<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=30>Prospect Profiles</TD><TD><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--//var dclkFeaturesponsor='http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/sponsorships.nfl.com/fs/'+vTag+';'+vTarget+';'+uID+';sz=150x30;tile=5;ord='+random+'?';if (switchDclk != 'off') { if (location.search.substring(1).indexOf('DCLK')>-1) document.write('<input type="text" value="'+dclkFeaturesponsor+'" style="width:150px">
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Weight: 229
40 Speed: 4.83*
</TD><TD class=bio width="50%">Position: Outside Linebacker
College: Oregon State
Final Grade: G 5.9 ST
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="50%">GM JR Scouting LLC </TD><TD align=right width="50%">Grading Scale/Key (http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/key) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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<TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>SUMMARY</TD></TR><TR class=copy><TD>Ellison was frustrating to grade because statistically he was a very productive linebacker who was involved in one play out of every 7.3 snaps, but he was not a consistently productive player. He was much less productive when blockers were able to get their hands on him. While he measures nearly 230 pounds, he looks much smaller on film and when he plays up high he really struggles vs. blockers. He is a versatile linebacker who is good rushing the passer, very smooth dropping into zone coverage, has the play speed and athleticism to cover well in man-to-man coverage and can make plays vs. the run from sideline to sideline. Overall, Ellison has all the physical tools to be a very productive starting linebacker if he becomes more consistent playing aggressively vs. blockers and bulks up to approximately 240 pounds. An added bonus is that while Ellison is a backup during his first season or two while he bulks up and learns to play more consistently, he will be able to make an impact as a cover man on special teams coverage.
</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE id=tbl cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD colSpan=6>CRITICAL FACTORS</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TD>Athletic Ability</TD><TD>Initial Quickness</TD><TD>Play Strength</TD><TD>Competes</TD><TD>Play Speed</TD><TD>Instincts</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6.5</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>5.5</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>6.5</TD><TD>6.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>STRONG POINTS</TD></TR><TR class=copy><TD>Ellison is a very good athlete with the quick feet, agility and flexibility to plays very well out in space when he bends his knees, plays over feet and stays under control. He is very quick and smooth dropping into zone coverage, reads the quarterback pass well, breaks and closes quickly and can make the hard hit right after the ball arrives to break up pass. He has good instincts, which combine with his quick feet so that he consistently reads and reacts to the play fast. On plays away he accelerates to full speed quickly, moves through traffic easily and has the playing speed to consistently chase plays down in pursuit. He is a very quick blitzer off the edge, can defeat the running back/tight end blocks easily and closes on the quarterback in a flash and makes hard hit. He has been a good coverage man on special teams at Oregon State.
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<TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>WEAKNESSES</TD></TR><TR class=copy><TD>Ellison is clearly an undersized linebacker and it hinders his ability to consistently make plays when he has to deal with blockers. Once a blocker locks up on him, he lacks the strength to shed and get free consistently. He has a tendency to lose focus at times and ends up playing high when chasing the play and ends up getting bounced around in traffic. He gets over-aggressive at times and it leads to him stopping feet and diving and lunging, which leads to him missing tackles. He bites on play action fakes at times and it allows the tight end to get behind him too easily.
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<TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>POSITIONAL FACTORS</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE id=tbl cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg10><TD>Grade</TD><TD>Category</TD><TD>Comments/Description</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.0</TD><TD>Read & React</TD><TD>Quick feet and instincts help him to consistently get started toward the ball quickly at the snap.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.0</TD><TD>Initial Quickness</TD><TD>He consistently gets moving quickly at the snap -- bursts off ball on blitzes and drops into zone fast.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>5.5</TD><TD>Play Strength</TD><TD>When he bends knees and plays aggressively, he can play stronger than his measured size.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>5.5</TD><TD>Tackling</TD><TD>Can be a very good and punishing tackler, but will leave feet, dives, lunges and misses tackles too often.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>5.5</TD><TD>Shed Blocker</TD><TD>Flashes quick, strong hands to take on and shed blocks well, but he does not shed consistently.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>5.5</TD><TD>Run at Him</TD><TD>When he is aggressive he defeats the block and makes tackles, but can be over-powered and ridden out of the play.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.0</TD><TD>Pursuit/Range</TD><TD>On plays away he accelerates to full speed fast, moves through traffic and makes plays chasing after ball in pursuit.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.5</TD><TD>Closing Burst</TD><TD>He has an explosive closing burst to finish plays when he gets close to the ball-carrier or quarterback.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.0</TD><TD>Zone Coverage</TD><TD>Drops off ball into zone quickly, reads the quarterback pass fast, closes quickly and makes hard hit after catch.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.0</TD><TD>M/M Coverage</TD><TD>Has hips, athleticism and play speed to cover tight ends/running backs in tight man-to-man.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.0</TD><TD>Pass Rush Ability</TD><TD>He has an explosive burst off the ball, can beat tight end/running back blocks and closes on the quarterback fast.</TD></TR><TR class=bg12><TD>6.0</TD><TD>Errors</TD><TD>No horrible mistakes, but does bite on play-action fakes and allows the tight end to get behind him.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>ATHLETIC ABILITY</TD><TD align=right>Section Grade: 6.5</TD></TR><TR class=copy><TD colSpan=2>Ellison is a very good athlete and that is what allowed him to be a productive linebacker at Oregon State. He has very quick feet, which combines with his instincts so he can get started quickly toward the ball. His quick feet gives him a burst off the ball when blitzing and he has the agility and hands to defeat the running back/tight end blocks easily. On runs away he accelerates to full speed quickly, has the playing speed to chase down plays in pursuit and has the explosive closing burst to finish plays consistently. He shows his athleticism in his ability to pop up off the ground very quickly when he gets cut to the ground. He has good natural flexibility to get low and take on lead blockers stronger than expected at the point of attack. His athleticism also really shows in his ability to drop very quickly and smoothly in zone coverage, reads the quarterback pass well and breaks and closes very quickly on the ball to make hard hit right after the ball arrives to break up the pass.
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE id=tbl cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Q.A.B.</TD><TD>Quick Feet</TD><TD>C.O.D.</TD><TD>Flexibility</TD><TD>Coordination</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6.5</TD><TD>6.5</TD><TD>6.5</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>6.5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>COMPETITIVENESS</TD><TD align=right>Section Grade: 6.0</TD></TR><TR class=copy><TD colSpan=2>Ellison's toughness is what has allowed him to be a productive linebacker despite being short and undersized. He has shown surprising toughness at times taking on lead blockers strong at the point of attack. While he has shown the ability to step up and make big plays in key situations, he has not done it consistently due to his inconsistent play vs. blockers. His overall production has been good, but it tends to vary between very good and barely adequate. He is undersized and struggles to make plays consistently when he has to take-on/defeat a blocker. When he does not use hands aggressively vs. blockers he gets tied up, ridden and eliminated from the play. He is a highly competitive chase player who consistently fights and competes from snap to whistle to make plays in pursuit. He has an explosive closing burst to finish plays. He is a team player who not only was one of the team's defensive leaders, but continued to excel as a coverage man on the punt and kickoff coverage units. While he is not always tough and aggressive vs. blockers, he always hustles and chases hard trying to make plays all over the field.
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE id=tbl cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Toughness</TD><TD>Clutch Play</TD><TD>Production</TD><TD>Consistency</TD><TD>Team Player</TD><TD>Pride/Quit</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6.0</TD><TD>5.5</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>5.5</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>6.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>MENTAL ALERTNESS</TD><TD align=right>Section Grade: 5.5</TD></TR><TR class=copy><TD colSpan=2>Ellison seems to be a smart player and it shows in his sharp pass drops, good use of hands vs. blockers and ability to bend his knees and explode up into ball carrier to make hard hits/tackles. His instincts help him to burst off the ball explosively as a blitzer and to get started toward the ball fast, which is why he is consistently around the ball. Ellison does not do a good job of maintaining his concentration during games and it shows up most in his inconsistent play vs. blockers and his tendency to stop feet, lunge and miss tackles that he should make.
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE id=tbl cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Learn/Retain</TD><TD>Instincts/Reactions</TD><TD>Concentration</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6.0</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>5.5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE id=section cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=label><TD>STRENGTH/EXPLOSION</TD><TD align=right>Section Grade: 5.5</TD></TR><TR class=copy><TD colSpan=2>Ellison is a shorter/thinner than ideal at under 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds -- he actually looks more like a safety than a linebacker. While he has been a durable linebacker at Oregon State, it's a concern that he is undersized and does not protect his legs from low/cut blocks, so he takes a lot of hits to his lower legs. Heis a naturally explosive linebacker who explodes off the ball when he blitzes and is an explosive hitter when he stays over feet and tackles with good technique. Despite being undersized, Ellison has shown the strength to stack the point of attack vs. lead blockers when he bends his knees and takes them on aggressively at the point of attack. The trouble is that too often he is not aggressive taking on blockers, stays upright and high and can be ridden out of the play way too easily.
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE id=tbl cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Body Type</TD><TD>Durability</TD><TD>Explosion</TD><TD>Play Strength</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>4.5</TD><TD>5.0</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD>5.5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>