My Blueprint for the Defense

[JerseyShore99]

Why do you feel so certain that watching cartoons would take a guy off BB's draft board?

BB has drafted a guy with drug problems and a rumored gang history who is now an alleged multiple killer in jail. He's traded for a DT who openly dogged it after getting a huge FA contract. He drafted Brandon Meriweather in the 1st round. Cartoons? Please. Easley has a 1 year old son, and from everything I've read is a devoted father and committed player who wants to provide for his family. He has no major off field red flags that I'm aware of.

I understand that BB would be turned off by a player that he believed wasn't 100% committed to football, or willing to put in the time and film study needed. I'm just not sure how admitted to watching cartoons qualifies.



Seriously?

Again, I haven't seen anything that suggests that Easley is "lazy". I agree that would be a major issue for BB, but "different" does not equal "lazy" in my book.

See my post above yours

 

[mayoclinic]

See my post above yours

I did. I cited it. The "evidence" that Easley is "lazy" seems to be that he likes cartoons, carries a Chuckie doll, eats crackers, hates the South, and doesn't know much about football from before his era. Wow.

 

[JerseyShore99]

I did. I cited it. The "evidence" that Easley is "lazy" seems to be that he likes cartoons, carries a Chuckie doll, eats crackers, hates the South, and doesn't know much about football from before his era. Wow.

BB would much rather have a passionate, skilled, injury free player, that's a film room junkie than a guy that is skilled, yet coming off an ACL tear, isn't too passionate about the game, and doesn't watch film too much, that's FACT. Guys like Brady, Bruschi, Welker, Edelman, Brown, Stallworth, Harrison, and MUCH MUCH more qualify for that first option. Hell Patrick Chung and even Aaron Hernandez enjoyed watching film and playing this game more passionately than Easley.

But don't get me wrong, I LOVE Easley, wouldn't mind him in the second or third if we haven't addressed DT yet. Kid can play, I just don't think BB will draft a guy like this.

 

[JerseyShore99]

I love this guy, Belichick won't
Child's Play: Often misunderstood, Easley refuses to hide personality - The Independent Florida Alligator: Football

 

[mayoclinic]

BB would much rather have a passionate, skilled, injury free player, that's a film room junkie than a guy that is skilled, yet coming off an ACL tear, isn't too passionate about the game, and doesn't watch film too much, that's FACT. Guys like Brady, Bruschi, Welker, Edelman, Brown, Stallworth, Harrison, and MUCH MUCH more qualify for that first option. Hell Patrick Chung and even Aaron Hernandez enjoyed watching film and playing this game more passionately than Easley.

But don't get me wrong, I LOVE Easley, wouldn't mind him in the second or third if we haven't addressed DT yet. Kid can play, I just don't think BB will draft a guy like this.

I'm sounding like a broken record, but I have yet to see one iota of support for the idea that Easley isn't passionate enough about football. And just because he doesn't watch NFL games on TV doesn't mean that he doesn't study film enough.

 

[All22PatsFan]

I'm sounding like a broken record, but I have yet to see one iota of support for the idea that Easley isn't passionate enough about football. And just because he doesn't watch NFL games on TV doesn't mean that he doesn't study film enough.

Matt Light hated watching football. Tough to say he wasn't a hard worker. Easley obviously has a passion for football after two ACL tears, he still wants to play.

 

[mayoclinic]

Matt Light hated watching football. Tough to say he wasn't a hard worker. Easley obviously has a passion for football after two ACL tears, he still wants to play.

Light's a great example of a guy who was also a bit of an oddball - a practical jokester, and a guy who marched to the beat of his own drummer - but who was a consummate professional.

 

[mayoclinic]

The 10 players who I am most interested in right now, in terms of their general fit into the defense as I would like to see it develop:

1. Aaron Donald (mid 1st round). Disruptive interior penetrator.
2. Dominique Easly (early 2nd round). Disruptive interior penetrator.
3. Ra'Shede Hageman (late 1st round). Disruptive defensive force.
4. Ryan Shazier (late 1st round). Speed LB who is explosive and fluid in space.
5. Christian Jones (late day 2/early day 3). All-purpose LB who is explosive and fluid in space.
6. Jordan Tripp (late day 2/early day 3). All-purpose LB who is explosive and fluid in space.
7. Antone Exum (early day 3). CB/S hybrid who complements our existing secondary.
8. Terrance Fede (late day 3). Base edge defender with explosiveness and upside.
9. Marcus Smith (3rd round). Explosive hybrid edge defender who can play out of 2- or 3-point stance and play in space.
10 (tie). Demarcus Lawrence/Jeremiah Attaochu (3rd round). Explosive hybrid edge defender who can play out of 2- or 3-point stance and play in space.

Phillip Gaines and Kyle Fuller would be on the list, but they will go higher than I would take a DB.

I might need to make this a "top 12" list and include someone like Zach Moore, as an alternative to Terrance Fede as a developmental base DE. 33 career sacks at the Division II level, 2 time team captain, 3 time all-conference. Nice measurables (6' 4 1/2" 269#, 33 3/4" arms), decent speed and benchmarks. He played at more like 275-280#, but dropped weight for the Combine in order to compete in LB drills. His 7.4 3-cone is a bit disappointing, but his other numbers are reasonable. He has nice positional versatility, and supposedly is very coachable with a good work effort. The Pats reportedly had some contact with him. Manx, do you have any thoughts on Moore, and how does he compare with Fede?

 

[manxman2601]

I might need to make this a "top 12" list and include someone like Zach Moore, as an alternative to Terrance Fede as a developmental base DE. 33 career sacks at the Division II level, 2 time team captain, 3 time all-conference. Nice measurables (6' 4 1/2" 269#, 33 3/4" arms), decent speed and benchmarks. He played at more like 275-280#, but dropped weight for the Combine in order to compete in LB drills. His 7.4 3-cone is a bit disappointing, but his other numbers are reasonable. He has nice positional versatility, and supposedly is very coachable with a good work effort. The Pats reportedly had some contact with him. Manx, do you have any thoughts on Moore, and how does he compare with Fede?

I can't find any tape on him so can't comment unfortunately. Underwhelming athleticism though at the combine. As you noted, I don't think that 3-cone makes for a very good fit.

 

[doesntmatter1]

I don't think BB would have a problem with Easley as well. You've seen BB tell people to be happy and dance when you make a play. He wouldn't have to tell Easley that twice. A lot of our best players had strong personalities in general. Brady, Light, Harrison, and it goes on. I doubt anyone has a problem with Gronk's fun personality as long as he produces. BB is very firm in what he wants of players but it seems he has no intention of stripping people of their personalities but they do out of reveere for the guy.

Lastly and very important: Don't cross the line. Light is a known prankster that kept it inhouse. Welker thought he was a comedian but was more of a smartass. Welker insulted a professional coach(Rex) that BB actually respects and by doing so he clearly didn't understand BB as well as he thought hence his "playing for BB was kind of hard" coments etc.

 

[manxman2601]

I think this play is why BB doesn't draft Easley.

Dominique Easley (DT Florida) vs Tennessee 2013 - YouTube


And before anyone say's "it's just one play", it's the third or fourth time in this game alone that Easley turns his back (or gets turned) to the play. 'read and React' as a concept is anathema to Easley. It's more 'Anticipate and Act'.

Edit: And then two plays later, he gets a fantastic push on the lineman but does nothing to stop the RB who runs right by him.

 

[mayoclinic]

Since we're on the Easley topic, here's a far-fetched idea, which I included in my latest mock just for fun: what about Donald + Easley? Hard to imagine it even being possible (much less happening) unless (a) a deux-ex-machina Mallett trade occurs, or (b) Easley slips much further than I would expect. But the combination of the two could make for the most disruptive DL in the NFL. Put one outside and the other inside in base situations, and move both inside in sub rushing situations. Total mayhem and disruption, creating tremendous opportunities for the back 7 to make plays.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think this play is why BB doesn't draft Easley.

Dominique Easley (DT Florida) vs Tennessee 2013 - YouTube


And before anyone say's "it's just one play", it's the third or fourth time in this game alone that Easley turns his back (or gets turned) to the play. 'read and React' as a concept is anathema to Easley. It's more 'Anticipate and Act'.

Edit: And then two plays later, he gets a fantastic push on the lineman but does nothing to stop the RB who runs right by him.

And the last play on that clip is why I still take Easley.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I think this play is why BB doesn't draft Easley.

Dominique Easley (DT Florida) vs Tennessee 2013 - YouTube


And before anyone say's "it's just one play", it's the third or fourth time in this game alone that Easley turns his back (or gets turned) to the play. 'read and React' as a concept is anathema to Easley. It's more 'Anticipate and Act'.

Edit: And then two plays later, he gets a fantastic push on the lineman but does nothing to stop the RB who runs right by him.

All I need to know is that he's already had two ACL surgeries. He's under-sized. Can't see any way in heck BB drafts him in the first 3 rounds. He won't be around end 4th. 125 range.

 

[manxman2601]

Since we're on the Easley topic, here's a far-fetched idea, which I included in my latest mock just for fun: what about Donald + Easley? Hard to imagine it even being possible (much less happening) unless (a) a deux-ex-machina Mallett trade occurs, or (b) Easley slips much further than I would expect. But the combination of the two could make for the most disruptive DL in the NFL. Put one outside and the other inside in base situations, and move both inside in sub rushing situations. Total mayhem and disruption, creating tremendous opportunities for the back 7 to make plays.

It's funny you say that, because I had a strange, but interesting notion. How about a jumbo 3-4 package (I'm thinking generally here, not Patriots specific) where Easley and Donald line up at OLB? Obviously theoretical, and I'm not talking every down, but I think they both have the athleticism to do it.

And the last play on that clip is why I still take Easley.

And this is what I'm talking about. Aarrghhh! So frustrating and yet so enticing.

 

[All22PatsFan]

I think this play is why BB doesn't draft Easley.

Dominique Easley (DT Florida) vs Tennessee 2013 - YouTube


And before anyone say's "it's just one play", it's the third or fourth time in this game alone that Easley turns his back (or gets turned) to the play. 'read and React' as a concept is anathema to Easley. It's more 'Anticipate and Act'.

Edit: And then two plays later, he gets a fantastic push on the lineman but does nothing to stop the RB who runs right by him.

He completely disrupted that play he forced the RB to another gap. Its not his fault #90 couldn't maintain his gap.

 

[patchick]

I personally don't give a fig that Easley watches cartoons. I've never heard a more inane reason for suggesting that a player should be off our draft board. He plays with terrific intensity, and doesn't take any plays off.

Mayo, you posted that in response to a post of mine, but I assume you were actually responding to somebody else since I never mentioned cartoons or questioned Easley's effort. I totally agree that he plays with great intensity, and that rehabbing from 2 ACLs takes tremendous work and commitment. I just think he's a hard character to get a handle on.

 

[patchick]

I might need to make this a "top 12" list and include someone like Zach Moore, as an alternative to Terrance Fede as a developmental base DE. 33 career sacks at the Division II level, 2 time team captain, 3 time all-conference. Nice measurables (6' 4 1/2" 269#, 33 3/4" arms), decent speed and benchmarks. He played at more like 275-280#, but dropped weight for the Combine in order to compete in LB drills. His 7.4 3-cone is a bit disappointing, but his other numbers are reasonable. He has nice positional versatility, and supposedly is very coachable with a good work effort. The Pats reportedly had some contact with him.

In a generally underwhelming 4-3 DE class, the small-school fliers -- Fede, Moore, and Larry Webster -- are unusually intriguing. They'll have longer ramp-up times, though, putting an extra premium on signing another veteran at the position.

 

[mayoclinic]

He completely disrupted that play he forced the RB to another gap. Its not his fault #90 couldn't maintain his gap.

That's the thing. Penetrating and disrupting the play is not gap control, and it relies on good fundamental play by the other players to clean things up. I'll take Donald and/or Easley disrupting plays, and trust the other guys to keep their assignments.

 

[mayoclinic]

In a generally underwhelming 4-3 DE class, the small-school fliers -- Fede, Moore, and Larry Webster -- are unusually intriguing. They'll have longer ramp-up times, though, putting an extra premium on signing another veteran at the position.

Yeah, those are my 3 wild card guys. "Unusually intriguing" is about right. I like those 3 guys better than pretty much better than anyone outside of the top 2 rounds.