Scouting report: Karibi Dede
A reader recently asked about Karibi Dede, who will play middle linebacker for Auburn this season. The thrust of the question was about Dede's ability to handle the position. Can he play middle linebacker? It's an interesting idea.
So I came up with this: I'll do some biographical retrospectives on significant AU players. We'll go through their career progression, see how they improved or regressed, and I'll offer my scouting report on the player. I'll do a few of these per week, which will last into the summer.
I don't like letter grades. Reminds me of school. So I'll use the 20-80 scale that baseball scouts use.
20 is the lowest rank.
80 means exceptional skill.
50 is average for a Division I-A scholarship player.
There are five skills I believe are more important. They are:
Speed
Technique
Stamina/durability
Football aptitude
Attitude
So here we go:
KARIBI DEDE, LB (No. 21)
6-0, 216, Senior
The basics: An intense kid with accelerated academic ability. Dede isn't vocal, but players respect his willingness to work hard even when he wasn't in the spotlight. When he makes statements in meeting or on the field, teammates listen carefully. Began his career at safety for John Lovett. Speed was a problem there. Dede was moved to linebacker before the 2004 season. Settled in behind Kevin Sears on the strong side. Moved to middle linebacker during spring 2006 after Travis Williams graduated.
2006 outlook: Starting MLB. His understanding of the defense is superior to everyone on the field. DC Will Muschamp leans on Dede to help organize before the snap. Coaches never complain about Dede because he never slacks off, and makes mistakes at full speed. He'll be the primary defensive leader.
Summary: Important leader. His future probably isn't in football, Dede is an exceptional student and hopes to get into special education. He reminds me of former defensive back Adlai Trone, who filled a similar role on the 2000 team. Neither is immensely talented, but they play hard, play smart and genuinely care about doing a good job. It's not fair to expect Williams-type play from Dede. He's a different player with different strengths. Williams was a missle. Dede can hit, but he's more of an organizer. OLBs Will Herring and Tray Blackmon will be the designated missles on this defense.
Tool box:
Speed: 55
Technique: 60
Stamina/durability: 65
Football aptitude 70
Attitude:65
So I came up with this: I'll do some biographical retrospectives on significant AU players. We'll go through their career progression, see how they improved or regressed, and I'll offer my scouting report on the player. I'll do a few of these per week, which will last into the summer.
I don't like letter grades. Reminds me of school. So I'll use the 20-80 scale that baseball scouts use.
20 is the lowest rank.
80 means exceptional skill.
50 is average for a Division I-A scholarship player.
There are five skills I believe are more important. They are:
Speed
Technique
Stamina/durability
Football aptitude
Attitude
So here we go:
KARIBI DEDE, LB (No. 21)
6-0, 216, Senior
The basics: An intense kid with accelerated academic ability. Dede isn't vocal, but players respect his willingness to work hard even when he wasn't in the spotlight. When he makes statements in meeting or on the field, teammates listen carefully. Began his career at safety for John Lovett. Speed was a problem there. Dede was moved to linebacker before the 2004 season. Settled in behind Kevin Sears on the strong side. Moved to middle linebacker during spring 2006 after Travis Williams graduated.
2006 outlook: Starting MLB. His understanding of the defense is superior to everyone on the field. DC Will Muschamp leans on Dede to help organize before the snap. Coaches never complain about Dede because he never slacks off, and makes mistakes at full speed. He'll be the primary defensive leader.
Summary: Important leader. His future probably isn't in football, Dede is an exceptional student and hopes to get into special education. He reminds me of former defensive back Adlai Trone, who filled a similar role on the 2000 team. Neither is immensely talented, but they play hard, play smart and genuinely care about doing a good job. It's not fair to expect Williams-type play from Dede. He's a different player with different strengths. Williams was a missle. Dede can hit, but he's more of an organizer. OLBs Will Herring and Tray Blackmon will be the designated missles on this defense.
Tool box:
Speed: 55
Technique: 60
Stamina/durability: 65
Football aptitude 70
Attitude:65
posted by Jay G. Tate at
7:40 PM
1 Comments:
You certainly fill the role of a geek.
To my faithful readers: I know this guy, and he's shady.
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