NFP Scouting Series: Missouri

Checking in with the prospects on the Big 12's Tigers. National Football Post

Print This July 23, 2010, 11:22 AM EST


Therefore, today we take a look at the Missouri Tigers.


WashingtonICONWashington just isn't dynamic in any area of the game.

RB Derrick Washington: No. 24 (6-0, 214)
A thickly built back who doesn’t run with the kind of power or thump inside you would expect from someone his size. Has a tendency to get too upright trying to tiptoe his way through the line of scrimmage instead of lowering his head and driving for tough yards. Is patient when allowing his blocks to set up, but goes down far too easy on contact. Isn’t explosive attacking the line of scrimmage, plays at one speed and simply doesn’t have the kind of second gear to threaten defenses at the second level. Lacks the shiftiness/fluidity to create on his own and make a man miss in tight quarters.

Displays decent footwork as a runner and takes short compact steps, which makes it hard to knock him off balance. Exhibits the ability to put his foot in the ground and cut against the grain and does showcase the willingness to lower his pad level into defenders and finish runs. However, just isn’t real dynamic with the ball in his hands.

Impression: Lacks the power/burst to ever have a respectable yards per carry average in the NFL.

OL Tim Barnes: No. 62 (6-4, 297)
Snaps and steps quickly off the line and has the type of initial burst to comfortably get into defenders off his frame, get his feet around and seal inside. But, isn’t real powerful on contact and has a tendency to rock his arms/hands back and forth in order to stay on blocks through the play. However, exhibits good lower body coordination and footwork, moves well through contact and has the lateral agility to seal defenders from the ball in the run game. Looks natural pulling in space and displays the body control to reach the second level and blow up an opposing target. Nevertheless, he does struggle moving defenders off the ball in the run game and isn’t built for an in-line scheme at the next level.

Looks natural in pass protection. Isn’t overly physical initially at the point of attack when a defender lines up over his face. But exhibits the type of flexibility to sit into his stance, extend his arms and pick up stunting/slanting defenders inside. Looks natural keeping his base down, sliding his feet and can mirror in space. Possesses above average lateral range, can redirect cleanly and anchor with some consistency through the play. Does a nice job extending his hands into contact and looked a lot more balanced this year with his punch when trying to gain inside leverage. At times will still get his hands outside the target in the run game, but improved significantly in this area from 2008.

Impression: He’s an above-average athlete who can bend and redirect. Looks like a potential draftabale center to me who should have a good shot at making an NFL roster and possibly contributing down the line.


ILB Luke Lambert: No. 33 (6-3, 232)
Lacks ideal athletic ability when asked to make plays away from his frame. Struggles to quickly close on perimeter runs and isn’t a guy who consistently is able to keep himself clean, slip blocks and make his way through traffic. Gets held up and knocked off balance easily and rarely is able to make plays away his frame. Is much more effective when asked to attack downhill and play in tight quarters. Isn’t real long armed, but does a nice job delivering a compact jolt on contact and taking on blocks when run at. Has the ability to quickly disengage from defenders. He just isn’t the caliber of athlete to consistently shed and chase the play. However, is a solid wrap-up guy who brings his legs and routinely gets his man to the ground when playing in a phone booth.

Displays decent footwork and balance initially in his back-pedal; just struggles to quickly/cleanly come out of his breaks and accelerate toward the football. Consistently is forced to take false steps in order to get his feet back under him when asked to close. Also, had to deal with his fair share of injuries last season and has some durability concerns.

Impression: Is limited athletically in what he can give you and there are just better options out there to fill out an NFL roster.

RutlandICONThe one thing Rutland really has going for him is his size and length.

CB Kevin Rutland: No. 20 (6-0, 188)
A tall, lean corner who gets really leggy in his drop and doesn’t trust his ability to turn and run with receivers down the field. Has a tendency to open up his hips prematurely in off-man coverage and struggles to get back up to speed quickly out of his transition. Lacks ideal footwork, allows his lower half to consistently get overextended and has a tough time keeping his feet under him and remaining balanced, which consistently causes him to struggle to cleanly redirect/change directions. Possesses average straight-line speed for his size, but isn’t a guy who can make up for a false step and will allow receivers to get behind him.

Displays decent flexibility when asked to press and uses his long frame and hands to get into the body of receivers and re-route off the snap. However, again is a bit stiff when asked to turn and run and although he does do a nice job getting his head around and locating the football, just doesn’t have the type of body control to physically go up attack the football and make a play. Isn’t a real physical tackler at this stage either, fails to consistently generate a pop on contact and isn’t a real secure wrap-up guy.

Impression: Possesses good size and can track the football once he gets going. However, his lack of footwork and overall body control really hinders his ability to get up to speed quickly and close on the ball.

CB Carl Gettis: No. 19 (5-10, 195)
An undersized, compact corner with good overall thickness through his upper body. Displays above-average bend initially when asked to sit into his drop and has the short- area quickness and balance to remain square with receivers and play some press. However, isn’t overly physical on contact and can be stroked easily off the line. Exhibits above-average fluidity when asked to turn and run, and gets back up to speed quickly. However, he has only one real gear, lacks the straight-line speed to make up for a false step and the further down the field he is asked to cover, the more his lack of speed is exposed.

Isn’t real comfortable in his drop in off-coverage. Quickly allows his pad level to rise, gets really upright and narrow with his footwork and struggles to remain balanced out of his breaks. Lacks the ability to stick his foot in the ground and drive on the throw, as he rarely has the footing to quickly change directions and make a play on the football.

Impression: Lacks ideal size and speed for the position and his inability to maintain balance in drop really hurts his chances of sniffing an NFL roster.

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