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Discuss.

Shocker. That is all.

Excellent pick. I really like it. :yay

a bit of a suprise, but im glad they took Dline help.  guess they had him rated higher than Cody.  A good solid pick. 

Very suprising but these are the picks that end being the best for the Eagles. 

The guy's built like Hollis Thomas used to be.  "Small" but very compact and productive.  A guy (unlike Simon) who doesn't give up on the play and will give it his all.  With the Simon and Hollis situations, DT was a "need" pick, and I respect it if the Eagles had him at the top of their board.

Not surprised at all.  He was on the list of DTs that they really liked.  He'll be part of the rotation and might be Grasmanis' replacement....

Man I hope they get Barnes with their next pick.

Andy knows what he's doing, aside from that bust Mitchell. Trust the big guy!

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 23, 2005, 05:51:30 PM
Excellent pick. I really like it. :yay

I am very happy!  I was hoping we could get him.  I heard him interviewed on ESPN Radio - good kid.

Mike's nicknamr is "Baby Sapp"... :paranoid

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 23, 2005, 05:55:30 PM
Mike's nicknamr is "Baby Sapp"... :paranoid

BEtter than being one of "Sapp's babies", I suppose.

some links to info:
USC Bio (http://usctrojans.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/patterson_mike00.html)

draft countdown info:

QuoteStrengths: Has a motor that never quits...Works hard and is very competitive...Great quickness...Good playing strength...Productive and has been a playmaker for the Trojans...A disruptive force in the opponents backfield.
Weaknesses: Undersized...Can get pushed around by bigger, stronger offensive lineman...Not what you look for physically...May have trouble adjusting to a higher level of competition where his physical shortcomings will be magnified...Has short arms.
Notes: Has been overshadowed by his talented teammates such as Kenechi Udeze and Shaun Cody...Nicknamed "Baby Sapp", after Warren...Despite his size teams will have a hard time ignoring his production.

NFL.com INFO

QuoteOVERVIEW

One of the premier nose guards in the collegiate ranks, Mike Patterson was nicknamed "Baby Sapp," as his style of play is very similar to that of Oakland's Warren Sapp. Both rely on their suddenness off the snap, instincts and aggression to make plays in the backfield, despite yielding considerable bulk and size to the offensive linemen. Patterson teamed with Shaun Cody to give the Trojans the premier tackle tandem in college football: both garnered first-team All-American honors as seniors.

Patterson moved to the Los Angeles area as a high school sophomore to live with a cousin and his family. The All-CIF wrestler and defensive tackle earned PrepStar and Super Prep All-American honors as a senior at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High. He recorded 94 tackles with seven sacks and 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage in his final prep season.

He arrived on the Southern California campus in 2001 and expected to redshirt, but injuries forced him on to the field as a reserve defensive tackle for the team's final 11 games. Patterson struggled a bit to adapt to classroom work and the playbook during his first year at USC, but made considerable strides over the course of his career. He finished his rookie year with only nine tackles, but registered three sacks, five stops for losses and caused and recovered two fumbles.

Patterson started the first six games of the 2002 campaign at nose guard before shifting to tackle for the next four games, then moved back to nose for the final three contests. He totaled 37 tackles (27 solo) with 5½ sacks, 11½ stops for losses and four fumble recoveries.

During the Trojans' march for a share of the national title in 2003, Patterson had a career-high 55 tackles (36 solo) with seven sacks, 13½ stops for losses of 61 yards and returned three fumble recoveries for 68 yards. Those figures earned the nose guard first-team All-Pac-10 Conference honors.

As he entered his senior year, Patterson was the subject of constant double-team coverage. Despite those stacked odds, it was he doing the stacking (and disengaging) at the line of scrimmage, as he earned consensus All-American and All-Pac-10 Conference honors as a senior. He recorded 45 tackles (25 solo) with six sacks, a team-high 16 stops behind the line of scrimmage, two forced fumbles, a conference-high four fumble recoveries and two pass deflections.

The three-year starter finished his career with 146 tackles (96 solo), 21½ sacks for minus-139 yards, 46 stops for losses of 213 yards, four forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries (team record) and three pass break-ups.

ANALYSIS

Patterson has excellent quickness and plays with recklessness and an aggressive style. He shows good pursuit speed to cover ground from sideline to sideline. Might be a little too short to play the two-gap system, but his explosion, long arms and strength make him ideal to handle the trash and double teams at nose guard.

Patterson plays very quick in the short area, as his clocked 40-yard speed indicates. Does a very good job of avoiding blockers and making plays. In the past, he needed to use his hands more to shed quicker, but showed marked improvement in this area as a senior. Now uses his hands effectively to hit and shed, moving down the line to make the play.

Can anchor and read, doing a nice job of taking a side to beat the blocker or attack the gap. When he is quick to spot the plays, he reacts well to blocking schemes and is stout at the point of attack, consistently getting leverage and getting his feet free. At times, Mike will run underneath blockers and that causes him to take a bad angle, causing him to then has to chase down the ball carrier from behind. Plays with a high motor and is quick and sudden coming off the edge of a blocker. His brute strength (Patterson earned several weight lifting honors with the Trojans) and wrestling experience makes him a very disruptive force, as he gets a lot of his tackles (one-third) in the backfield.

He keeps a low center of gravity vs. the run and can anchor and neutralize with his lower-body strength and very long arms. Extremely difficult to block one-on-one because of his power and low pad level. Physical hitter, wraps up strongly and is a good pass rusher with above-average foot speed to fight through traffic en route to the quarterback. A little slow recognizing the run and pass, but has the foot speed to get there once he spots the play.

Patterson shows a great short-area burst and has good change-of-direction skills. Gets adequate depth dropping back in zone coverage and breaks on the ball well, but struggles with his man-to-man cover skills, resulting in him generally being replaced in nickel situations. Can easily beat the single block with his speed and power. Effective pushing the pocket if the center attempts to block him and can also do it when the center gets help. Will rip or swim off the bull rush and has a very good burst to push and close the pocket. Patterns his play and is even nicknamed "Baby Sapp," in honor of Warren Sapp, but his backfield penetration agility is superior to that of the once-dominant Oakland Raider.

INJURY REPORT

No injuries reported.

AGILITY

4.83 in the 40-yard dash ... 520-pound bench press ... 700-pound squat; ... 410-pound power clean ... 34-inch vertical jump ... 9-foot-9 broad jump ... 32-inch arm length ... 9¼-inch hands ... Right-handed.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Los Alamitos (Cal.) High. ... Earned Prep Star All-American, SuperPrep All-Far West, Prep Star All-Western Region, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best of the West second team, Los Angeles Times All-Orange County, Orange County Register All-Orange County first-team, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first-team and All-Sunset League honors as a senior ... Posted 94 tackles, 18 stops for losses and seven sacks in 2000 ... As a junior, his honors included All-CIF Division VI Defensive MVP, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team second-team and All-Sunset League first-team honors ... Patterson also was an All-CIF wrestler at Los Alamitos.

PERSONAL

Sociology major ... His family lived in Sacramento, but he moved south and lived with relatives in order to play football at Los Alamitos High ... His sports hero is NFL star Warren Sapp. "He's my favorite player, for sure," Patterson said. "He was one of the short guys and we have similar body types. He worked very hard and now he is one of the best. So that's who I try to emulate. I try to work really hard to be the best. We have different attitudes, but I love the way he plays. But I don't hear the 'Baby Sapp' nickname much anymore. It's almost like I'm finally making a name for myself." ... Born Sept. 1, 1983 ... Resides in Los Alamitos, Calif.

 :-D -- true. But he's not from Camden...


(http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2004/writers/stewart_mandel/12/28/orange.bowl/p1_patterson_getty.jpg)

Time for a new number

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 23, 2005, 05:55:30 PM
Mike's nicknamr is "Baby Sapp"... :paranoid

They better keep him out of Camden

I really like the fact that he is a high motor player he should fit in nicely for Philly.

QuoteHis sports hero is NFL star Warren Sapp. "He's my favorite player, for sure," Patterson said. "He was one of the short guys and we have similar body types. He worked very hard and now he is one of the best. So that's who I try to emulate. I try to work really hard to be the best. We have different attitudes, but I love the way he plays. But I don't hear the 'Baby Sapp' nickname much anymore. It's almost like I'm finally making a name for myself."

That's a relief.

How will he manage to get put on IR for the year? I say broken ankle.


... anyway, I need a new jersey. Me likey this pick.

Good pick, much needed depth at DT.  :yay

Quote from: PhillyGirl on April 23, 2005, 06:02:25 PM
Who?

But this guy must be a SMART player if the Patriots drafted him.

He looks like he's 40 years old.

My picture's a little fuzzy, I thought they drafted Theisman.

520 for his bench. :o

Bah, I put 520 up all the time.


They do measure in grams, right?

Quote from: TAFKAFF on April 23, 2005, 06:07:11 PM
Bah, I put 520 up all the time.


They do measure in grams, right?

Only the Ravens.

and Cowboys.

From Prisco:

QuoteThe rich get richer. Mike Patterson is another of my favorites. He will come into Philadelphia and be an immediate impact player. Patterson is a force against the run and the pass, and will be both for the Eagles.  Grade:  A

:yay

Quote from: BigEd76 on April 23, 2005, 06:09:00 PM
From Prisco:

QuoteThe rich get richer. Mike Patterson is another of my favorites. He will come into Philadelphia and be an immediate impact player. Patterson is a force against the run and the pass, and will be both for the Eagles.  Grade:  A

:yay

Nice  :yay


What else are you hearing, Ed?  :)

maybe the Birds keep SImon this year and get rid of Hollis?

QuoteMike Patterson
DT, USC
War Room analysis
Vs. the run: Is short but well built; is thick, wide, quick and athletic. Has good penetrating skills, and diagnoses plays well. Is more effective when on the move. Has short arms and can struggle to maintain separation and to shed blockers. Grade: 7.5.

Pass rush: Lack of height and short arms are a concern. Gets engulfed by bigger offensive linemen. Lacks closing speed. Never stops hustling. Has quick "swim" and "spin" moves. Grade: 7.4.

Initial quickness: Anticipates the snap well and explodes. Plays with good leverage, and wins most battles with first two steps. Grade: 7.7.

Run/pass recognition: Is great in this area. Rarely takes himself out of a play. Shows a great feel for the game and his assignment. Grade: 7.6.

Pursuit/tackling: Has adequate speed and athleticism. Is relentless in pursuit. Is a powerful tackler. Makes big plays by forcing fumbles and recovering them. Grade: 7.4.

Bottom line: Patterson would be a great fit in a one-game penetrating scheme. He has the potential to develop into an impact starter. A Warren Sapp look-alike, he is a much more pleasant personality and has a desire to make plays. He projects as a 4-3 nose tackle who gets around the field. Look for him to go late in the second round.

Dan Pompei analysis
Undersized; is strictly a one-gap prospect. Is agile and light on his feet. Can penetrate. Has some production. If a blocker gets his hands on him, he often gets blown out of the play. Is not very good at the point of attack. Comparable to the 49ers' Anthony Adams.


News
With the exception of wide receiver Mike Williams, USC's elite talent was on display March 23 at an on-campus workout.

Patterson skipped running and drills at the NFL Combine because of a sore hip flexor. So this workout was his big chance, and he delivered good numbers. He remains a solid bet as a Day 1 pick.

I'd rather keep Hollis. He's cheaper and plays sometimes.

QuoteA Warren Sapp look-alike, he is a much more pleasant personality and has a desire to make plays.

lmfao

Sapp only has a desire to make babies.

From CNNSI John Donovan:

A terrific, and fortuitous, pick for the NFC champs. Patterson is an active guy in the middle -- though maybe not big enough -- who will learn from a veteran defensive line and will, as these things always go, get some playing time when someone gets banged up. Next up, the Super Bowl champion Patriots, who have the final pick of the first round. Cody doesn't seem to fit there, but Bill Belichick could surprise. He's done it before.

If this guy can play like Sapp and not be a deusche off the field, he's a winner.

Quote from: SD_Eagle on April 23, 2005, 06:09:47 PMWhat else are you hearing, Ed?  :)

Today?  Nothing.  Just the stuff from Thursday....

From the official site:

Quote1st Rd (31st): DT Mike Patterson, USC 




April 23, 2005



OVERVIEW

One of the premier nose guards in the collegiate ranks, Mike Patterson was nicknamed "Baby Sapp," as his style of play is very similar to that of Oakland's Warren Sapp. Both rely on their suddenness off the snap, instincts and aggression to make plays in the backfield, despite yielding considerable bulk and size to the offensive linemen.

Patterson teamed with Shaun Cody to give the Trojans the premier tackle tandem in college football: both garnered first-team All-American honors as seniors.

Patterson moved to the Los Angeles area as a high school sophomore to live with a cousin and his family. The All-CIF wrestler and defensive tackle earned PrepStar and Super Prep All-American honors as a senior at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High. He recorded 94 tackles with seven sacks and 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage in his final prep season.

He arrived on the Southern California campus in 2001 and expected to redshirt, but injuries forced him on to the field as a reserve defensive tackle for the team's final 11 games. Patterson struggled a bit to adapt to classroom work and the playbook during his first year at USC, but made considerable strides over the course of his career. He finished his rookie year with only nine tackles, but registered three sacks, five stops for losses and caused and recovered two fumbles.



Vitals/Links
College: USC
Height: 5-11, Weight: 292



Patterson started the first six games of the 2002 campaign at nose guard before shifting to tackle for the next four games, then moved back to nose for the final three contests. He totaled 37 tackles (27 solo) with 5½ sacks, 11½ stops for losses and four fumble recoveries.

During the Trojans' march for a share of the national title in 2003, Patterson had a career-high 55 tackles (36 solo) with seven sacks, 13½ stops for losses of 61 yards and returned three fumble recoveries for 68 yards. Those figures earned the nose guard first-team All-Pac-10 Conference honors.

As he entered his senior year, Patterson was the subject of constant double-team coverage. Despite those stacked odds, it was he doing the stacking (and disengaging) at the line of scrimmage, as he earned consensus All-American and All-Pac-10 Conference honors as a senior. He recorded 45 tackles (25 solo) with six sacks, a team-high 16 stops behind the line of scrimmage, two forced fumbles, a conference-high four fumble recoveries and two pass deflections.

The three-year starter finished his career with 146 tackles (96 solo), 21½ sacks for minus-139 yards, 46 stops for losses of 213 yards, four forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries (team record) and three pass break-ups.

ANALYSIS

Patterson has excellent quickness and plays with recklessness and an aggressive style. He shows good pursuit speed to cover ground from sideline to sideline. Might be a little too short to play the two-gap system, but his explosion, long arms and strength make him ideal to handle the trash and double teams at nose guard.

Patterson plays very quick in the short area, as his clocked 40-yard speed indicates. Does a very good job of avoiding blockers and making plays. In the past, he needed to use his hands more to shed quicker, but showed marked improvement in this area as a senior. Now uses his hands effectively to hit and shed, moving down the line to make the play.

Can anchor and read, doing a nice job of taking a side to beat the blocker or attack the gap. When he is quick to spot the plays, he reacts well to blocking schemes and is stout at the point of attack, consistently getting leverage and getting his feet free. At times, Mike will run underneath blockers and that causes him to take a bad angle, causing him to then has to chase down the ball carrier from behind. Plays with a high motor and is quick and sudden coming off the edge of a blocker. His brute strength (Patterson earned several weight lifting honors with the Trojans) and wrestling experience makes him a very disruptive force, as he gets a lot of his tackles (one-third) in the backfield.

He keeps a low center of gravity vs. the run and can anchor and neutralize with his lower-body strength and very long arms. Extremely difficult to block one-on-one because of his power and low pad level. Physical hitter, wraps up strongly and is a good pass rusher with above-average foot speed to fight through traffic en route to the quarterback. A little slow recognizing the run and pass, but has the foot speed to get there once he spots the play. Patterson shows a great short-area burst and has good change-of-direction skills.

Gets adequate depth dropping back in zone coverage and breaks on the ball well, but struggles with his man-to-man cover skills, resulting in him generally being replaced in nickel situations. Can easily beat the single block with his speed and power. Effective pushing the pocket if the center attempts to block him and can also do it when the center gets help. Will rip or swim off the bull rush and has a very good burst to push and close the pocket. Patterns his play and is even nicknamed "Baby Sapp," in honor of Warren Sapp, but his backfield penetration agility is superior to that of the once-dominant Oakland Raider.

INJURY REPORT

No injuries reported.

AGILITY

4.83 in the 40-yard dash ... 520-pound bench press ... 700-pound squat; ... 410-pound power clean ... 34-inch vertical jump ... 9-foot-9 broad jump ... 32-inch arm length ... 9¼-inch hands ... Right-handed.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Los Alamitos (Cal.) High. ... Earned Prep Star All-American, SuperPrep All-Far West, Prep Star All-Western Region, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best of the West second team, Los Angeles Times All-Orange County, Orange County Register All-Orange County first-team, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first-team and All-Sunset League honors as a senior ... Posted 94 tackles, 18 stops for losses and seven sacks in 2000 ... As a junior, his honors included All-CIF Division VI Defensive MVP, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team second-team and All-Sunset League first-team honors ... Patterson also was an All-CIF wrestler at Los Alamitos.

PERSONAL

Sociology major ... His family lived in Sacramento, but he moved south and lived with relatives in order to play football at Los Alamitos High ... His sports hero is NFL star Warren Sapp. "He's my favorite player, for sure," Patterson said. "He was one of the short guys and we have similar body types. He worked very hard and now he is one of the best. So that's who I try to emulate. I try to work really hard to be the best. We have different attitudes, but I love the way he plays. But I don't hear the 'Baby Sapp' nickname much anymore. It's almost like I'm finally making a name for myself." ... Born Sept. 1, 1983 ... Resides in Los Alamitos, Calif.

Quote from: BigEd76 on April 23, 2005, 06:16:31 PM

Quote from: SD_Eagle on April 23, 2005, 06:09:47 PMWhat else are you hearing, Ed? :)

Today? Nothing. Just the stuff from Thursday....

He's holding out on us. Let's get 'im!

i don't like to see the words "undersized" & "finesse" used to describe a DT...but i'll assume they know what they're doing. ;)

Quote from: mhunt on April 23, 2005, 06:31:49 PM
i don't like to see the words "undersized" & "finesse" used to describe a DT...but i'll assume they know what they're doing. ;)

Aren't those common descriptions when talking about the Eagles DL for the last few years?

DL, linebackers, WRs until last year ...

From ge99 on the EMB:

QuoteGreat start to the day. Patterson was the player I wanted the most. He is the hardest working DL in the whole draft. He will play his butt off. He lacks ideal size, but will make plays all over the field. Mike made more tackles than any DT I've seen. The numbers may say different, but he is exactly what we needed.


Reggie is intersting as a WR. He's an SEC guy. He's strong. He's athletic. And tough. He played gunner on the Punt Cover team. He will gladly play STs for Coach Harbaugh and do a good job

Quote from: SD_Eagle on April 23, 2005, 06:55:10 PM
From ge99 on the EMB:

QuoteGreat start to the day. Patterson was the player I wanted the most. He is the hardest working DL in the whole draft. He will play his butt off. He lacks ideal size, but will make plays all over the field. Mike made more tackles than any DT I've seen. The numbers may say different, but he is exactly what we needed.


Reggie is intersting as a WR. He's an SEC guy. He's strong. He's athletic. And tough. He played gunner on the Punt Cover team. He will gladly play STs for Coach Harbaugh and do a good job

What is the meaning of that? Who is the poster that it matters? lol

PE.com profile (http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/homeNewsDetail.jsp?id=26579)

Patterson's comments after being drafted (http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eaglesQuotesDetail.jsp?id=26592)

Quote from: TAFKAFF on April 23, 2005, 08:21:26 PM
Patterson's comments after being drafted (http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eaglesQuotesDetail.jsp?id=26592)

Sounds like a good one.  :yay

Great pick-up and I seen every USC game last year ( big pac 10 fan) .


Awesome DT with some big guns....

Quote from: PhillyGirl on April 23, 2005, 07:35:23 PM

Quote from: SD_Eagle on April 23, 2005, 06:55:10 PM
From ge99 on the EMB:

QuoteGreat start to the day. Patterson was the player I wanted the most. He is the hardest working DL in the whole draft. He will play his butt off. He lacks ideal size, but will make plays all over the field. Mike made more tackles than any DT I've seen. The numbers may say different, but he is exactly what we needed.


Reggie is intersting as a WR. He's an SEC guy. He's strong. He's athletic. And tough. He played gunner on the Punt Cover team. He will gladly play STs for Coach Harbaugh and do a good job

What is the meaning of that? Who is the poster that it matters? lol

Just a guy that's really into the College Draft and has an incredible amount of football knowledge.

Correct.  I really respect his opinion.  He also pegged McCoy and Moats as guys the Eagles were targetting and players he'd love to see them bring in.   :yay

Weclome to Philly

(http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/PIHHEELFEBAF/patterson_wmedia.jpg)

Les Bowen, always on the job.   :-D

Quote from: MDS on April 24, 2005, 01:36:43 PM
Weclome to Philly

(http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/PIHHEELFEBAF/patterson_wmedia.jpg)

God help him.

Quote from: MDS on April 24, 2005, 01:36:43 PM
Weclome to Philly

(http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/PIHHEELFEBAF/patterson_wmedia.jpg)

He really is a more pleasant-looking Sapp. 

But still, area clinics be generous with the Yasmin please...

Patterson speaks (http://philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/media/video/eagles/042405-patterson.wmv)

Quote3. Which Rookies Are Making A Push?

Mike Patterson is, that's who. Not a push to make the team, but one to earn a lot of playing time -- it is not outrageous to suggest he could be a starter before too long this season -- at defensive tackle.

Patterson came through Monday's game with a very positive report. Jim Johnson continues to rave about the young man. Baltimore has a big offensive line and can play smash-mouth football.

Team Patterson approves this message.


full link (http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=33254)

Quote from: MURP on April 23, 2005, 05:58:05 PM
some links to info:
USC Bio (http://usctrojans.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/patterson_mike00.html)

draft countdown info:

QuoteStrengths: Has a motor that never quits...Works hard and is very competitive...Great quickness...Good playing strength...Productive and has been a playmaker for the Trojans...A disruptive force in the opponents backfield.
Weaknesses: Undersized...Can get pushed around by bigger, stronger offensive lineman...Not what you look for physically...May have trouble adjusting to a higher level of competition where his physical shortcomings will be magnified...Has short arms.
Notes: Has been overshadowed by his talented teammates such as Kenechi Udeze and Shaun Cody...Nicknamed "Baby Sapp", after Warren...Despite his size teams will have a hard time ignoring his production.

NFL.com INFO

QuoteOVERVIEW

One of the premier nose guards in the collegiate ranks, Mike Patterson was nicknamed "Baby Sapp," as his style of play is very similar to that of Oakland's Warren Sapp. Both rely on their suddenness off the snap, instincts and aggression to make plays in the backfield, despite yielding considerable bulk and size to the offensive linemen. Patterson teamed with Shaun Cody to give the Trojans the premier tackle tandem in college football: both garnered first-team All-American honors as seniors.

Patterson moved to the Los Angeles area as a high school sophomore to live with a cousin and his family. The All-CIF wrestler and defensive tackle earned PrepStar and Super Prep All-American honors as a senior at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High. He recorded 94 tackles with seven sacks and 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage in his final prep season.

He arrived on the Southern California campus in 2001 and expected to redshirt, but injuries forced him on to the field as a reserve defensive tackle for the team's final 11 games. Patterson struggled a bit to adapt to classroom work and the playbook during his first year at USC, but made considerable strides over the course of his career. He finished his rookie year with only nine tackles, but registered three sacks, five stops for losses and caused and recovered two fumbles.

Patterson started the first six games of the 2002 campaign at nose guard before shifting to tackle for the next four games, then moved back to nose for the final three contests. He totaled 37 tackles (27 solo) with 5½ sacks, 11½ stops for losses and four fumble recoveries.

During the Trojans' march for a share of the national title in 2003, Patterson had a career-high 55 tackles (36 solo) with seven sacks, 13½ stops for losses of 61 yards and returned three fumble recoveries for 68 yards. Those figures earned the nose guard first-team All-Pac-10 Conference honors.

As he entered his senior year, Patterson was the subject of constant double-team coverage. Despite those stacked odds, it was he doing the stacking (and disengaging) at the line of scrimmage, as he earned consensus All-American and All-Pac-10 Conference honors as a senior. He recorded 45 tackles (25 solo) with six sacks, a team-high 16 stops behind the line of scrimmage, two forced fumbles, a conference-high four fumble recoveries and two pass deflections.

The three-year starter finished his career with 146 tackles (96 solo), 21½ sacks for minus-139 yards, 46 stops for losses of 213 yards, four forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries (team record) and three pass break-ups.

ANALYSIS

Patterson has excellent quickness and plays with recklessness and an aggressive style. He shows good pursuit speed to cover ground from sideline to sideline. Might be a little too short to play the two-gap system, but his explosion, long arms and strength make him ideal to handle the trash and double teams at nose guard.

Patterson plays very quick in the short area, as his clocked 40-yard speed indicates. Does a very good job of avoiding blockers and making plays. In the past, he needed to use his hands more to shed quicker, but showed marked improvement in this area as a senior. Now uses his hands effectively to hit and shed, moving down the line to make the play.

Can anchor and read, doing a nice job of taking a side to beat the blocker or attack the gap. When he is quick to spot the plays, he reacts well to blocking schemes and is stout at the point of attack, consistently getting leverage and getting his feet free. At times, Mike will run underneath blockers and that causes him to take a bad angle, causing him to then has to chase down the ball carrier from behind. Plays with a high motor and is quick and sudden coming off the edge of a blocker. His brute strength (Patterson earned several weight lifting honors with the Trojans) and wrestling experience makes him a very disruptive force, as he gets a lot of his tackles (one-third) in the backfield.

He keeps a low center of gravity vs. the run and can anchor and neutralize with his lower-body strength and very long arms. Extremely difficult to block one-on-one because of his power and low pad level. Physical hitter, wraps up strongly and is a good pass rusher with above-average foot speed to fight through traffic en route to the quarterback. A little slow recognizing the run and pass, but has the foot speed to get there once he spots the play.

Patterson shows a great short-area burst and has good change-of-direction skills. Gets adequate depth dropping back in zone coverage and breaks on the ball well, but struggles with his man-to-man cover skills, resulting in him generally being replaced in nickel situations. Can easily beat the single block with his speed and power. Effective pushing the pocket if the center attempts to block him and can also do it when the center gets help. Will rip or swim off the bull rush and has a very good burst to push and close the pocket. Patterns his play and is even nicknamed "Baby Sapp," in honor of Warren Sapp, but his backfield penetration agility is superior to that of the once-dominant Oakland Raider.

INJURY REPORT

No injuries reported.

AGILITY

4.83 in the 40-yard dash ... 520-pound bench press ... 700-pound squat; ... 410-pound power clean ... 34-inch vertical jump ... 9-foot-9 broad jump ... 32-inch arm length ... 9¼-inch hands ... Right-handed.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Los Alamitos (Cal.) High. ... Earned Prep Star All-American, SuperPrep All-Far West, Prep Star All-Western Region, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best of the West second team, Los Angeles Times All-Orange County, Orange County Register All-Orange County first-team, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first-team and All-Sunset League honors as a senior ... Posted 94 tackles, 18 stops for losses and seven sacks in 2000 ... As a junior, his honors included All-CIF Division VI Defensive MVP, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team second-team and All-Sunset League first-team honors ... Patterson also was an All-CIF wrestler at Los Alamitos.

PERSONAL

Sociology major ... His family lived in Sacramento, but he moved south and lived with relatives in order to play football at Los Alamitos High ... His sports hero is NFL star Warren Sapp. "He's my favorite player, for sure," Patterson said. "He was one of the short guys and we have similar body types. He worked very hard and now he is one of the best. So that's who I try to emulate. I try to work really hard to be the best. We have different attitudes, but I love the way he plays. But I don't hear the 'Baby Sapp' nickname much anymore. It's almost like I'm finally making a name for myself." ... Born Sept. 1, 1983 ... Resides in Los Alamitos, Calif.

I like how one report talks about his short arms and one about his very long arms.
I think they just use some kind of auto-writing program for this shtein.