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There seems to be many people here infatuated with taking one of the three top OLB converts available. Be it Gholston, Groves or Long. I understand the logic in additon to how impressive those three players are. However, when you consider the value of one of the converts at seven versus Rivers, I think taking Rivers is the more logical selection.
Consider the depth with 3-4 convert ends this year. First, there's a better than good shot both Gholston and Long will be gone at seven. While I certainly think that Groves will be a special player, I believe that Rivers is more valuable to the Patriots. I say this because I see Rivers as a blend of all the things the Pat's ILB's are missing.
First, he's explosive. While AD is fast, I don't he is overly explosive or quick. Other than AD, there isn't much team speed in the front 7. The defense reaches the ball, but they don't swarm. They flush the passer and collapse the pocket, but they don't finish. I think AD's skills are best suited for blanketing tight ends or holding the edge. I don't think he has enough first-step quickness to play inside.
Second, he plays hard. Obviously you like to see that in any player, but the way he plays is conducive to the scheme. When I saw him play, the thing that really stood out to me was how he engaged guards or other blockers while scraping or filling. He dropped his hips, exploded from the trunk and delivered a solid arm pop to full lock out. He stood guys up and got off the blocker very quickly. Several times, I saw him drive guards into the gap and make the play without the boxscore credit for it.
Third, I think he's pretty bright. Please don't refute this with a wonderlic score. He plays intensely but controlled within his scheme. He makes smart post-snap decisions and seems to have excellent awareness of where his teamates are. He makes the kind of plays that are indicative of pretty decent intelligence.
Fourth, he wears 55. You can't be a scrub and wear that number at his school.
Anyone have any thoughts towards this end? Agree? Disagree?
Consider the depth with 3-4 convert ends this year. First, there's a better than good shot both Gholston and Long will be gone at seven. While I certainly think that Groves will be a special player, I believe that Rivers is more valuable to the Patriots. I say this because I see Rivers as a blend of all the things the Pat's ILB's are missing.
First, he's explosive. While AD is fast, I don't he is overly explosive or quick. Other than AD, there isn't much team speed in the front 7. The defense reaches the ball, but they don't swarm. They flush the passer and collapse the pocket, but they don't finish. I think AD's skills are best suited for blanketing tight ends or holding the edge. I don't think he has enough first-step quickness to play inside.
Second, he plays hard. Obviously you like to see that in any player, but the way he plays is conducive to the scheme. When I saw him play, the thing that really stood out to me was how he engaged guards or other blockers while scraping or filling. He dropped his hips, exploded from the trunk and delivered a solid arm pop to full lock out. He stood guys up and got off the blocker very quickly. Several times, I saw him drive guards into the gap and make the play without the boxscore credit for it.
Third, I think he's pretty bright. Please don't refute this with a wonderlic score. He plays intensely but controlled within his scheme. He makes smart post-snap decisions and seems to have excellent awareness of where his teamates are. He makes the kind of plays that are indicative of pretty decent intelligence.
Fourth, he wears 55. You can't be a scrub and wear that number at his school.
Anyone have any thoughts towards this end? Agree? Disagree?
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