Can we stop declaring DL draft picks busts so quickly

[cmoney23]

I've been on this board for a while now and one of the most ridiculous things I commonly see is "such and such DL pick is a waste" or "a bust".
Usually followed by a 1 or 2-year gap of nothing said and then he's playing up to his potential.

So, I ask, can we please stop declaring DL picks busts so quickly?

Here's why.
Most of you (us) don't know how to properly evaluate defensive line play so you (we) look at the stat sheet and say "no sacks? Bust!"

The defensive line is one of the hardest positions to transition from college to the NFL and is one that, like QB, the player has to keep evolving because OL study technique and learn your common moves.

The physicality is completely different. When players on in college they are all playing against similar aged kids who are all of a similar physical make-up. But get to the NFL and a 20-somthing kid will get lined up on a 30-something man that has been playing Tackle in the league for 10 years. He will struggle.

So, can we as a group give a DL player more time to, you know, play before we get so definitive?

 

[The Natural]

Taco is a bust.

 

[Jipper]

Ha...on this site? Good luck with that

 

[cern]

We could. But not likely we ever will.

 

[Blackthorn]

Taco had a good game considering the number of snaps he had. The team needs quality snaps by Taco when he gives D-Law and Gregory a Breather. The bust talk is just people being silly or trolling.

 

[CATCH17]

I've been on this board for a while now and one of the most ridiculous things I commonly see is "such and such DL pick is a waste" or "a bust".
Usually followed by a 1 or 2-year gap of nothing said and then he's playing up to his potential.

So, I ask, can we please stop declaring DL picks busts so quickly?

Here's why.
Most of you (us) don't know how to properly evaluate defensive line play so you (we) look at the stat sheet and say "no sacks? Bust!"

The defensive line is one of the hardest positions to transition from college to the NFL and is one that, like QB, the player has to keep evolving because OL study technique and learn your common moves.

The physicality is completely different. When players on in college they are all playing against similar aged kids who are all of a similar physical make-up. But get to the NFL and a 20-somthing kid will get lined up on a 30-something man that has been playing Tackle in the league for 10 years. He will struggle.

So, can we as a group give a DL player more time to, you know, play before we get so definitive?

There was a article someone posted awhile back that I wish I could find that showed what many people considered Elite Dlineman and how the majority of them didn’t start producing until year 4 of their career.

Our own DeMarcus Lawrence is in that category.

Anyways.. Taco is a year 2 guy and to me he’s never looked like a bad football player. He can play but the big production isn’t there yet and Randy Gregory will also cut into that potential production as well.


DL is a numbers game too so I’m fine with him just being a solid rotational guy for us.

 

[tyke1doe]

I've often said if Jerry and coaches listened to fans, we wouldn't have a team. Fans are ready to cut players who make mistakes and who don't show immediate potential.
I can't count the players who would be gone from the Cowboys.
Collins, Tyron Smith, Beasley, Sean Lee, Anthony Brown, Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, Jeff Heath, Cheeto, DeMarcus Lawrence, T. Crawford, etc.

 

[jazzcat22]

I've been on this board for a while now and one of the most ridiculous things I commonly see is "such and such DL pick is a waste" or "a bust".
Usually followed by a 1 or 2-year gap of nothing said and then he's playing up to his potential.

So, I ask, can we please stop declaring DL picks busts so quickly?

Here's why.
Most of you (us) don't know how to properly evaluate defensive line play so you (we) look at the stat sheet and say "no sacks? Bust!"

The defensive line is one of the hardest positions to transition from college to the NFL and is one that, like QB, the player has to keep evolving because OL study technique and learn your common moves.

The physicality is completely different. When players on in college they are all playing against similar aged kids who are all of a similar physical make-up. But get to the NFL and a 20-somthing kid will get lined up on a 30-something man that has been playing Tackle in the league for 10 years. He will struggle.

So, can we as a group give a DL player more time to, you know, play before we get so definitive?

Hang around longer and you will see many on here do not like anything about the team they claim to be a fan of.
They will rag on a player while here, but that player is the greatest ever once he is gone. As his replacement sucks.

I am sure you seen that pattern quite a few times.

 

[Redball Express]

I've been on this board for a while now and one of the most ridiculous things I commonly see is "such and such DL pick is a waste" or "a bust".
Usually followed by a 1 or 2-year gap of nothing said and then he's playing up to his potential.

So, I ask, can we please stop declaring DL picks busts so quickly?

Here's why.
Most of you (us) don't know how to properly evaluate defensive line play so you (we) look at the stat sheet and say "no sacks? Bust!"

The defensive line is one of the hardest positions to transition from college to the NFL and is one that, like QB, the player has to keep evolving because OL study technique and learn your common moves.

The physicality is completely different. When players on in college they are all playing against similar aged kids who are all of a similar physical make-up. But get to the NFL and a 20-somthing kid will get lined up on a 30-something man that has been playing Tackle in the league for 10 years. He will struggle.

So, can we as a group give a DL player more time to, you know, play before we get so definitive?

I have been guilty of this with both Gregory and Lawrence early on.

Same with Williams on the OL.

There are those guys like TJ Watt where could have had them but no.

So it is hard at times not to pile on since we only have to guess why they are sitting or whatever.

Look at David Irving.

Now there is another one where we do not understand his deal.

Hmmmmm...

 

[Ring6]

Taco compliments Randy Gregory on the right side - one excels at run stop, the other excels at pash rush. both are improving in both roles. Not bad. Taco pick was made when Gregory was still unknown.

Both are just starting out really.

Gregory doesn't give up, man. Hope Taco can learn from that.

(can't believe I said that - Gregory someone to be looked up to. but overcoming something is huge)

 

[texbumthelife]

So much of what defensive lines do is scheme related. That's why, more than any other position really, defensive linemen need to be in the right place. We see guys change teams along the DL all the time and go from being a bust, to blowing up.

Taco is a strong side defensive end being asked to play the weak side. He needs to bulk up and be a rotational inside outside guy on the strong side. I really think that his best position eventually may wind up being inside. His first step on his inside move is deadly, but it's all he has.

 

[JayFord]

Ha...on this site? Good luck with that

I remember people said elliott was a bust after his first game

 

[CouchCoach]

According to rumor, Charleton has a bit of an attitude problem and thinks more of himself but I called bust on him when he was picked and am still calling him a bust of a 1st rounder. 1st rounders are not rotational guys, that's for the later rounds. Lawrence had some injury issues to deal with early on so his development was stunted.

They made the same mistake with Charleton they made with Spears, consider the other players on those D's while evaluating that specific talent. Does he make the D or is he just part of it?

If not for Gregory's drug issues, Charelton might not even be on the team so he was as much an insurance pick so that can actually be excused. They were stuck in the middle of a problem. They were already under fire for picking Gregory, pass on the insurance pick that Charleton provided and they'd have really been in the crosshairs.

 

[bandfan]

You will learn on this board that if a 7th round pick isn't in pro bowl by year 2 then somebody better get fired for picking them.....

 

[DogFace]

I wonder how the coaches feel about taco after last game.

He did make the tfl which was nice. I focused on him a couple of plays and one play it appeared he was barely trying. Moving very slow and gave up when the o-lineman engaged. Maybe this was just this one play and maybe there was some issue and I didn’t see his numbers for the game.

 

[RodeoJake]

Recently, Smith and Gregory were wasted picks. LVE was Barbie 2.0. One day they were bums. The next days they're pro bowlers. Fandom is like riding wave. Get a surfboard and learn to ride.

 

[cmoney23]

There was a article someone posted awhile back that I wish I could find that showed what many people considered Elite Dlineman and how the majority of them didn’t start producing until year 4 of their career.

During the draft process this past draft, I found an article that outlined what position had the most immediate impact, and sought it out for this post, but couldn't find it.
In that article, it highlighted how RB, WR, and LB have the quickest impact on a team because they are the easiest transition.
and it talked about most difficult, but can't remember... dang, I wish I could find it.

 

[cmoney23]

Recently, Smith and Gregory were wasted picks. LVE was Barbie 2.0. One day they were bums. The next days they're pro bowlers. Fandom is like riding wave. Get a surfboard and learn to ride.

Great analogy. Personally, I'd rather try and calm the waters...
I guess I'm a gluten for punishment.

 

[Future]

Taco is an alright player talent-wise, but I don't think he plays with nearly the effort that Marinelli likes.

He's shown nothing to warrant a first-round grade, though.

 

[kskboys]

I've been on this board for a while now and one of the most ridiculous things I commonly see is "such and such DL pick is a waste" or "a bust".
Usually followed by a 1 or 2-year gap of nothing said and then he's playing up to his potential.

So, I ask, can we please stop declaring DL picks busts so quickly?

Here's why.
Most of you (us) don't know how to properly evaluate defensive line play so you (we) look at the stat sheet and say "no sacks? Bust!"

The defensive line is one of the hardest positions to transition from college to the NFL and is one that, like QB, the player has to keep evolving because OL study technique and learn your common moves.

The physicality is completely different. When players on in college they are all playing against similar aged kids who are all of a similar physical make-up. But get to the NFL and a 20-somthing kid will get lined up on a 30-something man that has been playing Tackle in the league for 10 years. He will struggle.

So, can we as a group give a DL player more time to, you know, play before we get so definitive?

Absolutely true, and good post.

But, sadly no. The sheeples aren't bright enough to even understand what you're saying. Didn't look beyond the OP, but I betcha one of the first 5 posts was some lemming declaring how bad Taco is!!!!