#104 - Kaluka Maiava (LB, USC) bio/scouting report up

[glockcoma]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

I don't know much about this kid, hopefully he can tackle better then some of the players we have now.....

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

If you said the steelers picked a tough, blue collar, dominant center, an OSU wr, and 2 angry samoans..i wouldn't be surprised at all. Nice job by the Browns

...That's a damn good Band Name...

 

[SoundBreaker]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

I submitted an inquiry on him via ESPN's draft chat and they picked it

Alex (Cleveland): Your opinion on Kaluka Maiava from USC

James Walker:*I like the fact that he played in a 3-4 hybrid type of defense at USC. So many players are projections in college because they never played the scheme. But this will help.

 

[NarlCavs]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

Solid player but I question if he has the size to fit in a 3/4 defense. He appears to be a player who would fit more as a LB in a Colts or Bucs defense.

I don't have a big problem with the pick and the only question would be that he might just project as a backup and special teams player here and in the 4th round you can still try to find players projected to become starters.

 

[Smooth]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

I question this pick because I really don't see where he fits in to our defense..

He seems like a good value, which is good, but where does he fit?

He does seem like a very good special teams player but a special teams player in the 4th?

He's 5'11.5" and around 220, which is kind of small to play the 34 ILB... If he threw on 20 pounds or so then maybe but he'd still be small...

He could be a SS but 4.8 is kind of slow for a safety... Although I will say he did show some surprisingly fluid hips at the Combine...

Seems like a good player and good value but I don't see where he fits...

 

[-KingofKings23-]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

I really like this pick by the Browns. He seems to be very athletic and can move very well.

 

[Silky Smooth]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

Fun Fact: His uncle is this guy...

Great so he will lay the smackdown on someones candyass if he needs too.

 

[Goggles11]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

I question this pick because I really don't see where he fits in to our defense..

He seems like a good value, which is good, but where does he fit?

He does seem like a very good special teams player but a special teams player in the 4th?

He's 5'11.5" and around 220, which is kind of small to play the 34 ILB... If he threw on 20 pounds or so then maybe but he'd still be small...

He could be a SS but 4.8 is kind of slow for a safety... Although I will say he did show some surprisingly fluid hips at the Combine...

Seems like a good player and good value but I don't see where he fits...

If I'm not mistaken isn't he roughly the same size as our best linebacker D'Qwell Jackson? I'm not saying you're wrong, I just wouldn't be so quick to shoot him down as an ILB prospect.

 

[Smooth]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

Jackson may be a tad or two taller but is also 20 or so lbs. heavier than Maiava..

* * * * *

KALUKA MAIAVA Conference Call

Production
2005-'07: Maiava appeared in 38 games (two starts) while recording 98 tackles, 12.5 TFL's, and 6.5 sacks. He also added one interception, five PBUs, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. 2008: Started all 13 games recording 66 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, one interception, and five pass break-ups.
Height-Weight-Speed
Is undersized and there's concern regarding his potential to hold up in the NFL. A fluid athlete but his timed-speed at the Combine was disappointing.
Durability
Missed the season opener against Idaho in 2007 due to a hamstring injury. Also had thumb and wrist surgery during the off-season prior to the 2008 season.
Character
Comes from a family of athletes and is a driven individual. Father, Scott Mahoney, played football at Colorado and brother, Kai, is an offensive lineman at UCLA. He's also the nephew of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
Outside Linebacker specific Traits
Instincts/Recognition
Can be slow to diagnose play-fake at times and will take some false steps, as a result. Seems to have better awareness versus the run than he does in zone coverage.
Pursuit/Point of Attack
Is at his best in space. Fluid and smooth athlete. Can cover a lot of ground if protected. Has a strong upper body and not afraid to fill. But he is undersized and has short arms, so he struggles to hold up in a phone booth and takes too long disengaging from blocks once reached.
Tackling
Closes quickly and is not afraid to throw his body around. Is a sound open-field tackler. Does a good job of breaking down in space. Excellent covering kicks on special teams. Lacks ideal size and plays with a narrow base, though. Bigger ball carriers can knock him back.
Pass Coverage
Is quick and fluid. Very smooth opening his hips and changing directions. Gets deep drop in zone. Ball skills are adequate. Only concern here is he seems to lack ideal awareness in coverage. Is better in man-to-man coverage than he is in zone.
Pass Rusher
Shows good initial quickness and can bend the corner tightly. However, he doesn't show great instincts or closing burst as a pass rusher. Lacks ideal experience. Struggles to get off of blocks once reached.

Strengths: Maiava is a hardworking overachiever who plays whistle to whistle. Maiava's a really intelligent linebacker who reads and reacts quickly. He doesn't bite on play action and knows when to stay home when a running back might bounce outside. Moves well laterally and uses that agility to stay away from blockers. Has good enough playing speed. Really looks the part of an excellent special teams player.

Weaknesses: Maiava struggles at times because of his lack of size. He's shorter than ideal and doesn't have a lot of strength. Tight ends and tackles can easily take him completely out of a play because he struggles to disengage. Started only one season and was surrounded by a lot of great players. Struggles rushing the passer and doesn't close especially quickly. Had wrist and thumb surgery before the start of 2008 spring practice.

Final word: Only a one-year starter, Maiava made his mark as a senior, finishing with 66 tackles, with 7.5 for a loss and six pass breakups. That earned him second-team All Pac-10 honors. Was named Defensive MVP of the 2009 Rose Bowl.

Round projection: 4

Strengths:
Very athletic...Good speed with a burst to close...Is real quick and agile...Nice instincts...A reliable tackler...Good strength...Active and aggressive...Has sideline-to-sideline range...Fluid and more than holds his own in coverage...Tough...Plays physical...Terrific special teamer.

Weaknesses:
Doesn't have the ideal size that you look for...Short arms and small hands...Not very stout at the point of attack...Struggles to take on and shed blockers...Was surrounded by a ton of talent...Limited starting experience...Durability may be a concern...Not a fit for every scheme.

Notes:
Name is pronounced "kuh-LOO-kuh my-AH-vuh"...Grandfather is ex - pro wrestler Neff Maiava...Father, Scott Mahoney, was an offensive lineman at Colorado (1969-71)...Uncle is pro wrestler / actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson...Brother, Kai, is currently an offensive lineman at UCLA...Worked as a backup and special teamer in 2005, 2006 and 2007...Finally got an opportunity to see more playing time when Keith Rivers moved on to the NFL and came through with an excellent senior campaign, even earning 2nd Team All-Pac 10 honors...Was named Defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl as a senior...Twice named the Trojans Co-Special Teams Player of the Year...Hampered by neck, shoulder, wrist, thumb and knee injuries throughout his college career...Was overshadowed by Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews but is a fine pro prospect in his own right...Best fit at the next level will likely come on the weakside with a team that is willing to sacrifice some size for speed and athleticism such as the Colts or Bucs.

Year GP TKL TFL SACK PBU INT
2005 13 20 0.0 0.0 0 1
2006 12 34 3.5 0.0 0 0
2007 13 44 4.5 2.0 2 0
2008 13 66 7.5 0.0 5 1
Totals 51 164 15.5 2.0 7 2

Quick Analysis: Still don't get this pick but it seems like he's a typical ManKok guy that will contribute right away on special teams and could be a SS/ILB guy... The more I think about it, the more I think he'll be our coverage linebacker and will be out there on passing downs, since our LBs have trouble with that...

 

[SanduskyCav]

Weaknesses: Maiava struggles at times because of his lack of size. He's shorter than ideal and doesn't have a lot of strength. Tight ends and tackles can easily take him completely out of a play because he struggles to disengage. Started only one season and was surrounded by a lot of great players. Struggles rushing the passer and doesn't close especially quickly. Had wrist and thumb surgery before the start of 2008 spring practice.

How could this be said if he bench 225 lbs the most out of all LB's with 30 reps? (Tied with Cushing)

 

[SanduskyCav]

Re: #104 - Kaluka Maiava

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Notice at the 1:06 mark...

"Rey Maualuga is my Superman, Brian Cushing is my Batman...Kaluka Maiava could quietly be better than both of them", Coach Ken Norton stated

 

[glockcoma]

Sounds like he has the potential to be solid. I like what I've read, but only time will tell.

 

[PIP]

Why is this guy considered to be so small when he's one inch shorter and one pound lighter than DQ ?

He's 229 pounds, so we'll say he's 230... With the proper training here who's to say he won't get to that 240 pound mark ?? And that's right in line with those 3-4 LB's that Belichick had for years...

 

[kblade]

PIP i hear ya man i think this kid is super sleeper status i mean a place like USC only gets nice blue chip recruits and you cant blame the kid for haveing those three animals in front of him. I could see him starting next to D'Qwell sooner then later. Mangini had no name david harris who was a no name from michigan playing like a stud after some time with him.

So glad that romeo is gone, so glad.

 

[natedagg]

Why is this guy considered to be so small when he's one inch shorter and one pound lighter than DQ ?

He's 229 pounds, so we'll say he's 230... With the proper training here who's to say he won't get to that 240 pound mark ?? And that's right in line with those 3-4 LB's that Belichick had for years...

I have to pimp this guy. The damn coach said he was the glue of that group of linebackers. He would know best. I don't think that this guy's potential stops at special teams. I love this pick (but then again, I have reservations about the Hawaii pick). Anyone have a highlight video that isn't just still shots?