I don't get it. The guy plays 3-4 OLB in the SEC. He dominates in the national championship game. He has incredible short area quickness. He can pass rush and he can set the edge against the run. Can he learn to drop back into zone every once in a while? I'm sure. Do the best 3-4 OLB's really have any business dropping into coverage? Do Ware, Woodley, Harrison, Orakpo every really cover anyone?
I agree with you man, I think Upshaw will be a really good OLB. He's good at everything. Coverage, Tackler, Pass Rusher, He's a + player as a 34 OLB.
This 100%. The months leading up to the draft truly are absurd sometimes. Upshaw doesn't have a position...rofl.
Well this is getting scary. It was in 2008 when Casserly and about 20 GMs thought there was no way Gholsten should be drafted any higher then the tail end of the 1st round and we all know what the Jets did. Rex seemed to say the Jets love Upshaw now. I hope this doesn't end up like that did.
If it does I'd fire every last scout on this team. This is the most pivitol draft, IMO, in years for this ball club. This draft, with the amount of picks we have, is going to set the stage for this team for the next 5 yrs.
Realistically the Jets only have 3 picks that should be expected to heavily influence the next 5 years. The other 7 picks are 5th, 6th and 7th rounders. Ideally you find a few hidden gems but it's not like the jets have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds.
I kind of agree with them. I think he has already reached 90% of his upside. He will find a place as a 34 OLB but he'll be an average to slightly above average one and nothing more. Unless I'm wrong of course
Update: The Alabama Proday has concluded, Upshaw ran a 4.77 in his 40. More can be seen at http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/alabama/post/_/id/1711/live-blog-alabama-pro-day-2
^^ I listened to ESPN first draft as they were discussing the Jets in the last podcast and it soon became clear to me that kiper/mcshay know next to nothing about the Jets. One of them (I think Kiper) was trying to argue that if Manning had come to the Jets then the Jets would still have sucked as the Jets team has less talent on it than the Colts - I mean seriously wtf.
That's not knowing nothing, that is just typical Jet hate from anybody associated with ESPN..or anybody associated with the media really.
Two guys that have been fired at least twice. Especially Lombardi I pay no attention to him on any football matters.
Listened again to Casserly and Lombardi and both said Upshaw is a really good football player. There concerns are that he is short and could get engulfed by the tackle. They also said he likely won't be good in space. I could see him getting engulfed by the tackle but I don't see him spending alot ot time playing in space. We want this guy heading straight for the QB. Everywhere you look he'd headed to the Jet's, we'll see.
I don't think he will get engulfed by tackles but like most pass rushers he probably won't be dropping into coverage. Which 34 linebackers can really cover anyone?
It's kind of like saying "I'm scared this passrusher isn't going to be able to rush the pass" "Oh by the way, if he actually can't be an effective passrusher then I really don't see a big future for him at Quarterback." DUHHHHHHHHHH.
With how solid our coverage on the outside can be, we'd be in good position if Upshaw can average into a 10 sacks a season guy.
