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BENGALS 2007 2ND ROUND PICK KENNY IRONS


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Kenny Irons
Height: 5-11
Weight: 195
Position: Running Back
College: Auburn


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OVERVIEW
Ever since Jimmy Hitchcock garnered All-American honors for Auburn in 1932, the Tigers have had a long history of standout tailbacks perform at the school. The South Carolina transfer stepped in and filled the void created by the departure of NFL first-round draft picks Carnell Williams (Tampa Bay) and Ronnie Brown (Miami) in 2005, as Irons proved to be a capable replacement for that tandem as Auburn's featured back.

The consensus All-American and All-Southeastern Conference preseason selection was hoping to improve upon his junior season performance in 2006 and make a serious run at the Heisman Trophy. However, a series of injuries would sidetrack that quest, forcing him to miss two games and be at less than 100 percent in most of the other contests he played in. Still, most personnel experts regard Irons as one of the premier prospects at his position for the 2007 NFL Draft.

The Dacula High School product earned PrepStar All-American honors as a senior and was rated the 14th-best running back in the country by that recruiting service. He ran for 1,985 yards that year and was a member of The Sporting News' Top 25 squad. Irons was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 team, selected the Gwinnett County Back of the Year and Atlanta Touchdown Club Back of the Week his final campaign. He also played in the 2001 Georgia/Florida High School All-Star Football Game.

After being heavily recruited, Irons chose South Carolina over Michigan, Auburn, Clemson and Georgia. He appeared in seven games as a true freshman in 2002, picking up 201 yards on 47 carries (4.3 avg). He added 63 yards and a touchdown on four receptions (15.8 avg.) and gained 13 yards on one kickoff return. In 2003, Irons was listed far down on head coach Lou Holtz's depth chart at tailback. He appeared in only five games and was limited to 19 runs for 51 yards (2.7 avg.) and a touchdown. He also had two catches for 8 yards.

After his sophomore season, Irons decided it was time to transfer. Hoping for more playing time and wishing to be reunited with his older brother, David, both siblings enrolled at Auburn in 2004. Kenny was forced to sit out the season under NCAA transfer rules. David, who came over from Butler County Community College, was granted a medical hardship after the cornerback suffered a knee injury in preseason camp.

With Williams and Brown having entered the National Football League, Kenny Irons emerged as the Tigers' starting tailback in 2005. He was an All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection, leading the SEC and ranked 21st nationally with an average of 107.75 yards per game rushing. Irons ran 256 times for 1,293 yards and 13 touchdowns. He made 14 catches for 164 yards (11.7 avg.) and gained 2 yards on one punt return.

In 2006, Irons appeared in 10 games, missing two contests and playing most of the year at less than 100 percent due to turf toe, a groin pull, a high ankle sprain and a bruised fibula. He still managed to pick up All-SEC first-team honors from the league's coaches, as he ranked third in the conference in rushing, averaging 82.1 yards per game. He led the team with 821 yards and four touchdowns on 174 attempts (4.7 avg.). He snared nine passes for 76 yards (8.4 avg.) and amassed 897 all-purpose yards.

In 12 games at South Carolina, Irons started once. He rushed 66 times for 252 yards (3.8 avg.) and one touchdown for the Gamecocks. He also had six receptions for 71 yards (11.9 avg.), including one score and returned a kickoff 13 yards. In 22 games at Auburn, Irons started 18 times. He totaled 2,114 yards on 430 chances (4.9 avg.) with 17 touchdowns. He caught 23 passes for 240 yards (10.4 avg.) and had one punt return for a 2-yard gain.

For his collegiate career, Irons collected 2,366 yards with 18 touchdowns on 496 rushes (4.8 avg.). He hauled in 29 passes for 311 yards (10.7 avg.) and one score. Irons also gained 13 yards on one kickoff return and 2 yards on a punt return. He amassed 2,624 all-purpose yards, an average of 77.2 yards per game.


ANALYSIS
Positives: Much more quick than he is fast, but shows very good explosion and burst coming out of his stance … Attacks the holes with good pad level and forward body lean … Has that ease-of-movement agility to change direction and locate the cutback lanes without having to throttle down … Shows crisp plant and drive agility to get to his top speed in an instant and shows good up field cutting ability … Intense competitor who will not hesitate to bang it up the middle of the line, despite concerns about his overall strength … Builds acceleration instantly and is a very sudden player with the loose hips, wiggle and head fakes to simply fool a lethargic defender … Quick through the holes, staying low in his pads while generating the forward body lean to generate valid positive yardage, even in tight areas … Can also rock the defenders back on their heels with his stop-and-go action … Shows an explosive burst through the holes and the speed to escape second level defenders to break away for a long run … Alert to cutback lanes and works hard to set the plays up … When he finds the rush lane, he has the balance and agility to pick and slide through that hole … It is rare to see him go down on first contact because of the way he keeps his body lean moving forward … Won't ever be confused for Craig "Ironhead" Heyward taking the ball up the gut and can't be considered a power runner, but he has that sudden burst to squeeze through tight areas and the leg drive to side-step or run over smaller defenders to get past the second level … Because he plays at that low pad level, he consistently gets leverage and is fluid in his pick and slide … Won't be easily tripped up because of his above average balance … Too slippery to be neutralized by arm tackles or from defenders trying to take out his legs … While his pick and slide ability is effective, he is just better using cutback lanes than trying to outrun his blocking to get past tacklers … Has that body control and balance to redirect without having to vary his speed … Knows his second gear is much more effective at eluding tacklers rather than trying to juke or wiggle away from them … Darting runner who doesn't have the leg drive to power through tacklers, but is tough to bring down in isolated coverage … The thing you notice on film is his ability to outrun angles and squeeze through holes without having to throttle down … Fast-twitched in his route progression and has the quick pitter-patter steps to ride up on a defender and gobble the cushion.

Negatives: Developing better overall muscle tone, but is not as strong as the Auburn runners in the past (Carnell Williams/Ronnie Brown) … Has room on his frame to carry additional bulk, but could probably fill out only to 215 pounds before seeing the additional weight start to affect his quickness … Needs more than a few reps to retain, and while he plays with good field vision, he might struggle a bit with a complicated playbook as he needs help in digesting his assignments … Has to do a better job with his vision in reading blocks in space, but has improved the last year … When he fails to run behind his pads, he will get stymied in attempts to take the defender on straight-up … Needs to work on his ball security mechanics, as he gets a bit careless distributing the ball to keep it away from the defender … Seems to prefer to catch in a small window rather than pluck for the ball … Is adequate on screens due to his body control, but has not seen much more than controlled routes (struggles some when asked to operate on crossers or attack the deep seam, as he looks awkward tracking the ball in flight) … Explodes into his routes to gobble up the cushion, but lacks recognition skills to know when to work back to the ball when the quarterback is pressured … Gets run over too much trying to pick up the blitz or bull rush, as he lacks the base strength to hold his ground firmly … When he tries to face up vs. the bigger defenders, his marginal hand-placement technique sees that opponent easily slip off his blocking attempt.

Compares To: Jerious Norwood of the Atlanta Falcons … Like Norwood, Irons' explosive initial quickness lets him gain instant leverage on any defender … Both are not considered power runners, but because of their burst and low pad level, they have been able to gain valid yardage between tackles … When either of these runners turn the corner, that second gear takes over and their foot race is easily won.


INJURY REPORT
2006: Sat out the Buffalo contest due to a right groin sprain and a right turf toe (Sept. 23) … Did not play vs. Tulane (Oct. 21) because of a left high ankle sprain and bruised fibula … Did not start vs. Georgia (Nov. 11) due to his high ankle sprain and bruised fibula.


AGILITY TESTS
Campus: 4.51 in the 40-yard dash (against the wind) … 4.5 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 315-pound bench press … 341-pound power clean … 36-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-3 broad jump … 4.26 20-yard shuttle … 7.34 three-cone drill … 31 5/8-inch arm length … 10 1/8-inch hands … Right-handed … Wears contacts.


HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Dacula (Ga.) High School, playing football for head coach Kevin Maloof … Earned PrepStar All-American honors as a senior and was rated the 14th-best running back in the country by that recruiting service … Ran for 1,985 yards that year and was a member of The Sporting News' Top 25 squad … Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 team, selected the Gwinnett County Back of the Year and Atlanta Touchdown Club Back of the Week his final campaign … Played in the 2001 Georgia/Florida High School All-Star Football Game.


PERSONAL
Business economics/liberal arts major … Son of David Irons … Father works for Pat Dye's player agency … Brother of teammate and All-Southeastern Conference cornerback, David Irons … Born Sept. 15, 1983 … Resides in Dacula, Ga.





[url="http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/irons_kenny"]http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/irons_kenny[/url]
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Weaknesses:
Timed speed is only average...He does not have the type of size, strength or bulk you'd prefer...Appears to have okay hands but his experience as a receiver in the passing game is limited...Does his best as a blocker but is only adequate and will get overwhelmed...Ball security is an issue...[b]Was hurt a lot in '06 and durability is a concern[/b]...Has to keep his pad level down...Does not break a ton of tackles and won't run people over...Did not have the senior campaign most were expecting.

<_<

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Guest oldschooler
Link to the audio Press Conference . . .

[url="http://play.rbn.com/?url=nfl/nfl/open/bengals/live/bengalspress.rm&proto=rtsp"]http://play.rbn.com/?url=nfl/nfl/open/beng...&proto=rtsp[/url]
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Good value at #49. Lets face it, other than a few corners, the defensive players available were nothing to write home about. Irons is one helluva football player that is an excellent blocker and receiver.

I'm not gonna complain. Obviously Perry isn't gonna be ready so the need was there.
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Guest Bengals1181

I won't lie, I'm not a big fan of this pick. However, I think they got stuck when Miller, Harris, and Durant disappeared.

Its not a horrible pick, but is a surprising one since we don't have a 3rd.

The Jets are taking all the players I want :rant:

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[color="#FF0000"][b]Excellent pick, I am very happy about this. People forget he was a Heisman hopeful very
early in the season, was the best player on the board.

The Ki-Jana.....errr....Chris Perry experiment is over.

Trade that bitch (Perry) for a 5th rounder.

[/b][/color]
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Guest Bengals1181
[quote name='CornerBlitZ' post='478180' date='Apr 28 2007, 08:05 PM']STUPID PICK ! I'm sick of this shit.[/quote]


lighten up francis.
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Guest oldschooler
Kenny Irons RB 5'11 203 Auburn 4.45
By: Robert Davis
Kenny Irons began his career at South Carolina, but after rushing for just 252 yards in two seasons, he decided to jump ship and transfer to Auburn. He sat out the 2004 season, and blew up as a junior in 2005, his first season on the field with the Tigers. He was named All SEC 1st Team after rushing for 1,293 yards and 13 touchdowns, and added 14 receptions for 164 yards out of the backfield. His numbers fell this season as he battled through injuries, but he still managed to rush for 821 yards and four touchdowns on the year.

Irons has an excellent combination of skills. He has the ability to break off a big run, but the ability to pick up tough yards between the tackles as well. He has quick feet and shows the ability to cut and quickly accelerate to break off big runs consistently. Irons is also a very tough interior runner. He has the toughness to continue to tote the rock inside and take hits. He also keeps his feet moving at the end of runs and picks up extra yardage at the end of the play.

There is not any one glaring weakness in Irons’ game, but he doesn’t have any true standout qualities either. While has has good speed, he is not a burner and will not straight run by NFL defenders. His size is also only average. He may need to bulk up to be able to withstand the beating he will take as a feature back in the NFL. He had some injuries as a senior that hindered his success, so durability may be a factor in the NFL.

Irons is the next in the line of talented Auburn backs into the NFL, following Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams(and Brandon Jacobs, who transferred to Southern Illinois before moving on to the NFL). While he is not as highly regarded as Brown or Williams, he has the ability to be a very good starting back in the NFL, and should be a Day One pick in April.




[url="http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/kenny_irons.html"]http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospe...enny_irons.html[/url]
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Guest Bengals1181
[quote name='CatScratchFever' post='478204' date='Apr 28 2007, 08:10 PM']Exactly what I thought... another "What the Fuck" Marvin Lewis pick...

... there has been a bit of a run on LBs today, perhaps all the desirable ones are gone?[/quote]


Well I think Harris was on their board, and everyone knows that Marvin loved Durant. I really think Durant would have been our pick if he was still on the board.
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[quote name='spicoli' post='478207' date='Apr 28 2007, 08:10 PM']Good value at #49. Lets face it, other than a few corners, the defensive players available were nothing to write home about. Irons is one helluva football player that is an excellent blocker and receiver.

I'm not gonna complain. Obviously Perry isn't gonna be ready so the need was there.[/quote]

He is an excellent receiver. Which one of his ten catches last year showed you that?

We did not need a RB. if you wanted an insurance policy for Perry in case he is not healthy by the beginning of the year then we justhave a very expensive insurance policy...we spent a 2nd round pick. What if Perry is healthy.

This was a horrible pick when we have a horrible defense. i could have been talked into beleiving in any DT or S.
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Guest oldschooler
Running BacksNo. Player School HT WT Year 40 Rnk Chng
1 Adrian Peterson Oklahoma 6014 217 Jr. 4.38
2 Marshawn Lynch California 5111 215 Jr. 4.46
3 Tony Hunt Penn State 6015 233 Sr. N/A
4 Lorenzo Booker Florida State 5103 191 Sr. 4.46
5 Dwayne Wright Fresno State 5114 228 Jr. 4.66
6 Antonio Pittman Ohio State 5106 207 Jr. 4.40
7 Michael Bush (inj) Louisville 6013 243 Sr. N/A
8 Kenny Irons Auburn 5105 203 Sr. 4.45



[url="http://www.kffl.com/article.php/64283"]http://www.kffl.com/article.php/64283[/url]
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Good pick. I was really impressed with this kid @ Auburn.

1st Team All-SEC Runningbacks are the best in the world, and we got one in the 2nd round.
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We'll see if he can recover and return to his form from early last season.
[quote]Shows an explosive burst through the holes and the speed to[b] escape second level defenders to break away for a long run[/b][/quote]

I liked reading that. We'll see how he works out.
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[quote name='Jamie_B' post='478218' date='Apr 28 2007, 08:16 PM']Not a fan of this pick.[/quote]

[color="#FF0000"][b]Why not? After the Jets took Harris, who was there to get. Another corner?

Some say, trade down, but it takes two to tango. Maybe they tried and wasn't able to.

Irons was by far the best player on the board and Marvin Lewis has said he does not draft by need,
he drafts the best availiable.[/b][/color]
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