Beal's size is more fitting Rex's defense. It will be interesting where Beal is drafted. Some scouts believe he's no better than a mid Rd 2 prospect and others, like myself, believe he'll be a late rd 1 selection. Beal isn't a pass rush terror, but very solid in all aspects of the 3-4 OLB position.
He's been getting worked playing with his hand in the ground, but that just means he needs to play linebacker. His combine numbers will make or break his first round status. The same goes for someone like Jabaal Sheard. If either of the two under perform, it'd be nice to trade back at take one somewhere in the second round.
Bruce Carter - I know he wasn't really used as a pass rusher, but I like his speed and agility and size - could he fill this role for us? I'd love to hear a little more abut Brooks Reed as well. Personally, I've got a pretty big mancrush on Aldon Smith, too, but it sounds like he's a top 15 pick.
Bruce is too small to survive as a 34 OLB. He's probably about 230 and looks like he doesn't have the frame to get much bigger. He's much better suited to play in a 43. Aldon Smith looks like he could be an elite player, but how he looks in workouts will tell a good part of his story. I'm interested to see how he does in LB drills at the combine, because, in an extremely rare twist, he's one of the few top 34 OLB prospects without LB experience. Miller, Houston, Ayers, and Beal all have played a good amount of time with hands off the ground.
Pray NFL scouts outside of New York believe the former. I'm guessing either he or Sheard should be available at the end of the first round, given that the Pats will likely take their pass rusher early in Kerrigan or Ayers. Green Bay and Baltimore are kind of the wildcards, but if both go OLB, that likely leaves a fantastic 3-4 DE prospect at the end of the round for us. If that's the case, I hope it's Cam Jordan, school allegiances notwithstanding. Unfortunately, looks like he's starting to rise. Just like last year, all it takes is a couple of teams to reach to throw off the board and let someone better than our draft position drop into our laps.
The Jets are lucky because they're looking at these five or six 34 OLBs potentially being available, but the list of natural 43 ends goes a lot deeper than that for Rd 1. What the Jets need to hope is that teams don't take guys like Beal/Justin Houston/Ayers and try to stick them in a 43 defense, and let them slide right on down the board. It's really unlikely to think that there's going to be ten DEs taken in the top 30 picks, and you have to factor in guys like Bowers, Quinn, Clayborn, and Watt when you talk 43 ends.
Carter was at least a top 15 pick until he needed reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL at the end of the season. Carter could be a steal in rd 2/3 for some 4-3 team needing an OLB. I like (don't love) Aldon Smith and he's seems to be rising quickly since he declared. I have some concerns with Smith's lack of experience in coverage and quick risers sometime disappoint. Smith is a terrific athlete, just have some concerns...buyer beware. Brooks Reed is making a name for himself this week.
GH, I think you make a great point!!! Look at last year when the Eagles (4-3) took Brandon Graham. Ayers/Houston/Beal all may be suited to play 3-4, but could easily play in a 4-3 scheme. In fact, Houston will probably do better in a 4-3 defense. KC & NE are 2 teams ahead of us that have similar needs.
And that's what I've learned watching him work this past week, he's not an nightmare for QBs, which is cautioning me to love him as much as I did before. What I think is that he becomes what Calvin Pace is when he's totally healthy - 8 sacks a year but not a dynamic gamebreaker. Reliable, but not someone you hang your hat on to be awesome. The Jets need that awesome guy. I think Sheard is the guy who can be scary and give the OLBs an attitude they don't have. I've come to the decision that trading back to the 35-39 area is perfect to get sheard and maybe have another 2nd or 3rd rounder to get someone else for the DL. Cameron Jordan will end up as a top 15-20 pick. He's gone.
Trying to find the "dynamic gamebreaker" at outside pass rusher is very difficult, not many exist or are consistant each game in the NFL. A young Sugg's or Ware's passing rushing ability are very rare and when age catches up, their productivity usually declines. Pittsburgh has been very fortunate to get great play out of Farrior and Harrison who are at the end of their careers. I give much credit to Dick LeBeau. We need some youth at 3-4 OLB, with a combination of coverage and rushing ability. I think Beal will be a solid all round 3-4 OLB, but not a terror off the edge. If Beal could average 8 sacks a year, like you mentioned, I'd be thrilled.
Quite true. I brought that up in response to someone worrying that the Bears would screw us over as a joke, but as WW points out, it's certainly a real possibility as evidenced by last year. I think Ayers is pretty likely to go to a 3-4 team, but he'll be a likely target for New England early. Hadn't thought as much about KC, but certainly they'll be a player especially with the uncertainty surrounding Hali. Still, someone should be available at our pick.
Sam Acho was just interviewed on Sirius NFL Radio. Talked about how he's worked on skills to make himself appeal to 3-4 teams, was asked about his high academics and the influence of his parents on his work ethic. And then... When asked why he wants to play in the NFL, he said "To glorify God". It's a shame for him Tony Dungy doesn't coach in the league anymore. He might have gone 2 rounds higher.
I can't make a decision on Acho. He looks the part, I don't think he's right for the Jets, but I think he's going to be a solid player in this league.
I get what you mean. Unflashy but gets the job done and works his ass off. Fucking hell, those cunts can pick and chose who they want this draft class too. They own half the fucking thing.
Beal sucked in the Senior Bowl. My top five 3-4 OLBs in the 2011 Draft are: Von Miller, Texas A&M Height: 6-3. Weight: 237. - He showed up to the senior bowl weighing in at 237; way too undersized for a 3-4 position, but he can bulk up to at least 250 and still be effective. Robert Quinn, North Carolina Height: 6-5. Weight: 268. - was suspended this past season, but was an all american the season before and a four star high school recruit. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue Height: 6-4. Weight: 255. - all around excellent at the position; great technique, explosive off the line, and does not give up on plays. Justin Houston, Georgia Height: 6-3. Weight: 257. - needs to work on coverage, but overall is a great talent and can be coached up. He reminds me alot of Terrell Suggs. Sam Acho, Texas Height: 6-2. Weight: 257. - beat the hyped up tackle Nate Solder for a sack in the Senior Bowl; scouts rate Nate Solder as a top three offensive tackle talent..
