Would Rams be better off waiting for a quarterback?

Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/28099/would-rams-be-better-off-waiting-for-a-quarterback

The offseason is here for the Los Angeles Rams and now that we know where they’ll be playing their home games for the long-term, things have settled down enough to spend our weekends answering a few of your Twitter questions.

As always, you can find me on Twitter @nwagoner and fire away with any Rams-related questions you might have. Please use hashtag #RamsMail so I can see them.

On to your questions.

Matt Wroten ‎@Hazmatt415
@nwagoner Do you think the Rams are underwhelm with this year QB class, and are looking at a better prospect of Watson in 2017?

@nwagoner This is a good, interesting question because there are so many variables in play when it comes to drafting a quarterback and many of those variables are in effect for the Rams right now. I think they mostly passed on the free-agent options at quarterback because they didn’t believe there was an obvious upgrade to what they have available and certainly not one that would come at a similar cost. It also didn’t help that they would have had to find a taker for Nick Foles to make a deal work financially. As for the draft, the read on this year’s class seems to be that while there are some good prospects, none will be able to help right away. That’s a big deal for the Rams because they need players who can help right now. This is Year 5 of the Jeff Fisher/Les Snead regime. They need to win now. So if they draft a quarterback who might take three years to develop at the expense of an instant impact player elsewhere, is that really going to help that cause? The other piece here is that it’s so difficult to project what a quarterback is going to become a few months out let alone when you add another year to the process. To your point, Clemson’s DeShaun Watson certainly looks great right now, but most teams haven’t even studied him closely at this point to determine how his skills might translate. What if he has a bad season? What if he suffers an unfortunate injury? And the Rams don’t exactly have a history under Fisher of finishing worse than middle of the pack, which means that if Watson turns out great, he might be out of their reach barring a big trade. At this point, I would still be surprised if the Rams don’t draft a quarterback relatively early (first or second round) this year. But even if they do so, there’s still a good chance that player won’t take the starting job from Case Keenum to begin the season.

Nick Carbaugh ‎@CarbaughNation
@nwagoner #ramsmail Can you (or anyone) explain the Rams’ lack of urgency in fixing the passing game these last few years?

@nwagoner I can’t really offer you a good explanation, no. But I’d point to Fisher’s history and philosophy for why that hasn’t been a priority. Fisher has long been a proponent of a run-centric offense and after parting ways with Steven Jackson in the 2013 offseason, the Rams actually did look to bolster the passing game. They signed Jared Cook, traded up to land Tavon Austin, etc. But that experiment was based on having a healthy Sam Bradford at quarterback and spreading the ball all over the field. It lasted just four games before Fisher and the Rams gave up on it. Ever since, the Rams have gone back to building the offense behind running the ball. It would seem that the slow trigger on trying to fix the passing game was largely because of the continued belief in Bradford that didn’t work out. You could argue that they showed urgency last year in trading Bradford and completely re-shaping the depth chart at quarterback. They even brought in a new quarterbacks coach in Chris Weinke. So, to be fair, some of this isn’t about a lack of trying to fix things as not coming up with good solutions to get them fixed. It’s a problem not specific to the Rams, but I also think it’s fair to wonder why they didn’t use any of that extra draft capital from the trade with Washington to draft and groom a quarterback who could have potentially been ready to play by now. And it’s not just limited to quarterback. The approach at wide receiver has been puzzling, as well. For example, the 2014 receiver class was the most productive group of rookies in league history. That was the only year under Fisher in which the Rams didn’t draft a wideout. And that’s not hindsight. There were plenty of people who wanted them to take Sammy Watkins at No. 2 or at least grab one somewhere in the early rounds. They didn’t and now it’s again a position of need in a draft that isn’t all that great there.

After initial plans on defensive backs fall through, the Rams are trying to regroup

Gary Klein

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-rams-defensive-backs-20160403-story.html

The third in a series of occasional stories on the Rams’ depth by position, as the team prepares for the April 28-30 NFL draft. Today, the defensive backs:

There would be no question about status of the Rams’ secondary if the team’s brain trust had executed its proclaimed off-season strategy of re-signing four key free agents.

The team put the near $14-million-per-year franchise tag on cornerback Trumaine Johnson and re-signed safety-linebacker Mark Barron to a five-year contract reportedly worth $45 million, but cornerback Janoris Jenkins signed a huge deal with the New York Giants and safety Rodney McLeod joined the Philadelphia Eagles.

So, half of the group that the Rams drafted or signed and developed the last four years will compete against them next season.

See the most-read stories in Sports this hour >>
“This is the first time since we’ve been here… we’ve had to deal with unrestricted free agency,” said Coach Jeff Fisher, who is preparing for his fifth season with the Rams. “Try and keep them all … you can’t.”

Fisher said the Rams and Jenkins “were a lot closer than people think” to working out a deal. The Giants reportedly gave Jenkins a five-year, $62-million contract.

“I spoke to him several times during the process and prior to the process,” Fisher said. “I expected that we were going to get things worked out. And then the money did take off. The market was there.”

General Manager Les Snead declined to provide specifics when asked why the team chose to franchise Johnson rather than Jenkins. But Johnson, 26, now appears to be the leader of the secondary. He intercepted seven passes last season.

To help offset the loss of Jenkins, the Rams signed free agent Coty Sensabaugh, 27. He intercepted one pass last season for the Tennessee Titans, returning it for a touchdown.

“Coty is an instinctive, smart, I think, productive player that you can plug in and play either side,” Fisher said.

Titans Coach Mike Mularkey described Sensabaugh as a “very smart player. … He can cover, he can tackle. He can do a lot for the Rams.”

Sensabaugh will compete with E.J. Gaines, who is coming off a foot injury that sidelined him last season, and Lamarcus Joyner. Marcus Roberson, Eric Patterson and Troy Hill are other cornerbacks on the roster. The Rams also could bolster the position in the draft.

Safety T.J. McDonald, the former USC standout, will return after undergoing shoulder surgery for an injury that sidelined him the final four games last season. Maurice Alexander, Christian Bryant and Joyner are players that will compete to replace MacLeod.

And the Rams could possibly bring in a veteran.

“There’s still some free agents out there that have the experience,” Fisher said. “And plus … we’re not hesitant to go draft at that position and play them early.”

Snead said defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would find a creative way to blend the unit.

“All of those guys play a role,” Snead said. “That’s how Gregg is.”

Draft prospects

The Rams have four picks among the first 100 in this month’s draft. They have the 15th overall pick, two second-round picks (Nos. 43 and 45) and spots in the third (No. 76), fourth (No. 110th) and sixth (No. 190th) rounds.

The Rams are seeking to upgrade at quarterback and also at receiver, but the loss of Jenkins makes cornerback another priority the team could try to fill early, and should not have to move up from No. 15 to grab one.

In his first mock draft, the Times’ Sam Farmer projected five defensive backs would be selected in the first round, including Florida State safety Jalen Ramsey fifth overall, Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves sixth, Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple 14th, Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller 24th and Ohio State safety Vonn Bell 25th.

Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander and Louisiana State safety Jalen Mills are among other defensive backs in the draft.

wv wrote:

Well, all that sounds good, and I am expecting some improvement from
GR, if for no other reason than its year 3, but I’m also wary
of offseason’improvement’ reports. Seen to many of em, over the years.

w
v

In principle you’re right to reserve judgment, but I am less skeptical. For example, Chris Long participated in such an off-season program. It led to his best year.

And also notice this:

Bentley has helped a whole bunch of linemen like Alex Boone, Larry Warford, Chance Warmack, Geoff Schwartz, Bobby Massie, Willie Colon and more get their game up to speed

That’s an interesting list. It includes guys like Schwartz, who went from being a low-budget, “cast-off” style FA one year to one of the top linemen in high-market free agency the next.

For me the main thing is that GR has basically admitted he had been holding himself back. He had tried too long to get by on just physical talent (he said that himself). So what going to Bentley’s thing tells me is that GR is now serious about working on his craft. It’s not so much that I think Bentley will “fix” him, though Bentley actually really has had good results with others. It’s that GR is making the effort. Presumably that carries over to OTAs and camp, and then the season.

Zooey wrote:

Seriously. Best wishes. Sounds undesirable.

I wouldn’t want to go through it, but, what I have learned talking to a lot of people and going to a seminar is that hip replacements are lightyears ahead of where they had been. It used to be you didn’t leave the hospital for weeks and then took a while to get up to speed again. Now you go home the 2nd day and with the new rehab techniques are functional again within 3-4 weeks.

InvaderRam wrote:

bentley probably doesn’t have anything different to offer than boudreau. but hopefully robinson’s commitment has changed. that could be the difference that leads to a breakthrough year?

Bentley has more time he can spend with GR.

Boudreau’s hours of coaching contact are limited by the new CBA.

This is a good place to break out the old quotation where PB talks about coaching GR. It;s not just the CBA limiting hours a coach can coach…on top of that, not only did GR came out of school raw, green, completely unrefined, he also came out believing in his athleticism so much he did not put in the time beyond practice etc. He improved during the year last year and that was after openly confessing that he had to change his attitude.

So I see this off-season effort as GR making up for lost time.

I think the biggest complaint NFL line coaches at the summit had was how they can’t get even talk to their players, especially those that just finished their rookie season, until April under the CBA. They’re not even asking to hit, they just want to teach their guys and watch film. Take the case of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 pick in the 2014 draft by the Rams, who struggled as a rookie and may need more time to be able to play left tackle. “They had four run plays (at Auburn) and one protection: slide left, slide right. He didn’t have a snap count,” says Rams line coach Paul Boudreau, who has coached in the NFL since 1987 with eight different teams. “Now, I coached Willie Roaf when Willie was a rookie. Willie’s in the Hall of Fame. And I can tell you from a coach who coached Willie and now coaches Greg Robinson: Greg Robinson as a rookie has more talent and is a better player than Willie. Willie had a great coach at Louisiana Tech and Willie was ahead of the curve because of the techniques he was taught, just like how we talk about preferring the Wisconsin, Iowa, Stanford and Notre Dame guys. They have one up on the guys from the spread. I’m not going to tell a spread coach he can’t do it anymore. What I’m saying to the NFL is, ‘Give me a chance to change this spread guy to an NFL guy. Don’t restrict me.’ Back in the day, we could take the Wing-T guys and convert them because we had the time. Just give me a chance to coach my guys and don’t tell me I can only have them for four hours.”

http://mmqb.si.com/2015/05/24/memorial-day-nfl-veterans-tom-brady-deflategate/5

According to the report in the first post, the facility will be up and running by sept. 1st.

Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects for 2016 NFL Draft

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000641197/article/daniel-jeremiahs-top-50-prospects-for-2016-nfl-draft

1 Laremy Tunsil – OT, Ole Miss

Tunsil was a three-year starter for the Rebels. He has ideal height, bulk and length for the left tackle position. In the passing game, he is explosive out of his stance and plays with excellent bend and balance. He has a sharp, powerful punch and he is quick to re-work his hands if he loses inside position. He has the speed to cut off edge rushers, the power to anchor vs. the bull rush and the athleticism to redirect vs. counter moves. In the run game, he has the upper-body strength to torque and turn defenders but he doesn’t generate a lot of movement at the point of attack. Overall, Tunsil is a Day 1 starting left tackle and he should quickly emerge as one of the top players at his position.

2 Jalen Ramsey – S, Florida State

Ramsey was a three-year starter for the Seminoles. He has lined up at safety, cornerback and nickel during his career. He is a tall, long athlete with excellent short-area quickness, long speed and fluidity. Although he is a gifted cornerback, I believe his best pro position is safety. He is very instinctive to read, react and close on the ball. He has outstanding ball skills. He is very aggressive to fill and support the run. He brings energy to his side of the ball and he’s made big plays in high-pressure moments throughout his career. Overall, Ramsey’s explosiveness, versatility and playmaking skills are very similar to Tyrann Mathieu’s coming out of LSU.

3 Myles Jack – LB, UCLA

Jack has started 29 games in three years for the Bruins. His 2015 campaign was cut short due to a knee injury. This is an explosive playmaker with a unique skill set. He lines up all over the field on defense, including inside linebacker, outside linebacker and nickel cornerback. Against the run, he has the quickness to shoot gaps as well as the strength to play off blocks. He has a violent punch to take on and separate from blockers and he’s quick to locate and close on the ball. He’s at his best in pass coverage, where he can mirror tight ends, running backs and even wide receivers. There are games where he covers in the slot and he makes it look easy. He has also carried the ball on offense and he has NFL starting ability at running back as well. He has vision, balance and an explosive burst with the ball in his hands. Overall, Jack has tremendous value because of his ability to dominate at multiple positions.

4 Joey Bosa – DE, Ohio State

Bosa was a three-year starter at defensive end for the Buckeyes. Against the run, he has a quick punch to shock blockers before shedding and finding the ball. He is very consistent at holding the point of attack on the front side and he uses effort and quickness to make plays on the back side. As a pass rusher, he lacks an elite burst but he generates a lot of pressure because of his athletic ability and technique. He has very quick hands and a variety of moves. He plays with excellent pad level and he can push the pocket with his bull rush. His effort is excellent. Overall, Bosa isn’t dynamic but he is very athletic, disruptive and productive.

5 DeForest Buckner – DT, Oregon

Buckner was a four-year starter at defensive end for the Ducks. He has rare height and an athletic build for the position. He primarily lines up at defensive end in the Ducks’ three-man front but he will see some reps at three-technique when they get into passing situations. Against the run, he uses his length to press out single blocks and he’s very athletic in back-side pursuit. However, his pad level gets too high at times and he will get crushed by angle blocks. Against the pass, he has very active hands and he can generate movement with his bull rush. His ability to pop, separate and close is very impressive. His effort is outstanding. Overall, Buckner is a dominant player on tape and he has tremendous upside at the next level.

6 Ezekiel Elliott – RB, Ohio State

Elliott was a two-year starter at running back for the Buckeyes. He has ideal size, quickness and toughness for the position. On inside runs, he has excellent vision, balance and power. He is quick to press the hole and he has the lateral quickness to avoid defenders in tight quarters. He will bounce outside when needed but he likes to stay north and south. On outside runs, he has a burst to the edge and he has home-run speed to go the distance once he turns the corner. He is outstanding in the passing game, showing soft hands out of the backfield and a willingness to chest up blitzing linebackers. Overall, there is very little not to like about Elliott. He should be an immediate-impact player on all three downs.

7 Carson Wentz – QB, North Dakota State

Wentz was a two-year starter at quarterback for the Bison. He lines up both under center and in the shotgun in this offense. He has quick feet in his setup and he throws from a wide, firm base. He is very quick to work through progressions and he throws with excellent touch and anticipation. He is very accurate underneath and intermediate but he has been inconsistent with his deep-ball accuracy. He has a quick release and he can throw from a variety of arm angles. The ball doesn’t jump out of his hand but he has enough velocity to make all of the throws. He is very athletic to create plays with his legs and he’s effective on designed QB runs. He is extremely tough to hang in the pocket vs. pressure and he’s played really well in big games. Overall, Wentz has an enticing blend of size, ability and toughness. Don’t be fooled by his level of competition. He’s a big-time talent.

8 Jared Goff – QB, Cal

Goff was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Bears. He has the desired height for the position and a lean, narrow frame. He operates in the shotgun in the Bears’ air-raid attack. Everything about him is quick: Quick feet, quick eyes, quick release. It’s not all pick and stick in this version of the spread offense. There are plenty of examples where he reads left to right and delivers the ball. He doesn’t have a huge arm but he throws a pretty ball and he can fit it into tight windows. He will try to force the ball on occasion, which has led to some turnovers. He doesn’t look to run often but he is athletic inside the pocket to avoid trouble and extend plays. He is very tough and doesn’t flinch under heavy pressure. Overall, Goff will need some time to adjust to an NFL offense but he has all of the necessary tools to be a solid starter at the next level.

9 Vernon Hargreaves – CB, Florida

Hargreaves was a three-year starter at cornerback for the Gators. He lines up both outside and in the slot. He is a short, compact prospect with excellent burst, change of direction and toughness. In press coverage, he flashes an effective two-hand jam and he’s fluid when he opens up. He has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. From off coverage, he usually uses a side shuffle and reads through the wide receiver to the quarterback. On balls in front of him, he lacks great anticipation but he can close quickly with an explosive burst. He has given up a lot of plays down the field despite being in great position. His lack of size shows up. He isn’t a physical run defender. He prefers to catch and drag or dive low on ball carriers. Overall, Hargreaves will have some issues outside because of his lack of size but he could be an elite nickel cornerback at the next level.

10 Ronnie Stanley – OT, Notre Dame

Stanley was a three-year starter at tackle for the Fighting Irish. He has ideal size and length for the position. In pass pro, he has quick feet and uses his length to keep defenders away from his chest. He isn’t a natural knee bender but he still maintains balance. Defenders struggle to move him when they rush through his numbers but he will give up some pressure when they work on his edges. In the run game, he is more of a fit-up and wall-off type than a nasty drive blocker. He has the athletic ability to adjust and mirror at the second level. Overall, Stanley isn’t a butt-kicker but he is a reliable pass-protecting left tackle.

11 Darron Lee – LB, Ohio State

Lee was a two-year starter at linebacker for the Buckeyes. He has an ideal blend of instincts, speed and playmaking ability. Against the run, he is at his best when he can run/chase from the back side or shoot gaps and attack. He will aggressively take on lead blockers but there are times where he gets swallowed because of his lack of girth. He is an explosive, reliable tackler. He has stopping power. He is very valuable in the passing game. He is a dynamic blitzer and he’s instinctive as a zone dropper. He has the speed and agility to run/mirror backs and tight ends. He has a knack for splash plays, including returning picks and fumbles for scores. Overall, Lee is an ideal 4-3 weakside linebacker prospect that should stuff stat sheets very early in his NFL career.

12 Reggie Ragland – LB, Alabama

Ragland was a two-year starter at inside linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He has a thick, square build and he’s a very physical player. Against the run, he is quick to sort, fill and chest up ball carriers. He has stopping power as a tackler. Once he makes contact, the play is over. He lacks short area quickness but he builds speed and has plus lateral range. In the passing game, he has some stiffness in coverage but he can run with backs and tight ends. He is an effective blitzer and will even occasionally put his hand on the ground and rush off the edge. Overall, Ragland is a tone-setter with his physical style of play and should be a dependable starter immediately.

13 Jarran Reed – DT, Alabama

Reed was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide. He lines up at both defensive end and nose tackle in the ‘Bama 3-4 defense. This is a dominant run defender. He easily locks out blockers over his nose and he can also hold his ground vs. the double team. He is always on his feet and he will also flash the quickness to penetrate and play on the other side of the line of scrimmage. He has tremendous range because of his quickness and effort. As a pass rusher, he can push the pocket with his power and he flashes a quick arm-over as well. Overall, Reed is impossible to move in the run game and I believe he has upside as an interior pass rusher.

14 A’Shawn Robinson – DT, Alabama

Robinson was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Crimson Tide. He has outstanding height, bulk and athleticism for the position. Against the run, he uses his length and strength to stack blockers and holds the point of attack. His pad level is too high at times but he’s still strong enough to resist angle blocks and double teams. His effort is solid. As a pass rusher, he flashes an explosive first step as well as an effective slap/swim move. Overall, Robinson has all of the tools to be a dominant three-down presence but he hasn’t put it all together yet. His best football is ahead of him.

15 Corey Coleman – WR, Baylor

Coleman was a three-year starter at wide receiver for the Bears. He lacks ideal size but he is extremely explosive and he produces big plays on a regular basis. In this offense, he runs primarily three routes: take-offs, posts and hitches. He is at his best down the field. He is very sudden in his release and he eats up a cornerback’s cushion in a hurry. He tracks the ball naturally and he wins a lot of contested battles down the field. He is an excellent jumper and he high-points the ball consistently. On underneath throws, he attacks the ball and shows a big-time burst to generate yards after the catch. He lacks ideal wiggle but he has the strength to break tackles. Overall, he will need some time to develop as a route runner but his combination of burst and ball skills is special.

16 Laquon Treadwell – WR, Ole Miss

Treadwell was a three-year starter for the Rebels. He is a tall, physical wide receiver with strong hands and excellent competitiveness. He lacks an explosive burst in his release but he is a smooth route runner. He knows how to set up defenders and he uses his big body to wall off both underneath and down the field. He doesn’t generate much separation down the field but he wins a lot of contested balls. After the catch, he relies more on strength than wiggle or burst to create extra yardage. Overall, Treadwell lacks ideal speed and quickness but he’ll still be effective at the next level because of his size, toughness and ball skills.

17 Kevin Dodd – DE, Clemson

Dodd was a one-year starter at defensive end for the Tigers. He lines up on the left side and he’ll play out of a two- and three-point stance. He has outstanding height, length and athleticism. Against the run, he’s at his best when slanting and attacking gaps. He’s very quick and slippery, which leads to a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He has an explosive burst closing from the back side. He is an excellent pass rusher. He has an explosive get-off, an array of hand moves and the ability to bend/wrap the edge. He dominated in the national championship game, collecting 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss. Overall, Dodd doesn’t have a lot of experience but he has all of the tools to be a double-digit sack artist at the next level.

18 Leonard Floyd – LB, Georgia

Floyd was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Bulldogs. He has excellent height and a very lean, narrow frame. His alignment changes depending on the game. He is at his best coming off the edge and I’m projecting him as a SAM linebacker at the next level. As a rusher, he has an explosive first step and a devastating inside counter move. He generates a lot of pressure without OTs getting a hand on him. Despite his skinny frame, he is very effective transferring speed to power off the edge. Against the run, he needs to improve his ability to set the edge. He prefers to slip, spin or trade one for one. Overall, Floyd lacks ideal bulk but his explosiveness is rare and he has double-digit sack potential.

19 Robert Nkemdiche – DT, Ole Miss

Nkemdiche was a three-year starter at defensive tackle for the Rebels. This is a tricky evaluation because the ability is undeniable but the production is underwhelming. Against the run, he has an explosive first step and violent hands to create penetration. He can roll his hips on contact and create movement at the point of attack. He dominates the man in front of him pretty consistently but he needs to improve his ability to locate the football. He also needs to improve his balance and awareness vs. angle blocks. As a pass rusher, he has a combination of hand moves as well as pure power. He gets a lot of pressure but he struggles to finish. Overall, this is a high-ceiling/low-floor prospect.

20 Jack Conklin – OT, Michigan State

Conklin was a three-year starter at tackle for the Spartans. He has excellent size and toughness for the position. In the run game, he is a mauler. He generates movement on down blocks and plenty of knockdowns. He has the upper-body strength to torque and toss defenders lined up over his nose. He lacks ideal foot quickness to consistently cut off on the back side. In pass pro, he isn’t explosive out of his stance but he stays square and works to position his hands inside. He is rarely caught out of position. He is very aware and instinctive. Overall, Conklin lacks ideal foot speed and bend but his size, tenacity and awareness will make him a solid starting right tackle at the next level.

21 Ryan Kelly – C, Alabama

Kelly was a three-year starter at center for the Crimson Tide. This is an easy player to evaluate. He has ideal size, toughness and awareness. In the run game, he has quick feet to fit up, turn and wall off defenders. He can create movement against opponents over his nose. He takes excellent angles to the second level and he has the agility to adjust in space. In pass pro, he shoots his hands in tight and steers defenders. He can bend and anchor easily and he’s assignment aware. Overall, this player has Pro Bowl potential and should be ready to start Day 1.

22 Mackensie Alexander – CB, Clemson

Alexander was a two-year starter at cornerback for the Tigers. He lacks ideal size but he’s very fluid, instinctive and tough. He plays a lot of press/bail technique as well as off coverage. He has very quick feet and he’s efficient with his lower-body movement. He does a good job of staying in phase down the field and he doesn’t allow opponents to get on top of him. It’s tough to gauge his ability to play the ball because he is rarely challenged in the games I studied. His lack of production is a concern (zero career interceptions) but it might be simply because he lacked opportunity. He is very aggressive against the run and a sure tackler in space. Overall, Alexander lacks ideal size and production but I love his movement skills and toughness. He has the tools to be an excellent No. 2 cornerback or an elite nickel.

23 Eli Apple – CB, Ohio State

Apple was a two-year starter at cornerback for the Buckeyes. He has a tall, rangy build for the position. This is a very impressive player on tape. He is very physical in press coverage and he’s fluid when he opens up to carry receivers down the field. He has the agility and looseness to mirror pivot routes underneath. From off coverage, he uses both a side shuffle and a pedal. He has quick feet and he is aggressive to drive on balls in front. He is very good at playing the ball in front of him but he does have trouble locating the ball down the field. He prefers to play the hands of the wide receiver. He is a very physical tackler in support. Overall, Apple has the size, skill set and demeanor to develop into a No. 1 cornerback. There are always prospects that prove to be more difficult evaluations than others, and Apple is one of those for me this year.

24 Sheldon Rankins – DT, Louisville

Rankins was a two-year starter and four-year contributor for the Cardinals. He lines up at both the three-technique and defensive end. In the run game, he is consistently the first one off the ball. He has a very explosive lower half and he plays with good leverage vs. single blocks. His athletic ability was on display on a scoop and score in the BC game. He used a jump cut like a running back to avoid a tackle and take it the distance. He is an effective interior pass rusher that relies more on quickness than pure power. His effort is excellent. Overall, Rankins should be a three-down defensive tackle very early in his NFL career.

25 Shaq Lawson – DE, Clemson

Lawson was a three-year starter at defensive end for the Tigers. He has average height and a thick, square build. Against the run, he has a powerful base to sit and hold the point of attack. He has very strong hands to shock and shed blockers. He makes a lot of plays because of his outstanding effort. He has been a very productive pass rusher. He doesn’t have elite burst or bend but he wins with power and relentlessness. He knows how to work through the edges of blockers and he’s an excellent finisher. He will peel off and cover a back on occasion but his stiffness is an issue in space. Overall, Lawson lacks ideal athleticism and burst but he’s incredibly tough, productive and instinctive.

26 Andrew Billings – DT, Baylor

Billings was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Bears. He has a compact build with excellent length for the position. In the run game, he has some serious snap in his punch to jar blockers before freeing himself to find the ball. He is very aware and consistently resists pressure against down blocks and double teams. As a pass rusher, he relies almost solely on power. He can roll his hips on contact and generate push with his bull rush. His effort is solid but needs to improve his ability to stay on his feet vs. cut blocks. He’s on the ground too much. Overall, I don’t envision a lot of sack production at the next level but he can dominate vs. the run and push the pocket against the pass.

27 Vernon Butler – DT, Louisiana Tech

Butler was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs. He has ideal size and strength for the position. He will align at every spot along the defensive front. Against the run, he has the power base to hold the point of attack and he flashes the ability to violently shed blocks. He isn’t an ultra-disruptive presence against the run but his effort is excellent. As a pass rusher, he plays with good leverage and has the power to push the pocket. He also has a nifty arm-over move to generate pressure. Overall, Butler lacks ideal twitch but he’s big, strong and plays with high effort.

28 Paxton Lynch – QB, Memphis

Lynch was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Tigers. He has a rare blend of size, arm strength and athleticism. He lines up in the shotgun in the Tigers’ spread attack. His footwork is tough to evaluate because there are so many quick hitters and designed rollouts. He has a longer delivery but the ball jumps out of his hand. He has plenty of arm strength to fit balls into very tight windows down the field. His touch is inconsistent. He flashes the ability to make tough over/under throws in the middle of the field but he’ll also gas up an underneath crosser unnecessarily. He is accurate on the move to both the right and left. He is a very skilled runner because of his size, speed and power. My two biggest concerns with Lynch are his inconsistent decision making and passing touch. Overall, Lynch has the highest upside of any quarterback in the draft but he’s going to need time to develop. After watching Lynch at the NFL Scouting Combine, I see a significant gap between him and the top two QBs in the draft, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. That gap is reflected in these rankings.

29 Will Fuller – WR, Notre Dame

Fuller was a two-year starter at wide receiver for Fighting Irish. He has average height and a rail-thin frame for the position. His game is all about speed. He runs up on his toes and gets up to top speed immediately. Opponents usually give him a lot of cushion and he still eats it up and climbs on top of coverage repeatedly. He tracks the ball naturally down the field but his hands are very spotty. He drops a lot of balls over his shoulder as well as when he’s facing the quarterback. He has a bad habit of unnecessarily jumping for balls on his frame. He isn’t a polished route runner but he still generates separation because of his burst. After the catch, he weaves around defenders when he’s on the move but he lacks short-area quickness to avoid in tight quarters. Overall, Fuller reminds me a lot of Ted Ginn Jr. He’s going to have some drops but he makes up for it with big plays. After further tape review and a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, he’s on the rise.

30 Noah Spence – DE, Eastern Kentucky

Spence transferred to Eastern Kentucky after being banned from the Big Ten. He lines up at DE in their 3-4 scheme. Against the run, he plays with good leverage and strength at the point of attack but he needs to improve his ability to shed blocks. He has the speed and motor to make plays in chase from the back side. He is an outstanding pass rusher. He can win with speed, power or counter moves. He isn’t a natural bender around the edge but he has violent hands and an explosive closing burst. He has been very productive this season despite facing consistent double and even triple teams. Overall, Spence has some off-field concerns that need to be addressed but he has tremendous upside as a pass rusher. After watching him move around at the NFL Scouting Combine, I was a little disappointed.

31 Taylor Decker – OT, Ohio State

Decker was a three-year starter at tackle for the Buckeyes. The more I’ve studied Decker, the more I’ve appreciated his ability. He has excellent size and plays with a nasty demeanor. In the run game, he’s a little high/narrow but he still generates movement on down blocks. He’s agile enough to combo up to the second level and wall off linebackers. In pass pro, he is consistently late off the ball but he’s able to recover and square up speed rushers. His pad level is too high but he has a very quick punch and he will re-work his hands when he loses position. He will give ground vs. power before eventually anchoring down. He is very aware vs. twists and stunts. Overall, Decker has flaws but he’s big, physical and aware. I don’t think he’ll ever be an elite player but he should have a long career as a functional starting tackle.

32 Germain Ifedi – OG, Texas A&M

Ifedi was a three-year starter for the Aggies. He began his career at right guard before sliding out to play right tackle for the last two seasons. He has outstanding height, bulk and quickness for the position. In the run game, he plays with good leverage at the point of attack. He can generate movement on down blocks and he’s athletic enough to reach/seal. He does need to improve on taking proper angles when working up to the second level. In pass pro, he explodes out of his stance, bends easy and uses his length to keep defenders off his chest. He has the agility to redirect and mirror versus counter moves. He does have some issues versus twists and stunts. Overall, Ifedi is a very gifted athlete and he has excellent pass pro potential.

33 Kamalei Correa – LB, Boise State

Correa was a two-year starter for the Broncos. He lines up at defensive end and outside linebacker in this scheme. He is still a work in progress but he is twitched up and plays with reckless abandon. Against the run, he is at his best on the back side of the play where his burst and effort lead to production. On the front side, he likes to take on with his shoulder instead of using his hands to pop/separate. He will split double teams with pure quickness on occasion. He is more of a blitzer than a pass rusher. When he has a runway, he can explode by or through blockers. He doesn’t have a clear pass-rush plan all of the time but it works. His effort is outstanding. Against Utah State, he caught the running back 60 yards down the field. Overall, Correa is raw but he has the traits to be a very disruptive 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level.

34 Derrick Henry – RB, Alabama

Henry was a two-year starter at running back for the Crimson Tide. He has rare height/bulk for the position. He has very good vision but he is a one-track runner. If he has to stop/start his feet, he struggles. He builds speed and he’s a load to bring down at the second level. In the passing game, he has reliable hands and he will chest up linebackers in pass pro. Overall, this will likely be one of the most scrutinized players in the draft. I believe he can be a very successful NFL runner based on his unique mix of size, power and build-up speed.

35 William Jackson III – CB, Houston

Jackson was a 2 1/2-year starter at corner for the Cougars. He has ideal size for the position. In press coverage, he flashes the ability to re-route at the line of scrimmage and he has the speed to carry vertical routes. He is a little rigid when he flips and opens up but is quick to recover. In off coverage, he has some pop out of his plant/drive and he plays with excellent awareness. He has very natural ball skills and he plays big down the field. He is a physical run defender with a high batting average tackling in space. Overall, Jackson has all of the necessary tools to be a reliable starting cornerback early in his NFL career.

36 Karl Joseph – S, West Virginia

Joseph is a three-year starter for the Mountaineers but he missed the majority of the 2015 campaign due to injury. This is an aggressive player that plays much bigger than his size. Against the pass, he has excellent instincts and range from the deep middle. He will occasionally match up with tight ends in coverage. He has the speed and agility to mirror them but he will get out-muscled for the ball at times. He is a missile against the run. He explodes to the alley and he has some big hits on his resume. However, he does fail to break down occasionally and will have some fly-by missed tackles. Overall, Joseph lacks ideal size but he is a playmaker and I love his physical style.

37 Devontae Booker – RB, Utah

Booker was a two-year starter at running back for the Utes. He has a compact build and excellent strength/power. He has excellent vision and patience on inside runs. He carries his pads low and he shows a burst to explode through the line of scrimmage. He can pull through tackles with his leg drive and he can also lower his shoulder and create extra yards after contact. In the passing game, he has very strong hands to pluck outsider the frame and he’s a dependable pass protector. He is successful squaring up bitzing linebackers and he will cut them when necessary. Overall, Booker has the tools to develop into a three-down back very early in his career.

38 Chris Jones – DT, Mississippi State

Jones was a one-year starter at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs. He has outstanding height, length and bulk for the position. Against the run, he plays a little upright but he still has the strength to hold the point of attack versus both single blocks and double teams. He has a lot of backside production because of his speed to close. He does struggle to find the football at times and his block awareness is also spotty. Against the pass, he has the power to push the pocket but he doesn’t have much of a game plan. He has upside in this area because of his physical traits but he’s very raw right now. Overall, Jones is a toolsy prospect with a big upside but he will need time to develop.

39 Josh Doctson – WR, TCU

Doctson is a two-and-a-half year starter at receiver for the Horned Frogs. He has a tall, slender frame for the position. He almost exclusively lines up on the outside to the right side of the formation. He is a smooth, slithery athlete. Lots of slants, crossers and vertical routes in this offense. He deceptively gains ground with a long stride and he wins a lot of contested battles down the field. He can track and high point the ball as well as any receiver in the draft class. His catch radius is outstanding. He is very competitive after the catch and flashes the ability to break tackles as well as make defenders miss. Overall, Doctson lacks ideal short area quicks and suddenness but he has outstanding range and ball skills. He should quickly develop into a reliable No. 2 receiver.

40 Vonn Bell – S, Ohio State

Bell was a two-year starter at safety for the Buckeyes. He primarily aligns as the high safety, but he will also roll down into the box as well as cover in the slot. He is slightly undersized but he is very smooth, athletic and instinctive. As the high safety, he has excellent anticipation and range. He has very natural ball skills on balls in front as well as throws deep down the field. He has the fluidity and awareness to successfully match up in the slot. As a run defender, he’s inconsistent. He has a big burst and takes proper angles to the alley but he isn’t as willing to come downhill on runs between the tackles. He shows some hesitation. He is a low tackler and he will also have some fly by misses. Overall, Bell has the speed, versatility and ball skills to have an immediate impact but he does need to show some more aggressiveness forcing the run.

41 Kenny Clark – DT, UCLA

Clark was a 2 1/2-year starter at defensive tackle for the Bruins. This is a very productive player on tape. Against the run, he launches out of a crouched stance and quickly shoots his hands to lock out blockers. He holds his ground vs. single blocks but he will get washed down the line by angle blocks and double teams. He has very good instincts to locate the ball and his effort is strong. As a pass rusher, he uses a slap/rip move to generate pressure and he has an effective bull rush. Overall, Clark isn’t dynamic but he plays with excellent strength, technique and effort.

42 Austin Johnson – DT, Penn State

Johnson was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Nittany Lions. He has excellent size and he’s a disruptive force up front. Against the run, he is adept at stacking blockers as well as wrapping around them. He has quick hands and his effort is outstanding. He has impressive lateral range. As a pass rusher, he uses a quick arm-over move to generate pressure and his motor never stops. Overall, Johnson isn’t flashy but he has ideal size, effort and production. He should be a very dependable starter right away.

43 Jonathan Bullard – DT, Florida

Bullard is a three-year starter for the Gators. He is slightly undersized for the position but he is very quick and explosive. Against the run, he has an explosive first step and uses a nifty arm-over move to create negative plays. He lacks the girth to consistently hold up vs. angle blocks and double teams. As a pass rusher, he uses his quick feet and hands to work through edges of blockers. He lacks knock-back power as a bull rusher. Overall, Bullard doesn’t fit every defense but he can be a disruptive presence on the inside.

44 Cody Whitehair – OG, Kansas State

Whitehair was a four-year starter for the Wildcats. He lines up at left tackle but I’m projecting him to guard at the next level. He has an ideal frame and mentality for the position. In pass pro, he can bend and has a firm base to anchor vs. power rushers. He does have trouble cutting off speed on occasion and that is the main reason he needs to kick inside to guard. He plays with good awareness. In the run game, he can drop his weight and create movement at the point of attack. He looks to finish every snap. Overall, Whitehair does have some experience playing inside and I don’t think it will take him long to make that adjustment. He should be a reliable starting guard for a long time.

45 Kyler Fackrell – LB, Utah State

Fackrell was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Aggies. He has a tall, athletic build with long arms. Against the run, he dominates tight ends at the point of attack. He has quick, powerful hands to separate and he knows how to find the ball. He is very loose and bendy to wrap around blocks and pursue from the back side. He’s versatile in the passing game. He can run and mirror tight ends and he’s an explosive blitzer. He excels at swiping the hands away from opposing blockers and he has a burst to close on the quarterback. Overall, this is a very athletic edge defender with the ability to make plays on all three downs.

46 Emmanuel Ogbah – DE, Oklahoma State

Ogbah was a two-year starter at defensive end at Oklahoma State. He has excellent height, length and bulk for the position. He has been very productive as a pass rusher. He relies more on power than burst to generate pressure. He will widen and bull through the chest of blockers or use a violent rip move. He struggles to bend/wrap around the edge but he does have an impressive closing burst. Against the run, he has the strength to hold the point of attack but his effort on the backside is spotty. He takes too many plays off. Overall, Ogbah has the tools to be an effective power rusher but his inability to bend and his inconsistent effort is a concern.

47 Sheldon Day – DT, Notre Dame

Day was a three-year starter for the Fighting Irish. He lacks ideal size but he’s extremely versatile and explosive. He lines up both inside and on the edge. Against the run, he is very disruptive. He uses a quick arm-over move and then explodes toward the ball carrier. If he doesn’t win early with quickness, he lacks the girth and balance to avoid getting washed down the line of scrimmage. He is a very skilled interior pass rusher. He has a variety of hand moves and counters to complement his quick feet. Overall, Day lacks size but he is a very skilled interior pass rusher.

48 Deion Jones – LB, LSU

Jones was a one-year starter at linebacker for the Tigers. He is an undersized player with outstanding play speed. Against the run, he is at his best when he can attack gaps or chase from the back side. He has an explosive closing burst and outstanding range. He will struggle to sort through the trash inside the tackle box but once he sees it, he gets there quickly. He is outstanding in the passing game. He is a dynamic blitzer and he can match up in man coverage underneath. Overall, this is a run-and-hit player that should excel as a 4-3 weakside linebacker at the next level.

49 Artie Burns – CB, Miami (Fla.)

Burns was a two-year starter for the Hurricanes. He is a tall, leggy cornerback with good play speed and ball skills. In press coverage, he carries his hands low and fails to re-route opponents. He does a good job of staying on top of receivers and he does flash a burst when has to work back downhill. From off coverage, he is efficient in his plant/drive but he doesn’t fully trust his eyes to anticipate throws. He has very good ball skills down the field. He is very disappointing against the run. He gets rag-dolled by much smaller wide receivers. Overall, Burns has a lot of tools but his competitiveness is worrisome.

50 Joshua Perry – LB, Ohio State

Perry was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Buckeyes. He has outstanding height, weight and bulk for the position. He is a physical, downhill player against the run. He can thump off blockers and square up ball carriers. He has good instincts. Against the pass, he has some stiffness in space but he can run with tight ends and backs. Overall, Perry is a reliable player on tape and he could play in any scheme.

Falling out: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (No. 10); Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas (No. 44); Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State (No. 45); Su’a Cravens, LB, USC (No. 49); Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah (No. 50).

Due to medical feedback on Smith, he was dropped from the Top 50.

Colin Kaepernick’s $11.9 million base salary for ’16 now guaranteed

http://www.theredzone.org/BlogDescription/tabid/61/EntryId/55707/Colin-Kaepernick-s–11-9-million-base-salary-for–16-now-guaranteed/Default.aspx

At 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, Colin Kaepernick’s $11.9 million base salary for the 2016 season became guaranteed, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Now, whether it is paid by the San Francisco 49ers or some other team that would acquire the quarterback in a trade remains to be seen.

Kaepernick still could make less money from any acquiring team should he agree to a pay cut as part of the deal. It had been reported that his salary would not become guaranteed until Friday, and technically, that is true. But with the league day ending at 4 p.m. ET, the calendar flips to the next day, hence the contract status changing Thursday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Kaepernick was expected to remain with the 49ers past April 1, but trade talks regarding the quarterback were expected to continue up to and throughout the NFL draft from April 28-30.

The Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, who lost Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans in free agency, have long been linked to Kaepernick, reportedly envisioning him competing with the recently acquired Mark Sanchez. But a restructured Kaepernick contract would seemingly be a necessity to any trade with Denver.

Rams to hold training camp at old Cowboys location

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2016/03/30/rams-hold-training-camp-old-cowboys-location-see-photos-tony-dorsett-tom-landry-deion-sanders-troy-aikman-thousand-oaks

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams finalized a plan Wednesday to build their temporary training complex in suburban Thousand Oaks.
The Rams and California Lutheran University announced an agreement Wednesday for the NFL team to train at the school for at least the next two years. The site will be the team’s headquarters during the regular season while it builds a permanent training complex, which is likely to be nearby.
“We are excited to partner with Cal Lutheran to use their exceptional campus as the temporary home for team facilities that will be outstanding for our players and football staff,” said Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ chief operating officer. “The Rams look forward to becoming an integral part of the Cal Lutheran and Thousand Oaks communities as we establish our roots in Southern California.”
The Rams are installing two practice fields, a parking lot and temporary modular buildings containing their locker room and team offices on the northwest corner of the campus. The team can use the area for up to five years, and Cal Lutheran will keep the permanent facilities after the team moves.
“We are thrilled to be part of the return of the Rams and NFL football to Los Angeles,” Cal Lutheran President Chris Kimball said. “The Rams are investing in a major remaining part of our plans for the north campus and providing internships in a variety of fields to our students. It will be a great partnership.”
The training complex site is a key remaining piece in the move by the Rams, who are returning to Southern California from St. Louis after a 21-year absence. Earlier this month, the team essentially cleared out of its longtime training complex in Earth City, Missouri, for the move west.
The Rams will hold their offseason workouts starting next month in Oxnard, California, at a hotel complex used by the Dallas Cowboys for training camp. The team will hold organized team activities and minicamps at the Thousand Oaks complex starting in 2017.
The Rams haven’t announced the site of their own training camp this year, but they are considering UC Irvine in Orange County.
Thousand Oaks is roughly 50 miles from the Coliseum in downtown Los Angeles. The Rams will play at the Coliseum for the next three seasons while their lavish new stadium is under construction in Inglewood, also nearly 50 miles from Thousand Oaks.
The Rams appear to be planning to build a permanent headquarters within a relatively short drive from owner Stan Kroenke’s home in coastal Malibu, which is due south of Thousand Oaks beyond the Santa Monica Mountains. With the team’s permanent home likely to be in the upscale towns around Thousand Oaks, players and team employees can look for housing in the area without worrying about long-distance commutes.
Cal Lutheran hosted the Cowboys’ training camp from 1963-89.

There are videos included with the articles if you hit the link you will see them http://www.nfl.com/labs/rr/pathtothedraft/lynch?campaign=sf23394646+sf23394646

http://www.nfl.com/labs/rr/pathtothedraft/lynch?campaign=sf23394646+sf23394646

Lynch intrigued by idea of playing for Cowboys
Published: March 30, 2016 at 11:17 a.m.

The Dallas Cowboys tried to challenge Paxton Lynch last week with some high-difficulty throws in a private workout in Orlando, and toughened his task even more by asking him to make some of those throws on the run.

But in his first private workout since the NFL Scouting Combine, the former Memphis quarterback couldn’t have been more comfortable with the outcome, because the Cowboys were merely asking him to do what he does best.

“They had me do some three-step drop stuff, but it was mostly deeper drops and deeper throws. They had me throwing some long out routes, and some deeper comeback routes across the field,” Lynch said. “They had me push the ball vertically on some seam routes and deep corner routes. Then they put me on the run for some of it, to see my athleticism and see me outside the pocket. I definitely enjoy pushing the ball down the field, and that’s what they were most impressed about, how strong my arm was.”

The Cowboys need a young quarterback in an apprentice role behind veteran starter Tony Romo. And although Lynch is widely projected to be drafted between the Cowboys’ first two draft picks (No. 4 and No. 34 overall), but he’d love for the club to find a way to make him a Cowboy.

“I like the coaching staff — that team is the face of the NFL almost — they’re so renowned with the success of that franchise,” Lynch said.

Following the workout, Lynch had little time to reflect.

A day later, he taped an episode of Jon Gruden’s “QB Camp”, and a day after that he was off to Kansas City to meet with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and his offensive staff. He then went to Cleveland to meet with new Browns coach Hue Jackson, quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton and the rest of the Browns staff.

“They’re very excited about the draft,” Lynch said. “You could tell there’s a lot of energy in that building.”

Finally, Lynch made it back to Memphis on Tuesday to begin on-campus preparations for his pro day on April 6. That meant throwing to his former college receivers rather than the random collection of pass catchers he went through in Orlando.

“It’s going to be nice to get back with my guys here for a week,” Lynch said. “I know where they like the ball, and they know where I’m going to put it.”

— Chase Goodbread

Coach prepping Lynch for pro-day showcase
Published: March 21, 2016 at 9:58 a.m.
Like any quarterback’s pro day throwing session, Paxton Lynch’s script for his April 6 workout for NFL coaches and scouts will be weighted toward the things he does best. For some quarterbacks, that might mean a lot of cheaper, easier throws.

For Lynch?

That’s not necessarily the case, according to his private quarterback coach, Charlie Taaffe.

“We’ll obviously try to feature his strengths. For him, that means showing his athleticism, moving in and out of the pocket, extending plays, and feature his arm strength and the big throws he’s capable of making,” Taaffe told College Football 24/7. “He can really go downfield with it.”

Translation: Lynch can not only handle a higher degree of pro-day difficulty, he can thrive with it.

As a youngster, Paxton Lynch followed a Steelers quarterback, but it wasn’t Ben Roethlisberger.
Of course, the absence of a defense predisposes any pro day for success, but with roughly five weeks to prepare since the NFL Scouting Combine last month, Lynch has the skill set to present a more challenging workout. That’s something NFL clubs will appreciate after the workout when they prepare to write Lynch’s name in ink, rather than pencil, on their draft boards.

Taaffe, the former UCF offensive coordinator, has been challenging Lynch in workouts on the things he was least comfortable with since the two paired for combine preparation in January.

“We’ve emphasized being under center, learning the three-, five- and seven-step drops, because he was in a shotgun offense in college,” Taaffe said. “The other thing about that system is that quarterbacks don’t learn as much about defensive structures, fronts, coverages, and how they relate to each other.”

Another focus for Lynch has been learning to make checks at the line of scrimmage on his own, something that was signaled in by coaches from the sideline at Memphis.

“They don’t do that on Sundays. He’ll have to learn to control some things that used to be controlled on the sideline for him,” Taaffe said. “But one thing I’ve learned, he’s a very quick learner with a very good football I.Q. He picks up concepts very quickly.”

bnw wrote:

I regret for years watching RBs drag him 5 yards before he can stop them.

I actually did the numbers on that by looking at a big patch of play by plays.

According to the numbers, the “JL gets dragged 5 yards” thing is mostly just not true.

He had a very decent avg. yards per carry allowed (2.8) and had more at the LOS to 2 yards stops as he did “5 yard gains.”

July 21, 2015 at 10:47 pm
zn

On numbers. According to a common complaint out there, JL may make tackles, but it’s 5-7 yards downfield.

There’s only one way to check that. Play by plays.

I checked 12 games–from game 5 (SF) through game 16 (Seattle). Here’s what I looked for—runs over either guard or up the middle, where the tackler is JL. I don’t look at runs off tackle or at runs around either end.

I am just making the traditional assumption that JL polices the run from guard to guard. If he tackles outside he comes to the play in support.

However, of course, none of this tells us what percentage of runs to G-C-G where JL makes the tackle at all or doesn’t. It just answers the question, are a lot of tackles where JL is clearly the responsible linebacker made 5-7 yards downfield?

The answer is no. On the plays I set out to look at, his average yards per tackle is 2.8. Of those plays, 20% are 5-7 yards, but 30% are anywhere from tackled for a loss to 2 yards. 50% are in the 3-4 yard range.

bnw wrote:

a huge sacrifice Howie?

He meant he traded money for the opportunity to play for a contender. That just means other teams offered him more.