Info
from The Sporting News:
War
Room Analysis
Vs. inside
run: Aggressive with lateral movement to get back inside. Lacks strength
or bulk to match up inside and doesn't figure to spend much time there.
Grade:
5.0
Vs. outside
run: Upfield skills and ability to make plays in backfield. Wins battle
to corner and dominates most matchups off edge but lacks feel for run game
and often runs out of position. Struggles when reached because of size.
Grade:
6.0
Blitz/coverage:
Relies on burst and quickness off edge. Won't overpower but shows hand
use and moves to win one-on-one battles. Athletic ability to drop in coverage
but is mostly upfield player with limited experience and feel in coverage.
Grade:
6.5
Key and
diagnose: Makes good reads and has body control, change of direction
but takes false steps and runs out of plays because he gets too far upfield.
Grade:
5.0
Pursuit/tackling:
High-effort guy who will chase. Good range and speed to chase from backside.
Makes big plays as tackler but technically not impressive. Attacks too
high and not great finisher. Grade: 5.5
Notable:
Once a junior college All-American.
Final analysis:
Stock has risen since dominating performance in Citrus Bowl. Ideal size,
speed and strength to make difference. Upfield burst and playmaking skills
excite coaches.
Overall
grade: 28.0
Info from
Pro Football Weekly:
Notes:
Had 40 sacks in two years at Valley Forge Military Junior College. Instant
impact player at Michigan State in 1998. Played mostly at defensive end
and started just three games, with most of his action coming on passing
downs. Nevertheless, he had 58 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Starting "Sam" ’backer in ’99 who would play like an end in passing downs.
Had 74 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, caused four fumbles and
broke up nine passes during the regular season and also stood out in Michigan
State’s big bowl win over Florida.
Positives: Very
good athlete and a natural pass rusher. Has cat-like movements and great
quickness off the ball. As fast as anyone for the first 10 yards. Can play
over and control a tight end or come off the edge. Has the athleticism
to play in pass coverage. Seems pretty instinctive and alert. Makes big
plays, disrupts offenses and sacks quarterbacks. Has done nothing but get
better. Stood out at the Senior Bowl. Much more football smart than scouts
might think.
Negatives: Somewhat
raw around the edges. Will need lots of reps. Plays best when he gets to
just play without being asked to make too many reads and adjustments. Too
skinny and small to be a right end. Needs work in coverage as a linebacker.
Summary: May have moved
into the first round with his strong showing at the Senior Bowl if he convinces
teams in individual workouts that he can master the defense they play.
Can be an impact player in the right system if he is used correctly.
Info from CBS SportsLine:
Aggressive
pass rushing linebacker completed an outstanding career with a huge effort
as a senior. Peterson earned first team Big 10 honors for a dominant performance
on the outside. For the year, he registered 74 tackles, 25 TFLs, 12 sacks,
4 FC and 9 PBUs. His tackle for loss set a new single season record for
the Spartans, and his career total of 43 TFLs was also a team record. What
is amazing about the career record, is that he did this in only two seasons,
after a junior college stay.
He came up big in critical games,
especially late in the year against Penn St. when he made 10 tackles with
3 TFLs and 2 sacks in a huge Spartan victory. As a junior in '98, he recorded
58 tackles with 10 sacks and 18 TFLs while starting only 3 games.
He combines great speed off
the edge with the footwork, hand use and toughness to become a top pro
pass rusher. He has a lightning quick first step that gives him a definite
advantage over offensive tackles, to flatten out on his way to the passer.
He has shown dominant skills the past two seasons, getting excellent use
of his long reach to separate from blockers.
Though he is a natural pass
rusher, he is a complete defender in the full sense of the word. He takes
on blockers well and shows fine diagnostic skills to locate the ball. He
plays off blockers well and has an explosive burst to the ball. He can
play over the tight end in run support and proved this again at the Senior
bowl practices.
He has excellent functional
strength to hold the point of attack and top speed to run down ball carriers
from behind. He uses his strong hands well to get linemen off balance and
combines this with good leverage and balance. Along with his very quick
first step, he can redirect back under with an array of moves.
He was one of the five best
athletes at the Senior Bowl where he again displayed the speed and power
off the corner that made him one of the nation's best pass rushers. He
answered the one concern about his game, pass coverage when as a senior
he made 9 PBUs.
At the Senior bowl practices,
he demonstrated a quick backpedal and change of direction skills to blanket
receivers stride for stride. He also did exceptionally well against tight
ends which indicates he is really for either the strong and weak side.
During the practices, he eliminated all doubts about coverage with two
interceptions plus one more during the game.
He can play in any defensive
scheme as a fulltime defender but may be best suited for a 3-4 set, though
his well rounded talent will allow him to play either side in a 4-3 set.
He is similar to the Ravens Peter Boulware as a pass rusher.
Top 15 athlete with big play
ability and the toughness and work ethic you look for in an impact defender.
Aggressive playmaker with Pro-bowl ability. Blue chip linebacker with an
early starting grade.
Info from CNN/SI:
A versatile player with experience
at defensive end and outside linebacker. Lean, but muscular. Has long arms.
Needs to improve his strength and his ability to defeat blocks, but he's
a very agile athlete who plays with good knee bend and has excellent change
of direction. Avoids low blocks smoothly. Very quick knifing through openings.
Skilled blitzer with a great initial burst and good one-on-one moves. Has
solid coverage skills. Aware in a zone. Turns his hips smoothly and has
the speed to run with backs. Improving. Had a big senior year and a strong
Senior Bowl performance.