BelichickFan

Before the combine/pro day he was fairly slow and not overly athletic. Then he blew that away with his numbers, not just the 40 but the other drills too.

Was he just underutilized in coverage, etc, at Michigan so people didn't see what he could do or does his athleticism not show up on the field ?

It's the same thing as Leon Hall blasting below a 4.4 at the combine and Jarrett running a 4.6 at his pro day but in the game Jarrett ran right past him.

I want to like Harris but just like Chad Jackson was said to have manufactured speed and not live up to it on the field, I am worried about the same this with Harris.

Remix 6

Chads speed live up on the field..u just cant say a 4.32 means hes gonna beat everyone on the field..40s are overrated

its like Calvin Johnson..at 235-240 you wouldnt expect him to run a 4.35 because on the field he doesnt look that fast because hes so big

as for Harris..hes not athletic like Vilma..Urlacher..and other guys that came out as athletic LBs but hes no slouch..he moves around well and plays.

zippo59

"Athleticism" is so overstated. We are looking for football players not athletes.

As long as a player gets the job done I don't care what his drill times are.

Harris has been described as one of the best coverage linebackers in the country. That's all you need to know.

__________________
"What Tom Brady just did gives me goose bumps."-John Madden after final drive in SB 36


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

jeffd

I think by athleticism he means speed and change of direction skill. In college you get get by being smart and strong and not athletic, or by being athletic but not smart or strong. Athleticism is very important. It doesn't do you any good to know where you need to be if you can't get there. Also, a players athleticism is generally what it is, with little room for improvement. A dumb, athletic person is the definition of a good project player. Basically when a player has a "low floor" they are smart players, players with a "high ceilling" are generally the athletic guys.

For a veteran player I would agree that production is all that counts. But a college player can be production because of poor competition, drill times are helpful.

zippo59

I just think that if I hear the word athleticism one more time when it comes to linebackers I am going to slam my head against my keyboard.

__________________
"What Tom Brady just did gives me goose bumps."-John Madden after final drive in SB 36


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

cstjohn17

I am with you, the more I think about it I want players who will work hard and improve. As far as atheletism goes, most NFL players are comparable. They are among the best in the world, big, strong, fast, etc.

I love to read 40 times, bench press numbers, shuttle, etc. but long-term it comes down to working hard and improving. Any player we draft won't be expected to start in year 1, we may get lucky and have one break through but realistically we are drafting for years 2+. It is rare to see a college player who is physically and mentally able to start right away, it will be the dedicated players who get better with each season. Examples off the top of my head of players who really improved year after year are Ty Warren, David Givens and others. It is a wake up call for a lot of kids who have been the best player in the history of their high school, top 10 in the state, all Americans, etc. Once they get the NFL none of that matters, natural gifts are irrelevant. As BB says "We want players who think football is important".


I hope we draft a bunch of players who are willing to bust their butts, not that fastest, strongest, etc.

Ochmed Jones

Athleticism is huge for the LB position because they are asked to do so many different things.
Non-athletic LB's are usually one dimensional and get exposed fairly quickly.

In a basic 3-4 defense, the two OLB's almost have to be athlectic freaks to survive. Just look current and past successful OLB's, Lawrence Taylor, Merriman, Ware, Kevin Greene, McGinest, etc.) Jason Taylor of Miami was the DPOTY last year as a 3-4 OLB.

jeffd

I'll also add that one of the biggest reason we lost to the Colts was a severe lack of athleticism at LB. Our LB's just weren't quick enough to get into those deep passing lanes.

Metaphors

I hope we draft a bunch of players who are willing to bust their butts AND are the fastest, strongest, etc.

Seymour, Colvin, Warren, Wilfork, Watson, A.Thomas, C.Jackson all have RARE athleticism. Their production doesn't always match their skill sets, but I think we tend to tag guys as "Patriot-type" players and assume that means high football IQ and passion BUT less athletic.

Remember, D.Starks busted his butt and certainly didn't get any dumber since his time in Baltimore. Is that what what you want? Not me.

BelichickFan

I want a guy who's tough with good instincts too. But one of our biggest problems is unathletic ILB (and Safeties with who we ended the season too) . . . there comes a time where you need a LB to be able to cover a Dallas Clark or a running back out of the backfield.