That is not my perspective. Im looking at technique, power,intelligence and speed. Those attributes lead to big plays and stats. Im not seeing positives in that area. Go back to my post during Milliners rookie season. I got murdered for what i said about him. I understand mental errors as a young player...but their must be specific physical traits in a player for ne to believe he has that position locked up. Bust may be a harsh word but im looking at it in terms if drafts trades and free agency. If we want an edge rusher we have to keep looking. I hope im wrong but...
Clowney is a far superior talent to Mauldin who has battled injuries and is on an upward swing. The two aren't comparable no matter what your googled stats say. Clowney if healthy might get 10 sacks this year and he is much more versatile because of his size and athleticism - he can play down with his hand in the dirt, can set the edge, can be effective in the running game and rush the passer. He also has over 4 times as many tackles as Mauldin. (if you want to compare stats without cherry picking) Mauldin is one dimensional and is not even half the athlete Clowney is. The Texans are lining up Clowney all over the field and he's getting double teamed. Mauldin is losing snaps to Mike Capatano...who? I'm not knocking Mauldin by saying this, you are the one would compared him to Clowney. They shouldn't be compared- Clowney was no 1. overall - he should be compared to players of that caliber. (he looks like a bust so far if you do) ---- Mauldin isn't a bad player but his problems are physical/athletic in nature. He can't get off blocks. That is probably going to hurt him his whole career but he could help himself by learning some moves to shed blocks. As is, he runs straight into the blocker and tries to beat them athletically. That might've worked in the Big East or the American conference but its not working against NFL lineman. He needs to use his hands more and get lower.
Of the four things, what doesn't improve with right training? We are not talking about sprinting 100m, right? Mauldin had but 2 offseasons. This is his only 2nd season - and he is supposed to blossom in these regards already? Are you fucking nuts? Physical/athletic problems would mean Mauldin is either too short, or too slow to cover receivers, etc. No training will overcome this kind of problem; only you can scheme defensively to disguise the weakness. Getting off the blocks [or - technically, "[shedding] the blockers"] is mostly hand technique; that's NOT a physical/athletic problem as you stated. If Jets LB coaches are worth their salt, he will learn how to use his hands properly, in due time. Remember. His back number during his college days was 94. He played DE, with 3 point technique mostly. 2 point technique that involves hands to shed blocks has to be a new thing for him. That he got 5 sacks last year alone says volumes about his potential, given that he was not even a natural LB to begin with.
All you said was that he is playing too high and losing leverage. Ok... That will happen from time to time. He has set the edge, he has done decent in coverage and he has a sack so far this year on a very limited snap count. You take the good with the bad. My point was, again, it's hard to be a liability to the team when you aren't getting the snaps. He hasn't allowed any major plays this year, he hasn't made many eithe. It all goes back to scheme and snap count. I'm not defensive fella, just stating facts.
Fuck the athlete argument. That doesn't make you a good football player. Just because he is the better athlete doesn't mean Mauldin won't be the better player. That's stupid. How did that work out for Stephen Hill for example? lol Alshon Jeffery wasn't the best athlete out of the two but who is the better football player? Hate that argument.
Did it ever occur to you that Mauldin is still learning to be an OLB that he never was? He was a DE at Louisville for all his time there, and before that, probably HS days. Change of stance involves change of techniques involved. Maybe a little time is all he needs, no?
I am not arguing that Clowney is going to be a better player because he's a better athlete. He is already a better football player than Mauldin. I am simply explaining why. I didn't think it was that hard to understand my post but you missed the point by a mile
Mauldin played the 3-4 edge backer his senior year at Louisville under DC Todd Grantham. That's one of the reasons the Jets drafted him. Grantham was a long time NFL coach and a 3/4 defensive coordinator under Romeo Crennel in Cleveland. He brought to Louisville a NFL style 3/4 defense and with that he moved Mauldin into the role he plays here with the Jets. I know hes still learning the position but he did play 3/4 backer in college. That was an important reason they took him, they thought there was a chance he could be plug in ready. Much like Jordan Jenkins this year who played in Grantham's system before he left for Louisville, although yes, Jenkins played his position longer
I'm not giving up on him, just disappointed with what I've seen so far this year, compared to last year. He hasn't looked good.
Mauldin is as slow as Pryor, I often find myself confusing the 2 during the game. 2 fat turds with braids. He can't hold the edge either and sucks in coverage. Maudlin will be working at or with a chop shop in jersey soon.
