2009 NFL Draft Preview Magazine

TY2K Productions & Draft IQ, Inc. Presents

200 200 200 2009 99 9 NFL DRAFT PREVIEW NFL DRAFT PREVIEW NFL DRAFT PREVIEW NFL DRAFT PREVIEW

In This Issue:

Quality at the top 1

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Round Mock DraftThe Skinny on Gaps & Techniques Super SleepersOld = New in Today’s NFL 100+ Player Ratings

The Great Debates

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Barden: SmallSchool Sleeper?Stafford: Numberone overall?Kory Sheets: Couldbe a mid-round steal

Path to the Draft: Slim Pickings for Christmas this year

The economy isn’t the only thing hurting this year – the 2009 draft classseems to be a bit weaker than years past. Where 2008 saw quality well into thelater rounds, this year it’s slim at the top, and a bare cupboard in the later rounds.The tough economy has reached NFL owners, so if you thought draft prospectswere scrutinized before, you aint seen nothing yet! Top prospect MatthewStafford was even quizzed about his parents divorce in a pre-draft interview. Nowmore than ever teams want to be sure they are investing wisely.QB: As is par for the course, there are two guys at the top thatno one can seem to agree on. Georgia’s Matthew Stafford hasthree year’s experience as a starting QB in the tough SECconference. Mark Sanchez, on the other hand, has only started16 games at USC but may have more upside. There are a fewlate round sleepers such as Fresno State’s Tom Brandstater andCentral Washington’s Mike Reilly.RB: Several running backs will be helped by the continuing trend ofthe two-back system in the NFL. You have a handful of every-downbacks, such as Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno, OSU’s Chris Wells,Connecticut’s Donald Brown and Iowa’s Shonn Greene. After that,there are several backs who will make a nice compliment back, suchas Michigan State’s Javon Ringer and Purdue’s Kory Sheets.There’s something for every team in this year’s running back class.WR: This is how wacky the 2009 draft class is shaping up to be –Michael Crabtree is the unquestioned #1 rated wideout, but maynot be the first receiver drafted. Confused? Crabtree had minorankle surgery in March that prevented him from working out atthe NFL Combine or take part in any post-season workouts,including running a 40-yard dash. That has scared some teamsaway and Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin may go before Crabtree inthe top 10. There’s depth in this year’s class with OSU’s BrianRobiskie, UNC’s Hakeem Nicks, Rutgers’ Kenny Britt, as well assome wildcards such as Cal Poly’s Ramses Barden and PennState’s Derrick Williams.

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Unger: Head ofthe center class

Path to the Draft Cont.

OL: If you are looking for help on the offensive line, specificallytackle and center, this is the year for you. There are sixpotential first round tackle prospects in Jason Smith, AndreSmith, Michael Oher, Eugene Monroe, William Beatty and EbenBritton. The centers offer experience and versatility, headed upby Eric Wood, Max Unger and Alex Mack. There are someintriguing late-round tackle prospects, such as Ohio State’s AlexBoone and Illinois’ Xavier Fulton.LB: Much like the QB’s, if you want an impact linebacker, you’ll need to do it inthe first two rounds. Each has their own unique talents, such as the bruising ReyMaualuga, the intensity of James Laurinaitis, and the all-around play of AaronCurry. USC boasts three potential first rounders in Maualuga, Brian Cushing andClay Matthews.

Gaps, Schemes, Techniques…OGaps, Schemes, Techniques…OGaps, Schemes, Techniques…OGaps, Schemes, Techniques…Oh My!h My!h My!h My!Don’t worry, the coach is in!Don’t worry, the coach is in!Don’t worry, the coach is in!Don’t worry, the coach is in!

Unless you’ve played organized football or coach it, you may be a bit confusedwhen hearing the experts using terms like “2-gap player’ or “3-technique.” Haveno fear! We’re here to break it down for you.Gaps: Gaps refer to the potential holes each defender is assigned to fill. They arelabeled alphabetically “A” through “E” and start from the inside. The A gap is oneither side of the center. B gaps are between the guard and tackle. C gaps areoutside the tackles and between the tackle and tight end if one is on the line.Techniques: These don’t actually refer to a scheme, but rather where a defensivelineman will line up. They are labeled numerically from 1 to 7, and like gaps, startfrom the inside out. In a 0 technique, the defender lines up directly on top of thecenter. A 1 technique lines up between the center and guard, but closer to thecenter. A 2 technique also lines up between the center and guard, but closer tothe guard. The pattern continues as 3 and 4 techniques line up between guardand tackle, with 3 closer to the guard and 4 closer to the tackle. A 5 techniquelines up outside the tackle – these are typically pass rushing DE’s. On the strongside a 6 technique lines up between the tackle and tight end.

The numbers on top represent “techniques” whilethe letters represent gaps defenders must fill