G-Dawg asked and he shall receive: Mario Fannin

[mdrake34]

My thoughts on Mario Fannin are as follows:
Fannin was an underachiever throughout his career at Auburn. He had to wait patiently until his senior year to be given a chance as the feature back. Before that, he was a change of pace back, but was mostly used as an H-back and caught way more passes than he took handoffs. However, he was damn good at catching the ball out of the backfield. He's like a WR trapped in a RB's body.

His senior year he finally got his chance to be the feature back . . . and he kinda blew it. Yes, he had Mike Dyer and Onterrio McCaleb pushing him for more carries, and you cannot blame the coaches for giving them touches because they produced. But Fannin just didn't make the most out of the opportunity that he was given this year. He had several fumbles and actually dropped several passes. I can't remember which game, but I remember him dropping a bomb in one game that Newton through to him and no one was around him, he could have waltzed into end zone. It was in the middle of a close game as well.

He's an incredible physical specimen at 5'10, 231 lbs. and runs a 4.38 40. However, I worry about his vision as a runner. I think that will keep him from becoming a feature back in the NFL.

However, the question is, does he have value as a late round pick? Yes, I think he does. I think he's an even better value as a UDFA. However, I'm more sold on one of the 2nd to mid round RB's like Locke, Hunter, Devine, etc . . .

That's my take on Fannin. He's got all-world talent but I'm not sure how it will translate to the NFL.

[mdrake34]

Here's a cool video breaking down Fannin's block on Newton's TD pass to Adams in the MSU game.

[g-dawg]

ok thanks, mdrake - i defer to you with regards to "all things Auburn".........given size/speed and potential(meanin' you ain't done anything yet), I doubt Fannin goes undrafted. However, I now realize that we need a better option than Fannin for the Falcons.

Maybe if none of the other teams like Fannin, Falcons could use one of those three 7th rounders to grab this guy. I still like him - but not as the #2 RB......maybe more of a practice squad guy at this point.

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

(04-19-2011 10:43 AM)mdrake34 Wrote:  . He's like a WR trapped in a RB's body.

[g-dawg]

(04-19-2011 11:20 AM)Swift Is a Die Hard Wrote:  

facepalm!!!

[mdrake34]

(04-19-2011 11:20 AM)Swift Is a Die Hard Wrote:  

I see what you did there. Cute.

[illmusic]

Lol...must be his stride he looks like he's moving so slow while he's blowing by people

[cnasty]

(04-19-2011 10:43 AM)mdrake34 Wrote:  He's an incredible physical specimen at 5'10, 231 lbs. and runs a 4.38 40. However, I worry about his vision as a runner. I think that will keep him from becoming a feature back in the NFL.

Whoever drafts him won't have the intent on making him a feature back. He will be a Jurious Norwood for that team. He could still provide a great change of pace/pass option for any team, though.