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His Senior season was destroyed by injuries and extremely talented underclassmen who stepped in and took over. He led USC in Tackles in 2005 after replacing Tatupu. Should be judged by 2005 season where he had 66 Tackles, 1-half Sack, 2 PBU, 2 FF, 1 INT, 2 Passes Defense, and 1 Fumble Recovery. Loves the game and studies it with a passion. He is smart, and has super footballs smarts. Super instinctive. Understands what Offenses are trying to do and can anticipate play they are running. Knows what he is suppose to do, and is always where he should be. Coaches-dream type player. Lacked athleticism before knee problems, and now make not have the athleticism to play in NFL, but if he is completely healthy he could surprise. There is a spot open on the roster for a back up Inside Linebacker. Pats would prefer to keep Vrabel outside, which would give them an excellent three LB combo outside, like they had when McGinest was on the team and they won 2 straight Super Bowls. Word out of Foxboro is that Junior Seau is hanging around and will probably be on the team next season. Eric Alexander will have one of those backup spots inside, that leaves Lua fighting with Corey Mays for the other. Lua has experience on Special Teams, and has a chance to be an excellent Special Teamer. Could be a mix of Larry Izzo and Eric Alexander. Lua is a Stash Player, meaning he will be stashed on various lists for a year or two as he develops. If everything goes well this season he will be on the Injured Reserve and maintain his eligibility on the Practice Squad for another season. If everything goes well: he will be a Special Teams maven, like Larry Izzo, and eventually work his way into the starting lineup. Has a slight chance to make opening day roster as Pats really need depth at Inside Linebacker Why he could work: He was coached by one of Belichick's boys, Pete Carroll. Has good strength and desire. Was held back more by injuries than talent. Is a fanatical worker, and will learn the system quicker than most. NFL.com- "Positives: Alert and instinctive inside linebacker … Physical at the point of attack and looks to hit someone … A bit short but has the bulk to fill gaps … Uses his hands well to take on and shed blockers … Reliable tackler in the open field who flashes hitting ability … Plays hard and gets the most out of his ability." Lua (6-0 1/8, 236 pounds) ran his 40s in 4.81 and 4.88. He also had a 33-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-6 long jump, 4.43 short shuttle, 7.22 three-cone drill and 22 strength lifts. Combine: Did not receive an invitation. "Negatives: Lacks overall athleticism … Questionable speed to beat the back to the edge and lacks the change-of-direction agility to keep up with receivers in coverage … Struggled with injuries as a senior, limiting his effectiveness and ultimately forcing him to the sideline … Multiple knee problems a red flag." Positives: Good nose for the football. reads and reacts quickly. Effective in short area. Can be explosive and take on (blocks). Solid production and effort in pursuit. Make plays he is not expected to make because of effort and desire. Can factor positively as a special-teams player, showing great desire and toughness. Works hard. Watches tape. Very serious about the game. Strengths: reads and reacts to plays quickly. Uses his hands well to shed blockers and make takles on the inside run. Closes quickly on short pass in front of him. Weaknesses: is short and stocky. Lacks the explosiveness and speed to make plays near the sideline. Will struggle to cover tight ends in man-to-man. Is an upright runner who struggles to change direction. Bottom Line: Lua could become a backup 3-4 inside linebacker who contributes in short-yardage and goal-line situations and on special teams. Positives: Alert and instinctive inside linebacker. Physical at the point of attack and looks to hit someone. A bit short, but has the bulk to fill gaps. Uses his hands well to on and shed blockers. reliable tackler in the open field who flashes hitting ability. Plays hard and gets the most out of his ability. Negatives: lacks overall athleticism. Questionable speed to beat back to the edge and lacks change-of-direction agility to keep up with receivers in coverage. Struggled with injuries as a Senior, limiting his effectiveness and ultimately forcing him to the sidelines. Multiple knee problems a red flag. 2006: After leading USC in tackles in 2005, Lua returns for his second season as the starting middle linebacker as a senior in 2006. 2005: Lua emerged from 2005 fall camp as the starting middle linebacker and did a commendable job there as a junior in 2005. Overall in 2005 while appearing in 12 games (he missed the California game with a sprained left knee suffered against Stanford) and starting 11 times (he didn't start against Stanford after getting hurt on the opening kickoff), he had a team-high 66 tackles, including 0.5 sack for minus 1 yard, plus 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception which he returned 13 yards and 2 deflections. He made 2005 All-Pac-10 honorable mention. He had 3 tackles at Hawaii, a team-best 8 stops against Arkansas, another 8 at Oregon and 3 tackles with an interception (to set up a USC field goal) at Arizona State. He then had a team-best 10 tackles against Arizona, another 10 tackles and a deflection at Notre Dame, 7 stops at Washington and 3 tackles and a fumble recovery (to set up a USC TD) against Washington State. He returned from his knee injury to post 6 tackles with a forced fumble against Fresno State. He had 2 tackles and a deflection against UCLA. He added 6 tackles and forced a fumble against Texas. |
