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Good write up on Couplin

kdp80

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Dec 30, 2012
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This kid is a freakish athlete, if it translates, this kid could be one of the best undrafted players in recent memory.

http://thepenaltyflagblog.com/jerome-couplin-iii/

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The Penalty FlagWhat's Interesting in the NFL

Lions’ Martin Mayhew gets the prize: Jerome Couplin III

Posted by*T J Richmond

Everyone talks about steals in the draft, but*Detroit Lions*GM Martin Mayhew may have executed the ultimate post-draft theft when undrafted rookie free agent*Jerome Couplin III agreed to*join the team.* The safety out of William & Mary was flying well under the radar; so much so that the Lions were*one of*only a few*teams to speak with him, much less *have him in for a pre-draft visit.* Everyone assumed the visit was a smokescreen, since the Lions would surely opt for bigger name and bigger school talent.* But during the draft, the Lions wouldn’t pull the trigger on any of the big name safeties on the board, seemingly not even giving the slightest glance their way.* Fans were disgusted, but Mayhew pretty much knew he had Couplin after the draft if he wanted him, for even though the young man’s stock was rising, no one appeared to be showing any serious*interest in him except Detroit.

Mayhew and the coaching staff saw something in Couplin and immediately went after him as soon as the last pick was made official and the draft was closed.* What they saw is clearly apparent in highlight reels: *not just a bruising hitter but*a knockout hitter*that sets a physical tone early, excellent in run support with superior tackling ability*while displaying tremendous range.* Measurables that are*way up the charts when compared to the top 15 Combine*safeties in each category and excellent ball skills with a rare football instinct and ability to sniff out plays before the ball is snapped.* He definitely*has*the “riverboat gambler” mentality that*head coach*Jim Caldwell*said he wanted.* He is energetic, wants to learn*and provides*a clear*presence on the field.

There isn’t a whole lot of visible downside to this kid; every report about him says he is a good person with good attitude and a tremendous work ethic and motor.* One thing that might have scared other teams was the competition Couplin faced during college.* But football is football, be it at William & Mary or Michigan and Couplin’s ease and fluidity on the field make it apparent he would be comfortable on any team.* Other correctable issues are a reported difficulty playing with his back to the ball and a failure to trust what he sees.* Watching his film, good coaching will obviously correct those things.

Jerome Couplin III

His pro day numbers showed Mayhew at least, why a chance should be taken on him.* At six feet two inches and 215 pounds, he produced 18 bench press reps and unfolded a whopping 80 inch wingspan.** He then*showed off a stunning*41.5 inch vertical*which*bested the top Combine safety by a full 3.5 inches.* If that wasn’t enough he went outside into a 32 degree driving rain*and managed to turn in a 4.5 40 yard dash and then served up a*broad jump that, at 11 feet 2 inches,**bested any*safety at the Combine by over half a foot.* Couplin was never invited to any Senior All-Star “showcase”*games, nor did he receive a Combine invite.* Looking back on it, he probably should have.

Now, during OTA’s the small school safety with the grand nickname of “The Osprey” is busy on the field,*trying to give*the Detroit coaching staff reason to keep him around.* If he can*keep it up during training camp, I know some veteran safeties that would do well to keep watch over their shoulders.* And sooner or later with quality coaching, this kid will likely*make opposing wide receivers, tight ends and running backs keep their heads on swivels looking for him.* Then at that point, 31 teams are probably going to wonder how in the world *he slipped through the cracks and wound up in Detroit.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kyxmSWyUsxo
 
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Excited about this kid, but there has to be a reason why he wasn't drafted.
 
Excited about this kid, but there has to be a reason why he wasn't drafted.

Small school is probably a good reason. Don't know his production or injury history.

If he turns out like Fauria or Waddle, then awesome. But hopefully we aren't counting on him. The top 2 safeties would be injured for that to happen, maybe top 3.
 
Small school is probably a good reason. Don't know his production or injury history.

If he turns out like Fauria or Waddle, then awesome. But hopefully we aren't counting on him. The top 2 safeties would be injured for that to happen, maybe top 3.

I guy from Buffalo got drafted top 5... A guy from McGill University in Montreal got drafted in the fourth. I don't think you chalk up anyone who falls in the draft to "small school" anymore with the number of scouts and media sources.
 
be interesting to see if he can compete with CJ in jump ball drills, maybe use him in that type of game scenario. he has the physical attributes to defend the jump ball, see if he has the mental ability.
 
From what I read, special teams player at best . Can't play with his back to the ball. Zone safety. Lighting someone up while playing Delaware, Elon or Tolson is impressive however...
 
Most of those hits in the YouTube video are penalties in the NFL. It also makes me wonder why half the video is the same plays from different angles. Sounds like he has the measureables but is missing the intangibles. Hope he is the diamond in the rough though.
 
I live really close to William & Mary and one of the guys I used to work with was a four year starter and defensive captain for the team so I have gone to a few games and IMO Couplin has all the skills but needs a better scheme and to not be left out to dry so much. He gambles sometimes but with some NFL coaching this kid has the potential to be a beast.
 
I live really close to William & Mary and one of the guys I used to work with was a four year starter and defensive captain for the team so I have gone to a few games and IMO Couplin has all the skills but needs a better scheme and to not be left out to dry so much. He gambles sometimes but with some NFL coaching this kid has the potential to be a beast.

Right. You never know... Low risk, high reward. I'll crack up if he is the starter game one and no injuries. Our guys suck so bad at that position, would not surprise me.
 
Right. You never know... Low risk, high reward. I'll crack up if he is the starter game one and no injuries. Our guys suck so bad at that position, would not surprise me.

He won't start over Ihedabego (sp?) or Quin.
 
Right. You never know... Low risk, high reward. I'll crack up if he is the starter game one and no injuries. Our guys suck so bad at that position, would not surprise me.

If nothing else, he would bring some much needed athleticism to the position.
 
Saw that Couplin went to William and Mary and remembered the Lions had drafted Lou Creekmur from the same school. He was a Hall of Fame offensive tackle and guard from 1950-1959 for them.
 
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