Who is this years Aldon Smith?

[carolinatony]

Can you image if we had someone like him?

 

[Sciz]

There isn't one. Whitney Mercilus is probably the closest in terms of height, bulk, and production, but he's a clear notch below Aldon as a prospect.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Short answer: no one. I had Smith as my number one target last year. Too bad we never had a shot at him. He's a clear step above anyone coming out this year, in my opinion.

I do really like DE/OLB Andre Branch, though. Smart, savvy football player with good run defense, great sense of positional responsibility, and the versatility to line up inside or outside, left or right, as well as on his feet. In fact, due to injuries in the LB corp, Clemson moved him to 43 OLB in a couple different games, and he fared decently well in coverage--and that's impressive for a 6'4 #265 defensive lineman. He can rush the passer, but he's never a fly-off-the-ball-with-no-awareness sort of player; he honors his responsibilities, and then collapses the pocket. Still, that was enough for double digit sacks this year. In the one game he did relentlessly pass rush without regard for the run, he picked up 4 sacks. Should be available in the second, for some odd reason. Good player, even better value.

 

[IllegalContact]

don't know......but if you're looking for the next Jared Allen, maybe Jake Bequette?

 

[Metaphors]

I do really like DE/OLB Andre Branch, though. Smart, savvy football player with good run defense, great sense of positional responsibility, and the versatility to line up inside or outside, left or right, as well as on his feet. In fact, due to injuries in the LB corp, Clemson moved him to 43 OLB in a couple different games, and he fared decently well in coverage--and that's impressive for a 6'4 #265 defensive lineman. He can rush the passer, but he's never a fly-off-the-ball-with-no-awareness sort of player; he honors his responsibilities, and then collapses the pocket. Still, that was enough for double digit sacks this year. In the one game he did relentlessly pass rush without regard for the run, he picked up 4 sacks. Should be available in the second, for some odd reason. Good player, even better value.

Couldn't agree more. Highlighted the important parts for me...

1) If he Pats need position flexibility to play rush end in either the 4-3 or 3-4, being able to play on your feet is a necessity.

2) More people need to realize that Belichick just isn't looking for a guy that dives into the backfield with his hair on fire. Not that it is a bad thing...it just isn't his thing. Connor Barwin and Clay Matthews are fine players but Belichick just doesn't want them. Looking for the next Barwin or Matthews will just lead to disappointment.

Outside of Andre Branch, the other guy I have my eye on is Cam Johnson. He has a medical red flag (he has the trait for sickle cell anemia) which will cause him to drop. But if the situation checks out and/or can be managed, he has a lot of the same traits as Branch...a little less quick but a little stronger. If he falls to the 3rd-4th round due to his medical situation, the Pats could use their 3rd on him since that seems to be the round they use for high risk/high reward types. If his condition doesn't allow him to go 60 plays or wire-to-wire on long series, he could still be productive in a sub-package role.

 

[borisman]

No Aldon Smiths in this draft. One person to keep an eye on next year would be Nick Perry of USC. He has comparable speed to Smith but a little smaller. Smith is a scary beast. Something Vernon Gholston could have become. Brady sure is glad he didn't.

 

[MP-Logick]

No Aldon Smiths in this draft. One person to keep an eye on next year would be Nick Perry of USC. He has comparable speed to Smith but a little smaller. Smith is a scary beast. Something Vernon Gholston could have become. Brady sure is glad he didn't.

Nick Perry is coming out this year, I believe.

 

[borisman]

If he plans to come out maybe we should get a good look at him during the bowl..ooops...no soup (bowl) for you USC...
He probably should stay another year. That team is going to be good next year, especially if Barkley sticks around. Crazy talent there.

 

[cstjohn17]

Can you image if we had someone like him?

Smith plays on a defense that is very talented and "gets it". Unless the rest of the defensive unit gets upgraded a player Smith would be be caught up in the mire of mediocrity.

I stll can't tell if the backfield or the front seven need an influx of talent, or both.

I have to put the kids to bed but I will post the players signed after 2011 when I get done. Heaven, give me strength.

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2011 Patriots Roster Page

 

[IllegalContact]

Few were talking about aldon smith at this time last year

 

[Sciz]

Few were talking about aldon smith at this time last year

Because he was a redshirt sophomore who wouldn't declare for the draft for another 2 weeks.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Sciz and I were talking about Smith last year, and on at least two different message boards (here and footballs future). I used to message back and forth with MayoClinic after he left the boards, and I told him that I liked Smith better than Quinn as a Patriots player. I thought he could be the next Willie in our D, or even better.

I watched numerous games from Smith, and then went back and rewatched them several times each, focusing on different aspects of his play each time. I was utterly convinced he would succeed at the pro level, and only needed work on his run defense before he became a full-time starter. Watch tape of him playing against our own promising rookie, Nate Solder; he destroyed him several times throughout the game, and flashed immense potential as a future superstar.

I don't see anyone in college football right now with his frame or movement skills. Perhaps in another year or two, Clowney will come close, but he's not there yet.

I will say that Sam Montgomery intrigues me. If he declared, I would seriously consider drafting him on upside alone, even though I tend to be risk-averse.

 

[IllegalContact]

I understand he was making waves on draft boards, but in the end, he went higher than any prediction had him going.....he's turned out to be a steal, and turned out better than anyone thought he would be.

Its kind of like the same noises I was making about connor barwin in '09

 

[reflexblue]

Can you image if we had someone like him?

Its hard to tell. Early in the season last year a few including me had their eye on A Smith as a possible pick for the pats. He was pushed aside by Watt, Kerrigan, and a couple of others. He never did anything to make anyone think he would be as good as he is now.

 

[Off The Grid]

Few were talking about aldon smith at this time last year

I guess it depends on what you mean by "few"...

Among those paying attention, Aldon Smith was an hot topic well before late December.

 

[VrabelJr]

I couldn't believe it when mock drafts last year had Aldon Smith being a mid to late 1st rounder. Some even had him going in the 2nd round!! I was praying and begging for months for us to move and grab this guy. Just from looking at him you can tell he's a Football player. He's just one of those freak talents from a deep south school that doesn't get as much attention just like the man he plays next to, Patrick Willis. In fact I even remember one of the announcers saying the 49ers were crazy to take Aldon so high.

That being said, my sleeper Aldon Smith this year is Brandon Lindsey from Pitt. I don't expect him to shoot up draft boards like Smith did but I think he's going to be a 2nd rounder that a lot of teams regret not taking.

 

[everlong]

I will say that Sam Montgomery intrigues me. If he declared, I would seriously consider drafting him on upside alone, even though I tend to be risk-averse.

I was really high on Smith last year as well for the same reasons. He kind of got downgraded around here because people question him about the run and coverage. I still think he could have been coached up on both in this system.

Montgomery is interesting. He's listed as 6'4" 245 but when I see him on the field he looks shorter but heavier. More like 6'3" 260 and I feel like he plays more like that perceived height and weight meaning he's a 4-3 DE. He definately has the physical tools but seems to want to get up field quickly and can end up out of the play at times.

Are you looking at him as a 4-3 DE speculating the Pats will stay with that scheme or do you think he can convert to a 3-4 OLB? If his height and weight are correct I would imagine he could put on 10-15 pounds easily.

 

[manxman2601]

For those looking for this years Aldon Smith, how about Shea McLellin of Boise St.?

6'3, 255ilb's

18.5 career sacks
4 interceptions
4.74 40 time according to CBSsports

NFL mocks compares him to Mike Vrabel, so if he's not the next Aldon Smith, I'll take the next Mike Vrabel

To be fair, I've not watched the 49'ers this year so cannot comment on his resemblance to Aldon Smith, but McLellins versatility (experience standing up, can drop into coverage) makes him sound more like a potential Patriot than Aldon Smith was going to be.

 

[Sciz]

For those looking for this years Aldon Smith, how about Shea McLellin of Boise St.?

6'3, 255ilb's

18.5 career sacks
4 interceptions
4.74 40 time according to CBSsports

NFL mocks compares him to Mike Vrabel, so if he's not the next Aldon Smith, I'll take the next Mike Vrabel

To be fair, I've not watched the 49'ers this year so cannot comment on his resemblance to Aldon Smith, but McLellins versatility (experience standing up, can drop into coverage) makes him sound more like a potential Patriot than Aldon Smith was going to be.

Really like him as Ninkovich's long-term replacement. More of an all-around guy than a stud pass rusher.

 

[manxman2601]

Really like him as Ninkovich's long-term replacement. More of an all-around guy than a stud pass rusher.

I agree. The question is, has BB ever shown any inclination to draft a "stud pass rusher"? we keep kicking this can down the road, it just never gets picked up.