Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia
by Ed Valentine on Mar 17, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
in 2010 NFL Draft
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We have already looked at a number of defensive tackles during our Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile series. Today, we look at another one in what is likely a very deep draft class at that critical position.
Geno Atkins of Georgia.
Atkins is a slightly under-sized player at 6-foot-1, 290 pounds who gave highly-regarded Mike Iupati fits at the Senior Bowl and has tested well in off-season workouts.
Atkins, however, is a guy who did not play as well the past two seasons as he did during a monster sophomore campaign. He also has a reputation for not being a great run defender, which has to be scary for Giants fans.
Anyway, let's take a closer look.
Geno Atkins Scouting Reports
From the National Football Post.
Atkins is quick off the snap and does a great job getting under offensive linemen and driving them into the backfield. He has a strong lower base and exhibits natural leverage on the bull-rush. ... He lacks the type of size and overall strength to consistently fight his way through the double-team. He can be easily sealed from the ball vs. any type of additional attention. He lacks overall girth and will get washed out of run plays when taking on the double-team at the point of attack.
He's undersized and scheme-limited as a starter at the next level, but should be able to eventually develop into an ideal penetrating lineman in a one-gap scheme.
From SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.
After a strong sophomore season where it appeared that he would be the next big thing in the SEC, Atkins totaled less than half the sacks from 2007 in his junior and senior years combined. While he played within a system that favored rotations, Atkins never took his performance to the next level. There were several effort and motor concerns with him at Georgia, and without the top tier physical package, that will be an issue in the NFL. However without any prior knowledge of him, one would think he could be a second round player after watching his performance at the Senior Bowl, as he was the one defensive lineman that gave Idaho guard Mike Iupati a fit on the field. His ability to penetrate a gap and free himself up in the backfield is something every defense wants. He will not get much bigger physically and his role at the next level will be limited, but he can be important piece to a strong unit if he remains focused. He will likely be a middle round option and especially attractive to the Tampa-2 defenses.
From Draft Countdown.
Very athletic ... Explosive and quick off the snap ... Fast with a burst to close ... Nimble feet ... Is strong and surprisingly powerful ... Can penetrate and make plays in the backfield ... Displays great mobility and range ... Does a nice job in pursuit.
Undersized and lacks the ideal bulk you look for ... Is not stout at the point of attack ... Will never be a great run defender ... Has trouble taking on and shedding blockers ... Mediocre tackler ... Stamina may be an issue.
A better prospect than his statistics might lead you to believe ... A classic one-gapper whose best fit will most likely come as a three-technique in a 4-3 front.
Why Atkins fits with the Giants
As part of a rotation, Atkins might fit as an athletic, pass-rushing defensive tackle. There are questions about all of the Giants current defensive tackles, and in my opinion they have to add at least someone to the mix for the sake of at least bringing in competition for Rocky Bernard. In the middle to late rounds, Atkins might be worth a shot.
Why the Giants should pass
A defensive tackle who isn't stout against the run? Isn't that the first, and most important, job for a defensive tackle? And didn't we see enough crappy run defense in 2009? The Giants need defensive tackles who can control the line of scrimmage, and I'm not sure Atkins is that type of player.
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)
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Run stopping is my main concern
If we draft a tackle, 1st round or 7th round his main strength better be run stopping, even though our sack #s are down we still have some of the best pass rushers in the league and if they are healthy we will definetly not need a pass rushing DT as a priority. Rocky and Canty will pay off this year and rush the passer well IMO. I would rather draft a DT who’s only good at run stopping at this point unless its one of those freaks like McCoy & Suh but thats not going to happen.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
I agree
It’s tempting to have more pass rushers, but not at the expense of terrible run defense.
Correction?
“Atkins, however, is a guy who did play as well the past two seasons”
Did you mean “did not”
Canty and Alford are 1 gap players.
Bernard is just a bad player at this point. We need a guy that can occupy blockers. A big ole space eating Pat Williams looking mutha……
Not bad
Just injured and unmotivated. he has to step it up and i think he will earn his money. Rocky was just fine 2 yrs ago and his resume allows him another shot thats why he was not let go plus we are a team full of second and third chances that pan out so look for him to be his old self. I do agree that we need a big pat williams mofo who thinks showering and brushing his teeth are for punks…………. one who doesnt take no crap and occasionally fights teammates LMAO.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
LOL
Yeah we need a fatty for sure. S strong one wit a nasty attitude.
"I'm not a scratch golfer. I don't know how to bowl. I can't read the stock market. Hell, I have a hard time rememberingmy wife's cell phone number. But I can call 'Flip right double X jet 36 counter naked waggle at 7 X quarter' in my sleep" - Gruden
by I_Formation27 on Mar 17, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Someone like Dan Williams in round one or Cam Thomas in round two would solidify the middle of our D line against the run.
I like Geno
like most Georgia players it seems, very talented…yet, a bit of an underachiever.
Canty’s supposed to be our run stopper, so if he’s healthy…I’d assume they don’t mind going in this sort of direction with a DT. Cofield is there too and if Bernard is healthy..maybe he shows a pulse?
Geno’s a hell of a player who if coached right and put in the right situation, could thrive.
I’d still rather go with a bigger dude, but a player like Geno’s not out of the question.
Master of the squeegee
Spikes ran his 40 in 5.00 seconds.
Hate to say it…but I told ya so.
40 isn’t everything if we’re talking 4.8 or so…but 5.0 blows balls.
Master of the squeegee
Yeah, I've been following the twitter chatter from UF.
Between his lack of effort at the combine and this, I think he drops. What a shame for a player who is obviously talented, but seemed to put no effort into his most important moment in his life.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
Definetly
But in the words of mike mayock " all he does is make plays" jerry rice 40 time was slow for his postion too and spikes’ 40 time is not surprising….. i cant remember the last time a linebacker got 40 yrds of free run in a game anyway but your point as far as speed was proven but hes a gamer and i would love him.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
I agree that you shouldn't put too much stock in the workouts, but
you have to question a player’s drive and motivation if he can’t even get up for the most important moment of his life, thus far. Makes me think of Willie Jo too much. MLB is all about agression and getting the D set and ready to explode. I just don’t see it from him and if that kind of lack of spark hits our defense, we will wilt like an ice flower in a campfire.
I, personally, wouldn’t consider him higher than 3rd. Rd. at this point and more than likely would take a pass, completely
Bleeding Blue since 1962
I would sunlion
The tape just dispells all the things the combine so call exposes. To your point he shouldve taken it more seriously but he already plays with a chip on his shoulder all this talk is just fuel to the fire……………I see why free dislikes him its just no one seems to see why i do like him lol he is an excellent player but obviously hes getting the same advice as andre smith last year.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
I think you have that in reverse.
The playing films shows a player can play at the college level. Spikes level of play has dropped since he’s been at UF. I saw his highlight reels and was wowed by him until I saw complete game films and was totally shocked to see that he takes too many plays off.
If he came out and blew the combine and pro day up, it would have dispelled what was already being thought of him. Instead, he validated all the criticism. He needed a strong showing, he didn’t provide one.
I like the kid. He has some real raw talent. Without an almost obsessive effort to improve, he has little chance to be an impact player in the NFL. That is the one common trait amongst the better players in the league. An undying fire to be the best.
Can you honestly say that Spikes has shown you any reason to believe that he possesses that quality? I don’t see it. He just got dropped on my board.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
Yes he does
Honestly alot of NFL people according to Eisen think that Mcclains tape shows that he takes a bunch of plays off but he is the consensus #1 pick at MLB, when i lookn at some game tape i dnt see spikes effort as more than mcclains but i see what your saying a great effort at a pro day goes a long way but like i said the tape is king to me but i see your point!
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
Here are a few snippets and clips
Walter Football
3/2/10: Brandon Spikes did all of the drills at the Combine, but decided to skip the 40. There’s probably a good reason why. His range remains a concern.
1/8/10: Brandon Spikes made a huge mistake by returning to school for his senior year. Some of his flaws were exposed, and it’s looking like he’ll need a help to be drafted in the first round. Spikes had 68 tackles and six TFL in 2009.
New Era Scouting
Spikes entered the 2008 season as one of the top middle linebackers in the country but his play since his 131 tackle (16 for loss) sophomore season has been on the steady decline. He has had a couple of foot injuries that have hampered his movement but Spikes is the kind of player that needs to be at full strength with talent around him in order for him to perform well. He is surrounded by arguably the most talented defense in the country and he does not exactly stand out as much as many think he would after that 2007 campaign. He does play with the mean streak that teams love to have at middle linebacker but the durability issues on top of his inconsistent motor are causes for concern. He has the ideal size and frame, but he will need more than that to succeed in the NFL.
Here is a nice link from Pro Draft Party with clips and analyses of two games
http://www.prodraftparty.com/2009/ilb-brandon-spikes-scouting-report/
Bleeding Blue since 1962
that same exact thing was said about KP's last season
to be honest with you
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
5.0 isn't all that bad..
It is how fast they get to the runner..that’s a 5-yard dash..I don’t don’t much about Spikes..Is he quick off the snap?..Sheds blocks?..We don’t need a tackle chasing runners down the field..Need to stuff them at the line.
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
don't know I meant
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
Yes
he does all of that and pretty well but the combine is one thing not giving it your all at a scheduled pro day is a turn off but i still would draft him late 1st early second
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
It's all about effort
This kid has dropped in performance since 2007. He hasn’t had over 100 tackles since then. I don’t see consistency, I don’t see effort and I don’t see that translating well to the NFL, when they are going to ask more of him than anyone has ever done in the past.
With the questions that were already circling around, this is where he had to chance to silence them. Now, the questions not only seem valid, the answers are starting to take form as a warning of sorts.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
You cant always go by #'s dropping in a season
it happend to kenny phillips, sometimes its just your requirements change based on how they want you to play. It happened to Malaluga and laurinitis, then you have some people whos #’s increase but they become busts but i see why he has dropped on your boards but i have seen spikes in person at 3 different games and i like the kid. He passed the eyeball test in person.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
Spikes is MOLASSES!
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 17, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep...
I knew this guy wasn’t a top 15 pick, hey Matt Mosley, are you listening, he had the Giants taking him at #15.
by Great Gatsby on Mar 17, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't pay much attention to 40 times for a LB....
but one does take notice when they timed Spikes with a sundial instead of a stopwatch.
Atkins abused lupati like he was his b*tch
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 18, 2010 11:43 AM EDT reply actions
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