Ever hear of Josh Norris? Me neither, but he nailed it.

[Spiral]

I was listening to a Ross Tucker podcast last week, and he had a guy on there by the name of Josh Norris, who evaluates players for Rotoworld using solely his judgment of the player on tape. He said he's never seen anyone as explosive off the snap as Easley, and had him at #4 on his draft board. Said he wouldn't be surprised if he wound up with the Patriots, even with the 2 ACLs.

Goto iTunes, download the Ross Tucker Football Podcast #34 with Josh Norris, and start listening at around 24:00.

 

[Danger Zone]

http://podcastone.com/Ross-Tucker-Football-Podcast

EDIT: Thought I could link to the actual podcast itself, but it didnt work since I just linked to the Play button image .

But the Ross Tucker podcast that Spiral is talking about is right there near the top of the page.

 

[manxman2601]

Josh Norris absolutely loves Easley. Has been talking about him as a top 10 pick for the longest time. A lot of people were before his injury. There's no doubting the value in this pick.

 

[TruthSeeker]

This is all about IF. IF he hadn't blown out his knee he would have been a higher pick. IF his knee is ok, he MIGHT make an impact in the 2015 season, I can't see him making an impact NEXT season. IF IF IF, you don't blow a 1st round pick on an IF. Plus he's too small, and is NOT a pass rusher, which is what we need.Terrible pick

 

[JackBauer]

It's a high risk, high reward pick. No bones about that. But if it pans out, we finally the missing piece on this defense. If you imagine Armstead working out AND Easley...wow. That could be something.

 

[manxman2601]

This is all about IF. IF he hadn't blown out his knee he would have been a higher pick. IF his knee is ok, he MIGHT make an impact in the 2015 season, I can't see him making an impact NEXT season. IF IF IF, you don't blow a 1st round pick on an IF. Plus he's too small, and is NOT a pass rusher, which is what we need.Terrible pick

He's not a pass rusher? Who have you been watching? Easley is all about pressure up the middle.

 

[ripatsfan91]

The tape of this guy is just beastly, I think I would take Easley over Donald if I knew his knees wouldn't be an issue .... they were talking about this guys explosiveness in the same sentence as Clowney's.

This move is gonna help our pass rush and Revis/Browner/McCourty A LOT. What are the odds DROY comes from AFCE 3 tech 2 years in row?

 

[TruthSeeker]

The tape of this guy is just beastly, I think I would take Easley over Donald if I knew his knees wouldn't be an issue .... they were talking about this guys explosiveness in the same sentence as Clowney's.

This move is gonna help our pass rush and Revis/Browner/McCourty A LOT. What are the odds DROY comes from AFCE 3 tech 2 years in row?

I think you are delusional.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

This is all about IF. IF he hadn't blown out his knee he would have been a higher pick. IF his knee is ok, he MIGHT make an impact in the 2015 season, I can't see him making an impact NEXT season. IF IF IF, you don't blow a 1st round pick on an IF. Plus he's too small, and is NOT a pass rusher, which is what we need.Terrible pick

 

[ripatsfan91]

I think you are delusional.

Clearly you don't watch football/haven't seen Easley play.

Too small to rush the passer? Ever heard of Geno Atkins? Pretty much the same size as Easley.

BB said Easley is very explosive and the highest rated player on the board. Add in that he was one of my favorite prospects in the draft and I am all for this guy.

 

[Tom meets Kaepernick]

I think you are delusional.

Please seek help. Thank you

 

[AzorianPats]

It's a high risk, high reward pick. No bones about that. But if it pans out, we finally the missing piece on this defense. If you imagine Armstead working out AND Easley...wow. That could be something.

Agreed. I'm an Easley fan, I didn't want them to take him with our first pick, but that tells me the Pats couldn't find a trade partner for him, and they weren't gonna risk another team behind them snatching him up.

He's a guy that if it wasn't for the injuries would have gone before Aaron Donald last night. Where we pick every year in the draft, we have to take chances on players with this talent. We don't always get a crack at them.

This pick reminds me of the Gronk pick. Its a giant boom or bust pick.

 

[fester]

This is all about IF. IF he hadn't blown out his knee he would have been a higher pick. IF his knee is ok, he MIGHT make an impact in the 2015 season, I can't see him making an impact NEXT season. IF IF IF, you don't blow a 1st round pick on an IF. Plus he's too small, and is NOT a pass rusher, which is what we need.Terrible pick

What this pick immediately reminds me of is the Ben Watson pick -- a gamble at the end of the 1st round on insane potential that has flashed but not consistently in college. Easley it was flashes shaded by injuries, Watson, it was a matter of getting it. I think this is a worthwhile pick as the gamble on greatness picks are the only way that the Patriots will get elite talent at the top of the draft for they keep on winning and getting slotted in the 20s.

 

[IllegalContact]

I think there is 2 things likely at play here that mitigates the potential risk in the drafting of easley

1 - they are planning on picking another DT in the next few picks
2 - the possibility of another pick with the mallett deal

i know it doesn't change the value of that player chosen on that pick, but to the team there may be a bigger picture in how risks are weighed

 

[upstater1]

I don't mind the Easley pick but I am concerned about off-the-field character questions. he has a good motor, but he's like B. Spikes in the sense that you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Actually he's like Spikes also in the sense that he excels at one thing on the football field and he plays very hard, but has some limitations.

 

[Galeb]

I don't mind the Easley pick but I am concerned about off-the-field character questions. he has a good motor, but he's like B. Spikes in the sense that you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Actually he's like Spikes also in the sense that he excels at one thing on the football field and he plays very hard, but has some limitations.

I don't get the Spikes comparison. Easley isn't nearly the vocal punk that Spikes was off the field. On the field he is undersized but very athletic and has effectively played every spot on the DL. Spikes was very big, but not not nearly as athletic only suited to a single role for a single position. The only similarities I see on the field are a bit of a mean streak, quick diagnosis of plays and a good motor, though clearly, Easley's motor is superior.

 

[SalemPats]

Clearly you don't watch football/haven't seen Easley play.

Too small to rush the passer? Ever heard of Geno Atkins? Pretty much the same size as Easley.

BB said Easley is very explosive and the highest rated player on the board. Add in that he was one of my favorite prospects in the draft and I am all for this guy.

great call, I've been watching tape of him and I love the guy

 

[DaBruinz]

This is all about IF. IF he hadn't blown out his knee he would have been a higher pick. IF his knee is ok, he MIGHT make an impact in the 2015 season, I can't see him making an impact NEXT season. IF IF IF, you don't blow a 1st round pick on an IF. Plus he's too small, and is NOT a pass rusher, which is what we need.Terrible pick

Easley should have an impact this year, potentially going in at DT with Chris Jones on Passing downs.

What makes you think that Easley is not a pass rushers? Why do that Pats need a pass rusher when they put up the most sacks last year of ANY Belichick coached defense? And that was without Wilfork and Kelly in there?

The Pats needed an upgrade in talent behind Wilfork and Kelly. They get that with Easley. You're claim of it being a terrible pick is just ridiculous.

OH. at 6'2 and 288, that isn't "too small". One of the things mentioned about Easley is that he get's low and gains the leverage advantage against O-linemen. Which allows him to penetrate and put pressure on the QB.

Easley also played the 3-Tech for Florida.. So that will help.

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't mind the Easley pick but I am concerned about off-the-field character questions. he has a good motor, but he's like B. Spikes in the sense that you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Actually he's like Spikes also in the sense that he excels at one thing on the football field and he plays very hard, but has some limitations.

Upstarter - Could you provide the link where Easley supposedly has off-field character issues?

Also, where do you get that Easley only excels at one thing?? He's an excellent run stuffer behind the line and he get's pressure on the QB. Does he have room to improve? Yep.. But he's not a one trick pony the way that Spikes was..

 

[Ring 6]

This is all about IF. IF he hadn't blown out his knee he would have been a higher pick. IF his knee is ok, he MIGHT make an impact in the 2015 season, I can't see him making an impact NEXT season. IF IF IF, you don't blow a 1st round pick on an IF. Plus he's too small, and is NOT a pass rusher, which is what we need.Terrible pick

This is a really bad post. Let me break it down.

1) IF is relevant with every player drafted, especially after 28 are already gone
2) He will be ready this season, so your comment about 2015 is silly.
3) Every first round pick is on an IF. That is why half fail.
4) He would be a little small in a 2 gap defense. We are no longer a 2gap defense. There are many effective DTs in the NFL now in this size range.
5) Of course he is a pass rusher, that is his strength. The point of the pick was to have a disruptive inside pass rusher. Last year that was Chandler Jones, so I'm not sure how you think Easley is too small.
6) Perhaps you are complaining just to complain, and if thats the case, ignore what I said.