USC OLB/DE Nick Perry Visits Pats

[Joey007]

Per NFL.com-

http://http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8284f953/article/usc-de-nick-perry-reportedly-visits-new-england-patriots?module=HP11_headline_stack

I know him visiting doesn't mean much knowing Bellichick, but I think he'd be a great fit for us. Can play both 4-3 and 3-4, and should be availible at # 27. Your thoughts?

 

[VrabelJr]

I've heard Perry say he doesn't want to play 3-4 OLB but assuming we stick to the 4-3 under he would be a great DE to have.

 

[Marqui]

My most wanted prospect for the Pats, he's exactly the big athletic pass rusher the Pats need.

 

[Joey007]

I've heard Perry say he doesn't want to play 3-4 OLB but assuming we stick to the 4-3 under he would be a great DE to have.

Really? Because I heard in his interview on Path To the Draft he said he'll play either 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE whatever the team wants him to do.

 

[patsfan55]

olb and wr have always been my top two fave positions to prospect for

Perry is my fave olb prospect this year

would LOVE it if we picked him, I think he's just tall enough, clearly fast enough and strong enough

definitely one of my binkies

 

[PatriotReign]

Don't like him as a fit for this team.

 

[Username]

I'd prefer him over some of the others who might be available at 27, such as Mercilus or McClellin

 

[Blackluck]

I'd prefer him over some of the others who might be available at 27, such as Mercilus or McClellin

I don't view McClellin as just 'the pass rush' guy - I think his value lies is his versatility. That to me gives him late first round value vs the other prospects that are likely to be on the board if no trading partners can be found.

 

[ZoisKing]

I'd prefer him over some of the others who might be available at 27, such as Mercilus or McClellin

I don't see McClellin being able to generate a consistent pass rush at all in the NFL.

After watching his tape, I appreciate his versatility, and he has an awesome motor, but he doesn't do anything for me that Ninkovich and Fletcher don't already provide.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I don't see McClellin being able to generate a consistent pass rush at all in the NFL.

After watching his tape, I appreciate his versatility, and he has an awesome motor, but he doesn't do anything for me that Ninkovich and Fletcher don't already provide.

I have to agree about McCellin. Although he would be ideal to groom behind Ninkovich because McCellin can play ST.

Perry is not a sudden player and his motor is not always revving at full RPMs.

I still have Branch, Curry and even Irvin listed ahead of Perry.

 

[rookBoston]

I see Perry as a younger Andre Carter. He's one of the guys I'd love to see on the roster, but who can say what BB has in mind?

 

[ZoisKing]

I have to agree about McCellin. Although he would be ideal to groom behind Ninkovich because McCellin can play ST.

Perry is not a sudden player and his motor is not always revving at full RPMs.

I still have Branch, Curry and even Irvin listed ahead of Perry.

Branch? I've only watched a couple of his games, but I didn't see anything resembling a professional pass rusher. He got tied up in his blocks, didn't knock anyone back, couldn't shed, etc.

What about his game do you see that converts into a pass rusher for us?

 

[ZoisKing]

I see Perry as a younger Andre Carter. He's one of the guys I'd love to see on the roster, but who can say what BB has in mind?

That's a good enough comparison when you talk about the pocket pressure he'll be able to generate. He had excellent measurables at the combine, and by looking at him you can see why. He has tree trunks for legs (38" inch vert?) and pushes people backwards constantly (35 reps).

He isn't elite at turning the corner but he is able to do so often enough to be a 10 sack guy. Regardless, of those numbers, he'll constantly be able to apply pressure on the QB.

 

[UK_Pat37]

I have to agree about McCellin. Although he would be ideal to groom behind Ninkovich because McCellin can play ST.

Perry is not a sudden player and his motor is not always revving at full RPMs.

I still have Branch, Curry and even Irvin listed ahead of Perry.

Have you really watched all the tape????

Irvin better than Perry??? Questioning his motor??? His motor is one of the best aspects of his game. If anything you might argue he can ware himself down towards the end of games...but I think it would be considered a massive kick in the balls if you suggested to Perry he needed to sort his motor out!!

 

[Wilfork#75]

For the system I think the Pats will run, I have Perry #2 on my board behind Upshaw. Perry is a lot thicker and stouter than guys like Mercilus, McClellin and Branch and I think he is a much stronger run defender. I certainly wouldn't mind taking him at 27.

 

[manxman2601]

For the system I think the Pats will run, I have Perry #2 on my board behind Upshaw. Perry is a lot thicker and stouter than guys like Mercilus, McClellin and Branch and I think he is a much stronger run defender. I certainly wouldn't mind taking him at 27.

I watched both Perry and Mercilus today on those youtube cut ups. Have to say, I thought Mercilus was more impressive than Perry. Perry is a downhill guy only - he has only one thing on his mind - getting to the QB. This enables him to be pushed past the QB time after time. On the other hand, whilst Mercilus lacks the explosion of Perry, he's a much more heads up DE, better at evaluating in play. I feel like he's a better fit for the Pats, at least in what they've prioritised in the past - they may be targeting different skillsets now of course.

 

[UK_Pat37]

I watched both Perry and Mercilus today on those youtube cut ups. Have to say, I thought Mercilus was more impressive than Perry. Perry is a downhill guy only - he has only one thing on his mind - getting to the QB. This enables him to be pushed past the QB time after time. On the other hand, whilst Mercilus lacks the explosion of Perry, he's a much more heads up DE, better at evaluating in play. I feel like he's a better fit for the Pats, at least in what they've prioritised in the past - they may be targeting different skillsets now of course.

The issue I have with Mercilus is he gets stood up against the run. He isn't a bulky player, hasn't got the frame to really bulk up much more and if he struggles to set the edge at the College level, he's going to get blown up in the NFL against elite tackles. He's no more than a LDE lining up against a right-handed QB and a situational rusher. If I were to compare Mercilus to a guy on the Patriots roster last year it would be Mark Anderson. He's a situational rusher.

If we carry on with the hybrid he's going to have to be able to play with his hand down in the dirt and I'm not personally sold on his ability to do that. He's a situational rusher in a 4-3 scheme and a potential starter in as a 3-4 OLB...but again the lack in bulk is concerning.

Mercilus is a pure speed guy. I see a real lack in pass rush moves myself and would disagree with your analysis of Perry, saying it'#s more of a case with Mercilus. Mercilus has one move and that's his speed rush off the outside. Not very good with his hands.

Don't like his on-field savvy either. Takes too long to break down plays but his motor sometimes disguises those misgivings.

I think this guy will have a solid NFL career don't get me wrong but, unless he adds bulk and we go back to our sole 3-4, I really can't see him being a fit in our scheme. Potential to be a very prolific OLB. Not so sure as a DE...although he did put up a nice number on the bench press and does have the length. He needs to get6 smarter to be a DE.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I watched both Perry and Mercilus today on those youtube cut ups. Have to say, I thought Mercilus was more impressive than Perry. Perry is a downhill guy only - he has only one thing on his mind - getting to the QB. This enables him to be pushed past the QB time after time. On the other hand, whilst Mercilus lacks the explosion of Perry, he's a much more heads up DE, better at evaluating in play. I feel like he's a better fit for the Pats, at least in what they've prioritised in the past - they may be targeting different skillsets now of course.

Like you said, I think it all depends on what they are looking for. If they want a pure 3-4 OLB, I think Mercilus offers much more versatility playing on his feet. He has a good array of pass rushing moves and should have the athleticism to play in space. I do question his ability to play the run though and have seen him blown off the line by offensive lineman quite a few times.

For an elephant LBer, which I think they might be looking for, I think Perry is the better fit. I think he is much stronger at the point of attack and rarely takes a backward step on the line. He doesn't quite have the array of pass rush moves I think Mercilus has, but he has a good first step and a very strong bull rush. Neither are my top option, but depending on what system they play I wouldn't be disappointed with either.

 

[Wilfork#75]

Don't like his on-field savvy either. Takes too long to break down plays but his motor sometimes disguises those misgivings.

This is another thing I saw watching Mercilus. I don't think he has great instincts. At times watching him he looked like an athlete playing football not a football player. I think its something that can improve with time and coaching, but its an edge I think that guys like Perry have over him right now.

 

[manxman2601]

The issue I have with Mercilus is he gets stood up against the run. He isn't a bulky player, hasn't got the frame to really bulk up much more and if he struggles to set the edge at the College level, he's going to get blown up in the NFL against elite tackles. He's no more than a LDE lining up against a right-handed QB and a situational rusher. If I were to compare Mercilus to a guy on the Patriots roster last year it would be Mark Anderson. He's a situational rusher.

If we carry on with the hybrid he's going to have to be able to play with his hand down in the dirt and I'm not personally sold on his ability to do that. He's a situational rusher in a 4-3 scheme and a potential starter in as a 3-4 OLB...but again the lack in bulk is concerning.

Mercilus is a pure speed guy. I see a real lack in pass rush moves myself and would disagree with your analysis of Perry, saying it'#s more of a case with Mercilus. Mercilus has one move and that's his speed rush off the outside. Not very good with his hands.

Don't like his on-field savvy either. Takes too long to break down plays but his motor sometimes disguises those misgivings.

I think this guy will have a solid NFL career don't get me wrong but, unless he adds bulk and we go back to our sole 3-4, I really can't see him being a fit in our scheme. Potential to be a very prolific OLB. Not so sure as a DE...although he did put up a nice number on the bench press and does have the length. He needs to get6 smarter to be a DE.

Like you said, I think it all depends on what they are looking for. If they want a pure 3-4 OLB, I think Mercilus offers much more versatility playing on his feet. He has a good array of pass rushing moves and should have the athleticism to play in space. I do question his ability to play the run though and have seen him blown off the line by offensive lineman quite a few times.

For an elephant LBer, which I think they might be looking for, I think Perry is the better fit. I think he is much stronger at the point of attack and rarely takes a backward step on the line. He doesn't quite have the array of pass rush moves I think Mercilus has, but he has a good first step and a very strong bull rush. Neither are my top option, but depending on what system they play I wouldn't be disappointed with either.

The perils of scouting. Three people all seeing different things. We all take something different out of what we see on the field. I liked what I saw of Mercilus (with one rather important caveat - he didn't fair too well against the Wisconsin O/line and as they're the closest thing to an NFL line, that's pretty important. But I saw little from Perry that warrants a Patriot first round grade (in my opinion). This is why I don't like the idea of first round rushers, too much of a risk.

Still think Ronnell Lewis is the best bet long term.