Why the Pats Might Take Larry English.

Larry English 2008

Larry English:

English ran a 4.69, which was huge. You cannot Draft a speed rusher on the first day who runs a 4.9. I have him firmly planted in the 2nd Round. He has made an interesting rise, but he has a history of injury, two knee surgeries, and he played as a lower level of competition. Went to the Senior Bowl and really played well. Worked out at LB in drills. Showed good instincts in coverage, and changed direction with efficient quickness. Showed he could stick and shadow a T-End. Was very impressive, especially when you consider he had not done that in college. Showed he had the athletic ability and coverage skills to switch to OLB. Has a great burst, and just exploded around the edge in passrush drill.

He was the 2-time MAC player if the year. He has a great burst off the edge, and showed he could run the horn and hit the QB. He is a bit of long strider, and doesn't always show the quickest feet. Has had great production in the MAC. He wore a cast on his right arm last season, I don't know if it was a wrist or hand injury. Teams ran purposely away from him, because he was such a force in the running game. Switch sides a lot, sometimes on every other play. Opposing teams would also waggle and roll out the QB away from his side. Which helps to explain why he had better stats as a Junior, but was not necessarily a better player. In 2007, he garnered 10.5 Sack, 17 TFL and 67 TKL. In 2008 he garnered 8 Sacks, 16 TFL, 37 Tackles, and 3 FF. He did not have a bad season, but his stats where effected because of his injury and cast, and because they moved him around a lot last season, and because he was the opposing teams main focus. He plays with a lot of quickness and intensity, and looks like a OLB and not a D-End. Has a history of injury, but stay relatively healthy his last two seasons. Was medical Redshirt as a true freshman. Has lined up as a Stand-up Rusher in Northern Illinois's hybrid 3-4, but really was rusher, and I never saw him drop into coverage. Uses his hands like weapons and has one of the best chops and rips for a LB in this years Draft. A great hand fighter, one of the best I've seen since Tippet. Not just a pure speed rusher, he can stop and read. Smart player, who is very aware of what the other team is trying to do. Reads play action, misdirects, and fakes as well as anyone in this Draft. Excellent at sifting through the confusion and making the tackle. Does a great job Setting the Edge. He will fight to protect the Edge with fierceness and unnatural strength for a player his size. he plays with great strength and balance on his feet. However, he can get caught over-rushing on Draws. Plus it has to be noted that MAC was not very good the past few seasons.

He is an undersized D-End who is more than just a passrusher. He is good against the run, and actually does a nice job setting the edge. He plays unnaturally strong for a player his size. Wants to play D-End, and added weight for the Senior Bowl. However, he didn't look as fast and quick. His game is still speed around the edge, and his great explosion off the line. Terrific hand fighter, who uses his hands like a butcher, and has a great chop-move. Can destroy OTs with his great quickness around the edge. Was great at Senior Bowl, and sometimes looked unblockable in drills.