Kickoff
Jul 22, 2008 2008 Draft, Kickoff
‘Dinger To The Rescue! Tennessean.com has the questions regarding the BESFs heading into camp. My favorite part, however, is the suggestion that VY only “arguably” regressed last year. Riiiight. Even ignoring that, however, this is worth linking to for the comment section alone. (h/t Eric)
Alex Gibbs, Super Genius. Speaking of questions, Chris has a few of his own regarding the JUGGERNAUT offense. And he raises an interesting point about the ZBS and its use during camp/practice.
Finally. It’s been reported pretty much everywhere else (so I’m not linking) that all of the draftees except for Duane Brown have signed. If you are like me and the idea of having a real NT intrigues you, the signing of Frank Okam is particularly wonderful. I will pose the same question that a number of people have, though: Which rookie makes the biggest impact in 2008?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 am
Slaton.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
@TheBlowLeprechaun: Agreed. I said it on draft day, and I still stand by it - Steve Slaton is going to make a major impact on this team. We basically got Reggie Bush - 2 rounds later, and 1000 times less hyped.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
There’s a FireFish bandwagon? Seriously? What the fuck are the BESF’s thinking here? Fisher and the Defense are the only reasons that team was worth a shit. I’d LOVE to see them cut Fisher loose, and see who wants to go work for Bud and VY.
As to the biggest impact rook, I’m going with Brink. I mean, the offense is gonna NEED their water Ice Cold, and delivered promptly. Brink is just the man to get it to them. Fuck whatcha talkin bout.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 am
Okam. I think he can make a Haynesworth, Ted Washington type difference in stopping the run. No, I am not saying that he will be pro bowl caliber, but rather, he can clog up the middle, occupying multiple blockers, to allow DeMeco, etc. to make the plays. We haven’t had this in the past. Look at the Titan’s run defense last year w/and sans Haynesworth. It was huge. We need that big body to occupy while our speed guys swarm to the ball. I am so looking forward to the season.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
Just recently hired (from the Tennessean), Paul Kuharsky, writing for ESPiN about the AFC South, in “Hashmarks” wrote:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-8-272/Mailbag–Do-undrafted-rookies-get-paid-in-camp-.html
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July 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
@DisplacedTexan: @TheBlowLeprechaun: I’m going with Slaton, too, followed by Adibi. They’re going to be very exciting to watch.
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I’m also very excited about Molden. And Okam. And Brown. I think they’re all going to contribute by the end of the season.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
@Eric: Jeebs, is there a corner of the interwebs that you don’t visit each day?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
@Shake: Yes! My credit report and any “friend”(?) from Nigeria asking for money!
Truth be told is, I do have a healthy life! Ask my wife, 5 kids and 3 grandkids…well, maybe not?!
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July 22nd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
@WillFist4Food: I’m going with Molden. I think he’s going to force his way into the CB equation; I expect him to at least be the nickel back by the end of the season, if not starting opposite Fred, should Jacques Reeves play like Jacques Reeves played in Dallas.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I’m going with Adibi.
I read a quote from Kubes somewhere that said the X-Man could be “the surprise” of the draft. Calling him “smart, athletic, and fast”
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
@Tim: I think Molden has the potential to be the best pick-up in the long term, but I think immediate impact will be felt from Slaton. He is at least passingly familiar with the system (WV ran something like the ZBS) and also has excellent hands. We’ll be able to shift him into the slot, use him as a decoy, force defense to account for him.
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Not to poo poo Molden - I think he’ll be great. But I think Slaton makes an impact right out of the gate and keeps doing so all season long. Molden may take a bit (sort of like Fredtacular)
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
@DisplacedTexan: I ain’t got no quarrel with Slaton (or Adibi, for that matter). Both could certainly see the field earlier and more often than Molden. I think, however, that Molden is the guy we’ll be talking about the most come the end of the season, primarily because he doesn’t seem to have the struggle up the depth chart at CB that some of the other rookies do at their respective positions.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
@DisplacedTexan: “We basically got Reggie Bush - 2 rounds later, and 1000 times less hyped.” Jesus, did Slaton fuck your wife or molest your dog? Why would you say something so horrific? Next time, how about you just kick him in the balls, call his mother a whore and set his house on fire? Nothing short of prison rape would justify either calling them Reggie Bush or comparing them to the piece of shit. You’re a cruel, cruel bastard.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
@DisplacedTexan: “Something like the ZBS?” From what I’ve heard it was almost identical, but from the spread offense. The blocking scheme was the same, though. Did I read that wrong?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I’m going to say Slaton just because I think he gets more opportunity from the get go. I think Molden will step up and will get some good chances and I think Okam will also get a lot of PT. I’m pumped about Adibi, but I think LB is a crowded position so he’ll be mostly on special teams this year.
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And how come no love for Brown? Kubes did say that he was picking up the system pretty quickly.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I agree with Vega. The biggest impact this year is going to be made by Steve Slaton. The history tells me that Slaton will get a chance by virtue of the injury prone guys ahead of him. Green, Brown, and Taylor have all battled that injury bug. If we carry three running backs, and one or more of those guys goes down - Slaton’s role gets a lot bigger. Word is that he’s put on some weight during the off season. If he can keep his speed, he could be one hell of a back.
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Dark Horse: Dominique Barber - Why? Because, like the RB position, safeties were dropping like flies last year. The coaching staff loves him - so I’m expecting to see something out of this kid at some point.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I’m going to cheat and give two answers. Because I can. (It’s my house, Eddie. And if you don’t like it, get the FUCK out!)
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As far as who will have the biggest impact on the team, I am going (surprise!) with Frank Okam. Two possible scenarios—he takes the starting gig from Travis (please, God) or he pushes Travis to play like the first-rounder he supposedly is/was. I doubt the second option happens, though, because Travis is a lazy shit. Meaning that, for the first time, DeMeco will have a 340+-lb, 2-gap DT in front of him and that guy will be flanked by two stellar pass rushers in Amobi and Mario, meaning there is literally NO ONE to get to the second level and block DeMeco. Meaning DeMeco kills them all and lets God sort them out.
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As for who will be the most noticeable, I’m going Molden for the same reasons I touted Fred at this point last year. Molden right now is better than Petey, I guarantee it. So, at worst, he’s getting nickel reps early on in the year. From there, just going on what we’ve been hearing, I don’t think it’s a huge leap to assume that he could eventually displace Reeves. But even if he doesn’t, I think he’ll make a big impact in the nickel.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
@Matt: I could definitely see Okam being a beast, but here’s my slight reservation about Molden. If (and that’s an Okam sized “IF”)Dunta is really progressing from injury as they say, then come Week 7, Molden will be 4th on the depth chart unless he can surpass Reeves (an I think he would have to be WAY better than Reeves because the team is definitely going to give him the opportunity to justify the investment). All that said, I think it will limit Molden’s chances this year.
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Now, the flip side to that is that if Molden comes out and is a badass off the blocks, then it allows the team to be a little more conservative with Dunta. Still, despite the fact that the Hypemaster 3000 is cranking at top speed for this guy, we have to remember that he’s a rookie coming from I-AA.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
@Vega: The Dunta-factor is a good point. MAN, I wish they were talking about Dunta at FS.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
@stacy: Yeah hate reggie bush blah blah big bust blah blah. I get it. If you take away the hype - the versatility Bush brings to the field (not merited with 2nd overall pick) is great value as a 3rd round pick. Quite to the contrary, I’m giving Slaton “mad props” if you will.
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@beef: Honestly, I think you’re right. I just wasn’t 100% sure. I couldn’t remember how they implemented it with the spread offense - I just remember the scheme being very similar to a ZBS.
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@Tim: The discussion we’re having can best be qualified as “an embarrassment of riches.” I agree that Molden has the most upside (wingspan! /hubbie brown), and I agree with Matt that he has the path of least resistance depth chart wise. I just think Slaton will have the fastest and most sustained impact. His transition is smoother and he will have more opportunities to shine behind who’s ahead of him on the depth chart. (ex: 3rd down back breaking 35+ yard run, versus nickel corner covering.) Again, this is the sort of debate I’m pretty fucking excited to be having.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
@Tim: I’m an ass, you made the depth chart argument as well. My biggest quarrel with that is coaches hesitancy. Look at last season - it required a devastating injury to Dunta before the coaching staff really threw the Ballhawk Gamecock out there. It could have taken longer/not have happened at all. It’s easier to test a RB - and I think Kubiak will be more likely to toss Slaton out there. Molden may have trouble getting on the field sheerly out of coaching conservatism.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
@DisplacedTexan: As I’ve had it explained to me, the main difference between the spread blocking and true ZB is that the spread is more of a flowing, sliding blocking scheme than the ZBS. It is designed to get everyone more or less moving the same direction and let the RB pick a hole in front of him, rather than creating cutback lanes. In essence, it tells the RB to get up to full speed and hit a seam. (Obviously, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, but it’s a pretty good description of how WVa seemed to play.) Which is why people argue that there is no guarantee that Slaton’s experience in the spread will translate to Gibbs’ pure ZBS because you still sorta have to teach Slaton the cut-back reads and what-have-you.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
@Matt: That’s an interesting point so I went and tried to find something specifically about WVU’s scheme. I don’t think the difference is that pronounced. I think the flowing, sliding is more a product of the nature of a spread offense - the line is spread out, thus the defense is spread out. The gist I’m getting though (and of course these articles could be wrong) is that the center still has to make the read/call and the running back (or in QB keeper cases - Pat White) still has to read the line and make the cut. I’m sure an NFL scheme is more advanced, but I really think WVU gives Slaton a distinct advantage coming into camp and out on the field. Links below:
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/27/AR2006082700799.html
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06302/733956-144.stm
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
@DisplacedTexan: Yeah, it’s definitely a product of the line splits more than anything, but the main difference is that, where there are cutbacks, they are not very pronounced like they can be in the ZBS. They are more cut-ups than cut-backs, if that makes sense.
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I guess my point is just that there is enough dissimilarity between ZBS and spread that success in the latter does not equal success in the former at the NFL level. Of course, on the other hand, it should be easier for a spread back to learning the system than a straight-ahead, FB-led back from a traditional (read: Big 10) offense. Dunno.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
@Matt: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again–If Dunta plays this year (and that’s a big “if” to me), I worry that he will be a step too slow for CB. Not that he wouldn’t need speed to play FS, though.
Query: Is Dunta capable of making that switch via film study and/or limited practice until he’s eligible to return? Would the coaching staff even consider that switch in mid-season?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I either see Super Steve Slaton or Molden making the most impact because those two are our weakest positions in my opinion. Fred Bennett pretty much seals the postion as CB1 but what about CB2? Frenchy isn’t a proven commodity yet and Molden can definitely challenge Reeves for the CB2 position. As for Slaton, I just think he’s gonna be explosive. He’s not an every down back but I see him making big plays spelling Green or Brown.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I always hear that Dunta’s too small to play FS. What do you think of that? The dude hits like he’s 6 inches taller. That said, even on my most optimistic day, I can’t imagine Dunta retaining all the speed he had before the injury. I’m not entirely convinced that he’s going to walk right back into a starter role, and I HATE that because he’s probably my favorite Texan after Mario. I just love how hard he hits for his size. I know Dunta would hate to switch positions, but he certainly has the heart and tenacity to do it.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I’m going too go with Okam, mostly because I saw him a lot in college and he was drafted about 5 rounds too late. He is going to be a stud in the NFL
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
@Tim: Yeah, I’m with you on the “if, not when” regarding Dunta’s return in 2008. I know we are hearing good things, but it’s not like they are going to say “nah, he looks like SHIT right now.” Last I heard, he was doing straight-line running; has there been an additional update since then?
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@DiehardChris: He would probably have to bulk up a little, but he’s no shorter than Bob Sanders, is he? (Who, I realize, is now a SS, but who started as a FS.)
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
@Lee - UofTOrange: Lee go with the UT guy?!?! That’s unpossible!!!!
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:06 pm
First, I think it’s premature to start giving Dunta two daily doses of “if we hope real hard!” and expect him to return in the middle of the year in top form. He probably gets off the PUP list around Week 9, and walks in to a nickel CB role and as he shows his progress, works his way back to CB1. There’s no way Kubiak rushes him back.
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That said, I think Okam makes the biggest impact. If he can clog the lines like he clogs toilets (I’m going out on a limb here), he’ll do two things: free up Mario and Amobi to harrass opposing QBs, and thereby improve the secondary, hiding Dunta’s absence.
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Really I wonder if it took Okam so long to sign because of a length-of-contract type situation. I don’t know what the terms of his deal are, though. Okam has to know that he could end up being a very important player on the team.
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Finally, as far as Slaton goes, I am not holding my breath. The guy is super fast and has 3rd down running back written all over him, but I would imagine that if he had figured out how to put on some weight and keep his speed, he would have done it already in order to ensure himself a higher draft slot. But at 201 lbs, he’s not doing that bad. Bush is 210, Warrick Dunn is 180 (that’s insane). What he needs to work on the most is ball security - and nothing will get his ass glued to seat quicker than fumbling the ball.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 am
@Matt: Haven’t heard or read anything updating Dunta’s progress in awhile, which isn’t too surprising. As we all knew in the pits of our stomachs after seeing that injury, it’ll be a minor miracle if he contributes this season. I’m no doctor, but I seem to recall from past book learnin’ that football players need hamstrings and knee ligaments to run. It’s science.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 am
@Tim: Your in-depth knowledge of scientific things never ceases to amaze me.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Duane Brown…if he can give Schaub the confidence he needs, not hearing footsteps, he’ll make the most impact.
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July 26th, 2008 at 8:01 am
@Matt: I’m certainly a homer, but I honestly thought he’d be a 2nd round pick coming out. He would have likely been a first rounder the year before. He is just too smart not to get it done on the field
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July 26th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I actually agree with you 100% on that.