Eric Kendricks-ILB-UCLA | Page 2 | 49ers Webzone Forum

Phoenix49ers · 2015-03-16T19:45:35-07:00

ILB, something it seemed like the 49ers were pretty stacked about a year ago has now become a major need. Out of all the ILB's in this draft, Kendricks is my favorite. Very well balanced as a linebacker, does well in coverage and could credibly step in alongside Bowman this season. Really can't go wrong with either Kendricks or Perryman but I give Kendricks the nod for his skills in coverage. Intangibles-1-Team captain as a junior and senior. Mature and accountable. Upbeat and positive personality. Loves football. Vocal leader on defense. Son of Horace Kendricks and Yvonne Thagon. Horace was a running back for UCLA in the early 70s. Older brother Mychal Kendrick currently is a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles. Instincts/Recognition-1-Makes a quick diagnosis against the run. Reads keys well and shows quick ball reaction on secondary read. Displays good patience and discipline as a backside run defender. Outstanding awareness in coverage. Also quick to sniff out screens. Take-on Skills-3-Lacks ideal size and power. Doesn't possess a heavy punch and will never be consistent taking on linemen. Can do a better job of taking on blocks with proper shoulder positioning and with more consistency to maintain gap integrity. However, enters contact with quality leverage and is not afraid to fire his gun at the point of attack. Also flashes the ability to absorb contact and possesses quick hands to disengage. Range vs. Run-2-Strong overall range. Above-average agility and redirect skills. Closes quickly and can make up ground in a hurry. Will occasionally get caught up in trash. Also, will take the easy route by going underneath blocks instead of working over the top to stay alive in the play. Loves to chase. Tackling-2-Very effective tackler in tight quarters. Lacks ideal power but flashes ability to strike. More often than not does a nice job of wrapping up and securing tackles. Good patience in space. Plays fast but usually under control. Will get in trouble when he comes in high and hot on occasion. 3rd Down Capabilities-1-Easy mover in space, gets quality depth in drops and shows above-average overall range in underneath zone coverage. Has enough athleticism to keep tabs on most RBs in man coverage. Flashes playmaking instincts to get into throwing lanes. Finds and plays the ball extremely well. Very good ball skills for LB. Not a highly impactful blitzer. Flashes a quick closing burst but lacks ideal power and often turned away once initially picked up.

Mar 16, 2015 at 11:58 PM

#16

martysofresh
Veteran
Posts: 1,377

Originally posted by Rocket4989:
baalke is panicking, so he gonna pick a LB in the first round,

I wouldn't mind trading back to get him. I was just talking about him with somebody else yesterday. My favorite ILB/MLB in the draft since he's the most completely plus he has cool hair. lol

Mar 17, 2015 at 1:18 AM

#17

49ers808
Veteran
Posts: 16,466

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
"I watched a lot of Patrick Willis film in college, especially. My sophomore year when I took on the middle linebacker position and I needed help in certain areas, I would kind of throw his film on and watch a (few) cut-ups and see how he pursued the ball," Kendricks said on "NFL AM" Friday. "I think it's awesome how he plays the game. I try to emulate him to a certain extent, but also use my own style."

Kendricks won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and left UCLA as the Bruins' all-time leading tackler with 483 stops in his career. If that sounds familiar, it should -- Willis won the Butkus Award himself in 2006. And if the list of past winners is any indication of Kendricks' pro future, the team that drafts him should be pleased with the investment. Along with Willis, Luke Kuechly, Von Miller and C.J. Mosley have won the Butkus Award as well.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000474559/article/uclas-eric-kendricks-models-game-after-49ers-patrick-willis

Well that settles it then, can't argue with destiny

I was watching his combine interview and it seems like Andy Reid and the Chiefs may be interested, Reid is who drafted his brother. A trade down may actually be risky if he does end up our target

Mar 17, 2015 at 6:13 AM

#18

Mr.Mcgibblets
Veteran
Posts: 15,079

http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2015/02/13/eric-kendricks/

"He wants to know all the nooks and crannies," said their father, Marvin, a former standout running back who starred at UCLA and spent a training camp with the Eagles early on in theDick Vermeil era. "If you check with the coaches at UCLA, Eric did so much film work, they had to run him outta there. The thing is, it showed up on the field because a lot of times Eric knew what the quarterback was going to call before he even called it." According to Yvonne, Eric developed his strong work ethic at an early age. The family was not well off and to take some of the financial burden off his mom, Eric would sell burritos out of his car about four days a week during his high school years for extra money. Even paid his own way to prom. "Eric has always been a hustler," she said. A trait that has helped get him ahead in football as well.

"He just knows where to be and where to go and he's a sure tackler. He may not be as talented as Mychal, but I damn sure think he makes up for it," said Marvin. "Mychal has so much talent, he can do the wrong thing and make up for it. But Eric, he's just not going to make any mistakes. Eric is going to be where he's supposed to be. You can count on that. And I think that's one of the things that's going to put him in that first round."

Mar 17, 2015 at 6:31 AM

#19

DeUh
Veteran
Posts: 4,006

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Out of all the ILB's in this draft, Kendricks is my favorite.......Really can't go wrong with either Kendricks or Perryman but I give Kendricks the nod for his skills in coverage.

Mar 17, 2015 at 7:57 AM

#20

LumpiaJeff
Veteran
Posts: 51,506

I like Kendricks, but I think Greenbay takes him at the end of the 1st

Mar 17, 2015 at 8:35 AM

#21

9erguy
Veteran
Posts: 3,349

I like this guy. He would be able to stay with Jimmy Graham in coverage. Actually cover him, that's a different question.

Love(d) Borland but he couldnt tackle Marshawn and he can't cover Graham. We have to build to beat the seahawks.

Mar 17, 2015 at 9:15 AM

#22

gold49er2183
Veteran
Posts: 6,437

Originally posted by Rocket4989:
baalke is panicking, so he gonna pick a LB in the first round,

Wut?