Nfl draft 2003 Information Provided by cbs sportsline

Ben Joppru

Weight: 272

Position: TE

College: Michigan

Drafted: Pick 9 of the 2nd round by Houston
Analysis
Positives: Tight-skinned with a well-proportioned body...Ambidextrous (writes with his left hand, throws with his right)...Has above average speed and foot quickness...Tight- hipped runner who shows power and balance in the open...Hard worker in all areas of his game (weight room, practice, game)...Shows quickness in his release and knows how to get upfield while avoiding reroutes...Very effective route runner who is good with delays to set up his routes and gets good depth in the flats while showing the strength to clear through the zone...Shows good concentration going up for the ball, with above average hand/eye coordination when attempting to catch with a defender on him...Has rangey, soft hands, getting proper placement on the ball...Willing blocker at the H-back position and shows force as a lead blocker in the short area...Will lead up on linebackers with aggression...Very smart and learns plays easily...Outgoing personality who always competes...Has the acceleration and speed to beat defenders deep...Uses savvy and sharp cuts in his routes...Quick in and out of his cuts, getting proper separation in his breaks due to his fluid and flexible athletic ability...Can short snap in an emergency.
Negatives: Lack of size and brute strength makes him more suited for the H-back position...Tough, but not really physical, needing to get stronger in the weight room...His leg drive power to beat the press could use improvement...Not used much as a seam threat...More effective as a seal-&-sustain blocker than one who can anchor and get move- ment at the point of attack...Works better as a blocker when coming off motion or as the lead...Frame may not have much more room for growth...Lacks the top-end speed needed to get consistent separation due to tightness in the hips...Has adequate leaping ability going up for theball...Tends to go down after first contact.
Career Notes
Rising star who came into his own as a senior, giving the Wolverines a superb secondary target in the short area...Started 24 of 46 games at Michigan, catching 85 passes for 800 yards (9.4 avg) and eight touchdowns.
2002 Season

All-American second-team and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report...Second-team All-Big Ten pick by the league's media and coaches...Started every game, hauling in a career-high 53 passes (second on the team) for 579 yards (10.9 avg) and five touchdowns...His 53 catches rank second on the school season-record list for tight ends, topped only by Jack Clancy (76 in 1966).

yards.
2001 Season

Appeared in every game, starting vs. Penn State, Purdue and Iowa...Caught 17 passes for 118 yards (6.9 avg) and a touchdown.
Miami (Oh.)...Opened the season with a 1-yard scoring grab.
Washington...Gained 25 yards on 3 catches.
Iowa...Saw action at both tight end and fullback, coming up with a 3-yard catch.
Illinois...Added 13 yards on a pair of grabs.
Minnesota...Caught 2 passes for 25 yards.
Tennessee (Citrus Bowl)...Tied Marquise Walker for the team lead with 5 receptions, good for 45 yards.
2000 Season

Played in every game, starting seven contests...Finished with 11 receptions for 52 yards (4.7 avg)...Saw action at tight end, split end and fullback...Also handled snapping duties for PATs in the first five

games.
Penn State...Made 3 catches for 14 yards.
Indiana...Added a pair of catches for 3 yards.
1999 Season

Appeared in nine games, starting the Illinois contest as the second tight end...Made four catches for 51 yards (12.8 avg) and a pair of

touchdowns.
Illinois...First career reception was good for a 9-yard gain.
Indiana...Scored his first career touchdown on a 7-yard pass from QB Tom Brady.
Northwestern...Followed with an 11-yard scoring reception.
Alabama (Orange Bowl)...Had a 24-yard catch.
1998 Season

Redshirted as a freshman.

32 1/4 10 36 19 30 1/2 9'1"

1999 09 01 4 51 12.8 2 24 0.44 5.67

2000 12 07 11 52 4.7 0 10 0.92 4.33

2001 12 03 17 118 6.9 1 19 1.42 9.83

2002 13 13 53 579 10.9 5 43 4.08 44.54

TOTAL 46 24 85 800 9.4 8 43 1.85 17.39