GREENWAY VS. HODGE
If Chad Greenway had played for Maine and Abdul Hodge had played for Hawaii, no one would be using one as a reference point for the other.
But both potential first-round picks were competing for every tackle while standing just a few feet from each other as starting linebackers for Iowa. So everything Greenway did is measured against Hodge. Each of Hodge's strengths and weaknesses is graded against Greenway's.
The 6-2 3/8 Greenway makes the 6-0 3/8 Hodge look small. Greenway's speed makes Hodge look slow. Greenway's athletic ability makes Hodge look ordinary.
But Hodge's instincts make Greenway look late to react. Hodge's ability to disengage makes Greenway look plodding. Hodge's natural punch makes Greenway look less explosive.
So it goes with teammates who play the same position. Others in the draft include N.C. State defensive ends Mario Williams and Manny Lawson; Ohio State linebackers A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel; LSU defensive tackles
Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams; and Miami offensive tackles Eric Winston and Rashad Butler.
The truth is Greenway and Hodge both are fine prospects who were very productive in college, whether they are being compared or not.
But this is what stands out on tape: Hodge usually beats Greenway to the ball. That means something.