Ryan Mundy - A Steeler

[Vis Major]

Steelers met with him There's one.

[Vis Major]

Draft this guy: Ryan Mundy
By Adam Abramson

I've talked about depth for many positions in the 2008 NFL Draft, but I found one group lacking a lot of value on paper.

Safeties. Both free and strong.

You'll likely see just one safety taken in the first round, and he's a very good one. His name is Kenny Phillips. The University of Miami Hurricane stepped on campus and provided immediate impact expected of him coming out of high school. Philips is the real deal and should be a stud in the NFL.

Otherwise, there are some names you might hear later on the first day, such as DaJuan Morgan, Simeon Castille, Tom Zbikowski and Quintin Demps.

One name you won't hear is Ryan Mundy.

He's bigger than Morgan and less than a step slower, bigger and faster than Castille and Michael Griffin of Texas, yet he wasn't invited to the Combine and might slip off draft boards. Why?

Well, he began his career at Michigan and started 18 of 35 career games. However, a good portion of his time in Ann Arbor (including one full season) was spent on the sidelines courtesy of injury.

When Mundy, right in the picture, graduated, he wanted to pursue his Master's degree in a field Michigan didn't offer, so he exercised an NCAA rule allowing him to transfer without losing eligibility.

He landed at West Virginia where he played alongside Eric Wicks, leading a secondary that was instrumental in WVU's season that resulted in a Fiesta Bowl victory. Mundy finished fourth on the team in tackles, including 11 in the win over Oklahoma. He also picked off three passes and recovered three fumbles. This wasn't a big surprise for Mundy, who played well for Lloyd Carr when he was healthy.

He's used to playing with top talent, against superb competition and in different schemes. The fact he was able to immediately step in and be a top contributor in West Virginia's unorthodox defensive scheme, against brand new opponents, says a lot about his willingness to learn and adapt.

Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart has been public about Mundy's contributions, all positive of course. (I put a call into Stewart, but they're all out for Spring Break this week.)

Mundy did work out in a Pro Day and did well for himself. One scout told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "It was a good day for Ryan Mundy to show what he can do. He didn't go to the Combine, and I thought that was a slight to him."

Injury-prone is a very tricky word. Every player is injury-prone. It's football. Mundy has proven he is a legitimate safety when given the chance. Teams should take notice of him and should not shy away from drafting him the second day.

[Crime Fighter]

How many guys did we draft that we actually met with? Hopefully we can get a few of them as FAs. Nice smoke screen!

[SteelerFan448]

There are definitely some names I hope we bring in. But there is still another round to go.

[rossi]

Michigan transfer but another s who is a tad slow. Don't we have enough of those guys already!

[Tobe]

What the heck...he could end up being a steal or at the very least, a killer contributor on special teams.

[Parasite]

Michigan transfer but another s who is a tad slow. Don't we have enough of those guys already!


Mundy isn't slow.

[BigSteelThrill]

Mundy isn't slow.
No he isnt.


Ryan Clark status?

[5RINGS]

Michigan transfer but another s who is a tad slow. Don't we have enough of those guys already!



A 4.4 40 is not slow man.

[Punxsutawney]

Mundy isn't slow.

Yep. 4.6 is FAR from slow for a safety. I think it says a lot about Mundy that prior to his arrival, WVU's pass defense sucked a$$ in 2006. It improved greatly in 2007.

[JEFFRO]

By far my favorite pick today!

[Tobe]

Thing that people forget is how quickly Mundy came in and learned a new defense, faced all new competition, became a team leader and helped to greatly improve the team's overall defense. That and he seems like a class kid.

[rossi]

A 4.4 40 is not slow man.

No man 4.40 is not slow but I read at his pro day he ran a 4.55. Not slow but a tad slow. Believe me I hope your source of 4.40 is correct. Where did that come from man?

[Parasite]

4.55 is a tad slow for a corner. It is not a tad slow for a safety in my opinion.

[5RINGS]

No man 4.40 is not slow but I read at his pro day he ran a 4.55. Not slow but a tad slow. Believe me I hope your source of 4.40 is correct. Where did that come from man?

I think it was a 40 time clocked as he entered college. The guy was a track athlete. People also play faster than they time. I was a classic exaple when i played football. I always timed slow, but i consistently ran guys down from behind as a corner. I never liked reacting to a watch.

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=8398

[rossi]

I think it was a 40 time clocked as he entered college. The guy was a track athlete. People also play faster than they time. I was a classic exaple when i played football. I always timed slow, but i consistently ran guys down from behind as a corner. I never liked reacting to a watch.

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=8398

I like that # better and I hope it's correct.
Pre draft workout #'s 4.55 40, 36 vertical, 3 cone 6.81, 20yd ss 4.33 and b jump 10'10".
Trust me I will love him if he keeps Smith on the bench.

[Irv24]

I like that # better and I hope it's correct.
Pre draft workout #'s 4.55 40, 36 vertical, 3 cone 6.81, 20yd ss 4.33 and b jump 10'10".
Trust me I will love him if he keeps Smith on the bench.

I'm kinda hoping Smith watches a lot of film and bounces back.
Tyrone Carter needs to be working drive thru at Wendy's.
Maybe then he could slowdown Jones-Drew or David Garard.

[Steel Chooch]

Sign 5rings!!! :
)

[avoidlloyd]

Sign 5rings!!! :
)

he's 5'5 :D

[slashsteel]

Mundy has the measurable s, I look forward to seeing him play in preseason at Latrobe..........

[Quick Draw]

Running guys down from behind = Burned a lot.

[5RINGS]

Running guys down from behind = Burned a lot.

No sir. I came from across field.

[5RINGS]

he's 5'5 :D

add 6 more inches and you got me.

[DerbyCityBNGfan]

He was the only reason Brian Brohm didn't pull the upset on WVU. This guy can play, he's gonna be highly motivated, he's smart and of high character and will contribute immediately on ST. I effing love this pick.

[BermudaSteel]

I'm on the "hype" bandwagon for Mundy....He's very fast, for a S, and a BALL HAWK and tackler....Very good compliment to Troy P.

[SteelerFan448]

http://news.steelers.com/article/88894/

RYAN MUNDY
Position – College
6th Round – 194th Overall

Ryan Mundy:

How does it feel to be drafted by your local team?
Oh man, it is crazy and I have definitely come full circle. This is a very exciting time for me and my family right now. We are just enjoying the moment. We have been sitting here all day just watching TV and waiting and I couldn’t really ask for a better place than to come back home and play for the hometown Steelers.

What were your thoughts and did you think that they were going to draft you?
Initially I knew that the Steelers were interested in me when they came down to my pro day. They really took me by surprise because I really didn’t hear too much about them prior to my pro day. After my pro day, and I did well there, they obviously had me up there for a visit. I knew that there was some interest there from the organization. I was just hoping that it would work out and fortunately it did.

You were a high recruit coming out of high school and then you kind of left town. Did you receive any negative feedback for that?
Not really. It was an experience for me because I easily could have stayed at home and gone to Pitt and stayed in a comfort zone but my mother really pushed me to get out of the city and get out on my own and see things for myself and that really helped me mature with the situations that I have been through. Like I said it is full circle now; I am coming back home and it feels good.

When you didn’t get invited to the combine how did you take that?
I would say that I was a little disappointed because I feel that I should have been at the combine but it didn’t give me any added motivation because there is already a lot at stake for me so it was like if I am not going to the combine then I will do what I have to do at my pro day. It didn’t really change my approach at all because I was going to work hard regardless of whether or not I got invited to the combine. I feel like everything works for a reason and this is another step in the process.

If you would have stayed at Michigan for your fifth season do you think you would have been drafted?
Honestly, yes. I just needed a fresh start and West Virginia provided that opportunity to me. I’m thankful to Coach Rod (Rodriguez) and his staff for bringing me and also I am thankful to the West Virginia fans for taking me in as one of their own for a year.

Why did you leave Michigan?
Like I said before I just needed a fresh start. I could have stayed at Michigan but you know I felt like the opportunity came for me to go to West Virginia so I said to myself “sometimes in life you have to take risks.” This was definitely one risk that I took that worked out in my favor.

How do you feel about being reunited with LaMarr Woodley?
It feels great because LaMarr is one of my best friends and was one of my best friends up there at Michigan. He called me and sent me a couple of texts but I haven’t talked to him yet. It definitely feels great to be reunited with him because like I said he was one of my best friends at Michigan.

What are some of your favorite Steelers’ memories growing up and who were some of your favorite players?
Well I liked Bam Morris and I loved Rod Woodson, he was my guy. I also liked Carnell Lake, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene. The funny thing is a lot of people in my family give me slack because the funny thing is when the Steelers went to the Super Bowl against the Cowboys I was actually rooting for the Cowboys because I was the ultimate Deion Sanders fan. Wherever Deion was, that was who I was rooting for.

After spurning the city for college, and rooting against the Steelers in the Super Bowl, you end up a Pittsburgh Steeler.
It’s funny how things work out. That just seems to be a pattern in my life. I leave Michigan to go to West Virginia, and then the West Virginia coaches leave to go to Michigan. It’s kind of a reoccurring theme in my life, but it’s fine and I’m looking forward to the best. I have better years ahead of me.

Scouts said that you would be a great late-round pick because you came in to West Virginia in one year and understood the system, and got everybody lined up.

That’s something that I really don’t have a problem with. I have a high I.Q. for the game. The game, as I became older, really came easy to me. I understand schemes. I understand defensive schemes, I understand offensive schemes. The West Virginia defense was a little different at first, but my responsibility wasn’t different. I play half, I play the deep third, but I like to understand the whole structure of the defense. Initially, that was a little difficult because they play a 3-3-5. After a while, I definitely got a grasp of it. Then I obviously helped the linebackers, helped the d-line and everybody else on the team.

Where do you stand academically?
I graduated from the University of Michigan this time last year, and I started my graduate work at West Virginia in May, so I’m half way through my graduate degree in athletic coaching. I have 17 out of 36 credits.

You went to Woodland Hills – what town are you from?
I grew up on the West End of town, and then I moved out to Wilkins Township my 10th grade year. I started at Woodland Hills my 10th grade year.

Did you play at all with Steve Breaston?
Yeah. Steve and I played together two seasons in high school. One in college, two in high school. I used to give Steve a hard time because he never really threw me the ball in high school. I really couldn’t get too mad at him because he was breaking loose for 80-yard touchdowns.

Did you play a lot of special teams at either West Virginia or Michigan, and do you expect to play special teams here?
I started my career on special teams at Michigan. My freshman year, I did redshirt, but that was my primary role. I played on every special team. Throughout my career I played on a variety of special teams, pretty much every situation that you can get on special teams. At West Virginia, I played primarily on the punt team, but I was a fill-in here and there on the other teams – kickoff, kick return, things like that. But as far as coming in to the Steelers organization, I definitely expect to contribute on special teams. I’ll accept my role right now and do whatever I can to get on the field. Special teams, or whatever the coaches ask me to do, I’m willing to do it.

Ryan, who is your agent?
Lamont Smith.

What is your size?
I measured in at my pro day at 6-1-and-a-quarter, and 215 pounds.

Did the Steelers mention free safety or strong safety for you?
We haven’t had that discussion yet, but I played free safety throughout my college career, so that’s where I’m expecting to play, but if they ask me to line up at strong safety I’ll be lining up there.

[JohnnyO]

Good to keep a few homeboys on the team.

[5RINGS]

Cut the fucking bum now. He cheered for the Cowboys against us.

[Guntown Bob]

He says he has "...17 out of 36 credits..." toward his Masters Degree at WVU.

Just think: with those credentials, if he would've enrolled in
WVU's Business School, he would already have his MBA by now! :rolleyes:

[Achie D]

Mundy isn't slow.

He has run a 4.36 40 and a 10.6 100 meter. This is a big fast man. We stole him.

[Steeltime]

If he is 6'1" and 215 lbs., then his pro day "measurables" (36 vertical, 3 cone 6.81, 20yd ss 4.33 and broad jump 10'10") are well above average.

A guy who plays FS, weighs 215 lbs and is that quick stands a damn good chance of making the team. His play on ST alone is worth a 6th round pick.

[Quick Draw]

Best of all, Chris Berman will make good use of his last name.

[DrunkinIrishman]

Just got a question for anybody that watched him college. I heard that he had trouble against the run and he took real bad angles. Is this true? Or did I just here this from a disgruntled Michigan fan.

[Spike]

<TABLE class=SLTables1 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Overview</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>In 2007, Mundy took advantage of a short-lived NCAA rule allowing graduating players to use their last year of eligibility while in a graduate program at another college. After starting 18 games for Michigan over three years (plus a redshirt year for a shoulder injury), he decided to go to a school closer to his hometown. Mundy managed 62 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups as a starting free safety during his one year in Morgantown.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


<TABLE class=SLTables1 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD>Analysis</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Positives: Tall and wiry with long arms … Willing to hit and aid teammates holding up the pile … Can wrap up receivers in the open field … Adequate reaction time in zones … Good downhill speed, and can get into the play from the deep secondary or attack a back behind the line if playing up … Will take proper angle to prevent huge plays on longer runs.

Negatives: Bit of a corner/safety 'tweener in build and coverage skills … Not much of a factor around the line, but was mostly used in a centerfield capacity in 2007 … More of a catcher than explosive tackler … Does not have great lower body strength … Does not always take the correct angle coming in to support against the run … A bit high and stiff in his backpedal … Needs to be more of a factor on special teams in the NFL.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[CoSteelrgrl]

Best of all, Chris Berman will make good use of his last name.
Yeah. Him & Humpal.

[Blitzburghv5]

Best of all, Chris Berman will make good use of his last name.

Ryan Mundy Monday................ and How "Sweed" it is to be loved by you

[Tobe]

I watched every WVU game and to say that Mundy has a problem against the run is wrong. Is he perfect? No. Is he worth a go as a 6th round pick? No question.

[DrunkinIrishman]

I was over at the Michigan board and finding out more on Mundy. Pretty good things said about him. I did not realize he injured a lot up there. The problem with his run support was mentioned. Usually I cared less but it seems our free safety has been killing us run support. He seems smart and had a real nice year at WVU, so hopefully the coaches can fix the problem. Seems like a great six round value.