Texas Tech Thursday Morning Notes - Congratulations to Ashley Edition

by Seth C on Apr 24, 2008 6:42 AM CDT in Football

Double-T Nation News:

I've got a few things to clean up here. First, I never officially congratulated the newest Masked Rider, Ashley Hartzog. Thus, DTN welcomes Ashley. Congratulations! I'll blame my lack of a prior congratulations to Ashley on my focus being on the Red-Black Scrimmage, but I know that it was really my subconscious not wanting to let go.

Texas Tech Football:

Also from DT! is something I was going to comment on, but Bond beat me to it, the increasing influence that scouting services such as Scout and Rivals have over recruiting.

The only guy who is expected to be drafted in this weekend's NFL Draft is senior Danny Amendola. I thought I'd save you the trouble and link to what the scouts are saying about Amendola.

Here's the NFL.com's scouting report:

Positives: Good short-area quickness. ... Catches balls with his hands in most instances. ... Able to quickly stop and get out of his route, often leaving his corner reeling backwards as he makes the catch on a square-in or similar pattern. ... Tightropes the sidelines when necessary. ... Excelled in Tech's offense as a slot receiver finding holes in zones, where he'll likely make his money in the NFL. ... Solid punt returner with good hands and limits mental errors.

Negatives: Looks more like a kicker than a receiver with a thin build, short arms and small hands. ... Can lose concentration over the middle if in the presence of physical safeties. ... Won't worry many corners or safeties with his blocking, although he gives good effort. ... Lacks the upper body strength to sustain those blocks or get off press coverage. ... Is not explosive with the ball in his hands, getting a quick burst but lacking a second gear after the reception or on punt returns.

SI's draft analysis has this on Amendola and is predicting the 5th round:

POSITIVES: Reliable slot receiver who plays with terrific quickness. Fluid releasing off the line, quick to top speed, and shows sharpness running routes. Gets separation from opponents. Possesses top football instincts, extends his hands, and makes the tough reception in a crowd. Uses his frame to protect the pass, displays good eye/hand coordination, and a fearless receiver who lays out for the tough catch. Works hard running after the reception and impacts the game returning punts.

NEGATIVES: Undersized and loses out to large defenders. More quick than fast and lacks the second gear.

ANALYSIS: Amendola is a consistent pass-catcher with potential as a slot receiver and a punt returner at the next level.

NFL Draft Scout has all of the numbers on Amendola, including 40 time and his combine results.

The FSWT's Jimmy Burch thinks that Amendola may be drafted in one of the latter rounds or a free agent.

And I've posted this before, but a pretty good highlight video of Amendola:

As well as the Draftguys profile on Danny Amendola:

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Comments

Birthday wishes

Good day to congratulate Ashley, as today is also her 22nd birthday. Happy Birthday to the Masked Rider!

by djollie111 on Apr 24, 2008 8:39 AM CDT 0 recs

Happy Birthday Ashley!

I had no idea, I'm going to consider this fate.

Go Raiders . . .

by Seth C on Apr 24, 2008 8:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Danny

My wife and I attended this last season's OU game and on our flight back to Dallas, we were talking about Amendola and how we both hope he gets his shot at the NFL. As we were getting our stuff together to leave the plane, the lady in the row in front of us was beaming. She was happy to hear strangers talking about her nephew going to the NFL. We talked to her for a little while as she was heading home to Boston.

She had come down to watch his final home game...the great thing is she said while he does read the papers and the internet, he doesn't get down when people talk about his lack size/speed. He does what he can to use it to motivate and concentrate during the game. She mentioned that all of his success at Tech, and the fact he is genuinely kind and has a great family, has turned a small section of Massachusetts into very large Tech fans over the last four years.

Here's to you, Danny. You've already made a bunch of Red Raiders proud.

by Tech92 on Apr 24, 2008 12:41 PM CDT 0 recs

I'm hoping and very

optimistic that Danny will get drafted. Good guys deserve to get rewarded every once in a while. I've got a good feeling about his chances.

Go Raiders . . .

by Seth C on Apr 24, 2008 8:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

I do believe that Danny

should get drafted.....probably in a later round, but I don't know if it will happen. I feel really good about his chances to get a free agent deal regardless of whether he actually gets drafted or not. I feel very confident that Danny will make an NFL team and make some sort of impact just like Welker did. I wish him the best of luck!!

liquidsmoke

by liquidsmoke on Apr 24, 2008 8:52 PM CDT up 0 recs