Koa Misi

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Kind of a smaller player than the Pats look for but he has been an outstanding edge rusher for the Utes

Should the Pats take a look at this guy in the late second round where I think he will be available?.

 

[reflexblue]

Kind of a smaller player than the Pats look for but he has been an outstanding edge rusher for the Utes

Should the Pats take a look at this guy in the late second round where I think he will be available?.

I wonder what BOR thinks of this guy????

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I wonder what BOR thinks of this guy????

Don't understand....

 

[reflexblue]

Don't understand....

You've never seen Box's comments on Misi?..while not being connor barwinesq, he is high on him. Misi is Box's pick at LB

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

You've never seen Box's comments on Misi?..while not being connor barwinesq, he is high on him. Misi is Box's pick at LB

Nope..I really don't check draft talks much here until the draft itself nears

 

[Defsoul]

From NFPost's Wes Bunting:

Koa Misi OLB, Utah
NFP Grade: 6.4

Scouting Report:
Koa Misi: No. 41, OLB/DE, 6-2, 263

Misi is a gifted athlete for his size who showcases impressive initial burst and natural closing speed when asked to make plays in pursuit. He works well downfield and has the range to make plays on the ball in space. But his natural burst and speed don't translate as well when he plays with his hand on the ground. He possesses an average first step as a pass rusher, allows his pad level to get too high and struggles to change directions off the edge. Misi looks more natural standing up when he uses his hands much better to gain leverage and is more effective when asked to disengage. He isn't powerful at the point of attack as a run defender. He struggles to sit into his stance and anchor on contact. He can be overwhelmed and is consistently driven downfield. He uses his long arms well to eventually shed blocks, but that takes place too far downfield. He looks like a tough, hard-working 3-4 OLB who has some natural speed for his frame. But I don't see the type of change of direction skills or lateral quickness for him to develop into an impact pass rusher.

Misi could probably be a do-it-all-outside backer, but not a real terror of the edge. I would not mind if the Patriots get him at #48 or even #53.

 

[WhiZa]

I would be concerned with his production. Especially since his level of competition wasn't elite.

Do you think he can play ILB? If we're going to draft a OLB I would want someone who knows how to get to the QB. He seems more of a watch the play progress and then decide what to do type of player.

 

[CGH TX PATS]

I would be concerned with his production. Especially since his level of competition wasn't elite.

Do you think he can play ILB? If we're going to draft a OLB I would want someone who knows how to get to the QB. He seems more of a watch the play progress and then decide what to do type of player.

Thanks for making this point. I thought maybe I was the only player who likes to see these players face elite competition, or how they respond in big games. I'll see if I can find some footage against TCU (possibly their biggest game outside of the bowl game)

 

[VJCPatriot]

Any insightful video footage on this Misi guy?

 

[Metaphors]

Kind of a smaller player than the Pats look for but he has been an outstanding edge rusher for the Utes

Should the Pats take a look at this guy in the late second round where I think he will be available?.

He is about the same size as Bruschi (a little taller) with a similar college background. If he has the smarts, he has the skill set to play all over the field. He showed a lot in the Senior Bowl game. There is a strong sentiment on this board to pigeon-hole people into defined roles and positions (see McClain, Rolando). I'm of the opposite mindset. If a player can fit into multiple positions and roles (even if he isn't optimal at any of them), then the opposing QB will have a hard time getting a pre-snap read on what the defense is doing.

So if Belichick has a good feeling about what Misi has to offer between his ears, then I'm all for drafting him and developing new and inventive ways of unleashing him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Any insightful video footage on this Misi guy?

#41 white lining up from NT to OLB on the defensive left (listed as a 260 lb. DE): YouTube - John Parker Wilson Had a bad day

 

[Clonamery]

#41 white lining up from NT to OLB on the defensive left (listed as a 260 lb. DE): YouTube - John Parker Wilson Had a bad day

Al-Koa can't wait. It all starts with dirt.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Al-Koa can't wait. It all starts with dirt.

Oar or ore...

 

[PatsChamp88]

Interview with With Utah Defensive End Koa Misi | Patriots Daily

 

[MaineMan]

He is about the same size as Bruschi (a little taller) with a similar college background. If he has the smarts, he has the skill set to play all over the field. He showed a lot in the Senior Bowl game. There is a strong sentiment on this board to pigeon-hole people into defined roles and positions (see McClain, Rolando). I'm of the opposite mindset. If a player can fit into multiple positions and roles (even if he isn't optimal at any of them), then the opposing QB will have a hard time getting a pre-snap read on what the defense is doing.

So if Belichick has a good feeling about what Misi has to offer between his ears, then I'm all for drafting him and developing new and inventive ways of unleashing him.

Agree with this. If Misi shows the smarts and dedication and decent agility and overall athleticism at the combine, his potential versatility becomes a big plus. My major concern might be his run defense. But if it's a matter of technique and he's able to learn . . .

 

[Metaphors]

Agree with this. If Misi shows the smarts and dedication and decent agility and overall athleticism at the combine, his potential versatility becomes a big plus. My major concern might be his run defense. But if it's a matter of technique and he's able to learn . . .

If this were 8-10 years ago, I would probably have the same reservations. The league is just so different now. The playoffs were littered with passing teams. A couple of them (Indy, Arizona) only gave a token effort at running and another (SD) was pretty inept.

So I'm seeing a guy that can be very effective in the passing game at multiple positions, but may be less effective against heavy run teams like the Jets, Titans and Ravens. But....

1) I'm more concerned about the Colts, Chargers and Steelers than I am about the Jets, Titans and Ravens. I know the Jets made the AFCC game and the Ravens knocked out the Pats, but I think it is a mistake to base your team-building on those 2 situations (both of which were kind of flukey).

2) Tyrone McKenzie still is a part of the LB equation. Against running teams, you are likely to see more of McKenzie in the middle with a standard 3-4 front. In that case, Misi becomes more of a sub-package guy.

That is why I'm more for getting Misi in the 2nd round (along with Odrick at #22) and complimenting the players already there...instead of trading up to get McClain, boxing out McKenzie from getting meaningful snaps and filling the hole at 3-4 DE with a 2nd-tier candidate. The former allows you to better defend Manning. The latter allows you to better defend Earl Campbell.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Agree with this. If Misi shows the smarts and dedication and decent agility and overall athleticism at the combine, his potential versatility becomes a big plus. My major concern might be his run defense. But if it's a matter of technique and he's able to learn . . .

To add to Metaphor's thoughts, Misi started dropping weight during the season to prepare for changing positions in the NFL - going from 260+ to his current reported 245 makes a big difference playing DE and OLB and occasionally DT. I'd expect Coaches Woicik and Nash to bulk him back up 10 lbs (minimum) if NE does bring him onboard to be an OLB.

 

[StraightCashHomey81]

Doesn't matter if we like him or not, he is not a 6'4 4.6 guy. I am simply ignoring guys who don't meet this requirement, a group that will be shortened after the combine this week.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Doesn't matter if we like him or not, he is not a 6'4 4.6 guy. I am simply ignoring guys who don't meet this requirement, a group that will be shortened after the combine this week.

Why do those 2 numbers matter so much to you?

 

[StraightCashHomey81]

Why do those 2 numbers matter so much to you?

Because they matter to BB. This is his response to a question about why the Pats didn't select any 3-4 OLBs in the draft last year.

"There weren't a lot of 4.6, 4.65 [40 time] guys. There weren't a lot of 6-[foot]-4, 6-[foot]-5 guys. I'd say it was a much smaller pool of those types of players."
All Things Bill Belichick: 26-Apr-2009 Press Conference Transcript

This statement matches up with BB's draft history with the Pats. The only 3-4 OLB they have selected in the first four rounds is Shawn Crable (Rd3, 2008. 6’5 45 lbs. 40: 4.61 ). Here is a list of the other guys that the Pats have drafted at OLB with later picks, and their combine measurements and times are relatively close to the 6'4 4.6 club

Casey Tisdale (Rd7, 2000) 6’4 255 lbs. 40: 4.71
Tully Banta-Cain (Rd7, 2003) 6’2 264 lbs. 40: N/A
Jeremy Mincey (Rd5, 2006) 6’4 259 lbs. 40: 4.76
Justin Rogers (Rd6, 2007): 6’4 252 lbs. 40: 4.76
Notable UDFA:
Pierre Woods 6’4 249 lbs. 40:4.73
Stryker Sulak, Missouri, 6’5 251 4.63

These numbers are based on combine times. Perhaps these players ran faster at their pro days, but the point is that BB has been very picky at OLB over the years, and the 6'4 4.6 requirement seems to be a reason why (according to my research, there have only been 24 DE/OLB prospects invited to the combine since 2000 who met this criteria). Based on all this, it seems prudent to eliminate any 3-4 OLB prospect who isn't a member of 6'4 4.6 club as a possibility for the Patriots, at least when it comes to rounds 1-4.