Evaluation of potential OLB from the DE Position

[Crazyeechrispats1]

Yes also very intrigued by Chillar glad someone else brought him up.
I watched a number of Rams game this year hoping they would win so our draft pick would become higher and higher.
Anyhow I kept thinking of Chillar as what we thought we were getting with Monty Beisal.
A high effort tenacious hitter in the right spot and I believe I seen him fight thru a block or two am definitely intrigued and hope BB is as well.

 

[adamprez]

I read somewhere that Patriots were showing interest in Jeremy Thompson at the Senior Bowl. He is 6-5 - 265lb appears to be in the Willie MCGinest's mold.

He is absolutely a steal. This guy is a wall that cant be run on. Unfortunately I think he's limited to a 4-3 DE. I think he would be a reach for a 3-4. Still great eye by the scouts to check him out. You never know. He should be a first round talent but what's great is he may be available with the 3rd round pick if you put any credibility into the mainstream draft sites.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I think we need a speed guy off the edge most of all. To draft a guy who runs a 4.65 is likely JAG, lets take Bruschi(3rd rd) for a perfect example....Played small(fast) DE in college(hi production), converted to OLB/ST guy who was a situational pass rushing SPECIALIST! Single handedly put Stan Humphries into retirement!! Smart, versitile(not prototypical),worked his way inside because of his intelligence. He is a prototype that we would actually draft. I think its fair to say that no LB has all the intangibles BB wants at age 22. To develop him here he has to have an additional role(3rd down rusher for example)otherwise let another team develop him for us and PAY for it in free agency. That said, I am beginning to think Gholston fits that type more than even Long. He is faster, bigger,stronger, I dont know about versatility though. I will tell you that if Gholston does fit, that WE WILL GET HIM. I think the draft positioning with KC just ahead of the jets lends to an easy trade....and if we dont do this its a sign we dont value him at that spot.

 

[PatsandTrojans55]

I lot of analysis have been talking about our needs at ILB, CB, S, and OT, but I feel the single most important need for our team is an OLB that can 1.) excel as a pass rusher and 2.) anchor against the run and 3.) drop into coverage when necessary.

The best player to play this position in the BB era has been Willie MCGinest, early in the BB era.

Ideally BB would prefer an intelligent, taller player in excess of 260 lbs. that can not only run fast, but is also "sudden".

Neither of our current 3 OLB's possess all these traits and hopefully Thomas will be moving back inside next season, leaving a perfect sceanario for a "sudden" speed rusher to come in on third and long and beat OT's around the corner. In this scenario needs #2 and #3 become much less important and #1 becomes much more important.

So who is abailable in the draft.

1.) C Long - He is intelligent, has the height and maybe a tad too much weight. HE has decent speed but is not "sudden" and has no experience at OLB. Maybe it is best if we let Miami take him and keep him at DE.

2.) Gholston - He has ideal height and weight, not sure about the intelligence, but has above average speed and is "sudden". He has experience both with the hand down and with the hand off the ground. He has experience dropping into coverage and while not great at it, he is not horrible in coverage.

3.) Campbell of Miami - He is extrmely tall so his 280 plus pounds do not look excessive. I am not sure he can count to five or that he can spell his own name, and while he may not have great timed speed, he is "suuden" with an outstanding first step. HE has played almost exclusively with his hand on the ground and I am not sure he would ever work in coverage.

4.) Harvey of Florida - He has the required height but could use a few pounds if he has to anchor on running plays. HE may not be the brightest bulb in the draft, but I am betting he is smarter than Campbell. He has decent speed and has a good first step. I have not seen him play with his hand off the ground much.

5.) Merling of Clemson - He has ideal hegiht and wieght with decent speed. And although I seen several Clemson games this past year, I can honestly say I can't remember anything he did on the field. Evaluation incomplete!

6.) Groves of Auburn - He has ideal height and could use a few pounds. Marginally more intelligent than Campbell. Superior speed and is extremely "sudden" with an outstanding first step. Great at chasing from the backside. Some experience with the hand off the ground as well.

In summary, assuming Long is off the board, Gholston makes sense at #7, however if Gholston is off the board, we might be betrter served to trade down a few spots and secure Groves.

I sense a funny pattern here. Groves, Harvey, Campbell, Gholston all have "QUESTIONABLE INTELLECT" but Long is just SO INTELLIGENT.
No, No pattern here I'm just reading your evaluations wrong.

 

[ayjackson]

I remember I think Jones from E. Michigan blowing past Cherilus for a sack in the Senior Bowl. Anybody seen him more extensively? He was a top performer in the broad jump and 20-yard shuttle. I think he'd be available in the mid-rounds.

 

[zarakotas5]

If this helps at all, in interviews, Gholston comes off as very well-spoken, thoughtful, and even older than his years. Intelligence would seem to be a + in his case.