- I think it's time to throw some talent at the OL rather than trying to develop long shots with shaky roster security. I'd love to get another significant physical talent for the unit, particularly for the right side. Right now, the upside for the OL outside of Trent looks like "competent starter." Be nice to get an impact starter. I feel like, traditionally, an OL with two impact guys on it can be really dominant.
- I've long since given up hope of having a steady, impact RB presence in this system. I don't think that changes this year unless the back is somehow overwhelming BPA. Shanahan likes consistency with some ability to break big plays when they get holes. That's all we're likely to see unless a stud falls through the cracks. He's not going to go out and spend for a back that can put the fear in a defense because I don't think he sees it as a wise allocation of resources.
- Pierre Garcon and Leonard Hankerson becoming playmakers for us is critically important. We'll go receiver by committee like the other great passing offenses like the Packers, Saints, and Patriots. But every year, you need a couple of guys to separate themselves and produce. Right now, Moss is the only semi-proven commodity and we know his flaws.
It'd also be huge if Aldrick Robinson got some burn and produced. He's one of the few legit gamebreakers we've got at WR & HB. It'd be nice to be able to get quick scores.
As it stands we probably still need to draft a receiver fairly early just to keep the pipeline full at the position.
- I agree with DG in that our defense really doesn't have any difference makers in it outside maybe London Fletcher. And even he's not really one because he's not an elite physical specimen.
I think Orakpo and Kerrigan are the closest we've got to this, but their ceilings are probably "very good, very productive" rather than "force of nature." Both are terrific athletes, powerful, smart and pretty instinctive. But neither are elite athletes with top notch speed, fluidity, burst, balance, and body control. And I think both would rather make the smart play than the potentially brilliant one.
An understated part of our defensive transformation the past two seasons is how much bigger and slower our defense has become. We've rebuilt ourselves as a Patriot's style, brainy, power defense for outdoor natural grass. Makes sense as that's Fedex and our weather situation. But we could use some more speed.
I think Bowen and Carriker are mammoth power guys that make sense in traditional gap control 5 technique roles. They will get sacks in pressure situations, but they're not going to get consistent and constant pressure like a playmaking 5 tech like Justin Smith.
I think Cofield is a bit more of a playmaker than you typically see at NT but he's not like a Haloti Ngata (during his good years) type.
The interior linebackers are good for now but won't be once London retires. I think Riley is a competent player with a nice upside in that he can blitz. But if you've seen Carolina play so far and see Luke Kuechly, you see what kind of impact an interior/stack linebacker can have when you marry elite anticipation with tremendous athleticism and size. Or Navorro Bowman & Patrick Willis for that matter.
We're going to be in a rough way at ILB when London retires.
Really, the DL lacks a true disruptor and the front seven lacks an elite force of nature type presence. That'll keep our defense from ever being elite. I don't see how we're going to fix this any time soon without first round picks. I'm hoping Jarvis Jenkins is truly special instead of just "really good." Usually you can tell if that's the case with a defensive player at the college level though, unless he's a late bloomer. I don't know...
- The secondary is a clear weakness, and is another unit that lacks playmaking ability. Deangelo is the only playmaker in the group and he's proven himself a flawed player that will never be elite. It would be nice to have an elite player at S or CB.
I think we've got a pretty good team all in all but it's a team without playmaking, elite talent outside of the new QB, the TE, and the LT.
I'd like us to add speed and freak athleticism at WR, OL, CB, S, DL, or ILB with our ensuing draft picks.
"John Wall will never be as good as Kyrie Irving was in his first week in the NBA" - David Falk, published February 14, 2013.
Pugh has got alligator arms. He's got long legs, tall, but he short arms those shivers, allows guys into his body. But in terms of speed, he's got it, but it's open field speed – "top end speed." I could see the question remaining about short-area quickness and/or recovery speed. But I want to see what he looks like after he recovers from the shoulder or whatever it is.
http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootb...rse_tweak.html
Concerning head coach Doug Marrone vis a vis offensive line.
...Despite school record-setting performances from quarterback Ryan Nassib, wide receiver Alec Lemon and tight end Nick Provo and a 1,000-yard rushing season from Antwon Bailey, the Orange ranked No. 90 in yardage gained, out of 120 teams.
Translation: SU will have the same pro-style system based on the one Marrone helped direct as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints. But the elements within it will be different in three critical areas:
- a streamlined passing game,
- a redefined running-game philosophy that relies more on misdirection than power
- and a change-of-pace tempo that could feature a no-huddle look as the staple of the scheme.more misdirection
Marrone believes teams such as Toledo and Kansas State are onto something when they use passing-game concepts similar to SU’s but complement them with a ground game that includes the quarterback.
“We have to look at ways to run Ryan more,” he said. “Because that is where a lot of the big plays are coming from. You have to defend the quarterback runs as well as the quarterback passing. We want to get our quarterback more involved in our running game because now you can create more misdirection, you can create more gap assignment on the defense, and now you can also handle the rush a little better.”
Nassib displayed the ability to run SU’s version of the zone-read option effectively during camp. The offense will use that element to set up a variety of sweeps, traps, reverses and screens designed to make defenses play honestly.
...
The off-tackle power game also remains a staple of the running attack.
---------- Post added August-25th-2012 at 10:25 AM ----------
Yeah,
I don't know if that's just an anatomical thing or if it's the way he plays ... you know?
Maybe his arms are just short or perhaps there's something to be tweaked in his mechanics. I'm not sure.
Last edited by Monk4thaHALL; August-25th-2012 at 09:27 AM.
Just living the dream of a college kid wanting to be something
NFLDraftMonsters.com--- check it
@JTPartlow21
As long as jmpasq and meta keep bringing the cuts of certain players, a lot of people can get primers or introductions to handfuls of players.
Per topic,
Pugh:
Just a name I want everyone to keep an eye on as far as S prospects is Kenny Vaccaro from Texas. Truly one of my favorite prospects in the 2013 class and not only is a S, but also can play some nickel as well.
Just living the dream of a college kid wanting to be something
NFLDraftMonsters.com--- check it
@JTPartlow21
Man just saw Todd McShay's top 5 on Sportscenter and I'm a bit confused by it. No problem with Mingo or Amerson at #3 and #4, but Matt Barkley isn't the top overall player. Also Chance Warmack #2? I mean he's great, but DeCastro I had rated higher. John Jenkins right now isn't a top 5 player, but very well could after the season is over
Just living the dream of a college kid wanting to be something
NFLDraftMonsters.com--- check it
@JTPartlow21
I thought so too about Bowen, but he's looked better this preseason. He looks a bit quicker. I guess now that his son is fully healthy and not hospitalized, he's been able to focus more on football in the offseason. I feel like the jury should still be out on him as regards to what type of player he is.
I kind of disagree about TE. Fred Davis isn't an elite talent, he still sucks at blocking. I'm not willing (yet) to spend a high pick on a ILB. Let's see how Riley develops in coverage this season, and what Keenan Robinson can do.
Jarvis Jenkins is still working his way back from injury, I plan on evaluating him in the 2nd half of the season. He won't get his explosion back so soon. Safety is a complete wildcard. I'm all for dropping our 2nd rounder on a corner (although the past few years haven't generated good corners in that round).
When all is said and done though, I'm fine with going BPA in the 2nd round on any position except for QB. If there's a freakish athlete available, let's nab him.
HTTR
Its that time of year everyone...... COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEGINS!
Just living the dream of a college kid wanting to be something
NFLDraftMonsters.com--- check it
@JTPartlow21
Now that I don't go to WVU anymore and am going to NVCC, I find it hard to care. But I want to care.
Anyways,
I would stay away from QBs Landry Jones, Aaron Murray, Matt Barkley, and Logan Thomas. Unless they all start improving and Aaron Murray can prove he can beat a ranked team for once in his life I don't really care for them, Logan Thomas is all potential and not much actual production as of right now but that is subject to change, Matt Barkley will suffer USC QB syndrome in the NFL, and Landry Jones is just overrated period.
This is a good safety class, I think we could go with Ray Ray, Vocaroo, Rambo, McDonald, Lester, Elam etc. and be fine. We need starting safeties in the worst way.
Of the 4 you mentioned I agree with only Jones and Barkley. I'm actually a big fan of Murray and where I rank him really does depend on what his height ends up at. Thomas is still rough around the edges yes, but he's got every tool you want at QB. He's not Cam Newton obviously, but his ceiling is Roethlisberger.
Just living the dream of a college kid wanting to be something
NFLDraftMonsters.com--- check it
@JTPartlow21
I'm tuning in out of some interest in Jadeveon Clowney even though he's not draft eligible and also to see how Lattimore returns.
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