Gruden Says Rey is his Favorite Player in the Draft
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How do you know that Andre Smith is better than a guy you've never seen play?
I thought Jason Smith was pretty impressive in the Texas game. He completely neutralized Sergio Kindle and looked great blocking on the move. And he's not a moron, which is a plus.
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oldcow1945 said:
Saying stuff like that is easy. If you were to take Gruden at his word, that means if John was coaching the Lions this year he'd obviuosly choose Rey as the #1 overall player. He's his favorite player, right? The Lions sure could use A LOT of help at LB. Besides Ernie Sims, their LB corps stinks.Anyone who thinks Gruden would take Rey as the #1 overall...Well, I have this land in the Florida Keys I'd like to sell you.
More specifically, if Gruden said the SAME thing about Lauranitis you would have zero problem with that. I LIKE that fight in you. Seriously, Gruden isn't hired by the worst franchise in the NFL to speak on behalf of them Old Cow. He's hired by the NFL Channel. We're not drafting in the #1 spot either and the FACT that Curry is 1 of 2 players the Lions ARE showing interest in - I'm GLAD someone likes our alternative because we need LBers. That should have been good news right?
If Lauranitis was as memorable in BIG games as Rey seems to have been in the last 2 years - I'm guessing he'd have a bigger consensus than just the Ohio State faithful. When OSU played USC what LBer changed the scoreboard for his team's benefit? Rey. It's the only highlight of that game worth showing so it's the only one they do show.
It's not that I dislike Lauranitis. The things I LIKE about Lauranitis is he's an overachiever that works hard. BUT for people to have him in the upper half of round 1 seems far fetched. He's never even had the impact of Katzenmoyer, who didn't even LAST in the NFL. That guy ran 4.5s and hit like a freight train. ASU was petrified after he laid some kid out early and the helmet travelled 15 yards down field. That's what I call presence and intimidation with prolonged impact on a game's outcome. Whenever OSU leaves the conference (except for Texas) Lauranitis looked like the Invisible Man in terms of impact and presence. Against LSU, he was a Houdini Rabbitt. I've heard that's what Rey was vrs Oregon State; BUT when they ran a screen, there were 2 OLINEMEN attacking Rey so they at least game-planned solutions for their preceived threat. That's called respect. The guys trying to block the Screen in the Senior Bowl were LESS prepared for Rey and what happened? The poor kid that caught the pass got smothered by Rey as the 2 olinemen standing there looked like they were posing for Animal Crackers.
Rey ain't perfect BUT he earned country-wide respect before I even said my first "Wow!" If we're savvy enough we could find BAD highlights for every player. Everybody likes Curry so nobody looked for his worst moments to share on video. Forget Gruden for 1 second, just name me the Consensus All American LBers and I think we're good.
- Tom F.
More specifically, if Gruden said the SAME thing about Lauranitis you would have zero problem with that. I LIKE that fight in you. Seriously, Gruden isn't hired by the worst franchise in the NFL to speak on behalf of them Old Cow. He's hired by the NFL Channel. We're not drafting in the #1 spot either and the FACT that Curry is 1 of 2 players the Lions ARE showing interest in - I'm GLAD someone likes our alternative because we need LBers. That should have been good news right?
If Lauranitis was as memorable in BIG games as Rey seems to have been in the last 2 years - I'm guessing he'd have a bigger consensus than just the Ohio State faithful. When OSU played USC what LBer changed the scoreboard for his team's benefit? Rey. It's the only highlight of that game worth showing so it's the only one they do show.
It's not that I dislike Lauranitis. The things I LIKE about Lauranitis is he's an overachiever that works hard. BUT for people to have him in the upper half of round 1 seems far fetched. He's never even had the impact of Katzenmoyer, who didn't even LAST in the NFL. That guy ran 4.5s and hit like a freight train. ASU was petrified after he laid some kid out early and the helmet travelled 15 yards down field. That's what I call presence and intimidation with prolonged impact on a game's outcome. Whenever OSU leaves the conference (except for Texas) Lauranitis looked like the Invisible Man in terms of impact and presence. Against LSU, he was a Houdini Rabbitt. I've heard that's what Rey was vrs Oregon State; BUT when they ran a screen, there were 2 OLINEMEN attacking Rey so they at least game-planned solutions for their preceived threat. That's called respect. The guys trying to block the Screen in the Senior Bowl were LESS prepared for Rey and what happened? The poor kid that caught the pass got smothered by Rey as the 2 olinemen standing there looked like they were posing for Animal Crackers.
Rey ain't perfect BUT he earned country-wide respect before I even said my first "Wow!" If we're savvy enough we could find BAD highlights for every player. Everybody likes Curry so nobody looked for his worst moments to share on video. Forget Gruden for 1 second, just name me the Consensus All American LBers and I think we're good.
- Tom F.
Oh don't get me wrong....I'm not a huge JL fan either. I don't think I said that I was. I think in the right system he could be a good linebacker. But I'm not one to beat the drum for Lauriniatis. I'm a big Buckeye fan, but when it comes to the NFL I do not where scarlet and gray glasses like some fans do. For example, I'm one of Well's biggest critics and doubters.
It'll be interesting to see how JL fares. I really hope he goes to the Giants because I think he has the best chance to succeed there.
I wouldn't underestimate or think that JL didn't have big games. He's a had a lot of INT's over his career and has played well in big games. I think he had 9 or 10 tackles in the Fiesta Bowl. The game before against Michigan was one of the best games I've seen a LB have.
As far as mentioning the Big Kat...He's out of football for one reason. A neck injury. It wasn't because he couldn't play. He walked away on his own due to the possibility of ending up be paralyzed.
For me Rey and JL are ranked about the same. Mid to late 1st rounders. Rey has some spectacular highlights but just as you saw with Aloys film he posted, you can see some plays where he looks very ugly as well.
I
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Laurinaitis will be better than Maualuga in the NFL IMO. I don't think Rey has it upstairs. Anyway, I am still on the Curry bandwagon with our #5 pick.
Laurinaitis will be better than Maualuga in the NFL IMO. I don't think Rey has it upstairs. Anyway, I am still on the Curry bandwagon with our #5 pick.
But, what happens when Curry is gone before we pick. With Crabtree's injury and questions about Smith to go along with doubts of the QBs, I got to think Curry might be gone when it's time for the Brown's to pick.
Do you reach for a need or take the best player available?
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What do I think about this years rosebowl?
Well I saw one really good play Rey made sniffing out the RB in a huge pile up from behind and bringing him down.
Outside of that Rey didn't show off that much. I'd have to say mainly due to the fact that he was being primarily gameplanned against. That and the fact that your not going to have the greatest game of your career every game. Rey did pretty well in his previous big game wouldn't you say?
He is a monster, and athlete, and has attitude. He is a personality. He is the best LB available at the #5 slot.
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Laurinaitis will be better than Maualuga in the NFL IMO. I don't think Rey has it upstairs. Anyway, I am still on the Curry bandwagon with our #5 pick.
Laurinaitis will be better than Maualuga in the NFL IMO. I don't think Rey has it upstairs. Anyway, I am still on the Curry bandwagon with our #5 pick.
I'll take that bet! Hell I go as far as say Brian Cushing will be better than JL at ILB.
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I'll take that bet! Hell I go as far as say Brian Cushing will be better than JL at ILB.
It will be determined by what team drafts all these guys and takes advantage of their individual talents, each guy plays different thats why you can't compare Curry to Rey Rey and Rey Rey to JL and Cushing to all 3, because IMO in the Pro game Cushing may turn out to be the best of the group of linebackers we are discussing and as converted DE's nobody can say how Everette Brown or Brian Orakpo will be as outside linebackers. How do we know how Clay Matthews will be as a pro who does not think he was helped playing with Rey Rey and Cushing. I wish I could have all 3 USC linebackers on this team.
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How do you know that Andre Smith is better than a guy you've never seen play?
I thought Jason Smith was pretty impressive in the Texas game. He completely neutralized Sergio Kindle and looked great blocking on the move. And he's not a moron, which is a plus.
Aloysius said:
How do you know that Andre Smith is better than a guy you've never seen play?I thought Jason Smith was pretty impressive in the Texas game. He completely neutralized Sergio Kindle and looked great blocking on the move. And he's not a moron, which is a plus.
Maybe I'm being a little unfair on limited assessment but aren't we all doing this to an extent Aloy? USUALLY, when they say this guy is the best tackle in the draft - his BEST highlights show someone he's blocking landing on their fanny or being stopped in their tracks in pass protection. I didn't feel like I was looking at the best blocker in the draft. That doesn't mean he won't turn out decent BUT you're telling me he's the #1 tackle in the draft and basing it on 1 good day vrs a kid from Texas and hearsay right? Don't forget Nat Dorsey of Ga Tech shut out Julius Peppers but he wasn't drafted until round 4.
I've seen ALOT of Andre Smith to know he was the difference between Bama being ELITE and worthy of losing to Utah in his absence. I call that a difference maker. If you're unsure and you like going by 1 matchup - watch Andre vrs GA and tell me what you think. I REALIZE Jason was a TE so people see athlete and upside; BUT if we're being honest at who had the more dominating year it was Andre.
THAT is why I feel bad for the kid for being DUMBER than a pile of rocks. He's not falling because he's on drugs or got into trouble with the law. He's falling because he doesn't even have a SMART agent or anyone guiding him to a lottery for one of the best skilled blockers in this draft. I can't blame people for losing interest either. He blew off job interviews - taht ain't smart!
[b]- Tom F. [/b]
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Not sure that good to great pass-blocking is something that is conveyed well by 30 second highlight packages. That was my point; you need to watch more of the guy before concluding that he isn't better than Andre Smith, especially if you're going to use that conclusion as part of an argument about Mayock's o-line scouting skills.
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Not sure that good to great pass-blocking is something that is conveyed well by 30 second highlight packages. That was my point; you need to watch more of the guy before concluding that he isn't better than Andre Smith, especially if you're going to use that conclusion as part of an argument about Mayock's o-line scouting skills.
Aloysius said:
Not sure that good to great pass-blocking is something that is conveyed well by 30 second highlight packages. That was my point; you need to watch more of the guy before concluding that he isn't better than Andre Smith, especially if you're going to use that conclusion as part of an argument about Mayock's o-line scouting skills.Why are you getting all sensitive on me? If I really knew what the Hell I was talking about I'd get paid for my opinions. The world isn't ready for that so let me just give you the illogical world according Flugel.
IMO, anyone that tells me Andre Smith is the 3rd best Tackle isn't going to be my go-to oline guru. When Mayock is saying "here is the guy I think is the #1 tackle in this draft" and he's describing the 2nd coming of Anthony Munoz while I'm seeing footage of a finesser that couldn't finish or maintain either of the blocks he's endorsing the kid with - I don't buy the presentation. As I've said, I think Mayock is more in love with the idea that Jason was a former TE and he has a long wing span but I don't think he keeps good leverage from the hips down, which was why he couldn't finish. Maybe that's coachable but #1????
In fairness, I've complimented Mayock up the wazoo this weekend because he does a FANTASTIC job of covering the combines and pre-draft shows. However, I don't get the impression oline is his best area of expertise. He was a corner so I LOVE hearing his perceptions of receivers, QBs, RBs, DBs, pass rushers and even LBers.
Here's a few cut and pastes from various articles that support the theory hat Andre Smith is better than #3 among his peers playing Offensive Tackle:
"As if you didn't know by watching ESPN, Alabama left tackle Andre Smith just won the 2008 Outland Trophy, an award given to the nation's best lineman. The Birmingham native allowed just one sack in a dominating year. "
From Wikipedia:
"Andre Smith, Jr. (born January 25, 1987 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an All-American offensive tackle for the Alabama Crimson Tide football program. Considered the best run blocker in college football of the past five years,[1] some experts described him as possibly the most dominating offensive lineman to enter college football since Orlando Pace."
2008 AP All-America Team
Offense
Pos Player Ht Wt Cl. School
QB Sam Bradford 6-4 215 Soph. Oklahoma
RB Shonn Greene 5-11 235 Jr. Iowa
RB Javon Ringer 5-9 202 Sr. Michigan State
WR Michael Crabtree 6-3 214 Soph. Texas Tech
WR Dez Bryant 6-2 210 Soph. Oklahoma State
TE Chase Coffman 6-6 245 Sr. Missouri
OT Andre Smith 6-5 330 Jr. Alabama
OT Michael Oher 6-5 318 Sr. Mississippi
OG Duke Robinson 6-5 330 Sr. Oklahoma
OG Herman Johnson 6-5 350 Sr. LSU
C Antoine Caldwell 6-3 305 Sr. Alabama
2008 AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team
Offense Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
WR Michael Crabtree* 6-3 208 So. Texas Tech Mike Leach Dallas, Texas (Carter)
WR Dez Bryant 6-2 215 So. Oklahoma St. Mike Gundy Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin)
TE Chase Coffman 6-6 255 Sr. Missouri Gary Pinkel Peculiar, Mo. (Raymore-Peculiar)
OL Andre Smith 6-4 330 Jr. Alabama Nick Saban Birmingham, Ala. (Huffman)
OL Brandon Carter 6-7 350 Jr. Texas Tech Mike Leach Longview, Texas (Spring Hill)
C Antoine Caldwell 6-3 305 Sr. Alabama Nick Saban Montgomery, Ala. (Lee)
OL Michael Oher 6-5 318 Sr. Mississippi Houston Nutt Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian)
OL Andy Levitre 6-3 317 Sr. Oregon St. Mike Riley Ben Lomond, Calif. (San Lorenzo Valley)
QB Graham Harrell 6-3 205 Sr. Texas Tech Mike Leach Ennis, Texas (Ennis)
RB Knowshon Moreno 5-11 208 So. Georgia Mark Richt Belford, N.J. (Middletown South)
RB Shonn Greene 5-11 235 Jr. Iowa Kirk Ferentz Sicklerville, N.J. (Milford Acad. [Conn.])
- Tom F.
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