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By Russ Lande
Sporting News
Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy hasn't become a star, but he is more productive as a rookie than most expected -- and much of that can be traced to his outstanding intangibles. Here's a look at draft prospects who lack ideal athleticism but whose intangibles give them a good chance to make it in the NFL:
1. Chase Beeler, C, Stanford (6-3, 277)
Beeler is a tough, highly competitive player who has been a solid, productive lineman despite lacking athleticism. With his intelligence and awareness, he is consistently able to make the correct protection calls and communicate well with other linemen. He doesn't have the athleticism or strength to excite scouts, but Beeler's intangibles should enable him to make it as a backup center and emergency guard.
2. Orie Lemon, ILB, Oklahoma State (6-1, 246)
Lemon resumed a productive career after he missed the 2009 season with a torn ACL. Much of his success can be credited to his smarts, toughness and competitiveness. Lemon has the necessary bulk, weight and strength, but he lacks the athleticism and speed to be effective playing off the ball in coverage. Still, he has great instincts to sniff out plays and gets started toward the ball in a flash. He won't become a starting linebacker but should have a long career as a backup -- especially if he plays in a 3-4 scheme.
3. Owen Marecic, FB/MLB, Stanford (6-1, 243)
Marecic is a classic overachiever who lacks the all-around athleticism NFL teams desire. After being a good fullback his first three seasons, he became Stanford's starting middle linebacker this season and a rare two-way player. He has consistently shown the smarts, competitiveness and versatility to be productive wherever he lines up on the field. Marecic is not an elite athlete, but fullbacks like him often work their way into starting jobs and become solid contributors.
4. Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama (6-3, 225)
McElroy is not a top athlete and lacks a big-time arm, but he has been quietly efficient. On film, it's clear much of his production is because of his intelligence and intangibles. He reads defenses very well, finds open receivers and is able to make good, accurate throws. He was a Rhodes Scholar finalist and has everything above the shoulders to make it. Though McElroy is viewed by many as a late-round pick, we believe his physical tools are good enough that he could become a solid, productive starting QB who can manage games effectively.
5. Isaac Odim, RB, Minnesota-Duluth (5-11, 215)
Before injuring his knee during the 2010 season, Odim was viewed as a solid small-school prospect. He is a strong, thickly built back who runs with excellent aggressiveness and competitiveness, enabling him to consistently gain yards after contact. Odim's smarts, work ethic and intangibles should help him stick as a backup back. But first, he must recover from his knee injury.
6. Nick Reveiz, MLB, Tennessee (5-9, 224)
Reveiz has been highly productive despite lacking the athleticism and speed that undersized NFL linebackers like London Fletcher have. Reveiz is very smart and is in graduate school this year. He came to Tennessee as a walk-on, and with an excellent work ethic and determination he worked his way into the starting lineup and earned a scholarship. With his smarts, instincts, toughness and intangibles, we are confident he can stick as a backup.
7. Greg Smith, TE/FB, Texas (6-4, 250)
Smith is versatile, lining up as a tight end, fullback and H-back, and does a good job as a blocker and short-area receiver. He's not an explosive athlete, which limits his ability to make plays downfield. But Smith shows the intelligence -- he is working on his master's degree -- and awareness to find open space in coverage and consistent hands. He isn't likely to be drafted, but his versatility, competitiveness and intangibles give him a good chance to stick as a backup.
Sporting News
Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy hasn't become a star, but he is more productive as a rookie than most expected -- and much of that can be traced to his outstanding intangibles. Here's a look at draft prospects who lack ideal athleticism but whose intangibles give them a good chance to make it in the NFL:
1. Chase Beeler, C, Stanford (6-3, 277)
Beeler is a tough, highly competitive player who has been a solid, productive lineman despite lacking athleticism. With his intelligence and awareness, he is consistently able to make the correct protection calls and communicate well with other linemen. He doesn't have the athleticism or strength to excite scouts, but Beeler's intangibles should enable him to make it as a backup center and emergency guard.
2. Orie Lemon, ILB, Oklahoma State (6-1, 246)
Lemon resumed a productive career after he missed the 2009 season with a torn ACL. Much of his success can be credited to his smarts, toughness and competitiveness. Lemon has the necessary bulk, weight and strength, but he lacks the athleticism and speed to be effective playing off the ball in coverage. Still, he has great instincts to sniff out plays and gets started toward the ball in a flash. He won't become a starting linebacker but should have a long career as a backup -- especially if he plays in a 3-4 scheme.
3. Owen Marecic, FB/MLB, Stanford (6-1, 243)
Marecic is a classic overachiever who lacks the all-around athleticism NFL teams desire. After being a good fullback his first three seasons, he became Stanford's starting middle linebacker this season and a rare two-way player. He has consistently shown the smarts, competitiveness and versatility to be productive wherever he lines up on the field. Marecic is not an elite athlete, but fullbacks like him often work their way into starting jobs and become solid contributors.
4. Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama (6-3, 225)
McElroy is not a top athlete and lacks a big-time arm, but he has been quietly efficient. On film, it's clear much of his production is because of his intelligence and intangibles. He reads defenses very well, finds open receivers and is able to make good, accurate throws. He was a Rhodes Scholar finalist and has everything above the shoulders to make it. Though McElroy is viewed by many as a late-round pick, we believe his physical tools are good enough that he could become a solid, productive starting QB who can manage games effectively.
5. Isaac Odim, RB, Minnesota-Duluth (5-11, 215)
Before injuring his knee during the 2010 season, Odim was viewed as a solid small-school prospect. He is a strong, thickly built back who runs with excellent aggressiveness and competitiveness, enabling him to consistently gain yards after contact. Odim's smarts, work ethic and intangibles should help him stick as a backup back. But first, he must recover from his knee injury.
6. Nick Reveiz, MLB, Tennessee (5-9, 224)
Reveiz has been highly productive despite lacking the athleticism and speed that undersized NFL linebackers like London Fletcher have. Reveiz is very smart and is in graduate school this year. He came to Tennessee as a walk-on, and with an excellent work ethic and determination he worked his way into the starting lineup and earned a scholarship. With his smarts, instincts, toughness and intangibles, we are confident he can stick as a backup.
7. Greg Smith, TE/FB, Texas (6-4, 250)
Smith is versatile, lining up as a tight end, fullback and H-back, and does a good job as a blocker and short-area receiver. He's not an explosive athlete, which limits his ability to make plays downfield. But Smith shows the intelligence -- he is working on his master's degree -- and awareness to find open space in coverage and consistent hands. He isn't likely to be drafted, but his versatility, competitiveness and intangibles give him a good chance to stick as a backup.