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Jets claim CB Leon McFadden


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From NFL.com

 

 

Overview

Leon McFadden, Sr. played nine years of professional baseball as a pitcher, shortstop and outfielder, including 62 games at the latter two spots in three years with the Houston Astros from 1968 to 1970. Leon, Jr. possesses the athleticism to play any sport he wants, but chose to make hits on the gridiron rather than trying to compile (or prevent) them on the diamond.

 

He originally signed to play receiver for the Aztecs, but switched to defense before his true freshman season - a very wise move. McFadden played in 12 games that year, starting six of the teams first seven games before contributing off the bench for balance of the season (26 tackles, interception, sack, two blocked extra points). He earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in each of the next two seasons, starting every game, intercepting two passes each year and accumulating 10 tackles for loss and 27 pass breakups. His 17 passes defensed tied for 12th in the FBS in 2011. As a Senior, McFadden notched 61 tackles, 3 interceptions (2 of which he took in for a touchdown), and 12 passes defended. His play in 2012 earned him first-team All-Mountain West honors for the third year in a row.

 

Analysis

 

Strengths

 

Possesses quick feet and good speed. Fluid hips help him transition from pedal to close, also to adjust to out routes after opening up. Good awareness as a zone defender, jumps underneath routes but also keeps an eye on the quarterback and can adjust to make plays on receivers running behind him. Contains well on his side of the field, has the closing speed to track down runners before they reach the sideline. Displays the hands to snatch interceptions over his head and away from his body and fluidly transition into the return. Competitive in 50-50 situations, active hands make it tough on receivers to complete the catch. Possesses some thickness and cuts down backs in space with authority and is willing to stick a shoulder into an unsuspecting receiver. Adept special teams player on coverage and block units and has the hands and quickness to get a shot on punt returns.

 

Weaknesses

 

Struggles to always get a good jam at the line of scrimmage, which gives him some issues in recovery. His size gives him some issues against bigger, more physical wide receivers. A bit gun shy in handling blocks from lineman in the screen game. Doesn't wrap up, often times attempts the cut tacke, which wont always be effective against stronger, more elusive NFL ballcarriers.

 

NFL Comparison Brent Grimes

 

Bottom Line

 

McFaddens a tenacious three-time All-Mountain West selection possessing the strength, quickness, attitude, and ball skills required of NFL starters, even if his size is not ideal to handle the physicality of veteran wideouts. Many shorter corners who play with similar strength and temperament have succeeded at the next level, which will help him nail down top-75 grades from scouts.

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This is a good pickup. McFadden was one of the most notable cuts yesterday. He's a penalty machine but I do not think he's a bust at all. Not to mention he's already had a summer studying a defense like ours.

and he knows playbook (pettine uses same system we do) so he can step in ASAP

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No one yet, but it will probably be Lewis

i thought from the naked eye without going over pff or whatever stats that Lewis looked like our worst defender all preseason , Johnny Patrick looked way better but who knows
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From NFL.com

Overview

Leon McFadden, Sr. played nine years of professional baseball as a pitcher, shortstop and outfielder, including 62 games at the latter two spots in three years with the Houston Astros from 1968 to 1970. Leon, Jr. possesses the athleticism to play any sport he wants, but chose to make hits on the gridiron rather than trying to compile (or prevent) them on the diamond.

He originally signed to play receiver for the Aztecs, but switched to defense before his true freshman season - a very wise move. McFadden played in 12 games that year, starting six of the teams first seven games before contributing off the bench for balance of the season (26 tackles, interception, sack, two blocked extra points). He earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in each of the next two seasons, starting every game, intercepting two passes each year and accumulating 10 tackles for loss and 27 pass breakups. His 17 passes defensed tied for 12th in the FBS in 2011. As a Senior, McFadden notched 61 tackles, 3 interceptions (2 of which he took in for a touchdown), and 12 passes defended. His play in 2012 earned him first-team All-Mountain West honors for the third year in a row.

Analysis

Strengths

Possesses quick feet and good speed. Fluid hips help him transition from pedal to close, also to adjust to out routes after opening up. Good awareness as a zone defender, jumps underneath routes but also keeps an eye on the quarterback and can adjust to make plays on receivers running behind him. Contains well on his side of the field, has the closing speed to track down runners before they reach the sideline. Displays the hands to snatch interceptions over his head and away from his body and fluidly transition into the return. Competitive in 50-50 situations, active hands make it tough on receivers to complete the catch. Possesses some thickness and cuts down backs in space with authority and is willing to stick a shoulder into an unsuspecting receiver. Adept special teams player on coverage and block units and has the hands and quickness to get a shot on punt returns.

Weaknesses

Struggles to always get a good jam at the line of scrimmage, which gives him some issues in recovery. His size gives him some issues against bigger, more physical wide receivers. A bit gun shy in handling blocks from lineman in the screen game. Doesn't wrap up, often times attempts the cut tacke, which wont always be effective against stronger, more elusive NFL ballcarriers.

NFL Comparison Brent Grimes

Bottom Line

McFaddens a tenacious three-time All-Mountain West selection possessing the strength, quickness, attitude, and ball skills required of NFL starters, even if his size is not ideal to handle the physicality of veteran wideouts. Many shorter corners who play with similar strength and temperament have succeeded at the next level, which will help him nail down top-75 grades from scouts.

Lol, im sorry but if he was a diamond in the rough he wouldn't have been cut.

But its possible he's a awesome 2 but im not betting on it.

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Just to add for those questioning koves like this and why aren't we getting a starter from another team, what team would give up a starting CB?. Probably none. Starting caliber CBs don't grow on trees. If you want to complain about not getting one in the offseason OK, but getting someone like LM now is probably the best you can get. This is not to say Idzik isn't trying as I have read he has been burning up the phones the last months trying to trade for one. In fact my guess would be the reason why we kept NT Barnes is we have enough faith in his strong camp to let him be the backup NT and trade NT/DT Ellis who could be the slient trade bait for a possible starter at CB, but that is still a tough trade to make. 

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Lol, im sorry but if he was a diamond in the rough he wouldn't have been cut.

But its possible he's a awesome 2 but im not betting on it.

 

 

 

Just to add for those questioning koves like this and why aren't we getting a starter from another team, what team would give up a starting CB?. Probably none. Starting caliber CBs don't grow on trees. If you want to complain about not getting one in the offseason OK, but getting someone like LM now is probably the best you can get. This is not to say Idzik isn't trying as I have read he has been burning up the phones the last months trying to trade for one. In fact my guess would be the reason why we kept NT Barnes is we have enough faith in his strong camp to let him be the backup NT and trade NT/DT Ellis who could be the slient trade bait for a possible starter at CB, but that is still a tough trade to make. 

 

 

The Browns cut him because they're deep at corner after drafting Gilbert and Desir, they were going to have an odd man out, McFadden got flagged a lot this preseason so he was the fortunate one. He's certainly not awesome but he's not a bad player and for a team that is pretty desperate at the position this is a good find.

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