|
RB, Shonn Greene, Iowa
At A Glance | |||||
Position 1: running back | Height: 5-11 | ||||
Position 2: | Weight: 227 | ||||
Class: junior | Age: | ||||
Projected Round: 2nd-3rd | 40time: 4.65 |
Combine/Proday Results | |||||
Bench Reps: 19 | Vertical: 37 | ||||
20yd Split: 2.63 | Broad Jump: 10'1" | ||||
10yd Split: 1.63 | 20yd Shuttle: 4.40 | ||||
3 Cone Drill: 7.10 |
Pros: Stout frame with good overall musculature, but especially in his lower body. Good initial quickness off the snap. Downhill runner who attacks the line of scrimmage.
Cons: Lacks the speed to consistently get to the outside or to be a true breakaway threat. Appears to have at soft hands, but lacks experience out of the backfield as a receiver, with only 11 career receptions (for 72 yards).
Styg's Broncos Fit: Greene runs hard and stays low, which allows him to bounce off defenders and keep the legs moving. His pass blocking is willing and above average, and he seems to take some degree of pleasure in popping defenders. He is another back, like Wells, who was used sparingly as a receiver, and there were questions regarding his coachability and attitude that only sit-down interviews will be able to dispel. He isn't really fast enough to be a home-run threat, but he has good, quick feet and nice vision. Not as many cutback runs as you would like in an evaluation for the Broncos, and overall not a lot of tape to watch period, as a one-year starter, but it is easy to like what you see. I think the Broncos will be hoping he slips a bit before they need to make a decision about him.
Around MHR:
From "Tales: The Journey of Shonn Greene":
Speaking of numbers, in 2008 Shonn Greene rushed for 1850 yards on 307 attempts with 20 TDs. That’s not bad for a fellow who only had 69 rushes for 378 yards when the season began. It was a single season record at Iowa and earned Greene the Doak Walker Award.
What are his chances in the draft? Currently, some are projecting him as a low first rounder. Without a masterful showing at the combine, that seems unlikely. Not a lot of teams are looking for their featured rusher this year and Greene has a few things that should make scouts leery. He rarely caught a pass (11 receptions) so his hands are still suspect. His speed isn’t blazing – he’s been timed between 4.48 and 4.67, for a 4.58 average.
From "Scouting HBs":
Shonn Greene had 1,729 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. Greene wasn’t used as a pass catcher at Iowa but that part of his game could improve at the NFL level in the right system. Through the first eight games in 2008, Greene had at least 100 yards in every single game, including a 217-yard, four-touchdown performance against Wisconsin.
Around SBNation:
From "Running Back Success Rates: Shonn Greene" at Roll Bama Roll:
Putting all of this together, we can get a picture of a boom or bust type of back. Obviously you want a back that can bust off big, game changing runs, but if you're going to be a feature back like Greene was for Iowa, breaking the big runs on 1st down while failing to consistently move the chains on 3rd and short isn't really what you want
From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:
Greene started just one season at Iowa and it was an impressive one. He finished second nationally with 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns. Won the Doak Walker Award as a junior. Sat out a year of football in 2007 and attended prep school for a year following high school. Greene is a powerfully built back with good vision and quickness. He doesn't have great speed, however, and may be best in a rotation with a speed back.
Highlights:
More highlights here and here.
Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:
- There are fewer teams than usual that are in desperate need for a running back, which would normally hurt his stock. This year however, there are very few elite running back prospects, which keeps Greene a first day prospect. Another plus in his favor is the low amount of wear and tear on his body. Greene has only been asked to carry the load for his team for one season, meaning his legs are likely fresher than some of the other backs in this year's draft. [see more...]
- A tough, blue-collar type of back who makes his living between the tackles. Runs with a good pad level and displays impressive power and lateral mobility for a man his size. Consistently finishes runs through the hole and is a bear to bring down in the open field. A two-stepper who gets to top speed quickly and has the ability to accelerate into space. [see more...]
- A natural runner who has excellent instincts. When given the chance, he has very good hands and doesn’t seem like he’s fighting the ball. A very good athlete. Knows where to go on the football field and seems to understand his assignments. Is a little short but is very well built. Is a powerful runner that uses his lack of height to get low on defenders and uses his strength to run over them. This was his only year of being the full time back. He didn’t miss any games and played through minor injuries. Is a tough runner who likes the ball in his hands. Does a good job of securing it when he delivers a blow to the defenders. [see more...]
- Spent a year getting his grades in order at Milford Academy (NY) prep school before joining the Hawkeyes...Saw limited action in a reserve role in 2005 and 2006...Was academically ineligible in 2007 and spent a year unloading trucks at a furniture store for $8 an hour while attending classes at Kirkwood Community College...Was the nation's second leading rusher in 2008 and ran for at least 100 yards in every game...Won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back and earned numerous All-American honors in 2008...Also named 1st Team All-Big Ten and was the conferences Offensive Player of the Year...Missed time with shoulder and knee injuries early in his career and also has a long history of ankle issues...Will be a 24-year-old rookie...Came out of nowhere as a junior and really improved his draft stock...A classic North / South runner but is a little overrated and not quite the pro prospect his press clippings would lead you to believe...A two-down type in the NFL who is similar in some ways to a Tony Hunt. [see more...]
- While a potential first round pick, Green is much more likely to be one of the first picks of the second round. His best bet for a first round selection is the Cardinals at #31. More likely he ends up in Cleveland at #36 or in Cincinnati at #38. Green is the perfect cold weather runner and would be a great replacement for Jamal Lewis in Cleveland or Rudi Johnson in Cincinnati as the Bengals did not adequately replace him last year. The Hawkeyes utilized a zone blocking scheme, similar to the Denver Broncos used while under Shannahan, Green is a master of the cut back and fits beautifully in that scheme. Whoever drafts him is getting a potential franchise back. [see more...]