Thanks to our being part of
the SB Nation network, we have access to literally hundreds of other
experts that cover both the NFL and college football.
This series of Five Questions With... will focus on not only the 2015 draft class for the Chicago Bears,
but some of the undrafted free agents as well. This series of articles
has become one of my favorites to do here at Windy City Gridiron, as I
feel it gives us an added insight to the new players on the Bears.
This time out we're talking with Chas Short and Mitchell Alexander of Underdog Dynasty, the SB Nation site that covers some of the smaller FBS conferences, about undrafted free agent Jacoby Glenn from UCF.
Windy City Gridiron - After
getting a mid-round grade by most internet scouts and draftniks, why do
you think Glenn went undrafted?
Chas Short - I'll start by acknowledging that my answer is necessarily going to be speculative.
There's a lot to like about his
body of work, but it's short. Glenn was a redshirt sophomore who
started as soon as he got to see the field. And he was productive right
away. As a redshirt freshman, he had an impressive number of passes
defended. And a pair of interceptions, sacks, and forced fumbles. Then
he really stepped up this past year as a redshirt sophomore - Glenn was
the co-defensive player of the year for the AAC. And he was UCF's first
AP All-American since Kevin Smith in 2007. The Knights had a top five defense last year and Glenn played a large role in that success.
So I've got to think a factor
here was that he would have benefited with more time in school and
refining his play. Some folks have criticized his instincts and some
technique issues. Adding to that, his combine results didn't blow anyone
away. Feels like these concerns were probably at play, especially since
I don't foresee injury or character concerns here.
Mitchell Alexander - Again,
to speculate, I'd have to say the reason why Glenn dropped might have
had to do with his limited experience combined with a pretty solid draft
class of CB's. Up against a lot of players with impressive resumes made
it hard for Glenn to stand out.
WCG - Glenn played the Field
Corner for UCF, can you explain what that means and did he play
anywhere else in the defensive backfield during his 2 year career?
Chas Short - The field
corner plays the wider side of the field (contrast to the boundary
corner, who is playing on the short side of the field). Part of the
notion is that while a field corner typically has to deal with a lot of
space, he is not often left alone. This is where a team normally plays
its better CB.
Glenn played all of 2014 at
corner. And I don't recall him playing elsewhere in the backfield in
2013. Incidentally, he played safety his senior year of high school.
WCG - I've seen Glenn
described as a ballhawk, but with less than ideal speed, which often
times warrants a switch to safety. Is Glenn a physical and tough enough
player to make such a move?
Chas Short - His
reputation as a ballhawk is well-deserved. Glenn closed the regular
season ranked third in the country in interceptions (with 7). And lots
of passes defended.
It's funny - I was never much
concerned with his speed at the college level. And I think your question
forces me to confront and acknowledge that I'd want more out of my NFL
corner.
As to a switch to safety, I
wouldn't have concerns about his mental toughness. Glenn is intense on
the field. But he is a slim guy, so the physical aspects might concern
me.
WCG - Any injury or character flags Bears' fans should be concerned with?
Chas Short - Nope. He
only missed one game in his college career. He didn't play at Temple in
2013 due to injury. And he started the other 25 games. I have no reason
to be concerned about character either.
That was easy, wasn't it?
WCG - What are the odds Glenn can stick on an NFL roster?
Chas Short - I'd be
happier answering this question if Glenn had remained at UCF for another
year or two and continued to develop. But I've been impressed with his
play and see the potential for good things in the future for him. To me,
he feels like a player who will bounce around a bit before eventually
catching on somewhere.
While Knights fans wish he had
stuck around (as he initially announced he would do), we appreciate his
excellent contributions to the team and wish him the best.
Mitchell Alexander - I
definitely think Glenn could make an NFL roster. He plays with great
intelligence and skill and with a couple of years in an NFL system he
could be a great depth CB or even a starter. I would not be surprised to
see him wind up in training camp and moved to a few different teams
before he blooms though.
Thanks to Chas Short and Mitchell Alexander for giving us some inside stuff on Jacoby Glenn!
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