John Griffin of Massachusetts ~ 6.0/210
"A former Northeastern transfer who had a solid senior season at UMass rushing for over 800 yards, but he wasn't even the best back or starter on his own team. Is a taller, thinner back who lacks ideal girth through the lower half and isn't real physically put together. Possesses only an average initial first step when asked to press the hole and doesn't have much of a second gear once he gets into the open field. Runs a bit upright and exposes a lot of his frame into tackles and fails to consistently take proper care of the football through contact.
Does a better job inside trying to run more behind his pads and displays some balance when asked to absorb contact, but looks stiff through the hips and will have a tough time breaking tackles in the NFL. Isn't real fluid laterally, struggles to cleanly break down and make a man miss in tighter areas, but has a decent feel inside, possesses above-average footwork, can work the cutback lane and accelerate quickly through the crease. But get too leggy once he gets up to full speed, doesn't consistently maintain balance through contact and doesn't have the shiftiness or pad level to routinely break tackles in space.
Impression: Has some natural cutback ability, but isn't overly physical, runs too upright and isn't a dynamic enough athlete to ever warrant playing time at the next level. Plus, he wasn't good enough to routinely start at the I-AA level, what makes you think he can in the pros?"
Does a better job inside trying to run more behind his pads and displays some balance when asked to absorb contact, but looks stiff through the hips and will have a tough time breaking tackles in the NFL. Isn't real fluid laterally, struggles to cleanly break down and make a man miss in tighter areas, but has a decent feel inside, possesses above-average footwork, can work the cutback lane and accelerate quickly through the crease. But get too leggy once he gets up to full speed, doesn't consistently maintain balance through contact and doesn't have the shiftiness or pad level to routinely break tackles in space.
Impression: Has some natural cutback ability, but isn't overly physical, runs too upright and isn't a dynamic enough athlete to ever warrant playing time at the next level. Plus, he wasn't good enough to routinely start at the I-AA level, what makes you think he can in the pros?"
"Bio: Northeastern transfer who started a single game last season and finished the year with ground totals of 168/843/5. Junior totals included 207/1009/5.
Positive: Well-built running back who displays a lot of elusiveness carrying the ball. Patient, effectively uses blocks everywhere on the field, and squeezes through the small openings of the defense. Will pick and choose his way on the inside and displays outstanding vision as well as running instincts. Runs with good lean, shows a lot of quickness, and has the ability to cut back against the grain without losing momentum. Has a burst through the hole.
Negative: Easily brought down by the first defender and shows minimal strength in his running. Does not play to his timed speed or show the ability turn the corner. Not much of a threat as a receiver.
Analysis: Griffin possesses the running skills to be used as a third-down back/situational runner at the next level if he displays the ability to effectively catch the ball out of the backfield."
Positive: Well-built running back who displays a lot of elusiveness carrying the ball. Patient, effectively uses blocks everywhere on the field, and squeezes through the small openings of the defense. Will pick and choose his way on the inside and displays outstanding vision as well as running instincts. Runs with good lean, shows a lot of quickness, and has the ability to cut back against the grain without losing momentum. Has a burst through the hole.
Negative: Easily brought down by the first defender and shows minimal strength in his running. Does not play to his timed speed or show the ability turn the corner. Not much of a threat as a receiver.
Analysis: Griffin possesses the running skills to be used as a third-down back/situational runner at the next level if he displays the ability to effectively catch the ball out of the backfield."
RSS Feed