Elijah Joseph of Temple ~ 6.2/240
"A strong, thickly put together linebacker who displays the ability to snap off a real jolt through his hips into contact and is a sound physical tackler. Consistently is able to wrap up on contact in tight areas taking good angles toward the ball carrier. However, isn't the most instinctive of players when asked to read his run or pass keys.
Too often is slow to react, takes himself out of plays and just doesn't have a great feel reading blocks and making quick/sudden plays on the ball carrier. Has some power to take on a blocks, but gets himself upright at times and struggles to disengage.
But, he uses his hands well to keep himself clean when picking through garbage on the move. However, just seems to lack a great instinct of when to cut it loose, get up the field and make a play. Leaves a lot of potential plays on the field.
Is stiff in his drop, struggles to keep his feet under him and doesn't get much depth in zone. Isn't real clean when asked to redirect and close, possesses only average range and doesn't seem real comfortable in space. Has a passion for the game, though, and is a productive inside player who is one of the team's real leaders.
Impression: Offers good pop as a tackler and can be physical at times, but his lack of range and ideal instincts doesn't make me think he's worth a draft pick. However, could make a team doing the dirty work on special teams."
Too often is slow to react, takes himself out of plays and just doesn't have a great feel reading blocks and making quick/sudden plays on the ball carrier. Has some power to take on a blocks, but gets himself upright at times and struggles to disengage.
But, he uses his hands well to keep himself clean when picking through garbage on the move. However, just seems to lack a great instinct of when to cut it loose, get up the field and make a play. Leaves a lot of potential plays on the field.
Is stiff in his drop, struggles to keep his feet under him and doesn't get much depth in zone. Isn't real clean when asked to redirect and close, possesses only average range and doesn't seem real comfortable in space. Has a passion for the game, though, and is a productive inside player who is one of the team's real leaders.
Impression: Offers good pop as a tackler and can be physical at times, but his lack of range and ideal instincts doesn't make me think he's worth a draft pick. However, could make a team doing the dirty work on special teams."
"Bio: Four-year starter who was awarded all-Conferences honors as a senior after totaling 71/5.5/1, an interception, and six pass defenses. Junior totals included 63/6.5/2.
Positive: Tough run defending linebacker who is best in the box or up the field. Remains disciplined with assignments, quickly fills gaps, and wraps up tackling. Attacks ball carriers, breaks down well, and gives effort. Aggressive in all aspects of the game and a hard hitter.
Negative: Struggles in coverage, lacks a burst in his overall game, and is undersized. Not smooth scraping laterally and gets caught up in the wash.
Analysis: Joseph was a solid college linebacker, but poor size/speed numbers will limit him at the next level. He could end up on the inside in a 3-4 defense if he plays well on special teams."
Positive: Tough run defending linebacker who is best in the box or up the field. Remains disciplined with assignments, quickly fills gaps, and wraps up tackling. Attacks ball carriers, breaks down well, and gives effort. Aggressive in all aspects of the game and a hard hitter.
Negative: Struggles in coverage, lacks a burst in his overall game, and is undersized. Not smooth scraping laterally and gets caught up in the wash.
Analysis: Joseph was a solid college linebacker, but poor size/speed numbers will limit him at the next level. He could end up on the inside in a 3-4 defense if he plays well on special teams."
"Positives: Has prototypical size for the position, could also play some strongside backer at the next level... Has good power when tackling, has the ability to lower his pads and make the jarring hit... Quickness is much better than straight-line speed, has pretty quick feet for his stout build... Is willing to take on blocks in the hole, like to initiate contact and clog up holes at the line... Had an all-around solid senior season at Temple (71 tackles including 10 for loss, one sack, interception, forced fumble, six pass break-ups)... Had some experience pass rushing at Temple, has the quickness to make some plays off the edge.
Negatives: Not especially fast for an inside linebacker, may have some difficulty if asked to play any kind of deep middle coverage... Has missed some time due to injury, durability may be a slight concern... Is too slow to disengage from blocks in traffic, needs to do a better job of maintaining leverage and keeping his playside hand free to make a play... Takes a little too long to diagnose and react at times, needs to work on reading his keys and reacting more quickly at the snap... Overall production in college was not spectacular, not really a game changer."
Negatives: Not especially fast for an inside linebacker, may have some difficulty if asked to play any kind of deep middle coverage... Has missed some time due to injury, durability may be a slight concern... Is too slow to disengage from blocks in traffic, needs to do a better job of maintaining leverage and keeping his playside hand free to make a play... Takes a little too long to diagnose and react at times, needs to work on reading his keys and reacting more quickly at the snap... Overall production in college was not spectacular, not really a game changer."
"Elijah Joseph was part of the turnaround that saw Temple go from 1-11 in 2006 to 4-8 during Joseph's freshman campaign in 2007. Joseph was one of many freshmen to see playing time in 2007, but he did not make much of an impact. The following season the Owls won five games and Joseph earned nine starts at outside linebacker and totaled 54 tackles. In 2009 Temple went to a bowl game for the first time in 30 years and the young defense was growing into a very strong unit. Joseph played a big part in that success and tallied 63 tackles, two sacks and forced two fumbles. The success in 2009 paved the way for Joseph to be named to the Butkus Award watch list in 2010. Joseph will not win the honor awarded to the nation's best linebacker, but being recognized for his consistent and impressive play is an honor.
Joseph's future is likely in the middle of the linebacker corps. He is not fast enough to play on the outside in most schemes and that will likely limit his value at the next level. However, Joseph should have little trouble adjusting to playing in the middle and he can certainly play on the outside as well; that versatility will be a big bonus when NFL teams start looking to fill their rosters with talented and versatile players late in the draft.
12/20 Update: Joseph finished off his senior season by tallying 71 tackles, ranking second on the team, and adding 5.5 tackles-for-loss and one interception. He also defended seven passes and broke up six. Unfortunately for Joseph, he suffered a knee injury late in the year and missed Temple's final game. After undergoing surgery, he hopes to be ready to show off for scouts before the draft."
Joseph's future is likely in the middle of the linebacker corps. He is not fast enough to play on the outside in most schemes and that will likely limit his value at the next level. However, Joseph should have little trouble adjusting to playing in the middle and he can certainly play on the outside as well; that versatility will be a big bonus when NFL teams start looking to fill their rosters with talented and versatile players late in the draft.
12/20 Update: Joseph finished off his senior season by tallying 71 tackles, ranking second on the team, and adding 5.5 tackles-for-loss and one interception. He also defended seven passes and broke up six. Unfortunately for Joseph, he suffered a knee injury late in the year and missed Temple's final game. After undergoing surgery, he hopes to be ready to show off for scouts before the draft."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Elijah Joseph
Elijah Joseph projects as a Late Round Fringe Guy.
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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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