TE, James Casey, Rice

TE, James Casey, Rice

Pros:   Unique all-around athlete capable of contributing in various ways at the next level. Instinctive football player who simply makes plays. Good playing speed, though his actual 40 time is questionable. Good initial burst off the line of scrimmage. Good agility to make defenders miss in the open field. Good toughness. Willing to absorb the hit to gain positive yardage, but more often dishes out punishment. Natural hands for the reception. Good hand-eye coordination. Secure ball-carrier. Mature athlete with professional experience due to his baseball career.

Cons:    Lacks a true role and will be drafted based on athletic potential. Though many scouts view him as a potential tight end prospect, Casey has limited experience in this role and virtually none as a traditional blocker out of the three-point stance. Only two years of D-I experience and operated in a spread system perfectly tailored to his unique skill set. Due to his time playing baseball is older than most rookies (will turn 25 in September).

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• Sometimes, the memories are excruciating for Rice tight end James Casey, but other times, they are exhilarating.
  
  They are the memories of his mother, Susan Casey, who supported him and encouraged him and became his biggest fan before she died in a residential fire during his sophomore year at Azle High School.
  
  “I think she’d be very proud of how I’ve handled myself and what I’ve accomplished so far,” Casey said during a break in the NFL scouting combine. “A lot of what I do is for my mother. It’s something that motivates me every day and gives me the inner (strength) and drive that I have.”  [see more...]
• Rice football coach David Bailiff watched closely as James Casey threw passes during the team’s pro day Thursday.
  
  With a total of 35 NFL scouts littering the field at Rice Stadium, Casey launched one pass after another toward his targets downfield. It was Casey’s idea to throw, showcasing yet another of his talents. And scouts kept a watchful eye, realizing just why Bailiff had hoped Casey would return to Rice for one more season and become the Owls’ starting quarterback.
  
  “He threw the ball pretty well,” said C.O. Brocato, Tennessee Titans national coordinator of college scouting. “He threw the long ball down the road. That isn’t any problem.
  
  “I thought he was just what he was. Runs good routes, catches the ball, nothing fancy. Just plays football. And that’s what I like — football players.”  [see more...]
• Casey is a huge risk for teams because he’s so raw. His pass catching skills are elite, but can he convert to a pro style offense? He will be overdrafted because of his athleticism and upside. Teams who run spread style offenses could utilize him as a receiver in a variety of ways, which will be his best bet in the NFL. If he’s drafted by a pro style team, he will need intense work on blocking and route running.  [see more...]
• Was selected in the seventh round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Chicago White Sox...Pitched in the White Sox minor league system for three years but never made it above rookie ball and retired at the end of the 2006 season...Earned a number of Freshman All-American honors in 2007...Named 1st Team All-C-USA in 2008...Holds the Conference USA record for receptions in a season...Entered the draft after his sophomore season...Played seven different positions for the Owls (tight end, wide receiver, quarterback, defensive end, running back, fullback and safety) and also saw action on special teams as a punt returner...Earned Academic All American honors while carrying a 3.84 GPA with a triple major in Economics, Managerial Studies and Sport Management...Will turn 25-years-old early in the 2009 season...Intriguing prospect with a fantastic blend of physical tools, intangibles and enormous potential...One-dimensional pass catching  threat who should  be a prototypical H-Back  in the NFL.  [see more...]
• Casey is a good mid-level TE who will struggle to get beyond a ten yard radius. He does not make people miss. Despite his frame, Casey is a poor blocker who lacks the strength to be nothing more than an inconvenience to a defender. His level of competition is a concern as well as his age (he will be 24 soon -- spent four years playing minor league baseball) being another issue.  [see more...]
• Casey’s best attribute is his overall athleticism. Casey has the size (6-4, 245) to be a solid blocker and physical runner, while his combine numbers display the rest of the story. He finished Top 3 in the 40 yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and broad jump at the NFL Combine among tight ends. His hands, as well, are a strong attribute of his and he is a good “hand” catcher rather than a ball trapper, which commonly is the case for tight ends. He boasts a strong work ethic and a desire to be a better player, as indicated by his workout numbers, his fast rise to success on the field, and his desire to give football another shot as he was already in his early 20s.  [see more...]
• A natural football player who saw time at TE, RB, QB and WR in his two years at Rice. Was very productive over that time and showcases the ability to cleanly get in and out of his routes and separate on all levels. Is a legit 4.65 guy with the burst and acceleration to threaten NFL secondaries down the seam. Possesses good hands and toughness over the middle.  [see more...]
• At 6’4”, 235lbs, Casey has the length, long arms and the burst to be a match up nightmare for linebackers and defensive backs.  Linebackers will have a difficult time keeping up with him as he’s a better athlete than most LB, while defensive backs will struggle to cover him because of the size difference and Casey’s leaping ability.  An innovative offensive coordinator could turn him into one of the NFL’s most dangerous weapons.  His experience as a receiver and QB gives him a good understanding of route running and he’s very good in this regard.  As evidenced by his 157 career catches, Casey also possesses excellent, reliable hands and he’s not afraid to take or give a licking to make a catch.  Rice’s spread offense inflated his statistics, but Casey is instinctive and just makes plays no matter where you put him on the field, or even which side of the ball he may be playing.  It’s not hard to imagine Casey being a stand out linebacker.  [see more...]