BTSC Community Mock Draft Pick No. 56 -- New Orleans Saints Select Robert Sands, S, West Virginia

by Michael Bean on Apr 24, 2011 8:35 PM EDT in 2011 BTSC Community Mock Draft

Thanks WVPiratesfan for this selection and all the other participatory contributions to the site this offseason and over the years. Next up: the Seattle Seahawks, represented by Yours Truly. - Michael B. -

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There are two reasons why the highlight video for his sophomore year was called Predator 2 (music in this YouTube video is NSFW or small children), one he looks like the predator with those dreds and secondly he will turn off the light for a receiver. While he will be listed as a SS, he can play either. He has tremendous ball skills, five INT's as a sophomore and only one last year but teams tried to stay away from him as much as possible. Now lets talk about what really got him noticed, his run support. He was the best tackler on WVU's defense, better than the LBs and the DLs, his tackling is so good that teams want to covert him to a OLB.

Now how does he fit into the plans in NOLA? Simple, Darren Sharper can't play forever, and Roman Harper got outran by Sam Bradford in addition not being able to cover a sheet(see NFC Wild Card Playoffs against Seattle). Do the Saints have other needs yes, but Darren Sharper missed half of last season with various injuries and is old how old you ask, he was teammates with Mike Tomlin. Some will say that he isn't good in coverage, I say that is false. Watching just about WVU game while he was there I can say that he is good in coverage and is very decisive when it comes to going to the ball when it is in flight.

BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections:

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Guess you had the inside scoop on him

It will be interesting to see if he’s as good as you say he is. I never heard of him, but I was almost too busy traveling for work last fall to follow any sports like I would like to.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 24, 2011 8:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

He played the same position as Mundy did when he was at WVU in their 3-3-5 defense

but he is more athletic than Mundy is so that is a plus for him. It will take him a year or two to get fully intergrated into a NFL style defense but when he does he should be making plays all over the place.

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." Wes Westrum
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 24, 2011 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions

WV, what are your thoughts on Tavon Austin’s NFL chances? I got a chance to watch him play in person multiple times when in high school and the guy is a freak athlete. Reminds me so much of Percy Harvin with his abilities to run the ball, catch it and return it.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 25, 2011 12:44 AM EDT reply actions

Tavon isn't as fast as Noel Devine

but he is jack of all trades and a master of none much like Percy Harvin. The guy I’m really exicted to see in Holgerson’s offense is Stedman Bailey, to me it seems that he has the ability to be a number one at WVU and be a great slot guy in the NFL

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 25, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Any speculation by you he could be a Steeler pick in the 2nd round?

The Poster Formerly Known As Gimpsta7

by Michael Uhlhorn on Apr 25, 2011 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

I could see it

I mean we need some depth at both safety spots. Ryan Clark is starting to show the signs of his physical style of play as is Troy. Mundy should be able to develop into a good FS and Sands could turn into a good SS. He has the ability to both come up and stop the run and drop into coverage and make some plays.

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 25, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

I hadnt read anything about him, so I just wanted to defer to your expert opinion. Sounds like an interesting prospect to look at, especially if we take Dowling or on OL/DL in first round.

The Poster Formerly Known As Gimpsta7

by Michael Uhlhorn on Apr 26, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions