Scouting Report: Brodney Pool
Age: 25
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 210 lbs.
College: Oklahoma
Draft: 2005 / 2nd Round (34th overall)
College Career — A two year starter at Oklahoma, Pool finished his career with 9 interceptions, two sacks, 171 tackles (15 for losses), 15 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. In his final year, he was an Associated Press All-Big 12 Conference choice.
Cleveland Career — As a rookie, Pool did not start for the Brows in 2005, but played in 13 games during the season. In 2006, Pool lost out as a starting safety to Sean Jones, but became a starting cornerback due to injuries to three corners (Bodden, McCutcheon, Baxter). In 2007, Pool started all 16 games for the Browns, making 72 tackles and 2 interceptions. Pool holds the Browns’ franchise record for longest interception return (100 yards against the Baltimore Ravens on November 18, 2007). In 2008 and 2009, Pool continued as the team’s starter, and even though he had his fewest games (11) as a pro in 2009, he had his highest interception (4) and passes defensed (10) totals.
ESPN Scouts Inc. Report — “Pool is the Browns’ starting free safety. He has very good size for the position and is fluid in all his movements, but his production does not meet his potential at this point. He has soft hands for the interception and covers plenty of ground, but rarely does he come up with the big play. His overall physicality for the safety position is just average at best.”
Dream of the Scheme — The Ed Reed comparisons will end now that Rhodes is out the door, but Pool has the requisite tools for the role that he needs to fill. Size? Check. Range? Check. Soft hands? Check. Pool can play the role that Rhodes wouldn’t, or couldn’t … the one high safety who helps to determine where the QB throws by the way he shades at the snap.
Concussion Concern — Pool has suffered at least four concussions in five pro seasons, with his last coming in Week 12 against the Bengals. According to Mary Kay-Cabot in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, it was assumed by the press that Pool would “give serious thought to continuing his career” at that time. Concussions are serious business in football, and increasingly under scutiny that they weren’t just five years ago. Due to his history, Pool might not be able to stay on the field for the Jets in 2010.
General Analysis: Talent-wise, the move is an upgrade from Smith/Digs. It’s hard to say just how much of one because of Pool’s injury history. It proves that they know Smith and Digs aren’t able or ready to start in this league, but the move doesn’t make it insurmountable for Smith or Digs to become a starter if they put together a solid spring and summer. This move allows the Jets to head into the draft with one less “need” and allows them more flexibility to target their players.
24 Responses to Scouting Report: Brodney Pool
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WOJF says:
Logical signing, not sure if I agree with the analysis that they now have one less “need” but then again I never thought they planned to draft a safety in Rds 1 or 2 anyway.
Sure they will sign a few more marginal vets in the secondary, probably at CB since I still think Lowery will end up at Safety.
Believe they will draft defensive line/ OLB in round one (moving up or down as needed) and a WR in round two.
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IMO not an upgrade over Rhodes as Pool is not very physical. I think this move can only be judge by who we draft at this position and if he is able to avoid knocking himself out with a concussion next year.
His agent can say whatever he wants but……a young player with his skills would have been tendered or gotten a much better deal if he didnt had a concussion problem.
Not a bad move though as it cost them nothing and he does have talent. Low risk move
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Mike D. says:
Oddly enough, I think this signing is more support for us drafting Tay May.
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deuce4417 says:
mike D
you read my mind. i want to know if its true that mays twittered kerry saying that he was not trying to relace him is true or not. if so thatsa a very good sign. if anyone can mould this guy into a top 5 player its rex
in rex we trust!
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jets4life says:
rd 1: olb jerry hughes
rd 2 : 3-4 de corey wotton/greg hardy/ alex carrington
rd 4: rb james starks
rd 5: wr david gettis
rd 6: fs robert jonhson
rd 7: og alex parsons -
miketaliaferro says:
I see this as a decent depth move. Didn’t cost a lot as far as I know, and whatever we get from him is gravy. He’ll start over an ES or Digs, leaving them in their proper support roles. If they upgrade the position through the draft or through signing Sharper for a year or two, Pool joins the support pool, which might help him be less vulnerable to as many head dings as a starter would take.
My only fear in this, is Pool taking one hard shot in the head somewhere between August and February and ending up thinking that HE owes all that child support to Cro’s kids…
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hughes would be a good pic as well but,
rex thinks he can still get something out of the ghost(even tho we all don’t agree)
they love westerman
they believe with jenks we can getthe pressure that rex’s d need
so…………..
i believe rex is going to look for that “special player” that can wreak havoc all over the field and that points to talyor mays and rashad jones. the defencive backfiels is the most crutial part of the jets d thatsa fact, a pass rush comes with that
is called coverage sack
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I New York I says:
This is just a thought… But is there any chance we can still sign sharper and use pool as a nikel?? idk just thought id ask
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thats actually where i see pool having a good impact, don’t know if rex would want sharper, he is just a 1yr bandaid not a long term fit and we all know rex does not plan on going anywhere.
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Eddie DiGio says:
Guy has to stay healthy…he is athletic enough to be a good fit in this defense
If he cant stay on the field it’s hasta la bye bye
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jameson says:
I NY I,
As I read his profile that is exactly what I thought. We need a hard hitting safety–something that Kerry never became. Bringing in a contuse safety isn’t the key to solving that.
HOWEVER, the one capacity where we used Kerry that he excelled last year, was covering TEs and slot recievers. IF we brought Pool in to fill that capacity then I’m all for it.
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Drew
One reason I believe that Pool wasnt tendered a better offer…he was a hold over from a previous regime…we all know that Mangini had his problems with players over there and we dont know what went on in that locker room or behind closed doors because Mangini runs that team like a federal prison
I think you combine the total overhaul in Cleveland and his head injuries…thats why he was so available
Just for the record, the comment I made in the other Pool topic was in no way directed at you…I know you werent jumping around on this move but you have your reasons…but you know how it gets around here when people get signed and that is why I said what I said
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Bent says: “i want to know if its true that mays twittered kerry saying that he was not trying to relace him is true or not.”
NOT TRUE. @realtaylormays was apparently exposed as a fake twitter account by Manish Mehta yesterday.
“I never thought they planned to draft a safety in Rds 1 or 2 anyway.”
Did you think Smith/Digs would start or were you just confident of finding a veteran?
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bent thanks for clearing that up, its a shame tho
i really hate twitter
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Veteran.
Pool could fit the bill, Sharper maybe and I think Lowery fits at Safety too. Mix and match depending on opponent, down and distance. Corner was more important in the grand scheme of things.
Just my feeling they will focus on pass rush and WR in first two rounds which to me are more glaring needs.
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Bent says:
Yeah, wise, I felt that was the smart play too. I just feel better now they’ve actually secured one.
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Le' Sean Roberts says:
Somebody failed to mention that he could have been taken first round pick in 2005 NFL draft. He was the 34th pick overall to Cleveland. Interesting?
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Aru89 says:
I’ll be completely honest, I don’t really know much about this guy, but if his real strengths lie in his range and ball-hawking abilities, he doesn’t even have to play every down. I like ESmith against the run, he just is garbage against the pass.
Plus, i think us Jet fans were brainwashed from Mangini-regime regarding Kerry Rhodes. We’re the only species in the world that thinks this guy is really good and difficult to replace. He hasn’t had much of an impact in like 2 and a half years. Once Brodney Pool gets his endorsement from Karako suits (and Cromartie gets his from Karako suits for Kids), we won’t remember Kerry ever existed.
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mike s. says:
He is alot cheaper than Rhodes.
But the multiple concussion issue is very real and the next one likely ends his career. Till then, he is athletic, experienced, and cheap. With Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo backing him up, I have a hard time seeing the NY Jets drafting a safety with either #29 or #61. I still suspect D-line age is the major need. Pass rush is possible, but the OLB position seems crowded. -
mkj13 says:
Rd1 jerry hughes
Rd2 reshad jones/chad jones
Rd4 taylor price
Rd5 james starks
Rd7 ol depth -
rd1- jerry hughes/jared odrick
rd2- jordan shipley/ciron black
rd4- taylor price
rd5-akwasi owusu-ansah/myron lewis
rd 6- mesko
rd7- ol depth -
daveb says:
ARU89
Totally agree. Smith’s pass defense abilities really make him non-viable as an every down DB. I like this move. If we sign LT, it shows MT’s hand…let expensive guys go and replace with comprable cheap vets.
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Liam says:
Its a smart move. Pool brings the basic skill set that rex wanted kerry to bring, ball hawking safety. essentially, we traded kerry rhodes for brodney pool, a 4th, and a bunch of money. even if brodney doesnt shine in our system (which kerry did not last year) its a good move. i still think we add one more veteran safety during the offseason. remember we now have 2 outstanding cover corners, depth at cb will be less of an issue this year than it has been in recent years and we can afford to carry an extra safety (whereas the past 2 years it seems that we’ve carried a million cbs hoping to find lightning in a bottle at the 2 spot).
To me the best part about this move is that (as mentioned above) we can now approach the draft with more flexibility and not even think of trading up in the 1st to get a safety (which we shouldn’t have done regardless, we should be focusing on bolstering our pass rush).