He's slow...you don't draft a 6-5 330 pound guy to play 3-4 defensive end, he'd be bigger than our NT. He could be a decent pick as a nose tackle on the second day (5th - 6th rounder) -- like I said earlier, he's most effective in a rotation. He just can't be a full time starter. He'd give a team solid depth and a nice player to go in when their starters need a breather. Shirley's stupidity and laziness will keep him in the backup role. He's a VERY poor man's Albert Haynesworth -- not this year's Haynesworth, the Haynesworth of old, before it was his contract year. He's better suited for the 4-3.
From what I have read he has played decent. I think we all our looking for a NT to come in and be ready to dominate from week 1 and that rarely happens. Even Vince Wilfork had growing pains. In terms of leverage that is what coaching is for. Casey Hampton had the same build coming out of college and look at him now.
Haynesworth was always considered one of the top DTs in the game, I have no idea where this myth that he is only playing this well cause it's a contract year came from. And Okam is nowhere as talented as Haynesworth coming out. Sorry, but Haynesworth dominated the SEC and ran a sub-5 40 at 6'5 320. I doubt Okam shows that kind of athleticism, and his senior year was nowhere near as dominant as Haynesworth's junior year. And Haynesworth is not a NT in the 3-4, he'd be a better DE because of his athleticism and pass rushing skills. Same for Okam. 3-4 NT's have a naturally lower center of gravity than other guys, and they REALLY need to know how to use their hands and how to play with leverage, something Okam has no clue what to do.
Casey Hampton around the same as Okam and was 5 inches shorter. He's nothing like Okam as a prospect, and Okam couldn't touch Hampton as a prospect.
I'm not talking about Okam...I think he's absolute garbage. I'm talking about Jason Shirley. Albert Haynesworth was dominant in the SEC, but the only thing that he dominated before this season was that guy's face with his cleat. He dissappared in a lot of games up until now, and he still does. He's lazy.
Oh no! Five pounds...big deal. The height is a big factor though. But five pounds is nothing -- you can gain/lose five pounds in a week or two.
More myth. If by "disappeared in a lot of games" you meant he was injured alot...then yea...I agree completely. Injuries have been a huge issue with Haynesworth. But when he's on the field, the Titans D is one of the best in the league and thats rang true since he was drafted. Haynesworth has always been one of the best DTs in this league, it's just that this year he's been so much better than everyone else everyones acting like he never dominated before. So he's dominating more this year, it's not crazy to have a career year. The big worry with a team signing Haynesworth is injuries. I've heard more than a couple Titans fans on NFLDC talk about how he was embarrassed having to explain to his kids what their dad did, and that he decided to grow up.
I...didn't...make a big deal about the weight at all. The height to weight ratio there is huge for Hampton and it's addresses the "Okam has the same build" thing. Why so snippy and sarcastic?
No you didn't. You said that he is injured a lot, which is true...but what the biggest knock on him, is that he gets tired late in games and has to sit out -- therefore he plays less than 80% of the defensive snaps in games.
You have these numbers? And a guy who can dominate for 75% of the snaps in a game isn't exactly a bad thing, I doubt there are many 320 pound DL players who take 80% of the snaps. And even then, I would love to see those numbers for Haynesworth and others to compare them to.
It's not about size; it's about strength and leverage. Name: Randy Starks Height: 6'3" Weight: 315 lbs Current NFL Team: Tennessee Titans 2008 Status: Free Agent Scouting Reports: Has combination of strength, powerful leg drive, low-center gravity, quickness and lateral agility that can wreak havoc for opponents. In attempting counter moves needed to close in on the quarterback. Known for overpowering and his ability to handle blockers in one-on-one situations, Starks was often double-teamed by opposing teams. He also holds the University of Maryland record with a 765-pound squat and was ranked as the second-strongest player, pound-for-pound, on the team. ...He runs the 40-yard dash in 5.03, bench presses 440 pounds and a 31.5 vertical jump. Starks is the Titans' starting left defensive tackle and is equally adept at lining up at nose tackle or in a three-technique on the outside shade of the guard. He has a fine body for the position with a thick, strong lower body and a ripped powerful physique. Starks has good overall strength and can be quite powerful off the ball. He can press and shed well and is a sound, powerful tackler. When he maintains proper pad level, he is a real chore to handle due to his upfield power. His quickness is above average, as is his overall athleticism. He moves well in all directions and does a nice job on twists and stunts. He is also only 23 years old after three NFL seasons and still has a great deal of upside. He has potential as a two-gap player, although that is not what is asked of him at Tennessee. He also could turn into a productive player on every down, although he still needs refinement in just about all areas of his game.
I know Nose tackle is a huge need but this simply isnt the year we get our guy. I think our first and second round picks should be used for best player available who can upgrade our front 7. we should draft a large dt in the mid to late rounds who is very raw. I think rebuilding will be a prossess and we must be painfully paitient. perhaps saving all that cap money and not splurging will be a great move when that free agent nose tackle comes along within the next few years.
Last season, after his suspension, he was as good a DT as there was in the league... Additionally, on the 'lazy' comment.... It seems as though every single legitimate 3-4 NT, and 95% of other effective DTs are considered lazy.... Anyone who's ever been on a team with a guy who's 320+lbs knows that this is not a myth... Guys who weigh that much are often, by nature, lazy... Defensive tackles are rarely nasty, hard workers like offensive linemen are.... It's just the way it goes... If a team avoids signing/pursuing a defensive lineman because his 'character issue' is laziness, they are just foolish....
Ahh...Haynesworth isn't just lazy, he stomped on a player's in anger and was suspended. As for Jason Shirley, he's also lazy and he has a substance abuse problem -- marijuana and he loves to drink and drive.
Yeah I know that's a knock on Haynesworth, but I don't think it will (or should) stop him from getting paid. I'd love to have him on our team, as he hasn't had any off-the-field issues, and for a big DT, he plays with a lot of fire.... And I'm with you on Shirley... My point was that laziness alone is not enough to write off a DT, since 95% of them are lazy to an extent...
DRob is one of the Best when it comes to Strength and leverage, and it doesn?t work for us. He may be a good NT with a different supporting cast, or a little different system (i think he would be a absolute monster NT in Dallas). Our Line needs beef!!! He?s listed at 325, but i don?t belive for a second, that he?s below 340.
