For those of you less knowledgeable on the draft and wondering about certain hyped prospects on this site, here is a great article from Thejetsblog.com on Sheard, a possible pick to the Jets at 30. Prospect Watch: DE/OLB Jabaal Sheard By Weeks on Feb 21, 2011, 3:49 pm As the Jets journey towards the draft in April, I will examine prospects that could potentially be on the Jets’ draft board. Sheard, left, and teammate Greg Romeus, the pilots of Pitts' defense. College: Pittsburgh Measurables: 6’4″ 260 lbs Projected Round: First, Second Positives Sheard is an excellent pass rusher that will push his way into the backfield at the tackle’s expense; even when he is occupied by multiple blockers, Sheard will do most anything to get his hands on the quarterback. If he cannot reach the quarterback he will remain active utilizing his hands and jumping abilities to disrupt the pass attempt. He has a good repertoire of pass rushing moves and will generate a lot of pressure in the pocket. He can identify plays on his side well particularly misdirection and screen plays. Sheard is able to maintain his leverage to hold the LoS and does relatively well containing run plays; again he will do anything he can to help stop the offense in their tracks. Although he doesn’t have what one may consider “elite” explosion off the snap, he will give his blockers are run for their money. He is a solid tackler and can make it difficult for teams to run inside or outside of him. He can make plays all over the field and will take off after the play. Areas of Improvement Sheard lacks agility in space and is only adequetly flexible. Though he keeps his feet moving he can struggle to disengage from blocks at times and will struggle to change direction because of stiff hips. There are some character concerns as he was involved in a brawl that resulted in him throwing a man through a glass door. Sheard pled guilty to disorderly conduct and was order to apologize, pay the man’s medical bills while he faced a two week suspension from Pitt. Analysis The last time the Jets dipped into Pitts’ pot they were rewarded with shutdown corner Darrelle Revis and I have to say from what I have read and seen, Sheard has the potential to become a very explosive player in the NFL – maybe not of Revis’ caliber but the answer to the Jets’ pass rush woes — that one missing piece. He does a lot of things well on the field and with some time with the coaches, I’m sure he can only improve. His motor, work ethic and intensity truly grabbed my attention and the fact that prior to the brawl he helped save an elderly women from her burning building and was a good student leads me to believe whatever “issue” he may have character-wise won’t pose much of a problem in the locker room. Of course with our luck he’d be a guy Rex would take with him to a fight! In all seriousness, Sheard is someone who I wouldn’t mind the team selecting and with the linebackers/defensive ends in seemingly great demand this April, there is a good chance Sheard will be available at 30. Sheard Video Highlights [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXyEfTsXG4w[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka7wpg2TnzY[/YOUTUBE] I hope all of you who are curious about the hype and criticism on Sheard can learn from this info and these video from now until draft day. :up:
Don't get me wrong, I do like, Sheard. I'm not on this bandwagon though, can't do it. I just don't see the complete package with this kid, he has great features and brings good things to the table, but there are other players in this draft that have a much higher ceiling then, Sheard. Just my opinion.. With that said, I wouldn't be unhappy if the Jets picked, Sheard. I doubt they will though. That may change in the next month, but I doubt it.
I think Sheard is pretty good, but I dont see him as a first round prospect, at least not for the Jets. If he is miraculously available in round 3, than go for it
i just dont see his explosion and quickness to be a very good pass rusher in the nfl, plus i dnt see him being able to cover better than any of the LBs we already have...I hope justin houston falls so we can get him- butif we traded back and got him in a late 2nd or early 3rd, it would be alright
I disagree explosively with the people in this thread. I'm so sick of getting outside linebackers with just decent pass rush skills because they possess marginal ability in coverage. It's nonsense. It's about time the Jets got an OLB who plays like Sheard, angry and relentless when it comes to getting to the quarterback. When was the last time you heard an analysis of Terrell Suggs' ability in coverage? Or DeMarcus Ware? I have no clue how good they are in space, probably decent? Doesn't matter really because they excel where they're needed most. Great 34 defenses are built on a handful of things, and a feared passrusher is one of them. Getting Justin Houston would be good, but he doesn't bring the things to the table that Sheard does. He's a better version of what we have, not what we need.
Finally someone who knows what the fuck there talking about, Sheard is a monster and doesnt let up on any defensive plays on getting to the QB. He has an exceptional football IQ and has a motor that some in this draft cannot even compare to. I like Houston dont get me wrong but IMO he is just a better Bryan Thomas with maybe a bit more range.
This guy just seems like a 34 d-end to me rather than an olb. He has a great bulrush, but lacks the speed off the edge I'd like to see. I'd much rather land houston if he falls to us.
At 6'4 260 he's WAY to undersized to be a 3-4 DE. Usually they average between 285-310+. If he's not drafted as a 3-4 OLB he'll be a 4-3 DE. Unless you were joking of course lol.
I understand his weight isn't what you look for in a 34 d-end. Im talking about the way he plays though. He just plays like a 34 end to me. Its just my opinion based on what I've seen on some youtube videos, and obviously im no expert. I don't think he'd be a bad olb, but I think were really lacking speed and he doesn't add much.
No offense, but that's really stupid. Because he likes the bull rush he's a 34 end? 34 ends don't bull rush, they hold ground, fill gaps, and fight through doubles. 34 OLBs use a variety of pass rush moves to get to the quarterback, one of which is the bull rush. I'm not really getting the knocks on Sheard's athleticism, he seems pretty darn athletic to me. A guy like him who's made his way in college with a combination of physicality and athleticism will almost always have an easier transition to the NFL game than players who based their success on speed alone. People always talk about how much faster the NFL game is than college, but it's ultimately the ability to take on and beat blockers that will determine how successful a 34 OLB or 43 DE is. Speed alone may get one sack a game, but I'm looking for players that can be factors on every play, locked up on a tackle or not. Justin Houston is a fine player (I know he was a straight up DE his first 2 years), so is Von Miller, and so is Akeem Ayers. That said, if I'm talking about developing a 34 OLB for this team, I want someone who excelled battling in the trenches, especially with how much he'll likely have his hand down in the Jason Taylor role early on. Sheard's ability to take on linemen and find his way into the play impresses me more than blowing by a future 6th round pick tackle any day.
Sigh. This is why I avoid this forum. Everyone thinks they're pro nfl scouts and you're stupid if you have a different opinion. When 34 dends are in passing situations the look a hell of a lot like this guy to me. I'd prefer more speed on the outside then bulk. Maybe Rex would prefer speed comes from his dB's. I don't know.
I like how you put words in my mouth and went on a rant about what a 34 end does too. Gotta love the draft forum.
You're basically saying because he isn't afraid to engage blockers he's a 34 DE. It's not stupid if it's a different opinion, it's stupid if it's a stupid opinion. If you would have said he plays more like a 43 end no one would have said a word, but instead you came in our house and crapped on the carpet. Just be happy I actually took the time to teach you something.
You arrogant clown. Read what I said. I complimented his bulrush abilities. I did not say because he likes to bullrush he's a 34 d-end. You said that. I'm well aware of what a 34 dend's responsibilities are and how they play. But because you're such an arrogant pos you sit here and wait for any opportunity to try and impress people with your great knowledge instead of actually understanding what im saying. Bottom line, I prefer more speed than bulk from a pass rushing olb. I look forward to your arrogant response that will likely "teach me" what an olb is supposed to do.
I like Sheard but not in the first round. I'm sure he'll be a fine player in the NFL but I'd rather an OLB with more speed and explosiveness. Jets already have 4 LB that have a fundamentally sound game but lack a pure passrusher. I don't see Sheard as a dominant passrusher in a 3-4.
If there is any one lesson to be taken from the Vernon experience it's that a non stop motor is more important that sheer physical ability, or even to a degree talent.
