midwestpatsfan

I had him on my pre-season watch list because of his size and watched a few games of his during the college season and came away with one thought-ehhhh

Then, about a week or 2 ago, his name started popping up everywhere as "the" guy that was rocketing up boards, so I went back and watched again, and I have to say, I still am not sure I get the hype.

Here is what I came away with:
Positives: Freakish size, with long arms and legs. Ht. WT. Spd that the Patriots seem to covet. Shows some upper body strength and uses his hands reasonably well. Plays past the whistle and consistently is down field to assist on plays that have gone away from his side. Has some raw pass rush ability. Seems to set the edge well and is a good run stopper.

Negatives: I do not see the burst needed to be an elite pass rusher. Always seems to be a split second slow off the snap. Is not as fast as his timed speed. Pass rush moves are very limited. Legs are awfully skinny(crable esc?) Not sure he can drop into coverage to play the 3-4 OLB and not sure he has the lower body strength to play the 5-tech on the line. See him more as a pure 4-3 DE (which the Patriots do play a lot of) but I just do not see the fit for the pats scheme.

What am I missing here? I am hearing he could go top 10 now and go ahead of Coples.

Thirdbasekid24

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the fact that his brother is Jon Jones might lead people to believe he has a champions mentality in his blood to go with his athleticism? Who knows. I still had him going in round 2 in my mock.

EDIT: Those chicken legs must run in the family.

Gator Mike

Didn't get it weeks ago.

Don't get it now.

Probably won't get it until he steps on the field and changes my mind.

I'm not sure what we'd do with him.

Patriot Missile

[QUOTE=midwestpatsfan;3024536What am I missing here? I am hearing he could go top 10 now and go ahead of Coples.[/QUOTE]

Your missing the fact that the Patriots just got 1 slot better in their draft if that happens.

ay-yo

vs. WVU
vs. Pitt
vs. UConn

I think he just gets consistent pressure on almost all plays. He's a tad slow off the line but constantly fighting and making another move to get after the qb. I disagree that his pass rush moves are limited. If he's your teams top pass rusher he doesn't need to worry about dropping into coverage. That said top 10 is silly. But I'd take him over the rest of the OLB / DEs. Maybe Coples over him.

Gator Mike

...all of which is admirable.

But if I'm taking a DE/OLB in the first round, I want him to actually get home on a fairly regular basis. Jones doesn't do it often enough in the Big East... don't see any reason why that would change in the AFC East.

ATippett56

West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Connecticut ... all collegiate football powerhouses!

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The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

That would be funny (because its so stupid), but it's also possibly true. I believe his brother just had a huge win a couple days ago.

MrNathanDrake

Good motor. Great size. Potential. Hard worker. Competitive. High Character. Instinctive.

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Wilfork#75

I don't get it either. He has a great frame and uses his hands pretty well, but he doesn't have a great first step, has poor lateral agility and is so slow in pursuit. I don't see him as an elite pass rusher and I think NFL OT's will have their way with him in the running game because I think he will lose the leverage battle on the edge. I can't remember who posted it, but someone likened him to a baby giraffe because he is a bit uncoordinated, and I have to agree. Its nothing personal against the guy, because I know he is a good kid, but I don't think he is a first round player.

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