Stripe Hype » Blake Meek

Stripe Hype Interview: UCONN Linebacker Sio Moore

Blake Meek — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:43:26 +0000

Sep 8, 2012; East Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies linebacker SioMoore (3) reacts after sacking North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Mike Glennon (8) during the first half at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

One of the Bengals biggest needs is an outside linebacker that can play in coverage as well as play the run. Sio Moore looks to be that type of player. He is a linebacker who while being a disciplined and staying in his gap, taking care of his responsibilities, also has the ability to run with tight ends and backs down the field. He also has shown the ability to rush the quarterback and make the big play there. In 2012 he racked up 72 tackles, with 15.5 for a loss and 8 sacks. He also had 11 passes defensed. In his career at UCONN he played in 41 games, getting 274 total tackles, 44 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 21 passes defensed. I would again like to think Sio for taking the time to do this interview with me.

BM: Well first off I want to say thanks for taking the time to do this.

No problem.

BM: So you grew up in Connecticut before moving to North Carolina in high school. What was your favorite team growing up?

I started watching football when I was about 10 years old, which was in 2000. I didn’t know what was going on because at the time I wasn’t big on football, but I always watched Ravens games and I loved watching Ray Lewis. Ever since then I was a Ravens fan. I was drawn to the energy or Lewis and really fascinated by how those boys played D.

BM: So even as a kid you were drawn to the linebacker position?

I was man. I just thought he was amazing man. It was what caught my eye. As I started watching and playing more, I got more and more into it. He became one of my heroes. Then I started watching a bunch of great backers.

BM: Is there a linebacker in the NFL that you model your game after? Or that you would compare yourself too?

I’d say a guy that I really like right now is Daryl Washington with the Arizona Cardinals. Fast, can play straight backer, knack to get to the ball and he’s a hell of an athlete. Gets to the QB, all around type guy.

Stripe Hype Interview: UCLA Runningback Johnathan Franklin

Blake Meek — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:11:35 +0000

November 17, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Johnathan Franklin (23) breaks a tackle by USC Trojans safety T.J. McDonald (7) and runs for a gain in the fourth quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. UCLA won 38-28. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

With the draft coming up, one of the Bengals biggest needs is a home run threat from the running back position. Someone who can catch the ball, and take it to the house every time that he touches the ball. Enter Johnathan Franklin. Franklin was a Doak Walker Award finalist in 2012 when he ran for 1734 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 ypc. He also added in 33 receptions for 323 yards and another 2 touchdowns. In his 45 career starts for the Bruins, Franklin racked up 4403 rushing yards with 31 touchdowns and a 5.6 ypc. He also added 58 receptions for 517 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is UCLA’s all time leading rusher. I would like to thank Franklin for taking the time to talk with do this interview with me. I really appreciate him taking the time, I know he is busy getting ready for the upcoming combine.

BM: Who was your role model growing up?

My mother because of the sacrifices she made in life.

BM: So you grew up in LA, what was your favorite team growing up?

Titans fan, loved Eddie George, Whycheck, McNair, Dustin, Kearse, Rolle, and Thigpen.

Week in Review: 2013 NFL Draft: Top 10 QB Prospects

Blake Meek — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 22:33:22 +0000

As we have seen in the NFL the last few years, a really good QB is required to win the Super Bowl. Every year teams are trying to hit the next big QB, some in the top 10, some in the mid rounds. As we seen last year with Russell Wilson, it’s not only the 1st round guys who can have a huge impact. This years QB crop is different from most years in the fact that you don’t have ant consensus top 10 quarterbacks. Every quarterback in this draft has drastically varying rankings. So lets dive in a little deeper and take a look at the top 10 quarterbacks a little more in depth. Lets start with #10.

# 10 – Colton Chapple QB Harvard

This little known QB has a lot of skills. Now he hasn’t played against top end talent, that is true, but he can do a lot of things. He is a good athlete, who can move outside the pocket and take off and run anytime. He ran the pistol offense at Harvard, and ran it very well. With the pistol making its way into the NFL, someone who has some proficiency in it would make a lot of sense for many teams. He doesn’t have an elite arm like Glennon and Bray, but puts good touch on the ball. He threw for 24 TD’s this year as well as adding 9 rushing TD’s. He was the Ivy Leagues OPY. Would be a very good late round developmental project.

Should be picked – Mid 4th – Early 5th round

NFL Comparison – Colt McCoy

Nov 22, 2011; Athens, OH, USA; Miami-Ohio Redhawks quarterback Zac Dysert (4) looks to pass against the Ohio Bobcats at Peden Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

#9 Zac Dysert QB Miami (Ohio)

Dysert has a good, over the top release on his throws. Shows good touch and shows good accuracy on his underneath throws. Didn’t throw many passes down the field in college, and might not possess the the velocity on the ball to fit it into tight windows. Good athlete who can move, but is a little inconsistent when throwing on the run. Isn’t afraid to stay in the pocket and take a hit to get the ball where he wants it. Played out of the spread, so can he adjust to a pro offense, but with the way spread QBs have adapted the last few years, that is less of a concern. Isn’t as big or physical. He is going to need a year or 2 to learn before he has a chance of starting.

Should be picked – 4th round.

NFL Comparison – Ryan Fitzpatrick