Crable: Redshirt?

[PonyExpress]

Let Wojcik run a Frankenstein experiment on the kid for 9 months, and when Crable shows up at 260 next spring it would be like bringing in an additional 1st rdr next season.

I don't really see Crable getting much (if any) regular playing time in '08 given his inexperience and size deficiencies. Maybe his time would be best served on the sidelines this season, taking a skinny step back IOT take 2 strong steps forward into the future.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Let Wojcik run a Frankenstein experiment on the kid for 9 months, and when Crable shows up at 260 next spring it would be like bringing in an additional 1st rdr next season.

I don't really see Crable getting much (if any) regular playing time in '08 given his inexperience and size deficiencies. Maybe his time would be best served on the sidelines this season, taking a skinny step back IOT take 2 strong steps forward into the future.

Injuries can change your philosophy in a hurry,LB has had its share of injuries the past few seasons

 

[pats1]

Let Wojcik run a Frankenstein experiment on the kid for 9 months, and when Crable shows up at 260 next spring it would be like bringing in an additional 1st rdr next season.

I don't really see Crable getting much (if any) regular playing time in '08 given his inexperience and size deficiencies. Maybe his time would be best served on the sidelines this season, taking a skinny step back IOT take 2 strong steps forward into the future.

Subscribing to the Andy Hart School of Skinny Legs, are we?

 

[bradmahn]

Let Wojcik run a Frankenstein experiment on the kid for 9 months, and when Crable shows up at 260 next spring it would be like bringing in an additional 1st rdr next season.

I don't really see Crable getting much (if any) regular playing time in '08 given his inexperience and size deficiencies. Maybe his time would be best served on the sidelines this season, taking a skinny step back IOT take 2 strong steps forward into the future.

Even if he doesn't prove to be capable of starting right now (which he may even be able to do despite his size), he could turn out to be a good pass rush specialist. Why would you willingly lose that to redshirt him this year because of a prejudice regarding his size?

He can still participate in weight training despite playing this season.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Even if he doesn't prove to be capable of starting right now (which he may even be able to do despite his size), he could turn out to be a good pass rush specialist. Why would you willingly lose that to redshirt him this year because of a prejudice regarding his size?

He can still participate in weight training despite playing this season.

Agreed. A redshirt of a healthy player that can contribute minutes doesn't make sense. 6'5 245 lbs is plenty big to play linebacker. I think realistically he could put on 10 lbs in a season, that shouldn't be hard for a pro to do. But I'd rather have the weight be real weight, ie additional muscle, rather than just bulk weight to satisfy fans concerned about his so called 'skinny legs'. And finally... there's no such thing as a redshirt in the NFL. This is not college, every player that you keep (practice squad excluded) counts towards your roster total. If he's taking up a roster slot, why in the world not use him?

 

[PonyExpress]

Even if he doesn't prove to be capable of starting right now (which he may even be able to do despite his size), he could turn out to be a good pass rush specialist. Why would you willingly lose that to redshirt him this year because of a prejudice regarding his size?

He can still participate in weight training despite playing this season.

Not sure what you mean by "prejudice". 241 lbs is 241 lbs. McGinest was a bean pole when he showed up, but still weighed 250+. I have high hopes for Crable, and I don't want to see him injured early due to some inadequate weight training under the Carr-wreck regime at Michigan.

 

[ALP]

Let Wojcik run a Frankenstein experiment on the kid for 9 months, and when Crable shows up at 260 next spring it would be like bringing in an additional 1st rdr next season.

I don't really see Crable getting much (if any) regular playing time in '08 given his inexperience and size deficiencies. Maybe his time would be best served on the sidelines this season, taking a skinny step back IOT take 2 strong steps forward into the future.

unless he is amazing, he wont be playing ahead of woods this year...

and i expect to see a good amount of woods

 

[PonyExpress]

Agreed. A redshirt of a healthy player that can contribute minutes doesn't make sense. 6'5 245 lbs is plenty big to play linebacker. I think realistically he could put on 10 lbs in a season, that shouldn't be hard for a pro to do. But I'd rather have the weight be real weight, ie additional muscle, rather than just bulk weight to satisfy fans concerned about his so called 'skinny legs'.

Definitely the weight should be real weight. Maybe I missed the thread where fans were saying things about Crable's legs. My concern is football based, and has nothing to do with aesthetics.

 

[VJCPatriot]

unless he is amazing, he wont be playing ahead of woods this year...

and i expect to see a good amount of woods

BB seems to really like Woods more than I would have thought.
So it looks like the Pats have 3 promising LBers now.
I expect Mayo to start, Woods to compete for starting/rotation minutes, and Crable to contribute on special teams, play some pass rushing downs, and try to get to the point that Woods was at last year.
How's that for a youth movement?

 

[bradmahn]

Not sure what you mean by "prejudice". 241 lbs is 241 lbs. McGinest was a bean pole when he showed up, but still weighed 250+. I have high hopes for Crable, and I don't want to see him injured early due to some inadequate weight training under the Carr-wreck regime at Michigan.

I mean it in that you're assuming that he can't play because he weighs 241 pounds. He's yet to even dress in pads for the Pats, why don't we wait until then before we decide whether or not he can contribute (even in the slightest) this season?

For the record, I'd like to see him put weight on, too, but that doesn't mean he'll be useless to the Pats this season if he is sub-250.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Not sure what you mean by "prejudice". 241 lbs is 241 lbs. McGinest was a bean pole when he showed up, but still weighed 250+. I have high hopes for Crable, and I don't want to see him injured early due to some inadequate weight training under the Carr-wreck regime at Michigan.

I have read that Michigan and PSU are two of the only powers for their weight-programs that use the hit program. Emphasizes more reps, less weight to use a simple analogy. Most schools use more of a power program. More weight..hopefully more explosive. I have confidence Wojcik better than either school.

 

[MosiT]

I really do not follow the draft that closely but today I was having coffee at a Borders store and looked through some of those draft magazines and Crable had some great really great comments about him suggesting he could even be an instant pass rushing success and move right into a starting role.l

 

[alvinnf]

Don't you think we should wait to see if the guy can play.....

"skinny leg's and all", Tim Robbins

 

[Kontradiction]

Mark my words: It may not be this year, it may not be next year, but Crable is going to be a BEAST down the line.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I have read that Michigan and PSU are two of the only powers for their weight-programs that use the hit program. Emphasizes more reps, less weight to use a simple analogy. Most schools use more of a power program. More weight..hopefully more explosive. I have confidence Wojcik better than either school.

Crable could use some building up of his lower body, but his upper body strength is very solid, 29 reps at the combine. What are the best exercises to bulk up/strengthen a lower body anyways? Power squats, running, dragging tires?

 

[apple strudel]

There is a picture of him in shorts wearing Patriots gear and while his lower legs are still small, his quads look really well developed and strong. I can't find the image to post, but I think he might just have half skinny legs, and you're not really going to make a guy's lower leg that much bigger.

In lieu of the relevant photo, I'll post another fun one.

Rushing the passer indeed.

 

[PonyExpress]

There is a picture of him in shorts wearing Patriots gear and while his lower legs are still small, his quads look really well developed and strong. I can't find the image to post, but I think he might just have half skinny legs, and you're not really going to make a guy's lower leg that much bigger.

In lieu of the relevant photo, I'll post another fun one.

Rushing the passer indeed.

That is an awesome photo. He looks like a pterodactyl.

 

[Patslifer]

I have read that Michigan and PSU are two of the only powers for their weight-programs that use the hit program. Emphasizes more reps, less weight to use a simple analogy. Most schools use more of a power program. More weight..hopefully more explosive. I have confidence Wojcik better than either school.

High Intensity Training - is high weight, less sets, ultra high intensity. Not sure what you are talking about, but it is not traditional HIT training.

 

[Blizzzard]

Has anybody thought of this...... Maybe BB/SP like the fact that he has a lanky lower body with long skinny legs? People have been comparing his lower body structure to that of Randy Moss, which means he COULD be a fast, high jumping physical freak. Who else has seen that picture of Crable jumping/hurdling straight over an OL's head, while he was standing pretty much straight up? It basically showed his hips/crotch over 6 feet in the air!!!
He is projected as an OLB which means he doesn't need to be a heavyweight run-stuffer. His speed and abilty to get around the edge are what he is prized for. Imagine if he has even close to Moss' agility or jumping ability?!
Having that kind of ability on both sides of the ball could be huge.
He will be a terror to block, and will likely swat away his fair share of passes at the line.
I'm not annointing him as the next great OLB, or even physically Moss' equal.
All I am saying is that on the outside, I will take the kind of physical attributes that he brings to the table.

EDIT: It seems that as I was writing this post, our fellow poster apple strudel posted the picture I was speaking of. Thanks

As far as Woods seeing serious playing time this year... I just don't see it. There have been numerous times we sorely needed help at LB and he was not trusted to assume that role. He could probably be a great guy, hard worker and team player... possibly with some potential. But, he has never shown he can start on our defense or even contribute significantly. I don't see that changing. You don't hear anywhere near as much love for Alexander (rightfully so) and BB saw it fit to give him the emergency start in the 2006 AFCCG. How come all of a sudden Woods is viable? The guy has done what he can for us, but he is a ST or situational 'backer at best.

This is BB showing respect one of his players. It is reminiscent of the praise he heaps onto teams like K.C., Jest, Bills, Miami..etc. when asked about them

 

[Patslifer]

Has anybody thought of this...... Maybe BB/SP like the fact that he has a lanky lower body with long skinny legs? People have been comparing his lower body structure to that of Randy Moss, which means he COULD be a fast, high jumping physical freak. Who else has seen that picture of Crable jumping/hurdling straight over an OL's head, while he was standing pretty much straight up? It basically showed his hips/crotch over 6 feet in the air!!!
He is projected as an OLB which means he doesn't need to be a heavyweight run-stuffer. His speed and abilty to get around the edge are what he is prized for. Imagine if he has even close to Moss' agility or jumping ability?!
Having that kind of ability on both sides of the ball could be huge.
He will be a terror to block, and will likely swat away his fair share of passes at the line.
I'm not annointing him as the next great OLB, or even physically Moss' equal.
All I am saying is that on the outside, I will take the kind of physical attributes that he brings to the table.

EDIT: It seems tha as I was writing this post,

As far as Woods seeing serious playing time this year... I just don't see it. There have been numerous times we sorely needed help at LB and he was not trusted to assume that role. He could probably be a great guy, hard worker and team player... possibly with some potential. But, he has never shown he can start on our defense or even contribute significantly. I don't see that changing. You don't hear anywhere near as much love for Alexander (rightfully so) and BB saw it fit to give him the emergency start in the 2006 AFCCG. How come all of a sudden Woods is viable? The guy has done what he can for us, but he is a ST or situational 'backer at best.

This is BB showing respect one of his players. It is reminiscent of the praise he heaps onto teams like K.C., Jest, Bills, Miami..etc. when asked about them

Most athletes who are very fast have long limbs, and high calves. As long as he has a fairly heavy bone structure he will be fine. The guy is tall, so remember he is going to look thin even though he is well over 230 lbs.

Crable will add weight, and he will excel. We need some speed in this d, strength is all that matters. People get to caught up in numbers. SOme of these big lb's have 15 extra lbs of fat on them. Crable will get over 255 lbs, and he will be a fine lb in this system.