2011: Defensive End Focus

[Off The Grid]

1 Tech, 2 Tech, 3 Tech, FOUR.

This language is MILES over my head, and I won't try to bluff!!

But what I'd love to know...is what y'all think of these guys, in particular, as prospective Patriots...And what some of your own best notions are:

1 ~ Greg Romeus
2 ~ Adrian Clayborn
3 ~ Marvin Austin ~ IS this Tackle a Seymouresque 3 Tech/5 Tech candidate??

 

[SirApropos]

Here's a few 3/4 DE's that we could possibly be in the running for.
* denotes Jr that comes out early.

1. Marcell Dareus*, DE/DT Alabama (Top 5 Pick)
2. Adrian Clayborn, DE/DT Iowa (Top 15 Pick)
3. Cameron Heyward, DE/DT Ohio State (Top 15 Pick)
4. Allen Bailey, DE/DT Miami (Top 20 Pick)
5. Jared Crick*, DE/DT Nebraska (Rnd 1-2)

They would be what you would consider the 3/5 Tech guys.

I'm hoping Ron Brace is going to work out at LDE. He's looked good so far and should get playing time this year with Ty Warren out. That way we only need one DE instead of 2.

Greg Romeus (260lbs) is more of a 4-3 DE and would need to gain about 15-20lbs to be an effective 3-4 DE.

I think you mean Marvin Austin from NC. He has the size but has mainly played DT in a 4-3 so would have to learn a new position similar to how Ron Brace is now.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I find it odd how low Crick appears on most people's lists. I truly believe that he displays the best combination of height (6'6), size (#290+ with a lanky frame), strength at the point of attack, experience two-gapping, and first-step explosion of any 34 end in next year's draft. Check out the following videos for an idea of his ability; please keep in mind that his talent is his own. Just because he played next to Suh doesn't mean that he owes his success entirely to the big man. Seymour, for example, played next to Stroud. Both have had fantastic NFL careers.

The first video is a good game, but the second video is one of the most phenomenal games ever played by a DT. Just remarkable.

YouTube - Jared Crick vs. Texas

YouTube - Jared Crick vs. Baylor

 

[BritPat]

1 Tech, 2 Tech, 3 Tech, FOUR.

This language is MILES over my head, and I won't try to bluff!!

But what I'd love to know...is what y'all think of these guys, in particular, as prospective Patriots...And what some of your own best notions are:

1 ~ Greg Romeus
2 ~ Adrian Clayborn
3 ~ Miles Austen ~ IS this Tackle a Seymouresque 3 Tech/5 Tech candidate??

Romeus is the perfect Pats OLB - big long arms, very strong, great first step, strong against the run, gets to the QB.

I'm not sold on Clayborn myself, not in terms of suitability to us. I think he's too big to be an OLB and too small to be a DE. I think he's someone the 1 gap 3-4 teams would plug straight in at DE and allow them to pin their ears back. He reminds me a heck of a lot of Justin Smith.

Miles Austen? I think you mean Marvin Austin.......the kid's a 4-3 UT. Reminds me of Gerald McCoy in a lot of ways.

If we're looking at a 5 tech to replace big Sey, then look no further than Ironhead's kid or the Wolfe kid at Cinncy. Not to forget Jared Crick by the way, but I think he's more a 4-3 pass rushing DT like Tony Brown in Tennessee. Plus he needs to prove himself without a certain #93....

 

[Off The Grid]

Here's a few 3/4 DE's that we could possibly be in the running for.
* denotes Jr that comes out early.

1. Marcell Dareus*, DE/DT Alabama (Top 5 Pick)
2. Adrian Clayborn, DE/DT Iowa (Top 15 Pick)
3. Cameron Heyward, DE/DT Ohio State (Top 15 Pick)
4. Allen Bailey, DE/DT Miami (Top 20 Pick)
5. Jared Crick*, DE/DT Nebraska (Rnd 1-2)

They would be what you would consider the 3/5 Tech guys.

I'm hoping Ron Brace is going to work out at LDE. He's looked good so far and should get playing time this year with Ty Warren out. That way we only need one DE instead of 2.

Greg Romeus (260lbs) is more of a 4-3 DE and would need to gain about 15-20lbs to be an effective 3-4 DE.

I think you mean Marvin Austin from NC. He has the size but has mainly played DT in a 4-3 so would have to learn a new position similar to how Ron Brace is now.

Thanks, Bro!! Must've dropped my CRACK PIPE when I was typing that!!

***

Great point about Brace: I, too, am hoping like Hell that he can batten down LDE, for exactly the reason you cited: If he and Cunningham can develop into starters with substantial upside by year's end, we could enter the 2011 Draft needing just 1 Starting Caliber player at DE and OLB...

OLB Robert Quinn ~ 6'5"/270
RDE Marcell Dareus ~ 6'4"/300

Hey, I can DREAM, can't I??

 

[Off The Grid]

Romeus is the perfect Pats OLB - big long arms, very strong, great first step, strong against the run, gets to the QB.

I'm not sold on Clayborn myself, not in terms of suitability to us. I think he's too big to be an OLB and too small to be a DE. I think he's someone the 1 gap 3-4 teams would plug straight in at DE and allow them to pin their ears back. He reminds me a heck of a lot of Justin Smith.

Miles Austen? I think you mean Marvin Austin.......the kid's a 4-3 UT. Reminds me of Gerald McCoy in a lot of ways.

If we're looking at a 5 tech to replace big Sey, then look no further than Ironhead's kid or the Wolfe kid at Cinncy. Not to forget Jared Crick by the way, but I think he's more a 4-3 pass rushing DT like Tony Brown in Tennessee. Plus he needs to prove himself without a certain #93....

Good stuff, man: And you're right about Romeus, of course. VERY well said, sir.

 

[sbpatfan]

Man, how the eff are college kids getting so big. Besides drinking.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I find it odd how low Crick appears on most people's lists. I truly believe that he displays the best combination of height (6'6), size (#290+ with a lanky frame), strength at the point of attack, experience two-gapping, and first-step explosion of any 34 end in next year's draft. Check out the following videos for an idea of his ability; please keep in mind that his talent is his own. Just because he played next to Suh doesn't mean that he owes his success entirely to the big man. Seymour, for example, played next to Stroud. Both have had fantastic NFL careers.

The first video is a good game, but the second video is one of the most phenomenal games ever played by a DT. Just remarkable.

YouTube - Jared Crick vs. Texas

YouTube - Jared Crick vs. Baylor

I agree that Crick is perfect as a two gap DE in our 3-4 defense. BB has never drafted a DL tthat weighs less than 300 pounds, so Crick is in the same boat as Bailey. He has to get bigger to be a Patriots DL.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Thanks, Bro!! Must've dropped my CRACK PIPE when I was typing that!!

***

Great point about Brace: I, too, am hoping like Hell that he can batten down LDE, for exactly the reason you cited: If he and Cunningham can develop into starters with substantial upside by year's end, we could enter the 2011 Draft needing just 1 Starting Caliber player at DE and OLB...

OLB Robert Quinn ~ 6'5"/270
RDE Marcell Dareus ~ 6'4"/300

Hey, I can DREAM, can't I??

Isn;t Quinn under investigation for some wrong doing?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Romeus is the perfect Pats OLB - big long arms, very strong, great first step, strong against the run, gets to the QB.

I like this kid a lot as well. He can disappear for long stretches sometimes in games, but he generally makes plays especially at crunch time.

And while he has zero coverage skills, I still think that he develop in our defense into a monster pass rusher and decent run stopper from the OLB spot.

 

[Kontradiction]

Here's a few 3/4 DE's that we could possibly be in the running for.
* denotes Jr that comes out early.

1. Marcell Dareus*, DE/DT Alabama (Top 5 Pick)
2. Adrian Clayborn, DE/DT Iowa (Top 15 Pick)
3. Cameron Heyward, DE/DT Ohio State (Top 15 Pick)
4. Allen Bailey, DE/DT Miami (Top 20 Pick)
5. Jared Crick*, DE/DT Nebraska (Rnd 1-2)

They would be what you would consider the 3/5 Tech guys.

I'm hoping Ron Brace is going to work out at LDE. He's looked good so far and should get playing time this year with Ty Warren out. That way we only need one DE instead of 2.

Greg Romeus (260lbs) is more of a 4-3 DE and would need to gain about 15-20lbs to be an effective 3-4 DE.

I think you mean Marvin Austin from NC. He has the size but has mainly played DT in a 4-3 so would have to learn a new position similar to how Ron Brace is now.

Dareus and Heyward are the only two on that list I've heard of. Dareus has looked good, though, and plays in the exact same kind of defense we run. HOPEFULLY, Brace and Deaderick come out and kick some ass this year so we don't need to draft for DE in 2011. Fingers crossed...

 

[MaineMan]

Isn;t Quinn under investigation for some wrong doing?

The NCAA investigation into academic misconduct at UNC has apparently taken a turn for the worse, with up to nine defensive starters, including Quinn and Marvin Austin, possibly packing their bags.

UNC, NCAA Investigating Academic Infractions In The Football Program - SBNation.com

So, if these two are even draftable at all next spring, they seem likely to be a whole lot cheaper than they were.

 

[Off The Grid]

Isn't Quinn under investigation for some wrong doing?

INDEED, sir!! Quinn + Dareus BOTH are...

I don't think criminals like those guys should be drafted until the 5th and 32nd spots, next year, do YOU??

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I agree that Crick is perfect as a two gap DE in our 3-4 defense. BB has never drafted a DL tthat weighs less than 300 pounds, so Crick is in the same boat as Bailey. He has to get bigger to be a Patriots DL.

Jarvis Green begs to differ, 2002 4th Rd.

Some others who did not crack the 300 lb barrier:

2000 David Nugent 6th Rd.
2003 Dan Klecko 4th Rd.
2009 Darryl Richard 7th Rd.

And at least one undrafted player was brought in under the 300 lb. threshold and is currently projected as a starter: Mike Wright.

I will grant a case can be made against drafting smaller DL based on the limited roles/limitations of the above players in the NE defense, but that's the other side of the coin.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

He's a bit on the small side, but I'll be watching Karl Klug (Iowa) this year. He was rather impressive against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. I'd consider him at OLB or DE for NE.

 

[patchick]

Jarvis Green begs to differ, 2002 4th Rd.

Some others who did not crack the 300 lb barrier:

2000 David Nugent 6th Rd.
2003 Dan Klecko 4th Rd.
2009 Darryl Richard 7th Rd.

Add Kareem Brown for good measure. (Well, not so good measure.)

 

[Sciz]

He's a bit on the small side, but I'll be watching Karl Klug (Iowa) this year. He was rather impressive against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. I'd consider him at OLB or DE for NE.

Too short to play DE at 6' 2 1/2''. I like him as a SOLB though.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Too short to play DE at 6' 2 1/2''. I like him as a SOLB though.

Vince Wilfork is 6' 1 1/4" and LeKevin Smith is 6' 2 7/8". Klug's height won't keep him from playing the 4/5-technique as much as his ability to keep his weight. In high school the kid qualified for the State Tournament in wrestling (+ football & track) so it appears he has a good handle on leverage. I think he could be a good OLB, but that's to be seen since Iowa likes to use him at DT.

 

[NePatriots]

Klug is a guy that plays 30 pounds heavier than he is.

As a nickel rusher or SOLB conversion project I think he could make some noise, but he isn't going to get much bigger. Chris Doyle (Iowa S&C Coach) does a better job of getting people NFL ready than anyone in college.

 

[Metaphors]

INDEED, sir!! Quinn + Dareus BOTH are...

I don't think criminals like those guys should be drafted until the 5th and 32nd spots, next year, do YOU??

Dareus was under investigation for improper contact with an agent based on a party in Miami with a boatload of people involved. Given the relative slap on the wrist, he was likely only guilty of poor judgement by hanging with the wrong people at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Quinn is under investigation for academic fraud where a UNC tutor is accused of writing papers for players. Quinn was one of a fairly large group of UNC players that had dealings with this tutor but no specific players yet have been found guilty of anything. Right now, Quinn is involved in a broad investigation and the team is keeping him and many others out so that they won't have to forfeit any games at the end of the investigation.

I don't think either of these guys are problems. They both are incredible athletes at positions of need for the Pats. Dareus is one of many DE candidates that fit, but Quinn is pretty much a physical prototype for a Belichick 3-4 OLB. 6'5" and should be 270+ lbs by the draft. Legit 4.6 speed with a variety of pass rush moves. His closest pro comparison would be Demarcus Ware...only Quinn is bigger! The Pats likely didn't have much of a chance to get Ware in 2005. If the Pats have a chance to get Quinn next year (particularly with several mid-round picks in a shallow draft to use for maneuvering), I'll probably explode.