Brandon Meriweather is yet another talented safety prospect to come into the NFL from "the U." Brian Dawkins has been such a special player for the Eagles because of his versatility - he hits, can cover, blitz, and support the run. The complete package. I see Meriweather as having those kind of skills, albeit in a smaller frame.
In today's NFL, you can't hide a safety that can't cover adequately downfield one on one. Offensive coordinators are so adept at setting up mismatches, by formation or personnel grouping, that will isolate the weakest link in coverage. The value Meriweather brings to a defense is his versatilty, and his skill at every area a safety gets tested in the league at this time. You can bring him down into the box, and despite his size, 5' 11", 195 pounds, he is fearless attacking the line of scrimmage. He is an excellent blitzer. Blitzing can be taught, but the ability to time a blitz, make yourself "small" attacking a gap, and rush under control to get the sack and not just the "hurry," is somewhat of an innate ability. Like elusiveness in a running back, some people are natural born blitzers.
The fact that Meriweather was forced to play corner at the U at times, including several games last year, is a big plus, no doubt, to NFL coaches. He has the loose hips, the quick transition, and the ball skills to play tight man coverage at the next level. He is an aggressive guy who will throw his body around, but also is athletic and instinctive enough to really cover the pass --this is what separates the men from the boys in the NFL as a safety. Plenty of guys are bigger and can play in the box well, and plenty of kids coming out are undersized and can run and cover. Very few can hit, tackle, blitz, and cover well. A guy that can do that is a Dawkins, an Ed Reed. Meriweather has that kind of potential, more than any other free safety prospect in this draft. He plays quicker than he timed ( 4.48 on campus, 4.56 at the Combine).
There are risks. First, is the character issue, stemming from Meriweather's role in the FIU game brawl, and the incident in which he fired a gun at an individual who shot at his friend. NFL teams also have to be concerned about his size, and history of shoulder injury. He had a surgery on his left shoulder during his time in Miami. The counter to these concerns is the fact that Meriweather was pretty durable at the U -- playing long and well enough to own the career mark for a Hurricane safety in career solo tackles (182). As a football player, he has good character between the lines, as an emotional leader, and in his dedication to the game, inclduing a habit of intense film study. Meriweather was the heartbeat of the Maimi defense, and will add toughness to any team he joins. I think a program like Andy Reid runs in Philly -- where the locker room is filled with good character guys -- would be a good match for Brandon. He could be mentored by potential future Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins. He would immediately help the nickle and dime packages, and be a dangerous blitzer too, another weapon to point at opposing teams facing 3rd and long. Watch Meriweather's highlights - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/specials/draft/2007/video
No comments:
Post a Comment