The McCLuster Bandwagon...

[Metaphors]

i have a tough time putting a 175# midget in position to keep a pissed off Ray Lewis flying up the middle away from Tf'nB.

If a LB comes clean up the middle, any RB is pretty much just a momentary speed bump. However, a scatback with breakaway speed makes a blitzer think twice about rushing with their hair on fire while that back runs a draw right by them. Faulk may go for 10-15 yards. McCluster may go for a TD.

 

[CGH TX PATS]

The speed may not be elite, but the quickness and instincts are, ala Wes Welker. It's just that we have a Welker and Eddelman, so McCluster would be triplicating the slot receiver type.

Do you believe that BB traded out of the first round last year because Harvin was off the board?

No I don't think that BB traded back because Percy was taken. I would be very disappointed if this were true.

 

[RayClay]

He's a gamer. Catch this block.

YouTube - Ole Miss vs LSU (Dexter McCluster Levels Chad Jones)

 

[CGH TX PATS]

He's a gamer. Catch this block.

YouTube - Ole Miss vs LSU (Dexter McCluster Levels Chad Jones)

Looked like Jones-Drew on Merriman. Nice block but that's easy to do when a defender isn't looking. I like the guy though, he's a wild card.

 

[condon84]

40 time don't mean anything. I saw him play against SEC defenses and he was the fastest guy on the field whenever he was on.

I would take him in the second round. He can take Faulk's place when Faulk retires.

 

[Seneschal2]

McCLuster Pro Day...

FWIW...

Pro-Day 3-23: Notre Dame/North Carolina/Mississippi

The Rebels explosive skill player Dexter McCluster was exactly that, explosive. He ran 40 times which hovered in the low 4.4-second area. Some scouts had McCluster as fast as 4.39 seconds. His three cone time was also swift at 6.59 seconds. McCluster’s forty time represents an improvement of .15 seconds over his combine.

 

[jays52]

I like McCluster, I really do. However my one question is his experience with pro style blocking schemes and adapting to them. Here's my basic thesis:

Kevin Faulk's primary value is, in my mind, his blocking. When the Pats go gun, Faulk is their guy. Most people assume this is for the flat release, but not in my mind. Faulk is in there because of the abundance of zone blitzing. The best protection scheme against zone blitzes in the spread is have a back next to the qb taking what is called a dual read. In dual read protection, the back reads inside to out the linebackers on his side of the field. The idea is that if the D sends one, he will pick them up. If the D sends both. The most direct lane to the QB is blocked and the QB has an easy quick release to the hot. Wanna know why Welker lead the league in receptions? That's why.

While it sounds like such a simple concept academically, onfield execution is a bit harder. Defenses understand this protection, and consequently there is a lot of delay stuff, show-no-go, and delay drops. Again, this stuff is relatively elementary, but at NFL gamespeed, somone without veteran instincts could end 12's career. Hyperbolic? Maybe. Possible? Definately.

Again, I like McCluster, but I think that there is a lot more to the gun/3rd down back than most people assume. In my mind, it is the hardest spot to fill on the O, so I'm interested in seeing how this kid turns out.

 

[Seneschal2]

Kevin Faulk's primary value is, in my mind, his blocking. When the Pats go gun, Faulk is their guy. Most people assume this is for the flat release, but not in my mind. Faulk is in there because of the abundance of zone blitzing.

Well, Kevin is my favorite player, so I'm in no hurry to find his replacement. Unfortunately, he's now a year-to-year player, so the inevitable will occur sooner rather than later. And you're correct in that any change-of-pace back will have to resume the blocking role in this offense.

 

[BritPat]

I like McCluster, I really do. However my one question is his experience with pro style blocking schemes and adapting to them. Here's my basic thesis:

Kevin Faulk's primary value is, in my mind, his blocking. When the Pats go gun, Faulk is their guy. Most people assume this is for the flat release, but not in my mind. Faulk is in there because of the abundance of zone blitzing. The best protection scheme against zone blitzes in the spread is have a back next to the qb taking what is called a dual read. In dual read protection, the back reads inside to out the linebackers on his side of the field. The idea is that if the D sends one, he will pick them up. If the D sends both. The most direct lane to the QB is blocked and the QB has an easy quick release to the hot. Wanna know why Welker lead the league in receptions? That's why.

While it sounds like such a simple concept academically, onfield execution is a bit harder. Defenses understand this protection, and consequently there is a lot of delay stuff, show-no-go, and delay drops. Again, this stuff is relatively elementary, but at NFL gamespeed, somone without veteran instincts could end 12's career. Hyperbolic? Maybe. Possible? Definately.

Again, I like McCluster, but I think that there is a lot more to the gun/3rd down back than most people assume. In my mind, it is the hardest spot to fill on the O, so I'm interested in seeing how this kid turns out.

I really wish you'd post more :rocker:

 

[VJCPatriot]

I prefer Ben Tate in the 3rd or 4th. He's got the kind of build to carry the load.

Kevin Faulk already does what McCluster does, and Faulk is actually a good pass blocker and has 30 pounds on the 'Twig'.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I like McCluster, I really do. However my one question is his experience with pro style blocking schemes and adapting to them. Here's my basic thesis:

Kevin Faulk's primary value is, in my mind, his blocking. When the Pats go gun, Faulk is their guy. Most people assume this is for the flat release, but not in my mind. Faulk is in there because of the abundance of zone blitzing. The best protection scheme against zone blitzes in the spread is have a back next to the qb taking what is called a dual read. In dual read protection, the back reads inside to out the linebackers on his side of the field. The idea is that if the D sends one, he will pick them up. If the D sends both. The most direct lane to the QB is blocked and the QB has an easy quick release to the hot. Wanna know why Welker lead the league in receptions? That's why.

While it sounds like such a simple concept academically, onfield execution is a bit harder. Defenses understand this protection, and consequently there is a lot of delay stuff, show-no-go, and delay drops. Again, this stuff is relatively elementary, but at NFL gamespeed, somone without veteran instincts could end 12's career. Hyperbolic? Maybe. Possible? Definately.

Again, I like McCluster, but I think that there is a lot more to the gun/3rd down back than most people assume. In my mind, it is the hardest spot to fill on the O, so I'm interested in seeing how this kid turns out.

Manase Tonga.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

For his size McCluster is a tough little blocker but he is just so small. I like the guy but there's just too many others I like more for when we'd have to take him.

 

[Clonamery]

Manase Tonga.

Double ditto.

 

[WelshPat]

If you don't want him because he can't pass protect, then you will never draft a college RB ever. College running backs are usually the man in the college, and arent asked to pass protect much.

There isn't a running back thats ever come out thats been a good pass protector off the bat, it's something you learn in the pro game.

My problem with McCluster is that he is over hyped and probably will be over drafted. This board goes on about value like nothing else, theres no value in McCluster.

 

[jefmblrd]

Tom E. Curran is reporting that McCluster improved his 40 time to 4.4 and 4.5. About an hour ago via Twitter.

 

[HarkDawg]

McCluster like a Sproles?


I know he is small..... but is the potential there?

 

[VJCPatriot]

McCluster like a Sproles?


I know he is small..... but is the potential there?

He weighs 15 lbs less than Sproles and is not nearly as fast.
Comparing McCluster to Sproles makes as much sense as comparing D. Thomas to Calvin Johnson. It's a huge REACH.
What might be more appropriate to say is - McCluster is a poor man's Darren Sproles. D. Thomas is a VERY POOR man's Calvin Johnson.

 

[bbell31]

Double ditto.

triple ditto

 

[jefmblrd]

Watching "Path to the Draft" on NFLN and Mayock is singing this kids praises. Here's a paraphrase of some of his comments.

Says he's a second round pick who probably won't go till the third round.

You can line him up anywhere.

He's feisty and tough. Not afraid to block bigger guys.

Runs great routes. Can get separation on press coverage.

Ran 4.47 impressed everyone and caught everything at his pro day. Did 20 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press.

Thinks he might be Sproles but is impressive because he had 5 games over 100 yards in the SCC. 25 carries against Tennessee for 282 yards.

Tough guy who catches the football, can separate. Find a way to get him the ball in space and you have an intriguing football player.

Pretty high praise from Mayock. I'd love to see the Pats pick this guy in the second round.

 

[SyN65]

When I saw the 40 times at the combine I thought to myself "No way". He's obviously a lot faster on the field and I think he could be a great weapon for us.

The most impressive stat at the combine to me was a 172 pd guy lifting 225 pds 20 times. That is ridiculous.