Scouting The Draft: Amari Spievey, Iowa, CB
by David_Wyatt on Feb 24, 2010 4:42 PM EST
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First off, apologies for taking so long to get this one up, it has been quite a busy week and just not really had the chance to sit down and fully concentrate on watching Spievey. I also had to watch the clips a few times, one because he was rarely thrown at, so had to really check the other clips out closely, and two because I wanted to really look at his run defence. I said a few days ago that from what I remembered about Spievey, he had to improve getting off blocks and making the tackle in the run game. A few people seemed to disagree with that, so I wanted to take a closer look, what I found will be in the segments later.
First of all Spievey is coming out following his Junior Season, like Donovan Warren, I think returning for his Senior season probably would of made him into a sure first rounder. He said that he had enjoyed his time, but the move to the NFL was the right one for him, that remains to be seen, he is likely looking at a low 2nd round, possibly mid-low 3rd round selection. However when reading about him, the term 'shutdown' just kept coming up, whether in conversations with draft 'experts' any online publication...it just kept appearing.
Spievey was actually named academically ineligible after redshirting his freshman year, which led to a year at Iowa central community college, an experience which he said 'humbled' him.
Thompson: What is it you want NFL teams to know about you as a person when you talk to them at the Combine?
Spievey: I'm a good kid. I've never been in trouble, I don't smoke or drink. I'm a hard worker, I'm very competitive, and I plan on making any team that picks me better and help them win some games.
Career Stats
2006- RS Freshman
2007- Played for Iowa Central Community College, 7 Interceptions.
2008- 13 GP, 68 TKL's, 6 PBU, 4 INT, 1 FF
2009- 13 GP, 56 TKL's. 8 PBU, 2 INT
Career Awards & Achievements
2007- Junior College All American
2008- 2nd Team All Big 10 Coaches Selection
2009- 1st Team all Big 10 Coaches Selection
What does Spievey Do well?
He is an excellent open field tackler, very committed to the run game, active hands. Can play in either zone or man, more accustomed to playing off his man than pressing. Has good speed, wasn't tested much down field, but showed his speed as a gunner on the special teams. Hips are pretty smooth and reads the game quite well. Has good height and length, can make plays on the ball. Good pursuit even if the ball is not on his side of the field. He doesn't allow too many yards after the catch. Can be attributed to playing off his man and being a good tackler. Shows nice speed out of the backpedal. Physical player who can put a player on his back and make him think twice about running into his coverage again. Seems to be more committed now than in years past, and takes good angles to the ball.
What will Spievey need to improve on?
I thought this before watching, and it was pretty much proved right. He is committed to the run game, and when he gets to it he puts the hit on, but when receivers get physical he does have a problem getting off the block and back involved with the play. We seem to like playing press coverage, he was really rarely asked to do this at Iowa, so not known how good he will be getting his hands on his man. Recovery speed once beat may be an issue, can be duked a little easier than you would like.
Final Word
When your a 2nd-3rd round prospect you are going to have areas that you need to really work on and Spievey has those, but he is a pretty intriguing guy. His active hands made teams avoid throwing in his direction last year, and any time a CB is being avoided like that, you know he has some skills. Will be interesting to see his 40 time at the combine. This is a very deep CB class, and Spievey could turn into an excellent corner, not sure if he fits our system with his lack of experience pressing but he is a big guy, very long, very tough, who likes to hit and his coverage skills are very decent, he comes across as a Rex Ryan type guy to me. It's worth a look, he wouldn't be in my top three corners who we could realistically get, but if we decide to go with another position at 29, wouldn't hate taking Spievey in the 2nd round.
Video Highlights
Unfortunately the only video that could show #19 has disabled it's embedded feature, so go here
My top 5 order of preference (In no particular order)
Jerry Hughes
Devin McCourty
Perrish Cox
Jared Odrick
Brandon Graham
Other GGN Scouting Articles
Scouting The Draft, Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Scouting The Draft, Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
Scouting The Draft, Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Scouting The Draft, Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
Scouting The Draft, Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
Scouting The Draft, Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Scouting The Draft, Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
Scouting The Draft, Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson
Scouting The Draft, Chad Jones, S, LSU
Scouting The Draft, Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Scouting The Draft, Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
Scouting The Draft, Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Scouting The Draft, Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
Scouting The Draft, Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Scouting The Draft, Donovan Warren, CB,Michigan
Scouting The Draft, Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Scouting The Draft, Taylor Mays, S, USC
Scouting The Draft, Brandon Graham, Michigan
Scouting The Draft, Damian Williams
Scouting The Draft, Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
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Comments
Transition to Safety in NFL
As a third round pick, I think it would be a great pickup, Is it possible he looks to be more of a safety in the NFL though?
He seems more or less like a future safety, he’s 6’0’’ – not ideal, but Ed Reed is 5’11".
I think there aren’t enough draft picks, they need an 8th and 9th round this year.
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Who the jets should pick with their second pick
David,
I don’t know if you are ready to change your draft order but your articles are doing as much to convince me as anything else I have read that the Jets should wait until the second pick before selecting a CB. Two big reasons for this 1) the depth at this position leads me to believe the Jets can get an excellent CB in the second round 2) The rarety of finding a good edge rusher and I believe Hughes fits that bill. I had originally thought they should pick a slot receiver with the second pick but I believe they can find a quality slot receiver at a lower pick (look at what the Colts have down).
I don’t know, I’m kinda looking at the Jets trading down, and passing up on Odrick to another pick in the 2nd and 5th round maybe, so they can choose one CB in the second and a defensive linemen. WRs in the 4th and 5th. Running back in 6th (if TJ gets cut).
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To be perfectly honest with you Tom, I’m having a bit of a dilemma, which is why you haven’t seen my 2nd version of my mock. On one hand I have convinced myself as well as you that a CB in the 2nd round is achievable, and Jerry Hughes is a guy who I think is going to be elite at the next level. On the other hand, Shipley is a guy who I think will be elite at the next level for the next 10 years, and while some will argue that is not the most pressing need, I rate Shipley so highly, that I think that you have to take a player like that if he falls to you. It’s definitely interesting. Trying to think of some way we can get three of these guys, either Graham/Hughes, Cox/McCourty and Shipley/Gilyard…..I don’t think it’s possible, but doing some things in my head, will get a new one up after the combine, and will be a very tough decision on who to leave out.
Writer/Assistant editor
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New York Jets
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by David_Wyatt on Feb 25, 2010 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
+1
Have fun sleeping.
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by Max Strauss on Feb 25, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
If we took Hughes with the first and we traded up to get Shipley early in the 2nd, I’d be as happy as a pig in shit.
I’m not ready to commit to Lowery as our corner yet, if we could re-sign Lito, I know a lot of people don’t like him, but I think he is solid enough, then take Hughes and Shipley, that would probably be a great off-season IMO.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
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by David_Wyatt on Feb 25, 2010 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
I agree.
Sign Lito and take Shipley in the second sounds like a plan to me. The question is what are the odds on keeping Lito? 50%? Cimini seems convinced they are going to cut him. I also think Gilyard is an excellent choice. He is not big and may not run a fast 40 but he is very “elusive” and seems to be very good at finding the open spots.
I think we probably cut him, but I think re-signing him after is not outside the realms of possibility. Like we did with Moore, or like the Saints did with Vilma. Not sure if they want him back or if Lito wants to be back, but he is so solid, add a pass rusher like Hughes and it improves him even more.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
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by David_Wyatt on Feb 26, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
Not looked at him in depth, but did see him play twice in 09 and a couple times in 08. Tall guy, very long, makes some great plays on the ball and hits like a ton of bricks. Improved a lot from 2008 to 2009, and I’m told from 2007-2008 as well but can’t remember that far back. Will put him on the list if you like, have a better look at him.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
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by David_Wyatt on Feb 25, 2010 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
I read on Mocking The Draft that he’s good in press coverage, which intrigued me. But, although they’re informative over there, they’re no Dave Wyatts. I was just wondering if he hit your radar at all. You’re the guy as far as im concerned when it come to the Jets draft. I generally agree with most of your assessments.
The word seems to be that he’s big and good in press, but gives up too much underneath in zone. If you think its worth it i’d like to hear more about him. But if he doesnt strike you then forget it.
He definitely has cropped up a little bit, had him as a 3rd round talent who could potentially go in the 2nd with a good combine and pro day showing. I like my physical corners, so will take a look at him before the draft. Appreciate that CB.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
by David_Wyatt on Feb 26, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
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