Talent Watch: Pinstripe Bowl

Blackman had 10 catches for 99 yds and a touchdown. against Iowa state. That game was the day after the tragic plane crash that took the lives of some Okstate coaches. They slept walked through that game and played with heavy hearts…… I would not consider 10 catches for 99 yards and a TD shutting him down,…… under any other circumstances OSU and Blackmon, would have lit them up, Iowa state is not that talented this year.

I wrote about this in another fanpost, but he was basically their entire offense this year. He broke Larry Fitzgerald’s big east single season record for receptions. He can run any route effectively- short, intermediate, and deep. He can line up in the slot or on the outside. He returns punts for them and plays wildcat qb. He’s got great hands, good speed, good size, and would fit very nicely into our offense. He thrived this year despite spotty qb play (sound familiar).

He is pretty similar to Kenny Britt (also from Rutgers) although he’s an inch shorter and doesn’t have multiple arrests on his resume to push him down in the draft. Our pick might be high enough to grab him in the second round since this draft is pretty loaded at WR.

A couple things though: he still has one year of eligibility left, so he could return to college for his senior season. Also, the patriots have 2 late first round picks (their own and the Saints) and a glaring need at WR, so that kind of worries me. His performance in the combine could push him up to late first round status or push him down to late second round/early third depending on how well he does in all the measurables.

He’s 6-5 345, but ISU trusts him at LT, he could be a RT prospect too. Projected 2nd-3rd rounder and looked pretty good against a good Rutgers DL.

I don’t need to rehash Sanu, I think he’s another Anquan Boldin with a little more speed.

Also, not relevant to this year, but Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman is someone to watch for in the future, 6-6 with some speed, had an 86 yard TD that game, had 550 yards and 6 TDs on the year while barely playing, and averaged 32 yards a catch.

sanu is a pure possession receiver. not a burner but runs amazing routes and has great hands. he is rutgers’ best offensive player by a longshot, and even with teams preparing to stop him, he still had 115 receptions. he’s seriously always open, which is a testament to his route running. anquan boldin is a perfect example. if he falls to the 3rd, he’s a steal.

he’s also a year older than all other juniors declaring for the NFL this year. he will turn 23 in august (his advanced age caused him to have to sit out his senior season of high school football).

great highlights of circus catches:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ONBbN0H7Tc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-wTVQnc3CM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T1NER_y9jM

I watched Toon closely. I think he will go in middle rounds. Not the athlete or receiver Al was