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CB Bradley Roby (2x All B1G)

Sizing up Ohio State CB Roby's draft prospects
Bradley Roby entered the season rated as one of the top cornerbacks in college football, but he has delivered a so-so junior campaign that has put his draft status in question. Talking to some scouts about Roby's play this season, I've been told that some evaluators believe he has played with a bit of "buyer's remorse" after electing to return to Ohio State for another season. An AFC North scout told me that he believed Roby really wanted to enter the draft after last season, but his family insisted on another season to push him closer to his degree. While Roby eventually agreed to return, he hasn't fully exerted himself on the field and the "cruising" makes it hard to determine his immediate upside.

Watching Roby go through a rigorous pregame workout, I believe he will be as talented as any cornerback in the 2014 class, should he follow through on his intention to declare for the draft, with exceptional physical tools for the position. He smoothly executes the turns and transitions in space, while also showing excellent quickness coming out of his breaks. Additionally, Roby caught the ball like a receiver in drills and appears to have natural ball skills at first glance.


Against the Wolverines, Roby put those skills on display with a solid performance in coverage and run support. He flew to the ball with reckless abandon and displayed the kind of effort expected from an elite prospect (Roby chased down Michigan WR Jeremy Gallon from the opposite side of the field on a 73-yard reception early in the game). Although I would like to see him clean up some of his technique in "off" coverage, I believe his combination of athleticism, ball skills and talent will make him a Day One pick, regardless of the questions surrounding his perceived effort.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...rb-carlos-hyde-keeps-boosting-nfl-draft-stock
 
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One thing is true about Roby. He is fast. He came out of nowhere on that long screen pass to make the tackle. He wasn't even in the screen for half the play. He did it again later in the game.
I agree that he is extremely fast and athletic but I think he needs to bring the lumber with him quite a bit more to become an elite CB at the next level. I do not think his tackling skills have been very good this season at all.
 
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He didn't forget how to tackle this season. I suspect he is still battling a nagging injury in the shoulder/neck region that he suffered earlier in the year (there was a specific game that he tweaked his neck, but I forget which one... Wisconsin maybe?).

It doesn't affect his speed but it clearly has a negative impact on his ability to tackle. Just speculation on my part.
 
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He didn't forget how to tackle this season. I suspect he is still battling a nagging injury in the shoulder/neck region that he suffered earlier in the year (there was a specific game that he tweaked his neck, but I forget which one... Wisconsin maybe?).

It doesn't affect his speed but it clearly has a negative impact on his ability to tackle. Just speculation on my part.

This seems like kind of a chicken or the egg situation to me. His neck and shoulder always bothering him so instead of wrapping up, he dives head first at guys' knees to tackle them. But because he is always diving head first at guys' knees, his neck and shoulder are always bothering him.
 
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SI.com

Latest SI Mock Draft (post-Mariotta return and Mettenburger ACL injury) has Roby in the first round going to Da Bears.

17. Chicago Bears: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

This was a home-run pick in the earlier mock, with Mettenberger penciled in here as a Jay Cutler replacement. There could be other QB options on the board still, including a couple of those intriguing guys mentioned earlier (Bortles and Hundley, for starters). But with Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings both potentially out as free agents, the Bears look for cornerback help instead.
 
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He didn't forget how to tackle this season. I suspect he is still battling a nagging injury in the shoulder/neck region that he suffered earlier in the year (there was a specific game that he tweaked his neck, but I forget which one... Wisconsin maybe?).

It doesn't affect his speed but it clearly has a negative impact on his ability to tackle. Just speculation on my part.

This is correct. It was also the hit that effectively removed one of the heads from the Wisconsin running game.
 
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From the ozone

Roby, an All-Big Ten cornerback, is rehabbing from a knee injury and might not be ready for Friday's Orange Bowl against Clemson, defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said Monday.
http://www.theozone.net/football/2013/OrangeBowl/DefenseInjuries.html

From the same article. For some reason, I thought Noah went to PA.
Spence was left in Columbus due to "personal issues" and the team is hopeful he will be able to rejoin them in time to play Friday.

Senior linebacker Curtis Grant might be inactive, as well. Fickell said Grant is still dealing with the same back issues that limited him in the later portion of the season.
 
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