Will BA boss up and use him and give FWP another 1k + season?

Or will he just thrust FWP back into the throngs of angry defenses.

Great to see that FB and KR are being looked at right away. The other new guy is WR/KR Brandon Williams, a third-round pick in 2006 by SF who was a KR/PR his rookie season and put up decent stats: 16KR/380 (23.8) and 22PR/147 (7.0). Only problem was he fumbled too many and was cut during the season in 2007. St. Louis picked him up and he had 22 KR 508 (23.1) and 8 PR 66 (8.3), but again he had a fumble. He did not play for anyone this past season. Basically this is the exact same career path as Willie Reid, so no need to get overly excited about Williams (although he was considered a better prospect than Reid coming out of college). But with him and Logan already signed it looks like Colbert and Co. are turning over every rock to find someone who can do the job.

I think we should temper our expectations. Don’t expect this guy to be on the field. Remember, he hasn’t played a down in the league. He’s a converted LB, so you know he likes to hit, but there is alot more that he needs to be able to do.

This guy has played 1 game at FB, and that was college two years ago. I do like the fact it was at USC though, and they have a decent record when it comes to LB, maybe we have a Spencer Larson (Denver LB/FB) type guy who will most likely be a special teams ace.

Guys, here are two scouting reports by Footballsfuture.com on R. Powdrell and Stefan Logan for the 2007 draft. Enjoy.

Ryan Powdrell FB 6’ 255 USC
By: Robert Davis
Ryan Powdrell originally signed with Fresno St but was unable to gain admittance. At Saddleback College, he was a JuCo All American as a linebacker, and did spot duty as a fullback on offense. He moved on to USC as a linebacker, but moved to fullback this season as a senior. In his first start, he ran three times for nine yards, and broke out with 72 yards and a touchdown on four grabs. Unfortunately, his game and season ended prematurely when he broke his leg.

Powdrell has all the tools to make it as a fullback at the next level. He is a load, and has a squatty build. He plays with power, and is tough to handle as a blocker, or a runner in short yardage situations. Powdrell combines that bulkiness and strength with very good athleticism. He has the quickness and speed to make plays as a runner or receiver out of the backfield.

Experience is the biggest issue with Powdrell. He was a linebacker up until this year, and just needs more reps to fine tune his overall game. As of right now, he’s more of a playmaker than a devastating lead blocker, but he is continuing to improve as a blocker.

Powdrell has shown glimpses of being a standout blocker and threat with the ball in his hands as a fullback. He’s going to have to put in more work on his blocking skills, but his all around potential as a fullback, and the experience on defense that should make him a solid special teamer, should give him very good value for a team looking for a fullback. The leg injury did not give him the ability to further develop his offensive skills, so he may be looking at the free agent route, but he is a player that could definitely develop at the next level.

Stefan Logan RB 5’6 180 Sotuh Dakota 4.42
By: Robert Davis
Stefan Logan emerged as one of the college football’s biggest playmakers as a freshman in 2003. He was named 1st Team All NCC after rushing for 1,155 yards and five touchdowns on the year. As a sophomore he ran for 1,345 yards and three touchdowns, and hauled in 19 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. As a junior, he really exploded. Logan became a 3 time All NCC 1st Team selection, while earning various All America honors, while becoming USD’s all time leading rusher. On the year, he totaled 1,751 yards and 11 touchdowns, 26 catches for 428 yards and two touchdowns. He did not let up as a senior, rushing for 1,707 yards and nine touchdowns, and added 153 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. On special teams, he averaged 15.9 yards per punt return with one touchdown, and averaged 28.2 yards per kick return, with one taken back to the house. Logan is also a sprinter on the USD track team.

Logan is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. He has scored as a runner, receiver, punt returner and kick returner in college. He has excellent speed and quickness, and shows the ability to hit top gear very quickly. Once he gets a step on you, he is not going to be caught. He has developed into a quality receiver out of the backfield over his career as well. Logan has the talent to become an excellent 3rd down back and return specialist.

Logan simply lacks the size to be an every down back in the NFL. He is built well for a player his size, but has a very small frame overall. Playing at the DII level also causes questions about how well his talent will translate. One other issue is that Logan will be a 26 year old rookie next season.

Logan has the explosiveness to make it in the NFL, in a similar role to Darren Sproles or Dante Hall. He has the all around skills as a runner, receiver, and return man to provide a variety of roles a player of his size has to be capable of. His age and playing at a lower level of competition may keep Logan from being drafted, but he could be a player that makes a team out of training camp.

We need a blocking beast who is lower to the ground. McHugh and Speath were getting submarined by quicker shorter guys all year, and that’s why the short yardage game was terrible. This guy may be the big blocking back we must have.

Anybody out there not think we need better blocking on third and short?? Beuller?
Beuller????

And he could be a special teams beast as well. Sounds like a perfect wedge man on the kickoff teams….and certainly a wedge buster.

I’m delighted Colbert and Tomlin are addressing obvious needs right away!!!

I agree with Steelguy99, it is C. Davis’ job that is on the line. The team will probably not only need the FB to block, play special teams and catch the ball out of the backfield, they will probably need this back to be able to be effective on goal-line carries, too.

That is the area where Powdrell can really send Carey Davis packing. McHugh can be the lead blocker for Powdrell in some short-yardage situtations while also being a 3rd tight end. Remember, this team will only keep 4 RBs and 3 TE’s active on game day. So that translates to FWP, MM, Mendenhall, Powdrell or Davis, and the 3 TEs being Miller, Spaeth and McHugh.

By the way, do you think Tomlin can get Spaeth to learn how to block this offseason? His whiffs on the goal-line in the Super Bowl were embarrasing.

Thoughts?

Davis and McHugh are FA’s. I don’t think they will bring back Davis at any cost. I think his play and our TE/HB late round draft pick, will determine status a Powdell vs Russell fight off.

the one wild card with Davis is that he is a standout special teams player on the punt and kick coverage units. Not sure that will be enough to save him, but with Tomlin’s devotion to special teams it has to be considered. Also… BA loves the guy.