Off The Grid
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2010
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...That's "OutSide LineBackers" to you Earthlings.
8th in a Series
Good Evening, Ladies and Gents...
I humbly and quietly offer this Thread ~ the 8th of many, as I'll be circumnavigating the entire Roster ~ to my Fellow Patriots Fans ~ KoolAid Soaked Homers + Bile Soaked Haters, alike!! ~ as a Gathering Place ~ a common reference ~ for Flanker Prospects.
***
Zach Brown of North Carolina ~ 6.2/230
Zach Brown is an exceptionally gifted Athlete. He's blessed not only with blazing Speed, but commands outstanding Fluidity and explosive Torsion out of his breaks when he needs to rapidly redirect: as a Pass Defending Flanker ~ that's OutSide LineBacker, to you Earthlings!! ~ he is amazing.
As a Run Defender, he needs more work...or another 15 pounds.
Brown is clearly destined to play the Will, lest Tight Ends run over him all day...But he is far and away the best Pass Defender of this year's Flankers and in today's NFL, that makes his skill set a prized commodity, indeed.
Stud Horse!!
***
Courtney Upshaw of Alabama ~ 6.2/264
Courtney Upshaw brings an outstanding fusion of Run Defense and Pass Rush to the table.
He boasts tremendous Core Strength and excellent Mechanics, and can be a Bear to run on.
The very same strengths make him a Beast on the Pass Rush.
As a Pass Defender, however, he gets dubious grades on his Torsion ~ that's Turn + Burn Acuity, Earthlings!!
Upshaw clearly projects as a Sam Flanker ~ OutSide LineBacker, Earthlings!! ~ where his strengths as a Run Defender and Pass Rusher can best be featured. Obviously, you don't want him at Will Flanker, where Running Backs will be running past him, all day!!
As a Sam Flanker, though ~ or remaining at Defensive End ~ his lofty Market Value is fully warranted.
Stud Horse!!
***
Brandon Lindsey of PittsBurgh ~ 6.2/250
Brandon Lindsey has solid, balanced physical skills, making him a viable threat as a Pass Rusher, as well as a decent Run Defender, and a solid Pass Defender.
He has unremarkable Core Strength, but excellent Core Flexibility, and his commendable Lateral Agility and superior Processing Speed and Diagnostic Acuity give him an edge, going into the Draft.
This is a guy with only slightly superior physical talents, but who understands the game very well, and can probably be expected to do his job effectively at the next level, and indeed to improve as time marches on. His 2nd or 3rd Round Market Value is a little rich, perhaps, but not egregiously so.
Player!!
***
Bruce Irvin of West Virginia ~ 6.2/245
Bruce Irvin is the most dangerous Pass Rusher in the entire 2012 Draft.
He commands frighteningly explosive Launch Velocity.
His Core Strength is only average, but he commands outstanding Fluidity, Torsion, and Lateral Agility.
He's extremely new to the job, and he shows it, but he already exhibits tremendous Instincts and Diagnostic Acuity, which can only get better as he continues to master it.
His resume is very thin on Run Defense and Pass Defense. While his mesmerizing natural skills suggest that he could become awfully good at both, growing pains will abound in the early going.
His Past is scary as Hell, bad enough that he'll be off many Boards...But he's scrapped and clawed his way out'f the darkness, and now gets accolades for his Focus and Passion.
He was over hyped coming into his Senior year, but with his stats having returned to Earth, his Market Value has slid rather emphatically: He's actually looking at the 2nd or 3rd Round, at this point. Irvin is a classic High Risk ~ High Reward pay, but and if he remains that range, he'll be one of the great Steals of the Draft!!
Sleeper Super Beast!!
***
LaVonte David of Nebraska ~ 6.1/225
LaVonte David has a smaller Frame, so he will always have some limitations in Run Defense and in his Pass Rush.
But he commands a stunning fusion of frightening Launch Velocity, powerfull, coiled Core Strength, incredibly explosive Torsion out of his breaks, sweet Fluidity, tremendous Lateral Agility, and absolutely mesmerizing Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ as a Pass Defender.
But all that pales in comparison to the lofty grades he gets for exceptional Diagnostic Acuity and stunning Processing Speed: Young Mister David projects, in my book, as a Master of the Game.
He could play anywhere and contribute consistently and well, but if one were to harness his full potential, it would seem that Will Flanker ~ OLB, Earthlings!! ~ preferably in a Cover 2, would be his best bet.
Because of his size and his pedestrian "40" time, David is looking at a Market Value somewhere in the 2nd or, more likely, the 3rd Round. For my money, that is an absolutely amazing Bargain.
This guy has "How the hell did such a short, small, slow guy forge such an amazing career??" written all over him.
...If he doesn't get killed in an head on collision.
Sleeper Beast!!
***
Travis Lewis of Oklahoma ~ 6.2/228
Travis Lewis command exceptional Core Strength, tremendous Fluidity, and absolutely outstanding Lateral Agility in the Run Game, and while his size will always be a concern, he consistently plays low, moves quickly, and brings explosive Torsion out of his breaks, winning many Leverage Battles and making plays.
In the Passing Game, he brings great Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity, to you Earthlings!! ~ to the table, and, above all, both excellent Diagnostic Acuity and superior Processing Speed, allowing him to reliably and consistently read the play, flip the hips, burst on the ball, and arrive on time.
As with most smaller Flankers ~ OLB's, to you Earthlings!! ~ he'd be best as a Will Flanker, preferably in a Cover 2, but he should be a remarkable one. Looking at a 2nd or 3rd ~ probably 3rd ~ Round Market Value, I would cal him a pretty sweet Bargain to the team that drafts him, should that Market Value prove true in late April.
Sleeper Stud Horse!!
***
Kenny Tate of MaryLand ~ 6.4/220
Kenny Tate was projected as a Free Safety, last year.
Fail.
Kenny Tate is projected as a Flanker ~ OLB, to you Earthlings ~ this year.
Fail.
Kenny Tate is Strong Safety ~ perhaps a Rover Back in the "425" Big Nickel ~ and potentially a good one.
His Diagnostic Acuity and Processing Speed are excellent: He Reads + Reacts Rapidly.
His Athleticism ~ his Lateral Agility, his Fluidity, and his Torsion ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ are exceptional.
His Verticity ~ his Turn + Burn Acuity, Earthlings ~ sucks.
But his Smarts and his Athleticism should allow him to make that aspect of his Game acceptable.
Tate's Market Value is hard to evaluate, because of his Injury...
Indeed, he would be best served by being allowed to return for an additional year of eligibility...
Dark Horse!!
***
Keenan Robinson of Texas ~ 6.3/240
Keenan Robinson brings exceptional Athleticism to the table ~ Lateral Agility, Fluidity, and Torsion ~ Burst out of his Breaks, to you Earthlings.
But he doesn't bring much else.
He get dubious grades on his Core Strength and Core Flexibility, and while he can get to play with the best of'm, he can most definitely be run on.
And his Verticity in the Passing Game ~ Turn + Burn Acuity, Earthlings!! ~ is equally sketchy.
Exacerbating his physical limitations are doubts about his Diagnostic Acuity and Processing Speed.
As a projected 3rd or 4th Rounder, he strikes me as highly OverRated.
OverRated!!
***
Sean Spence of Miami ~ 5.11/224
Sean Spence isn't the biggest guy in the world, and doesn't command the Core Strength to make up for it.
He can be run on.
In the Passing Game, though, he brings outstanding Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ to the table.
I see Sean Spence as a good but not exceptional fit in a Cover 2.
Indeed, you could make a very strong Argument that he'd be best as Strong Safety.
Currently, his Market Value seems to be floating around the 3rd or 4th Round, and that looks to be about right...
Role Player!!
8th in a Series
Good Evening, Ladies and Gents...
I humbly and quietly offer this Thread ~ the 8th of many, as I'll be circumnavigating the entire Roster ~ to my Fellow Patriots Fans ~ KoolAid Soaked Homers + Bile Soaked Haters, alike!! ~ as a Gathering Place ~ a common reference ~ for Flanker Prospects.
***
Zach Brown of North Carolina ~ 6.2/230
Zach Brown is an exceptionally gifted Athlete. He's blessed not only with blazing Speed, but commands outstanding Fluidity and explosive Torsion out of his breaks when he needs to rapidly redirect: as a Pass Defending Flanker ~ that's OutSide LineBacker, to you Earthlings!! ~ he is amazing.
As a Run Defender, he needs more work...or another 15 pounds.
Brown is clearly destined to play the Will, lest Tight Ends run over him all day...But he is far and away the best Pass Defender of this year's Flankers and in today's NFL, that makes his skill set a prized commodity, indeed.
Stud Horse!!
***
Courtney Upshaw of Alabama ~ 6.2/264
Courtney Upshaw brings an outstanding fusion of Run Defense and Pass Rush to the table.
He boasts tremendous Core Strength and excellent Mechanics, and can be a Bear to run on.
The very same strengths make him a Beast on the Pass Rush.
As a Pass Defender, however, he gets dubious grades on his Torsion ~ that's Turn + Burn Acuity, Earthlings!!
Upshaw clearly projects as a Sam Flanker ~ OutSide LineBacker, Earthlings!! ~ where his strengths as a Run Defender and Pass Rusher can best be featured. Obviously, you don't want him at Will Flanker, where Running Backs will be running past him, all day!!
As a Sam Flanker, though ~ or remaining at Defensive End ~ his lofty Market Value is fully warranted.
Stud Horse!!
***
Brandon Lindsey of PittsBurgh ~ 6.2/250
Brandon Lindsey has solid, balanced physical skills, making him a viable threat as a Pass Rusher, as well as a decent Run Defender, and a solid Pass Defender.
He has unremarkable Core Strength, but excellent Core Flexibility, and his commendable Lateral Agility and superior Processing Speed and Diagnostic Acuity give him an edge, going into the Draft.
This is a guy with only slightly superior physical talents, but who understands the game very well, and can probably be expected to do his job effectively at the next level, and indeed to improve as time marches on. His 2nd or 3rd Round Market Value is a little rich, perhaps, but not egregiously so.
Player!!
***
Bruce Irvin of West Virginia ~ 6.2/245
Bruce Irvin is the most dangerous Pass Rusher in the entire 2012 Draft.
He commands frighteningly explosive Launch Velocity.
His Core Strength is only average, but he commands outstanding Fluidity, Torsion, and Lateral Agility.
He's extremely new to the job, and he shows it, but he already exhibits tremendous Instincts and Diagnostic Acuity, which can only get better as he continues to master it.
His resume is very thin on Run Defense and Pass Defense. While his mesmerizing natural skills suggest that he could become awfully good at both, growing pains will abound in the early going.
His Past is scary as Hell, bad enough that he'll be off many Boards...But he's scrapped and clawed his way out'f the darkness, and now gets accolades for his Focus and Passion.
He was over hyped coming into his Senior year, but with his stats having returned to Earth, his Market Value has slid rather emphatically: He's actually looking at the 2nd or 3rd Round, at this point. Irvin is a classic High Risk ~ High Reward pay, but and if he remains that range, he'll be one of the great Steals of the Draft!!
Sleeper Super Beast!!
***
LaVonte David of Nebraska ~ 6.1/225
LaVonte David has a smaller Frame, so he will always have some limitations in Run Defense and in his Pass Rush.
But he commands a stunning fusion of frightening Launch Velocity, powerfull, coiled Core Strength, incredibly explosive Torsion out of his breaks, sweet Fluidity, tremendous Lateral Agility, and absolutely mesmerizing Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ as a Pass Defender.
But all that pales in comparison to the lofty grades he gets for exceptional Diagnostic Acuity and stunning Processing Speed: Young Mister David projects, in my book, as a Master of the Game.
He could play anywhere and contribute consistently and well, but if one were to harness his full potential, it would seem that Will Flanker ~ OLB, Earthlings!! ~ preferably in a Cover 2, would be his best bet.
Because of his size and his pedestrian "40" time, David is looking at a Market Value somewhere in the 2nd or, more likely, the 3rd Round. For my money, that is an absolutely amazing Bargain.
This guy has "How the hell did such a short, small, slow guy forge such an amazing career??" written all over him.
...If he doesn't get killed in an head on collision.
Sleeper Beast!!
***
Travis Lewis of Oklahoma ~ 6.2/228
Travis Lewis command exceptional Core Strength, tremendous Fluidity, and absolutely outstanding Lateral Agility in the Run Game, and while his size will always be a concern, he consistently plays low, moves quickly, and brings explosive Torsion out of his breaks, winning many Leverage Battles and making plays.
In the Passing Game, he brings great Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity, to you Earthlings!! ~ to the table, and, above all, both excellent Diagnostic Acuity and superior Processing Speed, allowing him to reliably and consistently read the play, flip the hips, burst on the ball, and arrive on time.
As with most smaller Flankers ~ OLB's, to you Earthlings!! ~ he'd be best as a Will Flanker, preferably in a Cover 2, but he should be a remarkable one. Looking at a 2nd or 3rd ~ probably 3rd ~ Round Market Value, I would cal him a pretty sweet Bargain to the team that drafts him, should that Market Value prove true in late April.
Sleeper Stud Horse!!
***
Kenny Tate of MaryLand ~ 6.4/220
Kenny Tate was projected as a Free Safety, last year.
Fail.
Kenny Tate is projected as a Flanker ~ OLB, to you Earthlings ~ this year.
Fail.
Kenny Tate is Strong Safety ~ perhaps a Rover Back in the "425" Big Nickel ~ and potentially a good one.
His Diagnostic Acuity and Processing Speed are excellent: He Reads + Reacts Rapidly.
His Athleticism ~ his Lateral Agility, his Fluidity, and his Torsion ~ Burst out of Breaks ~ are exceptional.
His Verticity ~ his Turn + Burn Acuity, Earthlings ~ sucks.
But his Smarts and his Athleticism should allow him to make that aspect of his Game acceptable.
Tate's Market Value is hard to evaluate, because of his Injury...
Indeed, he would be best served by being allowed to return for an additional year of eligibility...
Dark Horse!!
***
Keenan Robinson of Texas ~ 6.3/240
Keenan Robinson brings exceptional Athleticism to the table ~ Lateral Agility, Fluidity, and Torsion ~ Burst out of his Breaks, to you Earthlings.
But he doesn't bring much else.
He get dubious grades on his Core Strength and Core Flexibility, and while he can get to play with the best of'm, he can most definitely be run on.
And his Verticity in the Passing Game ~ Turn + Burn Acuity, Earthlings!! ~ is equally sketchy.
Exacerbating his physical limitations are doubts about his Diagnostic Acuity and Processing Speed.
As a projected 3rd or 4th Rounder, he strikes me as highly OverRated.
OverRated!!
***
Sean Spence of Miami ~ 5.11/224
Sean Spence isn't the biggest guy in the world, and doesn't command the Core Strength to make up for it.
He can be run on.
In the Passing Game, though, he brings outstanding Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ to the table.
I see Sean Spence as a good but not exceptional fit in a Cover 2.
Indeed, you could make a very strong Argument that he'd be best as Strong Safety.
Currently, his Market Value seems to be floating around the 3rd or 4th Round, and that looks to be about right...
Role Player!!