Upshaw is waiting until the 29th when TRich runs. Maybe it's not a big deal but he has had 2 chances to impress people and passed both times. I'm hoping that Barron and Floyd drop to 16 so the Jet's pick one of the and then take McCllen in round #2.
there seems to be a lot of negative press going around about Upshaw of late - certainly his momentum heading into the draft is not looking good.
What you don't know is this is all planned. He wants his stock to drop in order for the Jets to have a chance to sign him.
He must have some kind of tweak carrying over from the season. There's no reason for him not to have run otherwise. Everybody has had him as a 4.77-4.79 guy forever. If he ran a 4.81 it wouldn't be a disaster. That he's not running suggests that he can't stretch it out enough right now to get to that number.
I would much rather Ingram or the Clemson guy (can't remember his name). I want a passrusher who can develop into an all down guy. Think Aldon Smith.
Their seems to be a disconnect between Upshaw's production & his physical attributes. Normally, you'd roll with what the tape/numbers say, however what is worrisome is the surrounding talent he had with him at Bama. His production could have easily been inflated by all the other great players on that D and Sabine's scheme.
I don't see Ingram falling to 16. I think the guy you are speaking of is Andre Branch. Zach Brown looks like a good prospect IMO. 16 is a good spot to pick in, a very good player is going to fall to us here.
Agree with this too, Dont'a Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron. All good college players, all will go rounds 1 and 2.
Has anyone watched these videos of Upshaw? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2NGJD_naF0&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur-fQdhjFq8&feature=related I really don't care how he does in the 40 or running drills without pads. If you watch him every play you see a damn good football player who who has clearly been very well coached by the bama coaches. You also see a guy with has a massive frame and can also move and change directions on a football field. From watching these videos, how could you not want this guy starting at OLB this year? You would have a damn good core of Mohammed, Upshaw, Harris and Revis going forward.
With Upshaw ducking all the opportunities to be measured you have to wonder what is going on. Is he hiding a minor injury, which would be a silly thing to do? Is he hiding more than that? Is he really 4.77-4.79 fast, which would be fine, or is he 4.95 which would not? Whenever somebody hides the way he has so far the implication is that his value is over-stated somehow and he's determined not to let that fact into plain sight. I like him based on what I see of him in the Alabama defense, but then again I like what I see of a lot of people in that defense. You know what I'm starting to think? I'm starting to think that Dont'a Hightower is the real star coming out of that defense in this draft and Upshaw's people know that and they know that as soon as the two of them start getting measured against each other that fact will become obvious to the pro personnel guys. I'm thinking that with Upshaw seen as a potential top 10 pick in January and Hightower about 10 picks below that a light suddenly went on for Upshaw and his agents. That standing would suffer greatly if Hightower's 4.68 speed was measured against Upshaw's 4.81 (or whatever.)
I really haven't watched any college tape on him, but after watching the two videos you just showed, I see a solid player who can set the edge against the run, but not a great pass rushing force that might command respect and a double team on that edge. That's purely based off those two videos though, so I dunno, and I'm not sure about the quality of the tackles he faced for the most part. Could be a Bryan Thomas 2.0?
Well either he is injured or his numbers were horrible and he's trying to improve them. That's up to teams to determine what the reason is. All I know is that when you watch the film you see a damn good football player. I would expect that hightower has a better 40 time. He seems much to be carrying a lot less weight in his legs. I also think that Hightower and Upshaw play two completely different positions. I do agree that watching the Alabama defense with 1st round picks on every level has to play a part in analyzing each player. All I know is that when I watch the film Upshaw looks like a very good football player playing against the best conference in the country. He's thick, has great short area quickness, has heavy hands and seems to have an awareness of what's going on around him. I think he would drastically improve the jets defense. I'm not sure he is a 15 sack guy but I do think he is capable of beating tackles one on one.
That's my point. What's the difference what his 40 time is, if you watch him playing linebacker for Alabama against the best teams in the country and he's just a force. This is the complete opposite of Vernon the workout warrior gholston. The tape on him pretty much sucked but he went to the combine and put up freaky numbers. Remember when Brandon Spikes ran a +5.0 40 time and everyone was down on him? He's developed into a very good linebacker who is explosive in short areas.
His standing would suffer greatly because his teammate runs a 4.68 as compared to his 4.81? Rofl. That much of a difference is completely insignificant for a Linebacker. I do like Hightower though, I just think saying that such a small difference in 40 times (FOR LB'S!!!) will/should affect their value is retarded. Then again this is all speculation because Upshaw hasn't run the 40. I'll stick with what I see on tape though, I'd love to have Upshaw at 16.
I've seen the tape before, and I see someone who is disruptive, violent, and makes quarterbacks rush throws and hurry if they do not get sacked. Not to mention the guy can hit.
