concerned with the player’s infamous personal issues as he is with Te’o’s problems against Alabama’s talented offensive linemen in the BCS championsip game.
Kebric, a national head scout and team general manager in his 45 years in pro football, is working with NFLDraftScout.com as a consultant this year and sharing his in-depth reports on more than 300 players. In this third part of a series, Kebric takes a look at the top linebacker prospects for the 2013 draft.
Te’o was the runner up in Heisman Trophy voting and was involved in an infamous scam with a non-existent girl friend. Kebric leaves consideration on that issue to others, but does show some concern based on game play.
Kebric notes in his report on Te’o: “Overaggressive at times and will overrun play; needs to be more conscious of low blocks; had problems shedding big Alabama offensive linemen.”
Kebric’s scouting reports are written in the same style, with the same scouting expressions and lingo as he used since he began working with the great Sid Gilman of the San Diego Chargers in 1968. Kebric was also with the Houston Oilers, Arizona Wranglers (USFL), and, for the last 31 years, the Oakland/L. A Raiders.
Included in his reports is the blunt, to-the-point, lingo of scouts — such as “flabby body” and “good butt” or “bubble” (meaning buttocks). Height is measured to the eighth of an inch in the four-digit, industry standard system: 6043 = six feet (first digit), four inches (middle two digits)and 3/8ths of an inch (last digit reflects eights of an inch).
Grade system: 1.0=top 5 pick; 1.5=5-10 pick; 2.0=11th-20th overall; 2.5=21st-32nd overall; 3.0=Rd. 2; 3.5- Rd. 3; 3.7=Rd. 4; 4.0= Rd. 5; 4.25= Rd. 6; 4.5= Rd. 7; 4.7= FA with pos trait our team; 4.9= FA Pos trait general; 5.0= Reject.
Here is a closer look at the top linebacker candidates in the 2013 draft through the eyes of Bruce Kebric (Players are listed in order of NFLDraftScout.com ratings):
INSIDE/MIDDLE LINEBACKERS
1. #46 KEVIN MINTER, LSU, LB (5116-246-4.81).
Body: Square frame; thick. Muscular upper body, arms. Wide shoulders. Big butt, thighs; good calves. Little duck-footed. ARM: 32; HAND: 9 3/8.
Middle Linebacker (two-year starter). Excellent player who lacks some height. Alert, aggressive, around ball, generally involved. Good athletic ability, speed, quickness, movement, mobility, range. Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction. Good pursuit angles both run and pass but did not see a close burst.
RUN: Fills quickly, good block take-on (pad level, leverage, hand use, knee bend/base), shed, react off block. Good tackler (breaks down, strong, wraps).
PASS: Much improved from 2011. Drops easy, good break on ball, one interception and one drop in tapes. Displays ability to run with tight end on shallow crosses and drag routes; downfield with slot once; kept good position but did not look for ball.
Second Round: Excellent vs. run and much improved vs. pass; height only real negative.
GRADE: 3.0
Suwanee, GA (Peachtree Ridge High School/DE-LB). LSU (Redshirt 2009). Birthdate: December 3, 1990.
2. #5 MANTI TE’0, Notre Dame, LB (6012-241-4.82).
Body: Square, thick frame. Muscular upper body, arms. Solid lower body (bubble butt, big thighs, good calves). ARM: 32 1/2; HAND: 9 1/2.
Inside Linebacker (four-year starter). Alert, aggressive, productive (around ball both run/pass, involved) player with good athletic ability, quickness, movement, mobility, range; adequate speed. Good strength, power, tackler (breaks down, wraps). Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction.
RUN: Quick fill, good square up, pad level, leverage. Good arm extension, hand placement. Adequate block shed, good react off block. Displays ability to work on move, good pursuit angles both run & pass.
PASS: Good zone drops, break on ball, close on routes in front, laterally. Good ball reaction, hands(seven interceptions 2012). Adequate man cover slot and tight end; can run cross-field with slot and downfield with TE. Good blitz takeoff, burst to QB. Overaggressive at times and will overrun play; needs to be more conscious of low blocks; had problems shedding big Alabama offensive linemen.
First round: Full-time player who is productive vs. run and pass.
GRADE: 2.5
Laie, HI (Punahou High School/LB-USA Today Defensive Player of Year; Hawaii Gatorade Player of Year). Notre Dame (2009). Team co-captain. Great person, leader, loves football, has all intangibles. More vocal this year than past, better coverage ability since 10-15# lighter. Outgoing person, makes defensive calls. Degree: December 2012(3.30 GPA). Samoan; parents together, Mormon religion. Birthdate: January 26, 1991.
3. #47 KIKI ALONSO, Oregon LB (6030-238-4.78 @ 235#).
Body: Adequate frame; good development. Good upper body, arms. Good butt, thighs; adequate calves. ARM: 32 1/8; HAND: 9 3/4.
Middle Linebacker (two-year starter). Active, alert player with good athletic ability, speed (plays faster than 40 time), quickness, movement, range. Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction. Adequate strength, tackler (low a lot).
RUN: Plays six yards off line of scrimmage; good ball location, angles; adequate block take-on but more a catcher with limited shed.
PASS: Drops easy, good break on ball, close; slot cover at times and displays ability to run cross field; two interceptions and one drop in tapes. Good blitz take off, little burst but will pull up to blocker. Not a square player; more a run-around, space/chase type. Generally around ball but should be more productive. Needs to play more under control and will sell out frequently vs. run and as blitzer.
Fifth Round: Think more suited for outside backer; like his athletic ability, movement, range; needs to play more physical.
GRADE: 4.0
INJURY: Spring 2010-Knee Surgery. October 2012-Left Wrist Sprain (cast); out one game (Colorado).
Los Gatos, CA (Los Gatos High School/TE-LB). Oregon (Redshirt 2008; Medical Redshirt 2010). May 2011: Pled guilty to trespassing (broke into a house) and criminal mischief charges; received two-year probation and 200 hours of community service plus required to attend alcohol treatment program. Suspended one 2011 game. 2010: DUI Charge; suspended 2010 season. Birthdate: August 14, 1990.
Outside Linebacker/Edge
1. #49 BARKEVIOUS MINGO, LSU, DE (6042-241-4.58).
Body: Tall, angular frame (high-cut). Adequate upper body, arms. Adequate butt, thighs, calves. ARM: 33 3/4; HAND: 9 5/8.
Left Defensive End (one-year starter); two and three point stances. Explosive pass rusher with excellent athletic ability, speed, quickness, movement, mobility, range. Excellent body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction. Seems alert both run and pass.
RUN: Good takeoff, adequate pad level, good arm extension, hand placement, separation. Good knee bend/base. Adequate strength but needs better block shed. Reacts off block, quick close down.
PASS: Best as edge rusher; quick takeoff, good pad level, speed up field, dip and burst off corner. Has a variety of moves, quick on stunts. Good get hands up at line of scrimmage. Limited cover exposure but drops easy, good space movement along with close burst. Inconsistent tackler; high frequently, needs better break down and wrap. Three off-sides penalties vs. Texas A&M.
First Round: Most athletic and explosive player seen this year; needs improved tackling to achieve higher grade.
GRADE: 2.0
West Monroe, LA (West Monroe High School/DL-LB). LSU (Redshirt 2009).
Outgoing person, hard worker, some leadership ability. Birthdate : October 4, 1990
2. #29 JARVIS JONES, Georgia, LB(6020-245-4.92FO1@249#).
Body: Good frame; impressive physically. Good upper body, arms (muscular). Good butt (bubble), thighs, calves. ARM: 33; HAND: 9 1/8
Strong Linebacker/Three Front (two-year starter). Excellent player at point of attack and as pass rusher; adequate in space. Alert, active, aggressive; around ball and involved. Good athletic ability, quickness, movement. Adequate speed (plays faster than 40 time), range. Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement; adequate change direction. Excellent strength, good tackler. Good technician vs. run and pass.
RUN: Good pad level, leverage, arm extension, hand placement (strong hands), separation vs. tight end and tackle. Good knee bend/base, block shed, react off block, close down.
PASS: Explosive takeoff as two-point rusher, up field well, flattens at corner with burst to QB. More a rusher than a dropper in this scheme but adequate run seam with tight end once. Most productive as forward player; has some hip tightness and do not see good speed, close burst on chase, space plays.
First Round: Excellent player who probably will be best as outside linebacker in three-man front.
GRADE: 2.0
INJURY: September 2012-Right ankle/ right groin injuries (out two games). October 2009-Neck sprain (out five games); later diagnosed as spinal stenosis by USC doctors who refused to clear him for contact and recommended that he quit football. Transferred to Georgia after this diagnosis. High School: Broken thumb.
Columbus, GA (Carver High School/LB. Basketball). USC (2009). Georgia (Redshirt 2010). Team co-captain. Excellent intangibles, worker. Athletic, tough, studies. One of his brothers was a murder victim. Birthdate: October 13, 1989.
3. #9 ALEC OGLETREE, Georgia, LB (6024-242-4.70).
Body: Adequate frame. Adequate upper body, arms. Good butt, thighs; adequate calves. ARM: 33 1/2; HAND: 10.
Strong Inside Linebacker (two-year starter). Excellent athlete who is best as space/chase type player. Excellent speed (plays faster than 40 time), quickness, movement, mobility, range. Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction. Adequate ball location, strength, aggressiveness, tackle.
RUN: Plays with high pad level, more a block catcher than take-on guy; prefers to run around block. Good pursuit angles, closes down well. Runs easy, nice stride, good burst.
PASS: All zone; drops easy, good break on ball, close on routes in front, laterally. Has speed to run downfield with tight end. Lines up on edge at times and displays good takeoff, speed up field, burst to QB. Good blitz take off, avoid running back. Very athletic, mobile but needs to play more physical, develop better body protection, hand use.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Punt-right tackle; downfield well; FG/PAT Block-right end (55 TD with block vs. Alabama).
Second Round: top athlete with speed, range; more suited for outside linebacker.
GRADE: 3.0.
INJURY: Broken foot (out six games).
Newnan, GA (Newnan High School/WR-LB-S; Parade/USA Today All-American. Basketball-Track (400 M-Long Jump). Georgia (2010). February 2013: DUI Arrest (also speeding and lane violation citations). Fall 2012: Second positive drug test; suspended first four games. June 2010: Misdemeanor theft charge (took scooter helmet from student academic center); one game suspension. Birthdate: September 25, 1991.
4. #4 ARTHUR BROWN, Kansas State, LB (6000-241-4.66 @ 224#).
Body:Square frame. Muscular upper body, arms. Big butt (bubble), thighs; good calves. ARM: 32 1/2; HAND: 10.
Middle Linebacker (two-year starter). Active, aggressive player with excellent instincts (around ball, involved), good strength, explosion, tackler (square, breaks down, wraps). Good athletic ability, speed (plays faster than 40 time), quickness, movement, mobility, range. Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction.
RUN: Quick fill, good block take-on, leverage; adequate shed. Quick react off block, close down laterally, good pursuit angles both run and pass.
PASS: Good in space, has cover feel. Drops easy, good depth, break on ball, change direction, close in front, laterally. Adequate hands (not soft); two tip interceptions in tapes (TD return vs. Texas Tech. Displayed ability to run downfield with slot and running back on two occasions. Height is primary deficit; has some vision problems vs. big offensive linemen.
Second Round: Full-time linebacker; like his instincts, strength, quickness, mobility.
GRADE: 3.0.
Wichita, KN (East High School/LB-Parade All-American). Miami (2008-09/LB). Kansas State (Redshirt 2010). Two-time co-captain; defensive leader. Birthdate: June 17, 1990.
5. #20 KHASEEM GREENE, Rutgers, LB (6006-241-4.71).
Body: Short, good frame; impressive physically. Muscular upper body, arms. Good butt (wide), thighs, calves. ARM: 32 5/8; HAND: 9 5/8.
Weak Linebacker (three-year starter). Space and chase type player with good athletic ability, speed (plays faster than 40 time), quickness, movement, mobility, range. Seems alert; adequate aggressiveness; good tackler. Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction. Good blitz takeoff but pulls up to blocker. Drops easy, good break on ball, adequate close in front and laterally. Not a take-on guy; sits, waits, reacts then tries to run around block. Plays with high pad level, block catcher with limited shed ability. Inconsistent chase effort, must question his sense of urgency at times.
Seventh Round: Like his athletic ability, mobility but needs to improve block take-on, overall effort.
GRADE: 4.5.
Elizabeth, NJ (Elizabeth High School/S). Did not qualify from high school and attend Avon Old Farms Prep School Fall 2007. Rutgers (Redshirt 2008). Birthdate: February 4, 1989.
6. #46 SIO MOORE, Connecticut, LB (6006-245-4.65).
Body: Short, good frame. Good upper body, arms. Good butt (bubble), big thighs, muscular calves. ARM: 33 5/8; HAND: 10 1/4.
Linebacker (two and three point stances); three-year starter. Good athlete who plays best as three-point rusher. Seems alert; adequate strength, aggressiveness, tackler. Good speed, quickness, movement, mobility, range. Good body control/balance, feet/hips, lateral movement/change direction.
RUN: Better in space than at point. Adequate block take-on (prefers to run around block), pad level, leverage; average block shed. Good react off block, close down. Backpedals and drops easy, good break on ball.
PASS RUSH: Good takeoff, pad level, leverage; adequate speed up field, flip at corner. Needs to improve pass rush technique, shed ability.
Sixth Round: Has pass rush and space ability but needs to play more physical. Overruns play at times. GRADE: 4.25
Apex, NC (Apex High School/DE-LB. Track). Connecticut (Redshirt 2008). Born in Liberia; five months old when came to U.S. (with mother). Birthdate: May 2, 1990.