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        the Gridiron >> between the 20's >>  2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - C
        
(Message started by: Philly on Mar 12^th, 2004, 4:16pm)

Title: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - C
Post by Philly on Mar 12^th, 2004, 4:16pm

Key players at the C position who have declared themselves eligible for the 2004 NFL Draft will be profiled in this thread.

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Title: Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - C
Post by Philly on Mar 12^th, 2004, 4:17pm

JAKE GROVE
Virginia Tech
HT: 6' 3"
WT: 305 lbs.

STRENGTHS:
Jake Grove is a fiery player with outstanding leadership abilities. He makes smart football calls as is necessary from the center position. He has also played some guard and could be moved there in an emergency. He has decent speed (5.1 forty) and very good size for a center. One of his biggest strengths is his strength. He can overpower defenders and is a hard-nosed blocker.

WEAKNESSES:
Despite decent speed, Grove is not the quickest player. His atleticism is questionable and he will need to improve that at the NFL level. He also relies heavily on his strength and will need to augment that with better technique once he reaches the pros.

PROJECTION:
Grove should be the first center taken, however they are not generally a glamour position in the draft. Look for Grove to go sometime in the second round, possibly to either Cleveland at #37, Tennessee at #42 or #57, or New England at #56.

Title: Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - C
Post by Philly on Mar 23^rd, 2004, 9:27am

AJ RICKER
Missouri
HT: 6' 3"
WT: 300 lbs.

STRENGTHS:
AJ Ricker has not allowed a sack during his four years of college. He is a very smart player and is responsible for calling the blocking assignments on the line. He is a tireless worker and plays every down like it is his last. He has very good technique and is able to gain an advantage on more athletic players by using leverage and angles correctly. Ricker is an excellent run blocker with a decent drive. He uses his hands very well. He is a solid teammate and is very coachable.

WEAKNESSES:
Ricker is not a very athletic player. He is slow (5.4 forty) and does not move well laterally. He also needs to get stronger to play in the NFL. He relies on his technique and can often finesse the defender. That won't work as well in the NFL. Ricker also needs to learn how to be a better pass blocker.

PROJECTION:
Ricker is a very coachable player who wants to excel. While he has some physical limitations, he should be a very solid center for a lot of years in the NFL. Centers are rarely coveted positions in the NFL Draft, so even a very good one like Ricker can expect to wait until the end of day one or even day two to hear his name called. Ricker will become a great value in the mid-fourth round. Teams like Cleveland and New England are the most desperate for a center.