After sitting out the 2014 season due to academic issues, Russell was cleared and reinstated by the NCAA to play for the Irish in 2015. And talking to those close to the program, he was "Mr. Motivation" behind closed doors as he worked his way back up the depth chart. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound Russell finished the 2015 season fourth on the Irish with 60 tackles, but missed the final two games with a broken right leg.
He was suspended from the school in 2014 for academic dishonesty, and Irish coach Brian Kelly said Russell would have had to petition the NCAA if he wanted to try to return to the program for one more season.
Russell announced his decision on Twitter on Jan. 4: "Thanks @NDFootball and @CoachBrianKelly for everything. I'm leaving, but grateful for my time at @NotreDame."
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS: Looks the part of an NFL cornerback with a well-developed, athletic frame, including broad shoulders, relatively long arms and a tapered waist. Possesses the raw athleticism to project well to the next level as a cover corner, showing light feet, balance and swivel hips to quickly change direction and run with receivers. Effectively squeezes the receiver toward the sideline on vertical routes, leaving little space for quarterbacks to drop in passes. Throttles down quickly, showing good agility and balance as well as a quick burst to close downhill on underneath routes. Good stop-start quickness to recover against double-moves, accelerating fluidly and showing good speed overall.
Excellent hand-eye coordination to snake his hands between those of his opponent as the ball arrives, showing the wherewithal to break up passes even when receivers appear to have beaten him. Flashes the ability to make the incredible interception (USC), showing good vision to track the ball over his shoulder, as well as proper timing and body control to win contested passes.
Isn't a particularly physical tackler but is generally reliable, lassoing ballcarriers' legs with his arms for the effective stop.
WEAKNESSES: Too often satisfied with matching up with his receiver and losing track of the ball. Doesn't peel off of his primary assignment quickly enough to come up in run support or against underneath receivers. Relies on reading the eyes of receiver to know when to swat at the ball, failing to turn and locate, at times.
Missed the 2014 season due to academic issues and therefore must convince scouts that he possesses the football intelligence and work ethic to handle a complicated defense. Also comes with medical questions after suffering a broken right tibia which ended his 2015 season Nov. 21 against Boston College and puts his ability to work out at the Combine in doubt.
IN OUR VIEW: After missing the entire 2014 season and going down late with a broken leg in 2015, Russell's collegiate career didn't end as impressively as it began. He was an immediate standout for the Irish, starting the first 26 games of his career and emerging as the team's best cornerback. The coverage ability and confidence are there to project as Russell as a future starter at the next level, assuming, of course, that scouts are satisfied with his pre-draft testing.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
So KeiVarae Russell is talented and Athletic but a little slow on the uptake and is struggling with terminology? He was probably waived to be stashed on the PS in KC. Waive your 3rd round pick after game one to try and sneak him through...
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
No Spiller for me. He has the T-Rich syndrome of not reading the defense.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
I also was shocked that NO had kept SIX running backs. That's an insane amount
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Watched one of Russell's videos on draftbreakdown. He seems to lack "suddenness" somewhat. His straightline speed did show up, though. He was involved in two INTs. Caught one himself on a double move his lack of suddenness seemed to actually benefit him on. He also tipped a ball that was then intercepted on what looked like a drag route possibly.
The QB was none other than USC's Cody Kessler.
He didn't scream we've gotta get this guy to me, but as has been said the one's we've got haven't looked very good so I wouldn't be too upset if we did.
You mess with the "Bull," you get the horns. Fiercely Independent.
Uhmmm...........if he is breathing, he is better than some of our corners.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Posted by Mike Florio on September 16, 2016, 5:50 PM EDT brownshelmet022015-getty-ftrjpg_1mpa39ek3kcdz1k6893scw2ww6 Getty Images The Browns are trying to get better at every position. On Friday, they specifically focused on defensive backs.
Per a league source, the Browns worked out Warren Gatgewood, Doran Grant, Mike Hilton, Tyler Patmon, and Kevin Peterson.
No Browns players are listed on the Friday injury report, so the players weren’t brought in as potential replacements for banged-up corners and safeties.
The Browns also worked out guard Michael Liedtke.
Cleveland hosts Baltimore on Sunday in the Browns’ 2016 regular-season home opener.
I bet you're wondering the samething I did, why O' why didn't I take the...blue pill
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Anyone heard anything about how we're getting back to 53?
Payton? Scooby? One of the DBs we just picked up? Thoughts?
PFT is reporting that it's Scooby Wright.
ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 2m2 minutes ago Browns are waiving LB Scooby Wright, per source. If he clears waivers, they want to sign him to practice squad. He may not clear waivers.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
The Cleveland Browns have signed OL Austin Reiter off Washington’s practice squad and QB Charlie Whitehurst. To make room on the roster, the team terminated the contact of DLJohn Hughes III and waived LB Scooby Wright III.
QB Josh McCown (left shoulder) and OL Cameron Erving (pulmonary contusion) were injured last week against Baltimore and are expected to miss time.
Reiter is 6-2, 300-pounds and officially in his first NFL season out of South Florida. Originally selected by Washington in the seventh round of the 2015 draft, Reiter spent his rookie season and the first two weeks this year on the Redskins’ practice squad. A native of Bradenton, Fla., he graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School.
Whitehurst is 6-4, 226 pounds and officially in his 11th NFL season out of Clemson. Originally selected by San Diego in the third round of the 2006 draft, Whitehurst has appeared in 24 career games with nine starts. He has completed 205 of 372 passes for 2,281 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last season, he appeared as a reserve in four games with Indianapolis. He has also appeared in games for San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee. A native of Duluth, Ga., Whitehurst graduated from Chattahoochee High School. His father, David, played quarterback for Green Bay (1977-83) and Kansas City (1984).
Hughes was selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2012 draft. He appeared in 53 games with 10 starts. He logged 65 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He appeared in one game this season.
Wright was selected by the Browns in the seventh round of the 2016 draft. He was inactive for the first two games.
He missed a lot of TC with personal issues that nobody talked about. I have no idea what, but some things in life are more important than football. I just hope that whatever it is, he comes out OK.
1. #GMstrong 2. "I'm just trying to be the best Nick I can be." ~ Nick Chubb 3. Forgive me Elf, I didn’t have faith. ~ Tulsa 4. ClemenZa #1
Hughes gave us some good production, just not lately. Something was up. Figured he'd be gone after being inactive.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Scooby can join the rest of the overhyped late RD draft picks selected since 99. just because a LB racks up a ton in tackles in college does not translate to making a game day roster the next year. now go get your Jason Trusnick\Ben Taylor\Scott Solomon award now.
Hughes was inactive against the Ravens. The writing was on the wall.
Yeah but then Nassib broke his hand.
He and Nassib play the same position, but are not similar players at all. My guess is that Tyrone Holmes takes most of Nassib's snaps and Gabe Wright takes over for John Hughes (I think Wright was inactive last week too).
Anything Hughes can do Meder or Paea can also probably do.
Scooby can join the rest of the overhyped late RD draft picks selected since 99. just because a LB racks up a ton in tackles in college does not translate to making a game day roster the next year. now go get your Jason Trusnick\Ben Taylor\Scott Solomon award now.
Wright was one of the best linebackers in college football, it wasn't just preseason production that got people excited.
Hughes was inactive against the Ravens. The writing was on the wall.
Yeah but then Nassib broke his hand.
He and Nassib play the same position, but are not similar players at all. My guess is that Tyrone Holmes takes most of Nassib's snaps and Gabe Wright takes over for John Hughes (I think Wright was inactive last week too).
Anything Hughes can do Meder or Paea can also probably do.
Last week Holmes played only 4-3 DE and Nassib was the end on the other side until he broke his hand. I don't think Holmes is nearly big enough to play a 3-4 DE. But yeah they must be excited about what Gabe Wright can do if they are willing to part with Hughes.
kinda crazy how Erving's injury cost us maybe not only the game but cost John Hughes as much as $9 million real dollars.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."