All22PatsFan
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.But you can a 230lb linebacker?
Or a 280lb DT?
Shazier's 237 lbs, thank you very much!
Yeah, it does give me pause. But I see signs that BB is looking toward a more athletic LB corps, and he's always liked the SS/LB hybrid. As for the DT...I assume you're talking about Donald? I really haven't bothered weighing in on him at all, since I assume he'll be long gone.
Critically, though: Donald and Shazier are both rare, spectacular athletes for their respective sizes. Ford just isn't at that level.
But you can a 230lb linebacker?
Or a 280lb DT?
I'm really not convinced he would draft any of them in the first to be honest but think he would draft all of them in the second. The one thing about Donald vs Shazier or Ford is he's a nightmare matchup one on one. FSU had to double team him almost every play and when they didn't they paid for it. I thought they should have drafted Woodley and they traded out and he's much bigger than Ford and had similar workout numbers.
Dee Ford is really last years Jaime Collins but faster 4.54 vs 4.64 40 yd dash time but with similar size 6'2" 252 vs. 6'3" 250. If they take Dee Ford are they getting a player they already have or could he be someone who could play both LB and DE which wouldn't surprise me because BB loves versatile players.
Ford worked out at 244 lbs at Auburn's pro day, not 252. And while he's slighty faster over 40 yards, Collins 10-yard split is much better (1.58 s vs 1.67 s). Collins' 20 yard shuttle is also much better (4.32 s vs 4.73 s). Ford only outperformed Collins in the bench press. In every other workout Collins was on par or much better.Dee Ford is really last years Jaime Collins but faster wih 4.54 vs 4.64 40 yd dash time and with very similar size 6'2" 252 vs. 6'3" 250. If they take Dee Ford we get a tenacious type of player who could play both LB and DE which wouldn't surprise me because BB loves versatile players. Maybe one pick could fill two needs at both DE and LB. It wouldn't surprise me if the Pats picked him but they better go after a DT in the second round if they do.
Ford worked out at 244 lbs at Auburn's pro day, not 252. And while he's slighty faster over 40 yards, Collins 10-yard split is much better (1.58 s vs 1.67 s). Collins' 20 yard shuttle is also much better (4.32 s vs 4.73 s). Ford only outperformed Collins in the bench press. In every other workout Collins was on par or much better.
It's like I said. I think pass rusher is arguably the biggest need right now and I think Dee Ford is the best available. My thinking doesn't go much further than that. There are certainly players I like more.
You're absolutely correct IMO that pass rush is a huge need but we could improve our pass rush by simply drafting a DE to take snaps from jones/Nink on 1st and 2nd down. We don't have to necessarily draft a great pass rusher. Shot, Armstead could already be that player.
He has nowhere near Collins' elite explosion numbers (35.5" vert, 10'4" broad for Ford, 41.5" vert, 11'7" broad for Collins).
Dee Ford is really last years Jaime Collins but faster wih 4.54 vs 4.64 40 yd dash time and with very similar size 6'2" 252 vs. 6'3" 250. If they take Dee Ford we get a tenacious type of player who could play both LB and DE which wouldn't surprise me because BB loves versatile players. Maybe one pick could fill two needs at both DE and LB. It wouldn't surprise me if the Pats picked him but they better go after a DT in the second round if they do.
He has nowhere near Collins' elite explosion numbers (35.5" vert, 10'4" broad for Ford, 41.5" vert, 11'7" broad for Collins).
Ford worked out at 244 lbs at Auburn's pro day, not 252. And while he's slighty faster over 40 yards, Collins 10-yard split is much better (1.58 s vs 1.67 s). Collins' 20 yard shuttle is also much better (4.32 s vs 4.73 s). Ford only outperformed Collins in the bench press. In every other workout Collins was on par or much better.
Yup Collins is an absolute freak/beast athlete. Not many will measure up to those numbers. He basically has jump out of the gym athleticism.
The basic goals of the 4-2-5 are simple: Eliminate the need for full-formation adjustments, limit substitutions and get players on the field who can handle speed on the edge.
It's interesting that Dee Ford's defensive coordinator last year was Ellis Johnson, who was Jamie Collins' head coach the year before. Before that he was the defensive coordinator at South Carolina for 4 years where he coached Melvin Ingram, Devin Taylor, and even Jadeveon Clowney as a freshman. Johnson is best known for running a 4-2-5 base defense. He moved Collins from LB to the "bandit" role as a hybrid DE/OLB in 2012. Ford basically played that role for Auburn last year.
Breaking down Auburn's 4-2-5 defense: Defensive ends | AL.com
The Auburn Plainsman
Also, FWIW, a guy to keep an eye on for 2015 is Justin Garrett (6'1" 218#) who plays the "star" hybrid LB/S role in Johnson's 4-2-5 base, which was designed to combat no-huddle and spread offenses and to allow for flexible formation changes without changing personnel:
Ellis Johnson outlines the philosophy behind Auburn's 4-2-5 defense | AL.com
4-2-5: Playing defense the Ellis Johnson way at Auburn - AuburnTigers.com - Official Athletics Site of the Auburn Tigers