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[DeaconKnowledge]

Am I the only one who gets depressed seeing former players make it in the NFL only at different positions, making you wonder, damn why did the coaching staff at the school saw what the NFL Coaches saw?

I look at my Alma Mater, Rutgers.

Right now between all the Senior Bowl, East/West Shrine game, and those games like that, it seems every Scarlet Knight in those games is playing out of position and doing well.

Our starting MLB is playing lights out at OLB.

Our former all Big East DT is making waves at DE.

Then I look at the NFL and see all these guys playing new positions. Devin McCourty at S instead of CB, Justin Francis at DE instead of DT, Alex Silvestro at TE instead of DT, I can go on and on, but it just makes you wonder if they weren't needed at where they were originally in College, just how good of a player they could've been.

Yeah, this is part of the reason I don't like watching the college game. Coaches just plug players into their system instead of using their strengths. How demoralizing must it be for Tebow to win awards at accolades at the college level only to reach the NFL to be told he's a worthless quarterback.

 

[Wrayfield]

Am I the only one who gets depressed seeing former players make it in the NFL only at different positions, making you wonder, damn why did the coaching staff at the school saw what the NFL Coaches saw?

I look at my Alma Mater, Rutgers.

Right now between all the Senior Bowl, East/West Shrine game, and those games like that, it seems every Scarlet Knight in those games is playing out of position and doing well.

Our starting MLB is playing lights out at OLB.

Our former all Big East DT is making waves at DE.

Then I look at the NFL and see all these guys playing new positions. Devin McCourty at S instead of CB, Justin Francis at DE instead of DT, Alex Silvestro at TE instead of DT, I can go on and on, but it just makes you wonder if they weren't needed at where they were originally in College, just how good of a player they could've been.

I don't find it so bad. The only time I find it sad is if it's a speedy, most often black, QB who isn't given a chance to develop as a QB and is moved to WR in the NFL.

Positions are just tags. A CB who hasn't played S or R at some point in college (at least in practice) would seriously surprise me. Same goes for many other positions. The only positions I think are hesitant to change their role are speedy contact-shy receivers a la Ginn Jr. Ultimately, they are very limited as football players so not much of a loss.

To sum it up, and with the words of our mutual friend Jon Gruden, they are FOOTBALL players, they play FOOTBALL!

 

[Draxal]

Am I the only one who gets depressed seeing former players make it in the NFL only at different positions, making you wonder, damn why did the coaching staff at the school saw what the NFL Coaches saw?

I look at my Alma Mater, Rutgers.

Right now between all the Senior Bowl, East/West Shrine game, and those games like that, it seems every Scarlet Knight in those games is playing out of position and doing well.

Our starting MLB is playing lights out at OLB.

Our former all Big East DT is making waves at DE.

Then I look at the NFL and see all these guys playing new positions. Devin McCourty at S instead of CB, Justin Francis at DE instead of DT, Alex Silvestro at TE instead of DT, I can go on and on, but it just makes you wonder if they weren't needed at where they were originally in College, just how good of a player they could've been.

Well, Rutger's defense is always undersized as Schiano (and Robb Smith isn't going to change it one bit) always believed in speed >>> size, and always performed well. I have no complaints about the defense for the last couple of years, especially (offense on the other hand was a complete train wreck). Undersized 3 tech dt's often get punted to the end in the NFL.

Rutgers also had all their big 1 tech dt's go out for the season pretty early (Isaac Holmes/Al Page), so Vallone was playing out of position the entire year (and even out of position he was pretty dominant).

Somebody say like Logan Ryan, who's speed may not be perfect for the NFL CB but who played a good press cb in CFB might be a perfect candidate for a safey transition, but it would of been insane not to play him at CB in CFB.

 

[Futurevoid]

Thanks to chuckddd who provided some additional graphics for the OP! (it's been updated with those)

I'm still working on getting the formations/schemes posts done but have been pretty busy at work. I hope to have it all done by the weekend.

 

[bigkrev]

Subscribed, awesome thread idea. I have zero interest in CFB, so i'm always willing to listen to people who do follow it discuss draft stuff.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Am I looking at this image right?

There's only 10 defenders in this diagram, right? Am I missing someone? I've counted it like 10 times.

edit: Okay, it's not just me. The 2nd MLB is missing. Also, the Mack is lined up on the wrong side.

 

[yankeehater]

Yeah they are playing a 3-3-4 defense. lol

 

[Futurevoid]

I literally pullled the first thing I could find for a 3-4 blitz in my rush to get it up. I'll replace it a little later on. I found a good fire zone blitz diagram that will work better as an example.

 

[eznark]

Yeah they are playing a 3-3-4 defense. lol

FV found Juan's playbook!

 

[Futurevoid]

Updated the 3-4 blitz picture (fire zone coverage, two LB'er blitz)

 

[yankeehater]

FV found Juan's playbook!

LOL, Juan is clearly just ahead of the curve. Eventually Goodell is going to lower the # of defenders in the name of player safety.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Updated the 3-4 blitz picture (fire zone coverage, two LB'er blitz)

Both the weak and strong side Linebackers drop? Must be playing the Patriots.

 

[mr2xxx]

Finished looking at two other safeties last night:

T.J Mcdonald- USC FS ( Cal, Arizona, Stanford)

• Big guy with slightly below avg. speed
• Good tackler overall: Solid angles and technique
• Average reaction time/ Instincts
• Coverage is solid, can be lined up on a slower WR/TE if need be
• Doesn’t make plays when playing deep
• Fundamentally Sound player, rarely out of position

McDonald doesn’t have the quick reflexes/instincts and speed needed to be a great FS. He is best suited at SS where he can be used in a variety of ways.

Bicarri Rambo- Georgia FS (Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech)

• Above Avg. Speed
• Can’t shed blockers
• Tackling- Takes good angles and is a good tackler overall. Early in the year he tried a few tackles by standing up which gives him leverage to strip the ball but he would do it one on one which is a disaster waiting to happen. In his final games he showed much improved technique with only a few missteps.
• Reacts quickly to the ball
• Centerfielder Type- Has a good eye for the ball and hands to go along with it.

Currently my favorite FS over Reid, McDonald, and Thomas.

I think Reid is faster than he plays, straight line speed mostly, ask him to turn and run/cover a slot receiver and it gets messy. Really liked Elam during the season, but I've read that hes not as good as he looks. Lots of flaws that haven't been exposed yet. Vaccaro seems to be the guy, but he's more of a slot corner, not sure how he'll play the deep half, but he can certainly cover which is a rarity in that Longhorns secondary.

I'm watching Vaccaro right now and its difficult to judge him as a FS since they do use him so much as a CB. Most obvious reason he is rated #1 though is his speed, dude just flys around the fields and he launches himself into players with wreck less abandon. Fun to watch due to the big hits, but also has his misses and it just seems like he will hurt himself in the NFL.

 

[Futurevoid]

You'll like this, DK. LeBeau loves to use this in fact:

http://blitzology.blogspot.com/2010/04/seam-drop.html

 

[eznark]

http://www.nswca.org/

That might be worth adding, from a history of football standpoint if nothing else. It's the national single wing coaches association. I actually went to their symposium when I was in high school because we were thinking of implementing it (that's how bad my arm was!) They have a bunch of playbooks and I believe some film, haven't checked it out in awhile.

Also, they have a contact list. If you pose as a high school coach interested in running the offense they'll send you all kinds of game film!

 

[Futurevoid]

Added to the resources section. Also added a link to Amazon for Pat Kirwans "Take Your Eye Off the Ball" book.

 

[squicken]

http://i.minus.com/iDUIJwZt8ApLn.jpg[/MG]

Both the weak and strong side Linebackers drop? Must be playing the Patriots.[/QUOTE]

All I can do is reference the games I watched, but Rex does this to a lot of teams. Did it vs STL the whole game. Showed blitzed, then the LBs would fan out to coverage. For some reason Schotty wouldn't run the ball even though they were getting 5 YPC.

Rams also did that for some reason vs Peterson and he took it for 60 yards. Even though it's only a 5-6 man blitz, the retreating players make it really susceptible to big running plays

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

You'll like this, DK. LeBeau loves to use this in fact:

http://blitzology.blogspot.com/2010/04/seam-drop.html

Awesome find, thanks Future.

All I can do is reference the games I watched, but Rex does this to a lot of teams. Did it vs STL the whole game. Showed blitzed, then the LBs would fan out to coverage. For some reason Schotty wouldn't run the ball even though they were getting 5 YPC.

Rams also did that for some reason vs Peterson and he took it for 60 yards. Even though it's only a 5-6 man blitz, the retreating players make it really susceptible to big running plays

Despite the joke, Steelers do drop Woodley and Harrison into coverage together with some occasion. Usually when they're trying to see what formations and plays the offense is running. Lebeau does a lot of holding back based on opponent, and it's burned us on occasion.

 

[BigAT]

Am I the only one who gets depressed seeing former players make it in the NFL only at different positions, making you wonder, damn why did the coaching staff at the school saw what the NFL Coaches saw?

I look at my Alma Mater, Rutgers.

Right now between all the Senior Bowl, East/West Shrine game, and those games like that, it seems every Scarlet Knight in those games is playing out of position and doing well.

Our starting MLB is playing lights out at OLB.

Our former all Big East DT is making waves at DE.

Then I look at the NFL and see all these guys playing new positions. Devin McCourty at S instead of CB, Justin Francis at DE instead of DT, Alex Silvestro at TE instead of DT, I can go on and on, but it just makes you wonder if they weren't needed at where they were originally in College, just how good of a player they could've been.

Hey Petey, aren't you one of the guys that put together the NCAA rosters? I recognize your name from the Scarlet Nation boards.

Draxal already covered it but almost all of those moves were as a result of Schiano valuing speed on defense. It was almost a given that defensive recruits coming into Rutgers would shift down a position where they were undersized, but had a speed advantage. Safeties to linebackers, linebackers to DEs and DEs moved to the inside at DT. It's hard to argue with most of those moves though, it's not like the guys you listed were unsuccessful at the positions they played in college (with the possible exception of Silvestro. He was solid on the DL but it would have been nice to have a good TE given how unreliable the position has been the last few years). It just so happens that they don't always match up with what the NFL views as the prototypical player type for that position, so guys that are obviously talented get shifted and tried out elsewhere.

As to why it happens in college in a general sense, I think there are two reasons for it. One is the extremely wide variety in schemes that exist in college football and the resulting variety of skillsets and player types required to run each scheme. Each coach is going to shift guys around to get what he needs out of them to run his desired playbook. One coach's big, run-stuffing ILB might be another coach's undersized pass rushing DT.

The second is the talent pool coach's are picking from. The NFL is 32 teams picking from an established set of talent with a standard process in place for how players are selected. College football is many more teams competing over a poorly defined group of players. Then there is the murky process of somehow convincing a 17/18-year-old to come to your school, hardly a science. So every coach certainly WANTS a 300+ lbs. DT that has speed and athleticism, but there are very few individuals in the world that are capable of that (see also: Parcells' "planet theory"). Now add in regional limitations and the fact that Alabama seems to get 90% of those guys and all of a sudden it doesn't seem like such a bad idea to move the 245 lbs. DE to the inside and hope he bulks up (or that his speed makes up for his lack of size).

 

[chuckddd]

Both the weak and strong side Linebackers drop? Must be playing the Patriots.

The real question is who leaves their base defense on the field against 10 personnel?

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

The real question is who leaves their base defense on the field against 10 personnel?

Haha, didn't even notice that. 60 yard completion on a swing incoming.

 

[peteykirch]

Hey Petey, aren't you one of the guys that put together the NCAA rosters? I recognize your name from the Scarlet Nation boards.

Draxal already covered it but almost all of those moves were as a result of Schiano valuing speed on defense. It was almost a given that defensive recruits coming into Rutgers would shift down a position where they were undersized, but had a speed advantage. Safeties to linebackers, linebackers to DEs and DEs moved to the inside at DT. It's hard to argue with most of those moves though, it's not like the guys you listed were unsuccessful at the positions they played in college (with the possible exception of Silvestro. He was solid on the DL but it would have been nice to have a good TE given how unreliable the position has been the last few years). It just so happens that they don't always match up with what the NFL views as the prototypical player type for that position, so guys that are obviously talented get shifted and tried out elsewhere.

As to why it happens in college in a general sense, I think there are two reasons for it. One is the extremely wide variety in schemes that exist in college football and the resulting variety of skillsets and player types required to run each scheme. Each coach is going to shift guys around to get what he needs out of them to run his desired playbook. One coach's big, run-stuffing ILB might be another coach's undersized pass rushing DT.

The second is the talent pool coach's are picking from. The NFL is 32 teams picking from an established set of talent with a standard process in place for how players are selected. College football is many more teams competing over a poorly defined group of players. Then there is the murky process of somehow convincing a 17/18-year-old to come to your school, hardly a science. So every coach certainly WANTS a 300+ lbs. DT that has speed and athleticism, but there are very few individuals in the world that are capable of that (see also: Parcells' "planet theory"). Now add in regional limitations and the fact that Alabama seems to get 90% of those guys and all of a sudden it doesn't seem like such a bad idea to move the 245 lbs. DE to the inside and hope he bulks up (or that his speed makes up for his lack of size).

Yeah I'm on one who helped with the rosters, and I'm on Scarlet Nation.

I know the system we run, and the schemes they try to execute, but it's just depressing to see someone whom was okay to average in college, turn out to a stud in the Pros.

It's not like I'm not proud to see a Scarlet Knight make it the league, but it does make you wonder what if there were more players on the team that could fill a void so a stud wasn't playing out of position as much.

I know every coach in the world wants 300+ DTs that can move like the wind, but there might be only a handful available each year in a college recruiting class, so you have to plug in undersized players.

I'm looking toward the future to finally see some of the big beef Rutgers has been recruiting to finally get constant playing time in the middle of the DL. Ideally Hamilton and Merrell should be our ends, and you'd make due with Page,Kirksey,Holmes in the middle.

 

[squicken]

I've mentioned this in the DALE thread before, but figured I'd move it over here. If you guys feel it is out of place, I'll just bring it up over there.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/89877/what-super-bowl-teams-had-in-common

Sando has a little breakdown on the things that the NFCW teams that made SB in the past ten years had in common. And the biggest thing was offensive line continuity. SF started the same 5 all season. Same for Seattle and Arizona in 2005 and 2008, save Seattle resting Walter Jones in a meaningless Week 17 game.

Sometimes when I read draft coverage about offensive line prospects, I really think that having Anthony Munoz types is certainly desirable, but what is needed are just NFL average guys that can stay healthy

Those of you with teams that have made recent runs to the Super Bowl, would you say you had elite OL talent? Good health there when you made it to the game? Did subsequent "poor" seasons coincide with poor OL health?

 

[Futurevoid]

Those of you with teams that have made recent runs to the Super Bowl, would you say you had elite OL talent? Good health there when you made it to the game? Did subsequent "poor" seasons coincide with poor OL health?

2007 Giants, yes. Same 5 starters all season long and that was an elite unit. They continued to play at a high level in both '08 and '09.

2011 Giants? No way. Two of the worst tackles in the game, a right guard that was breaking down and a few of those players missed games often (Baas the center missed several which forced Boothe to move in and play the position and 5th rounder Mitch Petrus to take over the LG position).

Folks will make much of the low sack numbers for the 2012 Giants but Eli doing what he does in the pocket is far too often overlooked. (it really can't be overstated how fucking amazing he was in 2011)

I'm sure a few Steelers fans will comment with more depth but I remember the 2010 Steeler line being a bit of a mess and even the 2008 squad was far from amazing.

I think you make a salient point in having average guys that stay healthy but you I think you need above average talent around them. The 2007/2008 Giants line had weak pieces in David Diehl and Shaun O'Hara. Yes, both went to Pro-Bowls (on reputation, IMO) but they were made to look better by Rich Seubert, Chris Snee and Kareem McKenzie who were all utter monsters in their prime.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Those of you with teams that have made recent runs to the Super Bowl, would you say you had elite OL talent? Good health there when you made it to the game? Did subsequent "poor" seasons coincide with poor OL health?

Haha, no.

Steelers 2008 - Worst Super Bowl winning O line ever. 2010? They were serviceable, but I attribute the bad start against the Packers to their play. Line was solidified by Pouncey who went out in the AFCCG against the Jets. Legursky was a good backup, but he's really small up front and gets lifted up easily on pass plays. He also didn't have great rapport with Kemoeautu, who was a gigantic meathead. They were much better than the 08 squad, and Ben knew their deficiencies and was able to work around them.

This year was definitely in large part to inconsistent o-line play

 

[squicken]

Haha, no.

Steelers 2008 - Worst Super Bowl winning O line ever. 2010? They were serviceable, but I attribute the bad start against the Packers to their play. Line was solidified by Pouncey who went out in the AFCCG against the Jets. They were much better than the 08 squad, and Ben knew their deficiencies and was able to work around them.

This year was definitely in large part to inconsistent o-line play

But your 2005 team had four 16 game starters, and one 12 game starter. Both of your young QBs certainly developed the ability to avoid pressure, but starting out, they had a nice bubble of good defense and protection

There's two conflicting notions here

1. Some say that drafting QBs is entirely luck. You happen to be #1 when a once in a generation guy comes down the pike, or you get a guy in a late round that not even you knew was special

or

2. You have the Chris Brown theory that applies Warren Buffet to the league. When a management team with a reputation for brilliance meets an industry with a reputation for poor fundamentals, it is the reputation of the industry that survives. He used that for Gabber in JAX, with Del Rio and Mularkey and Gene. Gabbert had all the tools, but had no one to help him get better or put him in a position to succeed.

I guess my point is that all these QB evaluations from senior day don't matter as much as we'd think. Have to make the all the throws, and have the right mental makeup. But it's ultimately who drafts them that matters. Obviously some guys like JFat were never going to succeed anywhere, and some guys like Luck can survive supreme stupidity. But most of the high picks are dropped into places with really dumb people in charge. I saw it with Carr and Bradford. I don't know who the Cardinals will draft, but they will draft a QB. And he will be a bust

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

But your 2005 team had four 16 game starters, and one 12 game starter. Both of your young QBs certainly developed the ability to avoid pressure, but starting out, they had a nice bubble of good defense and protection

Yeah, that was the end of a near dynasty on the o-line for the Steelers. Smith, Faneca, Hartings, Simmons, and Starks. Between 05 and 08, Faneca got too expensive and was released, Hartings retired, and Simmons and Smith succumbed to freak injuries.

There's two conflicting notions here

1. Some say that drafting QBs is entirely luck. You happen to be #1 when a once in a generation guy comes down the pike, or you get a guy in a late round that not even you knew was special

or

2. You have the Chris Brown theory that applies Warren Buffet to the league. When a management team with a reputation for brilliance meets an industry with a reputation for poor fundamentals, it is the reputation of the industry that survives. He used that for Gabber in JAX, with Del Rio and Mularkey and Gene. Gabbert had all the tools, but had no one to help him get better or put him in a position to succeed.

I guess my point is that all these QB evaluations from senior day don't matter as much as we'd think. Have to make the all the throws, and have the right mental makeup. But it's ultimately who drafts them that matters. Obviously some guys like JFat were never going to succeed anywhere, and some guys like Luck can survive supreme stupidity. But most of the high picks are dropped into places with really dumb people in charge. I saw it with Carr and Bradford. I don't know who the Cardinals will draft, but they will draft a QB. And he will be a bust

Quarterback should be the crown jewel in your team building, not the first step. Jacksonville Jaguars are a perfect example. They have nothing at receiver, and are mediocre at best at virtually every other position shy of running back. Only the most elite QB's could make hay there and those guys come around once a generation. Blaine Gabbert is not a once in a generation guy.

I really think you have to look at it like a corporation. If you hire a manager who has no quality subordinates to manage, you'll have a problem. Ben succeeded because he was put at the head of an already solid team. They didn't need him to do too much too early. Same with Brady, Kaepernick, Eli, and so on.

 

[squicken]

Quarterback should be the crown jewel in your team building, not the first step. Jacksonville Jaguars are a perfect example. They have nothing at receiver, and are mediocre at best at virtually every other position shy of running back. Only the most elite QB's could make hay there and those guys come around once a generation. Blaine Gabbert is not a once in a generation guy.

I really think you have to look at it like a corporation. If you hire a manager who has no quality subordinates to manage, you'll have a problem. Ben succeeded because he was put at the head of an already solid team. They didn't need him to do too much too early. Same with Brady, Kaepernick, Eli, and so on.

Totally agree. It's like ______ being a good in AZ isn't even a possibility

 

[Wellington]

Those of you with teams that have made recent runs to the Super Bowl, would you say you had elite OL talent? Good health there when you made it to the game? Did subsequent "poor" seasons coincide with poor OL health?

The only thing the Giants/Packers/Steelers/Saints all had in common was a QB playing at an elite level in the playoffs, and a team that as a whole didn't turn the ball over much.

 

[squicken]

The only thing the Giants/Packers/Steelers/Saints all had in common was a QB playing at an elite level in the playoffs, and a team that as a whole didn't turn the ball over much.

2010 Packers four 16 game starters and one 14 game starter

2009 Saints five 16 game starters

QB the most important part, but not everything. WAS, SEA, and SF had great OL health this year. Maybe we are all a little quick to say the revolution has arrived

 

[AlucarD.eq]

Awesome thread, I'm new to the game (I'm playing it with a few friends here in Shanghai) so I'll mostly read and ask a few questions but I'm really glad I found this thread.

 

[bluemax]

The only thing the Giants/Packers/Steelers/Saints all had in common was a QB playing at an elite level in the playoffs, and a team that as a whole didn't turn the ball over much.

The 2005 Seahawks who should have won the Super Bowl had possibly one of the best left side of an offensive line in football history with quite possibly the best left tackle in the history of football. Robbie Tobeck ended up as a Pro Bowl alternate that year, the right side was filled with guys who have had decent if unspectacular careers.

Let's be honest, Shaun Alexander never wins MVP without Walter Jones.

 

[squicken]

I also want to be clear that I am not running down the success of any QB. I'm really not much interested in ranking the elites and what not. What I am curious about is trying to figure out the giant middle class of QBs, and what value do you place on them

There have been several articles this week discussing how Manning and Brady are on cold streaks, with some attributing it to age, or that QB is a young man's position. But I think an alternative factor is that older QBs make more money. That the foundation they provide means they are selecting higher in every round, meaning they can't get those impact players at other positions that they had as younger players. That b/c of their high priced QBs, they can't bring in FAs, and have to let their own walk

As Eli and Rodgers make more money, they'll still get their teams in the playoffs most years. But it will get harder to make it and win there. Sure, they earn their money, but their value declines. So when we look at these middle class QBs who want extension in high rent areas, and they are just borderline playoff teams anyway, why pay?

Who do you pay? When ATL extends Ryan, it gets even harder to win. Flacco is a little different b/c of retiring big money guys on defense who have declined. All the young guys having great years this year is a testament to how much a QB can help. But they are all very cheap. Does Wilson give SEA a 10 year window, or just a window while he's still on his rookie deal?

 

[BigAT]

The 2005 Seahawks who should have won the Super Bowl had possibly one of the best left side of an offensive line in football history with quite possibly the best left tackle in the history of football. Robbie Tobeck ended up as a Pro Bowl alternate that year, the right side was filled with guys who have had decent if unspectacular careers.

Let's be honest, Shaun Alexander never wins MVP without Walter Jones.

Mack Strong blocking for him at fullback too. The six guys in front of him deserved that award more than Alexander did.

 

[Lee Chaolan]

Thanks for the amazing thread. Will subscribe and contribute at some point. Always fancied getting into coaching.

 

[LJ11]

I also want to be clear that I am not running down the success of any QB. I'm really not much interested in ranking the elites and what not. What I am curious about is trying to figure out the giant middle class of QBs, and what value do you place on them

There have been several articles this week discussing how Manning and Brady are on cold streaks, with some attributing it to age, or that QB is a young man's position. But I think an alternative factor is that older QBs make more money. That the foundation they provide means they are selecting higher in every round, meaning they can't get those impact players at other positions that they had as younger players. That b/c of their high priced QBs, they can't bring in FAs, and have to let their own walk

As Eli and Rodgers make more money, they'll still get their teams in the playoffs most years. But it will get harder to make it and win there. Sure, they earn their money, but their value declines. So when we look at these middle class QBs who want extension in high rent areas, and they are just borderline playoff teams anyway, why pay?

Who do you pay? When ATL extends Ryan, it gets even harder to win. Flacco is a little different b/c of retiring big money guys on defense who have declined. All the young guys having great years this year is a testament to how much a QB can help. But they are all very cheap. Does Wilson give SEA a 10 year window, or just a window while he's still on his rookie deal?

Don't think signing them matters as long as your FO doesn't kick it's feet up and think they don't have to continualy evaluate the position. CBA allows you to add cost controlled QBs for nothing. Look at the amount of money a T or G now makes, are they worth the money when you can find equivalent replacements via the draft? I think financial resources are the easiest to manage, it's managing the draft that gets teams in trouble.

 

[andycapps]

Bicarri Rambo- Georgia FS (Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech)

• Above Avg. Speed
• Can’t shed blockers
• Tackling- Takes good angles and is a good tackler overall. Early in the year he tried a few tackles by standing up which gives him leverage to strip the ball but he would do it one on one which is a disaster waiting to happen. In his final games he showed much improved technique with only a few missteps.
• Reacts quickly to the ball
• Centerfielder Type- Has a good eye for the ball and hands to go along with it.

Currently my favorite FS over Reid, McDonald, and Thomas.

Your assessment is pretty right on. UGA puts a big emphasis these days of what I see them do in the pros a lot, which is where if you're the first guy there, you wrap the guy up but try to keep him upright, and then the guys that get there next try to strip the ball out. I do remember a couple instances early in the year like you mentioned of him trying to strip the ball out on his own rather than wrapping the guy up.

He didn't have as many this year, but last year he had 8 interceptions, which was more than Claiborne had that year. He'll be forever loved among Georgia fans for this play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do7i7a4X1Hg

 

[squicken]

Don't think signing them matters as long as your FO doesn't kick it's feet up and think they don't have to continualy evaluate the position. CBA allows you to add cost controlled QBs for nothing. Look at the amount of money a T or G now makes, are they worth the money when you can find equivalent replacements via the draft? I think financial resources are the easiest to manage, it's managing the draft that gets teams in trouble.

Teams have learned to mange their cap, but they certainly have to spend within limits. And yeah, the draft is still key. But you have to actually get better at drafting. Can't stay the same. The picks are later and you can't keep your top talent. Look and New Orleans. Paid Brees, but lost Nicks. How are they better for that?

 

[Draxal]

Yeah I'm on one who helped with the rosters, and I'm on Scarlet Nation.

I know the system we run, and the schemes they try to execute, but it's just depressing to see someone whom was okay to average in college, turn out to a stud in the Pros.

It's not like I'm not proud to see a Scarlet Knight make it the league, but it does make you wonder what if there were more players on the team that could fill a void so a stud wasn't playing out of position as much.

I know every coach in the world wants 300+ DTs that can move like the wind, but there might be only a handful available each year in a college recruiting class, so you have to plug in undersized players.

I'm looking toward the future to finally see some of the big beef Rutgers has been recruiting to finally get constant playing time in the middle of the DL. Ideally Hamilton and Merrell should be our ends, and you'd make due with Page,Kirksey,Holmes in the middle.

Glad you're posting here, as I think Rutgers Gaf has at least six posters posting now.

I can't complain anything about Vallone and Greene (the only thing is that they had maybe too many personal fouls) play at all. The D was loaded except for the end position last year. They were limited by the fact that our overall d was just really good. And somebody like Devin McCourty was dominant in CFB.

The real exception here is Silvestro, but Silvestro was more of a lot experimentation by the NFL coaching staffs.

Rutgers justs needs a good OC coaching hire and some more immediate depth on the OL (Bujari was getting pushed around way too much in the end of year due to injuries), hopefuly we can get the Alexanders, Skai recommits and we get an AQM flip as well. (Not looking likely for all three as well).

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Don't think signing them matters as long as your FO doesn't kick it's feet up and think they don't have to continualy evaluate the position. CBA allows you to add cost controlled QBs for nothing. Look at the amount of money a T or G now makes, are they worth the money when you can find equivalent replacements via the draft? I think financial resources are the easiest to manage, it's managing the draft that gets teams in trouble.

I think complacency plays a big part.

Just looking at the Manning situation with the Colts; his skill really shielded them from a lot of the issues they had on both sides of the ball. Peter King was calling Polian a master of the draft in the offseason before he was fired. Same has happened with Brady. Early 2000's people insisted the Patriots would win with teamwork and excellent coaching, now it's just Brady. "Can't count Brady out". You can when he has no talent around him.

 

[Wellington]

I think complacency plays a big part.

Just looking at the Manning situation with the Colts; his skill really shielded them from a lot of the issues they had on both sides of the ball. Peter King was calling Polian a master of the draft in the offseason before he was fired. Same has happened with Brady. Early 2000's people insisted the Patriots would win with teamwork and excellent coaching, now it's just Brady. "Can't count Brady out". You can when he has no talent around him.

It's funny, we are seeing the same issues pop up with the Giants and the Steelers.

Last time the Giants really invested into the OL was in 2005 when they signed Kareem McKenzie. In 2007/2008, through consistency, the OL was dominant.

I'll start looking at film next week. Too busy with family birthdays.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

It's funny, we are seeing the same issues pop up with the Giants and the Steelers.

Last time the Giants really invested into the OL was in 2005 when they signed Kareem McKenzie. In 2007/2008, through consistency, the OL was dominant.

I'll start looking at film next week. Too busy with family birthdays.

I think the Giants are just starting through it now.

The Steelers won a championship with this mentality. "Ben, oh he makes plays, look at how evasive he is" Now all of a sudden they're scrambling to protect him.

 

[Lonestar]

Your assessment is pretty right on. UGA puts a big emphasis these days of what I see them do in the pros a lot, which is where if you're the first guy there, you wrap the guy up but try to keep him upright, and then the guys that get there next try to strip the ball out. I do remember a couple instances early in the year like you mentioned of him trying to strip the ball out on his own rather than wrapping the guy up.

He didn't have as many this year, but last year he had 8 interceptions, which was more than Claiborne had that year. He'll be forever loved among Georgia fans for this play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do7i7a4X1Hg

Still, Rambo almost turning down a tackle on Lacy in Atlanta doesn't bode well. ;P

But he's got a great name.

 

[andycapps]

Still, Rambo almost turning down a tackle on Lacy in Atlanta doesn't bode well. ;P

But he's got a great name.

Can you blame him? Haha. He's really not a run support guy, to me. ILB's have a hard enough time bringing down a physical guy like Lacy as the game goes on, but Rambo is much more suited for pass protection, obviously.

 

[Futurevoid]

I think the Giants are just starting through it now.

It could get worse before it gets better with two of the anchors on the current line heading into free agency (Beatty and Boothe). Though I think Beatty could easily be franchised. Losing either would be painful.

 

[LJ11]

I think complacency plays a big part.

Just looking at the Manning situation with the Colts; his skill really shielded them from a lot of the issues they had on both sides of the ball. Peter King was calling Polian a master of the draft in the offseason before he was fired. Same has happened with Brady. Early 2000's people insisted the Patriots would win with teamwork and excellent coaching, now it's just Brady. "Can't count Brady out". You can when he has no talent around him.

You keep saying that Brady has no talent around him, but I'm certainly not seeing the lack of talent.

Has the best RT in football, one of the best interior lineman, one of the best young tackles in the game, the best TE, best slot/possession receiver, a flex TE that few teams can defend. If this is a lack of talent on O than most teams have fuck all.

Their D is shit, no question, the rules don't allow Bill's D to hold receivers all day long. Most of the blame can be laid at the feet of their scouting dept and personnel executives. Bill is still drafting LBs to stop the run, not the pass.

At some point, Bill and his cronies decided that the WR position no longer held value, or maybe he realized Brady couldn't attack the boundaries so they went a different direction. Dink and dunk, exploit the middle of the field, back to doing what Brady did when he was first developing as a QB in this league. It was all screens, short throws, use the TE and run game, very few vertical plays.

Maybe Bill thinks Brady isn't what he once was.

 

[chuckddd]

Belichick has eyes. If it's obvious to me that Brady can't throw a deep ball anymore, he's definitely aware of it. I'm sure he watches every practice and thinks about how he can get Mo Lewis to help him try out Ryan Mallett.

 

[Lonestar]

Nevermind this talk of Bill drafting shit for Defense (Hightower will kill you if he finds out, LJ):

CBSSports on Retracting the creation of the Pistol Formation

 

[Dutch Gronk]

Nevermind this talk of Bill drafting shit for Defense (Hightower will kill you if he finds out, LJ):

Hightower has been okay this year. But with him, Mayo and Spikes, you have 3 pretty much the same, big, slow LBs. It's hard to cover anybody when they're much faster than you are.

 

[Lonestar]

Hightower has been okay this year. But with him, Mayo and Spikes, you have 3 pretty much the same, big, slow LBs. It's hard to cover anybody when they're much faster than you are.

Mayo's getting old, and he's a Vol, and Spikes eye gouges people. Sounds like Trade material to me!