Not sure if this has been posted yet:

[GoBulls84]

But here is the "Expert's Take" on Stephen Nicholas as provided by ESPN Insider:

Strengths: Possesses adequate initial quickness, reads keys well and flashes the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. Has excellent instincts and rarely gets caught out of position. Plays with a good motor and takes good pursuit angles. Possesses good athletic ability, stays under control and is a reliable open field tackler that wraps up upon contact. Plays with a mean streak and flashes the ability to deliver the big hits. Gets adequate depth, shows good instincts and shows adequate range when asked to drop into zone coverage. Possesses good lateral mobility, shows good burst coming out of cuts and flashes the ability to stay with tight ends in man coverage. Takes the shortest path to the quarterback, flashes the ability to avoid blocks in the backfield and is a relentless pass rusher.

Weaknesses: Is undersized, doesn't have the lower body strength to consistently anchor at the point of attack and creates running lanes by avoiding blockers rather than stacking them up. Hasn't show great upper body strength, doesn't always use hands well and takes too long to shed blocks. Lacks-ideal top-end speed, doesn't have sideline-to-sideline range and isn't fast enough to run with most backs. While has stated relatively healthy since and durability isn't a substantial concern at this point, red-shirted with an ankle injury in 2002.

Overall: Nicholas played in the first three games of his true freshman season in 2002, recorded two total tackles and one tackle for loss, then injured his knee and received a medical redshirt. He returned in 2003, played in all 11 games (nine starts) and finished the year with 46 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. In 2004, Nicholas started all 11 games and made 97 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss. He started all 12 games in 2005, registering 79 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles.

Nicholas is an instinctive prospect with above-average athletic ability. He also plays with a mean streak. However, but he lacks ideals size and speed, so his upside is somewhat limited. Nicholas projects as a late first-day or early second-day pick in the 2007 draft class.

* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[Mag Pie]

However, but he lacks ideals size and speed...

Maybe he should go back to ENC 101.

[Ricky the Bull]

Thanks for the info.  Interesting about the negativity re:speed, as I really hadn't noticed that.  He always seems to be in position for a tackle on sweeps.

Still, a first day draft position, regardless of the round, would be nice.  There will be some quality LBs in this draft, too.

[GoBulls84]

Thanks for the info.  Interesting about the negativity re:speed, as I really hadn't noticed that.  He always seems to be in position for a tackle on sweeps.

Still, a first day draft position, regardless of the round, would be nice.  There will be some quality LBs in this draft, too.

In the position rankings, they had him as the 8th ranked OLB

[Bull Dozer]

Thanks for the info.  Interesting about the negativity re:speed, as I really hadn't noticed that.  He always seems to be in position for a tackle on sweeps.

Still, a first day draft position, regardless of the round, would be nice.  There will be some quality LBs in this draft, too.

It’s Marx… bringing it up out of backcourt and over the midcourt stripe, he’s being guarded by Churchill - pass to Trotsky - looking for Stalin at the top of the key but he has his hands full with Roosevelt, no - here’s Lenin rolling off of a brutal Mao pick, Truman’s down! Lenin from three-point range, Lenin for three!

NFL speed and college speed are worlds apart.  Seems like a a pretty fair assessment to me. Good news for snake is that if he runs a impressive 40 time at the combine it could give him a good boost on draft day.  

[bulls96go]

hoping for first day 2nd round

to the colts and dungy 8-)