Back To Basics:Pet Cat Ahmad Black Edition

Ahmad Black is one of my favorite players in the upcoming NFL Draft. I did write about Black in my first pet cat post of the draft a few months back. I love Black for this team for multiple reasons, but one that stands out is that he is a leader. I cannot stress the importance of finding real leaders in this draft and free agency. Gerald Sensabaugh is not a leader and neither is Alan Ball. Well, Urban Meyer coached a leader at Florida, and Meyer leaned on Black to be the voice of the defense and secondary. On and off the field Black is a character, he has a great personality. Ahmad Black is a great young man and his intangibles are noticeable on and off the field.

I keep hearing about size, it seems to be a trait that people around the internet seem to bash players for. Well let me tell you, size is not everything and you should not overlook a player for his size from the get go. Black weighed in this week at the Senior Bowl at 5’8 and 183 pounds. Yes, he is a smaller guy, but he admitted this week that he is putting weight on in the training room, so expect him to be up to 190-195, as that is what Black’s goal appears to be. Now this kid is a playmaker, he is all over the field. He is so quick and fast that it really makes up for his lack of size. The crazy thing is he is durable, having never missed a game in the hardest conference in the nation, the SEC.

His whole college career Black played against the best competition in the SEC, and never missed a game. A player of his size plays like a player that is taller and heavier. Black is like this little bulldog, he never backs down and always brings his A game on game day. I had the great pleasure of watching Ahmad Black play football in 2009 and in 2010. His play in the championship game versus Oklahoma was one of the best games of his career. Really, I am asking you guys to look past this kid's size for a minute and read the rest of this post, because this kid has a high strung motor and makes so many plays in the secondary.

Let's take a look at the scouting report of Ahmad Black. He came back to school after his junior season to win another national championship, because as he said, the SEC Championship game loss to Alabama was very embarrassing. That right there shows why this kid is so dedicated to the game of football, he has that passion I think we need in a Cowboys uniform back in the secondary.

Black has the instincts that are needed to play safety. He is able to look back at the quarterback’s eyes and has good route running skills and anticipation. Has the agility and good speed also needed to achieve at safety. Can play cornerback and safety, so he is versatile. That is a trait that the scouts for the Dallas Cowboys look for right now and in recent drafts. In the past few recent drafts we have scouted versatile corners, and just last year we selected Akwasi Owusu Ansah and part of that selection was his versatility to play safety and cornerback. Black is also a good open field tackler and has the vision to read and react, making quick decisions which allow him to use his speed as an advantage.

He has rare man coverage skills for a safety because of his quick feet, balance, agility, speed, and that he was a cornerback in high school. Can be a match up problem one on one because of his size. He makes up for this because of his competitive fire and his good coverage skills.

Has a great back pedal, as he stays smooth and low into his back pedal. Has the fluid hips all good safeties need to succeed. His quick feet allow him to make sharp cuts and breaks. Very alert defender with good recognition when playing zone coverage. Known to read the eyes of the quarterback, and makes good breaks on the football because of it.

Has the straight line speed good safeties need. Has the late burst to close, especially when coming downhill. At times can be too aggressive, but again we need aggressive players here in Dallas. Tries to focus on timing his jump to make the interception, to make up for his lack of height. Has good timing and the leaping ability to make those plays. Has excellent hand-eye coordination to make a deflection or intercept the football.

Shows his physicality and toughness when taking on blocks. Squirts through blocks and finds ways to make a play. Is willing to come down into the box and be physical. Is a willing tackler that will deliver a pop, and is a great tackler in the open field. For his size really delivers some hard hits. Wraps up and makes the sure tackle on the opposing ball carrier. Is not afraid of bigger players and does not shy away from contact.

In his senior season, which was a tough one for Florida, Black stood out. His leadership and consistency stood out and Black was one of Florida’s best players. This is a kid who played against some great talents in the SEC. Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Alabama are all very talented teams. Black also played his best in his bowl games, coming up with big plays.

Black was very productive during his career at Florida. He was elected team captain in 2010. For his career at Florida he amassed 227 tackles and 13 interceptions 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. What really stands out on paper is the amount of tackles he had for the 2010 season, 109. 109 tackles in one season for a "small" guy is amazing.

I am telling you guys, look past the being small thing. Earl Thomas, was he too small? Earl Thomas had a great year and was a impact player for the Seahawks secondary.

Because you know what? I see a lot of Earl Thomas in Ahmad Black, very similar in size and their ability to play cornerback and safety. Currently Earl Thomas weighs in at 5’10 and 202 pounds, and I remember a lot of Cowboys fans wanting us to draft Earl Thomas, I loved Earl Thomas myself and wanted us to draft him. So to think Ahmad Black, who could be 5’9 200 pounds by the season, is there that much of a difference in the two?

Chia’s NFL Comparison: Earl Thomas

 He is a versatile player that can line up at either safety position. He can play cornerback and could really succeed there because of his coverage ability. I don’t know, but the kid just makes plays. When you watch him on tape he is flying all over the field. He has the ball hawking capability, but at the same time has the power to deliver the pop on a running back or receiver. I think Black is a 2nd round pick, and at 40th overall when we select that could be a real good investment to make. You can line him up back at safety, either FS or SS. You could throw him in the slot, or use him on the outside as a cornerback. He is just so versatile, and the Cowboys do love their versatile players. I really believe the Cowboys will take a long hard look on draft day because he fits their profile.

Thanks for all the positive comments and I appreciate the rec's guys. Check out the footage below of Ahmad Black in action. Special thanks to the makers of those video's, you can check out their youtube channel from the link.

Ahmad Black Career Highlights (via GatorBaitIn08)

 http://www.youtube.com/user/GatorBaitIn08

Ahmad Black vs. South Florida (2010) (via DocHoIidaze)

http://www.youtube.com/user/DocHoIidaze