Analysis |Agility |High School |Personal

OVERVIEW

Unheralded athlete who was a standout high school defensive lineman, but has been the anchor of the Hornets' offensive line since moving into the starting lineup the fifth game of his freshman season … Went on to start 42 consecutive games, mostly at right tackle, but split time at both tackle positions as a senior … The Empire League Lineman of the Year in 1999 was joined by his brother, Zvonimir, on the Hornets' roster in 2003.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Tall, angular type with long legs, developing chest, broad shoulders and a frame that can add at least another 25 pounds of muscle mass … Shows good hand punch on the rise, gaining movement off the line while staying low in his stance … Maintains his wide leg base to sustain blocks and keeps his feet moving properly to wall off and seal when pulling for the ground game … Has adequate lateral agility and comes off his blocks with good hand placement … Shows awareness picking up stunts and twists … Plays the game flat-footed and has the short-area quickness needed to get to the second level … Looks to cut and seal when adjusting to linebackers upfield … Has proper knee bend in pass protection and flashes an adequate kick slide to mirror the defender's moves … Pulls aggressively and shows active hands setting up to protect the edge.

Negatives: Tends to play out of control at times, as he tends to overextend, lunge and lean into contact when facing the quicker edge rushers … Has good knee bend, but will revert to bending at the waist, causing him to narrow his base a bit … Struggles to maintain contact with the defenders on screens, having a hard time locating his target in space … Slow at times to generate pop coming out of his stance, as he does not always get his weight out in front of him … Susceptible to spin moves and counters due to his narrow leg base … Can be rocked back on his heels when trying to prevent the surge, but does regain his anchor … Despite his size, he is anything but a mauler.

AGILITY TESTS

5.17 in the 40-yard dash … 1.73 10-yard dash … Bench presses 225 pounds 27 times … 4.4 20-yard shuttle … 7.57 three-cone drill … 27½-inch vertical jump … 8-foot-11 broad jump … 32¾-inch arm length … 10 1/8-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Cypress (Calif.) High, lettering three times as a two-way lineman … First-team All-CIF defensive pick, adding Empire League Lineman of the Year and all-county honors after posting six sacks as a senior … Led the team to the 1998 Empire League title … Also lettered three times in volleyball as a middle blocker and outside hitter.

PERSONAL

Social Science major … Brother, Zvonimir, was an offensive lineman and teammate at Sacramento State in 2003 … Son of Natalie and Mirko Cavka … Born April 8, 1981 … Resides in Cypress, Calif.

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