Meet Your Draft Picks: Deon Anderson
Posted: May 29, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
Deon Anderson, FB, University of Connecticut, 6th round draft pick
Measurables: 5′10″, 243 pounds, 4.73 forty-yard dash, 403 pound bench press, 600 pound squat, 27/31 Wonderlic score
Positives: Possesses good size for an NFL fullback. Rarely goes down on the first hit and is a weapon as a short-yardage runner. Displays good physical toughness and seems to enjoy contact. Possesses above average hands and does not drop many passes. Fairly good speed for his size. Has special teams experience and excels on coverage duty; he tackles well (originally recruited to play linebacker) and can be an immediate contributor for an NFL team in that area. Despite pedestrian rushing and receiving numbers his senior year, Anderson was awarded the Huskies; Most Valuable Player award due to his attitude, leadership, and the enthusiasm with which he practiced and played.
Negatives: Demonstrates average to below-average blocking ability. Has poor balance, fails to lock onto defenders at times and has some problems sustaining blocks. Is not fundamentally sound as a blocker; displays poor technique and does not hit with much explosion, despite his strength and speed. Appears hesitant at times and has problems getting into position at the second level. Doesn’t have the burst to get to the corner. Is not a big play threat. Has some character concerns regarding his academics and off-field issues while at UConn; missed the 2005 season for unspecified reasons and looked into transferring before returning to the team as a walk-on in January of 2006.
Outlook: Anderson is a bit of a “tweener” when it comes to the fullback position, in that he does not excel at any one particular thing. He is a decent short-yardage runner but displays very little elusiveness and is not a threat to do anything on the second level. He has adequate hands as a check-down receiver, but cannot do much after the catch. And perhaps most importantly for a Cowboys team which already has two above average running backs, Anderson is not a naturally talented blocker. Despite his zeal for contact and physical toughness, he does not excel at delivering the blow at the point of attack, and he has trouble locking onto defenders.
So while Anderson is not particularly good at any of the typical things upon which a fullback is evaluated, he is not horrible at any of them either. Combine this with his excellent special teams coverage experience at Connecticut, and it is reasonable that an NFL team would have taken a chance on him. Anderson is capable of contributing on special teams right away. He was originally recruited by the Huskies to play linebacker, and took to his role as wedge-buster during the 2004 and 2006 seasons. He has the speed to get downfield in a hurry and he tackles well. If he makes the Dallas opening day roster, it would be reasonable to expect him to be on the field as a special teamer right from Week 1. The question remains as to whether or not he can improve his fullback play, particularly his blocking ability, enough to warrant that roster spot.
Anderson also comes with some minor but not insignificant character concerns. He missed the 2005 season due to unspecified problems with the law related to disorderly conduct. However, Anderson walked on to the 2006 UConn team and paid his own way in tuition his entire senior year so that he could be a part of the team and graduate. Anderson was a favorite of teammates and seems to have partially alleviated any concern that he would be a liability in the locker room.
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If I read this right, we drafted a fullback who doesn’t excel at blocking.
I don’t get it.
alanTdot,
That’s about how it looks, at least for the moment. If Anderson really benefits from NFL coaching, it’s possible he COULD be a decent blocker at the next level. His main problem is his technique, not his physical ability, and technique is coachable. He remains stronger and more physically capable of someday delivering big blocks than, say, Lousaka Polite. That said, if the season started right now, everything indicates he would present more value as a special-teamer than he would as a fullback.
I think we got a Kieth Davis-type special teamer whom the Boys hope will be a more useful #2 FB than Polite until he is the #1 FB, if he develops that way.
I just read Sam Adams has been released. What about a one year contract 2 back up Ferguson. He is a Texas guy he went to A&M and he is one big mofo. I haven’t done any research so do not know of last years performance.
Most of the draft reports I have read give ANderson a whole lot more credit as a blocker then this one did. If he was like this report claims, I really doubt we would have drafted him.
Burmafrd,
I have watched very little film on most of these draft picks, particularly the 5th, 6th, and 7th round guys. That being the case, 90% of my content on their positives and negatives comes from draftniks out there– ESPN, Scouts Inc., NFL Draft Countdown, Pro Football Weekly, etc. The consensus on all of these sites was that Anderson does not excel as a blocker. Blocking ability is the first negative listed in almost every profile on Anderson.
To give you an idea of the opinion on him, Scouts Inc. gave him an overall rating of 31/100. He is a 6th round pick who was not expected to get draft by many sources. The guy is going to have some significant holes.
When I do these write-ups, I am not trying to defend the pick, just reporting what most of the information out there says about the players.
Thanks for the write-up on “no I in Deon.” I’m with burma–I’v read lots of mixed reviews on Deon’s blocking skills. Besides, blocking is about 60% desire and 40% technique and smarts. Coach him up and hope for the best.
Having said that, I’m rooting for Jackie Battle from Houston for the darkhorse FB. The guy looks like a player from the highlight clips I’ve seen. It would be nice to have a FB who is a threat to break a big play as well as blasting holes in LB’s from time to time…
Sam Adams is coming off an injury, he’s too old and too heavy, you cant continue to stop progress of younger players for has beens. If he was any good, he wouldn’t of been cut. Pass on older payers, we’ve already shown that it doesn’t work.
WOW Thats a long time betweem post.
derrick i have no idea what your talkin about, marcellus wiley was AWESOME for us lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have read some comments from some people out in California that say Courtney Brown is for real. He just didn’t play against top competition. From the looks of his speed, size, athleticisn, and ball skills, this guy should have been playing in the PAC TEN.
Note to self:
Is there an anti-Cowboys bias?
Answer: Compare the Patriots/Moss situation and the Cowboys/Owens’ one.
How on Earth do you guys figure that both situations are seen such differently, I mean, Parcells is Belichick and viceversa and the first one wasn’t supposed to live up to Owens while the other is going to make Moss better…
I just can’t understand this.
Oh wait, I do, too much media love for the Patriots and too much hate for the Cowboys.
Of course, that has everything to do with how much @$$ our team has kicked.
I really have looked at a lot of draft reports on Anderson and only a few of them were as down as the one here.I think it was very much loaded on the negative side. And remember- there really is little demand for FBs now so that is one reason he was rated a late rd pick.
ill say it again, anderson is the most intriguing pick in my eyes.
Burmafrd,
It looks like we’ll have to agree to disagree at this point then. No way to know who’s right at this point– we’ll see if he makes the squad in the spring and what he’s able to develop into.
Tim,
Do you think the Cowboys offense will carry two fullbacks on the roster?
Not sure if they’d both be active on game day, but if is in fact Hoyte is moving back to LB (and I didn’t attend the May camp and don’t know if that’s definite at this point), I guess I could see Polite and Anderson remaining on the roster, if Anderson proved himself to be enough of a special teams value. But to have 2 active spots taken up by FBs on game day seems like a lot. Polite was just re-signed on April 26, so I imagine he’s at least going to be given a chance to make the roster. I imagine Raf would have a more complete persepctive on this, though.
Joker,
I hope we carry one fullback in hopes Fasano develops into a H-back. The undrafted FA TE (can’t recall his name) might allow that personnel wise. He appears to be a good prospect from what I have read.
Tim, any information on him?
The benefits of a two tight end attack that got us so excited last year at this time are still valid.
It would be nice to see if that can still happen.
Sporting News was a little more forgiving in their workup although blocking does show as a weakness. I believe one of the reasons for his fall from grace were the character questions. For my 2 cents any guy who ponies up his own cash to go back and finish up his college career after losing a scholorship deserves a 2nd chance.
Strengths: Is strong and powerful, and has good speed for a fullback. Catches the ball well out of the backfield. Blocks at full speed, and uses his height well to gain leverage on defenders. Does a nice job reaching the second level to block his man. Is a good short-yardage runner.
Weaknesses: Is a bit short, causing him to get swallowed up by bigger defenders. Must better secure the ball as a runner; holds it low and away from his body. Must be more aggressive when running. Must improve at sustaining blocks. Lacks experience against elite competition.
Bottom line: Anderson is a solid all-around player but does nothing that makes him jump off the film. Anderson will not make much of an impact as a ballcarrier, but he has the blocking skills to become a solid NFL starter for a team that needs a true lead blocker.
Correspondent Analysis
Anderson instantly becomes the best fullback on the roster because he’s the only true fullback on the roster. Oliver Hoyte is physical, but he spent his college career as a linebacker, and Lousaka Polite is a smart player, but he’s not physical. Anderson does a good job of making contact in the hole and playing with leverage, though he’s a little shorter than the ideal fullback
http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2007/players/7190.html
Just for comparison’s sake, here’s what Scouts Inc. says about him:
“Weaknesses: Doesn’t show great balance as a blocker, fails to lock onto defenders at times and has some problems sustaining blocks. While is capable of knocking defenders back doesn’t always roll hips into blocks and isn’t fundamentally sound. Appears hesitant at times and has problems getting into position at the second level when isn’t aggressive. Doesn’t have the burst to turn the corner and lacks ideal top-end speed. Isn’t elusive and isn’t going to make many big plays. Missed the 2005 season for unspecified reasons and looked into transferring before returning to the team in as a walk-on in January of 2006, he has had some off-the-field problems and character is somewhat of a concern.”
Like Swirvin, I tend to believe that he deserves a pass for now on the character concerns, since he walked on and paid his own way senior year, and his teammates loved him by all accounts.
I don’t have any reason to think Jackie Battle will be a FB; his college ran a one back set. My reckoning is he has little experience blocking.
Anderson will have to be one of those guys playing every special teams play to make it. I’m down with that.
I have a tough time with two FBs and a kickoff specialist.
For some reason I thought Battle was listed as a fullback. I doubt he’s got much of a chance at RB, unless Tyson Thompson hasn’t fully recovered from his injury.
At the FB/H-back spot, I think Fasano is going to be given every opportunity to take most of the snaps. Anderson and Hoyte sound about even, and I think both are on the team for special teams purposes. Polite is gone–he was a BP project who hasn’t shown much. The one advantage he does have is that he seemed to do okay in the H-back role in camp and preseason last year. Still, 3rd year guy who hasn’t shown much = gone.
Add in the 3rd blocking TE (undrafted FA, named something like Hammer), and you’ve got 3 TEs and 2 FBs on the roster. That sounds about right, kickoff specialist or not.
I agree. I think Fasano could play a much bigger role if he dropped his skirt and starting wacking people. He is a legit threat on patterns out of the backfield but if that is all he does it won’t be much of a surprise to opponents when he enters the game.
Just read another article about the Browns and it mention that Brady Quinn is still struggling with his accuracy. I never question the trade but its looking better all the time.
Tim,
Anything on that undrafted FA tight end Hannah from Houston?
Rodney Hannah? I don’t know a lot about him. I’ve seen him listed as 6′6″ and 6′8″, and around 245. He sounds like an excellent receiving target, particularly in the red zone. The down side is that he’s only played one year of college ball, so I would imagine he is pretty raw in terms of technique.
At the risk of criticizing another Cowboy rookie’s blocking ability, it doesn’t sound to me like Hannah is much of a blocker. He’s another athletic project that the ‘Boys will have to coach up in order to make him a well-rounded TE. ESPN cites him as an “intriguing” prospect as a pass-catching TE, so that would be his value to the team– if Fasano was moved to H-Back, then Hannah could function as a pass-catching compliment to Witten.
This is a guy who only had 1 start and 11 catches in his entire college career, though, so don’t get your hopes up for immediate contribution. Just because he was a basketball star before playing football at Houston does not make him Antonio Gates. A season on the practice squad might do him good.
I believe that Hannah is another power forward turned TE. Power forward is another position that can make a lateral move. A. Gates and T. Gonzales are working out fine. This guy is definitely worth a look.