FanNation

• Tommy Blake- 2008’s Quentin Moses?
• Merits of Tarvaris Jackson vs. Josh Johnson
• As the Debate Rages on between Gholston and Long at DE, who comes next?: Merling, Campbell, Lawrence Jackson or Derrick Harvey?

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Sad Tale of Tommy Blake: 2008’s Quentin Moses?

In the commotion surrounding this years deep crop of talented defensive ends, there is one pass rusher who has seen his stock rise to it’s peak before dipping to it’s depths.  Entering the 2007 college football season TCU defensive end Tommy Blake was on the lookout for All-American, other national honors as the top pass rusher in the nation and drawing lofty comparisons to Dwight Freeney for his sheer athleticism. 

After taking a sabbatical from the team for undisclosed reasons which was later revealed to be the result of a bout with depression and social anxiety disorder.  Blake eventually returned to the team for the final four four games collecting 4 sacks, and 8 TFL among 21 tackles.  <!--[endif]-->

At TCU’s Pro Day last month, Blake took a giant step to rebuilding his tarnished draft stock by running a 4.75 40, and completing 23 reps on the bench surpassing likely first rounders Calais Campbell and Merling.   

However, there is also another draftee from 2007 who can relate.  Following an All-SEC first team, All-American caliber performance as a junior in 2005, Georgia DE Quentin Moses was projected as a top 15 draft pick.  However, after spurning the draft to return to Athens for his senior campaign, Moses was underwhelming and eventually slipped to the Oakland Raiders in the 3^rd round before getting cut on September 1. He was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on September 2, 2007. but was mysteriously released a month later.  A month later, Moses recorded his first career full sack on November 26, bringing down Ben Roethlisberger during a Monday Night Football contest.  Blake is now graded behind ends such as Curtis Johnson of unaccredited Clark Atlanta, Brian Johnson of Gardner-Webb, Jason Jones from Eastern Michigan and Kendall Langford of Hampton.

 Josh Johnson vs. Tarvaris Jackson

 Everyone is quick to debate the merits of Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson vs. current prospect Josh Johnson as mobile D1-AA quarterback prospects with pro potential.  However, Johnson is renowned for a characteristic which Tarvaris Jackson has failed to grasp even as a professional.  Jackson was an erratic, inaccurate passer in college with a slingshot arm as opposed to Johnson, who is the NCAA’s all-time passing efficiency leader with a 176.7 career rating-- with a slingshot arm.  In his two seasons as a starter Jackson’s completion percentages were 52% and 60%.   In Johnson’s 3 years as a starter his completion percentages hovered around 70%, 66% and 70%.  Johnson is the definition of a late bloomer after arriving at San Diego as a 5-10 freshman, he now stands at 6-3 and was once referred to by former NFL quarterback and Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, (and brother to the new Ravens head coach, hint.. hint..)as the best quarterback in the nation. 

In addition, their touchdown production as pocket passers doesn’t even put them in the same stratosphere.  In three seasons as a starter Johnson threw 113 touchdown passes to a miniscule 15 interceptions including his senior season when he accumulated 43 touchdowns and 1 interception.  In two seasons Tarvaris Jackson passed for 20 and 29 TD’s respectively as well as 13 interceptions and 24 crippling sacks as a senior.  In actuality, Johnson equates more to Tony Romo, with scrambling ability if s play breaks down(he rushed for 700 yards in his senior season)as an unfinished product then he does to Jackson. 

For a mobile quarterback Johnson possesses some of the best mechanics seen since Randall Cunningham and Steve Young.  Former coach Jim Harbaugh was once quoted sayin if there was an SAT for football, Johnson would crush it” in regards to his football IQ.  With 4.4 speed, Johnson possesses great footwork, drops back quickly, doesn't aim but drops theball in the right spots and doesn't tip off the secondary with his throws.  Most importantly, Johnson can stay in the pocket and doesn't get jittery under pressure.

The fact of the matter remains that if Johnson and Jackson were prospects in the 2008 Draft, Johnson would likely get off the board a round higher.  I'd heard the whispers about him in the preseason mentioned behind Brian Brohm, John David Booty, Matt Ryan, Erik Ainge and Chad Henne. If things go accordingto plan, someday it'll be the other way around.

As the Debate Rages on between Gholston and Long at DE, who comes next?: Merling, Campbell, Lawrence Jackson or Derrick Harvey?

It’s only fitting that in a season where the trend has kicked over to the pass rushing phenomenom that the Draft boasts a deep pool of quality qb killers.  Gholston and Howie’s boy, Chris Long have volleyed back and forth to be considered the top defensive end but where does the rest of the field stand?

Lawrence Jackson, who has the Trojan mystique in his favor projects as more of a Richard Seymour type run stuffer.  Conversely, Miami Hurricane’s Calais Campbell’s stock was dragged down by his team’s overall ineptitude this season.  His sack numbers declined from 10 and a half as a sophomore to 6 in his junior campaign.

However, I believe that a partial reason for that decline should be placed on the ‘Canes stagnant offense allowing teams to gain leads and run the ball on offense thus eliminating a bevy of sack opportunities for Campbell.  In addition, his measurables at 6’8, 282 lb.s, Merling at 6’5 272 lb.s, Jackson at 6 ‘4 268 lb.s and Harvey at  6’5 271 lb.s.  Upon further speculation, his size rivals that of Mario Williams 6’7 291 lb.s.

The momentum has been in Derrick Harvey’s favor since he devoured Buckeyes linemen like hors d’oevres at a soup kitchen and he is expected to be the first of the four drafted. 

In the workout portion, Merling was least impressive because he never ran the 40.  In addition, his upper body strength needs a ton of improvement after he managed just 17 reps on the bench press, half of Harvey and Jackson’s 31 reps. Those variables contribute to the concern that Merling won’t be quick enough to get around the edges on slower tackles and isn’t strong enough to play on the inside.

My biggest concern is that Clemson’s reputation for stocking the NFL Draft with first round defensive lineman in recent years has clouded the judgment of the NFL cognoscenti and propelled Merling into a future tale of caution.

My Final DE Rankings( and how they’ll eventually pan out)

1a. Vernon Gholston

1b. Chris Long

2. Calais Campbell

3. Derrick Harvey

4. Tommy Blake

5. Philip Merling

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