2011 NFL Draft: Should Jared Crick or Alfonzo Dennard Go Pro?
by Jon Johnston on Dec 17, 2010 8:00 AM CST
in Nebraska Husker Football
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I'm not going to pretend I'm following NFL prospects that closely this time of year, even if they are from Nebraska. But that's the beauty of being part of a vast network of sportsdom - I don't have to follow them because someone else is already doing that. So rather than me making up something about whether or not Jared Crick and Alfonzo Dennard should come out and get drafted, I asked Dan from the SB Nation NFL Draft site Mocking The Draft for his opinion on our guys. His comments after the jump!
Dan:
There was no way Jared Crick was going to live up to the hype thrust upon him in the preseason. Sporting News said he was the best player in college football and some draft nerds expected him to do as good as Ndamukong Suh last season. You and I both know that's a near impossibility for anyone so I think some are down on Crick. From my vantage point, he's faced more doubles this year and opposing offenses can scheme away from him some.
Still, I think he's a very good player. He's an attractive option because he should be able to play 4-3 defensive tackle or end in a 3-4. That kind of versatility is a big plus. If he came out this draft, I think he'd be a late first- or early second-round pick. However, if he returned to the Huskers, I don't know how much he'd improve his draft stock. He's a good player, but has limited athletic upside. People on MTD also wonder if he's just the next Adam Carriker as a pro prospect.
I didn't see Alfonzo Dennard coming on the way he did this season. A similar thing happened at USC a couple years ago. Everyone was going there to see Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga. But it was Clay Matthews that really stuck out. That's not to say Dennard is better than Prince Amukamara, but he's probably a good second corner in the NFL.
Because of the amount of junior cornerbacks that will probably enter the draft, I think Dennard should return. When I put the new site rankings out, Dennard will be behind fellow junior corners Patrick Peterson (LSU), Janoris Jenkins (Florida), Brandon Harris (Miami), Chase Minniefield (Virginia), Brandon Burton (Utah) and Aaron Williams (Texas). Should he return, he could develop into a first-round pick.
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Obviously, it's in the Huskers best interest (and therefore mine) that both these guys return for their senior seasons. In Dennard's case, it may mean millions more, but it may also mean that he'll be a leader on the defense and get the buzz that Amukamara got this season.
As for Crick, well, you always want to hear great things about your guy, right, that he has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL. I hope that Crick returns and in doing so, doesn't hurt his draft status.
The deadline to declare for the draft is January 15th. Hopefully we'll see both return for their senior seasons.
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Follow in the footsteps of Suh
Come back for your senior years, help the team its first year in the Big 10 and then head pro (leaving something for the university).
Of course, that’s easy for me to say. Nobody’s willing to pay me six or seven digits to make a living at the game I love. So hopefully both these men surround themselves with people that are genuinely concerned about their futures rather than on riding their coattails to a little money, listen and take to heart honest assessments of their chances and needs at the next level, and make the decision best suited to their needs and their families’ needs.
Until then — unleash much pain and devastation upon Washington. Again. GBR!!
by ManAgainstWorld on Dec 17, 2010 8:57 AM CST reply actions
Hell, I’ve been trying to negotiate the Seattle Seahawks down to like 5 digits, but noooooo. /joke
On the other hand, they come back another season, there’s that much more chance of suffering a career-ending injury without any pay. I ain’t saying its less likely to get injured in the pros, far from it. I just know if I had the choice, I’d rather get injured after pulling a few paychecks.
until the nfl offers players better contract security (i.e. MLB)
the possibility of moving up to the first or second round is 100% worth the risk.
I got to believe that if Crick really is a 2nd rounder at worst
He has to go, unless he really just loves college fb that much. With Suh, I think he came back because he is looking to be a 3rd rounder and that Pelini was still able to polish him more. I think that the Dan guy is probably right. Crick really has played a ton, not much left to learn, I guess. And physically, I think we are seeing what he really is, which is good, but what else is there.
If he and Dennard do stay, along with the David, the Neb front, well, 5 will be great.
I disagree
Crick really has played a ton, not much left to learn, I guess. And physically, I think we are seeing what he really is, which is good, but what else is there.
He’s got to be what, 20 or 21 years old? Another year in the gym, another year of possible growth, and playing against opponents who are increasingly likely to be younger and less developed/experienced will mean that his performances look that much better, and likely that will lead to a higher draft pick, even if his improvement is not terribly great.
Plus
The first half of this season was pretty average for Crick. It was only toward the end that he showed that he’s more than an average lineman. I think another year under Bo could do him some good. Not to mention, we need Crick badly for next year.
Of course he’d have to deal with what all great DT’s have to deal with: dirty blocking from opposing offensive lines who’ve used up all other means of stopping him.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Suh also started throughout his sophomore and junior seasons.
He still improved quite a bit during his monster senior year. From my vantage point, Crick has come on very strong at the end of the year, much as Suh did in 2008.
Reporter: "What would it take to get you to spend three or four days outside, on concrete?"
Joe Paterno: "Depends what she looks like."
Crick made a comment earlier this year
I made a fanshot about it. He was asked how it felt that this was the last time Nebraska was going to play these teams and he responded, “This is the last time a lot of us will play these teams.” Of course the article states he is a senior too.
And of course
his views could have changed since then, even if we are to read a great deal into that single comment.
Crick Would Be......
Better served to spend another year in NU’s program. He is not nearly as talented as Suh. I seriously doubt he would make the roster of any pro team.
by cowboy_in_the_wind on Dec 18, 2010 2:13 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Personally I want them to stay.
For selfish reasons I want them to be here next year. Also, I think the chances of them staying increase with the likelihood of a lockout next year.
Crick is rated as a 2nd rounder or late 1st rounder on most boards
I think it would be crazy for him to go back, I doubt his stock would improve that much returning for another season.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman
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