!!!!!WITH THE 156TH PICK THE BENGALS SELECT CB SHAUN PRATER!!!!!

[oldschooler]

[b] Overview[/b]

Prater is an athletic corner who has the quickness and mental makeup to play early at the next level. He was a three-year starter at Iowa and has been a good player against some strong talent. He will be hindered by a poor finish to his senior year that culminated in a rough showing against Oklahoma and some NFL-caliber talent.
[b] Analysis[/b]

[b] Strengths[/b]
Prater is an athletic guy, he is able to cover in man and has the burst and recognition to react well when playing zone. In man, he has the hips and footwork to mirror his man down the field and the recognition to make a play on the ball. He understands how to work back in zone and see players in front of him, and he has a much better burst from a still position to react to thrown balls than he does to stay with a man deep.
[b] Weaknesses[/b]
Prater can struggle in man to understand when the ball is thrown. He seems lost at times when having to look back toward the quarterback. He is just average in run support and tackling.



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profiles/shaun-prater?id=2532997

[BigDawgBengal]

Not an exciting pick. Will probably be a PS squad guy. Can't hurt to have some young depth at CB.

[oldschooler]

[b] Overall Football Traits[/b]


Production 2
"2008: (13/0) - 11-2 2009: (10/10) - 41-8-2 2010: (12/12) - 68-6-4 2011: (13/13) -- 51-3-1"

Height-Weight-Speed 3
"Slightly below average in terms of height, arm length (30 3/4) and hand size (8 1/2). Did not test at the combine due to a nagging minor hamstring injury but clocked in at 4.48 at his pro day, which is above average. "

Durability 3 Missed 2010 Eastern Illinois game with an injury. Missed 2009 Northern Iowa and Iowa State games. Missed 2009 Arkansas State game with an injury.

Intangibles 4
Suspended for the first two games of the 2009 season after being arrested for DUI in February. Passionate and love to play the game. Recipient of 2010 hustle award for work on defense and on special teams.


[b]1[/b] = Exceptional[b]2[/b] = Above average[b]3[/b] = Average[b]4[/b] = Below average[b]5[/b] = Marginal

[b] Cornerback Specific Traits[/b]


Instincts/Recognition 2
Possesses above-average football instincts. Flashes anticipation and route-recognition skills that allow him to get a quick jump on the ball. Can improve recognition in zone coverage and can be late picking up targets coming into his zone on occasion. Displays above-average discipline to hold water when receiver's dial up double moves.

Cover Skills 2
Above-average athlete that displays smooth movement skills. Displays fluid hips and quickly opens to turn and change direction. Needs to take an extra step or two to gather at the top of backpedal when transitioning forward. Shows very good short-area quickness. Displays ability to mirror receivers when aligned in press-man coverage. Closing burst is above-average and can cut down separation when the ball is in the air. Shows ability to quick transition and regain balance against double moves. Flashes adequate recovery speed when caught in trail position.

Ball Skills 3
Interception production dropped a bit but displays adequate hands and playmaking ability. Does nice job of using sideline as his ally and squeezing receivers when defending the deep ball. Times leaps well to go up and play the ball. However lacks of size and strength can make him vulnerable in one-on-one downfield situations against bigger and more athletic receivers.

Run Support 3
"Lack of size and strength can cause him to struggle to shed blocks against bigger and more physical receivers. Does a nice job of slipping blocks in the open field to make plays. Takes good angles in pursuit. A wrap-up-and-drag-down tackler. Can have issues getting more powerful runners off their feet in the open field. However, does show good technique and timing when submarining ball carrier's legs. "


[b]1[/b] = Exceptional[b]2[/b] = Above average[b]3[/b] = Average[b]4[/b] = Below average[b]5[/b] = Marginal

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/27820



Scouts Inc has him rated #119 overall and 16th at his position.

[Bengals1181]

[left][b]Overview[/b]
[/left][left]
[color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]As the only Nebraska native on the Hawkeyes' roster, Prater will appreciate the teams' new neighboring-state, season-ending rivalry with the Cornhuskers--the newest members of the Big Ten Conference. The all-state high school football player and 400 meter relay state champion returned for his senior season, in part, due to playing that game only an hour from his hometown. He earned playing time on special teams and as a reserve corner his true freshman year, making 11 tackles and breaking up two passes. After missing the first two games of the 2009 season, he made his presence felt by starting 10 of the remaining 11 games (missing one due to injury), intercepting two passes and breaking up eight others. His improvement continued ...[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]More [img]http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/fantasynews/plus.png[/img][/size][/font][/color]





[/left][left][color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][b]Analysis[/b][/size][/font][/color]
[/left][left][color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Positives: Aware zone cornerback who is also adept in man coverage, flashing physical hand punch at the line and straight-line speed to stay with receivers downfield. Good strength to tackle. Plays with high energy and is a tough-minded overachiever with experience as a special teams gunner. Very aggressive attacking receiver blocks and tackles like a safety. Negatives: Receivers can arm-bar downfield to create separation. He's too often caught peeking in the backfield and gives ground on double moves. Fails to maintain inside technique in man coverage. Not a press corner. Doesn't high-point the ball and his reputation as a battler can work against him on the field.[/size][/font][/color]
[/left][left][color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1723466/shaun-prater"]http://www.cbssports...66/shaun-prater[/url][/size][/font][/color]

[/left]

[Oldcat]

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1335640306' post='1126074']
Not an exciting pick. Will probably be a PS squad guy. Can't hurt to have some young depth at CB.
[/quote]

Might be like Morgan Trent - good with the short passes, not so good in space

[Bengals1181]

5'10 190lbs

[Bengals1181]

[color=#333333][font=HelveticaNeue,]
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/HawkeyeFootball"][b]Hawkeye Football[/b] [size=4]‏[/size] [s]@[/s][b]HawkeyeFootball[/b][/url][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=HelveticaNeue,]
Congratulations to Shaun Prater, now a Cincinnati Bengal [url="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23GoHawks"][s]#[/s][b]GoHawks[/b][/url][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=HelveticaNeue,]
[size=3]
[color=#999999][size=3]Retweeted by [url="https://twitter.com/#!/MattBowen41"][b]Matt Bowen[/b][/url][/size][/color][/size]
[/font][/color]

[Jamie_B]

indifferent to this pick

[oldschooler]

156


[url="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/27820"]Shaun Prater[/url]

Iowa


CB



[url="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/teams/_/team/cin/year/2012"]Cincinnati[/url]


[b]What he brings:[/b] Prater's an instincitive and quick defender that's aggressive in run support. There are questions about his top-end speed and he can get stronger playing the ball.




http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/rounds/_/round/5/year/2012

[Bengals1181]

[color=#333333][font=HelveticaNeue,]
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/Dan_Hoard"][b]Dan Hoard[/b] [size=4]‏[/size] [s]@[/s][b]Dan_Hoard[/b][/url][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=HelveticaNeue,]
Shaun Prater's reaction to being drafted by Cincinnati: "It's a big relief. That was the longest wait of my life"[/font][/color]

[texbengal]

Good depth guy... STs and maybe play the slot. like his game... he was a solid player for Iowa.

[texbengal]

Doesn't run as fast as Trent but plays more physically. Trent was a tremendous athlete and Prater isn't in his class, but he might be a smarter player.

[blueridge]

Good one. I've been keeping my eye on Prater since last fall. The guy can play.

[Bengals1181]

[b] CB Prater looking at special teams[/b]

Posted 12 minutes ago
[center]
[b]Dan HoardBengals.com[/b]
[b]Contributor[/b]


[color=#393939][size=3][img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/clubimages/articles/2012/prater-shaun120428_440.jpg[/img][/size][/color][/center][left][color=#393939][size=3]After hearing about the prank call that wide receiver [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/mohamed-sanu/2ec826da-ce44-498c-8d77-174bbd664114/"]Mohamed Sanu[/url] received from a Bengals imposter in the first round before being drafted by Cincinnati in the third round, [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/shaun-prater/b95b12bd-2d5a-4510-8e2c-55dc5a1ea39e/"]Shaun Prater[/url] was cautious when the 513 area code popped up on his cell phone on Saturday afternoon.[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]“I have an iPhone so it has all of the area codes and states and stuff,” said Prater. “When they first called, they hung up and I thought it was a prank call. Then they called me back, and I looked up at the TV and it said the Bengals had the next pick. I saw that they needed a cornerback so I just took a deep breath and prayed to God and hoped that this was real.”[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]The call was no prank as the Bengals selected the Iowa cornerback with the first of their three fifth-round draft picks. Prater and first round pick [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/dre-kirkpatrick/3f89d93d-6289-497f-a912-0459ae1ab95e/"]Dre Kirkpatrick[/url] add youth to the veteran cornerback corps of [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/leon-hall/0f379744-8ae4-4952-8f53-75c2f38f43ec/"]Leon Hall[/url] (27), [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/nate-clements/bbbf8d1c-75d6-4c45-ab56-60768094134e/"]Nate Clements[/url] (32),[url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/terence-newman/6312eee8-0115-4ae9-9a0c-ab13a9cc864e/"]Terence Newman[/url] (33), [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/jason-allen/ecbe6bdc-b8a6-4dd8-9713-06458d0391c5/"]Jason Allen[/url] (28) and [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/adam-jones/70893f56-2c88-4a74-93ec-15f2886cca42/"]Adam Jones[/url] (28).[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]“It gives us another guy that will compete,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “He’s been a great guy in coverage at Iowa. They play a lot of quarters coverage which we like to play—with him out there playing some of that—and then clouding up, so he’s done a couple of things that will transfer well coming into the NFL.[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]“He was one of their outside gunners and will be a great guy competing for those spots with us here (on special teams)." [/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]Prater was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and finished his career with seven interceptions in 35 starts. Additionally, he was one of the Hawkeyes top performers on special teams.[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]“At Iowa, they teach you to be very disciplined and very smart,” said Prater. “We have to know the game plan of the opponents, we have to know formations and personnel, and we have to play fast mentally as well as physically. Coming from Iowa and playing under Coach (Kirk) Ferentz, I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity. He does a great job of getting every player ready for the next level.”[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]Prater outlined his special teams duties for the Cincinnati media in Saturday's conference call.[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]“I was the corner on punt defense, I was on kickoffs, I tried to catch some kickoffs, catch some punts ... I pretty much asked the coaches to put me in everywhere,” said Prater. “If you want me to hold the ball, play quarterback – I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]Prater, who was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and played in the East-West Shrine game, was watching the draft with his family with the Bengals called.[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]“I was watching just about every bit of it,” said Prater. “(Now) I’m going to turn it off and go walk my dog.[/size][/color][/left][left][color=#393939][size=3]“It’s a big, big relief. That was the longest wait of my life.”[/size][/color]


[color=#393939][size=3][url="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/CB-Prater-looking-at-special-teams/c9a39372-f1c4-4037-9205-66a0ec433426"]http://www.bengals.c...05-66a0ec433426[/url][/size][/color]
[/left]

[Bengals1181]

[b] Analyzing the Bengals? 7th pick (Round 5, 156th overall)[/b]
[url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/team/CIN"][img]http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/nfl/logos/50x50/CIN.png[/img][/url] [b]2 minutes ago[/b] - by Paul Dehner Jr.
[size=1]
[/size]
[b]The good[/b]: CB Shaun Prater has potential as a quick, cover corner after playing in a system similar to Cincinnati's at Iowa. He can also contribute on special teams since he enjoyed success as a gunner for the Hawkeyes. [b]The bad[/b]: Prater fell to the fifth round for a reason, he doesn't have elite strength or ball skills and will be a project. [b]The bottom line[/b]: With the Bengals depth at corner, they can afford to develop Prater and stick him on the practice squad for a year. [size=1]
[/size]
[url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/team/CIN"]Cincinnati Bengals RapidReports[/url] | [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports"]All National Football League RapidReports[/url]

[Bengals1181]

[b]21 (156) Cincinnati Bengals: [/b][color=#333333][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]CB Shaun Prater, Michigan[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Prater's physicality stands out on tape and he could become a solid nickel back who's able to cover the slot. He is also capable of contributing as a special-teams "gunner."[/size][/font][/color]


[url="http://cache.profootballweekly.com/2012/04/28/pick-by-pick-analysis-round-five-2"]http://cache.profootballweekly.com/2012/04/28/pick-by-pick-analysis-round-five-2[/url]

[sparky151]

Chris Rainey would have been a better pick. Prater will have a hard time just making the practice squad.

[Oldcat]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1335720327' post='1127155']
Chris Rainey would have been a better pick. Prater will have a hard time just making the practice squad.
[/quote]

I don't think there's a slot of the roster for 'creepy stalker'

[bengalsfan850]

stick him on the ps for the year and if there's any injuries bump him up, it's also higly possible that next year may be nate's or newman's last year

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1335720327' post='1127155']
Chris Rainey would have been a better pick. Prater will have a hard time just making the practice squad.
[/quote]


a hard time making the practice squad?

[EnglishBengal]

FWIW this guy was considered one of the top cb sleepers in this draft by a lot of experts. He's timed between 4.39 and 4.49 so he isn't slow. I think his problems in man coverage can be fixed by our new stud db coach Mark Carrier without a doubt. Don't underestimate Carrier's contribution in all this.

[snarkster]

A solid kid, he could battle Iloka for the 10th spot on the 53-man if Hall goes on the pup and could stick ifthere are any IRs in the first six weeks. With Clements and Newman long in the tooth, he is a possible long term CB, His special teams play coud make him a long-term nickle along with Iloka.

[BengalsCat]

honestly i wouldnt be surprised if he made the roster oversomeone we picked up in fa. newman maybe.

[sparky151]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1335721308' post='1127171']


a hard time making the practice squad?
[/quote]

Yes. Only 8 players make it. Sands or Iloka seem likely to be there. Depending on Hall's health and PUP status, the team will probably carry 5 or 6 CBs among 10 DBs on the activer roster. I think Hall will be on the active roster at the start of the year so the locks are Hall, Kirkpatrick, Allen. Clements probably won't be cut unless he's terrible. Jones, Newman, and Ghee will fight for the 5th and maybe 6th spots. Prater will be fighting the UDFAs, any waiver wire pickups, and perhaps Ghee for a practice squad CB spot.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1335730098' post='1127247']

Yes. Only 8 players make it. Sands or Iloka seem likely to be there. Depending on Hall's health and PUP status, the team will probably carry 5 or 6 CBs among 10 DBs on the activer roster. I think Hall will be on the active roster at the start of the year so the locks are Hall, Kirkpatrick, Allen. Clements probably won't be cut unless he's terrible. Jones, Newman, and Ghee will fight for the 5th and maybe 6th spots. Prater will be fighting the UDFAs, any waiver wire pickups, and perhaps Ghee for a practice squad CB spot.
[/quote]


certainly one of Sands or Iloka is making the 53 man roster. Not sure if Ghee is PS eligible anymore. Even if he was I wouldn't be surprised if they went with the younger option (not that ghee is old). If Ghee isn't able to make the team now, will he ever?

With Rico Murray not being PS eligible anymore I believe, IMO its pretty safe to think that Prater at the very least will be an emergency CB stashed on the practice squad.