midwestpatsfan

I get the appeal at first glance, he has that height, weight, speed that BB mentioned a few years back, but has anyone really watched him play?

I watched 3 games of his this year.(Iowa, USC, and OKie ST.)

The Iowa game showed that he had some raw potential and a prospect for the Patriots, but the USC and OK. St game also showed that he has a lot of work to do.

Right now, he is a one trick pony with a limited skillset in that role. He is a pass rush specialist without any pass rush moves. He has a good first step, but he either trys to speed rush to the outside(and does not have great bend when doing that) or he tries to bull rush.

In the bowl game they ran at him all day long and he was lost out there trying to set the edge. I came away unimpressed and thought he would be a good mid-round pick to try and develop.

On top of that, he admitted himself that he played a very simplistic role in college and has to learn schemes. I just do not trust taking a guy high that is so far behind in basic football knowledge.

Finally, as a guy who admitted that his only job was to rush the QB, to have a career high of 8 his sophomore year is concerning to me as well. For a guy who is going to have to transition to another position and learn from scratch new responsibilities, how many sacks can we expect from him in the NFL?

Reed just doesn't seem like a BB type pick unless that pick is made in the 3rd round or later. I cannot get on board with people wanting him at 28 or 33.
What am I missing here? am I wrong?

dryheat44

Good post. Much like in Sheard's case, the paucity of OLBs who fit BBs measureables are causing massive grade inflation. I can see Reed at 60 or higher with a modest trade up. He's definitely an effort guy, which is great, and might be able to compete on teams, but I don't think he'll be taking more than 5-8 snaps a game defensively this year.

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patchick

I think we're all struggling with the reality that college "productivity" as a pass rusher is a surprisingly weak predictor of NFL success, especially as a 3-4 OLB. Larry English and Vernon Gholston each put up better college numbers than Clay Matthews and Cameron Wake combined, etc. etc. It's just a very, very hard position to project.

So one reasonable approach is to simply look for good athletes with strong frames who play with relentless intensity and seem to have the will to improve. Thus Reed and Sheard.

Personally, I find that the closer I look at this whole class of OLB prospects the less I like them, like usual. But I think it's time to take some chances at the position, so Reed and Sheard are both on my short list.

reflexblue

It seems this happens every year, a player impresses at the combine and becomes the new 'flavor of the month'. I don't recall his name being mentioned during the season last fall, only recently. I'm very wary about a player when they suddenly look great in the combine or One post season game. I think Mike Mammula

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Sciz

If not for Clay Matthews' success, Reed wouldn't be this popular.

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Underdog

It's the hair.

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DW Toys

In fact I have to disagree. One of his positives was a variation of pass rush moves.His drop backs are the main issue but I would suspect with his speed and desire would come rather quickly. We always pigeon hole everyone to that "Willie McGinnest type". I see him as a consistent pain in the ass to our competitors QBs. I watched his game. He is relentless. He had the fastest 10 yard of anyone of the top ten ranked OLBs including Miller and speed merchant Moch (surprised?) and was the strongest. Will it translate to the field? Who knows but the height, weight, speed and desire seem to indicate a reasonable circumstance.


This is what you posted: Right now, he is a one trick pony with a limited skillset in that role. He is a pass rush specialist without any pass rush moves.
But.........Draft Scout: Has bull and speed rushes and an OK spin move as pass rush technique. Rob Rang:Variety of pass moves. Violent hands. From the Senoir Bowl: Later in the week, when Reed played linebacker and dropped into coverage, his ball skills were as proficient as many of the every day linebackers he played next to.
More from the Senior Bowl:
WOW! (Reed) had three terrific pass rushes in a row. The first was against (Mississippi State left Tackle Derrik) Sherrod who he beat by dipping his shoulder and turning the corner on him. On his second battle against Sherrod, he dusted him with an inside spin move. On his next snap, he went up against Auburn RT Lee Ziemba and this time the 262 pound Reed bull-rushed Ziemba back to where the QB would be. Three snaps, three different pass rush moves for Reed


Look at the board. Quinn and Smith have the same issue as does Kerrigan. I am infatuate with Miller's game but he also has that stigma. Houston and Acho? Same deal. All are DE/OLB players with some flaws.

Ayers as an OLB? Forget him. Should not be on BB's board as he has no pass rush game whatsoever and that is well documented. He is rated as a very solid linebacking presence who will not add pass rush.

In actuality, the only one you can document as an actual NCAA OLB with pass rush skills in the first two rounds, is Bruce Carter but he has injury concerns. I can't see BB waiting to pull the trigger any later than 2nd.

I am of the Reed camp but would take Kerrigan first. I think both Smith and Reed are now the same value.

My question is why is everyone so hot on Quinn? He didn't play in 2010 and he really only had one good year on his body of work. They say his sacks were inflated. He must look the part.
DW Toys

Snake Eyes

He has good measurables and looks like Clay Matthews.

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DW Toys

Would you say the NEPats Forum superstar binkie Connor Barwin famous?
DW Toys

patchick

Public Service Announcement: This is the annual reminder that Connor Barwin was the Big East sack leader, and Clay Matthews was the pure Combine phenom.

Carry on!