Northwest Pro Sports 12
Posts tagged Lazarius “Pep” Levingston
Seahawks player grades vs Broncos: Defensive line
Aug 23rd
Seahawks player grades
This is the 4th part of the Seahawks player grades from the Broncos game. Already posted are; Quarterback, running back and linebacker.
In order to keep this post manageable I am going to be very brief in the descriptions. If you would like me to elaborate on any player in particular let me know and I will happily add that.
Defensive Line
Brandon Mabane #92
Last week Brandon received a B
Brandon Mebane is a solid player and he drew several double teams against the Broncos. He was strong in the running game as usual and he was also able to create some pressure on the quarterback. Mabane does need to work on his backside contain.
the grade: A
Photo By Brett Bivens
Pep Levingston #93
Last week he received a C
Pep Levingston is a very athletic guy and it is not surprising that he is able to get pressure on the quarterback, or his ability to pursue plays from the backside. What surprises me is his ability to hold the point of attack and the strength he shows when he throws guards to the ground to get run penetration.
the grade: A-
Red Bryant #79
Last week Big Red Bryant received a C+
We all know how solid Red Bryant is in the running game, but in years past he has been a liability in the passing game. This year he is paying more attention to the quarterback throwing the ball and working to get his hands up to deflect it. Against the Broncos he was able to tip a pass at the line that KJ Wright intercepted. Conditioning may be a question, he looks a little more chubby than he has in years past and he seemed to take a couple plays off.
the grade: B+
Clinton McDonald #69
Last weeks Clinton received a C
Denver’s offense showed Clinton McDonald a lot of respect on Saturday. They spent a lot of his snaps double teaming him, yet he was still able to get some run penetration. I dinged him a bit on his grade because he definitely took one play off, he didn’t even pretend to defend on the play. He should have been rushing the passer but just engaged the blocker and stood around.
the grade: B
Dexter Davis (Waived/Injured)
Unfortunately for Dexter Davis, he injured his hip during the game against the Broncos and the Seahawks parted ways with him earlier in the week. I believe he was a long shot to make this years team had he stayed healthy.
the grade: B-
Greg Scruggs #98
Last week Greg really impressed me and received a B-
This week he was even more impressive making plays. Greg Scruggs has shown an ability to effect the passing game by collapsing the pocket while lining up at the defensive tackle position. Whether he was lined up inside at tackle or outside at defensive end he was able to create pressure, recording a sack while at DE. The one thing that is annoying me about his play is that far too often he is the last player off the snap.
the grade: b-
Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons before the Titans game. Photo By Brett Bivens
Bruce Irvin #51
Last week Bruce received a C+
This week I notice some signs of improvement in his pass rush. There were two plays that really stood out to me. When Bruce Irvin threw the tackle to the ground and when he pushed a tackle into Peyton Manning’s face. That said, Bruce is still struggling in his pass rush, partially because he is getting a slow jump off that snap. I would expect that to correct itself as he becomes more comfortable in the defense. Players always play faster when they stop thinking so much and start playing. Bruce was a liability in the running game, especially when they run at him but that is to be expected from a guy his size.
the grade: C+
Alan Branch #99
Allen Branch was able to create a lot of pressure from the inside, on one play the Broncos triple teamed him, yet he still able to get pressure on the quarterback. When the offense ran the ball at him he was unable to hold the point of attack. Allen was pancaked on a pass rush attempt.
the grade: C+
Pierre Allen
Photo By Brett Bivens
Last week Pierre struggled and receive a unit low D-
This week Pierre Allen played a lot better than he did last week. He was able to get some pressure in the running game as well as the passing game. Allen’s biggest play of the night was when he was able to get to the running back behind the line and bring him down. The worst play was when he was run out of the play 1:1 by a right guard.
the grade: C+
Jaye Howard #94
Last week Jaye Howard looked really good and received a B-
This week was a bit of a rough week for Jaye. He was able to get a quarterback pressure and a tackle for a loss. Other than those two plays Howard struggled to stay under control.
the grade: C-
Chris Clemons #91
Last week he received a C-
For the second straight week Chris Clemons under performed. Chris is losing 1:1 battles for the most part. I need to see a more consistent pass rush than Chris has been giving. Hopefully the money has not gone to his head, but if he doesn’t turn it around soon I’m going to start becoming concerned that is what has happened.
the grade: D
Seahawks player grades vs Titans: Defensive line
Aug 15th
Seahawks defensive line grades
This is part two of the Seahawks player grades from the Titans game. If you missed the quarterbacks they can be found here.
Jason Jones tackle Chris Johnson for a loss. Photo by Brett Bivens
Jason Jones #90
The Good:
As advertised, Jason Jones was able to create pressure from the inside on Saturday. Jason showed off a wicked swim move that forced the Titans to double team him. I was surprised by his ability to get off blocks in the running game. He uses his strong hands to grab blockers and throw them off balance. Early in the game Jason locked up with a guard and pulled the guard towards him and off balance allowing Jones to run Chris Johnson down from behind and pick up a tackle for a loss.
The Bad:
On one play Jones was pushed 5 yards down the field and out of a running play completely. Jason needs to do a better job of holding his ground.
The Grade: B+
Brandon Mebane #92
Honestly Brandon Mebane looked really good out there on Saturday, if he had played more snaps I would have been more apt to give him a higher grade. While he was in the Titans were double teaming him to keep him from disrupting the plays and he was still able to pursue them from behind as he shed blockers. Brandon looks like he’s in mid season form already, though his conditioning isn’t there yet.
The Grade: B
Greg Scruggs #98
The Good:
Greg Scruggs played the running game extremely well using his long arms to keep the blocker from setting solid blocks and then shedding the blockers. This is the technique he used to make a stop at the opponents 1 yards line as well as record a tackle for a loss.
The Bad:
I am not sure what was going on but on one snap him and Pep Levingston were talking while the ball was snapped and everyone began the play while those two just stood in their stance oblivious.
The Grade: B-
Jaye Howard #94
The Good:
The Seahawks 5th round looked pretty good on Saturday. On the third down play that was stopped at the Titans 1 yard line it was a combination tackle between Greg Scruggs and Jaye Howard as both players fought off blockers to make the big play. Jaye showed some ability to create pressure from the interior of the line as well as the power to collapse the pocket.
The Bad:
Jaye Howard lost his balance and was pancaked.
The Grade: B-
Red Bryant #79
Red Bryant is introduced to the 12th man for the first time in the new Nike uniforms. Photo by Brett Bivens
The Good:
Who would have thought that Red Bryant’s biggest contribution on Saturday would be against the pass? Yet it was. Red tipped an early screen pass causing it to fall short of the intended target and later dropped back into coverage while staying with the tight end step for step in the flat. The run game is Red’s forte and he was able to stretch the game outside keeping the running back from cutting upfield.
The Bad:
Red Bryant was unable to get any kind of a pass rush which isn’t odd for him but what was odd was watching him get blown up and pushed out of a running lane by a full back.
The Grade: C+
Bruce Irvin trying to rush Jake Locker. Photo by Brett bivens
Bruce Irvin #51
The Good:
When it comes to evading blockers Bruce Irvin does it well. Bruce showed he has an ability to stunt inside and find a gap to get a clean run at the quarterback as well as the ability to set up blocker and then change directions. In the running game he can fit through small lanes and he was able to record a tackle for a loss.
The Bad:
Once a tackle gets his hands on Bruce he’s done. The Seahawks coaching staff is going to have to work with him on that if he’s going to be successful at this level.
The Grade: C+
Several Players received a C and just like last year I am not going to break C’s down unless there is a specific player someone wants broken down.
Chris Clemons getting some pressure on Matt Hasselbeck during an interception. Photo by Brett Bivens
Chris Clemons #91
THE GOOD:
Chris Clemons made a nice swim move inside on the first defensive snap getting in the face of Matt Hasselbeck right as he released the ball.
The Bad:
After that play Clemons was unable to do anything positive. Chris lost outside contain on one play and was being consumed by the tackle while trying to rush the passer.
THE GRADE: C-
Dexter Davis #58
Dexter Davis getting a little pressure a little too late on Jake locker. Photo by Brett Bivens
The GOOD:
Dexter Davis needs to get pressure from the edge if he wants to stay a member of Seahawks. He was able to get minimal pressure in both the running and passing game on Saturday.
THe Bad:
He struggled mightily in special teams coverage and an end of the roster player like him will have to contribute on special teams if he is going to suit up. Dexter Davis struggled even more than Bruce Irvin did when blockers were able to get their hands on him and he was fooled by misdirection plays.
Pierre Allen #95
The Good:
Pierre Allen was able to get some push at the point of attack.
The Bad:
Having a hand in 2 touchdowns scored against your team is not a way to make a positive impression but that is exactly what Allen did on Saturday. Pierre was pushed out of the way by the left tackle, opening a huge hole, on a rushing touchdown and he was out of position on the punt return for a touchdown.
THE GRADE: D-
Defensive Line Grades Preseason Game 2011-4
Sep 10th
Image by Ryan Gray
Defensive Line
1) Dexter Davis (B+)
Last week: Dexter did not get graded
THE GOOD:
Davis was a pest to the Raiders quarterbacks while he played. He had a couple quarterback pressures, a quarterback hit and showed his speed chasing the running back down from behind recording a tackle for a loss.
THE BAD:
Dexter will not be facing bottom of the roster guys come the regular season.
2) Clinton McDonald, Pep Levingston and Raheem Brock (B)
Last week: Clinton was a Bengal, Pep B+ and Raheem B-
THE GOOD:
McDonald held at the point of attack in the running game and was able to get pressure in the passing game including a quarterback hit. Levingston showed good awareness (especially for a rookie) sniffing out a screen pass. He showed his pass rush skills recording a quarterback hit and a pressure. Brock got excellent penetration recording a tackle for a loss and having three quarterback pressures with one pass deflection.
THE BAD:
Raheem was either getting tired or being a bit lazy and taking a play off.
5) Alan Branch and David Howard (B-)
Last week: Alan B+ and David C-
THE GOOD:
Branch showed his strength while being double teamed holding strong at the point of attack. He was also able to get penetration in the running game. He showed awareness recognizing a screen pass. Howard was able to get pressure on the quarterback including stripping the ball from his hand while in the pocket. He showed strength by throwing a guard to the ground.
THE BAD:
Alan got pancaked. David did not get consistent pressure and was knocked down in the running game.
7) Brandon Mebane, Maurice Fountain, Jameson Konz, Jimmy Wilkerson and Red Bryant (C+)
Last week: Brandon led the defensive line with a A-, Maurice B, Jameson C+, Jimmy and Red B-
THE GOOD:
Mebane played tough while being double teamed holding his ground at the point of attack. He played low keeping his pad level under the defender allowing him to break through for penetration. Fountain was able to get penetration recording a quarterback pressure and a quarterback hit. Konz showed of his speed in backside pursuit recording a tackle for loss. Wilkerson had a couple plays where he was able to get pressure. Bryant used his strength to move laterally down the line squeezing the running lane closed.
THE BAD:
Unfortunately Maurice was not consistent in his pass rush because he was standing up to high making it easy for the linemen to block him. On one play Jimmy was extremely late off the ball and got absolutely no pass rush. Jimmy ended up getting hurt in the game and placed on IR the next day.
12) Junior Siavii and A.J. Shable (C)
Last week: Junior C- and A. J. B-
Defensive Line Grades Preseason Game 2011-3
Sep 2nd
Defensive Line
1) Brandon Mebane (A-)
Last week B
THE GOOD:
He played like a beast throwing defenders out of the way, pushing double teams back into the quarterback pocket, moving down the line of scrimmage and being able to get off the block making the tackle also holding at the point of attack then coming off the block to make the tackle at the line of scrimmage. Brandon recognized a wide receiver screen and disrupted the play.
THE BAD:
On one play he let the offensive lineman get under his pads and run him up the field then got pancaked.
2) Alan Branch and Pep Levingston (B+)
Last week Alan led the line with an A and Pep had a B+
THE GOOD:
Alan held at the point of attack. He was able to get off the block to make a tackle. Branch got penetration in the running game and batted a ball at the line of scrimmage. Pep had 2 sacks for the game.
THE BAD:
Neither player had any plays where they made any big mistakes.
4) Maurice Fountain (B)
Last week B
THE GOOD:
He hit the quarterback and got into the way of a wide receiver screen where the quarterback ended up getting sacked. Maurice was able to get penetration in the running game.
THE BAD:
On the play where he hit the quarterback him missed the tackle.
5) Red Bryant, Raheem Brock, Jimmy Wilkerson and A.J. Schable (B-)
Last week; Red B-, Raheem B-, Jimmy B+ and A.J. didn’t earn a grade.
THE GOOD:
Red had a QB pressure, got penetration on 4th and short and made the tackle for a turnover on downs, fought off blockers making tackles and held at the point of attack. Raheem held his backside play responsibilities and got pressure on the QB. Jimmy Held strong at the point of attack on multiple plays and was able to come off a block and make the tackle. In the running game A.J. was able to get penetration and make a tackle. He came off a block and made a tackle. Schable got pressure on the quarterback having a chance to sack him once and got a QB pressure.
THE BAD:
Bryant was slow of the ball at times, didn’t get pass rush at times and he lost outside contain on a running play. Schable ran into the defensive tackle on a stunt taking them both out of the play and when he had a chance to make the sack he missed the tackle.
8 ) Chris Clemons and Jameson Konz (C+)
Last week; Neither player graded
THE GOOD:
Chris dropped back in coverage and got the only interception for the Seahawks so far this preseason and later added a quarterback pressure. Jameson got a quarterback pressure in limited action.
THE BAD:
Clemons lost the outside contain on a running play but Brandon Mebane was able to tackle the runner as he went towards the open field.
10) Junior Siavii and David Howard (C-)
Last week: Junior C+ and David C+
THE GOOD:
Junior held strong at the point of attack on 3rd and short.
THE BAD:
Siavii wasn’t giving effort in his pass rush. David was pushed out of the running lane one on one.
Defensive Linemen Grades Preseason Game 2001-2
Aug 26th
Part 6 of 8 of the Seahawks player grades from the Vikings game. Quarterbacks, Offensive Linemen, Running Backs, Tight Ends and Wide Receivers have already been posted. This is a series that will go position by position, player by player evaluating the single game performance of the players on the Seahawks roster.
Defensive Linemen
As a whole this group did an outstanding job saturday.
1) Alan Branch (A)
Last week C+.
THE GOOD:
He showed some athleticism for a big man avoiding a cut block, showed his strength by pushing the offensive lineman into the backfield in the run game and showed good technique fighting off blocks to make a couple nice tackles on the running back. Just for good measure he showcased his awareness tipping a pass at the line of scrimage.
THE BAD:
He had no negative marks and was extremly close to getting an A+.
2) Pep Levingston and Jimmy Wilkerson (B+)
Last Week they both got B’s. Jimmy is playing both DT and DE.
THE GOOD:
In the running game Pep was able to get penetration and hold at the point of attack. He created some pressure on the quarterback in the pocket and tracked the QB down on a scramble. Jimmy was able to get outside the numbers chasing down the running back. He was able to get off the blocker to make the tackle. Twice he got pressure on the quarterback and he was also able to keep him contained.
THE BAD:
Wilkerson got called for a personal foul, blow to the head of the quarterback, which was a penalty but I wish they would change that rule.
4) Brandon Mebane and Maurice Fountain (B)
Last week Brandon received a C+ while Maurice didn’t join the team until game day.
THE GOOD:
Mebane is a guy that gets a lot of double teams. He was able to hold his ground when that double team tried to push him out of the running lane leaving no where for the back to go. Later in the game he beat the double and got into the backfield getting pressure on the QB and he was also able to collapse the front of the pocket. For a guy who signed his contract earlier in the day Fountain had an amazing game. He was with the team last season as a practice sqaud guy. On a running play he was able to knife in and get a tackle for loss. He was also able to get some pressure on the quarterback including recording a quarterback hit.
THE BAD:
Brandon isn’t getting very many plays and I am starting to wonder if his conditioning is where it needs to be and if he will be ready to give 100% come the start of the regular season in two weeks. If Maurice plays like he did saturday in the next two games Jameson Konz wont stand a chance of making the 53 man roster, not that he has a great shot anyway.
6) Red Bryant and Raheem Brock (B-)
It was good to see Red back on the field in a game for the first time since suffering a knee injury on Halloween last year in Oakland. Last week Raheem was last on the defensive line with a C-.
THE GOOD:
Red made an amazing pass deflection especially for such a big man on an inside screen. He showed his power collapsing the pocket. Raheem was also able to collapse the pocket. He was able to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback including a sack and a play where he hit the QB as he threw it.
THE BAD:
Like Mebane Bryant only played in 15 formations. As strong as Brock is in the Passing game he is lacking in the running game. Defensive ends and tight ends had no trouble moving him out of the way to create running lanes. He also got called for being offsides.
8 ) Junior Siavii and David Howard (C+)
Last week Junior received a C and David Howard wasn’t a Seahawk yet.
THE GOOD:
Siavii has a fun name to say and on the football field he was able to get some push at the line in the running game. Howard made one heck of a play on the last touchdown of the when he shot through the line hitting the quarterback as he handed the ball off.
THE BAD:
Neither player made any big mistakes.
10) Dexter Davis and Teryl White (C)
It was good to see Dexter back on the field.
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Defensive Linemen Grades Preseason Game 2001-1
Aug 17th
Part 6 of 8 (I changed it to 8 because I was originally going to do TE and WR together) of the Seahawks player grades from the Chargers game. Quarterbacks, Offensive Linemen, Running Backs, Tight Ends and Wide Receivers have already been posted. This is a series that will go position by position, player by player evaluating the single game performance of the players on the Seahawks roster.
Defensive Linemen
1) Lazarius “Pep” Levingston, Pierre Allen and Jimmy Wilkerson (B)
Levinston was the Seahawks first of two 7th round picks, Allen was an UDFA and Wilkerson was brought in through free agency (Saints).
THE GOOD:
Pep showed awareness in the passing game recognizing that he wasn’t going to get to the quarterback and getting his hands up to tip the pass and he later recovered a fumble on a sack/force fumble by teammate Pierre Allen. He also showed an ability to get off blocks in the running game to be able to make a play. Pierre was able to get pressure on the quarterback a few times including the play he got his sack and the forced fumble that Pep recovered. He also showed awareness getting his hands up to tip a pass when he recognized he wasn’t going to be able to get to the quarterback. Jimmy was able to get good penetration in the running game and was also able to stand firm at the point of attack not letting them move him out of the hole. In the passing game he was able to record a sack.
THE BAD:
There were no glaring mistakes by any of these three guys.
4) Brandon Mebane, Allen Branch and Jameson Konz (C+)
Bringing Mebane back to Seattle was the number one priority for the team in my opinion. Branch was brought in during free agency (Cardinals) while Konz is trying to make a transition from tight end to defensive end.
THE GOOD:
Brandon played well while he was in eating up blockers and stuffing the middle. Allen showed awareness in the passing game getting his hands up to deflect a pass. Jameson was able to record a sack.
THE BAD:
Mabane only played in one series and a total of 7 plays. I would like to see Branch make a couple more plays especially when going against lesser competition. Konz played a lot during the game and the only big play he made was that one sack. He is going to need to make more plays on defense and special teams to make the final roster.
7) Junior Siavii and Teryl White (C)
8) Raheem Brock (C-)
He agreed to terms with the Seahawks 7 days before the game.
THE GOOD:
Brock was able to get some penetration in the passing game. He was in pretty good shape coming off a long offseason. In less than a week he was able to come out and compete for three series and almost 20 plays. For Albert Haynesworth that would be mid-season form.
THE BAD:
On one play he was asked to cover a TE who crossed over the middle and was completely out classed. He didn’t hold up well at the point of attack in the running game allowing himself to be pushed out of the hole.
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