Darren Evans of Virginia Tech ~ 6.0/220
"A strong, well-put-together back with a thick lower half and aggressive running style. Possesses a solid first step when asked to press the line of scrimmage and gets up to speed quickly. Lacks great straight-line speed and seems to have only one gear, but can accelerate quickly through the hole. Runs too upright however and subjects his body to a lot of unnecessary punishment. Isn't a guy who consistently is able to make defenders miss and looks content to simply lower his head into contact and finish runs. However, he doesn't drop his pad level low enough to consistently get under defenders.
Displays a decent feel in tight areas and is a patient runner who can set up blocks and quickly pick his way through daylight. However, is a bit tight hipped and isn't real sudden or shifty laterally and will struggle to consistently create on his own. Exhibits very average cut-back ability, routinely is forced to slow his feet in order to regain his balance and gets upright on his jump cut. Displays better balance as a linear runner side stepping runners and shrugging off contact/arm tackles, but isn't fluid enough to consistently make a defender miss in tight areas.
Is coming off a torn ACL in 2009, causing him to miss the entire year and will need to be checked out medically. Looked a little more patient this past year compared to 2008 and seemed to regain his linear burst, but it's his lateral ability that remains a question. Has the size/power to develop as a blocker, and has the willingness to stick his head in and take on contact. Isn't a real pass catcher out of the backfield, but can bring the throw in out of the backfield.
Impression: A strong, physical runner with a good feel inside and runs angry. Isn't a dynamic athlete and will struggle to make defenders miss. But if he checks out medically there is no reason to think this guy can't make a roster as a hard-nosed rotational back."
Displays a decent feel in tight areas and is a patient runner who can set up blocks and quickly pick his way through daylight. However, is a bit tight hipped and isn't real sudden or shifty laterally and will struggle to consistently create on his own. Exhibits very average cut-back ability, routinely is forced to slow his feet in order to regain his balance and gets upright on his jump cut. Displays better balance as a linear runner side stepping runners and shrugging off contact/arm tackles, but isn't fluid enough to consistently make a defender miss in tight areas.
Is coming off a torn ACL in 2009, causing him to miss the entire year and will need to be checked out medically. Looked a little more patient this past year compared to 2008 and seemed to regain his linear burst, but it's his lateral ability that remains a question. Has the size/power to develop as a blocker, and has the willingness to stick his head in and take on contact. Isn't a real pass catcher out of the backfield, but can bring the throw in out of the backfield.
Impression: A strong, physical runner with a good feel inside and runs angry. Isn't a dynamic athlete and will struggle to make defenders miss. But if he checks out medically there is no reason to think this guy can't make a roster as a hard-nosed rotational back."
"Bio: Started nine games last season and finished the year with 151/845/11 while adding 9 receptions. Forced to the sidelines in 2009 with a knee injury. Sophomore totals of 2008 included 287/1265/11 on the ground with 17 receptions.
Positive: Strong, straight-line runner who is best between the tackles. Finds the running lanes, displays a burst, and follows blocks everywhere on the field. Shows strength carrying the ball, falls forward when tackled, and picks up extra yardage. Keeps his feet moving on contact and works runs. Has an aggressive style and throws his shoulders into defenders. Solid receiver who adjusts and extends to catch the errant throw.
Negative: Loses momentum when he must quickly change direction. Lacks the speed to turn the corner or beat defenders into the open field. Showed marginal quickness last year, possibly as a result of the knee injury the prior year.
Analysis: Evans surprised many by entering this year's draft after what was a solid yet unspectacular campaign in 2010. He has the size to play at the next level, but his lack of true speed and quickness will relegate him to being the third man on the depth chart."
Positive: Strong, straight-line runner who is best between the tackles. Finds the running lanes, displays a burst, and follows blocks everywhere on the field. Shows strength carrying the ball, falls forward when tackled, and picks up extra yardage. Keeps his feet moving on contact and works runs. Has an aggressive style and throws his shoulders into defenders. Solid receiver who adjusts and extends to catch the errant throw.
Negative: Loses momentum when he must quickly change direction. Lacks the speed to turn the corner or beat defenders into the open field. Showed marginal quickness last year, possibly as a result of the knee injury the prior year.
Analysis: Evans surprised many by entering this year's draft after what was a solid yet unspectacular campaign in 2010. He has the size to play at the next level, but his lack of true speed and quickness will relegate him to being the third man on the depth chart."
"Positives: Good size, has a nice frame, can shed tacklers and deliver a punch in the hole... Does a great job of holding onto the football, has never fumbled the ball in his collegiate career... Has some shake-n-bake in his game, can make the first man miss... Runs well between the tackles, keeps his pad level low, is a bit of a bruiser... Good pass blocker, shows good effort and technique as a blocker... Solid production when healthy, set a Virginia Tech freshman record in 2008 with 1265 rushing yards (broken the next year by Ryan Williams)... Strong character, played 2010 with a chip on his shoulder after coming back from his torn ACL... Very much a north/south runner, does a great job keeping his legs moving up field... Will likely be used as a power runner on first and second down and near the goal line.
Negatives: Marginal top-end speed, doesn't have a second gear to outrun defenders when he gets in the open... Hasn't been utilized much as a receiver, raw in his route running and ability to make plays in the passing game... Huge injury concerns, missed the entire 2009 season due to a torn ACL... Has been overshadowed by teammate Ryan Williams... Would have liked to see him return for his senior season football wise, but has a wife, a child and is only two classes away from graduating so he felt it was to his advantage to come out early... Upside is limited due to his lack of speed and big play ability."
Negatives: Marginal top-end speed, doesn't have a second gear to outrun defenders when he gets in the open... Hasn't been utilized much as a receiver, raw in his route running and ability to make plays in the passing game... Huge injury concerns, missed the entire 2009 season due to a torn ACL... Has been overshadowed by teammate Ryan Williams... Would have liked to see him return for his senior season football wise, but has a wife, a child and is only two classes away from graduating so he felt it was to his advantage to come out early... Upside is limited due to his lack of speed and big play ability."
"Strengths: Pretty smooth and fast for his size. Has some natural tailback moves, and can make his own holes. Can pound the ball hard between the tackles, and can bounce it outside if you aren't careful. Will break tackles. Legs churn on contact. Decent blocker and above average hands for a back.
Weaknesses: Has some injury history, and was not as explosive early in 2010 as he was during his stellar '08 campaign. Has lost some of his wiggle, and will have to be the one-back type, or the power back in a "thunder and lightning" combination set up. Do not expect him to carry the ball 30 times. though...
Projection: Solid late-3rd rounder to 4th rounder."
Weaknesses: Has some injury history, and was not as explosive early in 2010 as he was during his stellar '08 campaign. Has lost some of his wiggle, and will have to be the one-back type, or the power back in a "thunder and lightning" combination set up. Do not expect him to carry the ball 30 times. though...
Projection: Solid late-3rd rounder to 4th rounder."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Darren Evans:
Darren Evans looks like a very strong weapon to have: An Half Back who'll move the Chains, but with enough Torque to blast it outside and pick up some chunks of land, when the opportunity presents itself.
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.
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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