FS prospect Patrick Chung: Worth a second rounder?

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Feb 26, 2009 11:37 PM EST

I think so. Btw thanks to Paulamalu for asking me to look up this guy, I had heard the buzz but up until recently hadn't really looked into it.

So, the interesting case of Patrick Chung. Chung, a senior entering this draft will only be 22 when he takes the field come September, and has already made a name for himself while starting all 4 years of his collegiate career for the Ducks.

Currently projected as a mid to late second rounder, Chung has all the talents of fitting right in as a Pittsburgh Steelers safety. Though he isn't large, at 5'11'', 212, he packs a menacing punch to those unlucky enough to get in his way. From what I have gathered, Chung is a phenomenal run support safety with excellent coverage skills. It doesn't take a genius to tell that when someone has 370 career tackles, that that someone may have a knack for wrapping up a ball carrier. Of course wrapping up is such a soft phrase. Chung has a reputation for laying devastating hits, and playing a physical style of coverage. In addition to all of this, Chung has the versatility to be moved around in the secondary and can double as a return man. Doesn't seem to have any known character issues.

The only negatives that seem to appear are that sometimes he overruns the ball carrier when trying to make a big play. He can sometimes be beat deep, and will draw pass interference penalties due to his hand-to-hand style coverage.

If Chung were to fall into our range in the second round, I think he'd be a great choice for the Steelers. Ryan Clark has played well the last few years, he's going on 30 years old. Chung would have time to develop and learn the playbook (as Polamalu did) until Clark's contract expires in a couple of years.

So now for the moment you've all been waiting for-Ladies and Gentlemen, Patrick Chung's Highlights:

A compilation of his highlights

Here's a pick 6

A punt return for a TD

A sack

A HUGE sack

Great Blocking on a INT return

Interview

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Comments

HSS

selected you for our mock draft.

also, if you could please at some point in the next week or so email me links to all your draft posts; as well as some others that others have written that you have found informative, id like to start consolidating them into one place. you’re just in high school and i know you started driving and all, but surely you have a few minutes, no!?! Much appreciated and you’re more than welcome to tell me to piss off. But it would be quite helpful cuz you’ve done quite a few of these now.

Thanks.

behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com

by Michael Bean on Feb 26, 2009 11:40 PM EST reply actions

yes sir

thanks for the selection, i have to say that’s a big honor. Of course I’ll do it. What’s funny is I thought you might want to put all my scout posts into one post. I was actually planning on doing at some point, but I’ll email you the links.

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Feb 27, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

Chung

Well, I certainly do not want Anthony Smith being Ryan Clark’s back-up anymore. I can’t stand the kid.

About Chung, I think this kid has what it takes to play Steeler football and be a potential backup to either Troy or Ryan in the near future. But that’s where I see a slight problem, I think he’s more a SS than a FS. Do you guys think he can switch over? Even if he does play FS, I want to see the hard hits but I want a little more focus on getting interceptions for him, which I know is not a huge strength that he has. Also the negatives about him that NFL.com states include “Attacks the line or underneath routes too quickly, leaving room for the deep ball behind him. … At his best facing the quarterback and running downhill toward the ball.” I’m not liking the sound of that too much. I’d rather have Troy doing the rushing and stopping the run and this guy making sure we don’t get beat deep if its like play-action or something. Still he “rarely allows the receiver to cross with the ball unscathed” and I’m really liking the sound of that. And boy do I like that punt return. And that killer block on a LINEMAN on the int return.

I like this kid but I think we should only pick him up we’ve already addressed some of our more immediate needs.

by paulamalu on Feb 27, 2009 12:39 AM EST reply actions

Wow

Nice find guys, these videos are great. I really like the way this kid hits. Reminds me a lot of the punishment we’ve seen Ryan Clark laying out of late. Adding that with what look to be some very solid ball skills, mix in a little kick returner and I like what he could do for us.

by BallsofSteel on Feb 27, 2009 4:58 AM EST reply actions

Hmmmm.

An Asian Pacific guy who grew up in California and Oregon. Who plays defensive back. Who flings himself like a missile, and sometimes overruns the ball carrier in the open field.

Doesn’t sound familiar now, does it?

Oh, and bi-racial heritage. Also. Part African-American, and part oriental.

Certainly wouldn’t feel at home with the Steelers, would he? Naaaaw.

Most important, he can flat out hit and play the game. Good choice. He’d love it in Pittsburgh, and Steeler Nation would love him. Of course, we gotta take care of the OL first.

by Homer J. on Feb 27, 2009 8:06 AM EST reply actions

Good Player, but Not Worth a 2nd Anymore

Not with the release of Simmons. I’d really like to have Chung, but the middle of our o-line now looks even worse than it did two days ago. We will HAVE to draft an interior lineman now. Strange, the FO rarely forces themselves to make a move.
Unfortunate, I’d really like to have another playmaking safety on the roster. I find it hard to believe that with the list of free agents in next years group that we will be able to resign Ryan Clark. I guess we’ll see.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 27, 2009 8:45 AM EST reply actions