WHY LVE? Someone please convince me!

[jday]

NFL network said last night that Ridley is not the #1 WR on the Cowboys board.

It's probably DJ Moore but who knows. I don't get the DJ Moore hype.

Evans would not run the forty. It's an odd decision for a healthy player. His vert of 30" is sub-par. Sean Lee had a 37-1/2" vert.

Envision putting the 2017 version of Anthony Hitchens on the 2017 Alabama roster. He would look like a 1st round pick.

I'd take Anthony Hitchens over LVE...at least with Hitchens I know exactly what I'm getting. LVE is a mystery...and I don't like mysteries in the first round...but that's just me.

 

[xwalker]

Basically, it’s the new thing to discredit Bama defensive players under the premise they are so stacked they make JAGs look like Hall of Famers.

My assessment is not related to where he played. If anything, I would give positive points to players from there.

My Hitchen scenario could apply to any college.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Also...I would be happy with Evans...So this is NOT trying to down play him at all.

When watching some of the tape on Evans I see a very impressive player.

However I also see something else that is equally impressive...a Defensive front that engages blockers in may cases where Evans just has to shimmy through or in some cases that front D line blocks so well that there are bigger holes for him to run through to the QB or RB that it is as impressive as our Oline when it is firing on all cylinders and opening holes for our running game.

I mean there were some plays in there where there was NOBODY in the middle...the Dline looked like they divided the sea...He ran up the middle with nobody within 5 yards of him and obliterated the QB a few times. VERY impressive line at times.

Now...I would hazard to guess that the Dline for Boise State might be ok...might even be good...but I am pretty sure that Boisie State does not have the Dline of Alabama, nor the LB corp on either side nor the secondary that the Tide has.

Just something to consider.

Again...I like Evans and would be ok with him so this is not a bash against him.

I would just say if we are being honest, he has a lot more around him than LVE does and that can make a difference.

 

[Az Lurker]

Unless Vea drops I really like LVE as the pick if we go defense. I prefer versatile linebackers with coverage ability, LVE is a player who has shown a dramatic ability to improve over short periods of time when given the chance to play. The fact that he's also fast enough to play sideline to sideline and nimble enough to thread through the trash on run plays is impressive, particularly when you realize he looks like a giant downhill thumper with at his size. His technique is pretty raw when it comes to shedding blocks but given his combination of size and long arms I fully expect that in a year of training or less he'll be solid at that too.

The only thing I see holding him back is if he's somehow not motivated to train, but I've seen nothing to show he's lazy or a headcase. You don't go from 8-man to walk on at Boise State to his level of production unless you're willing to put in some serious work.

 

[Sydla]

My assessment is not related to where he played. If anything, I would give positive points to players from there.

My Hitchen scenario could apply to any college.

Now we play the game of semantics I guess.

 

[jday]

With that reasoning, Derwin James fits the same category. He is more of an athlete then he is a football player. Teams are drafting him for his upside, not who the player he is today.

As does Vita Vea. The difference? What the Cowboys would be asking Vita and Derwin to do is exactly what they've been doing in college. We have tape that shows they can do that. Not so with LVE. The Cowboys would be asking him to get off blocks and sift through traffic to get to the ball carrier. That's not something he has shown an ability to do in college.

What I suppose must people are missing is it's LVE's elite athleticism that is the red flag for me. Guy's with that level of ability facing that level of competition will win more often than not based on their athleticism alone; not technique. That tends to become a problem on the pro level as their athleticism no longer stands out against NFL-level competition. He will no longer be able to take a poor angle to the ball carrier and use his speed to catch up. He will no longer be able to use his strength like he is used to to overpower blockers and get to the ball carrier...he needs technique...something that tends to be difficult to develop on the fly and there is several examples of players who never learned to use good technique.

And we want them to use their 19th pick on that type of gamble? I still don't understand it...

 

[Cap12]

Exactly!!! I think you can get a couple of LB's later in the draft. I'm not sold on LVE or Evans. I hope they are smoke screens. I think we need to continue building in the trenches (OLine and DLine). My ideal draft would have DLine in the 1st round, followed by OLine in the 2nd round.

This is a weak draft for LBs according to most folks. If you don't get your guy in the first 20 picks, you'll have to move up in the 2nd to get anything half way decent. Josie Jewell looks like a good play, but I bet he'll get overdrafted.

 

[Cap12]

As does Vita Vea. The difference? What the Cowboys would be asking Vita and Derwin to do is exactly what they've been doing in college. We have tape that shows they can do that. Not so with LVE. The Cowboys would be asking him to get off blocks and sift through traffic to get to the ball carrier. That's not something he has shown an ability to do in college.

What I suppose must people are missing is it's LVE's elite athleticism that is the red flag for me. Guy's with that level of ability facing that level of competition will win more often than not based on their athleticism alone; not technique. That tends to become a problem on the pro level as their athleticism no longer stands out against NFL-level competition. He will no longer be able to take a poor angle to the ball carrier and use his speed to catch up. He will no longer be able to use his strength like he is used to to overpower blockers and get to the ball carrier...he needs technique...something that tends to be difficult to develop on the fly and there is several examples of players who never learned to use good technique.

And we want them to use their 19th pick on that type of gamble? I still don't understand it...

I'd love either of these guys, but either won't likely be there at 19. There is no ready-made X to replace Dez, so unless you really want a great Z like Ridley or a less talented but more versatile Moore in an already crowded WR room, I'd rather have Evans or LVE or Daniels or Wynn. Either way, we are getting terrific players who can start right now at positions of need.

 

[John813]

His neck is as wide as Idaho.

That has to count for something.

I see LVE being a real threat to Smith in regards to playing time in the nickel. To write smith in already as the 2nd LB in the nickel now is foolish. It's great he's practicing without a brace but his agility last year was poor.

 

[jday]

I think it is fair to say that you will not be convinced by anyone here.

It would seem, you have made up your mind.

Sounds like you have read reports, watched videos and have come to the conclusion that he is not the guy for you.

Which is ok as that is your opinion...however I think you have your mind set and I don't think anyone will change your opinion of him other than LVE if he plays good.

And even if he does play good, some who are not for him will still not admit that he is good...I said some, I did not say you.

I would freaking absolutely love to be wrong about him if the Cowboys do in fact draft him.

 

[jday]

I'd love either of these guys, but either won't likely be there at 19. There is no ready-made X to replace Dez, so unless you really want a great Z like Ridley or a less talented but more versatile Moore in an already crowded WR room, I'd rather have Evans or LVE or Daniels or Wynn. Either way, we are getting terrific players who can start right now at positions of need.

I'm not sure that's the case regarding LVE, but like I said before, I hope he is, should the Cowboys draft him.

 

[xwalker]

I'd take Anthony Hitchens over LVE...at least with Hitchens I know exactly what I'm getting. LVE is a mystery...and I don't like mysteries in the first round...but that's just me.

That's a bad strategy in the 1st round.

The 1st round is where teams need to find elite players. It is where you take a small a school DWare over a big school solid but unspectular player.

Having said that, the ranking for Vander Esch is really all about things we as fans don't really know.

The interview and mental-makeup assessment is huge for a team's ranking if him.

The rumors of a medical issue is also huge.

We as fans don't know anything about how thr Cowboys evaluated his mental makeup or medical review.

Everything from mental makeup to medical would need to be perfectly clean in order for the Cowboys to consider him in the 1st.

A 5 minute conversation with DWare would likely have given a great indication of his mental makeup back then but that's not something we as fans had available.

 

[millennial_legend]

Oh, I'm absolutely with you there. My dream mock:

1. Vita Vea DT
2. Braden Smith / Austen Corbett OG
3. Anthony Miller WR
4. Genard Avery and Tegray Scales LB (the Cowboys have two picks in the fourth)
5. Akrum Wadley RB
6. PJ Hall DT, Dimitri Flowers FB, Tre Flowers S (3 in the 6th)
7. Daurice Fountain WR (maybe)

So, like I said, I'm absolutely with you. But if they have to take a linebacker at 19, Rashaan Evans over LVE...even if that's still a bit of reach, I don't care, because we all know neither will be there in the second round at 50.

if it's a reach, you trade down...lol

 

[xwalker]

Now we play the game of semantics I guess.

It seems you don't really want to discuss football or football players.

I guess the middle finger to anybody that didn't like your back to back picks at TE and WR was a clue.

 

[jday]

Ohhh, I like those first 3!!! Really haven't studied the rest that much so can't say either way.

Get to know Genard Avery, especially...

 

[Cap12]

I'm not sure that's the case regarding LVE, but like I said before, I hope he is, should the Cowboys draft him.

Dane Brugler ranked him the 4th best LB and had some good things to say about him. He's got a great motor and is a high character guy and a leader which will appeal to the whole "right kind of guy" mantra. He's 6'4 256, so he's got the size to play Mike (though his break through season was at Wil). He runs a 4.65, which is okay and had a very decent 6.88 3 Cone.

 

[reddyuta]

He only has 1 full year of starting games,his best football is ahead of him.Now you cant really teach things like instinct and being in the right place at the right time.

 

[jday]

JPP in USF. He had one good year and was a traits and body player that draft scouts loved.
He was not as good as his fellow DE at USF in George Selvie until his last season.

I would say he went on to have a decent NFL Career so far.

Ezekiel Ansah did not put up big college numbers until his last season, that combined with his althletic ability and body got him drafted.
He started out slowly but has come on well.

Jordy Nelson did not really become a big WR until his last season at Kansas St...his NFL career turned out pretty well.



Now that is just a few.

But Just because a player has one good season prior to being drafted it does not mean he will be a bust.

Hell Most people love DaRon Payne from Alabama and he pretty much vaulted to the first round (if he goes there) on two games at the end of the season.

I get it. It does happen. Some guys ascend; others don't. And I fully admit I'm not an expert so it is entirely possible that LVE is everything we hope for and more.

But I just have this nagging feeling his exhibited and chronicled inability to stack and shed may come back to haunt him in the pro's....especially if he get's slotted at MLB. Based on everything I've seen, he may be better off as the Weakside LB, but that's just my opinion.

 

[CATCH17]

I'd take Anthony Hitchens over LVE...at least with Hitchens I know exactly what I'm getting. LVE is a mystery...and I don't like mysteries in the first round...but that's just me.

You like the same old defense then. I'll roll the dice for change.

Our linebackers were terrible at defending the pass. With LVE that could change. Without him it may get worse if we don't get lucky.

 

[jday]

Dane Brugler ranked him the 4th best LB and had some good things to say about him. He's got a great motor and is a high character guy and a leader which will appeal to the whole "right kind of guy" mantra. He's 6'4 256, so he's got the size to play Mike (though his break through season was at Wil). He runs a 4.65, which is okay and had a very decent 6.88 3 Cone.

For a linebacker, actually a 4.6 40 is elite...not just okay. Outside of that one-armed guy (who looks more like a safety anyway), I'm guessing that's one of the fastest 40's of linebackers this year and most likely the last few years. Top 10 easily.

I have no questions about his physical ability...what I question is what's happening in his head.