Brooks Reed of Arizona ~ 6.3/260
NFP's Wes Bunting on Brooks Reed:
"An undersized pass rusher who plays 100 miles per hour on every down. Exhibits a good first step off the snap, gets off the ball quickly, keeps his pad level down and is consistently one of the first defensive linemen moving off the line. Has the ability to threaten the edge and get into offensive tackles quickly. Looks comfortable keeping his pad level down into contact, extending his arms and can create a bit of a surge on his bull rush. Plays with good leverage and can be a bit more physical than his frame would suggest.
However, lacks balance and body control at this stage and really struggles when asked to change directions, keep his feet under him and break off any type of counter move. Also seems to routinely overextend into blocks and doesn’t have the type of coordination to drop his shoulder and really accelerate around the corner. Is a real linear pass rusher at this stage who hasn’t figured out how to maintain his balance off his initial rush.
Isn’t a guy who can stack and shed vs. the run game at the next level, but does play with good leverage when run at and will chase the football in pursuit. Works very hard, fights and scraps for every inch and can work his way into the backfield toward the football, but fails to disengage consistently.
Impression: Plays hard and at least has the explosion to be a threat as a pass rusher at the next level. However, his ability to develop a counter move and become more than a one-trick pony off the edge is key. Did struggle through a high ankle injury last season, which could have taken away from his ability to change directions. Nevertheless, as of now looks more like a developmental nickel rusher or potential 3-4 OLB prospect who I would take a shot on because of his initial burst and overall work rate on the field."
However, lacks balance and body control at this stage and really struggles when asked to change directions, keep his feet under him and break off any type of counter move. Also seems to routinely overextend into blocks and doesn’t have the type of coordination to drop his shoulder and really accelerate around the corner. Is a real linear pass rusher at this stage who hasn’t figured out how to maintain his balance off his initial rush.
Isn’t a guy who can stack and shed vs. the run game at the next level, but does play with good leverage when run at and will chase the football in pursuit. Works very hard, fights and scraps for every inch and can work his way into the backfield toward the football, but fails to disengage consistently.
Impression: Plays hard and at least has the explosion to be a threat as a pass rusher at the next level. However, his ability to develop a counter move and become more than a one-trick pony off the edge is key. Did struggle through a high ankle injury last season, which could have taken away from his ability to change directions. Nevertheless, as of now looks more like a developmental nickel rusher or potential 3-4 OLB prospect who I would take a shot on because of his initial burst and overall work rate on the field."
"Reed has been an active part of one of the best pass rushes in college football for the past two years, but is a bit of an end/outside linebacker 'tweener as an NFL prospect. He's slightly undersized for a 4-3 end and lacks the fluid hips for assignments like open-field tackles and man coverage against tight ends as a 3-4 linebacker. However, the NFL will get effort, hustle and quickness off the snap at either position.
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Positives: Three-year starter at end is a combination of effort, hustle and quickness off the snap. Could get a look as a 4-3 end, but is also well suited for outside linebacker in a 3-4. Stays low, runs well and is relentless in pursuit. Powerful bull rush and a quality speed rush. Consistent and strong tackler, can deliver the big hit. Contributes on special teams. Smart in the classroom, fiery leader on the field - top intangibles.
Negatives: Appears a bit stiff in the hips and doesn't change directions well. Has bull and speed rushes and an OK spin move as pass rush techniques - that's it. Spin move is the double-move. Doesn't disengage from blocks effectively. Did not fare well against better competition. While effort is good, isn't very effective as a lineman against the run, and can be overpowered and washed. Doesn't have a lot of experience in pass coverage."
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Positives: Three-year starter at end is a combination of effort, hustle and quickness off the snap. Could get a look as a 4-3 end, but is also well suited for outside linebacker in a 3-4. Stays low, runs well and is relentless in pursuit. Powerful bull rush and a quality speed rush. Consistent and strong tackler, can deliver the big hit. Contributes on special teams. Smart in the classroom, fiery leader on the field - top intangibles.
Negatives: Appears a bit stiff in the hips and doesn't change directions well. Has bull and speed rushes and an OK spin move as pass rush techniques - that's it. Spin move is the double-move. Doesn't disengage from blocks effectively. Did not fare well against better competition. While effort is good, isn't very effective as a lineman against the run, and can be overpowered and washed. Doesn't have a lot of experience in pass coverage."
"Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior, when he totaled 47/10/6.5. Junior numbers included 23/5/2, when he struggled through the season with an ankle injury. Broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore and posted 37/9.5/8.
Positive: Fierce, dependable defender with ability at a variety of positions. Intense, goes hard, and attacks assignments. Plays with consistent knee bend, holds his ground, and is fluid moving in every direction of the field. Plays with good pad level, effectively uses his hands, and gets a lot of force moving into the backfield. Plays with good balance, shows a lot of quickness and fast off the edge. Rarely off his feet and positions himself to make plays on the ball.
Negative: Lacks bulk and gets out-positioned by blockers. Slightly stiff and does not display the ability to quickly alter his angle of attack without losing momentum. Average production throughout his college career.
Analysis: Reed is a competitive defender who brings a great combination of hustle and physical skill to the game. He possesses the ability to line up in a three-point stance for a conventional defense or can stand up over linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Reed possesses the ability to be a productive NFL defender once he learns the nuances of the game. Reed's attitude and approach will be loved by coaches at the next level."
Positive: Fierce, dependable defender with ability at a variety of positions. Intense, goes hard, and attacks assignments. Plays with consistent knee bend, holds his ground, and is fluid moving in every direction of the field. Plays with good pad level, effectively uses his hands, and gets a lot of force moving into the backfield. Plays with good balance, shows a lot of quickness and fast off the edge. Rarely off his feet and positions himself to make plays on the ball.
Negative: Lacks bulk and gets out-positioned by blockers. Slightly stiff and does not display the ability to quickly alter his angle of attack without losing momentum. Average production throughout his college career.
Analysis: Reed is a competitive defender who brings a great combination of hustle and physical skill to the game. He possesses the ability to line up in a three-point stance for a conventional defense or can stand up over linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Reed possesses the ability to be a productive NFL defender once he learns the nuances of the game. Reed's attitude and approach will be loved by coaches at the next level."
"Positives: Solid pass rusher... Gets good bend on the corner... Gets after the QB... Can push and pressure the pocket... Plays with reasonably good leverage... Adequate flexibility... Nice arsenal of moves... Solid bull rush... Solid rip and spin moves... Good closing speed... Can split double teams... Plays the run okay... Makes plays in the backfield... Maintains containment... Chases the ball... Good upfield player... Stays low... Good tackler... Wraps up... Good character... No off-field issues... Good work ethic... Intense player... Tenacious... Good motor... Best fits as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme... Fairly fluid hips... Good instincts... Good awareness... Disciplined... Competitive... Aggressive... Eight sacks in 2008, 6.5 sacks in 2010... Reminds me a lot of Jarret Johnson.
Negatives: Lacks a great first step... Not real explosive or sudden... Does not shed blocks very well... Marginal body control and slow/choppy change of direction agility... Does not show many counter moves... Can be controlled by bigger OTs at POA... Very straight-line type of athlete... Will over-run the ball in the backfield... Sprained ankle kept him out of a three games as a junior, had just two sacks in 2009."
Negatives: Lacks a great first step... Not real explosive or sudden... Does not shed blocks very well... Marginal body control and slow/choppy change of direction agility... Does not show many counter moves... Can be controlled by bigger OTs at POA... Very straight-line type of athlete... Will over-run the ball in the backfield... Sprained ankle kept him out of a three games as a junior, had just two sacks in 2009."
"Strengths: Reed has good initial burst off the snap. Has the quickness to bend the edge as a pass rusher. Good balance and great leverage as a pass rusher. Good hand technique both as a pass rusher and in the run game. Multiple pass rush moves (rip, arm over, bull, spin) that are all effective. Play with a good motor. Plays with good gap discipline. Good closing burst to the ball carrier or QB.
Weaknesses: Undersized player who lacks the strength to anchor at the POA. Can get swallowed up by bigger offensive tackles. Would like to see him to have more consistent snap anticipation as well as develop a counter to his bull rush move. Has not shown whether he'll be able to drop into zone coverage and be able to transition to a linebacker at the next level.
Projection: Fourth rounder. If Brooks get drafted as a 4-3 defensive end, he'll need to add strangth and weight to develop into more than a situational player. As a 3-4 outside linebacker, he'll get the opportunity to compete for snaps right away."
Weaknesses: Undersized player who lacks the strength to anchor at the POA. Can get swallowed up by bigger offensive tackles. Would like to see him to have more consistent snap anticipation as well as develop a counter to his bull rush move. Has not shown whether he'll be able to drop into zone coverage and be able to transition to a linebacker at the next level.
Projection: Fourth rounder. If Brooks get drafted as a 4-3 defensive end, he'll need to add strangth and weight to develop into more than a situational player. As a 3-4 outside linebacker, he'll get the opportunity to compete for snaps right away."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Brooks Reed
There's certainly no question that Brooks Reed is the Lightning to Ricky Elmore's Thunder. Anybody who loves FootBall ~ and that's anybody hitting this Site ~ relishes the sort of partnership that those two have forged, over the last few years...and hopes that ~ somehow ~ they'll beat the insurmountable odds and manage to recommence their partnership at the NFL level.
In any case, Reed ~ like Elmore ~ has a promising future, not so much because of his Pass Rushing Talent and his Run Stopping UpSide ~ which is to say that it needs work ~ but because of the Work Ethic he brings to the table.
Looking like a Late Rounder, but he's got more "zip" to'is game than Elmore, so he could roll up as far as the 3rd Round.
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.
In any case, Reed ~ like Elmore ~ has a promising future, not so much because of his Pass Rushing Talent and his Run Stopping UpSide ~ which is to say that it needs work ~ but because of the Work Ethic he brings to the table.
Looking like a Late Rounder, but he's got more "zip" to'is game than Elmore, so he could roll up as far as the 3rd Round.
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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