Akrum Wadley

[SteveGarvey1]

Just surmising here, but, my gut feeling is that one of the biggest reasons Wadley wasn't drafted was his unwillingness to pass-block.

If you're going to be a 3rd-down specialist in the NFL, you better be stout picking up blitzes. If not, you'll be given a pink slip in a hurry. NFL execs and coaches place a high premium on protecting their franchise QBs.

For as much as I love Wadley, keeping it real, he was flat out terrible reading blitzes and stuffing rushers. At times, he almost looked like he didn't even want to try, and you can bet scouts paid very closely to that aspect of his game. Can that be taught? Sure, but, if I'm an NFL scout, I'm asking myself why he didn't respond to the teaching he received in the first place.

Makes sense, if true.

 

[hawkeyes87]

The only team that’s ever looked good in baby blue is the Oilers.

What ???

The Chargers vintage blues are probably the greatest NFL uni of all time- of any color!

 

[proudhawkfan21]

Interesting comparison. How would you view Wadley compared to Brandon Wegher? He had some good rb skills. He made practice squad I think one year for Carolina? Almost made it as 3rd or 4th back, but missed final cut. We just don't have a lot of NFL talent backs. Probably one area where pedigree does make a difference. Hate to say it but stars might matter. We've had some good college rb's but very few pros in the past 50 yrs. Harmon, Greene, Betts. Relevant backs since Podalak.

 

[Fryowa]

Just surmising here, but, my gut feeling is that one of the biggest reasons Wadley wasn't drafted was his unwillingness to pass-block.

If you're going to be a 3rd-down specialist in the NFL, you better be stout picking up blitzes. If not, you'll be given a pink slip in a hurry. NFL execs and coaches place a high premium on protecting their franchise QBs.

For as much as I love Wadley, keeping it real, he was flat out terrible reading blitzes and stuffing rushers. At times, he almost looked like he didn't even want to try, and you can bet scouts paid very closely to that aspect of his game. Can that be taught? Sure, but, if I'm an NFL scout, I'm asking myself why he didn't respond to the teaching he received in the first place.

To me I think it's a matter of not being able to pick up blitzes even if he wanted to. NFL defensive ends and linebackers can have 50-100 lbs on Wadley and move a wholel lot faster than anything he ever faced in college. And Wadley is not a guy like Beasley or Woodhead who are built like brick shithouses and go looking for blocks rather than shying away. Wadley was a great Hawkeye and did great things here, but he's just not an NFLer.

 

[Fryowa]

Interesting comparison. How would you view Wadley compared to Brandon Wegher?

What? Have you ever seen Wegher run?
The two literally could not be more opposite.

Unless by Wadley you menat LeShun Daniels.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

What ???

The Chargers vintage blues are probably the greatest NFL uni of all time- of any color!

I'm a 49er fan and have loved some of their jerseys from the 90s. But yeah the Chargers baby blues are the end all be all best. It's not even close... If I could get a #20 Desmond King Jersey in it I would in a heart beat

 

[Ree4]

What? Have you ever seen Wegher run?
The two literally could not be more opposite.

Unless by Wadley you menat LeShun Daniels.

Yep - Wegher was small and fast but I don't recall a single time where he juked a guy out of his shoes, he was more of a straight line/single cut runner from my recollection

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Interesting comparison. How would you view Wadley compared to Brandon Wegher? He had some good rb skills. He made practice squad I think one year for Carolina? Almost made it as 3rd or 4th back, but missed final cut. We just don't have a lot of NFL talent backs. Probably one area where pedigree does make a difference. Hate to say it but stars might matter. We've had some good college rb's but very few pros in the past 50 yrs. Harmon, Greene, Betts. Relevant backs since Podalak.

Wegher is such a what could have been. He was freakishly good. He could have been like that McCaffrey kid at Stanford before him. He and Wadley are different style wise. Wegher I think was closer to 205-210. He was built pretty solid on his 5'10-5-11 frame. Even with all the drama and bouncing around he did after finishing up at Morningside (and absolutely dominating and putting up video game stats) his attributes and talent were worthy of that time with Carolina you mentioned. He picked the wrong team I think they had like 3 or 4 NFL worthy backs at the time and he was never breaking through without injuries on that roster. Wadley I don't think is as fast/explosive or just overall as good as Wegher was. Wadley is/was good don't get me wrong I'm not knocking him. But if your making me put one over the other I don't think it's that tough a choice.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Yep - Wegher was small and fast but I don't recall a single time where he juked a guy out of his shoes, he was more of a straight line/single cut runner from my recollection

Yeah he wasn't a dancer. He could make quick cuts but he wasn't a hesitater/juker. Wadley ran a style similar to dare I say Barry Sanders. He would stop and start juke and spin and all that. Wegher had great vision ran with his eyes to daylight and he hit the hole hard ran hard with his pads low. For being a smaller guy he often gained yards after contact because of it. Wegher was pretty darn fast too. I'd be surprised if his 40 time was over 4.45. Wadley ran like a 4.52ish. I found some of his highlights from his Morningside days... He was just a man amongst boys out there outrunning everyone pretty much...

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

To me I think it's a matter of not being able to pick up blitzes even if he wanted to. NFL defensive ends and linebackers can have 50-100 lbs on Wadley and move a wholel lot faster than anything he ever faced in college. And Wadley is not a guy like Beasley or Woodhead who are built like brick shithouses and go looking for blocks rather than shying away. Wadley was a great Hawkeye and did great things here, but he's just not an NFLer.

For his size and build, it is a challenge, no doubt. But, pass-blocking for a running back is a bit like rebounding in basketball - there's a lot of "want to" involved. Wadley doesn't display that willingness to step in there and stiff a LB at all.

He's been compared to Sproles quite a bit, but, if I had to pick a current NFL player that most resembles Wadley, it would be Jerick McKinnon. Very, very similar build and skill set. The difference is that McKinnon is willing to stick his head in there, and is effective doing so. If Wadley really wants to carve a niche for himself in the NFL, he should be watching tape of McKinnon and emulating his game.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

 

[NCHawker]

Maybe Akrum with get on the right 'supplements' and build out a bit more.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I love me some wadley but really what is he to the NFL? Hes a 3rd down, passing situation running back. Great hands and great in space. Not an every down back. His ceiling is probably theo Riddick or james white...both of which have had nice NFL careers.

I just hope he stays healthy and gets a fair shake because he can stick somewhere for sure

Look how long Darren Sproles had had an NFL career. One of the smaller backs you'd ever find and he's been doing it for YEEEEAAAAARS. Astonishing actually.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

All this load of bs about his size.
Should he have added another 10-15 lbs? Absolutely. KF kept preaching that.
Can he still? Absolutely!!
I mentioned this before. A pretty good back named Melvin came out of college, with what would seem a life just laid out in front of him.
Couple years and he was released, then when he tried to get another gig, showed up 30 pounds over weight.
Trust me college is the lean years for most.
I get that we feed them well, but I too am a hard gainer. People say "eat more". The only thing I've figured out is to eat more often. If you are full, you are full. But eating every 4 hours is much easier than trying to just eat more in fewer sittings.

I hate azzholes like you!!

I just look at food and gain a lb.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

We keep hearing he needs to gain weight, and I'm not so sure I agree with that. AW is not a power back, nor a speed back, but the one thing he has in spades is uncanny elusiveness, which I think extra weight may hurt. In the article one source said he's a back with average size and speed at a dime a dozen position. Those that thought that evidently didn't watch enough film on him, because his ability break ankles is very rare. I think he'll stick.

Put yourselves in the NFL GM role. Nobody wanted to draft him and be committed to give him a contract with concerns. But, many many teams will want to work him out or eventually sign as a undrafted free agent as there could be upside in the NFL with him. If he turns out to be a Daren Sproles type guy with durability and a nice career, you hit the lottery.

One nice attribute about Wadley may be that he is elusive enough and can maybe help himself by avoiding hits or really hard hits. Learning that could lengthen his career. He's had this challenge throughout all his football plateaus, from pony league, high school, college now the NFL, so this is nothing new to him. He knows he has to prove himself one more time.

 

[Xerxes]

Yeah he wasn't a dancer. He could make quick cuts but he wasn't a hesitater/juker. Wadley ran a style similar to dare I say Barry Sanders. He would stop and start juke and spin and all that. Wegher had great vision ran with his eyes to daylight and he hit the hole hard ran hard with his pads low. For being a smaller guy he often gained yards after contact because of it. Wegher was pretty darn fast too. I'd be surprised if his 40 time was over 4.45. Wadley ran like a 4.52ish. I found some of his highlights from his Morningside days... He was just a man amongst boys out there outrunning everyone pretty much...

Literally and figuratively. 2014 would have been his 6th year of college at a very small school for his talent.

 

[4thngoal]

I hate azzholes like you!!

I just look at food and gain a lb.

I know lots of people like that. Yes they call me an asshole. Lol
I've been just stacking the crap out of carbs and protein lately. The problem is when you have to eat all the time, your full all the time, that makes my energy level go down.
So I try to gain good weight, but when it starts looking a little pudgy, I back off the gaining mode and trim it back up.
IDK if that's the best way, I just know that is how I did it in my youth.
If you are trying to tone up, I recommend high fiber and lots of fruit. The more water based the fruit the better.

 

[earlkoppelman]

I love me some wadley but really what is he to the NFL? Hes a 3rd down, passing situation running back. Great hands and great in space. Not an every down back. His ceiling is probably theo Riddick or james white...both of which have had nice NFL careers.

I just hope he stays healthy and gets a fair shake because he can stick somewhere for sure

Size only!!! He will play....

 

[BVHawk95]

What ???

The Chargers vintage blues are probably the greatest NFL uni of all time- of any color!

That's a strange way to spell "Houston Oilers home uniforms".

Those powder blues are a really close second though. Something about powder blue just looks amazing on a football field.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

That's a strange way to spell "Houston Oilers home uniforms".

Those powder blues are a really close second though. Something about powder blue just looks amazing on a football field.

It's actually the Steelers. You've just been desensitized to it since 1979.