By Nolan Nawrocki
July 8, 2007

Following are scouting reports on the 11 players who’ve been declared eligible for the July 12 supplemental draft. The numbers in parentheses at the beginning of each report are the player’s height, weight and 40-time; an “E” indicates that all three figures are estimated.

DT Robert Armstrong, Morgan State, college jersey #91
(6-3½, 320, 5.2 E) — Also lettered in wrestling as a prep. Attended Fork Union Military Academy out of high school after signing with Virginia. Enrolled at Maryland following prep school and played in 12 games at defensive tackle as a true freshman in 2003, recording 12 tackles. Saw action in all 11 games in ’04, starting two, and amassed 15 tackles and 2½ tackles for loss. Missed the entire ’05 season after suffering a back injury and redshirted. Was ruled academically ineligible in ’06 and transferred to Morgan State, where he started 9-of-10 games in which he played in the fall, tallying 15-7 and five sacks, including one three-sack performance vs. Norfolk State. Very raw, inconsistent bull-rusher who shows some strength to hold the point but lacks the functional strength, active hands, flexibility and short-area burst to compete in the pros. Known to be lazy, plays lazy and will not be drafted.

DT Clifton Dickson, Florida State, #97
(6-3½, 310, 5.1 E) — Recorded 21 sacks as a senior in high school. Appeared in six games as a true freshman defensive tackle at FSU and registered four tackles. Played in all 12 games as a backup defensive tackle in ’05, starting five games due to injuries up front, and finished the season with 17 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2½ sacks. Declared academically ineligible for the ’05 season and took classes at Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College to try to regain eligibility. Was arrested after being tracked down by a police helicopter in a wooded area in January ’06 in Tallahassee for a robbery in progress and was charged with burglary of a dwelling and conveyance, grand theft and possession of marijuana. Very unreliable, undisciplined project who has not seen the field the past two years. Showed some quickness to penetrate as a sophomore and natural athletic ability. Character questions, spotty play history and lack of technique will vastly diminish his pro chances. Could have best chance as a nose tackle.

OT Jared Gaither, Maryland, #78
(6-83/4, 324, 5.13) — Played only one year of high school football while lettering all four years in basketball. Verbally committed to South Carolina to play basketball before choosing to play football in college. Attended Hargrave Military Academy in 2004, starting all nine games at right tackle. Enrolled at Maryland in ’05, appearing in all 11 games that fall and playing his way into the starting OLT spot for the final eight games. Did not allow a sack all year. Started 9-of-12 games in which he played in ’06 at right tackle, missing the season opener due to a suspension because of a violation of team rules and being relegated to backup duty when he was plagued with neck injuries. Set a Maryland O-line record in the spring of ’06 with a 36-inch vertical jump. Ruled academically ineligible for the ’07 season. Giant, long-armed, naturally athletic, raw technician who flashes recovery ability and second-level surge but has intelligence, maturity and character issues that will follow him wherever he goes. A team in need of an offensive lineman, which is willing to take a gamble on greatness and provide a stable learning environment, such as the Ravens, might take a chance on him on the second day. A converted defensive tackle and former hoops star, he has the natural size, foot quickness and athletic ability to play in the pros. He is only 21 years old and he has a lot of upside. However, with questions looming about his mental toughness, durability and passion for the game, he could struggle to make it.

CB-RS RoShawn Marshall, Central Missouri, #2
(5-9½, 200, 4.5 E) — Originally signed with South Florida out of high school. Attended College of the Canyons (Calif.) and then transferred to CMSU. Named a junior-college All-American in ’04, returning 38 punts for 434 yards (11.4-yard average) and added 24 tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions at the CB position. In ’05, returned two consecutive punts for touchdowns vs. Truman and ended the season with four punt-return TDs and an average of 19.7 yards on returns. Added 20 tackles from his CB spot. Signed by the Calgary Stampeders in the spring of ’05 and was on their practice squad briefly before being released. Short, squatty, more-quick-than-fast athlete whose best chance will come as a punt returner, where he has shown the short-area quickness and vision to be effective. Overaged.

WR Eric McCain, Glendale (Ariz.) Community College, #5
(6-4½, 200, 4.65 E) — Earned National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region honors as a true freshman in 2004. In ’05, appeared in all 10 games and caught 43 passes for 656 yards and 10 touchdowns (15.3-yard average). Could not land a scholarship out of community college and sat out in '06. Big, tall, lanky possession receiver who lacks burst and refined route-running skills. Creates mismatches in the red zone and can win some jumpballs but does not stand out in any other area.

SS-OLB Donta’ Moore, Connecticut, #21
(5-11½, 215, 4.6 E) — Played in six games on special teams as a true freshman in 2003, recording four tackles. Appeared in all 12 games, mostly as a reserve safety and on special teams, in’04, registering 12 tackles and one pass breakup. Arrested with three other teammates in May ’05 after a car window was shot out with a pellet gun. Charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm and was given two years’ probation and was granted accelerated rehabilitation. The incident got him suspended for the entire ’05 season. Returned in ’06, starting all 12 games at the strong-side “Husky” LB position and tallied 72 tackles, 11½ tackles for loss and three sacks with one interception. Broke his arm in the first half of the game vs. Navy and returned to play in the second half with a cast on it. Did not miss any time due to the injury. Was dismissed from the team for ’07 due to academic reasons. A hybrid safety/nickel linebacker who needs to be in the box to be effective in the pros. Is tough, productive and stands a chance to stick on a roster as a special-teams player. Could fit best in a Tampa-2 scheme.

CB-S Paul Oliver, Georgia, #8
(5-10 5/8, 195, 4.69) — Named Parade All-America first-team and USA Today All-USA second-team as a prep after compiling 125 tackles, 12 interceptions and four punt returns for touchdowns over his final two high school seasons. Redshirted in 2003. Appeared in all 12 games in ’04, notching nine tackles, one pass breakup and one interception. Started 2-of-13 games in ’05, in place of Indianapolis Colts’ 2006 second-round pick Tim Jennings and as a nickel defender against Florida, respectively, and finished with 28-5-3. Started all 13 games in ’06, posting 57-9-3, and helped limit Georgia Tech All-American and Detroit Lions 2007 second overall pick Calvin Johnson to two receptions for 13 yards. Was deemed academically ineligible for ’07. Billed as a cover-2 corner but lacks the instincts, toughness, and short-area burst desired in zone corners and the smarts desired in a safety. After he clocked in the low 4.6s on a rubber track with track shoes and a breeze at his back, scouts left his workout unimpressed, and it’s possible he will not be drafted at all. Could compete for a No. 4 or No. 5 CB job in a weak secondary.

OT-OG Chris Patrick, Nebraska, #54
(6-4¼, 306, 5.42) — Brother, Joe, started eight games on the offensive line for the University of Michigan in 2002. Chris played tight end, offensive tackle and defensive end as a prep, amassing over 190 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and four forced fumbles his final two seasons. Also lettered in track and basketball, averaging 12 points and 13 rebounds and totaling a school-record 275 career boards. Redshirted in ’03 as a defensive end. Converted to offensive tackle and appeared in one game in ’04. Started the final 2-of-12 games at left offensive tackle in ’05 as an injury replacement for Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas. In ’06, started 12-of-14 games, and he did play significantly against Missouri and Colorado in his two missed starts. Cited personal reasons, not academics, for entering the supplemental draft. Stiff, short-armed, narrow-based size prospect who needs to get his hands on opponents early to win battles. Does not show the bend or flexibility to create leverage, knock defenders off the ball or adjust in space. Lacks lower-body strength to anchor and the lateral quickness to handle speed. Developmental project who will struggle to make a team and to ever be more than a backup. May have best chance inside.

DT Brian Soi, Utah State, #54
(6-2½, 320, 5.1 E) — Recorded 26 sacks over his final two high school seasons and was highly recruited. Signed with Brigham Young in 2003 but spent the year at Hargrave Military Academy to address his academics. Transferred to Utah State and redshirted in ’04 with continued academic concerns. Started 9-of-11 games in ’05, compiling 31 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks. Did not return in ’06 due to academics and was to be ineligible for the ’07 season. Blessed with natural size, strength and athletic ability and looks the part. Has been very durable. Can dig a hole in the ground to stop the run and hold two gaps. Is tightly wound and relies too much on his upper-body strength. Needs to play in a simple scheme and be turned loose to be effective. If he ever figures it out, he could make a roster.

OT Aaron Turner, East Central (Okla.), #71
(6-5½, 340, 5.4 E) — Attended Cisco (Texas) Junior College in 2005. Transferred to East Central in ’06. Marginal size prospect from a program that does not produce NFL talent. Has struggled to control his weight, does not like to work and has underachieved.

DE-OLB Mark Washington, Texas State, #55
(6-2½, 250, 4.7 E) — Father, Mark, played defensive end at Colorado. Appeared in 8-of-12 games as a true freshman at Arizona State in 2003, securing seven tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Redshirted in ’04. Transferred to Texas State in ’06 and appeared in all 11 games at defensive end and defensive tackle, registering 29-7½-3½ and three pass breakups. Has played with his hand on the ground and lined up mostly as a three-technique last season but projects to rush linebacker in a 3-4 front in the pros. Shows some athletic ability and play speed but does not know how to use his hands or play off blocks. Mental and physical toughness are issues. Must show he loves the game and prove he is willing to pay the price to make it. Should warrant a chance as a free agent for a 3-4 front for a team such as the Chargers or 49ers.

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