Does Taco Charlton look thinner, faster, and more flexible by the day?

[darthseinfeld]

He's a first rounder - shouldn't the expectations be that he has a similar ceiling? I'm not sure why people are so down on this guy. He's a DE, there is a learning curve. JPP didn't exactly light up the NFL his rookie year.

People still have the preconceived notion that because of his 40 time he has a very limites ceiling as a pass rusher. It has been shot down effectively many times, but it persists

 

[BIGDen]

Is it just me guys or does Taco Charlton look thinner, faster, and more flexible by the day?

Honestly, I saw a player with really heavy hands and feet at Michigan, during the draft, and during the OTA's and start of camp. But seeing this guy in practice recently and watching these latest preseason games, he looks like a different player out there to me.

Is anyone else seeing this or is this a kool-aid induced hallucination on my part?

I finally got to watch the preseason game vs the Colts last night and thought/saw the exact thing you did. If he continues to work hard and develop his skills/technique, he has the potential to be a very solid to good DE IMO.

 

[Bullflop]

I do believe what's behind Taco's improvement is the result of all the things that pro conditioning, coaching and practice have done to develop him. This is only the beginning of a long and quite possibly, a fruitful career for the youngster. Let's hope he continues to improve just as he has so far.

 

[Bullflop]

One thing to keep in mind, he played most of last year with a high ankle sprain

Yep -- and yet, he still managed to produce 10-1/2 sacks. Not at all bad for a college DE with a bum ankle, huh?

 

[Risen Star]

Charlton has the same build as Tony Tolbert. Tolbert was a good DE for us.

That's who I think of when I see Taco. As his ceiling.

 

[Pants]

My God, if he develops sooner rather than later, then defense could be really good...if nothing else, a pass rush would give the rookie DBs sometime to develop

looking forward to real games where Lee and JSmith are on the field at the same time - they have potential to erase mistakes from the DL...but, if the DL causes pressure, along with the LBs getting better, then it will be fun to watch both sides of the ball instead of biting finger nails when the defense is out there

 

[DallasDomination]

The only thing I care about with Taco is his mentality to be great. He has the frame to shape his game however he wants. I'm sure he can get much better but it all depends on what kind of player he wants to be.

 

[Screw The Hall]

He has more of a suddenness to his game than I thought he possessed right now.

 

[Verdict]

Not really Stash. I mean, I saw a kid who had a pretty good first step and really long reach at Michigan. At that level, he could lean on guys, had enough strength to bend a little. He was never a guy who could just beat you off the snap and be on the QB. He never had DeWare type quicks but he had something. I just think somebody is working with the kid and teaching him how to use his hands, how to set up guys on the pass rush and maybe watching some film on guys playing across from him.

He's gonna take some time because when the real games start, he's going to get abused but eventually, he will learn some things and he might end up being a guy who can contribute for us. Still don't see him as the pass rusher that gets you home when you really need it thou.

Great post.

 

[Bigwheelz34]

Taco reminds me of Chris Doleman in his body shape and movements. And the training program in the pros is supposed to mold these guys into a finished product. I'm chuggin the kool aid..Keep em comin.. I believe he's gonna be a factor for us this year.

 

[Scotman]

I agree that he will never be Ware, but he just looks better to me than the player I saw before. Quicker, less plodding.

I completely agree. It looks like he's getting it to me. I think he's going to be the type that picks up sacks late in games after leaning on the end all game long.

Faster than he looks.