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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.I can see it now, Giants sneak in the playoffs, make it to the super bowl, last play of the game, Giants, down by 6. Eli is 20 yards away from winning the game, Cunningham has him in the grasp, or does he? For my own sanity, I won't finish this thought.
I made no secret about the fact that I would have preferred Dunlap to Cunningham before, during, and after the draft. Dunlap was the better pass rusher and run stopper of the two at Florida. However, I can't say that I've been displeased with Cunningham's production so far. He's come a long way from where he was at earlier in the season and should have had a few sacks of his own.
I can see it now, Giants sneak in the playoffs, make it to the super bowl, last play of the game, Giants, down by 6. Eli is 20 yards away from winning the game, Cunningham has him in the grasp, or does he? For my own sanity, I won't finish this thought.
I made no secret about the fact that I would have preferred Dunlap to Cunningham before, during, and after the draft. Dunlap was the better pass rusher and run stopper of the two at Florida. However, I can't say that I've been displeased with Cunningham's production so far. He's come a long way from where he was at earlier in the season and should have had a few sacks of his own.
They had exactly the same number of career sacks at Florida. In the games I watched -- 2009 only -- Cunningham was much more consistent than Dunlap. Cunningham also got a ton of hurries, he was consistently pressuring. I wasn't surprised at all that Belichick picked Cunningham over both Dunlap and Spikes.
Cunningham *really* needs to develop more upper body strength in the offseason. Not only has he missed sacks, he's also missed tackles in the running game when he can't wrap, and he's had some strength struggles with blockers as well. Good news is strength can be trained, and he has all the natural gifts that can't be trained.
If he puts the time in the weight room, I expect him to be much improved next season.
They had exactly the same number of career sacks at Florida. In the games I watched -- 2009 only -- Cunningham was much more consistent than Dunlap. Cunningham also got a ton of hurries, he was consistently pressuring. I wasn't surprised at all that Belichick picked Cunningham over both Dunlap and Spikes.
Cunningham *really* needs to develop more upper body strength in the offseason. Not only has he missed sacks, he's also missed tackles in the running game when he can't wrap, and he's had some strength struggles with blockers as well. Good news is strength can be trained, and he has all the natural gifts that can't be trained.
If he puts the time in the weight room, I expect him to be much improved next season.
Being able to bench press 50lbs more won't help with these issues, I'm not saying that extra strength is bad, in fact I'm all for it, but blocking and tackleing has MUCH more to do with techinque: being able to apply force (including ones weight via gravity) on a vector which the opponent cannot easily resist. Keep in mind I reserve the right to change my definition at a later time.
Correct technique is why a old man weighing 140lbs can toss a relatively young man weighing a whole lot more.
YouTube - Kyuzo Mifune Demonstrating Judo
They had exactly the same number of career sacks at Florida. In the games I watched -- 2009 only -- Cunningham was much more consistent than Dunlap. Cunningham also got a ton of hurries, he was consistently pressuring. I wasn't surprised at all that Belichick picked Cunningham over both Dunlap and Spikes.
Cunningham *really* needs to develop more upper body strength in the offseason. Not only has he missed sacks, he's also missed tackles in the running game when he can't wrap, and he's had some strength struggles with blockers as well. Good news is strength can be trained, and he has all the natural gifts that can't be trained.
If he puts the time in the weight room, I expect him to be much improved next season.
So what if they may have wiffed on the two?
The Pats absolutely killed this draft.
Positives: is decent at setting the edge, doesn't give up on plays.
Negatives: If his initial rush move doesn't work, he can get taken out of a play. Also, he needs to work on his strength to tackle better and develop more rush moves.
Even if this Cunningham doesn't pan out, this draft was outstanding.
And it's scary to think they have 2 picks in each of the 1st 3 rounds in 2011.
Well BB had some good insight into the Florida program, he must of saw or known something about Dunlap vs. Cunningham.