For the last couple of years we have all complained about certain players not living up to their potential. We all have our opinions on what player is better than another but all we have to go on is the performance on game day while watching a small view of the game. Unfortunately we very rarley see the whole field and we really don't know what play was called or who is missing thier assignments nor do we know what preparation was done during the week or any not reported injuries (like bretts0 NOW we will have a new Head Coach and staff to evaluate our players and we will get a much better idea of who the real underachievers are and who the players were that were not coached up to thier potential. That given said who do you think is going to bring thier game to the next level my 1st name is Gholston.
this seems like an end-around Gholston thread to me, but I'll say Brad Smith, Leon Washington and Kellen Clemens were all hindered by the CS's inability to harness their natural athleticism. On the converse, which players do you think are going to take a step back under the new regime? Because they responded better to mangini's style than Rex's?
The players on a team are like a bus. A bus you ride to success, but when the bus just circles around failure, and even a few times you see the "1 Mile from success" sign to just taunt you, its time to get on another bus.
Dwight lowery......he is a ball hawk who takes to many chances and with the right coaching he can take advantage of more balls thrown to his side (and a better pass russ)
interesting brad smith came up, he was a huge part in our playoff team with his gimmicks, we'll see is schott gets his head out of his ass this year
I will give one player that will step up and one that takes a step back. Stepping up will be Bryan Thomas. He has shown glimpses (albeit brief glimpses) of being a play maker. Moving to this aggressive defense and stopping the read and react stuff would seem to fit what Thomas can do better. Shaun Ellis will not be as good IMHO. I don't think his skills translate well to be an upfield playmaker. He has become a "hold your gap" type of player.
I disagree, and will say I have more faith in a dark horses like Carroll or Trusnik. I think Rex could really bring Trusnik along. Note: "Ohio Northern (D-3) defensive end Jason Trusnik, a 6' 5", 235-pound senior led the nation in sacks (18) and tackles for loss (31) in 2004."
sarcasm?? Those two will be cut, they were Mangini's players. One is a penalty machine, the other a D-3 ST guy. They aren't going to do much.
The first name that came to my head is Kerry Rhodes. This guy has shown us that he has all the potential, and has been terrific at times, but I feel like Mangini and Sutton restricted him and forced him into being a player that he's not. I feel like Rex is going to let our players be themselves and utilize their best strengths.
Well, Carroll DOES have the physical tools. If someone can get him to play disciplined and with technique, then he could be a star. He was actually pretty good on ST and he did drastically cut down on stupid penalties, so the possibility exists that he has matured enough to take coaching and improve his practice habits. Slim, but possible. As for Trusnik, I thought he did really well under Mangini, considering where he started. He reminds me of Jarrett Johnson on the Ravens because his hustle stands out. He can play some DE, some OLB, and some ILB, so I think that versatility may give him a leg up with the Mad Scientist. Shaun Ellis was an interesting mention. At first I thought he would be too old to really "blossom" under Rex, but then I remembered that Ellis can also play a LOT of positions (OLB in our Big Package last year where he made some outstanding tackles in space and this year we used him at NT some) and then I remembered it was he who came up with the mush huddle and I believe the Ravens used a mush huddle twice in their final game. They're going to love that connection.
This is a very interesting point and I hope you are right. I have no faith in BT at all--he's had plenty of opportunity to improve. He might play better for a few games then he'll disappear. Who needs someone who can't keep motivated? VG may improve or at least it will become obvious he's a bust. Trusnik, Murrell, Mosely, DeVito, Pioha will all be proved one way or the other. I like Mosely and maybe he will become a force. Good OP.
Thanks for having my back on this. Sometimes you need to look back a little further to get a good view or a player. I did say "dark horses".
I love the choice of Rhodes. like Ibleedgreen said, Rhodes has shown flashes, he has proven to be great, put him in an agressive scheme, and he can make plays similar to Ed Reed. Note: I did not say he would be Ed Reed, I said he could make similar plays in terms of the forced fumbles, and the interceptions. I don't think he will be returning them for touchdowns every time he touches the ball, but he will make plays. Lowery is another one. He is a ball hawk, thats what his game is, for a lot of plays last year he was just a touch away from knocking away balls thrown his way, for a rookie, he also made a lot of breakups. remember the first Miami game? hell he broke up what 4 passes that day alone? and like 2 in a row on the goaline saving a touchdown? Lowery can be great, he just needs time and proper coaching on his technique. I think he will take major strides forward this year. On Mosely, I agree, he is just a fiery guy who really wants to make a play, and in his limited oppurtunities, he always seemed to be making a big play. I think Rex and pettine will have him firing on all cylinders. I wouldnt be surprised to see him as our starting DE opposite Ellis on opening day.
I just dont see all this "potential" in Lowery as yu guysd say.. If he wasnt a rookie and just another guy starting at cb everyone on this forum would be calling for his head.. He was arguable the worst starting corner in the nfl with the amount of tds he gave up.. He got benched a couple of times and lost his job to a 35 year old corner... He doesnt have the speed to play out on the island which it was insane to have him play one on one with ted ginn..
Very well could be Mosely's year. He plays with a lot of passion, and our other DE's were unimpressive at best. He'll get his shot anyway..
but he was! he made plenty of great plays showing his flashes, but he made mistakes down the stretch, im betting he hit his rookie wall and his confidence and concentration wavered.... He will show his stuff this year count on it.
Agreed on all counts with Mosely, he has looked fairly athletic and quick in his time this year, it's hard to think that he is any worse than Kenyon Coleman...
When he was benched, he led all secondary players (CBs and Safeties) in forced fumbles and was I think top 3 in passes defensed. I don't care if he gave up a TD on every single other play (which he sure as hell didn't), he did that as a rookie with Revis on the other side and teams picking on him, and you can't forget about the great run support he gave, either. If he wasn't a rookie, he'd still be good and he shouldn't have been benched in the first place. Since he is a rookie, especially a low round rookie, it is great that he played as well as he did and his potential for improvement is amazing.
