Brandon Bair of Oregon ~ 6.6/270
NFP's Wes Bunting on Brandon Bair:
"A unique defensive lineman who plays inside in the Oregon 4-3 defense but lacks the type of girth to consistently anchor when run at. However, displays good natural flexibility in his lower half, can sit into his stance and has an above-average first step for his size when asked to shoot gaps and make his way up the field. Does a nice job uncoiling his long arms quickly off the snap and can keep his pad level down initially through contact. Now, lacks the type of power to be a real effective bull rusher and when his initial push is stalled, he struggles to remain in the play.
Does a nice job for the most part using his hands to generate leverage into contact, extending his arms and shedding blocks inside. Isn’t a real gifted athlete, struggles to redirect and side step blocks, and is much more effective using his length to get into opposing blockers and disengage. Is routinely one of the first defensive linemen moving off the snap, consistently getting good jumps inside and dictating to blocks on contact.
Impression: He really does possess good bend and flexibility for a guy his size. Doesn’t have the girth or power to hold up inside at the next level. But I think he has enough athleticism, strength and uses his hands well enough to get a long look as a potential roster guy as a 3-4 DE, if he continues to mature and fill his frame out."
Does a nice job for the most part using his hands to generate leverage into contact, extending his arms and shedding blocks inside. Isn’t a real gifted athlete, struggles to redirect and side step blocks, and is much more effective using his length to get into opposing blockers and disengage. Is routinely one of the first defensive linemen moving off the snap, consistently getting good jumps inside and dictating to blocks on contact.
Impression: He really does possess good bend and flexibility for a guy his size. Doesn’t have the girth or power to hold up inside at the next level. But I think he has enough athleticism, strength and uses his hands well enough to get a long look as a potential roster guy as a 3-4 DE, if he continues to mature and fill his frame out."
"Bair is a similar-looking prospect to former Washington State star Rien Long. Bair primarily lines up at defensive tackle, but his long frame makes it unlikely he'll play that position in the NFL. With greater strength, Bair could develop into an ideal 3-4 defensive end.
Positives: Good initial quickness off the snap. Consistently among the first linemen off the ball. Good upper-body strength and leg drive to bull-rush blockers into the pocket. Active hands and a variety of moves (club, rip, swim) to disengage from the blocker. Long arms, which he uses well to keep blockers away from his jersey. Cognizant defender who uses his long arms to limit passing lanes, knocking down eight passes in 2010. Provides a strong initial pop to the blocker. Locates the football quickly and works his way to the action. Holds his ground against one-on-one blocking surprisingly well despite his long frame. Plays with good knee bend to maintain leverage and anchor in the running game. Good upper-body strength to seal and protect the edge when asked to play outside.
Negatives: Some view him as a 'tweener lacking the upfield speed to play defensive end and the strength and leverage to remain inside at defensive tackle. Is a good, not great athlete. Only marginal lateral agility and straight-line speed to react to scrambling quarterbacks and other ballcarriers on the perimeter and downfield. Plays hard, but his long legs get him caught up in the trash. Doesn't possess the balance or change-of-direction agility to handle quick athletes in space. Doesn't show a great deal of explosiveness as a hitter. Will enter the NFL as a 26-year old rookie as he spent two years on an LDS mission between high school and the start of his playing career at Oregon."
Positives: Good initial quickness off the snap. Consistently among the first linemen off the ball. Good upper-body strength and leg drive to bull-rush blockers into the pocket. Active hands and a variety of moves (club, rip, swim) to disengage from the blocker. Long arms, which he uses well to keep blockers away from his jersey. Cognizant defender who uses his long arms to limit passing lanes, knocking down eight passes in 2010. Provides a strong initial pop to the blocker. Locates the football quickly and works his way to the action. Holds his ground against one-on-one blocking surprisingly well despite his long frame. Plays with good knee bend to maintain leverage and anchor in the running game. Good upper-body strength to seal and protect the edge when asked to play outside.
Negatives: Some view him as a 'tweener lacking the upfield speed to play defensive end and the strength and leverage to remain inside at defensive tackle. Is a good, not great athlete. Only marginal lateral agility and straight-line speed to react to scrambling quarterbacks and other ballcarriers on the perimeter and downfield. Plays hard, but his long legs get him caught up in the trash. Doesn't possess the balance or change-of-direction agility to handle quick athletes in space. Doesn't show a great deal of explosiveness as a hitter. Will enter the NFL as a 26-year old rookie as he spent two years on an LDS mission between high school and the start of his playing career at Oregon."
"Bio: Two-year starter awarded all-Conference honors as a senior, putting up a career-best numbers of 47/16/3. Junior totals included 45/8.5/2.
Positive: Athletic defensive lineman with the ability to play tackle or two-gap end. Plays with good leverage for a tall lineman, displays solid first-step quickness, and is strong at the point. Uses his hands to protect himself, holds his ground against blocks, and gets leverage on opponents. Flashes force up the field, quickly changes direction, and keeps his feet moving on contact. Competitive and works hard until the whistle blows. Smart and plays with good awareness.
Negative: Lacks bulk on the inside and can be controlled by single blocker. Is an average pass rusher.
Analysis: Bair showed great progress the past two seasons. After a good week of practices at the Shrine Game, he turned in a solid performance during the combine. Bair will start off at the next level as a rotational lineman and will only get better as he physically matures and becomes stronger."
Positive: Athletic defensive lineman with the ability to play tackle or two-gap end. Plays with good leverage for a tall lineman, displays solid first-step quickness, and is strong at the point. Uses his hands to protect himself, holds his ground against blocks, and gets leverage on opponents. Flashes force up the field, quickly changes direction, and keeps his feet moving on contact. Competitive and works hard until the whistle blows. Smart and plays with good awareness.
Negative: Lacks bulk on the inside and can be controlled by single blocker. Is an average pass rusher.
Analysis: Bair showed great progress the past two seasons. After a good week of practices at the Shrine Game, he turned in a solid performance during the combine. Bair will start off at the next level as a rotational lineman and will only get better as he physically matures and becomes stronger."
SideLine Scouting on Brandon Bair:
"Positives: Unique skill set... Very good size... Good quickness... Good first step... Good bend... Long arms, big wingspan... Active hands... Uses his hands well... Gets good pressure on the pocket... Good arsenal of moves (swim, rip, arm over, up and under)... Bats down a lot of passes at the LOS... Good flexibility... Shoots gaps... Plays the run reasonably well... Gets in the backfield... Holds the edge reasonably well... Hard worker... Blue collar... Led the Pac-10 with 16.5 tackles for loss in 2010... Versatile, plays everywhere on the D-Line, could fit a variety of schemes, starting DT at Oregon in 2010, fits as a five-technique in a 3-4, LDE in a 4-3 with DT potential if he can bulk up to 300 lbs... Married, one daughter... Mature, spent two years on a church mission.
Negatives: Relies too much on his initial burst to get in the backfield... Lacks power... Doesn't generate much on contact with bull rush... Can be slow to redirect... Does not get off blocks especially well... Will be a 26-year-old rookie, his age will drop him a round or so... Needs to get heavier and play lower and with better leverage if he is going to stay at DT."
Negatives: Relies too much on his initial burst to get in the backfield... Lacks power... Doesn't generate much on contact with bull rush... Can be slow to redirect... Does not get off blocks especially well... Will be a 26-year-old rookie, his age will drop him a round or so... Needs to get heavier and play lower and with better leverage if he is going to stay at DT."
"Strengths: Great size with good potential at five technique for a 3-4 scheme. Very efficient use of his hands. Quick and strong hands to knock linemen hands off him as a pass rusher. Has several pass rush moves to get after the QB (rip, bull, arm over, up and under). When he doesn't get to the QB, he is able to get his huge arms up into the QB's vision, which lead to many batted balls. Deceptively strong and quick for his size. Can penetrate into the backfield and disrupt plays and even has enough of a closing burst to make plays in the backfield. Great use of his hands to disengage from blocks. Bair is a player who gives great effort every play and pursues all over the field.
Weaknesses: He's not quite athletic enough to be a 4-3 defensive end and not strong enough to be a defensive tackle. To be a 3-4 defensive end, he'll have to add 20-25 pounds before he can contribute. Inconsistent get off on the snap. Plays with inconsistent leverage, which his size is a big reason for. Bair's already 26 years old and might have already peaked.
Projection: Sixth or seventh rounder. Bair's size, effort, and football IQ will be an asset for a 3-4 team to stick him at a five technique defensive end. He'll have to add some weight to contribute, but he can be a solid contributor down the line."
Weaknesses: He's not quite athletic enough to be a 4-3 defensive end and not strong enough to be a defensive tackle. To be a 3-4 defensive end, he'll have to add 20-25 pounds before he can contribute. Inconsistent get off on the snap. Plays with inconsistent leverage, which his size is a big reason for. Bair's already 26 years old and might have already peaked.
Projection: Sixth or seventh rounder. Bair's size, effort, and football IQ will be an asset for a 3-4 team to stick him at a five technique defensive end. He'll have to add some weight to contribute, but he can be a solid contributor down the line."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Brandon Bair
Brandon Bair is a CLASSIC example of a guy who Rocks the World in College, gets dismissed by most NFL teams as a guy who simple doesn't project to any particular position...and ends up scrapping and scraping his way onto a roster, anyway, and make one HELL of a lot more plays than his Draft Slot would seem to warrant...IF he gets drafted!!
He projects as either a Defensive End, a Flanker, or ~ hell! ~ maybe an Offensive Tackle!! Hah!!
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
He projects as either a Defensive End, a Flanker, or ~ hell! ~ maybe an Offensive Tackle!! Hah!!
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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