Whoever calls Clemson's offense is a really sharp guy. I watched Louisville and Clemson last night, and I was purely amazed how one play, Clemson is running the triple option, then the next Watson lines up under center, sits in a pocket, and delivered killer passes, then read option, then pistol, then shotgun. So diverse. Whoever was #10, the DB from Louisville was picked on. Their entire secondary was exposed, after being hailed as one of the best. Watson looked great last night at home. His 1 pick was a tip that hit his receiver in the hands. He's got size, the arm, and speed to be a triple threat. I dont like how this is his 1st year starting and he's coming out. Cam Newton did the same after transferring from Florida to Auburn, but Newton dominated the NCAA before being picked #1. Kizer isn't dominating anything outside of nobodies Nevada and Syracuse. I think he can fix his decision making, I hope he doesn't have the yips though. To replace Jay, I'd like to see a taller guy who can stand up in the pocket. Now having competent offensive tackles will make that happen, otherwise whomever it is should be rolling bootlegs if Massie and Leno are somehow still on the roster as starters next year. Kizer's size is ideal. Watson a couple inches shorter, but 6'3 can stand. Both have a lot of positive things to bring to the table, and they fit the new age of multi-threat quarterbacks entering the NFL recently. I don't want another Rex Grossman, who couldn't see over his line. Now I also haven't watched Allen, so I wont turn my nose up at him. If he can improvise like Brees or Wilson then I'd be open to it. A quick Walterfootball QB rankings list doesn't have Allen, CBS either for 2017. But for 2018 quarterback prospect rankings, CBS has him ranked as the 18th QB. ALthough to be fair, Falk, Rudolph, Kaaya, Watson, and JT Barrett wont be on that list, as I believe all 5 will be entering 2017's draft. So 13th.
One thing I'm also high on so far this year is likelihood of mid round tackle prospects. I watched Michigan Wisconsin yesterday, and one guy people look at is Mason Cole, the Center and Grant Newsome, the left tackle. Both expected to come out this year and be in the 1-3 rounds as of now. Cole moved from Left Tackle to Center this year to also call the plays at the line. But he likely is a late 1st/early 2nd prospect. Erik Magnuson, their right tackle, currently projected to be a 5-6 round pick to me is a steal, though I expect as the season progresses and the offseason does to he likely becomes a 3-5 rounder. This kid is one of the best 2-way tackles in the NCAA right now, but like Phil Loadholdt some years back in Oklahoma, his stock dropped/lessens from him not being the left tackle. McGlinchy from ND, Cam Robinson from Bama, and Roderick Johnson from FSU are the 3 tackles in the 1st round projected. I think Magnuson would provide much needed stability at RT. Again, he can pass block and run block. Levon Myers from Northern Illinois is another guy I'm taking a look at. Local, and put himself on the radar after stifling Josh Perry and Derron Lee, 2 Ohio State edge rushers who are now in the NFL. As more film comes I'll post and breakdown.
Patg, I have an LB you need to check out. Zach Cunningham from Vandy. The guy had 19 tackles today in an upset win over Georgia. Leads the SEC in tackles. Watched some other games he has played in this season and the guy is a player. Finds the ball and stands out as a great player on a very below average team. Good size and speed, definitely one to watch.
I watched the 2nd half of that game and can attest that dude can move through traffic, and he was the guy to put the dagger in the Bulldogs heart on that last 4th down play.
With the season he's having thus far, he's put himself in a great situation. To start 2016, he was a fringe 4-6 rounder who now finds himself in conversation as first non edge LB taken in the draft; depending if Jarrod Davis from Florida leaves early, as well as Raekwon McMillan from Ohio State, who almost assuredly will leave early as Urban Meyer just bagged three 5 star recruits including athletes (projected to be LBs) Brendan White and Tate Mitchell, and stud Antjuan Simmons--who Jim Harbaugh must be kicking himself for letting the Ann Arbor native Simmons go play for your biggest rival. 5 star recruit in your own backyard and he picks your #1 rival. Though for collegiate recruiting, there's still time for these kids to change their minds, signing day isn't until February where pen has to be put to paper with the final decisions. There are other good looking linebackers coming out too, problem is, I think ILB is a luxury for the bears at this point draft-wise. With another likely top 10 pick, you take your quarterback if he's there, or protection for the guy you end up taking, unless somehow Myles Garrett or Jabril Peppers fall to you in the 4-8 range, what I think the bears look like. The 2nd rounder I think is prime pickings for a TE, this draft class has 3 studs in OJ Howard, Jake Butt, and Evan Engram. Howard is likely the 1st rounder (Packers scouts have been at every Bama game and like him), but man would Butt look good in Navy and Orange. Circling back to linebackers, depth would be key, and in either of the 2 4th round picks or in the 5th you could find an unlucky sleeper who's fallen, like a Josey Jewell from Iowa, Ben Boulware from Clemson, or JJ Watt's freakishly good Swiss Army knife of a little brother TJ from Wisconsin. My guy from Northwestern Anthony Walker, who reminds me a lot of former NU LB Nick Roach with better instincts and athleticism too. The ends of the offensive line, Tight End, QB, defensive line depth (because Sutton and Corneleus Washington are bad), safety, edge (I assume Lamar Houston's time here is done) and CB depth are all priorities. That's a lot of work to do. I've mentioned before in this thread and the Colts' thread that I would take a mid round quarterback like a Luke Falk this year, and next year be in a prime suckage position to get one of Josh Browning, Josh Rosen, or Lamar Jackson and then you start your future post Cutler/Hoyer. I think the 3 of 2018's draft are far more talented to be NFL QBs than Watson, Kizer, and Kaaya right now.
Patg, we have a top 5 pick, more than likely a top 3 pick so the Bears will probably be able to get a QB or the best available non-QB in the draft since the battle for number 1 in the draft looks to be between them, the Browns and 49ers. I know we don't need an MLB but Cunningham just stood out in this game to me and then I looked at more film on him and he stood out there as well. Scouting college football players has become more fun to me than actually watching the Bears play. Love all these guys but then again I wanted the Bears to draft Hunter Henry last season in the second but the Chargers plucked him off the board before they had a chance too (although I doubt Pace would have taken him anyway). He has been playing well for the Chargers so far this season. I would gladly take any one of those 3 TE's listed above, all are very good TE's.
Until Week 17 is over and after the bears are long mathematically eliminated, I'm not saying that. This team is dumb enough, and stubborn enough to win enough games to put us in the ugly 8-14 draft pick range, where we miss out on the important positions, and then trade up 3 spots to grab another project player over 2 teams that weren't going to take him anyways who will probably miss half or most of his rookie year.
More quarterback turmoil this last week. It would be the bears-iest thing to take a quarterback this year in what after this past weekend, looks like a down year for quarterbacks. Did anybody watch Deshone Kizer get benched "to swing momentum" in a 7 point game against Stanford? Malik Zaire really showed them what's what. I have no idea if this opens up Myles Garrett to be the #1 guy the browns take or what; but I cant recall a time where the #1 pick to be--a quarterback--gets benched down 7 against a rival team in the name of momentum. Watson is under fire for a post game presser for saying "I dont know" when asked about NC State's switching defensive fronts (NC State lost a close one to Clemson this past saturday 24-17). The question seemed vague/not spectacularly worded, but please don't tell me this kid cant understand defenses....... I've said a few times I don't trust this year's quarterback class thus far. Kizer for this reason, Watson because of the offense he's in, and Kaaya with consistency issues. I posted on Mason Rudolph, will start film on Chad Kelly and Luke Falk soon, but otherwise--this year isn't looking good for quarterbacks right now. There's no Wentz like prospect who understands defenses, identifies weak spots, and is so intelligent/communicative behind center. Charlie Campbell from Walter Football says the bears and a handful of other teams are heavily scouting Malik McDowell, DT/5 tech from Michigan State, who's in upper half of 1st round projections right now. Bears scouts have also reportedly been in Seattle area, watching the Washington Huskies, with a bevy of defensive stars. Sydney Jones and Kevin King at CB, Buddha Baker at FS, Vita Vea at 5 tech and Eli Qualls at NT. These players all have CBS rankings top 3 rounds right now.
As mentioned earlier this week, with a down week last week at quarterback with top picks Kizer and Watson getting criticism.....the door has opened up for 2 guys, Luke Falk and Mitch Trubisky, quarterbacks for Washington State and North Carolina. Both in many rankings, from Fanspeak, to Walterfootball, to CBS, to Arrowhead scouting have put these guys from 4-5 round range into the 1-3 round. To the film. We'll start with Luke Falk. [video]https://youtu.be/06okDrDVpvU[/video] First home game for Washington State against nearby small rival, Eastern Washington; known for their blood red field and Jake Rogers, an offensive lineman for the Falcons taken in the 4th round of 2015 draft. Washington State's coach is Mike Leach, known for his shotgun air raid offense with 5 WR sets. His notable quarterback was Graham Harrell, drafted by the Packers in 2010, released in 2013 and played for the Jets a season before now becoming a quarterbacks coach at North Texas University. There's a couple things I like so far, as I'm about 4 minutes in; Falk will put the ball where the defender just cant get to it. This is a bit of a double edged sword on some throws as his receiver cant get close to it either. He is efficient in initial and secondary read, yet also has designed players like WR screen sets where he already knows where he's going to throw the ball. He's got the arm good enough for the long ball, and again has some accuracy to add to that, putting it in some great spots for his receivers and out of reach for defenders. He's not working with outer-worldly talent at receiver though. His pocket is good, great offensive line, but Falk also looks good with his instincts, knowing when a defender is closing. When to step up. His one sack early on was a smart one to take, he had nothing and was still in the pocket, so he couldn't just chuck it up far and wide unless he wanted a grounding call. He has a quick move to avoid pressure, as EW steps it up as the game progresses. This is a good and bad thing, but he likes his receivers to run quick slants. Being a lesser college school, WSU doesn't get prime talent at wideout, so in these air raid systems, you get lesser talented WRs, 2 and 3 star recruits and you run simple routes. This offense so far is quick slant heavy, with Falk hitting the throws and identifying the flanker beating the shorter DB (EW has a short CB). These WRs really do him a disservice in the 2nd half as tehy're down 31-28; taking wide open spaces in front of them and cutting in towards tacklers. There was a 3rd down and 16 where Falk hits his guy, wide open room down the sidelines, and he cuts in turning it into 4th and 12. After tied 14 all, EW begins to bring 4 rushers again. Falk carves them up over the middle of the field, putting passes undefendable to opposing linebackers. EW has tall, fast linebackers, but this ginger dude with the long hair doesn't know his assignment. A lot of similar plays to what Hoyer does here. 5 yard and in routes, hitting his WR crossing and his receivers do work picking up first downs. He throws a beautiful fade for his guy for their 3rd score that the defender had no chance at. He identifies defensive weaknesses. After the first scoring drive, EW stops rushing 4-5 guys and just runs a 3 down lineman dime package. Falk gets more time, and for his 2nd touchdown his receiver splits the safeties for a nice pocket on a 30 yard TD pass. That's 101. But the NFL won't give him that kind of front or time in the pocket. EW shows multiple defensive fronts, runnnig 4-2, 4-3, 3-4, and 5-2 a lot of the game. That Falk is identifying fronts and exposing weaknesses well, that's something you want to see of a quarterback. EW isn't playing bland, and Falk is taking what they give him and identifying what's open and what's not. Again 101 stuff, but he's efficient. Some things I don't like: Shotgun every play. Marc Trestman's offense appears to be an ended trend at the NFL level. I'm on 6 minutes in and he hasn't taken one snap under center, not even a 3rd and inches where he sneaks it. He just takes snaps out of the shotgun. The "systems" quarterback stigma. Guys like Colt Brennan, Timmy Chang, David Fales, and hosts more college quarterbacks who are stat stuffers in college but just don't cut it in the NFL. His INT (around the 8 minute 10 second mark), have no clue what he was looking at. His WR ran into a blanket of 3 zone defenders. His WR did pull a little bit of a Kevin White and stopped his route, but his target is a Senior he's been playing ball with for 2+ years. You have to be on the same page with a guy like that. This is draftbreakdown's only 2016 video with Falk, they're uploading more, which I want to see. He's evidently improved from his 2015 season as a starter, doing more to get him recognized. WSU Loses this game, but Falk gets hot and gives them a chance at the end, scoring to bring it within 3. The defense then gave up a 2 minute TD to EW.
Nice job Patg, great break down. The history of Mike Leach's QB's going to the NFL speaks for itself. I don't like to put a stereotype on a coach or disregard a player because others didn't make it but his system doesn't develop NFL QB's. It is a system that has been very successful in college but just doesn't lead to good NFL prospects. I think Falk has talent but definitely don't like him in the first round. I'm glad you mentioned Trubisky, he is one I have been looking closer at, curious what you think of him. I still like Watson the best despite the criticism this year. I still like Kiser as well despite the recent issues, Notre Dame is a train wreck right now in complete disarray. I haven't seen anyone better than these two yet in terms of NFL ability that will be draft eligible this season.
I liked how Falk countered their blitz and found the open receiver would then shook off the tackle and took it to the house with no safety help over the top. On another play how he sold the bubble screen and draws the defense up and then targets the receiver who then got behind the defense on a little hitch route.
This screamed red flag for me too. However, Falk picked WSU over Florida State, Boise State, Utah, Arkansas State, Cornell, and Idaho and was considered a 2 star recruit, pro-style QB according to his 24/7 Recruiting profile. http://247sports.com/Player/Luke-Falk-29315?Institution=21897 https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/23235 Graham Harrell was a 4 star recruit, not from Pro-style, who picked Texas Tech (before Leach got fired for player abuse) over Georgia, Baylor, Wisconsin, and NC State. Trubisky may end up being the best of the class. He's rock solid right now and CBSSports' Dane Brugler mocks the bears taking him #4 overall in his article earlier today. I'm watching film of NC versus VTech from earlier this year right now. When Watson told the student reporter "I don't know" when it came to NCState switching up defenses on him and how he identified them, that completely turned me off. His arm is pretty, his athleticism is a bonus, but if you cant identify or understand basic defensive fronts--you aren't going to have a career at the NFL level. Kizer I think is a good quarterback on the most overrated team in all of NCAA. ND was thought by many to be to be in the playoff this year. Then of course they started losing to better teams. For an air raid offense, he seemingly does a lot more for WSU. More than Harrell did for Texas Tech.
Now for Mitch Trubisky. [video]https://youtu.be/dA120TR6PNY[/video] A home game 2 weeks ago against Virginia Tech. First couple of drives commentators do a great job hyping, but the offense looks flat. Average protection against a so-far aggressive VT Front 4. They deflect a ball early and the first INT thrown by Trubisky was a combination of a forced throw and an opportunistic DB. In addition to catching the ball, route running, and everything receivers do, they also have to play defense on a poorly thrown ball. Trubisky's WR flat out gets lazy and the DB gets position, deflects the pass, dives, and gets an INT putting VT offense in NC territory. I'm not gonna lie, that was a bit of a Shitwad throw. But still, #13 has to recognize that the defense is in great position on a bad throw. Knock the ball down. Dont fucking stare at it. I'm through the first, and like Falk, Trubisky lines up in shot gun often. Haven't seen him line up under center yet. Also, this offensive coordinator isn't bright. VT isn't allowing the read option, and the NC OC keeps dialing it up for no gain. The end of the first quarter is frustrating. Trubisky gets back on track, finding #13 wide open over the middle and it hits the kid in the hands and he drops it. Then like Frodo Baggins calling plays, dialed up a 2 yard pass when its 3rd and 7? Recognize the sticks. Credit to VT this first quarter, their defense is played really well. NC's offense really likes the '10 yard comeback' routes, and in the early 2nd quarter keeps going back to them in their shotgun-4 wide looks. They're far easier at the NCAA level than at the NFL. DBs dont bit the way some of them are doing in this game. Before NC gets their first field goal, they were on VT's 10 yard line. 3 straight plays, 3 straight drops. Great throws, receivers either have their heads up their asses or are afraid to get hit. #8 wide open on a swing pass on 3rd down dropped for cover because the linebacker came running. More bad playcalling as the 2nd progresses. I said earlier that the read option does not work, so this offensive coordinator thinks play action is a good idea? Well, VT read it, got a jail break, and this kid had no chance. VT also made a sharp change, their best pass rusher, 5-tech Woody Barron switched from left side where standout RT John Heck (projected 5th round pick right now) shut him down. VT's coordinator identified that #58 at LT has struggled against the edge. Put Barron right on him and Barron keeps winning the match up. No TE help either. Towards the end of the 2nd, Trubisky makes a few bad decisions. Backed up on his own 4 yard line, escapes pressure in the end zone, holds onto the ball after he's well out of the pocket to buy himself more time. Throw the damn ball away, don't take a sack on the 1 yard line making it 4th and 21 for your punter from his own 1. Fresh start at the beginning of the 3rd. NC's defense is really good, only letting it be a 10 point game. Trubisky starts in a forgetful way. Misses his #1 WR, wide open behind the safety with perfect protection for a 3 yard out pass to #13. Next play #13 gets steps behind the DB, and he underthrows the long ball. That's so Brian Hoyer-like. More importantly, is it correctable? Play action began to work before Barron on VT, who I mention earlier walked by the left tackle and strip sacked him. Turnover on your own 20 yard line? Led to 7 points. Overall first impressions, kind of lacklusting. He made some pretty accurate throws, and there's not much you can do when your receivers drop it. Like Falk, he didn't line up once in this game under center, but the NC offense isn't air-raid; though shotgun and pass heavy. But Hoyer and Jay like, and I'm not saying that to seem jaded. On his first INT, complete Shitwad throw. He forced something that wasn't there. Then like Hoyer, missed his wide open #1 target behind the safety for a guy who dropped the ball on a perfect throw. Mix that with some bad/stubborn playcalling. I understand the need to establish the run, but the read option didn't fool VT at all. What did I like? He gets rid of the ball quickly. He's accurate with his throws, he hangs tough after getting flattened by a 300 LB defensive lineman, identifies and extends plays from pressure, and does well progressing through his reads. This was their bad game of the year.
Understand your concerns with Watson, before this season I thought he was going to be a no-brainer first pick in the draft but his play has been good, not great plus your above quoted comments and a few others start to put a little dullness on his armour. I still think he has all the skills to be a great NFL QB and he has proven to be a winner during his time at Clemson. He seems to be a big game player. I like Kiser's arm and size. Think he has the stuff you need to be successful in the NFL just hope Brian Kelly and his Fighting losers don't damage him with the pathetic season they are putting forth. Trubisky is my 3rd favorite right now, would like to see more from him and more of him. Hate the offense he is in again for developing NFL QB's but definitely has the physical skills to succeed at the next level. Played well in the game I got to see him play against Georgia but this is his first year as a starter, the inexperience worries me as well and think a redshirt first year in the NFL would be in order. Falk is right there as well as well as Brad Kaaya, but right now Watson and Kiser stand out above the rest of these guys. I'm sure like you, I will keep looking for the Carson Wentz type guy that will jump up the board unexpectedly. Lamar Jackson is an absolute freak. I really hope this kid puts on some more size because he is just electric to watch, one of the best college football players I have seen in a long time. I know he can't come out this year and probably a good thing for him but if any of you haven't watched him play I highly recommend you do, you won't be disappointed.
The thing I liked about Trubisky's deep throws he seems to have a nice touch on them, it's like he's dropping them into a mailbox. [video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WooiPttrmnw[/video]
But I cant tell yet if he's as good as his team lets him be and the opponent lets him be. Is he a product of a great offense or is he the reason North Carolina is rolling along? After watching the VT game film, for me its the former. [video]https://youtu.be/coCF3UjfZSw[/video] 2nd tape, Trubisky against Miami. DLine is going to need to help me out, because outside of Kaaya and Stacey Koley, their smurf burner WR who I like in the mid-late rounds, reminds me a lot like Stefan Diggs back when he was at Maryland, I know next to nothing about this team. The stadium looks so empty, does the U play in Dolphin Stadium? Also when did Miami start wearing red? So far, on the first drive, Trubisky is throwing bullets. He's forced a couple bad throws into well covered WRs, particularly this #13 guy. The first drive stalls in bears-like fashion they shoot themselves in the foot and turn 1st and 10 from the 10 into 3rd and 25 from the 25. Miami sends the house and they end up with 3 points only. 2nd drive he's fit a few nice passes into tight holes and his WRs pull it in, a lot to like there. But I'm still leery of the 100% shotgun offense. 2 tapes of game and I haven't seen him take one snap under center, like Falk. His touchdown he makes reads competently and hits a wide open guy with room to make the catch, take a hit, and he held on. Solid. More useless read option keepers that dont work. Why does NC keep going to that play? Miami's ILB has stayed home every time I've seen it run so far. Through the 2nd, he begins to make plays with his legs. They dont equate to points though. Like in the VT game, NC receivers route tree is a stead diet of 10 yard comebacks/curls and go routes. A lazy post or two as well. Great identification of the wide open man at the end of the 2nd quarter on the bomb pass. Miami's CB slept on that one, which made it look more appetizing that Trubisky under threw it. His best plays come when Miami sits in the zone. He shreds zone coverage and this #13 WR is smart enough to find the right pocket under or just past the zone on his deep balls. I like that they're on the same page. At the beginning of the second half, Miami takes away the short quick stuff and Trubisky looks stymied. Throw the damn ball downfield if they're gonna give you single coverage from the safety. Miami bites on virtually every halfback screen. I'm having some trouble at the end of the 4th quarter, and I don't know if this is Trubisky or the OC. But you're up 2 scores and still run shotgun short passes? Miami ended up losing 20-13, and NC won the game wiping out the clock from 2 minutes left in the 3rd until 4 and change in the 4th. I've watched tape on him twice now and I'm not terribly impressed. His reads and throws are competent, but he doesn't take one snap under center, throws 40-50 times a game, and he does a pretty good job recognizing pressure and stepping up or rolling out/escaping. Under pressure from a good defense like VT, he gets swallowed up. His run game against the U opened up options downfield. But against VT, they took away the run, and ate this kid alive when they made him throw, and they blew out NC. I also don't want to actively go looking for something that's not there nor recommend fans do it. I've expressed my lack of enthusiasm for Kizer and Watson, but I don't want to put all eggs in the basket of someone else because those two I ultimately dont think are the guys you want for the future. Trubisky looks like a project, and so far between the two tapes, I like Falk better. But i still need to see far more from Falk.
Patg, I read today that Ryan Pace, the Bears Director of Scouting and another Bears scout were all seen at the Notre Dame / Miami game. So it looks like Pace is starting to put some time in scouting QB's Kaaya and Kiser... About f*cking time.
I missed Catholics v Convicts yesterday, except for the last minute. Its at the top of my list of film to watch. Sorry, NU hung in with Ohio State in Columbus. Not to get anybody's hopes up right now. But the Browns are beating the Jets.
So I'm going to start draft week off with a prospect I like, and am willing to "break the chain" on, meaning break free from taking a LT prospects, a QB (who I think the bears are far out of range on now), or pass rusher. I'm talking about a CB/SS/KR/PR hybrid, Jabrill Peppers from Michigan. 6'1, 205 lbs. Before I get to the tape, serious question. A couple months back, after my hiatus, I posted an article about why NFL play has declined, leading to lower viewership among NFL fans. I'll post the link as well--its a phenomenal read. There is an excerpt here that I want to pull, and that's from Buffalo Bills GM Doug Whaley's point of view on shelling out big money contracts: "We've got a list,? said Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley, ?of six positions we?re going to pay.? The positions: quarterback, left tackle, and a playmaker on offense; a cornerback, a pass rusher, and a playmaker on defense." My first question is, do you guys agree with this statement? Ultimately, do the bears? If so, if a Patrick Peterson-type talent was available if the bears are picking (assuming they are) 3-6 range, do you take him, knowing down the line he's going to get a Patrick Peterson-type 5 year, 70 mil with 48 mil guaranteed? Because I think Peppers is a Patrick Peterson-type talent. We all want to see LT get solved, QB, and several other positions first, but is this a position you can break the monotony for? Or, do you just want to win front 7 battles. Then Peppers isn't going to be your guy, one of Jonathan Allen or Malik McDowell will be. Link to the article about the NFL's talent/age problem--a must read for everybody. https://theringer.com/the-nfl-has-an-age-problem-7068825845e4#.3ik8bbvyh To the tape: First up is 2016 Michigan-Penn State. [video]https://youtu.be/AX56E0PkReQ[/video] First play, almost taken to the house. Remember Devin Hester and what a good return game can do? I know the NFL has kind of neutered returns, but this was a combination of what a great returner is mixed with a competent special teams play. THat reminds me so much of a young Hester and Dave Toub just creating opportunities that you cant coach in a returner with these kinds of instincts. Shoe laced tackled. We see him lined up back for the next drive at SS, his natural position. He plays and reads the run well, fighting off Penn State TE #88 twice. Michigan by itself has a strong defense, and he lines up at the line of scrimmage some. To take on TE in single coverage, and to blitz. He runs a few disguised blitzes that--I cant tell if he "dogs it" or if he already identified that his 5 Tech, Ryan Glasnow (projected 2-3 round prospect) has already won his battle and was taking down the QB. Harbaugh tends to use him as Dick LeBeau used Troy Polumalu during his career. He plays a lot of snaps at the line of scrimmage, reading run, pass, or manning up on the slot or TE. Penn State blows a run play wide open near the 1:50 mark, but Peppers gets clearly held by #88. He reads the read option and screen passes very well. Blows several up or eliminates running lanes fast. He's a solid run defender. What I want to see is a QB test him, but McSwarley, Penn State's QB doesn't even throw to his side of the field. I doubt he'll get that kind of immediate respect at the NFL level, but the possibilities of a star SS that shuts down half of a QB's field. That would have its benefits. Towards blow-out territory, up 35-0, Michigan puts him in at ILB and blitzes with him.
