Eric Bassey

What started out as a bright career for Bassey as a freshman at Oklahoma soon gave way to blown assignments and injuries that plagued him the next three seasons. Bassey has become known more for his successful writing hobby. Over the past couple of years, he has written song lyrics, movie scripts and poetry. Bassey played defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner at North Garland High School. He was a Top 50 selection by Texas Football, was ranked as the 29th-best cornerback in the nation by Rivals100.com and the fifth-best defensive back in the Midlands by Prep Stars. Bassey was twice named to the all-district squad. As a senior, Bassey recorded 37 tackles and 24 receptions for 276 yards. He had an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 51-yard punt return for another score. He also excelled in track, running on a 4x100-meter relay team that finished second at the state meet. Bassey redshirted as a freshman in 2001 at Oklahoma. He started every game at strong safety in 2002, producing a career-high 60 tackles (44 solos) with two sacks and eight stops behind the line of scrimmage in 14 games. He intercepted two passes, deflected 13 others, recovered a fumble and had two forced fumbles. Bassey shifted to cornerback in 2003, playing behind Derrick Strait. He finished with 12 tackles (7 solos), an interception and a forced fumble. Bassey started the first nine games of the 2004 season at strongside cornerback before he was replaced in the lineup. He made 25 tackles (19 solos) and deflected two passes in 10 games. As a senior, a lingering quadriceps/thigh injury would limit Bassey's performances. He appeared in 11 games, starting three games at "wide" cornerback and one at the boundary position. Bassey would manage only 15 tackles (9 solos) and a pass deflection for the season. In 49 games with the Sooners, Bassey started 27 times, recording 112 tackles (79 solos) with two sacks for minus-20 yards and eight stops for losses of 29 yards. Bassey returned a fumble recovery 45 yards and three interceptions for 31 yards. He also deflected 16 passes and caused three fumbles.

positives

Athletically, he has a good package ? quick feet, good muscle development, long arms, broad shoulders, thick chest and above average lateral agility...Has the speed to stay right on the hip of a receiver through the route...Has loose hips and very good change of direction agility, demonstrating the range to pursue plays along the sidelines...Shows the leaping ability to extend and compete for the ball at its high point...Has the plant-and-drive ability to come out of his breaks cleanly.

bassey is a well-built athlete with good chest thickness, broad shoulders, knotted calves, thick thighs and a good bubble. he shows good quickness in his backpedal and crisp plant-and-drive agility. he has the hip snap and lateral agility to get to top speed quickly. he demonstrates the range to make plays in pursuit.

Bassey holds himself in high esteem and that is where his problem lies. He is a marginal worker in the training room who needs to be monitored and pushed or he will take shortcuts to get the task done. He started his career with a team-first attitude, but he will gamble and freelance too much on the field, resulting in costly blown assignments.

bassey looked like a solid tackler earlier in his career, but has now reverted to arm tackling and this has resulted in more than a few opponents slipping off his initial hits. despite his good strength, he does not like to take on and play off ball carriers much. he is inconsistent sticking his head in the pile and needs to work his hands better in attempts to grab and drag down the runner.

Bassey's struggles as a tackler become more evident when he is working in space. He does not take good angles to the ball and at times, will duck his head upon initial contact. He prefers to attack with his arms and shoulders rather than generate proper wrap technique. I would not say he lacks courage, but Pop Warner players make better tackles in the open field.

negatives

Needs to show better work ethic...Has tremendous confidence in his athletic ability, but sorely lacks in production...Shows good avoidance skills to slip past blocks when working through trash, but seems reluctant to come up and stick his head in the pile...Poor tackler who will give an arm or attack the legs, but rarely gets into position to wrap and secure...Must develop better hand usage to grab and drag down ball carriers in run support...Disappears for long stretches during the game and his reliance on freelancing has resulted in a large amount of blown coverages.

bassey stays low in his pads and shows good hand placement in attempts to stay on a receiver's hip, but sometimes stalls in transition, struggling to close. he has the ability to locate receivers when working in the zone, but because of his penchant to freelance, he might be better suited for safety at the next level, as he is best when allowed to scan the field and get a jump on the ball.

He shows inconsistency reacting to receivers' cuts, especially when he sidepedals. Bassey does have the straight-line speed and acceleration to close on the ball, but needs to play his man tighter rather than giving up a big cushion. He demonstrates effective timing and athletic ability to extend and compete for the ball at its high point. Bassey also shows decent hand/eye coordination, but lacks production as a pass deflector or on interceptions.

2005: Bothered most of the year by a lingering quadriceps/thigh injury.

Campus: 4.35 in the 40-yard dash

Bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times

37.5-inch vertical jump

9'8" broad jump

7.07 three-cone drill

3.96 20-yard shuttle.

Attended North Garland (Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Joe Allen

Played defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner

Top 50 selection by Texas Football, ranked as the 29th-best cornerback in the nation by Rivals100.com and the fifth-best defensive back in the Midlands by Prep Stars

Twice named to the all-district squad

As a senior, Bassey recorded 37 tackles and 24 receptions for 276 yards

Also had an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 51-yard punt return for another score

Excelled in track, running on a 4x100-meter relay team that finished second at the state meet.

Communications major

Cousin, J.J. Johnson, anchored the U.S. to the 4x100-meter relay world championship in 2003

Son of Joy and Ben Bassey

Enjoys writing poems and movie scripts

Born 1/23/83

Resides in Garland, Texas. BACK TO TOP PROFILE GAME ANALYSIS PLAYER NEWS PLAYER STATISTICS Expanded & Classic Player Profiles Are OFFICIAL NFL RECORDS by Scout Dave Te' Thomas, NFLScouting, NFLDraftScout.com © Copyright - The Sports Xchange , My Sports Daily . All Rights Reserved Home | Contact Us | About Us | Privacy Policy