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C, Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
At A Glance | |||||
Position 1: Center | Height: 6-3 | ||||
Position 2: Guard | Weight: 309 | ||||
Class: Senior | Age: | ||||
Projected Round: 3rd-4th | 40time: 5.24 |
Combine/Proday Results | |||||
Bench Reps: 23 | Vertical: 28 | ||||
20yd Split: 3.03 | Broad Jump: 9'3" | ||||
10yd Split: 1.69 | 20yd Shuttle: 5.04 | ||||
3 Cone Drill: 7.96 |
Pros: Good height and plays with a wider base than his weight may signal. Excellent burst after the snap
Cons: Could be more aware and help the quarterback as plays break down
Styg's Broncos Fit: A leader and a motivator, Caldwell is stronger than his measurables might indicate, getting most of his power from his lower body. Not the most effective player on the move, nor does he seem to possess other great prospects' feel for the pocket and protecting their QB, but he does handle line calls and pre-snap reads adequately. A stronger type of center that would be suitable for a power scheme, but to the degree that Denver continues with zone-block, should lose value.
Around MHR:
From "Quick Broncos Mock":
#79 - Antoine Caldwell, G/C, Alabama: The third round is a bit early to pick for depth, but there wasn't much value at positions of greater need and we really do need another quality, young interior lineman. Caldwell is versatile, experienced, a leader and should benefit from extended professional training before having to start.
Around SBNation:
From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:
A four-year starter at Alabaspma, Caldwell is quick off the snap. He uses that immediacy to get good leverage. He maintains it by keeping his hands active. Does a nice job of dropping his hips and holding up at the point of attack. Doesn't waste a motion while he's snapping the ball. Plays with a lot of intelligence and made all the line calls during his career.
From "Seahawks Mock Draft" at Field Gulls:
Whether Chris Spencer fully develops or not, the question for Seattle is how best to replace him. Spencer is a free agent in 2010, and should he show anything as a center in 2009, he will be paid too-damn-much in free agency and effectively price himself out of Seattle. Should he struggle in 2009, it's fair to say Seattle writes off the losses. Either way, Spencer's days in Seattle are numbered. Luckily, this is an excellent draft for centers, and a good talent like Caldwell could easily fall into the fourth. Caldwell is a powerful blocker that could play guard in a pinch. Caldwell is a punishing run blocker, but not the most agile in space. I'm interested in how Seattle will institute its zone blocking scheme. Caldwell isn't a classic zone blocking lineman, but neither is Ray Willis or Mansfield Wrotto. He is an excellent center for any team that plans on running a lot.
From "Know Your Tackles" at Field Gulls:
"He's one of the top character guys I have ever come across," Ian Rapoport said. "He's a team player, a dynamic individual." Neal McReady was also impressed. "He's a great leader with a great motor, the kind of guy you can build a team around."
He went on to add, "He's the kind of guy you want to curl up with on a cold wintry day when it's too frosty to ice skate.". Fine, I made the last quote up.
Highlights:
Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:
- Most of these workouts start in the film room. They tell you how to block a certain play and draw it up on the board. Then they'll erase it and have you draw it up. They want to see how much you retain.
Mine is a little more intensive than the ones they have for guards and tackles. I have to draw up receivers, defensive backs, everybody. They want you to call out if you've got two safeties deep and what they're going to do. It went good. I flew through it. I knew what to expect.
In college, it was more on the quarterback. If he saw a corner blitz or the safeties roll down, he'd point and re-set the offense. I've always been able to do it but it was always his call. But I've always been able to do it and that's going to help me at the next level. [see more...] - Antoine Caldwell #59 – Offensive Center –When Caldwell was a freshman, Alabama was struggling with injuries at the center position. Caldwell was placed in at center during the Cotton Bowl, and has kept the job ever since. The next season, Caldwell was voted offensive captain as a sophomore, so he’s developed a leadership quality from an early stage of his career. Caldwell is a tremendous chip blocker who can block a defensive lineman and quickly move to the second tier of the defense to hit a linebacker or safety. Caldwell has excellent footwork during pass blocking and can maintain his blocks very well. Caldwell maintains a low center of gravity which is excellent when he moves to the NFL level. [see more...]
- Caldwell is the anchor in the middle of an Alabama offensive line that has been arguably the biggest reason for the No. 1 Crimson Tide's success through nine games. Most recently against Tennessee he did not allow a sack, a pressure, or get penalized. The center has good size at 6'3'' and 300 pounds, but it is his foot speed that sets him apart. Caldwell's agility and lateral movement (not to mention that he has run under 5.0 in the 40-yard-dash) allow him to play anywhere on the line. He has bounced around from right guard to left guard and center throughout his career in Tuscaloosa and he is about as experienced as they come [see more...]
- Was a four-year starter in the SEC...Has started games at center, guard and tackle for the Crimson Tide...The first Alabama football player to earn his degree in under three years...Suspended four games in '07 for improper receipt of textbooks...Two-time captain and recipient of the team's Mal Moore Leadership Award...Best fit might come in a zone blocking scheme ... Could play either center or guard at the next level. [see more...]
- Caldwell was named offensive team captain in 2007. He was a member of the Rimington Award (nation's best center) Watch List and started the first five games at center. Injuries forced the staff to shift Caldwell to left offensive guard for the Houston clash and the following week, he started at right guard vs. Mississippi.
He was ruled ineligible for four midseason games, as he and several athletes were suspended for what school administrators called "a violation of institutional policy involving impermissible receipt of textbooks." When Caldwell returned to the field for the final two contests, he was shifted to right offensive tackle vs. Auburn before moving back to center for the Independence Bowl. Despite all the position shuffling, he graded 84.67 percent for blocking consistency, delivering eight touchdown-resulting blocks.
The 2008 season saw Caldwell garner the national attention that escaped him earlier in his career. The Rimington Award finalist earned All-American first-team recognition from The Sporting News and AFCA. He also received All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors. He started all 14 games at center, ranking second on the team with 92 knockdowns, as he finished with an 85.93 percent blocking consistency grade. [see more...]