Gästebuch » DeMarquis Gates - OG, Salesi Uhatafe

ILB Rob Kelley Jersey ,- Edge, Andrew Ankrah"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Looks Like Someone Has A Sixpack Of The MondaysDaily SlopRedskins Recapsthe AAFNew,13commentsILB, DeMarquis Gates - OG, Salesi Uhatafe - Edge, Andrew AnkrahEDTShareTweetShareShareA look at three of Washington’s signings from the AAFHappy Easter!With veteran free agency mostly in the rearview mirror, and the draft looming at the end of the week, I thought it might be a good time to look at some unusual 2019 off-season signings.In particular, I want to take a look at the first three players the Redskins signed from the Alliance of American Football following its recent sudden collapse. On (Good) Friday, a fourth former-AAF player was added to Washington’s roster: QB Josh Woodrum, but this article will focus on the offensive lineman and two defensive players signed earlier.We’ll come back and look at Josh Woodrum at a later date.Before getting to the profiles, though, I’d like to use some space to introduce you to James FitzGerald, who has kindly spent time looking at film of all three former Alliance players and writing a short analysis of each based on what he saw on that film.James, himself,is a former college player, high school coach, and an avid college football fan who has spent hours in the film room watching opponents and his own teams.His analytical skill will add depth to these profiles that I can’t supply on my own.Here is James, in his own words:And now, the profiles.DeMarquis Gates, LB, Memphis Express / Ole’ MissGates, a 6’2”, 230 pound linebacker who played college ball at Ole Miss and went undrafted in 2018, recorded 72 tackles and a single sack during his time in the AAF. Prior to that, Gates had spent just a short month with the Browns in the summer of 2018 before being cut.Gates started his AAF career off with a bang under the tutelage of head coach and Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary.While there’s no guarantee that Gates earns a roster spot for next season, as NBC Sports Washington’s Peter Hailey writes, the linebacker position should be filled with competition in 2019 as the middle of the defense is filled with question marks ahead of the draft.Let’s see what James FitzGerald had to say about him based on his film review:Film Watched: Memphis Express v. Birmingham Iron and v. ApollosDeMarquis Gates is fast off of the blitz. In the film I watched, the Express did not blitz him much, but when he did he made an impact by hurrying or hitting the quarterback. I am unsure why they did not blitz him more in those games. He is also good in coverage. Gates is able to cover the tight end or running back and had an almost pick and a few good pass deflections against the Apollos. Gates also doesn’t over commit. Gates sticks to his assignments and often finds himself in positon to make a play.Unfortunately, his game has a number of weaknesses. There were many times that Gates was in position to make a play and he wasn’t able to make it because of a lack of effort. That is the worst quality one could see in a player. There is a pure lack of urgency when he plays. He often gets blocked by opposing offensive lineman. Gates does not shake off blocks well, and when he is in position to make a play he is often pushed out of play by an opposing blocker. How would he fit with the Redskins?Gates would play inside linebacker with Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton, and Mason Foster. I think Gates has great aspects to his game, but his lack of effort and lack of ability to shake off blocks will get him cut before the regular season begins. Salesi Uhatafe, Guard, Salt Lake Stallions / Atlanta Falcons / Detroit Lions / Utah Information from Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com Draft Profile:Offensive guard Salesi Uhatafe Ziggy Hood Jersey , who most recently played for the Salt Lake Stallions, was a four-year starter for the Utah Utes following a redshirt freshman year, but Uhatafe hasn’t had much NFL experience. He went undrafted in 2018, and the Atlanta Falcons signed him as a free agent, but later cut him. He was also briefly on the Detroit Lions’ and Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squads, according to ProFootballTalk.At Utah, he played in 52 games and 38 starts. In 2017, after starting all 13 games at left guard, he was given a second-team All-Pac 12 selection by the league’s coaches. The Redskins need depth on the offensive line, so Uhatafe should be a welcome addition to this Redskins training camp roster.Here’s James FitzGerald’s analysis of Uhatafe’s film:Film Watched: Salt Lake Stallions v. San Diego Fleet and v. Orlando Apollos Uhatafe has good hands in pass protection. He punches quickly enough and with enough force to stop a pass rusher either from a defensive tackle or linebacker. He also has a great base in his pass set which allows him to block anyone who rushes against him. His greatest strength is blocking at the second level. He is able to work up past the initial double team with the center or tackle and move up to the linebacker very well. He makes the block on the linebacker and creates space and time for the running back to get past the second level of defenders, helping turn a 2-3 yard gain into a 6-8 yard gain. I also noticed that he gets down field during screen plays with a sense of urgency. It may be by design, but he is the first blocker downfield to make a block on a screen pass. He does this so urgently he got called for being an ineligible receiver down field against the Fleet on one screen play. His biggest weakness is his pad level in the running game. He plays with almost no bend in his knees. His pad level will get him bullied in the NFL. This point alone would make me hesitate to put him on an NFL field. He also plays with little aggression when run blocking on the first level. He seems to just be going through the motions at times. I don’t know if he is spending too much time thinking about his technique or assignment, but he needs to be more aggressive if he wants to play on a run-first team like the Redskins. How would he fit with the Redskins?Uhatafe would play guard on the left side, but he would not be a starter. If he were to make the 53 man roster he would be a depth player on the offensive line; however, I predict he will be cut by the Redskins. His pass protection and second level play are both intriguing, but his weakness in the run game (Pad level, and aggression level) are hard to coach. Andrew Ankrah, edge rusher, Orlando Apollos /James MadisonAssociated PressAnkrah is a local player from James Madison University. He was a part of JMU’s FCS national championship team in 2016, and was the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, putting up 45 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.At 6’3” and 244 pounds, Ankrah is a hard-working defensive end who projects to outside linebacker. More athletic than his computer numbers, he moves fluidly about the field and plays with proper pad level. Ankrah quickly changes direction, immediately alters his angle of attack and pursues laterally with decent speed. With good movement in every direction, he shows the ability to make plays in space and wraps up tackling.In eight games with the Apollos, Ankrah was eighth on the team in tackles with 14. He was also third on the team in sacks with three. The Apollos were the best team in the AAF, winning seven of their eight games before things started to go wrong with the league.Ankrah’s role in JMU’s FCS championship ad the “unofficial” championship of the Orlando Apollos indicates that he may be one of those guys with the intangibles that teams look for.You know the old saying: “All he does is win”.The Redskins may have found a local kid who is a diamond in the rough who can make the roster, adding depth and special teams play.Let’s see what James FitzGerald had to say after reviewing Ankrah’s film:Film Watched: Orlando v. Salt Lake and v. Memphis and V. Arizona Andrew Ankrah uses his length to create separation from the blocker to generate a chance with a pass rush move — and he has many pass rush moves. He utilizes a club that goes into a rip move, and he also utilizes a club into a swim. His quick hands and feet give him many weapons with which to beat a pass blocker. He was also responsible for outside contain on many plays, and he performs his duties well, though I wouldn’t describe this as a strength. Ankrah was beaten by a reach block a few times when he had contain, but he won more times than he lost. He is also able to find the ball from the back side, which is an important trait at his position, and takes great pursuit angles in order to track down the ball. On the down side, Ankrah struggles to shake blocks when defending the run. He is often over powered by the offensive tackle early and is unable to beat the block. In addition, his vision often leads him to be easily tricked by play action. Many times against Memphis Geron Christian Jersey , he over committed to the run when he had straight line toward the quarterback to make a sack. He needs to be able to read a play action and react accordingly. How would he fit with the Redskins?Ankrah would rotate edge duties with Ryan Anderson and a drafted edge rusher. Out of the three AAF players signed by the Redskins, I think Ankrah has the best chance to make the roster based on ability. He can be coached on his weaknesses and he his strengths are top notch at the AAF level. His ability may translate to the NFL level.Redskins Vs. Saints - Studs and Duds I think every Redskins fan knew this season was going to be a roller coaster ride; most just did not expect the massive swing of highs and lows. Well...this IS the Redskins.The Redskins suffered an absolute thrashing on Monday Night football in New Orleans, and I don’t think many were all that surprised. The night set up perfectly for the Saints. First, this was the game where Drew Brees was supposed to set the record for all-time passing yards - he did that in Grand Fashion! Second, the Skins never play well in Prime Time games - again, they didn’t. and Finally, Jay Gruden was coming off a bye week. He never has his team prepared, and yet again, it showed on Monday night....a recipe for disaster? Oh yeah!The silver lining? The NFC East is so bad right now, that it still remains open for the taking. Below are my Studs and Duds of the Game.Studs:Drew Brees - I hate that one of the most coveted records in the NFL was broken in prime time against the Redskins, but if anyone had to do it against us, I’m glad it was Drew Brees. He’s 100 percent class! Throughout his whole career, he’s done it the right way. I tip my hat to Drew. Congratulations. Now we move on. DaRon Payne - The rookie stood out on what was otherwise an abysmal defense. He recorded four tackles (three solo), a sack, forced fumble, two tackles for a loss and two quarterback hits. Ryan Kerrigan - Kerrigan recorded his first sack on the season. Hey, we need something positive to talk about...Dustin Hopkins - Hopkins made both his field goals - one was 53 yards that would have been good from 63 yards. Duds:Jay Gruden - I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the ultimate DUD award than our head coach. Yet again, coming off a bye week, and in prime time, Jay Gruden looked like Coach Klein going against Red Beaulieu...only this was REAL. What a massive coaching flop!Greg Manusky - STOP asking our linebackers to cover receivers! We know they can’t! Oh, and by the way, Manusky should have been the one walking Brees’ record breaking football to the president of the Hall of Fame wearing a pair of white gloves last night. He could have been followed closely by Josh Norman who could have been holding the laminated sheet. Alex Smith - I have never seen a quarterback look so uncomfortable throughout the game than Alex looked on Monday night. That interception - yes, the one where he could have had Mo Harris for a touchdown if he had thrown the ball the first time he looked there, was totally Bush League. I bet Alex wishes he was back in Kansas City under Andy Reid, and I bet the Chiefs are sitting at home laughing their asses off right now over that trade. There will be better days here for Alex. Monday night surely wasn’t one of them. Trent Williams/Morgan Moses - Williams just has a minor knee procedure, and Moses is still not 100 percent, but neither one of the bookends played well last night. Williams was abused by a rookie, and Moses had a tough time dealing with Cameron Jordan. Brandon Scherff - Scherff was certainly not the enforcer on Monday night. He seems a bit off with a new center playing next to him. Josh Norman - 16 million... for what? Maybe he should go be a judge on Dancing with the Stars. Fabian Moreau - We all knew Moreau was still a bit green, but Monday night showed us just how green he is. He was torched more than once by the Saints, and a long gain happened to be by a tight end.Greg Stroman - Wow, talk about a rookie getting burnt in prime time by the greatest passer in the history of the NFL. Ok, he can feel a little bit better about himself now that I said that, although it was a fellow rookie who torched him. Montae Nicholson - I’m sorry, but that personal foul penalty after the sack was inexcusable. Aside from that, he was absent in coverage most of the evening.