Scouts Notebook: Va Tech/BC
St Pierre

Posted Oct 16, 2002


A little later than we usually like to get these reports up, we made the trip to the Heights last Thursday to scout an important Big East contest between Virginia Tech and Boston College. It was the second time in a month we personally scouted the Eagles and the first time in a while we witnessed the Hokies; needless to say several from Blacksburg impressed us.

  VS 

Chestnut Hill, Ma  10/10

Virginia Tech

James Davis/DE/95

  • quick off the snap
  • plays low with leverage
  • quick with his hands and shows moves to both the inside or outside
  • strong in his upper body and gets off blocks
  • collapses nicely from the outside to defend the run
  • displays speed off the edge as a pass rusher
  • effective on kick coverage
  • Comments: Truly developing into a complete defensive lineman, solid against both the run or pass.  Nice prospect for the future. 

Anthony Davis/T/57

  • moves relatively well for a big man and can shuffle his feet in pass-protection
  • blocks with a wide base and turns opponents out run blocking
  • uses blocking angles well
  • quick with his hands and displays good arm jolt into the opponent
  • not quick off the snap or light on his feet
  • tends to pop up, block straight legged or bend at the waist which adversely effects his balance
  • overextends and not effective on second level
  • Comments: Plays left tackle but best inside at guard.  Needs to get in shape and better condition himself if he's to really have a chance.

Willie Pile/S/35

  • quarterbacks the secondary well, disciplined and plays assignment football
  • reads the quarterbacks eyes and quick recognizing coverage's
  • stiff backpedal and gets a little tall
  • Comments: Impressed with his improved play against the pass.  From a mental standpoint turning into a complete safety but we question his lateral range and the ability to be placed in man coverage; something he'll have to do at the next level in deep centerfield.  Still, had a good game and having a nice senior campaign.

Lee Suggs/RB/22

  • light on his feet, elusive and amazingly quick
  • looks like he's gliding and instantaneously bounces it to the outside or cuts it back on a dime, losing no momentum when he runs in other than a straight line
  • always looking to set up his blocks anywhere on the field
  • patient, displays great vision and sees the field
  • explosive outside of tackle showing the speed to beat opponents around the corner and possesses the quick step to immediately change gears.
  • keeps his feet chugging up the field, puts his shoulders into opponents and falls forward
  • Comments:  Great physical and mental skills.  On face value a very early pick but two things are of concern; 1) his knee injury of last season, 2) he has the luxury of playing with a back of equal, if not better skill, which takes the pressure off him.

Boston College

Doug Bessett/S/#18

  • quick to read and anticipate
  • forceful moving up the field
  • stays with the play and works hard
  • a little to quick to defend the field and lets tight ends behind him
  • overall game lacks speed
  • Comments: Depth player that could be effective on special teams.

Jamal Burke/WR/#84

  • can definitely run and has some wheels
  • physically strong and uses his large frame well
  • lacks a feel for the game, seems surprised when the pass is thrown in his direction and not nearly the offensive threat he should be
  • Comments: If he returns punts in a camp next summer the way he did against Virginia Tech he'll make a team but needs a lot of work on his receiving game and must turn up the intensity.

Vinny Ciurciu/LB/40

  • QB's the defense well and very active against the run
  • scrapes laterally and has a bit of a burst to the flanks or up the field
  • quick reading the action, locating the ball and looks to get involved 
  • stays on his feet
  • slow adjusting off the initial block
  • better up the field than in reverse
  • short arms and has difficulty wrapping up
  • Comments: Hard worker who won't get drafted but will find a niche at the next level.



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