From Todd McShay's piece at ESPN.com (it's an Insider piece, but the Andre and nearly all of Ant Hill's verbiage is visible):
I highlighted the "academic issues" line because, as best I can recall, I don't remember Andre missing any games due to academic suspension. He had to prep before attending State, but in 2005 in his freshman season, he was a first team Academic All-ACC selection.
Odd.
In any event, here's what McShay had to say about Hill:
...and that's where it ends for us non-subscribers.
So it looks like Brown and Hill are going to both be second-day picks, which is about where you'd expect them to be. Great to hear both are impressing, though, and I can see both players sticking at the next level for the right teams. They're both hard workers and have good heads on their shoulders, and if history has proven any maxim to be true in the NFL it's that the smart, hard-working players are the ones that separate themselves apart from the rest of the pack.
North Carolina State RB Andre Brown has admittedly had durability and academic issues, but he's healthy now and shining in this environment. In fact, of all the South backs we saw Wednesday, he made the best impression. Brown is a decisive downhill runner who has good size, shows good burst to the hole and runs with enough forward body lean to pick up yards after contact. Although he's not the most elusive back, he catches the ball well and can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. We now think he has a chance to come off the board early on Day 2 of the draft, and that's noteworthy because he didn't put up great numbers in college.
I highlighted the "academic issues" line because, as best I can recall, I don't remember Andre missing any games due to academic suspension. He had to prep before attending State, but in 2005 in his freshman season, he was a first team Academic All-ACC selection.
Odd.
In any event, here's what McShay had to say about Hill:
The gulf in natural ability between [Southern Miss TE Shawn] Nelson and the other two tight ends on the South roster is vast. Still, NC State TE Anthony Hill has some developmental qualities and projects as a middle-round pick. The 6-5 254-pounder is the premier blocking tight end in the 2009 draft class, and every time we've seen him in one-on-one blocking drills this week he has won the battle. In addition, Hill is a big target who isn't afraid to throw weight around and has strong hands. As long as he is facing the quarterback, he can make the tough catch in traffic. On the other hand, he looks like a fish out of water trying to catch the ball on the run and/or over his shoulder. At one point, the tight ends were running seam routes against air; Hill didn't get his head turned in time to locate the ball, a...
...and that's where it ends for us non-subscribers.
So it looks like Brown and Hill are going to both be second-day picks, which is about where you'd expect them to be. Great to hear both are impressing, though, and I can see both players sticking at the next level for the right teams. They're both hard workers and have good heads on their shoulders, and if history has proven any maxim to be true in the NFL it's that the smart, hard-working players are the ones that separate themselves apart from the rest of the pack.
i think andre brown is going to be a steal for someone. he could really be one of those mid round RBs that turns into a top back.
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