Draft Profile - Jeff Faine

[crizpynutz]

Jeff Faine
C, Notre Dame

Run blocking: Is a scrappy blocker with a strong upper body. Plays with good leverage. Shuffles well laterally, takes solid angles to blocks and does an excellent job of getting in position. Is at his best when uncovered by a nose tackle. Shows the quickness to help guards, the mobility to reach linebackers and the balance to hit moving targets. Was efficient against nose tackles in college because of good leverage and tough attitude. Will have some trouble with massive NFL nose tackles. Grade: 8.4

Pass blocking: Is extremely efficient in this area. Doesn't have great mobility, but is quick and rarely takes a false step. Gets set quickly, and moves well laterally. Maintains balance, and mirrors and slides well with pass rushers. Shows excellent blitz- and stunt-recognition skills. Has a great feel for the passing game. Might struggle to combat some bull-rush moves, but plays with enough leverage and is strong enough in the upper body to hold his ground. Grade: 8.2

Initial quickness: This is what separates him from other center prospects. Shows a quick burst after the snap while maintaining good leverage in the running game. Also gets set quickly in pass protection, which helps him to get in position to help guards or pick up the blitz. Rarely gets beat by quick nose tackles. Grade: 8.3

Strength: Has a strong upper body. Shows good power with "punch" and uses hands to maintain separation. Has good initial pop. Shows good technique, and plays with leverage. Lacks ideal lower-body strength, however, and cannot afford to get caught off balance or playing too high. Grade: 7.7

Mobility: Has more quickness than pure athleticism. Shuffles well laterally, can mirror and slide with pass rushers, shows good initial quickness and stays balanced in the open field and when picking up blitzes. Lacks great speed and is not an elite athlete. Will struggle to recover from a false step when going out to chip a linebacker. Grade: 7.8

Bottom line: Faine was a durable college player who started 36 consecutive games at center for Notre Dame. He has good intelligence, size, attitude and leadership ability. Faine isn't a great athlete and lacks ideal lower-body strength, but he is efficient because of his upper-body strength, consistent positioning and leverage. He is the top center on this year’s draft board and should be selected somewhere between the late first and early second round. He should be a solid NFL starter for many years.

Dan Pompei analysis
A smart, scrappy blocker in the Tim Ruddy mold. Has been very productive. Has average strength, but makes up for it with toughness. Has shown good athleticism. A hustler whose stock continues to rise.

[mojobeast4694]

What site do you gets these profiles off of?

[Raidahs7]

TSN, I subscribe to the same draft info.....But as far as I know, we don't need to worry about Faine....Robbins is back and working out at the facility.....looks like he'll be back

[crizpynutz]

Yup, like Raidahs said, TSN - it's a pay thing so I figured I'd sporadically post info they have about the draft.

[mojobeast4694]

If Faine is still there in the 2nd I say get him, I have 0 faith in Robbins, I don't care what his excuse is.

[Mr.Murder]

Have enough faith in BRobb to say wait until late 2 or early 3 for Faine, he can play 2 spots but we are hella deep at guard already, even though Mo Collins leaving seems to be foregone conclusion. Besides all three of Iowa's interior linemen have the look to go there, and all of Georgia's ol graduated also, we have plenty of people to add there, the Iowa players can be tackles as well even played TE their freshman years for our goalline set since Walker will probably start somewhere (left tackle or left guard).

[mojobeast4694]

Yeah only one of Iowas guards can play tackle. And not everyone on Georgia's offensive line is worth drafting, only Stinchcomb and Foster.