USC’s Perry expected to get to quarterbacks

By Bob McGinn, Journal-Sentinel

~Green Bay – When push came to shove Thursday night, the Green Bay Packers went with the pass-rushing linebacker over the pass-rushing defensive end.

Their choice with the 28th selection in the first round of the National Football League draft was Nick Perry, a defensive end in a 4-3 defense at Southern California who will play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense for the Packers.

“Tremendous physical specimen,” general manager Ted Thompson said. “He’s 270 pounds and runs 4.5. At the end of the day, we felt this would be a very good addition.  

"The basis of our defense starts with being able to threaten offenses from both sides," said Capers. "You see us do a lot of things with our inside linebackers. A lot of their success is based on the type of threats you have on the outside."

 He’s a physical guy, can set the edge and can rush the passer.”

Perry, 6 feet 2½ inches and 270 pounds, will be given every opportunity to start opposite Clay Matthews. Perry was a redshirt freshman at USC in 2008 when Matthews was a senior.

When Green Bay made the pick, the pool of remaining outside linebackers included Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw, who did play in a 3-4, and Clemson’s Andre Branch and Marshall’s Vinny Curry, both of whom played primarily at end in 4-3 defenses and would have faced the same conversion that Perry will.

“There will be a transition,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. “He has played with his hand down more than he has standing up. But that’s not uncommon for us in this defense. The first thing we look for is a guy’s ability to rush the passer.”

The Packers ranked 32nd in sack percentage last season after ranking third in 2010 when they won the Super Bowl. Erik Walden played most of the season at the right outside position, but Frank Zombo, Brad Jones, Jamari Lattimore and Vic So’oto all saw time, too.

Those five players remain under contract, but none of them can hold a candle to Perry in terms of sheer speed and athletic ability.

“In our Super Bowl year we rushed the quarterback as well as anybody in the league,” Capers said. “Last year we weren’t pleased really with either area (rush or coverage).

“We’re looking to get back to work and get back to pressuring the quarterback like we did a couple years ago.”  

USC's Nick Perry chases Stanford's Andrew Luck out of the pocket.

When the three elite cornerbacks were taken by the 17th pick, the Packers had no chance to address their need there.

The release of Nick Collins Wednesday leaves the Packers deficient at safety, but they decided not to pick Notre Dame’s Harrison Smith, who went on the 29th pick to Minnesota.

Green Bay’s other dominant need on defense was defensive end, where Ryan Pickett is aging and players such as Jarius Wynn, C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal have been mediocre performers, at best.

By the 28th pick, the cluster of defensive ends included Penn State’s Devon Still and Connecticut’s Kendall Reyes.

At the same time, guard-tackle Cordy Glenn of Georgia and center Peter Konz of Wisconsin certainly would have been of interest.

More than likely, however, the choice came down to Perry against Still and Reyes.

“We had a number of players at different positions that were rated about the same,” Thompson said, referring to when the Packers were on the clock. “We felt like that was the right pick to make at the time.”

Was the pick borne of need?

“No, not need,” he said. “Just the right pick for our team right now.”

Perry, a native of Detroit, is a fourth-year junior who started 22 of 37 games at strong-side end. He finished with 103 tackles (29½ for loss), 21½ sacks and five forced fumbles.

Although Perry almost never played from a two-point stance, Thompson said there was evidence of it on tape when he did move around.

The key in the evaluation process when scouts try to determine if a collegiate end can become an NFL linebacker occurs in the position drills at the combine. It’s a highly subjective and critical decision, and Thompson expressed no doubt about Perry’s capacity to adjust.

“I thought he’d be OK at it,” said Thompson. “We’ll figure out a way to play him.”

Both Thompson and Capers were more than just impressed by Perry’s superlative workout numbers. He ran 40 yards in 4.58 seconds, his vertical jump was 38½ inches, his broad jump was 10-4 and he bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times.

The only hybrid player in the draft with a faster 40 than Perry was West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin, who ran 4.45 at 246 pounds.

In 2009, Matthews (6-3, 245) ran 4.61, had jumps of 35½ and 10-1, and did 23 reps on the bench.

“We think he has the speed to come off the corner,” said Capers. “We think he can convert speed to power and rush the passer.

“We’ve seen him be very physical on linemen and tight ends with his hand down. He’s got good hip flexibility. ”

Whereas Matthews scored 27 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, Perry tallied 29.

“Yes, he’s very sharp,” Thompson said. “Very good person. Alonzo (Highsmith, a Green Bay area scout) was the group leader in his group at the combine and said he was very genuine, very good with other players, that sort of thing.”

Thompson said the Packers had normal trade talks to go up and down in the trade. When the Packers’ pick arrived, he described it as a united room.

“We discussed other players,” he said. “Everybody felt good about the way we went. It was pretty much done by then and it was, ‘Here’s our guy.’”

In 2008, the Trojans switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 to accommodate their four outstanding linebackers. They moved back to a 4-3 during Perry’s two years as a starter. Perry played on both sides.

“I’m not going to compare them,” said Thompson. “They’re on the same team now. I don’t think you can compare a guy coming into the league with a guy like Clay Matthews. I don’t think that’s fair. For either one of the fellas.”

Full story here

What scouts told McGinn about Nick Perry

Remember, scouts are often wrong, more often than not. And scouts don’t all think alike. Some thought Tom Brady wasn’t worthy of being drafted. The Patriots scout thought he was worthy of the 199th pick in his draft.
Most scouts didn’t think Arian Foster, Kurt Warner, or James Harrison were worthy of being drafted. Most scouts told us Jamarcus Russell, Curtis Enis, Jamal Reynolds, and Charles Rogers were going to be franchise cornerstones. 

~From Bob McGinn, Journal-Sentinel

~NICK PERRY, OLB, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

What NFL scouts told Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel about outside linebacker Nick Perry, the Green Bay Packers’ first-round selection:

That's holding, ref!

AFC scout: “He’s got great potential. He could play anything he wants. He played during the year at 250 some and at the combine, I thought he was nuts, he was 271. He still ran in the 4.5s. He’s explosive.”

AFC scout: “Very steady. Complete player. Can handle the run well. He’s a very good pass rusher. Not like the (Dwight) Freeney type. Solid. He needs to be respected. He’s not as explosive as Clay Matthews. He’d probably be a little stronger against the run as an end.”

AFC scout: “He’s the kid from Ohio State (Vernon Gholston). Buyer beware there. He’s a good athlete that, let’s just say, is a little soft.”

NFC scout: “His motor is OK. Hot and cold a little bit. He’s a talented guy. He will go high.”

Rick Reiprish, New Orleans: “I think he’s a 4-3 guy. That suits him better.”

NFC scout: “Workout guy who doesn’t play good.”

AFC scout: "He can stand up. I'm not sure about anything, but he's got a better chance than (Courtney) Upshaw

NFC scout: “He’s a little bit like (Andre) Branch. He’s scheme versatile. He’s got some pop in his body, that explosiveness that you look for. Yet, you didn’t see him rush all the time at SC. He’s got a lot of potential as a rusher. He’s got the size, speed and athleticism to play outside backer. If you’re betting on the up side with any of these players, this would be the guy to do it with. From what I know, he’s an OK kid. No huge red flags.”

AFC scout: “I think he will be standing up in a 3-4. He’s an NFL talent because of what’s going on these days. You’ve got those hybrid type guys. He’s a good player. He’s not as sudden and quick as some of the top-level guys, but he’s that next tier down.”

AFC scout: “He’s an excellent workout guy. He’s probably a second-round pick, without a doubt.”

AFC scout: “It’s close, but he can do the 3-4. I don’t like him, but I’m in the minority.”

NFC scout: “He’s talented, but you can’t depend on him. I think Perry could do whatever he wanted to do but he doesn’t do it on a consistent basis. He’s talented enough to stand up, sure.”

NFC scout: “I think the 4-3 is his best fit. He might have a little better chance to reduce down and be an outside backer in a 3-4.”

AFC scout: “Good player. He wore out Stanford’s junior left tackle (Jonathan Martin). He played both down and up. Basically down. He and Clay Matthews didn’t play the same way. Matthews played off the line. This guys plays down on the line. He’s tall and linear built. Yeah, he can rush the passer. First round. I like him.”

AFC scout: “He can stand up. I’m not sure about anything, but he’s got a better chance than (Courtney) Upshaw.”

NFC scout: “He can play up, but he’s growing himself into a 4-3 guy. He’s 258 when I saw him play UCLA. He’s not very smart but a hell of a kid and he’s strong as hell. If he had stayed another year he’d probably have been a late first-round pick next year. He is probably first round this year for a 4-3 team.”

NFC scout: “Totally different cat than Clay Matthews. He’s an undersized D-end. He’s not as powerful as Trent Cole. He tries to finesse his way around guys. He’s an average pass rusher. Second round.”

Full story found here

More on Nick Perry

By Brian E Murphy, PackersInsider.com senior editor

~Ted Thompson has given defensive coordinator Dom Capers a talented toy to play with at OLB opposite Clay Matthews, and OLB coach Kevin Greene is licking his chops.

Thompson: Perry was impressive at the Combine

Nobody knows if Perry will turn out more like Brian Orakpo, LaMarr Woodley, Shawne Merriman, Anthony Spencer, or Vernon Gholston. But here are some physical comparions from each’s combine.

Nick Perry
6-2 3/4, 271
40- 4.64
20- X
10- 1.57
Vertical- 38.5
225-reps- 35

Brian Orakpo
6-3, 263
40- 4.63
20- 2.60
10- 1.56
Vertical- 39.5
225-reps- 31

Shawne Merriman
6-4, 272
40- 4.64
20- X
10- X
Vertical- 40
225-reps- 25

Lamarr Woodley
6-1 1/2, 266
40- 4.74
20- 2.72
10- 1.65
Vertical- 38.5
225-reps- 29

Vernon Gholston
6-3, 266
40- 4.65
20- 2.65
10- 1.53
Vertical- 35.5
225-reps- 37

Anthony Spencer
6-3, 261
40- 4.70
20- 2.74
10- 1.64
Vertical- 32.5
225-reps- 30

Here are some more comments from verious Draft Internet guys:

Packers select USC’s Nick Perry

By Tyler Dunne, Journal-Sentinel

~Green Bay – A pair of USC Trojans may anchor the Green Bay Packers pass rush. With the 28th overall pick, the Packers took Nick Perry.

Perry made waves at the NFL scouting combine and showed an elite burst off the edge in college. Now, he’ll get a chance to be the Packers’ right outside linebacker. His senior year, Perry finished with 54 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

“I don’t think there are many guys his size who run a 4.5 with a 38 1/2-inch vertical jump,” Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. “So he has explosive ability.” 

GM Ted Thompson gave Dom Capers and Kevin Greene a talented toy to play with to go after QBs, to match with Clay Matthews

As noted here, Perry had success against top competition, including Stanford’s Jonathan Martin. His natural bend around the edge appeals to teams and should be a major asset to Green Bay’s sagging pass rush. A year ago, Green Bay finished 27th in sacks. The defense auditioned several players at the position throughout the year but never found an answer.

In Perry, maybe the Packers will be able to apply pressure from both sides. The 6-foot-2, 271-pounder admitted at the Combine that he was more comfortable as a defensive end. With good coaching, the Packers must feel confident they can help him adjust to linebacker. He flashed rare athleticism in Indianapolis. Perry ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, benched 225 pounds 35 times and had a 38.5″ vertical leap. No other 3-4 prospect had such a complete showing.

In comparison to other pass rushers in the draft, Perry made more big plays. In addition to his 9.5 sacks, he also had three forced fumbles. A month ago, we took a look at his game here.

“You always hope that through competition that guy will surface,” Capers said. “Nick will come in and we’ll throw him right into the competition of things and we’ll see what he can do. …We think he has the potential to do that and be that guy we want on the edge.”

The Packers had to be sweating the pick out. Beginning with West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin at No. 14 overall, a run of pass rushers began. Green Bay’s division rival, Chicago, scooped up Boise State’s Shea McClellin at No. 18. But Perry and Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw both slipped all the way to the Packers and general manager Ted Thompson had to make a decision. 

Just as he did in 2009 with Matthews, Thompson turned to Southern California for a pass rusher. Maybe Perry gives the Packers the lift they need defensively.

Packers select Nick Perry, USC OLB/DE

By Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette

~Even with pass rushers falling off the board in a flurry late in the first round of the NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers were able to address that glaring need Thursday night.

With USC’s Nick Perry and Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw on the board at No. 28 overall, the Packers went for Perry, who figures to start immediately at right outside linebacker, opposite former USC teammate Clay Matthews on the left side. 

Southern California's Nick Perry poses for photographs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected 28th overall by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York. / Jason DeCrow/AP

The Packers went into this draft badly needing a pass rusher for a defense that finished No. 32 in the NFL in sacks percentage last season, and this draft was relatively light for 3-4 outside linebackers who figured to go later in the first round. When Seattle pulled a shocker by drafting West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin at No. 15 overall — he was maybe the draft’s most explosive speed rusher, but he also is regarded as a one-dimensional player and many teams concerned him a serious off-the-field character risk — it helped push other rushers down the board. 

After Irvin, they started going fast: South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram (San Diego, No. 19), Boise State’s Shea McClellin (Chicago, No. 19), Syracuse’s Chandler Jones (New England, No. 21), Alabama’s Dont’a Hightower (New England, No. 25) and Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus (Houston, No. 26). 

That left Perry and Upshaw on the board for the Packers, and the Packers went for the speed-oriented Perry rather than the power-oriented Upshaw. Perry is 6-foot-2¾, 271 pounds and ran the 40 in 4.59 seconds; Upshaw was 6-1 5/8, 272 (almost 280 at his campus workout) and ran the 40 in a reported 4.81 seconds. Many scouts questioned whether Upshaw was quick and fast enough to handle the coverage responsibilities of a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL even though he played that position and was at times a dominating player in college. 

Several scouts interviewed earlier this week thought the Packers were especially interested in McClellin, but if they were, he never got within striking distance and was selected by the Packers’ NFC North Division rival Chicago Bears at No. 19. 

Perry, who is entering the draft after his redshirt junior season, was a two-year starter at USC and played on passing downs the year before. He finished his career with 21½ sacks and especially impressed scouts with his average of 1.53 seconds on the 10-yard split on his two 40-yard dashes at the NFL scouting combine. That’s an exceptionally quick time and is better than Irvin’s 1.60 seconds. 

However, some teams wondered whether Perry has the lateral quickness to cover well as an outside linebacker in a 3-4. Early in his career he played the same stand-up “elephant” linebacker-defensive end hybrid position that Matthews played as a senior at USC. But when Lane Kiffin became USC’s coach, Perry became a 4-3 defensive end and didn’t play much in coverage. 

Perry’s 4.66 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.25 seconds in the three-cone drill were among the worst of the first-round outside pass rushers in this draft.

Full story here

Green Bay Packers 2012 NFL Draft Prospects: OLB/DE Nick Perry

By Kevin McCauley, ACME Packing Company

~NFL Draft 2012

 I think that the coolest thing about working with SB Nation is the access to a large network of people, covering hundreds of teams across a couple dozen sports. Our network of college blogs here is absolutely fantastic, so our NFL bloggers have gotten in touch with our college bloggers to tap into their expertise on this year’s top NFL Draft prospects. 

One guy that the Green Bay Packers have been linked with in numerous mock drafts is USC Trojans defensive end Nick Perry, who could be moved to outside linebacker if he’s drafted by a team that primarily plays out of 3-4 defensive sets. Perry’s a skilled pass rusher with all of the physical tools, and he offers something that you’re going to hear a lot about in the next week: scheme-flexibility.That is this year’s draft buzzword. SPOILER ALERT: We’re also going to use it when we write about guys like Andre Branch, Fletcher Cox, Devon Still and Shea McClellin. Like a lot of teams in the NFL these days, the Packers are not going to run everything out of a typical 3-4 all of the time. They don’t use a standard 4-3 on regular occasions like, say, the New England Patriots do, but they’ll still be looking for flexible defensive players. 

The Packers’ biggest problem on defense last season was their pass rush, and if they select Perry, they’ll almost certainly get an instant improvement in that department. After the jump, we’ll get into the specifics of what Perry does and does not bring to the table, with the inside info courtesy of USC Trojans blog Conquest Chronicles.

 Here’s exactly what Conquest Chronicles had to say about Nick Perry.

            POSITIVES:

Quick off the line…blows past blockers before they can get their hands up…good instinct at using leverage and staying balanced…has good change of direction skills…moves well to the outside to out maneuver agile pass blockers…excellent run defender…because of his speed and moves can make plays on the ball carrier from yards away…comparisons made to Freeney.

Nick Perry chases Andrew Luck out of the pocket as USC played at Stanford.

NEGATIVES:While Perry has decent push his upper body strength needs work…needs to show more hustle, sometimes takes plays off…at time shows fatigue in the 4th qtr. so conditioning will be important…has some issues when handling double teams…dissects the play well but sometimes over runs the play…at times Perry will bite on play action…mobile QB’s could be an issue.

COMBINE:

40 Yard – 4.64
Bench Press – 35 reps
Vertical Jump – 38.5-inch vertical jump
Broad Jump – 124.0 inces
3-cone Drill – 7.25 seconds

His stats, physical tools and CC’s notes tell you just about everything you need to know about his abilities as a 4-3 defensive end. At the end of the day, Perry’s best fit is probably as a DE for a 4-3 team that needs a pass rusher who is also competent in run defense. He doesn’t have experience dropping into coverage and some fear that he’s not going to be as productive standing up as he was with his hand in the dirt, but with his physical tools, he’s going to be pushed as a potential 3-4 OLB fit by a lot of analysts.

Highlights

First, a tape of his 2010 highlights. You will notice that this guy is FAST off the edge. Also, pay attention to the play 37 seconds in. He’s the right defensive end and he drops back, then steps up and makes a terrific play on the middle screen. The following play is a good one too; he looks like an outside linebacker.

Nick Perry Highlights

Nick Perry Highlights 2011

Verdict: An okay pick for the Packers, but not the best fit.Perry is a supremely talented player, but he’s probably not going to make the best switch to standing up of all of the 4-3 end/3-4 OLB tweeners in this draft. His physical tools and variety of pass rushing moves are fantastic, though, and if the Packers think that his skills will translate to OLB, I believe them. He will probably struggle in coverage to start his NFL career, and it might be defined by how well he adapts if he is moved to 3-4 OLB. He could end up a lot like Jason Babin, who was a great 4-3 DE in college that was moved to 3-4 OLB, where he was average. He’s found new life as a 9-technique for the Eagles.

Nick Perry has the strength, size, and speed to disrupt a lot of NFL QB's, getting past OT's.

I think that Perry is best suited to 4-3 defensive end in the pros, not 3-4 outside linebacker, but he has the tools to play either. Having said that, we might know quickly whether or not he’s going to be the real deal at 3-4 OLB, if the Packers pick him. If he can’t succeed under Kevin Greene on the practice field and opposite Clay Matthews on gameday, then he’s probably not going to succeed as a 3-4 OLB anywhere.

Full story, and comments, here

Nick Perry, Prospect

By Doug Farrar, Shutdown Corner

~With the 2011 NFL season in the books, it’s time to turn our eyes to the NFL draft, and the pre-draft evaluation process. Before and after the 2012 scouting combine, we’ll be taking a closer look at the 50 draft-eligible players who may be the biggest NFL difference-makers when all is said and done.

USC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2011, Perry wasted no time once he first got on the field with the Trojans in 2009. He had two sacks in his first game against San Jose State, and eight in his first season. After a somewhat disappointing follow-up season with four sacks in 2010, Perry went off the hook last year. He picked up 9.5 sacks (nine solo), with five in his last four games. It was a near-certainty that he’d declare for the 2012 draft, and in an era when pass-rushers are more important than ever, he’s got a very good chance to excel right away, just as he did at USC.

Perry's first-step quickness absolutely explodes off the tape, and it's the primary reason the Packers feel their pass rush just got better.

Because of his 4.64 combine speed at 6-foot-3 and 271 pounds, some see Perry switching from 4-3 defensive end to pure outside linebacker at the next level. However, even a cursory look at Perry’s game tape proves that while speed can’t be coached, there are different kinds of speed that fit different positions better, and it’s my belief that Perry is best suited to the roles he played in college.

Why mess with success?

Pros: Perry’s first-step quickness absolutely explodes off the tape, and it’s the primary reason the buzz about him keeps getting louder. He’s not just fast through and to the pocket; he’s amazingly quick from his stance and you’ll see him blow by blockers before they can get their hands up at times. Even when he’s blocked or ridden out of the pocket, he has the change-of-direction skills to create problems for a quarterback with his second effort and re-direct. Has a tremendous outside move that can foil even the most agile pass-blocker — if your feet aren’t set against Perry and he’s on your outside shoulder, you’re in a lot of trouble.

As a straight-on rusher, uses his hands well to separate; will be even better at this as he develops spin, rip and swim moves. Has a good “dip-and-rip” move that allows him to turn the corner quickly. Excellent run defender who will move from seam to seam with great fluidity to make plays on ballcarriers from yards away that other ends simply can’t. Good overall sense of fundamentals for the position; understands how to use the momentum of a rip move to propel him forward, and this is one of the primary reasons for the Freeney comparison. Doesn’t use a lot of stunts and loops, but will certainly be asked to at the NFL level, and with his pure speed, he could be pretty scary when doing so.

Cons: While Perry gets a decent push on tackles and tight ends, a lot of that comes from his speed and explosiveness, and he doesn’t display optimal upper-body strength from play to play. Stronger blockers will be able to deal with him pretty consistently as a result. Played inside in a few three-man fronts, and that lack of pure strength shows up in his inability to beat double teams. More practiced NFL tackles will be able to walk him back and to the side until he learns to peel off of power blocks.

While he does a decent job of dissecting the action when asked to play in space, he will overrun some plays; seems to be a player predetermined to go as quickly as possible in a forward direction. Has some experience in zone blitzes and dropbacks, but he’s more a space player than a true coverage threat in those packages. 2011 Stanford game, as impressive as it was, revealed Perry’s tendency to bite on play action; mobile quarterbacks could have a field day with him as they escape the pocket.

Conclusion: Perry was among the last recruiting scores of the Pete Carroll era along with Matt Kalil, and one wonders how much going up against Kalil in practice all the time refined Perry’s pass-rush moves. From a pure “Oh my God!” speed perspective, he’s probably the most impressive pass rusher in this class, and he’s developed enough technique to make that quickness into something truly special. In an NFL where hybrid defenses rule the day, teams will look at Perry in different functions and possible roles, and I think he’s potentially dominant in several of those roles — everything from a straight end in a 40 front, to an occasional endbacker in a five-man front to a wide-nine end attacking from a 45-degree angle (where I believe he could really shine).

What you will get from Nick Perry is a peerless pure pass rusher with the ability to improve, and the chase speed to blow up some second-level run plays. What you will not get, at least to start, is a player who can also stone blockers at the point of attack or drop into coverage in an optimal sense. If he could do those things as well, he’d be a top-10 pick, but as it stands right now, Nick Perry should be on the top of the draft board for any team in need of quarterback terrorization right away.

Pro Comparison: Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts

Full story here

The Shutdown 50 — Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

By Doug Farrar, Yahoo! Sports

~We continue this year’s series with Boise State end/linebacker Shea McClellin. Everybody wants to talk about this or that offensive player when discussing the Broncos’ recent run of success, but Boise State has enjoyed one of the NCAA’s best defenses every year over the last half-decade. McClellin is a big reason why. In 2011, he was named first-team All-Mountain West Conference with 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He built off a 2010 season in which he racked up 13.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 9.5 sacks. It’s clear that McClellin has everything it takes from a raw athletic perspective to be an elite pass-rusher, but how do his abilities best transfer to the NFL?

Pros: Very impressive pursuit ability in pass rush from one side of the field to the other — if you’re blocking McClellin out and you succeed at first, you’d still better try again, because he will get sacks by bailing out of those blocks and chasing the quarterback down. Extremely athletic player who will burst off the tape at times and make everyone else look as if they’re in slow motion. Good burst from a standing position allows him to make up ground quickly. Occasionally fast enough to blow right by a tackle before he can get set to block. Especially effective in slanted formations where he can bear down on the ballcarrier and use that first step to gain even more of an advantage.

Decent at sifting through trash to get to a running back, but could use his hands more effectively. Looked very adept away from the line when Boise State had him play linebacker in certain fronts, and might be even faster with his hand off the ground. Average ability when dropping into coverage, but there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t be great at this with more reps. Good sense of gaps and when to split them. Didn’t loop inside a lot on the tape I saw, but he would seem to be a real potential weapon in that capacity.  

The Reed pro comparison is a bit of a compromise -- McClellin is more explosive than Reed, but he's certainly not at Matthews' level yet.

Cons: McClellin is so concerned with being the fastest guy on the field that he will overrun plays on occasion — sometimes, pretty wildly. Does not yet possess the upper-body strength to run consistent bull-rushes on NFL-caliber blockers; his game is all about speed and agility. Comes off the snap high at times and can be absolutely erased by blockers as a result. Not at all set to handle drive-blocking against power teams — you can see him get bulled back a lot on sweeps and pulls. Needs to develop better hand moves, footwork and change of direction skills to get around blocks; he won’t be able to just sweep around the NFL’s tackles as a defensive end.

Conclusion: Most of McClellin’s obvious negative issues as an NFL prospect could be mitigated, or eliminated, with a switch to strong-side linebacker, or to straight “endbacker” in the Clay Matthews mold. Like Matthews, McClellin transcended his original status as a lightly recruited player to become a true difference-maker on an elite defense. His coaches at the Senior Bowl had him playing linebacker for the most part — they had the right idea. It’s clear that McClellin’s primary attributes (demon speed and spatial awareness) would benefit him most at a position where he could simply pin his ears back and go. 

The 4.63 40-yard dash McClellin ran at the scouting combine would have placed him sixth-fastest among outside linebackers in Indianapolis, and at a time when pass rushers are more valuable than ever in the NFL, look for creative defensive coordinators to watch McClellin’s game tape, get big cake-eating grins, start planning how best to use this second-round prospect, and turn him into a first-level quarterback disruptor. The challenge will be when he’s asked to kick inside to end in sub packages; he’ll most likely be a rotational guy at first. The Reed pro comparison is a bit of a compromise — McClellin is more explosive than Reed, but he’s certainly not at Matthews’ level yet. You can also see elements of Trent Cole and Patrick Kerney in his skill set.

Full story here

The Shutdown 50: #38 — Vinny Curry, OLB/DE, Marshall

By Dougie Farrar, Yahoo!

~With the 2011 NFL season in the books, it’s time to turn our eyes to the NFL draft, and the pre-draft evaluation process. Right up to the draft, we’ll be taking a closer look at the 50 players who may be the biggest NFL difference-makers when all is said and done.

We continue this year’s series with Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry. In two full seasons as a defensive force for the Thundering Herd, the 6-foot-3, 266-pound Curry lived up to the team’s name all by himself — through he started all 13 games in 2009, it wasn’t until 2010 that Curry really started to explode off tape and the stat sheets. In the 2010 campaign, he amassed 12 sacks (11 solo), 18 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hurries. He build on that great season in 2011, racking up 11 sacks (10 solo), 21 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hurries, and a new skill displayed — three blocked kicks. Any concern that he padded his stats against inferior opponents can be put to rest; Curry was a consistent disruptor of one type or another through the last two seasons. If he didn’t have a sack, he’d have three hurries, or a forced fumble (six of those in 2011), or a special teams standout play.   Curry seems athletically predetermined to mess up quarterbacks, but how well will he attain that goal at the NFL level? The world is full of defensive ends who blew it up in college, only to attain a Milk Carton Scholarship in the NFL. Curry has a few technique fixes to deal with, but does he have what it takes to do what he did against the best?

Marshall's Vinny Curry celebrates with teamates after sacking UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, in an NCAA college football game at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington. (AP Photo/The Herald-Dispatch, Mark Webb)

Pros: Curry is an outstanding fast-twitch, first-step athlete — he comes off the snap with lightning speed and is very good at finding or creating an opening right away. Total forward-motion player who is always looking for the ballcarrier in the backfield. Even when he comes up late off the count, he’s fast enough to get going and create problems for opposing tackles.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Curry’s game is his upper-body strength; combined with his speed, he’s got a lot of pass-rush potential at any level because he doesn’t just vaporize when presented with power blocking. He will bull-rush with consistency and can actually keep a blocker at bay with one hand at times while waiting for a play to develop. Very difficult to handle one-on-one when playing from a wide slanted position, because he will double back if he overplays the original rush. Great edge-rusher in four-fronts from either side, though one of his best moves is the inside stunt from the LDE position. Quick enough from the line to blow up swing and screen passes before the back gets very far. Startling chase speed; Curry can be a factor on plays happening yards away from him because of his ridiculous speed and great motor.

Curry’s lateral speed gives him the opportunity to dominate when looping and stunting inside; he did that a bit at Marshall, and he was generally a problem to deal with when doing so. Outstanding run defender who will go sideline-to-sideline and can chase down elite speed backs. Plays a bit as a five-tech end and “endbacker” pass rusher in five-man fronts or four-man slanted fronts with a blitzing DB at the line. Has the raw strength to make some plays as an inside rusher on passing downs, and the speed to come off the edge as a 3-4 OLB, though he may not have the quick “dip-and-rip” move common to many great 3-4 edge rushers.

Cons: Right now, Curry has two speeds: “Off” and “Kill.” While you can see traces of a more patient and even more effective player on certain plays, he can be fooled on traps and misdirection plays — at times, he’ll overrun plays by a pretty wide margin as a result of his breakneck pace.

Can be fooled out of position on playfakes, as well — he’ll bite pretty hard on that stuff. Comes off the snap too high at times and can get bulled back as a result. Will need better and more varied hand and foot movement against the NFL’s stronger tackles, though he shows an embryonic swim move that could be devastating. Ran a slow time (4.98) at the scouting combine, but went much faster (4.69) at his Pro Day, and at no time does Curry appear slow on tape.

Conclusion: Because of his speed and gap versatility at the college level, some may try to buy into Curry as a pure 3-4 outside linebacker, but he’s really a pass-rushing specialist with impressive run-defending ability. He’s not going to drop into coverage at an expert level without a lot of work, but expecting him to do that would like asking a Lamborghini to tow a U-Haul trailer. His one scheme-transcendent asset — demon speed off the edge — should translate very well to the NFL.

Where Curry can separate himself from the college speed ends who wash out in the pros is in his ability to develop technique around his raw tools. There’s evidence of this when switching from his 2010 to 2011 tape. He’s now more of a read-and-react player, and if he can augment this new patience with the kinds of moves that work at the professional level, he’s got what it takes to be one of the NFL’s more feared pass-rushers. Curry would be best-utilized in a four-man or hybrid front in which he plays outside, especially in conjunction with a defensive tackle good enough to soak up blockers and let him wreak havoc.

Like Pierre-Paul, who went to the Giants with the 15th overall pick in 2010 despite limited college experience, Curry could surprise with his draft position — he’s projected by most as a player worthy of a top-second-round selection, but it will only take one defensive coordinator falling in love with the speed on tape to change that.

Pro Comparison: Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

Full story here

My Cousin Vinny on the Packers Radar?

By Ty Dunne, JSOnline

~Green Bay – Deep down inside, there were so many other things Vinny Curry wanted to ask Green Bay Packers outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene.

He admired Greene, the linebacker. But he also was a huge fan of Kevin Greene, the short-lived wrestler. Those tag-team days with Steve McMichael. Trading body blows with Ric Flair. The Marshall defensive lineman would have loved to discuss power-slams, leg-locks and funky costumes. 

Marshall's Vinny Curry could be a match for Clay Matthews at OLB for the Packers.

But not yet. Not with so much on the line in 15 precious minutes at the scouting combine.

This was a job interview.

“Strictly football,” Curry said. “We talked about me coming off the edge for the Green Bay Packers.”

Maybe the two will get a chance to talk wrestling soon. Curry is another pass rusher in the draft mix for Green Bay.

It’s hard to say who will trickle down to the 28th overall pick. There’s a reasonable chance South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw, Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus and USC’s Nick Perry will be long gone. And right now, Boise State’s Shea McClellin can do no wrong. 

Curry has drawn several comparisons to former CFL star Cameron Wake, now a Pro Bowl OLB for the Dolphins.

As general manager Ted Thompson said Thursday, you can never predict the NFL draft. Curry may be the team’s best bet at landing a pure edge rusher. His stock fell after a rough combine and rose with a strong pro day. Curry says his small-school background drives him and that is what can separate him from the pack.

“I feel like I’m the most consistent pass rusher in this draft,” Curry said. “I play every down like it’s my last. I have some great passion for the game and can bring things to the table, making great plays on the field opposite of Mr. (Clay) Matthews.”

At Marshall, Curry started three seasons – one at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and two at defensive end. Given the green light to rush, he flourished. The last two seasons, Curry totaled 171 tackles (40 for loss) with 23 sacks. Unlike Perry or Ingram, he doesn’t flaunt world-class athleticism. Unlike Mercilus, he didn’t face towering tackles each Saturday.

So Curry hopes his no-plays-off mentality is the difference. 

Packers defensive end Johnny Jones, who spent 2011 on the practice squad, played alongside Curry at Marshall. They’re close friends who would love to reunite. After seeing the speed of the pro game up close, Jones says Curry’s pass-rushing talents can adapt. 

Holding? Curry has a great first step and often gets himself into prime position, forcing the OT to hold.

“I think it will,” Jones said. “It’s just a matter of time learning the ins and outs and technique. But he has natural pass-rushing ability and is relentless. And he has that get-off. It’s all about the learning curve. If he picks it up, he’ll play in this league for a long time.”

The learning curve may come in “getting off blocks,” Jones added. In the NFL, the linemen are much bigger and faster than what they faced in Conference USA. That’s why Curry’s 40-yard dash time at the combine raised so many eyebrows.

In Indianapolis – as Perry put on a clinic – Curry clocked in at 4.98 seconds. The conference defensive player of the year said the poor time was a result of tripping up toward the end. Three weeks later, at his pro day, Curry rebounded. He reportedly ran the 40 in 4.64 seconds, bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times and had a vertical leap of 35 inches.

So during this wild, unpredictable Wall Street-like stretch, Curry’s stock is rising again. Longtime NFL executive Gil Brandt now ranks the 6-foot-3, 266-pounder as the 43rd-best prospect.

Curry says his 40 times are usually in the 4.6 range, a product of his quick first step. As a 3-4 outside linebacker, that’s critical.

“The thing that pass rushing is, is get off,” Curry said. “If you can get off the football, you have a 99% chance of winning that pass-rushing battle. It’s all about get-off. That’s what I pride myself on.”

Maybe it’s a similar mentality. Or, well, madness. But Curry, like Greene, is drawn to the ring.

Whenever he is done with football, he plans to go straight to WWE. He has the personality to do it. Curry once showed up to an interview session at Marshall in a Nature Boy-esque, white-and-pink robe. Yes, the sport is fake. Theater. But as Curry points out, all of those wrestlers are athletes, too. The job takes very real acrobatics, and very real courage.

So until then, he’ll try bringing it to the football field. Curry already is envisioning himself opposite Matthews.

“With him getting the majority of the double-teams and the pass protection sliding his way,” Curry said, “that will certainly create opportunities for me to make plays for my team.”

More important, he wants to match Matthews’ energy. At Marshall, that was his focus.

Like many prospects from mid-majors, Curry is raw. There is risk. Patience and strong coaching will be essential. But Curry doesn’t apologize for that mid-major experience. It’s what helped him get here.

“I don’t want you seeing me sacking the quarterback one play,” Curry said, “and the next three plays you see me lollygagging or trotting or jogging. I should be going as hard as I was in the first quarter in the fourth quarter.”

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