I've watched all of his games. The best adjetive I can think of is "mercurial". He has the speed and size of a first round pick (it wouldn't surprise me if he goes under 4.6 and he has the frame to add more pounds) but has been plagued by bad decisions at times.
The reasons I DON'T like him for the Pats:
-Occasional lack of discipline: He had an incredible knack for getting unnecessary roughness or late hit penalties as the WORST times (see vs. Troy Smith in 06). Granted, some of them were questionable, but as a senior you should damn well know better.
-Not proven in coverage: Although he certainly has the speed to become a decent cover lb, I cannot remember him ever making a play in coverage. This was partly due to UM playing a 3-3-5 nickel package on passing downs with Crable usually either as a rush DE or stand-up DT (he almost always was blitzed). Nonetheless, the bottom line is he is not proven in this area.
-Chicken legs i.e. Point of Attack: Yes. He has them and boy are they skinny. What worries me here is how this will affect him in setting the edge vs. the run (VERY important for Pats lb's). The guy can add more pounds easily (he's got the frame) and he is strong and heavier than he looks, but I don't feel comfortable with his setting the edge. He is a backfield terror but had an amount of over-pursuit cases.
The reasons I like him are:
-SPEED: The guy is fast as hell. It would not surprise me to see him run under 4.6. If he doesn't, take my word that the guy has great game speed. He is FAST.
-Size: He has the frame to easily add more pounds.
-Versatility: My favorite part. He was always moved all over. He's played SAM in a 4-3, DE in a 3-3, OLB in a 3-3, and even stand up DT. That's what would probably make him attractive to the Pats.
-Blitzing: The guy was a heck of a blitzer at UM. He did it well be it speed rushing outside or blitzing inside, and he hits HARD (see Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn after Crable hits). However, he never was a particularly consistent bull rusher, instead using his speed more than his strength (which, despite his chicken legs, he does have). This might haunt him in the NFL.
-Knack for getting into the backfield: IF he correctly diagnoses a play, he is like a missile (albeit not always a laser guided one), and will make lots of tackles in the backfield.
-Hustle and heart: He was defensive captain and he matured a LOT his last season. As many dumb decisions he made every now and then, he didn't take plays off and as HORRIBLE last season was for UM, I give him credit for not laying down after the App. State and Oregon embarrassments and helping to salvage a decent season. That takes heart but it still doesn't excuse the eggs the defense laid some times.
The play that best sums up Crable to me was against Michigan State last season. Crable had Javon Ringer (a VERY fast back) dead to rights for a TFL in the backfield but overpursued and whiffed on the tackle. Ringer than spectacularly reversed field and took off for the end zone. Crable got up and ran across the field a la Ben Watson and tackled Ringer before he got in the end zone, showcasing INCREDIBLE speed for a lb and excellent hustle. So, in one play he showed his speed, his athleticism, and his hustle albeit unnecessarily since he should've made the tackle.
In summary, we take him at our risk. There's upside and downside. BB and Pioli will know.
PS David Harris and Woodley were MUCH better. Also, as much as it pains me, I'd rather have Gholston
