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This is beyond a shadow of a doubt the most difficult projection in all of football. It basically involves finding the MOST athletic DE's in college and projecting how they will adjust from playing with a hand in the dirst to standing up. It takes a lot of athletic ability, football intelligence and size to play this position well.
And while these guys are rare, they are NOT nearly as rare as BB would have us think.
This year's draft is once again loaded with guys that project into the position in our defense,(some better than others) but it will not happen overnight, all will need time to learn the system and especially the techniques. Sadly because BB has refused to stock a pipeline of youngsters in trainging, we are bereft of anything even remotely resembling talent at this vital position.
1.) Robert Quinn UNC (6'5" and 255 pounds) - ubber athletic and a mean pass rusher to boot. Weak on run defense, but with a little courage and some sand in his pants, he could be sopecial in our defense. UNC and the NCAA are currently battling over and that will affect his status..
2.) Pierre Allen Nebraska (6'4" and 265 pounds) - somewhat athletic and has all the tools required for the position. This year is a good yerar to measure his true capabilities with Suh off campus.
3.) Ryan Kerrigan Purdue (6'4" and 260 pounds) - somewhat athletic but projects well in our defense. Gave Notre Dame fits.
4.) Winterswyk Boise (6'4" and 260 pounds) - poised for a great year and with a cream puff schedule should tear it up.
5.) Sam Acho Texas (6'3" and 260 pounds) - The latest in a long line of Texas DE's looking to convert to OLB in a 3-4 defense. Hopefully he is better on stairs than Kindle.
6.) Marshall South Florida (6'5" and 260 pounds) Gave Florida fits earlier in the year. May not be bright enough to learn our defense, but definitely fierce enough to play in it.
7.) Sheard Pittsburgh (6'4" and 260 pounds) playing opposite Romeus, he should see lots of single blocking, this is his chance to shine.
8.) Elmore Arizona (6'5" and 255 pounds) again somewhat athletic and projects well in our defense.
9.) Anthony Grambling (6'4" and 260 pounds) same as above.
10.) Egbuniwe Ga Tech (6'4" and 255 pounds) with Morgan gone this is his chance to shine and prove his ability to play 3-4 OLB.
11.) Beal Oklahoma (6'3" and 260 pounds) May not be athletic enough, but has a lot of the tools we need at OLB.
12.) Mathews SC (6'4" and 250 ponds) A little undersized but projects as a solid fit in our defense. With Norwood gone, he should have a monster year.
13.) Freeney Rutgers (6'3" and 250 pounds) Again under sized, but since BB drafted McCourty, it is reasonable to assume he watched a lot of Rutgers film, maybe this guy caught BB's eye.
14.) White Fla State (6'4" and 260 pounds) have not seen great production, but he has the tools we are looking for, he just has not put it all together yet.
15.) Hightower Alabama (6'4" and 250 pounds) A little small and coming off knee surrgery, probably projects better inside in our defense, but could project outside as well.
16.) McCarty Miami (6'3" and 245 pounds) again undersized and has had knee problems but with some bulk and time, he could be special in our defense.
And while these guys are rare, they are NOT nearly as rare as BB would have us think.
This year's draft is once again loaded with guys that project into the position in our defense,(some better than others) but it will not happen overnight, all will need time to learn the system and especially the techniques. Sadly because BB has refused to stock a pipeline of youngsters in trainging, we are bereft of anything even remotely resembling talent at this vital position.
1.) Robert Quinn UNC (6'5" and 255 pounds) - ubber athletic and a mean pass rusher to boot. Weak on run defense, but with a little courage and some sand in his pants, he could be sopecial in our defense. UNC and the NCAA are currently battling over and that will affect his status..
2.) Pierre Allen Nebraska (6'4" and 265 pounds) - somewhat athletic and has all the tools required for the position. This year is a good yerar to measure his true capabilities with Suh off campus.
3.) Ryan Kerrigan Purdue (6'4" and 260 pounds) - somewhat athletic but projects well in our defense. Gave Notre Dame fits.
4.) Winterswyk Boise (6'4" and 260 pounds) - poised for a great year and with a cream puff schedule should tear it up.
5.) Sam Acho Texas (6'3" and 260 pounds) - The latest in a long line of Texas DE's looking to convert to OLB in a 3-4 defense. Hopefully he is better on stairs than Kindle.
6.) Marshall South Florida (6'5" and 260 pounds) Gave Florida fits earlier in the year. May not be bright enough to learn our defense, but definitely fierce enough to play in it.
7.) Sheard Pittsburgh (6'4" and 260 pounds) playing opposite Romeus, he should see lots of single blocking, this is his chance to shine.
8.) Elmore Arizona (6'5" and 255 pounds) again somewhat athletic and projects well in our defense.
9.) Anthony Grambling (6'4" and 260 pounds) same as above.
10.) Egbuniwe Ga Tech (6'4" and 255 pounds) with Morgan gone this is his chance to shine and prove his ability to play 3-4 OLB.
11.) Beal Oklahoma (6'3" and 260 pounds) May not be athletic enough, but has a lot of the tools we need at OLB.
12.) Mathews SC (6'4" and 250 ponds) A little undersized but projects as a solid fit in our defense. With Norwood gone, he should have a monster year.
13.) Freeney Rutgers (6'3" and 250 pounds) Again under sized, but since BB drafted McCourty, it is reasonable to assume he watched a lot of Rutgers film, maybe this guy caught BB's eye.
14.) White Fla State (6'4" and 260 pounds) have not seen great production, but he has the tools we are looking for, he just has not put it all together yet.
15.) Hightower Alabama (6'4" and 250 pounds) A little small and coming off knee surrgery, probably projects better inside in our defense, but could project outside as well.
16.) McCarty Miami (6'3" and 245 pounds) again undersized and has had knee problems but with some bulk and time, he could be special in our defense.