2008 Free Agents to Watch - Karlos Dansby ILB

[cstjohn17]

I liked this guy out of college, Arizona is moving to a 3-4 and he has been shifted inside. Lets see how he does, Tedy and Junior can't play forever.. or can they...

I wanted the Patriots to take him or Bob Sanders but we took Watson instead.

From ProFootballWeekly
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2007/whispers2207.htm

"Unlike last year at this time, when his inability to practice due to finger and thumb surgeries landed him in the Cardinals’ doghouse, we hear Karlos Dansby has looked very impressive moving from outside to inside linebacker in Arizona’s revamped defense. Dansby added 10 pounds of muscle and was an enthusiastic participant in the team’s offseason conditioning program. Our sources believe he could be a real force this coming season, clogging lanes with his long arms and considerable range, as well as blitzing up the middle. "



From NFLDraftScout.com
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=58545

Name: Karlos Dansby
College: Auburn
Height: 6-3 Weight: 247
Position: OLB Pos2: DE
40 Time: 4.56

ANALYSIS


Positives…Has a tall frame with broad shoulders, long arms and legs and room to add more bulk…Still learning to play his position (weak-side linebacker is his third spot in three years), but he shows awareness and a good feel for the ball…Uses his athletic ability and quickness to avoid blocks in run force…Uses his long arms well to gain separation… Has the speed to lock on and run with tight ends, using his hands effectively to redirect… Has outstanding sideline speed and range, easily making plays on the perimeter…Tracks the ball well in flight and has the leaping ability to compete for the ball at its high point… Shows good effort in his lateral pursuit, using his hands well to avoid low blocks on the move…Reliable tackler who uses his long arms to secure, strike and explode upon contact…Has good man coverage skills (former safety), showing the ability to shadow and run with the receivers in the deep zone…Does a nice job of recognizing and anticipating the switch-off in the zone…Has natural hands and ball skills…Has the speed to turn the corner coming off the edge or the sudden burst to shoot gaps as a blitzer…Coachable player who responds well to tough coaching and is a solid worker who stays very focused in his quest to play at the next level (much like Takeo Spikes in performance, attitude and dedication to his craft).

Negatives…Still has that outside linebacker’s mentality when it comes to playing vs. the run (much rather work the edge than play in-line, as he struggles to shed when working through trash)…Has long arms to gain separation, but needs to take on blockers with more aggression…Needs to attack the plays more (likes to wait for the play to come to him)…Needs to refine his backpedal (breaks are a little choppy).

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Excellent call.

The negative lists that he is not attacking the play. That could easily be a symptom of inexperience as apposed to ability. If he stays at ILB all season, then the last four weeks of the season, barring injury, should give us a great idea of whether or not he can play inside.

I liked this kid at Auburn, but as an OLB, in our defense. ILB will really test his physical and mental abilities. If he excels, I would love to see him with us next year. I am convinced Mays is hopeless and needs to go.

 

[cstjohn17]

I liked this kid at Auburn, but as an OLB, in our defense. ILB will really test his physical and mental abilities. If he excels, I would love to see him with us next year. I am convinced Mays is hopeless and needs to go.

You will get your wish, I really see Mays as a longshot to make the roster this year.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Mays' play in the first preseason game was pitiful, mostly because I saw no instinct and little read and react and the opponents OL was getting into his body all night.

I expected improvement in game #2, but saw nothing.

I know a lot of guys are high on Rogers, but he needs a year in the S&C program, he lacks strength. He got pushed halfway to Maine on several plays Friday night.

Pierre Woods got in on a lot of tackles in game #2, but most were way downfield. I'm not sure he can play defense moving forward. However I need to see more of him to know for sure.

 

[patsfan55]

from that article

Steelers rookie OLB LaMarr Woodley has turned some heads in training camp and figures to contribute as a pass rusher as a rookie.

i wanted him so bad, at least he coulda gone to a team i didnt loathe

 

[cstjohn17]

Update - Unless his contract demands move from the insane to the delusional there is no way he comes to the Patriots. It seems odd his agents are pressing for an extension. Why not let him play the season out and hit UFA? It sounds like they are afraid he may get some more injuries that could hurt his stock.

Dansby pressing for extension
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0819cardsinsider0820.html


"The starting point in negotiations, at least for Wood, might be close to the seven-year, $54 million contract Julian Peterson signed with Seattle last year. "

HaHaHa.. oh, you were serious, sorry about that.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I watched Arizona play this past weekend and they started the game in a 4-3 with Dansby outside and then shifted into a 3-4 with Dansby moving inside. They went back and forth for most of the first two series.

On the outside his instincts and speed were decent, but once he got inside, his instincts were non-existent and his speed a non-factor. He needs to get stronger, nastier and bulkier if he is going to stay inside.

 

[cstjohn17]

I watched Arizona play this past weekend and they started the game in a 4-3 with Dansby outside and then shifted into a 3-4 with Dansby moving inside. They went back and forth for most of the first two series.

On the outside his instincts and speed were decent, but once he got inside, his instincts were non-existent and his speed a non-factor. He needs to get stronger, nastier and bulkier if he is going to stay inside.

I would rather look to the draft, I am convinced the take a day 1 LB (I would say round 1 but it would break my heart if they don't pull the trigger)

Early LB list - http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=58296

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I saw Goff in the Vandy Michigan game last year, and if he can run a 4.75 or better, then I pray that BB drafts him. He is the real deal, instinctive, intelligent, athletic and brings the lumber. Yes he needs help in coverage but BB has done more with much less raw material.

 

[patsfan55]

I saw Goff in the Vandy Michigan game last year, and if he can run a 4.75 or better, then I pray that BB drafts him. He is the real deal, instinctive, intelligent, athletic and brings the lumber. Yes he needs help in coverage but BB has done more with much less raw material.

i saw the same game, and was also very impressed

 

[dryheat44]

CB Marcus Trufant will also go to UFA next year. I've always liked him, but with the cornerback market what it is, there's next to no chance he ends up here. I'd rather pay Samuel the money anyway. In fact, I'd like to extend Samuel the first day we're allowed to, before Trufant signs a bloated UFA contract that could well be higher than Clements's.

 

[everlong]

I hope one of the Florida teams offers Samuel a boat load of cash to come home because if they don't he'll be wearing green and white next year.

Another upside to grabbing Trufant is paying Seattle back for some of their tampering and I think he would fit in our system as well as Samuel. I have no idea if Trufant would take a little less like a Colvin or AD to play for a winner or if he's like a Samuel or Clement looking for every last nickle.

I also wonder if the camera incident will cause FAs to think twice about coming in.

It's a pretty thin market after the top two, I think Drayton Florence is the next best thing, LOL, and I don't think he's walking through that door.

 

[cstjohn17]

I hope one of the Florida teams offers Samuel a boat load of cash to come home because if they don't he'll be wearing green and white next year.

Another upside to grabbing Trufant is paying Seattle back for some of their tampering and I think he would fit in our system as well as Samuel. I have no idea if Trufant would take a little less like a Colvin or AD to play for a winner or if he's like a Samuel or Clement looking for every last nickle.

I also wonder if the camera incident will cause FAs to think twice about coming in.

It's a pretty thin market after the top two, I think Drayton Florence is the next best thing, LOL, and I don't think he's walking through that door.

I like Samuel more than Trufant, call it the mirror syndrome. Players always look better from afar. Both of them are likely to bank so it is a mute point.

It has been raised before, but if something could be worked out with Gay it would really help the situation for 08.

CBs Signed (or under control) for 08, there are no mid tier players.
- Top tier - Starting quality - Hobbs
- Mid Tier - Good depth players (start in a pinch) -
- Bottom Tier - Unproven talent competing for 5th or 6th spot - Richardson, Eddie Jackson, Gemara Williams

Please no more talk of Merriweather moving to CB, he is a Safety and even as a Safety he has to improve his coverage skills. He is all but a lock to take over for Wilson in 08.

Going into FA/Draft with Hobbs & Gay is much better than trying to find an additional starter and fill in the mid-tier. Add a veteran JAG similar to Chad Scott and a Day 1 draft pick and CB looks pretty good.

Despita all of this my preference is still to extend Samuel, I see him as a young improving player in his prime and knows the system.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Based on how it's looking now, I doubt that either Samuel or Gay will be on the Pats team next year.

I would not be surprised to see one of them with the Jets next season.

Fortunately I'm hping BB drafts CB Lowery of San Diego State next April. I think this guy has the best ball skills as a CB in the country. He appears to be a willing tackler, but needs technique help, which BB could supply by the truckloads.