Scouting report on Nate Ness

by dagraham on Sep 3, 2009 2:36 AM PDT

I tracked this down for those who want to learn a little about our new pickup, S Nate Ness. It's a mildly intriguing move, I think. More of a coverage guy than an in-the-box defender. He's got your usual Tim Ruskell attributes: defensive captain at Arizona, good locker room/character guy, perceived as a raw project player with upside. I suspect the team just wants to stock up on young safeties so that when they all get dumped on the market on Saturday, at least one clears waivers and makes it to the PS.

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I am not sure how you reached your conclusion he is not an "in the box guy."

I found this last night and was going to write something up about it, but was too tired to do it justice. Unfortunately I could not find any decent scouting reports on him, just this article.

Nate has vastly improved both his overall strength and his tackling form and ability through his tenure at Arizona. His focus on that aspect of his game has paid dividends in that, although he only made 2 picks his senior season, he more than doubled his number of tackles, going from 32 as a Jr to 75 as a Sr. He is more of a sure tackler than your typical Free Safety (cough, cough Reggie Nelson, cough), and could make the switch to SS easier than most. This versatility could add serious value to Nate’s draft stock.

Nate is 6’1" 190 lbs and is a devastating hitter for a FS. He is a self-professed “ball-hawk” who has solid hands. His numbers though his collegiate career showcase his ability to make the INT when given the opportunity. His ferocious tackling has enabled the defense to use him closer to the line of scrimmage to aid in run defense and blitzing.

19 Interceptions in JUCO, 10 returned for TDs

Of course much of that seemed to be hearsay, but you gave evidence that he was a guy that could and did play in the box, then said he was not that type of player.

by cashless on Sep 3, 2009 7:52 AM PDT reply actions

Didn't he play as a free safety?

He may be more flexible than your typical free safety (which is something the coaches are probably looking for), but he is probably more of a free safety than a strong safety.

Brett Favre is the Kenny Powers of football.

by ninjasocks on Sep 3, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Wow that sounds good...

And he already has fewer career botched plays than BRuss…
Lets start him!

by Strictnine on Sep 3, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Well,

I don’t disagree with you. But a couple things:

1. I was writing it at 2:30 in the morning on a break during an all-nighter and was going based on skimming through.
2. I was also going based on a deliberate decision to list Ness as a “S” rather than as a “FS.”

I would love it if he can do everything.

by dagraham on Sep 3, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions