Monday, April 26, 2004
Atlanta Falcons Day 2 Selections
FOURTH ROUND No. 101
Demorrio Williams, OLB, Nebraska, 6-0, 232, senior - Named first-team AP All-Big 12 after 11-sack season for nation's No. 2 scoring defense. Only Jim Skow (15 in 1985), Trev Alberts (15 in 1993) and Danny Noonan (12 in 1986) had better single years in Cornhusker history. Added another 10 tackles for lost yardage and finished with four fumble recoveries, two fumbles caused, five passes deflected and one interception.
Strengths: Started 24 of 27 games in two years after transferring from Kilgore (Texas) Junior College. Good at using his hands to shed blocking tight ends as he comes off the edge. Strong agility at moving laterally. Can turn his hips quickly.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve blocking and tackling techniques against the run. Likely to spend most of season on special teams and won't get many snaps when season starts.
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FIFTH ROUND No. 142
Chad Lavalais, DT, LSU, 6-1, 292, senior - Named first-team AP All-SEC and Sporting News national defensive player of the year after leading the line of the nation's best defense in total yards and points allowed. Started every game he played in the last three years. In addition to 61 tackles, had 7 sacks, 9 tackles for lost yardage, 23 QB pressures, an interception and 6 PBUs. Signed with LSU in 1998 and '99, but worked as a prison guard while trying to improve his ACT score.
Strengths: Tremendous run stuffer by using strength and size to divide double-team blockers. Uses a sharp interior spin move to beat blocks and collapse the pocket.
Weaknesses: Still tends to wait to long to get his hands up in pass rush. Watched his stock in draft slip with unimpressive workouts for scouts.
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SIXTH ROUND No. 186
Etric Pruitt, FS, Southern Mississippi, 6-0, 196, senior - Started the last three years. Set school record for tackles by a defensive back (362). Only Greg Brooks (47 from 2000-03) and Patrick Surtain (31 from 1994-97) had more PBUs in Golden Eagles history than Pruitt's 29.
Strengths: Has 41-inch vertical leap. Gets legs squarely positioned to make open-field tackles.
Weaknesses: Tendency to put hands on WRs could draw penalties.
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SEVENTH ROUND No. 219
Quincy Wilson, RB, West Virginia, 5-9, 225, senior - Drafted to work as a gunner on special teams.
Strengths: Able to keep shoulders square and forehead up as he runs through traffic.
Weaknesses: Torn ACL, other knee problems led to medical redshirt in 2000 and two games in 2001.
¶ 4/26/2004 12:57:00 PM
Demorrio Williams, OLB, Nebraska, 6-0, 232, senior - Named first-team AP All-Big 12 after 11-sack season for nation's No. 2 scoring defense. Only Jim Skow (15 in 1985), Trev Alberts (15 in 1993) and Danny Noonan (12 in 1986) had better single years in Cornhusker history. Added another 10 tackles for lost yardage and finished with four fumble recoveries, two fumbles caused, five passes deflected and one interception.
Strengths: Started 24 of 27 games in two years after transferring from Kilgore (Texas) Junior College. Good at using his hands to shed blocking tight ends as he comes off the edge. Strong agility at moving laterally. Can turn his hips quickly.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve blocking and tackling techniques against the run. Likely to spend most of season on special teams and won't get many snaps when season starts.
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FIFTH ROUND No. 142
Chad Lavalais, DT, LSU, 6-1, 292, senior - Named first-team AP All-SEC and Sporting News national defensive player of the year after leading the line of the nation's best defense in total yards and points allowed. Started every game he played in the last three years. In addition to 61 tackles, had 7 sacks, 9 tackles for lost yardage, 23 QB pressures, an interception and 6 PBUs. Signed with LSU in 1998 and '99, but worked as a prison guard while trying to improve his ACT score.
Strengths: Tremendous run stuffer by using strength and size to divide double-team blockers. Uses a sharp interior spin move to beat blocks and collapse the pocket.
Weaknesses: Still tends to wait to long to get his hands up in pass rush. Watched his stock in draft slip with unimpressive workouts for scouts.
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SIXTH ROUND No. 186
Etric Pruitt, FS, Southern Mississippi, 6-0, 196, senior - Started the last three years. Set school record for tackles by a defensive back (362). Only Greg Brooks (47 from 2000-03) and Patrick Surtain (31 from 1994-97) had more PBUs in Golden Eagles history than Pruitt's 29.
Strengths: Has 41-inch vertical leap. Gets legs squarely positioned to make open-field tackles.
Weaknesses: Tendency to put hands on WRs could draw penalties.
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SEVENTH ROUND No. 219
Quincy Wilson, RB, West Virginia, 5-9, 225, senior - Drafted to work as a gunner on special teams.
Strengths: Able to keep shoulders square and forehead up as he runs through traffic.
Weaknesses: Torn ACL, other knee problems led to medical redshirt in 2000 and two games in 2001.
¶ 4/26/2004 12:57:00 PM
