Ben Gardner - surprise DE?

[gimmesix]

I expressly said he was more likely to be on the street than to produce like Watt. But his PJ Olympic measurable (jumping, running, bursting) are all that and more.

Watt is bigger, stronger, has all-world motor and all-world instincts.

Saying you see a hint of Watt in him is like saying you see a hint of Tyron Smith in Darrion Weems.

 

[Alexander]

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

Yet according to him, he is getting almost all of his work at LDE. Seems strange they would not try him at the three technique. I am not sold on any of our depth there, especially McClain.

 

[speedkilz88]

Makes one wonder what it took for Landry to move Randy White from LB to DT, or Mark Tuniei from DT to Off Tackle.........I wonder if a lot of players resist those moves to a position of need, or if coaching as a whole doesn't think outside the box in trying to find a spot for a guy that can play football, just not at the spot he came thru college as.......I suppose the salary cap, and roster limits to 53 etc actually puts a crimp on teams taking the time to make the moves,

In Randy White's case he was likely just glad to return to the DL. He was a DE at Maryland. Tuinei was a UDFA so moving to OL was a way to make the team.

 

[T-RO]

RIP Gardener.

The way I look at it is that the more guys with some talent on the roster the more likely that 1 steps up and takes a spot.

Between Russell, Gardner and Jack Crawford, I expect one of them to look really good in the preseason. It's just a bonus if more than one steps up.

Yup. We can't keep 'em all!

And as we've seen...too many cats...and they all lay around and get drunk! LOL

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Everyone says he's bulked up quite a bit and I know Broadus thinks he's a pretty good player. What a difference a year makes. I'm excited about the defensive line

Ben "I mow down offensive linemen" Gardner

 

[T-RO]

Yes, I really didn't understand why Watt was picked out for comparison since they are not similar-sized players. Watt's a big boy who is tough to handle not because he has exceptional speed, but because he has power and quickness, along with long arms.

Gardner's speed for an end is not good at his size, and his shorter arms hurts his ability to be a power player. If he's going to thrive in this league it primarily will be because of tenacity and work ethic.

I see you've posted repetitively on the scandal of my using Watt's name in the same thread as Gardner.

The comparison came up for one reason only: Their skin color! I saw in both a hybrid of beige, tan ...and a dash of cream. No silly! I'd never come before across a defensive lineman that could jump more than 38" on his vertical. That's it. And that's all.

There are many b-ball players that can't jump like that...and few hoops athletes are pushing 250 pounds into the air!

There are likely other big lineman that can do that...I'd just never seen it.

Obviously jumping per se' isn't a regular task for a lineman. But it does speak in theory to his explosive fast-twitch muscles...and seems to contradict any notion that he is a 'lumbering' athlete which is how i saw him described.

 

[FaSho]

I wonder if they have Extenze for male arm enhancement?

 

[speedkilz88]

I wonder if they have Extenze for male arm enhancement?

Ever heard of the Rack in the middle ages?

 

[T-RO]

Ever heard of the Rack in the middle ages?

The key? Lots of repetitions!

 

[gimmesix]

Yet according to him, he is getting almost all of his work at LDE. Seems strange they would not try him at the three technique. I am not sold on any of our depth there, especially McClain.

I think with Hardy set to be suspended, at least for a few games, we want to find out who we can rely on at end before kicking them inside. With Hardy out, Mincey will start at RDE, with Gregory being worked in probably primary on passing downs. That will leave a second-year player who is still developing into a starter in Lawrence as the starter at LDE. Dallas not only needs a fourth end for that rotation, but also needs to make sure Lawrence is the best player to start among the ends available.

It could end up being primarily a rotation of Mincey, Lawrence and Gregory, but without Hardy, I think Dallas wants to make sure it looks at everyone who could be part of that end rotation before throwing them at a tackle rotation that likely will include Tyrone Crawford, Hayden and McClain and possibly Whaley, Coleman and/or Bishop

 

[KDM256]

Loved watching Gardner play at Stanford his last year. Felt like he was better than the 7th round draft selection. With that being said, I am glad Dallas grabbed him when we did and believe he will be in our defensive rotation at some point during this season.

 

[xwalker]

I wonder if they have Extenze for male arm enhancement?

You've heard of Tommy John Surgery? They're going to develop arm lengthing surgery and it will be known as Ben Gardner Surgery.

 

[Noryb]

Are there any recent examples of a DL having success in the league with 30" arms?

Seems like a death sentence to me.

 

[AsthmaField]

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.

I agree completely... you are lazy.

 

[T-RO]

Are there any recent examples of a DL having success in the league with 30" arms?

Seems like a death sentence to me.

Interesting question. In the 2013 class...two shortest:
Sharrif Floyd, 31.68.... 1st round pick, but plays inside
Nathan Williams, 30.58...who was a tweener who went underrated

2014 class, shortest arm DL:
Will Sutton, 31.75, 3rd round, Bears, tackle
Kerry Wynn, 31.75 Undrafted DE, backup for Giants
Ryan Carrethers, 31.75 5th round, Chargers, Nose tackle
Tenny Palepoi, 30.5, tackle, Chargers

It looks like it's quite rare for a defensive end to have 30" arms. None drafted in '13 or '14.

 

[T-RO]

Here are some thoughts from one GM about arm length...

"I like long arms. Last year’s draft should tell you that. Length’s important. It’s important in every sport. Aldon Smith, great leverage player because you can’t get to him. He’s 36-inch arm length. All of the guys last year on the D-line were 34 or more. I think it’s an important trait. It’s a trait that’s hard to find. If you look at this this year’s measurements, you’re not going to find many players in this year’s draft that are 34-plus arm length regardless of position. O-line, D-line, linebacker, so it is a trait we certainly look at."

 

[Noryb]

Interesting question. In the 2013 class...two shortest:
Sharrif Floyd, 31.68.... 1st round pick, but plays inside
Nathan Williams, 30.58...who was a tweener who went underrated

2014 class, shortest arm DL:
Will Sutton, 31.75, 3rd round, Bears, tackle
Kerry Wynn, 31.75 Undrafted DE, backup for Giants
Ryan Carrethers, 31.75 5th round, Chargers, Nose tackle
Tenny Palepoi, 30.5, tackle, Chargers

It looks like it's quite rare for a defensive end to have 30" arms. None drafted in '13 or '14.

I remember this being an issue for Melvin Ingram in the 2012 draft. I believe his arm length was under 32" and he's been pretty pedestrian as a pass rusher so far in his career. Six total sacks in twenty-nine games.

 

[AmericasTeam81]

Can he just use an "arm stretcher" to increase length of his arms?


I kid I kid

 

[Plankton]

Ben Gardner's worst nightmare:

 

[reddyuta]

Are there any recent examples of a DL having success in the league with 30" arms?

Seems like a death sentence to me.

Pretty much,I don't have much hope.he needs to play 3 tech to stick around.