Is Maliek Collins the answer at 3T?

[Texas_Pete]

It is starting to look true. Despite missing time after breaking his foot, he's flashed enough to seemingly earn Marinelli's trust. We all know what the 3T means to Rod's defense and to see a $45M player get moved to DE is telling to me. Thoughts?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Obviously, way too early to tell. But, he was considered a legit 1st round talent going into his last season at Nebraska. But a new coaching staff and other things hurt his performance and dropped his stock.

I think if focus on on the DT's we can make great strides towards improving our pass rush and our defense overall. So, if there's an Aaron Donald type in the draft, I don't see a reason to not draft him at this point. We can always move Collins/Crawford to the 1-tech and create 2 pass rushing DT's.




YR

 

[Zekeats]

It means that this defensive line is a mess.

 

[Vintage]

How the hell can you answer that based on last week?

It's way too soon to know.

I'll go with or as my answer.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Don't know, but I hope so.

 

[Texas_Pete]

With Gregory out basically for the season, I could see Crawford playing significant time at DE going forward. This opens the door for Maliek.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Ill go with true. Reason being he has the skill to be a highly disruptive 3 Tech in this scheme ( comparable to a larger Geno Atkins IMO) and the fact that he was able to get himself on the field and making meaningfull contributions after missing so much time means he probably has it together upstairs more then we are used to.

But like YR said, I wouldnt turn my nose up to a high end 3 tech prospect either. Collins has the mass to be a disruptive 1 Tech. That type of play didn't work out for him as a SR, but he also came into the NFL with a lot of work to be done in the strength and conditioning department. A well cut 310 pound Collins would be much more effective at 1 Tech then he showed at Nebraska. However I think 3 Tech is his best position

 

[Texas_Pete]

How the hell can you answer that based on last week?

It's way too soon to know.

I'll go with or as my answer.

Sure, it's a small sample size, but he played well the week before vs the Deadskins too. We'll see how he does vs 9ers this week (who are 30th in passing yards and 11th in rushing yards).

 

[CATCH17]

It's hard not to believe he isn't the future at that position..

I've been impressed with his play so far.

 

[darthseinfeld]

It's hard not to believe he isn't the future at that position..

I've been impressed with his play so far.

I figured it would be a redshirt year after missing camp and most of preseason. At best I figured maybe he could contribute the 2nd half of the year

 

[The Quest for Six]

This defensive line needs an influx of three top tier defensive linemen to become a viable playoff contender on defense...

 

[Idgit]

Hard to say. Crawford got move because we had two legit players at 3-tech and one of them had the position flex to bolster the DE position.

If we had a legit DE, Collins is still rotating in.

 

[Texas_Pete]

It means that this defensive line is a mess.

All the more reason to give this kid a shot. I always wanted more stout players on our DL. I've counted all too often when the other team has 3rd and 2, then rushed for 5 yards - and our defense failed to get off the field. I also like bigger DEs that can set the edge.

Collins is a solid 310lber with a nice motor. Crawford is 6'4" and about 290. He also has a nice motor. He was still undersized for 3T IMO which led to injuries. I'm hoping he found a new home at DE permanently.

 

[Craig]

I dont know if Collins is the answer, but with what they have now, theyre better off with collins at 3t and crawford at de.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Hard to say. Crawford got move because we had two legit players at 3-tech and one of them had the position flex to bolster the DE position.

If we had a legit DE, Collins is still rotating in.

Wouldnt be shocked if Tyrone Crawford is moved to LDE when Lawrence comes back. Jack is just not a starting DE. Not productive at all but very productive as a rotational player who gets moved along the line

 

[Idgit]

Wouldnt be shocked if Tyrone Crawford is moved to LDE when Lawrence comes back. Jack is just not a starting DE. Not productive at all but very productive as a rotational player who gets moved along the line

This is what I think happens, too. It at least gives us four NFL quality DLs on the field to start, assuming Collins is NFL quality himself. I think he is.

 

[visionary]

Ill go with true. Reason being he has the skill to be a highly disruptive 3 Tech in this scheme ( comparable to a larger Geno Atkins IMO) and the fact that he was able to get himself on the field and making meaningfull contributions after missing so much time means he probably has it together upstairs more then we are used to.

But like YR said, I wouldnt turn my nose up to a high end 3 tech prospect either. Collins has the mass to be a disruptive 1 Tech. That type of play didn't work out for him as a SR, but he also came into the NFL with a lot of work to be done in the strength and conditioning department. A well cut 310 pound Collins would be much more effective at 1 Tech then he showed at Nebraska. However I think 3 Tech is his best position

What the heck, I'll settle for a larger Geno Atkins

 

[darthseinfeld]

What the heck, I'll settle for a larger Geno Atkins

He has that quick of a first step. Collins has the talent to be a catalytic pass rusher on the interior. It comes down to if he is used properly. His size is somewhat misleading in that he plays like a 290 pound DT at 310ish. This probably lead Nebraska to think he could play as a 2 gap player. He really can't. 1 Tech here is possible but he really has to remake his body. He could be a player similar to what Booger McFarland was in TB or Tank Johnson was in Chicago where the 1 Tech position was a gap pentration position. All in all I think slimming him down to about 295 and keeping him at 3 Tech would be there best option. Dont know if a better 3 Tech prospect would ve available this year

 

[StarHead69]

He is certainly showing potential to man the 3-tech. The fact that a rookie 3rd rounder that missed most of camp is looking like one of our best linemen shows that we must invest Heavily in the front seven next fa & draft.

 

[Bullflop]

As a rookie, I think Maliek is still "weighing in" on the scales of public opinion to establish himself as an exceptional DT. So far, he's doing great in the early stages of his development. Be assured, I'm really encouraged to see him doing so well. Further proof of his abilities will be required before he's ready to assume higher status but he's evidently on the right track. We've been needing a run plugging and penetrating DT like Maliek for some time now. I'll be pulling for him to keep it up.