Are you watching the ball, the QB, or the line?
- You missed the 54 total tackles this season? Normally while being doubled?
- You missed that he gets a push up the middle and disrupts the QB?
- You missed that he just doesn't quit. Doesn't take plays off. Has a motor.
- You missed that this was just his "sophomore" season?
- You missed his GAP control against the run?
- You missed the level of competition? He shows up in big games.
- You missed the Championship Game v. Alabama and those 7 tackles.
- You missed that this guy is still growing? Think T. Smith on defense.
He does need to improve as a
pure pass rusher, heck, he is still a pup- and the exceptional upside here is what makes him such a great prospect. He turned just 21 last month and after only his sophomore year, he is accepted as the best DT available in the 2012 draft- and most of the others have twice his playtime experience! He has lots of room to grow- physically as well as technically. He is a vocal leader and passionate about the game. He has beast written all over him.
His first season, you should expect about what Rat gives us there. Solid against the run and some push. At 6-6 and long arms, he deflects passes and disrupts passing lanes.
He affects the QB.
His presence now allows Rat to move to DE and we suddenly have
three players on the line who consistently demand a double team. That is going to be a problem for most offenses. (Ware, Rat, Brockers)
Six blockers needed before we add the fourth rusher to the mix. Now we have opportunities for mismatches all along the line. That is the name of the game. Somebody is going to feed. And it all starts here.
Opinions can vary, that is mine.