Get it shawtaay

Most of the time, when a young player steps in and exceeds expectations, we see it coming.

Dennard was one of the best corners in D1 football. Jones was a hot commodity on draft day, with athletic bloodlines and arms like vines. Deaderick was always seen as a guy with some NFL potential because of his prototypical 5-tech body. Sterling Moore? Raiders fans thought he was the best corner at their camp, so we knew he had ball skills. Woodhead is a D2 god, won the D2 Heisman equivalent twice. Bolden was one of the best backs in the SEC and scouts were buzzing about him in 2010. There was something about all these players that got us legitimately excited.

Justin Francis? Average looking tackle/end tweener with mediocre production from a Big East school, who looked terrible in the 4 preseason games. Lousy pro day numbers. Yet in every game he's played, he's racked up a couple of QB hits and pushed the pocket, with 3 sacks to show for it. No undrafted defensive player has made the same impact as he has this season.

Shout out to the Pats scouting department for finding this kid.

Get it shawtaay

I stand corrected on the "no UDFA" part. Vontaze Burfict has had a very productive season as the starting WLB for Cincy. Francis is still the man though.

Sicilian

I remember there being some buzz in training camp reports about him. Lots of writers said he looked good in practice, it just never really translated on the field in the preseason games. Outside of that you're right, we really heard nothing about this kid after training camp until he started filling in for injuries late in the year.

BradyFTW!

People have been gushing about how excellent he is since training camp, so he must have shown quite a bit pretty early. Also can't hurt that he's a Rutgers guy. Can't help but get the sense that Belichick is a big fan of Schiano's coaching, between Francis, McCourty, Silvestro, and Underwood.

Double TE

Justin Francis
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-2
School: Rutgers
Weight: 270
Age: 23
Projected Round: 7th-UDFA


Pros: Very high motor and will make hustle plays. Has been described by many as an emotional leader. Many called Francis the best and most explosive defensive lineman at the Shrine Game. Has long arms and a strong first step off the line.

Cons: Was arrested in 2008. Bit of a tweener that played defensive tackle in college. Will have to find a position. Not a dynamic edge rusher and limited against the run. Needs to win his first step or he can be overpowered.

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If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?

IllegalContact

bruschi played some DT in college, too

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“ I think good coaches will coach with the personnel they have, and if you only have one (good) linebacker, you’re not going to play a 3–4. ”
—Hank Bullough, who installed one of the first 3–4 defenses with the New England Patriots.

RayClay

NFL.com has him at 6'4". did he grow two inches since the combine? (I think he looks closer to the latter anyway).

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ATippett56

WalterFootball.com: 2012 NFL Draft: Defensive End Rankings

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The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

ATippett56

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The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

JJDChE

He must've "trained" with Bolden in the offseason. I hear he has a really good doct...ummm..."trainer".

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