Ben Gardner - surprise DE?

[T-RO]

I only occasionally visit this site so I don't know if there have been other discussions about this guy...

I was extremely surprised at how overlooked he's been when you look at his amazing athleticism and his production.

Though he wasn't invited to the combine...his pro day at Stanford witnessed him put up jaw-dropping numbers. Included in those numbers...

-An are-you-kidding me 39.5" vertical jump from a guy 262 pounds?!?
(for comparison, JJ Watt: 37.0")

-A 10'2" broad jump that would have ranked fifth at the combine among d-linemen
(for comparison, JJ Watt: 10.0")

But there was more:
Good speed: 4.83 40 (JJ Watt 4.81)
Good quickness: 6.78 3-cone (JJ Watt 6.88)

Despite playing in a 3-4 (which can suppress tackle and sack numbers) he had 16.5 sacks in his 3 college seasons...and was all-Pac 12.

I spotted one scout's review that described him as "lumbering." Maybe his play doesn't match up to his weight room achievements...but "lumbering"!?

Its more likely Gardner will never play in the NFL than he will be another JJ Watt. I'm just surprised that some people didn't look at the kid and see just enough of a hint of JJ Watt to spend a 5th or 6th round pick on him.

 

[chris1995]

I only occasionally visit this site so I don't know if there have been other discussions about this guy...

I was extremely surprised at how overlooked he's been when you look at his amazing athleticism and his production.

Though he wasn't invited to the combine...his pro day at Stanford witnessed him put up jaw-dropping numbers. Included in those numbers...

-An are-you-kidding me 39.5" vertical jump from a guy 262 pounds?!?
(for comparison, JJ Watt: 37.0")

-A 10'2" broad jump that would have ranked fifth at the combine among d-linemen
(for comparison, JJ Watt: 10.0")

But there was more:
Good speed: 4.83 40 (JJ Watt 4.81)
Good quickness: 6.78 3-cone (JJ Watt 6.88)

Despite playing in a 3-4 (which can suppress tackle and sack numbers) he had 16.5 sacks in his 3 college seasons...and was all-Pac 12.

I spotted one scout's review that described him as "lumbering." Maybe his play doesn't match up to his weight room achievements...but "lumbering"!?

Its more likely Gardner will never play in the NFL than he will be another JJ Watt. I'm just surprised that some people didn't look at the kid and see just enough of a hint of JJ Watt to spend a 5th or 6th round pick on him.

From video footage of him in college he looks like he can play all over the field. I think he will be a good NFL player.

 

[Idgit]

I think it was just his injury status and his nubbin-arms that got him dinged in the draft. He certainly has the attitude to be a sleeper for us. Lots of potential sleepers this year. That's what happens when your team gets deeper. Pet cats for everybody!

 

[speedkilz88]

Broaddus thought he would have been a 4th round pick had he not had the pectoral/shoulder injury.

 

[Jarv]

http://www.patriots.com/video/2014/02/02/2014-draft-prospect-ben-gardner-de-stanford

Pretty good video.

 

[T-RO]

That's what happens when your team gets deeper. Pet cats for everybody!

LOL. I suppose so!

 

[starfrombirth]

He wasn't drafted because of his shoulder injury.

 

[speedkilz88]

He wasn't drafted because of his shoulder injury.

He was drafted. 7th round

 

[speedkilz88]

The last couple of opportunities that we in the media have had to observe practice, DeMarcus Lawrence has been on and off the field. That might be a concern, but I was told that on the days that we have not been watching (Tuesday and Thursday), he has been working well. The competition on that left side to backup Lawrence should be good with Ben Gardner and Jack Crawford. If you asked me which player has the upper hand here early – Gardner would be my guy. He looks more natural for the position, while Crawford is playing like a guy that might be better inside at one of the tackle spots.

http://www.cowboysown.com/forums/sh...tation-DeMarcus-Lawrence%92s-Development-More

 

[starfrombirth]

He was drafted. 7th round

Semantics..... sorry for the huge discrepancy

 

[reddyuta]

RIP Gardener.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm too lazy to look it up but I think his big challenge is that he has short arms for a DE, which could mean a switch to a passing-down DT could be in the cards.

 

[The Quest for Six]

I loved the Gardner pick as a seventh round selection, and I think he's going to surprise a lot of people in camp, he's got a non stop motor and has bulked up during his season on IRL...

 

[Roadtrip635]

I really like Gardner as well, as long as he can stay healthy, I think he'll end up being a solid player.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I loved the Gardner pick as a seventh round selection, and I think he's going to surprise a lot of people in camp, he's got a non stop motor and has bulked up during his season on IRL...

Probably has gotten stronger perhaps more explosive, but he has actually slimmed down to help with the move to 4-3 DE. His words...

He's obviously got some talent. The arm length thing will be a challenge facing NFL OTs. As a high energy backup for 10-15 snaps, not as big of an issue.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I'm too lazy to look it up but I think his big challenge is that he has short arms for a DE, which could mean a switch to a passing-down DT could be in the cards.

Yea, I think he gets moved inside

 

[SportsGuru80]

Stop with the J.J. Watt comparison LOL! I just want him to be a nice rotational guy.

 

[xwalker]

I only occasionally visit this site so I don't know if there have been other discussions about this guy...

I was extremely surprised at how overlooked he's been when you look at his amazing athleticism and his production.

Though he wasn't invited to the combine...his pro day at Stanford witnessed him put up jaw-dropping numbers. Included in those numbers...

-An are-you-kidding me 39.5" vertical jump from a guy 262 pounds?!?
(for comparison, JJ Watt: 37.0")

-A 10'2" broad jump that would have ranked fifth at the combine among d-linemen
(for comparison, JJ Watt: 10.0")

But there was more:
Good speed: 4.83 40 (JJ Watt 4.81)
Good quickness: 6.78 3-cone (JJ Watt 6.88)

Despite playing in a 3-4 (which can suppress tackle and sack numbers) he had 16.5 sacks in his 3 college seasons...and was all-Pac 12.

I spotted one scout's review that described him as "lumbering." Maybe his play doesn't match up to his weight room achievements...but "lumbering"!?

Its more likely Gardner will never play in the NFL than he will be another JJ Watt. I'm just surprised that some people didn't look at the kid and see just enough of a hint of JJ Watt to spend a 5th or 6th round pick on him.

JJ Watt weighed 290. Gardner weighed 262. There are CBs that had better speed and jumps than Watt, but that is also irrelevant.

Gardner is an interesting player. His primary competition is likely Ryan Russell unless they move Gardner inside.

He has really short arms which would be less of an issue inside.

 

[Fletch]

I think it was just his injury status and his nubbin-arms that got him dinged in the draft. He certainly has the attitude to be a sleeper for us. Lots of potential sleepers this year. That's what happens when your team gets deeper. Pet cats for everybody!

He's my alpha pet cat. He runs the stable of cats that are in my little kennel. While others get Meow Mix, I'm keeping Gardner fed on Fancy Feast.

Yup, too much time in here.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...en-gardner-fits-on-the-dallas-cowboys-defense

Here's a good article. Arm length is 30.75 inches, which sucks, so inside is likely his best fit