Koa Misi, Just What The Patriots Need?

Utah's Koa Misi is 6-3, 251 lbs with a lot of upside. Playing 3 years for Utah, he has the experience that Belichick loves. With the Patriots needed a pass rush specialist, Misi could come in and play that role as a rookie. Misi was never asked to drop into coverage during college, which makes him just as much of a project as Ricky Sapp and the other second round OLB/DE prospects. While the first round players of Sergio Kindle and Brandon Graham played some OLB in college, Misi was mainly a pass rusher- which means that he wouldn't be expected to drop into coverage successfully from the get go if the Patriots selected him. He has a nose for the ball, but is more of a run chaser than run stopper as he tackles the running backs after they make it out of the back field. Misi can disrupt the QB's actions, which is what the Patriots need.

His measurements and some quotes after the jump.

WalterFootball.com Scouting

Height: 6-3. Weight: 251.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Combine 40 Time: 4.69.
Vertical: 38.

CBSSports.com Scouting

03/13/2010 - TOP RATED NFL DRAFT SCOUT OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS: Koa Misi, Utah, 6-3, 251, 2: He is a pick-your-poison type of athlete who is powerful enough to take on and shed a blocker on the spot and fast enough to run around you and chase down his victim. Put that together with excellent instincts, a high-rev motor and team-leader type personality, and this prospect should fit well on somebody's roster. A standout in his one year at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College, Misi then moved on to terrorize opponents for three more years with the Utes. Misi impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl with his overall ability. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com/CBS Sports/USA TODAY

NFL.com Scouting

Misi has good size and strength for the linebacker position. He has played both with his hand in the dirt as well as in a stand up position. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor that will fit best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Misi will need some work reading route progressions and will be a liability in pure man coverage. Wright is an aggressive defender that attacks the line of scrimmage to disrupt the run as well as rush the passer effectively. Misi is a good football player that will take some time to transition into the linebacker position, but should contribute on special teams as well as a backup as a rookie.

Strengths

Misi has the look, size and strength of an outside linebacker in a 3-4. Displays the toughness needed to hold the point of attack. Is a productive, smart player who always finds ways to contribute. Has the versatility to stand up or play with his hand down. No questions about his durability. 

Weaknesses

Only possesses average coverage skills and has limited experience in this area. Is more comfortable playing in a crowd, lacks some agility in space and grasps for air on occasion. Can struggle containing shifty backs on the perimeter. Is an inconsistent reactor, especially when reading in coverage.

MockingtheDraft.com Scouting

Pass coverage: Misi showed during Senior Bowl practices that he has the hip fluidity to turn and run with tight ends. Whether he can translate that into actual gameplay is an unknown. He rarely was used in coverage as an end for Utah. But when he did drop back, he got decent depth.

Pass rush: Is a disruptive pass rusher, even though his numbers may not indicate it. Finished a three-year career with 26 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks. But Misi does a good job of hustling and getting his hands into passing lanes.

Versatility: Misi largely played end for Utah, but he did play out of a two-point stance on occasion. He projects as a 3-4 linebacker because he doesn't have great size and may get neutralized by offensive linemen who don't let players get under their pads. Should be an asset on special teams.

Verdict: Misi isn't as polished of an outside linebacker as Sergio Kindle or Graham, but it upside makes him just as interesting of a prospect. I would say that Misi has the same ceiling as Kindle, with a lower ceiling than Graham. However, selecting a DE/OLB in the 2nd round would be a project regardless of who we selected- except for potentially Eric Norwood. Are we willing to take on a project in the 2nd round? It's a big risk. While I think we'll be taking an OLB in the 2nd round, I think we'll either take a player who is either more polished (Norwood), or one with greater potential (Sapp).

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Seau is Newest Return Man

He has taken on a number of interesting sports jobs for his Versus TV show, which will debut Dec. 2.

He has been a member of Scott Dixon’s pit crew, Natalie Gulbis’s caddie, a Los Angeles Dodgers bat boy, an equipment manager with the Washington Capitals, a member of the bull gang at TD Garden, and a rodeo clown on the Pro Bull Riders tour, getting first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be bulldozed by a rip-snorting Brahma.

But the only sports job that Junior Seau was really meant to have was NFL linebacker.

And Versus reported yesterday that the 40-year-old Seau had signed a contract with the Patriots to play a 20th NFL season, although the team did not announce the transaction or make a corresponding move to make room on the 53-man roster.

“I’m very fortunate and honored to be involved with two class organizations - the New England Patriots and Versus,’’ said Seau in a press release. “I want to thank the management of both for making my return to the NFL with the New England Patriots a reality.’’

While coach Bill Belichick declined to confirm the signing, saying, “We don’t have anything to say about it,’’ CEO and chairman Robert Kraft seemed to indicate it was only a formality.

Asked at the league meetings in Boston if Seau was a Patriot again, Kraft said, “I hope he is. At some point he will be.’’

Asked if Seau ranked as one of his favorite players, Kraft said, “Oh yeah, he gave a speech to our group. He gives speeches to the players in the locker room and there aren’t many coaches that could inspire and motivate other players. He is a unique individual with a unique physical frame and unique mental acumen. I’d love to have him part of our team for as long as he wants to be.’’

Seau, who came out of retirement to play four games for the Patriots last season, would be on his fourth tour in Foxborough. He played 11 games in 2006 before suffering an arm injury, and played all 16 games in 2007.

Patriots player personnel director Nick Caserio confirmed only that the team had worked out Seau recently and had him take a physical.

“The reality is, we’re just trying to see where the player’s level of physical conditioning may be and whether he’s in good enough shape to make it through a practice,’’ Caserio said. “He looked like he’s kept himself in shape.’’

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Junior Seau Still Unsure About His Future

Brett Favre may be the guy garnering all the attention about whether or not he will retire from the NFL, but there’s another old, Hall of Fame bound veteran who also is unsure about his status for the 2009 season. That would be linebacker Junior Seau, who joined the New England Patriots late last year to help their depleted defense down the stretch. As of now, Seau says he’s retired, but as you’ll hear, that could change somewhere down the line.

The veteran joined XX 1090 in San Diego to talk about his mindset about playing this year, why he partially understands what Brett Favre is going through, what kind of season he thinks Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson will have and when he thinks he might arrive at his decision about playing in 2009.

On if he’s officially retired or not:

“I’ll definitely look at it at the end of October or November. Let’s put it that way.”

On why it’s so hard for guys like himself and Brett Favre to decide to walk away and then stick to it:

“Because you still can play the game. That’s the only reason. I mean, to allow other decision makers besides your faith when there’s an opportunity, I think we’re always going to hold on to that opportunity as long as we can. And it’s not like we’re hurting anyone. What I’m doing is basically just surfing and enjoying life with the kids and carrying on as if I am retired. But if they happen to need me towards the end of the season like they did last year then I’ll definitely look at it.”

On Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and whether or not he thinks LT will have a big bounce back year in 2009 after the offseason that he has had:

“If that doesn’t motivate him then i don’t know what will. Obviously I know LT and he doesn’t need much motivation going in to any kind of season. I think what has happened in the year previous is that the game catches up injury wise and when you deal with the injuries you’re going to be judged according to how you perform, not whether or not you have an injury. And he felt that the last two years and hopefully he can stay healthy so he can just play football.”

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Junior Seau Opens Ruby Tuesday

Junior Seau is proud to announce that Ruby Tuesday, Temecula located at 41797 Nicole Lane is open for business. The public is invited to an Opening Celebration on Monday, June 15 from 5 to 7 pm.

Seau stated, “I am proud to be a member of the team bringing Ruby Tuesday to Temecula. We intend to add the Spirit of Aloha to Ruby Tuesday’s excellent reputation for fresher, better, reasonably priced food.”

Junior Seau is a well known restaurateur. SEAUS the Restaurant, in San Diego, opened in 1996 and remains San Diego’s number one sports bar/restaurant to this day (Seau.com).

As an NFL All Pro Linebacker, Junior Seau played 13 years with the San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), making 12 Pro-Bowl appearances. He played three years with the Miami Dolphins (2003-2005) and two years with New England Patriots (2006-2007) where he was the defensive co-captain during the Patriot’s phenomenal 2007 18-0 season.

Seau and his partners Ted Davenport, Jeff Howie, Scott Rodi, Scott Nunokawa, Rick Nakashima and Ken Nascimento, opened Ruby Tuesday in San Bernardino in August of 2008. Ted Davenport owns and operates 127 Subways and five Ruby Tuesdays in Hawaii and Guam.

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