Thoughts on Dominique Easley?

[Marqui]

his best game (so far) was against Cincy

That's definitely not a fact.

 

[Sfpat]

Easley looks like a bust. Is it actually possible to overrreact more?

But the standard here is not all pro by end of first walk through at rookie mini camp = bust............

(personally, I think he's just a rookie and like almost every rookie who has ever entered the league needs time to learn how to play NFL football, but that's just me)

 

[everlong]

I'd like to know the percentage of snaps he's playing in different assigments. I assumed when they picked him that he would be the gap penetrating 3 technique in the 4-3 under but he's been two gapping a lot from what I've seen however I haven't done a true analysis on it. If they're 2 gapping him it's a waste IMO.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Different style player. But, Ty Warren hardly played his rookie year and turned out fine. Most DL need to get stronger before they can play. Easley's knees concerned me a lot more than his ability.

 

[mayoclinic]

BB has said that Easley is ahead of schedule, and that the Pats have liked what they've seen enough to involve him in different roles early on. He's lauded Easley's work ethic, effort, and intelligence. Those are all good signs for the long term.

 

[patfanken]

I've been an early champion of Dominic Easley. I questioned the pick at first but then quickly got on board with it. I even selected his jersey for this site. I felt my expectations were reasonable. I understand that its not unusual for DLmen to take a year or 2 to start to reach their potential. I fully expected some Inconsistent play, but with some dynamic flashes of the explosive burst I saw in college tape that made him so intriguing.

So far I have to say I'm disappointed. I can't think of a single play where he exploded behind the LOS. It could be that his responsibilities have made it hard for him to show up on tape. It could be he's not yet back to full health. Either way, as of this moment, it could be that Zack Moore might be the best defensive rookie of the bunch.

But for the moment though, I'll still keep my jersey, though Easley and Collins are both my biggest disappointments so far.

 

[zipster9]

But the standard here is not all pro by end of first walk through at rookie mini camp = bust............

(personally, I think he's just a rookie and like almost every rookie who has ever entered the league needs time to learn how to play NFL football, but that's just me)

He won't be an impact player, this year. IMO.
I believe he is not 100%. Why push it? Let him play some this year, get him comfortable in formations and play book, and then push him in 2015. In the meantime, we DO need a run-stuffer, by trade if possible. Playoff teams do have stout OL and very good RBs. Patriots need to counter this,

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

In fact, Easley looks a lot smaller than the 290lbs he's listed at, he looks like a LB!

Sat right behind Pats D bench Thursday. Easely is tiny vs any Pats DL and most LBs look much larger.
That said a "small" guy like Bruschi (same height) became a great MLB, but after a few seasons.
I think Easley's game is all speed & quickness and he's not back from injury yet or his speed was only superior to the average Div 1 college OL.

 

[AzorianPats]

That's definitely not a fact.

.......OK......

 

[MrNathanDrake]

A player that hustles as much as Easley will always have a job in the NFL as long as he stays healthy.


He's a guy who, let's be honest, nobody expected him to come out and be DROY. Eveyone knew it would take some time with Easley. The best has yet to come.

 

[mayoclinic]

A player that hustles as much as Easley will always have a job in the NFL as long as he stays healthy.

He's a guy who, let's be honest, nobody expected him to come out and be DROY. Eveyone knew it would take some time with Easley. The best has yet to come.

The rookie who everyone DID expect to come out and be DROY has totaled 1 tackle and 0 sacks in 1 game played so far. So it's premature to judge Easley, coming off an ACL and dealing with another injury.

BTW, Geno Atkins' stats in his first 7 games played in 2010, FWIW: 0 games started, 7 games played, 5 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0 TFL, 0 PD, 0 FF, 0 INT.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Exceeding expectations, per this year's Draftnik Guide...

Who is a draftnik? If you hear “Kuiper Belt” on the science channel and turn up the sound because it might be Mel Kiper, you might be a draftnik. If you still cringe at the names Eugene Chung, Hart Lee Dykes, and especially Chris Canty – because we got the bad one – you might be a draftnik. If you ever shouted “He’s not even the best Kenyatta in the draft!” you might be a draftnik. If your pastor said Jesus was mocked, and you said “what round did he go in?” you might be a draftnik.

And crucially, if you believe that the stack of overpriced guides you picked up at CVS when you were picking up your mom’s Gardacil prescription and an NFL Network Jones worse than Kenyatta make you better at this than the combined brainpower of Bill Belichick and his minions, you are definitely a draftnik.

So now that you know whom I’m speaking for, sit back, relax, shout back at your mom “I’ll be up in a minute,” and enjoy your 2014 rolling draftnik recap!

Round 1, pick 29: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida. 6’2”, 288. With Big Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly both lost to injury during the 2013 season, it only makes sense to shore up the defensive front with fresh legs. In Easley’s case, fresh injured legs. He’s still a self-reported “80% back” from his second ACL tear, but by September will have a full year of rehab under his unimpressive belt, and will be ready for another injury.

We should have drafted Jadeveon Clowney instead. I spent a week on an email to Bill Belichick explaining how to do it, using draft value charts, known facts about why Houston would want to take less than the pick was worth, the rest of this draft and half of the next, and Ryan Mallett. Once again, Bill made the mistake of not heeding my advice.

Easley’s billed as the next-best thing, an explosive, disruptive tackle who’s just as comfortable playing defensive end. He’s got a first step faster than any offensive lineman’s, and they know when the snap’s coming. Also, he’s got a step before that. By the first step of a quarterback’s drop he’s already given an O-lineman three titty twisters and a purple nurple, and he’ll likely be in the backfield by the third. Double-team him on a run play, and that just means he’ll drive a guard and a center (or tackle) into the ball-carrier. The quickest 288 pounds you’ll ever see, when healthy.

Which is never. And did I mention he’s got the wingspan of a half-grown T-Rex? That never mattered in the college ranks, when he took up permanent residence in his opponents’ backfields. But I’ve seen an infographic on how undersized he is, and have decided this will be the death of his pro career. Pats draftnik grade: C.​

But seriously? Give him time. I think by end of year one we'll be happy (especially if he is healthy.)

​

 

[OhExaulted1]

What an idiotic statement.

If he was pick #129 I'd be alot less critical. From what I've seen Zach Moore would have been a better choice at #29. Maybe I'm wrong and in the end a few years from now he's settin' the world on fire, that'd be great. I'm not rooting against Easley. I want him to succeed here. It's just we're getting basically nothing from this rookie class and besides Stork getting healthy and Moore (who's my unsung binkie) the contributions from this class will be non-existent. Besides the KC game White has disappeared. Gallon and Thomas are gone. Halapio, who I think makes it back and may be a contributer, is a Boston Brawler right now.

My point is there are no immediate contributors from this draft class to speak of. Besides the afformentioned 2 of Moore and Stork, the uber-intelligent rocket scientist Fleming may develop. I think he can be a cog in the wheel down the road as well.

My hope is Easley sees me and others picking him as a bust and gets motivated. I've only had brief examples of his personality. Bottom line is your a first round pick for an organization with a tradition of winning. The window is closing. This draft class has so far not resulted in the couple of gems we are used to. I've been a solid fan since about '82 when I was 10, diehard since '93. There was the Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox in the 80's. They were all kings in Portsmouth NH where I grew up. The Patriots were the poor 4th brother.

Call this an idiotic statement, but so far your facts do NOT back up your assertations. I hope and pray I'm incorrect. So far I'ts not turned out that way. For the love of GOD Dominique, prove me wrong. This is the worst draft class I've seen since 1986.

 

[JMC00]

You lose any credibility saying your "unsung binkie" Zach Moore has been a contributor.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Realistically Easley, Moore and the other rookies are going to need a season or two in the strength and conditioning program before we know a able lot more than what we have seen thus far.

 

[jsull87]

Rookie coming of a knee injury with no pre season who is getting reps but suffered another unrelated injury to his shoulder. Missed games but was still rotated in. Playing at a possition that is notable for players taking time to develop.

Hardly a basis for any tangible analysis of a player only 7 games into their NFL career is it.

 

[supafly]

BB has said that Easley is ahead of schedule, and that the Pats have liked what they've seen enough to involve him in different roles early on. He's lauded Easley's work ethic, effort, and intelligence. Those are all good signs for the long term.

Not meaning to be a smartass, mayo--but Belichick will regularly laud Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce etc. I think that part of it is difficult to read.

I definitely agree with you however, that it's a positive sign to see him involved in different roles early on, as well as the fact that he's supposedly ahead of schedule. I think we all realize the talent and potential. Hopefully, he lives up to it and continues to progress.

 

[supafly]

So now that you know whom I’m speaking for, sit back, relax, shout back at your mom “I’ll be up in a minute,” and enjoy your 2014 rolling draftnik recap!

​

I don't talk to my mom when she's home, fool.

We have an agreement. I pay rent. She gives me privacy. There's a sign on my door and everything.

 

[cstjohn17]

Who?

 

[OhExaulted1]

You lose any credibility saying your "unsung binkie" Zach Moore has been a contributor.

You lose all credibility when you can't respond beyond one sentence. Take a chance like this-a second sentence. Try it, it's not so hard.