Merged: Ask Boomer (No B.S. Wanted)
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ckparrothead
Premium Member
Ace88 said:
The obvious comparisons are Jason Taylor...John Abraham...Willie McGinest...those guys. He's not as heavy as McGinest, it is good to note.
He's basically a Taylor clone. He came in 6'5" and some change, 241 pounds. The most he's ever weighed is 247 pounds he says...so he's never going to be a real heavy player. He did 23 reps of the 225 pound press.
He's very experienced at the art of the pass rush, and he knows how you have to play the mental game with a range of moves as well as the physical game with lightning off the edge. Honestly I love the guy as a 4-3 DE...I think any team looking for a RDE in the 4-3 should be staring right at him because he's the best 4-3 DE in the draft bar none (not even Mario Williams is better as a 4-3 DE, IMO). I see Williams being more impact as a 3-4 DE that kind of moves inside/out and uses his athleticism and huge size all over the place.
But Manny Lawson was voted by coaches and players as the team MVP this year on defense, not Mario Williams. This situation reminds me of how Jason Taylor and Adewale Ogunleye combined for so many sacks a few years ago, but Ogun had more than JT. Don't get me wrong I'm not starting some "Mario Williams is overrated" sentiment, just saying that Manny and Mario should be rated more closely to one another than has been written so far.
He claims his best 40 time was a 4.45 and he was hoping to beat his best in Indy. Even if he doesn't that's tremendous athleticism. I haven't seen the official results yet but I believe he has a 46 inch vertical too (unbelievable).
He played linebacker as a freshman and sophomore, so he's familiar with the position...and he says he's very comfortable in coverage because he's had zone coverage responsibilities his whole career even as a DE.
He's a team leader, a tremendous player, and I think he's got to be a serious possibility at pick #16. If we don't take him at #16, I believe the Patriots will take him at #21.
burghPhinFan said:
Thing is, in the sterile atmosphere of the RCA Dome, with no rushers and time to think about things like footwork etc. then I'm sure he looked better. Just pop in a BG game and you'll see what I mean. I think the Dolphins are locked in on 3 QB's, Whitehurst, Croyle and Clemons.
nick1 said:
I think he's an elite college QB, much like Steve Taylor, Charlie Ward, Tommie Frazier, et al. He hasn't shown me consistent NFL anything in terms of mechanics, decision making, touch, arm, accuracy, ability to make NFL throws etc. Coupled with a horrible off-season of poor advice and decision making from Team Vince Young and capped off with the 6 on the Wonderlich.........I don't agree.
nick1 said:
Not for QB's it isn't. When you're asking a guy to study complex NFL systems, break down a Bill Belichek defense and the kid can't even get to double figures on a pretty basic test, that's an issue. And a huge one right there.
There were criticisms of Mack Brown for simplifying the UT offense and for almost giving up on coaching Young. I think all those critics should be apologising to the coach about now as it's pretty clear why that offense was boiled down to what it was.
tmny99
Glory Glory to Ole Georgia
Gentlemen, what do you think of Whitehurst's decision to not throw at the combine? I'm thinking it must be health related because his arm definitely didn't look full strength at All Star Challenge. Also do you think this will affect his stock.
motioncityhifi said:
I like Devin Aromashadu and I also like Ben Obamanu as well, the 3rd of that Auburn triumverate. He - Aromashadu - ran well today, he's raw, but apparently has a 42 inch vertical. He runs good routes but he needs coaching up. He doesn't block well down the field but all his faults are coachable. He has big play threat written all over him IMHO.
Miami has shown a lot of interest in Joseph. We would consider him a strong candidate at 51 in the unlikely event of him still being available. Seems as though Coach Saban went after him pretty hard in Mobile with interviews etc. He's a good player who can play inside and out.
nick1 said:
Sorry mate, I disagree with that wholeheartedly. There is a LOT of concern about his motion. It doesn't matter how tall he is, the ball is still coming out lower than his actual height. And he's not playing against midgets either.
tmny99 said:
Strange and I think it's affected his stock somewhat because some people put on a show today and really helped themselves. I don't believe he believes he's in that group with Cutler and Leinart, and it isn't as though he doesn't have the good arm because he does. I just think sometimes you just have to get out there and get it done. If you lose some ground, you make it up again at your Pro Day. I mean, it's throwing a football, not arthriscopic knee surgery. He's been doing it every day of his life since he was about 4.
Boomer this is just more of an opinion question.
Demetrius Williams or Richard Marshall in the 2nd, or a completely different direction?
Demetrius Williams or Richard Marshall in the 2nd, or a completely different direction?
Ace88 said:
I agree with all that CK's written. I know that he's being considered strongly by Romeo Crennell and his team. Romeo had such great success with McGinest and of course saw JT and Abraham twice a year for a lot of years, so he knows what a clone of those guys can do for a defense.
This is a kid who went to the Senior Bowl and flat out proved he could cover a back out of the backfield, could live with a TE in coverage, as well as flash the outstanding rush ability off the edge. He possesses terrific hands, is strong - in Mobile, he bullrushed Marcus McNeil into the QB. Remember, McNeil is what, 6'7 and 339lbs. He's giving Lawson just under 100lbs. I also love his hustle to the ball, similar to Taylor. JT NEVER gives up on a play, never ever and it's very commonplace to see him 30,40 yards downfield hustling a play. And Lawson's diagnosis and recognition skills have always impressed me as well. He reads the game of football very well.
I have no doubt he'll be high on Saban's radar - the chance to mold his own Jason Taylor from a rookie - and he'd be in my top 10 of picks for the 16 spot.
ChambersWI said:
Well mate it would depend on what we did in 1. I also don't see Demetrius going that high. Marshall is an intriguing guy who we have been all over in Indy. The Pat Hill connection also can't be sniffed at. Had he stayed a year longer at Fresno State, he's pushing R1. He'd have to be in the mix as our 2nd rounder.
ckparrothead
Premium Member
Boomer said:
I'd probably go with Marshall but I consider it a good question. I think Demetrius is the 4th best non-QB wide receiver prospect in the draft, behind Holmes, Jackson, and Moss. He's a spidery guy that always catches with his hands, has really good RAC instincts, long lean frame (needs some bulk) and he reminds me of Keenan McCardell. He doesn't have great straight line speed but so far he's managed to stand out every opportunity he's had. He was arguably the best receiver at the Senior Bowl maybe outside of Sinorice Moss. Now, supposedly he's looked good in the drills at the Combine but did not run there.