2009 NFP Scouting Series: Louisville Cardinals

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

This summer, the National Football Post is breaking down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision(formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The Louisville Cardinals finished with a record of 1-6 in the Big East last season and once again seem to be short on NFL-caliber talent.

Offense

Joe Tronzo: No. 48, FB, 5-11, 248

Possesses good awareness as a lead blocker and finds his assignment quickly in the run game.

However, he looks stiff and rigid in the open field and gets too upright on contact. Consistently overextends into blocks and struggles breaking down in space when trying to hit a moving target. Displays good power in his upper body but isn’t much of a Velcro player and is shed instantly in space.

Looks much more comfortable when asked to block in a phone booth and showcases good natural power at the point of attack. Lowers his pad level into defenders and drives his legs well through the contact. However, he lacks the balance to consistently stay on his blocks.

Isn’t much of a factor in the pass game and struggles getting into his routes quickly. Rumbles down the field and is wound very tightly. Lacks fluidity and doesn’t possesses the ability to consistently adjust to the football.

Impression: A limited athlete who struggles getting into blocks and staying on defenders through contact. Is easily avoided in space and isn’t much of a factor in the pass game. Doesn’t have much to offer an NFL team.

Doug Beaumont: No. 27, WR, 5-9, 178

A small, slippery receiver who displays good short-area quickness but has a frail frame and can be manhandled off the line. Struggles fighting through any kind of press coverage and/or bump down the field and can be easily taken out of his routes. Is a feisty blocker, but is more of a nuisance than a factor in the run game and is eventually rag dolled out of plays.

Possesses a good first step off the snap and gets into his routes quickly when he has a free release. Does a nice job dropping his pad level and exhibits a good burst out of his breaks. Has the ability to run away from coverage and gets up to speed very quickly in the open field. Possesses a second gear to his game and demonstrates the deep speed to threaten defenders vertically.

However, he’s a sloppy route runner who has a tendency to chop his feet and slow down before his break. Is very impatient and doesn’t do a good job selling his routes as a receiver, consistently shows his routes prematurely.

Impression: An undersized target who displays some natural burst and explosion to his game but struggles fighting through coverage and isn’t a real polished route runner. Needs to mature physically over the next two seasons to have a shot at making an NFL roster.

Defense

Jon Dempsey: No. 38, ILB, 6-0, 241

A short, flexible athlete who aggressively attacks the action in front of him and possesses the range to play sideline to sideline. Does a nice job closing on the ball when working pursuit and uses his short-area quickness to slip would-be blockers in space.

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