Tannenbaum: If Ajayi can't pass protect, he won't play

[thaemcee2]

This is the first time I am hearing Jay Ajayi having a hard time in training camp...we know he had some fumble and pass pro issues in college but damn he just got called out...hope he fixes it soon and im sure he will with more reps and experience...lamar miller also started out pretty weak in pass pro his rookie year and he still did pretty good otherwise....

i wish I could actually watch their practices on TV somehow instead of reading what happens each day

"There are things we like about (Ajayi), but if he can't pass protect, he will never be active," Tannenbaum said Tuesday, per the Miami Herald. "I don't care how talented he is between the tackles. If Jay Ajayi can't pass protect, he won't be active."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...f-rb-jay-ajayi-cant-pass-protect-he-wont-play

 

[phinfan40353]

I think he's being called out... because they see and want him to be #1. He might have been drafted later, but I truly believe they envision him be a true RB1 that can be on the field all 3 downs.

Don't consider it disappointment as much as it is an indirect communication of the real opportunity he has and what they need him to improve to reach those goals.

I'd say the game is playing pretty fast for him right. This regime has a history of committing to and developing players. I have no concerns with him being able to make the Final 53. But we have a bountiful supply of talent at several skill positions and the players shouldn't be leaving difficult decisions in the hands of coaches. The players need to prove their ability on the field.

Ajayi should consider it a compliment that he is being singled out. There are positive vibes under those criticisms.

 

[mrhankey81701]

This is common for rookie RBs. Most that come into the NFL originally struggle with pass protection. Rookie RBs that excel at pass protection are the exception not the rule. I take this as coach/GM talk more then anything, every rookie has to improve weaknesses in their game if they hope to play meaningful snaps. Fortunately we aren't relying to heavily on Ajayi this year unless injuries occur.

 

[BigNastyFish]

Love the kid but I think a number of peeps on here have him overrated in comparison to the talent we have @RB.

Time will tell.

 

[hoops]

i didn't have many expectations here and camp hasn't changed it...

 

[Daytona Fin]

From what I have read, he has disappeared since the pads came on. Kind of expected from a rookie. Hope he can be a major contributor in 2016.

 

[Yessir]

I was crying laughing when I saw some post on here saying he's a better prospect than Melvin Gordon lol.

 

[Tannchise]

wow, how times have changed from being the steal of the draft.

I'll take the heat.....I bet Ray Rice is willing to block. Camp is almost a week old, they know who's a fraud and who isn't.

 

[mahmacoat]

This is common for rookie RBs. Most that come into the NFL originally struggle with pass protection. Rookie RBs that excel at pass protection are the exception not the rule. I take this as coach/GM talk more then anything, every rookie has to improve weaknesses in their game if they hope to play meaningful snaps. Fortunately we aren't relying to heavily on Ajayi this year unless injuries occur.

I'm glad one person here knows the game

it has been proven statistically that blitzes lose effectiveness as the NFL season progresses. now why would that be? its because protection schemes are complex and not easy to learn.

people throwing Ajayi under the bus now are an embarrassment

 

[oasis]

Great example of a quote being taken out of context. Can't believe this made headlines on NFL.com.

Watch the Tannenbaum interview video on the team website and then see if you think he was calling Ajayi out.

 

[hoops]

im not throwing him under the bus i didnt like his college tape...ball held like a loaf of bread in traffic tendency to bounce things wide instead of get north and south at the 2nd level and at the los and gives the opposition a ton to tackle and takes hard hard direct contact even at the collegiate level...so far he's fumbled (ball security) and they have been saying in reports that he's not putting his foot down and getting north and south

pass pro wise i know he stoned misi and put him on his rear one rep

 

[gdiaz0358]

The kid will be fine, he is a big back, so pass pro shouldn't be hard for him to pick up. Glad they're humbling him by calling him out and making him realize he needs to EARN the #1 back role.

 

[FinJay614]

I think he's suggesting that we have options and aren't depending on a back who is unable/not willing to block. He may be superior running the ball, but if his presence in the backfield signals the play, then his performance will suffer, as will the team's.

 

[xXwarXx]

Very few rookies, don't have problems with pass protection.

I'm not worried about it.

The only rookie last year that got any real burn was Jeremy Hill, and he didn't get on the field consistency until almost halfway through the season.

Rookie rbs don't play much if they don't pass protect, that's how it works on every team.

 

[oasis]

I think he's suggesting that we have options and aren't depending on a back who is unable/not willing to block. He may be superior running the ball, but if his presence in the backfield signals the play, then his performance will suffer, as will the team's.

Bingo. He was using Ajayi as an example, not calling him out specifically.