Northeastern is a bit snake-bitten this season, but there is no question that they are not the door mat in the CAA that they once were. They actually led #11 UMass most of this game, and when the Minutemen decided to go for it down 21-24 from the Northeastern 1-yard line instead of kicking the tying FG, and when the ballcarrier got pasted for a 2-yard loss, it looked like the Huskies were about to shake up the CAA some more this weekend the way Maine did by beating #20 Delaware on the road 27-10. But it was not to be. UMass's RB Tony Nelson carried 36 times for 174 yards to chew up the clock, QB Liam Coen was his usual effiecent self, and when Coen scored the go ahead TD on a 4-yard run moments later, they were able to claim the lead and run out the clock.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Massachusetts Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Courtney Robinson 4 5' 11.3" 195 4.45 CB 2009: Bit of a pile inspector. Sticks nose in on run support, but is no run support corner. Bump tackler who was not challenged enough in the passing game (Coen simply does not throw outside very much) to assess that part of his package. Not impressed with the other part I did see. GRADE: Incomplete

Liam Coen 12 6' 1.8" 220 4.85 QB 2009: Bit of a hot and cold guy this year. Really places the skinny post and crossing routes on the money, but sometimes tries to do that too much and gets into trouble. Is pretty accurate fitting the ball into tight spaces, but still shouldn't do that so much. 6 picks in 6 games coming out of the FCS is not going to endear you to NFL scouts. He is a gambler who usually wins, though. Efficient game manager and field general. Leadership skills galore. Snaps it off quickly. Ball wobbles occasionally. Can rumble with the ball a bit, but won't be much of a threat doing that next year. GRADE: Neutral

Sean Calicchio 63 6' 2.6" 310 5.25 OT 2009: Playing center now. Really disappointed in what I saw. Does not play to the whistle. Seems dispassionate. Does his job, and no more than his job. Gets pushed back. Doesn't lead by example or display any passion. OK on the second level. Gets too high in short yardage and loses. Not on my draft board. GRADE: Negative

Sean Smalls 16 6' 0.2" 205 4.60 CB 2009: Really a safety playing corner in the CAA where you can get away with that due to a lack of 4.30 WRs. Shows up in the running game. Shows good timing on the jump ball, and leans in and strips it without drawing a flag. Nice size for CB, but he probably lacks the wheels for it. Is also the team's PRer, but showed me nothing there today. Maybe you bring him in as a FS candidate after the draft? GRADE: Neutral


College: Northeastern Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Anthony Orio 10 6' 1.7" 230 4.90 QB 2009: Oddest flat-foot delivery I've seen in awhile. A Joe Capp throw back. Very intelligent, and does not make many mistakes. Can rumble with the ball a bit too, and did it better than Coen in this game. Decent play fakes. Rainbows the deep ball, but that may be by design. Likes slants and screens. Good footwork. Questionable repertoire and arm strength. GRADE: Neutral

Brian Mandeville 83 6' 5.0" 255 4.90 TE 2009: Still out with a MCL sprain. Back in two weeks?

Chris Plum 5 6' 1.7" 215 4.60 WR 2009: Among the best possession receivers in the FCS. Really shows toughness and hands. Not sure if the 4.60 is accurate, but if it is, it's more than enough to bring this kid to camp. A bit like the Jets' practice squad player from 2-years ago out of East Stroudsburg, Evan Prall, but a tad stronger. GRADE: Slightly positive

Cord Parks 21 5' 10.2" 189 4.55 CB 2009: Younger brother of Cory Parks also a DB for Northeastern? Looks like he can do the job in pass D at this level. Fluid, fast, and can tackle OK for a FCS CB. Worth another look...GRADE: Incomplete


OTHER NOTES:

UMass: Man, they have a big offensive line. There will be some guys to talk about there next year.

RB Tony Nelson was impressive too, but I still don't think he'll wind up being draftable. Shows a lot of everything, but no really excellence in anything.

Junior LB Josh Jennings (#2) is leading the CAA in tackles, but was average in this one.


Northeastern:

NEED TO SEE MANDEVILLE.

Alex Broomfield (HB #9, 5'7", 190) is a jitterbug supreme. Takes the direct snap and can throw a little. Nice burst. Hands. Multiple cuts without losing speed. Reminds me of the back at Northwestern, is it Sutton?

#46 Phill Higgins is a solid FCS linebacker.