whodatdb
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This kid is a beast. I think the only way we take this him though is if we do not like any of the LT or DE available and he would probably be the BPA. He has great leadership like most great MLBs. He could definitely help us out as our 2nd Nickel LB next to Lofton, to stop those passes that fly over our LBs and between our safeties. He could make it easier on us if we decide to move on from Vilma.
This kid has all the tools to be great, and has the best instincts out of any LB in the draft. He has good ball skills and could be a great player for a long time for us. I would want us to draft him if all the good DEs and OTs are gone and he is available. He has great character and that is something the Saints value. He can tackle great and has great coverage as well. He could be the key to our leaky run defense and a leader of the defense for a long time. Some scous are saying he is too slow to cover in the NFL. People also said Ray Lewis, London Fletcher and Zach Thomas were too small. The players that are good can overcome those things and I think Manti will run a 4.5 or so anyway just to show them and prove speed is not an issue. You do not get 7 picks as a LB without being ATLEAST average in coverage. He was the runner up for the Heisman. He also won the Dick Butkus award in highschool in 2008 and in college in 2012.
He still has to play the National Championship game but here are his stats so far this season: 103 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and 7 interceptions (0 forced fumbles). Mike Mayock said it best "Every once in a while a player comes around whose value transcends his numbers". Manti Teo is just that and he motivates and makes his teammates also be better.
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This kid has all the tools to be great, and has the best instincts out of any LB in the draft. He has good ball skills and could be a great player for a long time for us. I would want us to draft him if all the good DEs and OTs are gone and he is available. He has great character and that is something the Saints value. He can tackle great and has great coverage as well. He could be the key to our leaky run defense and a leader of the defense for a long time. Some scous are saying he is too slow to cover in the NFL. People also said Ray Lewis, London Fletcher and Zach Thomas were too small. The players that are good can overcome those things and I think Manti will run a 4.5 or so anyway just to show them and prove speed is not an issue. You do not get 7 picks as a LB without being ATLEAST average in coverage. He was the runner up for the Heisman. He also won the Dick Butkus award in highschool in 2008 and in college in 2012.
He still has to play the National Championship game but here are his stats so far this season: 103 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and 7 interceptions (0 forced fumbles). Mike Mayock said it best "Every once in a while a player comes around whose value transcends his numbers". Manti Teo is just that and he motivates and makes his teammates also be better.
Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2. Weight: 255.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2012): Top-15.
12/15/12: Te'o has had a tremendous senior season despite dealing with personal tragedies. Early on, he had eight tackles and two interceptions against Michigan, as well as forcing an interception by hitting the Denard Robinson as he threw. Te'o racked up 11 tackles against Stanford and did reasonably well defending gainst the Cardinal's receiving tight ends.
Te'o totaled 12 tackles and two passes broken up to go with a fumble return of eight yards versus Michigan State and power runner Le'Veon Bell. Te'o made a lot of tackles in run defense and was superb against the pass in zone coverage. He was snuffing out short passes throughout the game and doing well to tackle receivers quickly after the reception was made. Against USC, the senior made a tremendous interception that showed off excellent instincts and intelligence.
Te'o has really improved his pass coverage in 2012 and helps his stock as a three-down linebacker. He hasn't had a bad game all year. Entering the National Championship, Te'o has totaled 103 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, four passes broken up and seven interceptions.
8/31/12: Te'o has been a solid and consistent performer for Notre Dame. He recorded 128 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks last season. The junior was a sack away from leading the Irish in sacks and tackles.
Teo registered 133 tackles in 2010, also recording 9.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble. He notched 63 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss as a true freshman.
Te'o has the skill set and experience to start immediately in the NFL. He has the size, speed and tackling technique to be a three-down linebacker. The senior has the athletic ability to function on third down and get deep in the middle of the field.
Te'o has nice blitzing ability and closing speed as a pass-rusher. It is clear that he has the instincts for the position. Plus, Te'o is versatile for the next level; he has the bulk to be an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense and the speed to play middle linebacker in a 4-3. As long as Te'o stays healthy, he should produce another quality season to be a safe first-rounder in the 2013 NFL Draft.
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