Which Evans is which?
I think I have it straightened out now.
Zach Evans weighs 215 (had to weigh 210 and before that, 200 at some time) and stands 6' tall or maybe 5'11" or used to, or he's gertting credit for an inch to grow on. He runs a 4.5 timed forty, but his one-stride breakaway speed belies that, so does his 22.5 mph clocked speed when he gets it rolling. 22.5, as I said in another post somewhere, is
fast. Has some jukes, steps out of tackles, trucks people, runs with great balance especially after contact, and has a good stiff-arm that I'd like to see him develop further.
He finished school with a 3.75 GPA and accolades for his behavior toward everyone, on and off the field. CAme across as a quiet strength character guy. I can't find that review or I'd post it.
His cell phone incident, where he refused to surrender his cell phone to a coach, gets blown up as a me-first petulant and immature whine, which it may have been, but it also appears as an atypical one-off. Not consistent with his behavior before or after, and we don't know the whole story - was there a family or personal situation that he felt compelled to keep track of? How did the coach and the player handle the transaction? Coaches, in their zeal, can be uncompromising jerks. And, more telling, how do subsequent coaches see him? Short answer to that question, not the same.
Time to move on. I'm sure Snead an staff dug all this out before trading up to draft him. Isee this kid as having strengtyh of character, not weakness.
Tiyon Evans signed as UDFA (I'm old school) and weighs 225 at 5'9.5" and runs a 4.5 forty, but to my eye lacks the breakaway speed of
Z Evans.
Weaknesses: Not a cut-back runner or 3rd down back or well suited for zone attacks. Strength is as a bruiser going forward. (Hmmm... may be the tough yardage back I wanted if he develops.) Scouting report says not much ST potential, nothing about his pass pro or catching out of the backfield that I could dig up. I like to watch him truck people in his highlights, though... We'll see if he makes PS or not is my read at this point, but I like him.
Is there still another Evans back around here somewhere? A midget hiding in the closet? How old are these scale reports, anyway?
DeWayne McBride is 5'10 and 209 lbs. (if accurately reported is lighter than either Evans) and also runs in the 4.5's. Per NFL scouting report is a workout warrior, fluid hips, tough to tackle, and a hitter at the second level. I liked watching his highlights.
Weaknesses: extra-cautious when hitting the hole, not much re: pass catcher out of the backfield,
fumbler. That latter note does it for me. Pass. Glad the Vikes got him. I'll take either Evans based on what I see so far.
