-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ezra Butler Height:6'2" Weight:248 lbs. College:Nevada Conference:WAC Hometown:Calabasas, CA High School:Calabasas Butler is a wide body athlete with rare timed speed for his position. He hasn't really been used as a classic outside linebacker, as the "Bandit" position he played is more like a 5-tech rush end. He is a solid blitzer coming off the edge with his hand on the ground and can be used on the front wall, having begun his collegiate career as a 285-pound defensive tackle before trimming his frame to compete playing outside the box. I read about Butler in Jets Confidential. Do any of you have more information about him? I know he was out of football last year. he has had a reputation for marijuana use. __________________
^ He has a 'reputation for marijuana use' based on one incident. He's sized more as an ILB in the 3-4, which will make things a bit difficult when he tries to go up against OTs in our defense. However, I didn't realize he was 285 before. There's at least a chance he could bulk up a bit. I'm sure he was brought in primarily as a ST guy, but if he could somehow develop into a situational pass rusher at OLB, it would obviously be a huge help. EDIT: Apparently, thanks to Google, it was 2 incidents with the marijuana. I knew about the DUI, but not about an earlier one at Nevada.
Eh. Shonn Greene took a year off while in college, and then came back firing, so I don't think it'll be much of an issue.
He played well in the UFL last year for Las Vegas. So he was not away from football at all. We have nothing to lose but all to gain by signing a guy like him. REX has had much success with guys like him: Bart Scott for one! Ezra Butler Scouting Report Position: OLB School & Year/Status: Nevada - Senior Jersey Number: #56 Height & Weight: 6'2 - 248 lbs. 2008 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report: person Ezra Butler, OLB, Nevada Butler started his career at Nevada as a defensive end during his redshirt freshman season. In 2005 he was moved to outside linebacker where he started every game for the Wolf pack, sharing the team lead with 5.5 sacks. In 2006 he led Nevada in tackles during the regular season (as well as during its Bowl against the University of Miami). He started every game during his senior season, making 71 tackles with 7.5 sacks and also made the All WAC Second Team. Butler is big, well built and very fast for a linebacker (4.49-40). He is agile and moves well and has quick change of direction, moving well in traffic. He closes quickly on ball carriers, getting good deep drops on zone coverage. He can run with any tight end (and most receivers) and possesses good hands for interceptions. Butler plays sideline to sideline, as a good pass rusher and is very competitive and a team player. Although big and strong, Butler seems to wear down when run at. He must avoid biting on play action fakes, because sometimes he tends to gamble. I think he just needs on the field maturation, because he did not fully dominate at his level. Ezra Butler had the type of talent that could change a game plan. In fact, he has as much athletic ability as most of the OLB in this draft class. Butler really hurt his draft status by not participating at the NFL Combine, despite the fact that he received an invitation. Once projected as high as a late second rounder, the athletic Butler has slipped to the late middle rounds. Nevertheless, the team that takes a chance on him will have a really motivated player that will try to put this and a somewhat lackluster 2007 season behind him. Last Updated Mar-16-2008 by Raul Colon
1 year away from the NFL > than 1 year away from college. Still, I doubt it should be that much of a concern, especially since he isn't expected to produce as a starter, barely even as a backup. It's not like we're taking a guy who was out of football for year to fill our LG position...
