Chargers bringing in Oliver for a look

[Chargeroo]

Pro Day Workout: Paul Oliver http://media.scout.com/media/jfd/102/premium.gif http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/43/431838.jpg

By Tony Pauline (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:location.href=%27http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=102&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22%27%20+%20escape%28%27Tony%20Pauline%27%2 9%20+%20%27%22&sssiteid=102%27;)

Posted Jun 20, 2007

For the second time in three days a prospect in next month's supplemental draft worked out for NFL decision makers. Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver hoped today's performance would jumpstart his NFL career. Here are some quick notes from the workout.

Twenty-seven teams were on hand at the workout as both league scouts and directors of college scouting lined the field.
Sources at the workout told us Oliver clocked between 4.50-to-4.58 seconds in the forty, depending on whose stopwatch you read. His vertical jump was 33.5 inches.
Oliver did stand out in the position drills, showing excellent defensive back techniques and superb hands, for which he was complimented.
Several teams including the Atlanta Falcons (http://falcons.scout.com/) and San Diego Chargers (http://chargers.scout.com/) will be bringing Oliver in over the next week for one-on-one interviews as well as physicals.
When we specifically asked if the New England Patriots (http://patriots.scout.com/) had shown any great amount of interest in Oliver, the answer was an emphatic "no."
Tomorrow afternoon we will update the teams Oliver is set to visit and get more reaction from his workout.

[BoltsfanNYC]

I would like to offer a 2nd for him.
WHY? he is atleast worth the 64 next year! :) and he will have a year in the NFL by next draft meaning he will be a lot better !
keep in mind Guys our 2nd is Like a 3rd! for a potential 1st rounder. and his contract would be very reasonable.

[Thunderstruck21]

i havent heard much about him. where do you thin he would go in the regular nfl draft? what are his pros and cons, and is he worth it?

[JoeMcRugby]

A 2nd would probably be good enough to land him - especially since the Chargers will probably have a couple of extra comp picks in next year's draft to compensate for the "loss" of a 2nd round pick.

It likely all depends on the interview: why he flunked out of Georgia and whether he has the character, work ethic and football smarts to make it in the NFL.

From John Clayton today:

Former Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver may not have wowed the 27 teams attending his workout Wednesday, but he may have done enough to earn the chance to be a reasonably high pick in the 2007 NFL supplemental draft on July 12.

Oliver ran in the 4.5 second range. While that might not be the 4.3 that would have locked him into the second or first round, he probably did well enough to make himself a solid third-round consideration.

Rated one of the top corners in the 2008 draft, Oliver had to leave Georgia early because of grades. He only had three weeks to train for this workout.

Oliver is a big cornerback who fits a Cover 2 scheme. He trimmed his weight from 208 pounds to 195 pounds. He has good ball skills. With the number of teams attending, it's pretty apparent he is the name player in a supplemental draft that is starting to take shape.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2910983&name=clayton_john

[Thunderstruck21]

please excuse my lack of knowledge, but who are some of the more notable supplemental draftees?

[Chargeroo]

please excuse my lack of knowledge, but who are some of the more notable supplemental draftees? We got Jamal Williams in the Supplemental Draft.

I think this kid will be a real good CB in the NFL. I hope we land him.

[SJSUPhil]

Our DB's have been problematic for a long time now. I hope Oliver can make a difference? That's the weakest part of our team. And if we can fill those holes...then LOOK OUT!!!

John Clayton is my favorite NFL writer and is usually correct. :Football:

[Thunderstruck21]

if we do get him, that should fill the hole florence will leave

[chargershark]

Could be a smart move to get this guy. Look at it this way:

Our offense this yr will put up big #s, which means opponents will end up passing against us a lot. That means we'll be playing nickel & dime a lot & our DBs will get a lot of work.

That means that our dime back will be important, & if one of our top 3 corners gets hurt, our back-up DBs become even more important. Other than our own stupidity (see last yr's playoff loss), injuries are the biggest obstacle on our path to the Super Bowl. So depth is crucial.

Plus, as someone already mentioned, Flo will probably be off to a fat contract elsewhere after this season. Oliver might be a great way to replace him at a reasonable cost.

I'll be eager to see if the Chargers make a move.

[Chargeroo]

All the teams have to tell the NFL office what draft choice they are willing to use for the guy. Then the NFL will award him to the team that offered the highest pick, so if the Chargers offered a first but some other team with a higher first offers their first too, then that team will get him and we'll never know if the Chargers even offered anything for him unless AJ tells one of the local writers - not likely. In other words, unless we get him we'll probably never really know if our front office was even interested in him.

[BoltsfanNYC]

I like the gamble. It is no science, but that said. Cromartie starts next year and this kid grooms like cromo, for next 2 years and then in 09 he starts with cromo and jammer goes to SS!

[DutchCheddar]

I don't know... maybe it's just me. But, I like players who are smart and if this guy can't maintain a minimum GPA, weeeeeeeeeeeeell...

[bolts4ever21]

I think our front office just makes it seem like they are interested, so that another team can offer something a little higher. I don't see us picking up someone in the secondary until next years draft.

[Charger Dave]

All the teams have to tell the NFL office what draft choice they are willing to use for the guy. Then the NFL will award him to the team that offered the highest pick, so if the Chargers offered a first but some other team with a higher first offers their first too, then that team will get him and we'll never know if the Chargers even offered anything for him unless AJ tells one of the local writers - not likely. In other words, unless we get him we'll probably never really know if our front office was even interested in him.The order in which they get to submit their picks is a kind of 3-tiered lottery system - of course the pick actually "spent" will be based upon season standings.... Your point earlier is spot on - if AJ, Buddy & Co. believe he is worth a 3rd round pick - we would essentially have to spend our (tail end of the) 2nd rounder to have any opportunity to get him.

How the Supplemental Draft Works (http://football.about.com/od/miscinformation/a/supplementdraft.htm)

The Supplemental Draft, held after the traditional NFL Draft and before each season begins, is designed to allow underclassmen --who did not petition the league for early entry before the NFL Draft deadline but find themselves ineligible for the upcoming college season-- a vehicle for entering the NFL.
The league uses a weighted three-step, semi-lottery system to determine the order of the supplemental draft as follows:
Teams with six wins or less participate in the first lottery for the top picks. The team that posted the worst record among that group is given a weighted advantage over the following team, with each team's "weight" being decreased on down the line until reaching the team with the best record in the group.
The second group consists of non-playoff teams and follows the same weighted system.
The third group consists of last season's 12 playoff teams and, again, follows the same lottery system.After the order is determined, each team submits to the league the name of the player(s) they are interested in, as well as the round they would like to choose them in. The team that submits the highest bid is awarded rights to the player. If more than one team bids a pick from the same round, the team with the highest pick in the round wins out.
If a team uses a pick in the Supplemental Draft, they must forfeit their choice in the corresponding round of the next years NFL Draft.

I believe the Chargers would have to have somebody like Buddy Nix jumping up and down saying "TAKE HIM" for the Bolts to even consider it... Remember he will have missed all of the mini-Camps/OTAs and walk right into the training camp environment ignorant of the system. Which is exactly why the organization is calling him in for an extended look. It would be a bit uncharacteristic of the Chargers to spend their 2nd round pick on a "supplemental" guy (and most turn out to be just guys) unless they feel there is REAL talent there to be developed. The question is - can we afford a roster spot for another "project"? We'll see. ;)

[LMoney]

Good Post. I was looking through the roster and its going to be real tough to get on the roster as it is. I could only cut it to 54 guys. I would like to pick him up though. We need another savvy corner, a guy that can create turnovers

[drangus]

I was looking at those 40 times and it sure doesn't seem like he would fit at corner for us, I mean, those are safety

type numbers, in a cover 2 scheme those times are fine, but not in our system and he lost a lot of weight to get

his speed up, IMO a 4.58 corner will not cut, now, if he is being looked at as a safety, that would change everything,

[drangus]

the guy is definitely big enough to play safety, we could use a safety with ball skills, if we get him with a second

round pick, it would be a waste to get him to play corner where he is not going to see much action for a couple of years

[sniptilla]

I was looking at those 40 times and it sure doesn't seem like he would fit at corner for us, I mean, those are safety

type numbers, in a cover 2 scheme those times are fine, but not in our system and he lost a lot of weight to get

his speed up, IMO a 4.58 corner will not cut, now, if he is being looked at as a safety, that would change everything,

I am with you, Safety sounds like the best position for him.

[Shamrock]

GBN report:

According to a report by Len Pasquarelli over at ESPN Georgia CB Paul Oliver did not have a very impressive outing when he worked out in front of over two dozen NFL scouts and personnel people prior to next month’s supplemental draft.

Oliver, who been listed at over 6 feet and almost 210 pounds by the school, actually measured in at just 5-10.5 and 195 pounds.

Worse for Oliver, he only ran in the mid-to-high 4.5 range for the 40, with at least one team reportedly timing in over 4.6 seconds. Oliver also didn’t score all that well in some of the other tests posting just a 33-inch vertical leap and a 3-cond drill time of over 7.3 seconds.

For the record, that time in the 3-cone drill would have been the second worst among CBs at this year’s scouting combine, while the vertical leap would also have been in the lower third of combine participants at the position.

Prior to the workout, Oliver had been graded in the second round area but that is likely to drop. Oliver had considered entering the regular 2007 draft as an underclassmen but ultimately opted to return to school, however, he was later declared academically ineligible for the upcoming season and applied for entry in the supplemental draft.

Any team that selects a player in the supplemental draft will forfeit its corresponding choice in the 2008 draft.

[nflphd]

From Great Blue North Draft Report, June 21
(12:01 AM): Dawgs’ CB has dog of a pre-draft workout… According to a report by Len Pasquarelli over at ESPN Georgia CB Paul Oliver did not have a very impressive outing when he worked out in front of over two dozen NFL scouts and personnel people prior to next month’s supplemental draft. Oliver, who been listed at over 6 feet and almost 210 pounds by the school, actually measured in at just 5-10.5 and 195 pounds. Worse for Oliver, he only ran in the mid-to-high 4.5 range for the 40, with at least one team reportedly timing in over 4.6 seconds. Oliver also didn’t score all that well in some of the other tests posting just a 33-inch vertical leap and a 3-cond drill time of over 7.3 seconds. For the record, that time in the 3-cone drill would have been the second worst among CBs at this year’s scouting combine, while the vertical leap would also have been in the lower third of combine participants at the position. Prior to the workout, Oliver had been graded in the second round area but that is likely to drop. Oliver had considered entering the regular 2007 draft as an underclassmen but ultimately opted to return to school, however, he was later declared academically ineligible for the upcoming season and applied for entry in the supplemental draft. Any team that selects a player in the supplemental draft will forfeit its corresponding choice in the 2008 draft.

[sniptilla]

Excellent post Shamrock!

[mm708]

the chargers don't have a 3rd to give up next year so this does not put them in the best situation to acquire oliver, does it?

[Merrimanjersey]

I don't even know what the supplemental draft is, what is it? And why wouldn't he get taken in the regular draft, why the need for a supplemental draft?

[JoeMcRugby]

I don't even know what the supplemental draft is, what is it? And why wouldn't he get taken in the regular draft, why the need for a supplemental draft?

Because he wasn't eligible for the April draft due to the fact that he didn't apply for it as being a junior.

He was planning to return for his senior season but flunked out of school. Thus, he's declared himself eligible for the supplemental draft instead of having to wait until next April.

BTW The Chargers obtained Jamal Williams in the 2nd round of the supplemental draft back in 1998 after he dropped out of school.

[darrenat0r]

With Drayton Florence more than likely leaving after the 2007 season, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see the Chargers ante up a second rounder for him. I personally would like to see it happen.

[BoltsfanNYC]

It makes total sense. And mark my words he will be starting in this league in less that 2 seasons.

[Chargeroo]

Excellent post Shamrock! Never encourage him. :)

[tokensd]

i say get him if he slips to the 4th round. 1st and 2nd round pics are to valuable with aj at the healm.

[JoeMcRugby]

i say get him if he slips to the 4th round. 1st and 2nd round pics are to valuable with aj at the healm.

You won't know if he "slips".

Teams submit their "bids" blindly before the supplemental draft starts.

Whoever submits the highest bid "wins". It's not like the regular draft.

That said, AJ could certainly submit a 4th round bid. If that ends up being the highest bid, the Chargers "win". If someone bids higher, no harm done.

[SuperBowlBolts]

the chargers don't have a 3rd to give up next year so this does not put them in the best situation to acquire oliver, does it?

we dont have a 3rd as of now. but we will get one for losing Donnie.

[bobbop]

Having already traded away next year's third, AJ must be weighing whether or not this guy is worth a #2.

[SuperBowlBolts]

Having already traded away next year's third, AJ must be weighing whether or not this guy is worth a #2.

I doubt hes going to give up a 2nd for the guy.

[BoltsfanNYC]

keep in mind our 2nd is a 3rd!

[FanSince1979]

Just in case anybody was wondering, the supplemental draft is on July 10th (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6452668).

Edit: Apparently Gil Brandt was either wrong about the date or it is an old article. July 12th it is.

[drangus]

I am with you, Safety sounds like the best position for him.

if the team sees him as a safety with ball skills they might role the dice on the guy, otherwise why bother bringing him in

he won't play corner in the NFL with those types of 40 times, unless he goes to a cover two team like the colts

[BoltsfanNYC]

he only practiced for 3 weeks... his 40 times are a little better.

[ChargersBoi]

He seems like a decent DB. I dont know about his 40 yard dash and vertical. Its looking a little weak there ,but thats why some players have potential.

[DiehardCharger]

i say get him if he slips to the 4th round. 1st and 2nd round pics are to valuable with aj at the healm.

actually...as savvy as A.J. is in the draft...any pick whether high or low round r valuable...he finds talent everywhere

[bobbop]

From North County Times

Smith confirmed that the Chargers have interest in Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver, who has applied for the July 12 NFL supplemental draft after recently becoming academically ineligible.

Oliver caught the attention of numerous teams after holding Georgia Tech star Calvin Johnson to two receptions for 13 yards last season. Johnson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Detroit Lions.

"He's a legitimate football player," Smith said. "I think he's the real deal, and we're studying him hard."

AJ IS serious!

[56lightsout56]

Just in case anybody was wondering, the supplemental draft is on July 10th (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6452668).

that article isnt from this year. its actually on July 12th

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/

additional article

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/news/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1182534007&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&

[sniptilla]

Given the reported 40yrd times, Paul Oliver looks to be one of those guys that you really need to go to game tape to get a good read on him. Timed speed may be misleading if on game tape he shows that he is faster than that. Remember Emerson Walls? Gil Byrd? Their timed speed was not great but they played great.

[BoltsfanNYC]

I am on the ledge saying this guy will be a player.

[DanDiegoDuck]

The North county Times article that was saying how Oliver impressed teams by holding CJ to 2 catches for 13 yards can be misleading due to the fact the QB at Georgia Tech also held him to similar stats SEVERAL times . Look at his catch highlights with all the acrobatics he performed to catch the ones he caught . I'm not saying I dont like Oliver , he's physical , and played in the SEC with and against very talented players , I hope they do get him , but anybody who actually watched Georgia Tech knows that Reggie Ball had the ability to make CJ more innefective than any CB might have been able to at times .

[TheKeyFactor]

The kid's got game. I wouldn't mind giving a 2nd for him.

He's supposed to go top 25 if he has a good season in Georgia. And I like CB's out of Georgia.

[56lightsout56]

The kid's got game. I wouldn't mind giving a 2nd for him.

He's supposed to go top 25 if he has a good season in Georgia. And I like CB's out of Georgia.

I agree better out of Georgia than Texas. Kid has potential and will be cheaper than D flo. with what he is expected to sign for in 2008 we'll end up with another 3rd round comp pick. its worth a shot

[JoeMcRugby]

According to new defensive back coach Bill Bradley, the Chargers have a "golden" CB out of Texas right now :) :
_______________________________________

Bradley loves Jammer, Rivers (http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/bohls/entries/2007/06/25/bradley_loves_j.html)

Quentin Jammer has at least one new supporter.

Bill Bradley, the former Longhorn star, is the San Diego Chargers new secondary coach and he raves about Jammer and his progress.

“Quentin’s as good as gold,” Bradley said Monday after the fifth annual NFL Alumni Golf Classic at The Hills of Lakeway. “His work habits are just super. We’re using some different tools, but he’s one of the best corner tacklers there is.”

Bradley also loves quarterback Philip Rivers, who in his first season as a starter, ranked fourth in the AFC in quarterback ratings and threw 22 touchdown passes with just nine interceptions.

“He’s got a very competitive spirit,” Bradley said. “He’s a pleasure to be around.”

Asked if his unorthodox motion reminds him of Green Bay’s Brett Favre, Bradley said, “I think he’s more mechanically sound than Brett. Brett’s still a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy.”

[Lucid]

According to new defensive back coach Bill Bradley, the Chargers have a "golden" CB out of Texas right now :) :
_______________________________________

Bradley loves Jammer, Rivers (http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/bohls/entries/2007/06/25/bradley_loves_j.html)

Quentin Jammer has at least one new supporter.

Bill Bradley, the former Longhorn star, is the San Diego Chargers new secondary coach and he raves about Jammer and his progress.

“Quentin’s as good as gold,” Bradley said Monday after the fifth annual NFL Alumni Golf Classic at The Hills of Lakeway. “His work habits are just super. We’re using some different tools, but he’s one of the best corner tacklers there is.”

Bradley also loves quarterback Philip Rivers, who in his first season as a starter, ranked fourth in the AFC in quarterback ratings and threw 22 touchdown passes with just nine interceptions.

“He’s got a very competitive spirit,” Bradley said. “He’s a pleasure to be around.”

Asked if his unorthodox motion reminds him of Green Bay’s Brett Favre, Bradley said, “I think he’s more mechanically sound than Brett. Brett’s still a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy.”

Sweet... but I need more! Damn this off season is lasting forever!!!

[Chargeroo]

Marty's gone and we heard something from an Assistant Coach! NICE!

[Boltbaby]

Does anyone have a link to some video on Oliver?

[Blue Bolt]

Supplemental Draft Update: Paul Oliver

http://media.Scout.com/Media/Image/43/431838.jpg
University of Georgia CB Paul Oliver

By TFY Draft Preview
Posted Jun 26, 2007

After his workout in front of NFL teams last week, defensive back Paul Oliver is starting to meet with franchises around the league. Here is the latest news on the supplemental draft's top prospect.

By most accounts, Oliver's workout did not live up to expectation. One source from the Minnesota Vikings said Oliver looked out of shape, which was not surprising. Oliver trained just three weeks for his pro-day as he worked hard to stay academically eligible for the '07 college season until the very end.

Besides the San Diego Chargers and Atlanta Falcons, the Kansas City Chiefs are also bringing Oliver in for a physical and interview. Additional teams are expected to schedule visits with Oliver after the July 4th holiday. Franchises have until July 12th, one day before the supplemental draft, to bring Oliver, or any other player eligible for the supplemental draft, to their facilities for a visit. As one league insider told us, if a team is bringing Oliver in at this point they are very serious about drafting him.

Measuring just under 5-feet-11-inches and 198 pounds last week, most teams are looking at Oliver as a cover-two cornerback while some squads will consider him at safety. His combination of ball skills and hands have intrigued a number of scouts.

[DanDiegoDuck]

chargeroo , is that Igor on your picture ? Being a Duck myself I would have to figure it is.... I'm all for getting help in the secondary at all times , so if we can get someone , preferably without selling the farm , lets do it . Still kinda wondering about middle LB myself , losing our top tackler and maybe the best cover LB in the game , plus Godfrey ..... I sure hope some of the new guys arent vastly inferior in comparison , or else Merriman might have to get 30 sacks to make up the difference . I guess if anyone can , its him though

[Da_Cha-gers]

From Yahoo Sports - dated June 22nd .....

Paul Oliver
Oliver held his own Pro Day on Wednesday, which was attended by numerous league scouts and talent evaluators. The All-SEC defender displayed very good footwork, quickness and ball skills, but failed to overwhelm evaluators with his 40-yard times (4.50 range) and vertical jump (33.5 vertical). However, he did shut down wide receiver Calvin Johnson, taken No. 2 overall by the Detroit Lions during the NFL draft in April, during the Bulldogs' win over Georgia Tech last season.

Oliver could have conceivably entered his senior campaign with a first-round grade. However, his early entry into the NFL because of his failure to keep up with his academics means that he'll likely be targeted by teams holding an extra third- or fourth-round pick in 2008 or franchises which were unable to secure a top-rated cornerback in the regular draft.

He had 57 tackles, three interceptions and showed ideal size (5-11, 195 pounds), while also being able to run stride for stride with most of the top SEC pass catchers. Oliver has long arms and shows the ability to time his leaps to keep taller receivers from gaining an advantage on him while the ball is in the air.

His game film would seem to show that he has better game speed than 40 times, which offers him the chance to help out in nickel and dime packages for the team that decides to add him through the draft. There are a number of teams that have private workouts set up with Oliver, including the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers, according to his agent Jason Chayut.

Link which also includes info on a few other guys:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-supplementaldraft062107&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Playing in the SEC - which is a very good division, he may have also had encounters with Dwayne Bowe and Craig "Buster" Davis - 2 other WR's taken in the 1st rd.

Go Chargers!
:Helmet:

[jackfrost]

We got Jamal Williams in the Supplemental Draft.

I think this kid will be a real good CB in the NFL. I hope we land him.



Nice thread Roo , and nice CALL , oh Knowledgable One.

Can't beat experience.

Got anymore Gems ?

[JoeMcRugby]

Nice thread Roo , and nice CALL , oh Knowledgable One.

Can't beat experience.

Got anymore Gems ?

Call him Nostra-roo-mus! :LightsOut:

[jackfrost]

Call him Nostra-roo-mus! :LightsOut:


You got that Right Joe...............the "Ol Fellow" certainly "knows his stuff".
Have a lot of respect for his opinions on this Forum.

By the way , Thank-You also , your right up there with Roo.

Alway's enjoy your informative post's and insight , especially all your info on such things as the draft , free agency , trades , contracts etc that a "Boy from Downunder" has never been able to comprehend.

So a Big "Thank-You" to you...............Our Secondary is "Lookin'" better don't you think.............REALLY looking for Big Things from Cromartie this Year , it's TIME don't you think ?