Vincent Valentine - Glass half full?

[Gronk]

He's clearly a ****y, and will be useless while at least one player picked after him becomes reasonably successful.

On the plus side there are no indications he is a Muslim so he will not be deported by President Trump shortly before next year's Super Bowl.

 

[long distance]

Big, talented, athletic guy. No problem with taking a guy like this in the 90s. A calculated risk. For some reason, I think it pans out.

Let's leave the talent (at least football talent) out for the moment.
But he can be unbelievably agile for his frame.
In any case it will be fun to watch what they can make out of him. He can be a gem.

 

[manxman2601]

Dane Brugler on Valentine speaking as the pick was made on the Cowboys Draft Show live podcast.

"I gave Valentine a 4th round grade. Big thing that worried me was that he only played in 10 games. Only played in 10 games and only had 10 tackles....A player who you see some inconsistent reps due to spotty technique but he has a lot of upside and it's very intriguing what he can bring to a rotation. A space eater, stacks the point of attack. Maintains that spot with his natural size and power so if the Patriots coaches get him to play to the level that he's capable, he's an excellent pick here."​

 

[JarOfMayo51]

The strength and conditioning coach can work on his upper body strength and improve that a lot I'm sure, but in the trenches lower body strength might arguable be more important since you're engaging and driving with your legs

He's certainly got an insane amount of lower body strength, hopefully with some training he'll improve upper and be more effective at shedding blockers

 

[captain stone]

Slow, weak, lazy…Fat Vinnie Valentine = Bills Worst 3rd-rounder ever, and that's saying a lot.

If Bill were looking for DTs at 96, then the Obvious choices should've been Hassan Ridgeway, Willie Henry, Andrew Billings & Sheldon Day, in that order. DE Charles Tapper was also available.

 

[mihap]

Slow, weak, lazy…Fat Vinnie Valentine = Bills Worst 3rd-rounder ever, and that's saying a lot.

If Bill were looking for DTs at 96, then the Obvious choices should've been Hassan Ridgeway, Willie Henry, Andrew Billings & Sheldon Day, in that order. DE Charles Tapper was also available.

Repeating ankle injuries are huge concern, but if by any chance he stays healthy i think he would be better than above guys considering Branch and Knighzon leave next year.

 

[The Gr8est]

Slow, weak, lazy…Fat Vinnie Valentine = Bills Worst 3rd-rounder ever, and that's saying a lot.

If Bill were looking for DTs at 96, then the Obvious choices should've been Hassan Ridgeway, Willie Henry, Andrew Billings & Sheldon Day, in that order. DE Charles Tapper was also available.

So one team drafted Valentine at 96, but all 32 teams passed on Tapper - 101, Day - 103, Ridgeway - 116, Billings - 122, and Henry - 132, until the next round.

Hmmmmm.........

 

[Betterthanmost]

My take from his recent media Q&A is that he was made at the Patriots factory. BB will love him dearly.
We are blessed with riches on the DL. Better than last season though it was also very strong.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Slow, weak, lazy…Fat Vinnie Valentine = Bills Worst 3rd-rounder ever, and that's saying a lot.

If Bill were looking for DTs at 96, then the Obvious choices should've been Hassan Ridgeway, Willie Henry, Andrew Billings & Sheldon Day, in that order. DE Charles Tapper was also available.

Weak? He squatted 740lbs

Slow? 2nd best shuttle time in 10 years for a player over 325lb.

Lazy? Maybe. Didn't look like it on the tape but could be I guess.

 

[patchick]

Slow, weak, lazy…Fat Vinnie Valentine = Bills Worst 3rd-rounder ever, and that's saying a lot.

If Bill were looking for DTs at 96, then the Obvious choices should've been Hassan Ridgeway, Willie Henry, Andrew Billings & Sheldon Day, in that order. DE Charles Tapper was also available.

As you know, I share your aversion to non-athletic "space eaters" on the line. But that's not the rap on Valentine. Compare to the much smaller Andrew Billings:

Height Weight 10yds Vert Broad Shuttle Cone
AB: 6'1" 311 1.77 27.5" 09'05" 4.82 8.05
VV: 6'4" 329 1.77 29" 09'02" 4.59 8.03

For a direct comparison to a player Valentine's size, try 1st-round pick Vernon Butler:

VB: 6'4" 323 1.82 29.5" 08'08" 4.76 7.82

Valentine's a very good athletic specimen for a big guy. The question marks -- and they are serious question marks -- are about effort and attitude. FWIW the Patriots have had a good track record lately of lighting a fire under big DTs like Branch and Hicks.