Prospects to Watch
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i like the bob sanders comparison quite a bit, too. he's absolutely elite. mays' size and lack of injury history should rule out sanders-like durability concerns.
teams do tend to pick high-INT guys at safety in the top 10. a ballhawk is incredibly valuable to have in the secondary, especially a guy who can patrol center field and come down with the ball. however, it's hard to overlook having an enforcer like mays back there. even if he doesn't get a ton of picks, he'll likely break up passes because he damn near decapitates people.
there's also the possibility of bringing him on blitzes, something that should terrify every quarterback.
i agree about curry's floor being quite high. i think mays' may be something around chuck cecil, though cecil did have 16 picks in 95 career games.
i don't think there's really a bad pick between the two; it just comes down to preference. i've seen mays play more, therefore i'm more comfortable with him. plus, he's a flashy, exciting pick. and a tribseman.
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As I stated in the Rey Who thread...the problem I saw with Mays was that he is looking so much for the BIG HIT that he forgets to wrap up with his arms.
I don't know if it is indicative of the way he always plays or not, but the guy I saw in the first half was lowering his shoulder and leading with it....and leaving his arms down...so players were able to bounce off him on at least 2 big gains (one for a TD). To me, a safety that can deliver the BIG HIT is great...but his first responsibility is to act as the LAST LINE OF THE DEFENSE...which makes good tackling technique a PREMIUM. I didn't see that yesterday.
Still, if I have a chance for Curry, Maualuga and Mays at #5 (with no trade down)...I have to go Curry. He has great potential (as high as the other 2 IMHO), but has a much higher floor due to better techniques (and less emphasis on the BIG HIT).
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i like the bob sanders comparison quite a bit, too. he's absolutely elite. mays' size and lack of injury history should rule out sanders-like durability concerns.
teams do tend to pick high-INT guys at safety in the top 10. a ballhawk is incredibly valuable to have in the secondary, especially a guy who can patrol center field and come down with the ball. however, it's hard to overlook having an enforcer like mays back there. even if he doesn't get a ton of picks, he'll likely break up passes because he damn near decapitates people.
there's also the possibility of bringing him on blitzes, something that should terrify every quarterback.
i agree about curry's floor being quite high. i think mays' may be something around chuck cecil, though cecil did have 16 picks in 95 career games.
i don't think there's really a bad pick between the two; it just comes down to preference. i've seen mays play more, therefore i'm more comfortable with him. plus, he's a flashy, exciting pick. and a tribseman.
i like the bob sanders comparison quite a bit, too. he's absolutely elite. mays' size and lack of injury history should rule out sanders-like durability concerns.
Good point about the durability concerns.
But just to play a little devil's advocate, I feel like Mays' size may prevent him from doing a lot of the stuff Sanders does in the run game. Sanders' small stature actually seems to help him avoid getting knocked around by o-lineman. He roves around the D a lot like a short RB does in the backfield. Plus, he's got elite agility (6.70 3-Cone) and short-area quickness (3.95 short shuttle), something that Mays may not have - FWIW, he was timed at 4.33 in the shuttle in HS.
And it would've been nice to have seen Mays play a little less centerfield & a little more in the box this year. You probably watched more USC games than I did, but I don't remember noticing him making play after play near the line of scrimmage in any of the games I watched.
teams do tend to pick high-INT guys at safety in the top 10. a ballhawk is incredibly valuable to have in the secondary, especially a guy who can patrol center field and come down with the ball. however, it's hard to overlook having an enforcer like mays back there. even if he doesn't get a ton of picks, he'll likely break up passes because he damn near decapitates people.
Just added PD/PBU stats above. Mays' aren't as good as Sanders', but they're trending upwards, which is a good sign.
there's also the possibility of bringing him on blitzes, something that should terrify every quarterback.
i agree about curry's floor being quite high. i think mays' may be something around chuck cecil, though cecil did have 16 picks in 95 career games.
i don't think there's really a bad pick between the two; it just comes down to preference. i've seen mays play more, therefore i'm more comfortable with him. plus, he's a flashy, exciting pick. and a tribseman.
I wonder if Al Davis cares about that. I know that he attends services on the high holidays (he has a seat reserved in the front row & no one's allowed to speak to him...seriously); maybe he can take Taylor next year. I'd be happy with either Curry or Mays. Same deal as you: I've watched more of Curry, so I'm more comfortable with him.
The only thing that concerns me at all about Curry is that he may be a little tight-hipped. I've seen him get juked a few more times than I'd like, though I've also seen him make some great open field tackles.
As long as he has a good 3-cone time, I don't think it's a serious concern.
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As I stated in the Rey Who thread...the problem I saw with Mays was that he is looking so much for the BIG HIT that he forgets to wrap up with his arms.
I don't know if it is indicative of the way he always plays or not, but the guy I saw in the first half was lowering his shoulder and leading with it....and leaving his arms down...so players were able to bounce off him on at least 2 big gains (one for a TD). To me, a safety that can deliver the BIG HIT is great...but his first responsibility is to act as the LAST LINE OF THE DEFENSE...which makes good tackling technique a PREMIUM. I didn't see that yesterday.
Still, if I have a chance for Curry, Maualuga and Mays at #5 (with no trade down)...I have to go Curry. He has great potential (as high as the other 2 IMHO), but has a much higher floor due to better techniques (and less emphasis on the BIG HIT).
As I stated in the Rey Who thread...the problem I saw with Mays was that he is looking so much for the BIG HIT that he forgets to wrap up with his arms.
That is kind of the same problem Rey has.
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Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns
January 5, 2009
Ohio St. vs. Texas
Pre-Game: 5:40 p.m. MST
Kick Off: 6:00 p.m. MST (8:00pm ET)
TV: FOX Sports
Two guys who I would keep an eye on Monday Night
One thing I have noticed in Laurinaitis, is that a couple of years ago he woukd have a hard time covering TE's. But over the past 2 years he really has mastered that part of the game. Lets see how he matches up Monday night. He would be a great addition to our LB corp.
James Laurinaitis Ohio State LB Highlight Video
the second would be Malcolm Jenkins. he should be a first rounder and has amazing talent. he would be a great addition to our secondary.
CB Malcolm Jenkins Highlights OSU vs USC 9/13/08
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Marcus Freeman is the guy I'd be watching for OSU. That guy makes more big plays than Laurinaitis
Masters said:
Marcus Freeman is the guy I'd be watching for OSU. That guy makes more big plays than LaurinaitisI think Freeman was invisible tonight. Although he was dropping into coverage a lot and he didn't have much run support to worry about. Not a showcase game, but I don't think it will hurt him.
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@shepwrite said:
Laurinaitis will NOT be on the Browns radar to go next to DQJ. He's not that kind of enforcer and he isn't big enough. Curry will rank WAY ahead of him.Laurinaitis doesn't get credit like some others because of how Heacock uses him. He is very solid in pass coverage and is alwyas in position to make plays. He's a very smart backer but probably better suited for a 4-3 scheme.
I think Curry is the best LB coming out and he can play in the 3-4 and 4-3. He is as close to a can't miss then anybody in the draft. Put him next to Jackson and I think you got some very good run support.
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@shepwrite said:
Laurinaitis will NOT be on the Browns radar to go next to DQJ. He's not that kind of enforcer and he isn't big enough. Curry will rank WAY ahead of him.James Laurinaitis
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 240 pounds
D'Qwell Jackson
Height: 6-0
Weight: 240 pounds
And what were you saying Laurinaitis is not big enough or is it he isnt dark enough?
Get rid of the stereotyping your players, Laurinaitis, is an all around Football Player and if we sign him then we can say we have 2 Fottball players, that would be Laurinaitis & Cribbs.
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@shepwrite said:
Laurinaitis will NOT be on the Browns radar to go next to DQJ. He's not that kind of enforcer and he isn't big enough. Curry will rank WAY ahead of him.James Laurinaitis
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 240 pounds
D'Qwell Jackson
Height: 6-0
Weight: 240 pounds
And what were you saying Laurinaitis is not big enough or is it he isnt dark enough?
Get rid of the stereotyping your players, Laurinaitis, is an all around Football Player and if we sign him then we can say we have 2 Fottball players, that would be Laurinaitis & Cribbs.
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Wait, Shep. I'm missin somethin here.
James Laurinaitis
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 240 pounds
Curry is the same height, and only 6 lbs heavier, allegedly.
Curry is that much bigger ... how?
and Orakpo is the same height, at 255. and Laurinaitis and Orakpo are better
at diagnosing plays. allegedly.
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mz. said:
...What the fcuk is wrong with you?
did you read the whole post or did you just digest what you wanted to?
.............Get rid of the stereotyping your players, Laurinaitis, is an all around Football Player and if we sign him then we can say we have 2 Fottball players, that would be Laurinaitis & Cribbs.
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mz. said:
...What the fcuk is wrong with you?
did you read the whole post or did you just digest what you wanted to?
.............Get rid of the stereotyping your players, Laurinaitis, is an all around Football Player and if we sign him then we can say we have 2 Fottball players, that would be Laurinaitis & Cribbs.
did you read the whole post or did you just digest what you wanted to?
.............Get rid of the stereotyping your players, Laurinaitis, is an all around Football Player and if we sign him then we can say we have 2 Fottball players, that would be Laurinaitis & Cribbs.
I read the whole post, though I'm not sure why I'm reading any of yours at this point...
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mz the pussy, stick a cork in it. You are trying to start crap over here, too?
Why don't you just talk football, and stop with the personal crap ?
Laurinaitis is a hell of a football player. I wouldn't say he's the best lb out there,
but he is easily a top 15 pick, I suppose.
I'd take a very talented INTENSE football player over a super talented prima donna playing for the $$$ every time.
Personally, I can see the Browns trading down, drafting Mathews or Laurinaitis with a later first rounder,
and then picking a RT and Orakpo in the second.
Not many big dlinemen in this draft. I'm tired of the Browns never trading down significantly and getting some extra picks.
This needs to be the year, I don't care how highly rated Curry is.
I wouldn't underestimate Laurinaitis - he isn't A.J. Hawk, but he deserves to be a high or midrange first rounder.
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mz the pussy, stick a cork in it. You are trying to start crap over here, too?
Why don't you just talk football, and stop with the personal crap ?
Laurinaitis is a hell of a football player. I wouldn't say he's the best lb out there,
but he is easily a top 15 pick, I suppose.
I'd take a very talented INTENSE football player over a super talented prima donna playing for the $$$ every time.
Personally, I can see the Browns trading down, drafting Mathews or Laurinaitis with a later first rounder,
and then picking a RT and Orakpo in the second.
Not many big dlinemen in this draft. I'm tired of the Browns never trading down significantly and getting some extra picks.
This needs to be the year, I don't care how highly rated Curry is.
I wouldn't underestimate Laurinaitis - he isn't A.J. Hawk, but he deserves to be a high or midrange first rounder.
mz the pussy, stick a cork in it. You are trying to start crap over here, too?
Why don't you just talk football, and stop with the personal crap ?
Laurinaitis is a hell of a football player. I wouldn't say he's the best lb out there,
but he is easily a top 15 pick, I suppose.
I'd take a very talented INTENSE football player over a super talented prima donna playing for the $$$ every time.
Personally, I can see the Browns trading down, drafting Mathews or Laurinaitis with a later first rounder,
and then picking a RT and Orakpo in the second.
Not many big dlinemen in this draft. I'm tired of the Browns never trading down significantly and getting some extra picks.
This needs to be the year, I don't care how highly rated Curry is.
I wouldn't underestimate Laurinaitis - he isn't A.J. Hawk, but he deserves to be a high or midrange first rounder.
Cal, I think mz the pussy whole point to Mr T was him throwing in the whole "he ain't black enough for you" thing into his post.
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I caught that. But it isn't the first time, and not just T.
Although, T didn't have to say that either, T and I tend to PM
on stuff...
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Okay, now that I got your attention on the whole darkness post
just wany to mention that you cannot write off Laurinaitis, he played his ass of the other night and showed that he can be used as an everydown LB. In the past I have been critical of his play and even questioned why he was even on the field during 3rd downs. He Laurinaitis has improved his gameplay to where I wouldn't complain with us drafting him 5th overall.
And that is not a homer move.
got it? there is darkness everywhere.
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