Ben Gardner - surprise DE?

[xwalker]

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

Seems like a death sentence to me.

It is a small sample size. There are not many humans that are big enough to play DL that have arms that short.

There were about 3 DL at the 2015 combine with an arm length under 32" with 31" being the shortest.

 

[Noryb]

It is a small sample size. There are not many humans that are big enough to play DL that have arms that short.

There were about 3 DL at the 2015 combine with an arm length under 32" with 31" being the shortest.

Good point! 30" arms are reserved for men who are about 5'5".

He does have elite explosion and he also has really good agility. The only DL on the roster with better numbers in those areas is Randy Gregory. He is definitely somebody to keep an eye on when training camp starts. I hope he's able to overcome his arm length.

Also, very productive in college.

 

[xwalker]

Good point! 30" arms are reserved for men who are about 5'5".

He does have elite explosion and he also has really good agility. The only DL on the roster with better numbers in those areas is Randy Gregory. He is definitely somebody to keep an eye on when training camp starts. I hope he's able to overcome his arm length.

Also, very productive in college.

The 39 vert is way above average. At this years combine only 2 DL had 39 or better and only 4 LBs.

 

[jobberone]

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

He is a 3.

 

[dallasdave]

He is a 3.

Hey he played all over the line, he is our girl Friday

 

[T-RO]

The 39 vert is way above average. At this years combine only 2 DL had 39 or better and only 4 LBs.

That's sure what caught my eye. I say we attach some meat hooks to the guys arms and call him ready.

Hey he played all over the line, he is our girl Friday

Could do that. Or just call him our man on Sunday!

 

[dallasdave]

That's sure what caught my eye. I say we attach some meat hooks to the guys arms and call him ready.



Could do that. Or just call him our man on Sunday!

I like that !!

 

[Noryb]

The 39 vert is way above average. At this years combine only 2 DL had 39 or better and only 4 LBs.

Compared to DE's since 99

Vertical Jump: 39 1/2 - 96 percentile
10'2" broad jump - 87 percentile
3 Cone Drill: 6.98 - 87 percentile
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.24 - 88 percentile

Maybe surgery is an option.

 

[Noryb]

The 39 vert is way above average. At this years combine only 2 DL had 39 or better and only 4 LBs.

Have you watched his tape? If so, what's your opinion?

 

[guag]

I only occasionally visit this site

I stopped reading after this.

I kid, I kid.

 

[gmoney112]

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

I think he makes it as the last DE and Russell goes to PS.

I also thought he got snaps at the 3, i read a report on him running line stunts with Hardy/Gregory or something.

He's got short arms yeah, and he'll never be a RE, but his other measurables are pretty nuts and he played the 5-tech at Stanford so he's used to bumping heads and playing physical. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he made the tail end of the depth chart.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

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.

Annnnnnnnd Scene!

 

[sbark]

Gardner gives Rod M a lot of Position Flex........not going to hurt his chances.

 

[xwalker]

Have you watched his tape? If so, what's your opinion?

Yes, I reviewed him after he was drafted. He was a 3-4 DE in college. Most of his rushing success came on inside or straight path to the QB type rushes. I don't recall him doing much going around the outside. He was strong for his size. Other than the short arms, he seems like a good fit at Strong Side DE in Marinelli's scheme. He would have to get much bigger than his drafted weight (262) to be a full tme DT.

 

[xwalker]

Compared to DE's since 99

Vertical Jump: 39 1/2 - 96 percentile
10'2" broad jump - 87 percentile
3 Cone Drill: 6.98 - 87 percentile
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.24 - 88 percentile

Maybe surgery is an option.

Good info.

Where did you find this?

 

[Noryb]

Good info.

Where did you find this?

I used the link below. Ben Gardner is not in the Database but I found his numbers and compared them to DE's

http://www.mockdraftable.com/players/2012/

 

[Noryb]

Yes, I reviewed him after he was drafted. He was a 3-4 DE in college. Most of his rushing success came on inside or straight path to the QB type rushes. I don't recall him doing much going around the outside. He was strong for his size. Other than the short arms, he seems like a good fit at Strong Side DE in Marinelli's scheme. He would have to get much bigger than his drafted weight (262) to be a full tme DT.

I watched the youtube clips that was provided in this thread and I didn't see the explosion I was expecting to see based on his numbers. Maybe it was the scheme.

 

[xwalker]

I watched the youtube clips that was provided in this thread and I didn't see the explosion I was expecting to see based on his numbers. Maybe it was the scheme.

Keep in mind that he is a Strong SIde DE or possibly DT. He is not going took anything like an elite Weak Side DE like Gregory in terms of explosiveness.

His vert showed explosiveness but his forty didn't.