I have a lot of expectations for this year’s rookie class. First round pick Devin McCourty will get a lot of run, maybe as high as the third corner. The two tight ends will contribute almost immediately. Brandon Spikes will become a two-down run-stuffing ILB. Zoltan Mesko will win the punting job.
Of the early picks, the only guy I don’t know what to expect from is Jermaine Cunningham. Even though the former University of Florida defensive end is practicing with the first team defense during OTAs, it’s not a guarantee that he will stay there when the season starts. Making the switch from 4-3 DE to a 3-4 OLB doesn’t happen overnight.
I don’t know what to make of Cunningham the college player. He started opposite DE Carlos Dunlap, an otherworldly talent. Does that mean Cunningham should had been more productive? Or did the defense make Cunningham look good?
In athletics, history doesn’t accurately predict how the next generation performs. Even if a school has a great history of producing players at certain positions (Penn State a.k.a Linebacker U, for example), it’s not a guarantee they all pan out.
Florida is better known for cornerbacks and slow developing wide receivers. Their history at defensive end isn’t flattering. In the previous eleven drafts, the only DE/OLB that became an All-Pro was Jevon Kearse, drafted in the first round in 1999. No other Gator came close to matching Kearse’s career:
2000, Round 7: LB Eugene McCaslin, Green Bay
In two years, he totaled zero tackles and zero sacks.
2002, R4: DE Alex Brown, Chicago
He’s played eight years and been solid for the Bears, but not much of a pass rush threat, as his career high is seven sacks in 2006.
2003, R6: LB Mike Nattiel, Minnesota
Nattiel had one shinning moment in his two-year career: an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown against Seattle.
2003, R7: DE Clint Mitchell, Denver
Two seasons of goose eggs like McCaslin
2004 R7: DE Bobby McCray, Jacksonville
He exceeded expectations and is putting together a respectable career as a late pick. He stuck around for six years with a career-best 10 sacks in 2006.
2006, R6: DE Jeremy Mincey, New England
He didn’t make it out of training camp with the Patriots. He played two years with Jacksonville, notching a sack in each year.
2007, R1: DE Jarvis Moss, Denver
He’s on the verge of being labeled a bust with 3.5 sacks in his first two years with the Broncos. Converting to OLB last year didn’t go well either, as he failed to bag a QB.
2008, R1: DE Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville
He’s well below what the Jaguars were hoping for after two years and just 5.5 sacks. This could be Harvey’s make or break season as the Jags already gave up on draft classmate Quentin Groves, as he was traded to Oakland during the 2010 NFL Draft.
Like I said, Cunningham’s career isn’t guaranteed to be like the career of those that came before him. Even though head coach Bill Belichick had little success draft OLBs, I put my trust in Belichick and his scouting staff.
For what it is worth, with Andra Davis and Channing Crowder as Gator alums, I have a good feeling about Spikes.
Question? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
