ESPN's Adam Schefter, "early signs" OLB Von Miller will be a top-five pick

[vaturkey]

Since when did he turn into a prime time talent evaluator? Yes, he's got some sources, but geez. Miller may be a great player, but I don't think in any way shape for form that he's a top 5 pick. He can't hold up at the point of attack because he will get steamrolled as an outside 3-4 linebacker. 4-3 yes, I can see him, but not on the other side of Ware for sure.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Since when did he turn into a prime time talent evaluator? Yes, he's got some sources, but geez. Miller may be a great player, but I don't think in any way shape for form that he's a top 5 pick. He can't hold up at the point of attack because he will get steamrolled as an outside 3-4 linebacker. 4-3 yes, I can see him, but not on the other side of Ware for sure.

he'd play weakside for sure, so no he would not play opposite of Ware.

 

[CATCH17]

he'd play weakside for sure, so no he would not play opposite of Ware.

He's gotta be a ROLB in a 4-3 right?


He just looks sooooo 1 dimensional to me.

Maybe you create a position for him like Pitt did with Polamalu?

People are raving about him but if I had to play against him I'm running right at the guy.

As a 3-4 olb he'll have to take on more blocks too.

I'm just not sold on him even though I know he's a legit player vs the pass.

 

[Avery]

I see Miller as a better fit in a 4-3. I'm fine with him going high in the hopes it gives us more options at #9.

 

[realtick]

Here's a breakdown from draftinsider.net:


Von MillerTexas A&M 6'2.5" 237 lb

Monday Practice Notes: Spent most of the day at SSLB, but was not impressive working his way through all the drills.

Tuesday Practice Notes: Not a good day for a guy that’s projected to be a 3-4 OLB. Was easily controlled by blocks all day and at one point got annihilated by Luke Stocker. Showed decent skills in coverage when he had to move in reverse. Miller was brought over to the pass rush drills to showcase his talents, which were average at best.

Wednesday Practice Notes: Nice athlete; fluid with a nice degree of explosion. Gets depth on drops. Moves well in all directions. Again struggled in pass rush drills.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Agree with most of the rest. Really good pass rusher, but just looks very small. It'll all depend on how much he can bulk up, but somehow his frame doesn't look like it'll hold a ton of weight to me.

 

[johnnyd]

I guess it depends who's reports you read but i love what rob rang had on his blog . on cbssports. He was talking about te's and then morphed into lb's.


When watching tight ends, it is nearly impossible not to also watch a team's linebackers, both in their ability to hold up against run blocking, as well as in coverage. The top linebacker on the field today was Texas A&M star Von Miller--and that's not even considering his work as a pass rusher in one-on-one drills.

Miller surprised scouts at Monday's weigh-in with his thick lower body, which he used to hold up Williams and Stocker when man-up on run plays. His coverage skills are what really stood out, though, as the quick Williams could not separate from Miller on out routes because of the former Aggie's own lateral agility and speed.

A linebacker with Miller's closing speed to the quarterback, who also can be effective in coverage, is destined for a slot in the top 20 overall selections.

http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/13682485


I know we used to run a 4-3 back in the day but i miss having speed on D.

 

[speedkilz88]

I hope he goes top 8 and drops someone else, because he would be a poor fit with the Cowboys.

 

[28 Joker]

I think he projects to Ware's spot.

If he goes that high, a player will slide.

Derek Sherrod and Miller went one on one today, and Sherrod was at RT, a little disadvantage for him. Miller won the first rep, but Sherrod adjusted and owned him on the second rep, by beating him to the outside and defeating his spin move.

 

[Jaxonsdaddd]

Good defensive coaches find a way to get the best players on the field. Now a terrific pass rusher and someone who would be a good cover linebacker is deemed "not a good fit"?

I guess I just dont get it

 

[CATCH17]

Good defensive coaches find a way to get the best players on the field. Now a terrific pass rusher and someone who would be a good cover linebacker is deemed "not a good fit"?

I guess I just dont get it

Because playing the pass is 50% of football and you need a guy @ 9 that can play 100% of the time.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Since when did he turn into a prime time talent evaluator? Yes, he's got some sources, but geez.

Something tells me he's not claiming to be a talent evaluator, and that this is coming from his NFL sources. Which, to me, is way more important than the opinion of some random internet pretend scout.

 

[Jaxonsdaddd]

Most of this thread reminds of the discussion we all were having regarding Desean Jackson. The thoughts were, "hes too small, He will always be hurt and on I.R., All a team would have to do is press him and because hes too small he wont be able to get off the line". etc, etc..

I just think special football players shouldnt be dismissed with the wave of the hand as one who "doesnt fit us".

 

[natesboys051]

We potentially can have an outstanding DRAFT this year if lady luck is on our side. There are some outstanding LINEMAN (OL) available in Rd's 1 thru 3. I'm not really sure about drafting Cameron Jordan at pick #9 (as some Mocks are saying). I didn't SEE much from him during this past college season. His sack totals were NOT that impressive and after watching game film on him, I still don't see a guy that can dominate at the next level and/or who's worthy of a (high) first round pick.

If we can't 'steal' Von Miller or Peterson at pick #9, however, I'd rather us slide down (for an extra 3rd Rd pick) and draft OT Gabe Carimi (whom the Eagles covet) from Wisconsin. Gabe has a nasty streak about him that we definitely need on the Cowboys offensive line. We can also grab another stud OG (Moffitt or Danny Watkins) and/or Center (BPA) that'll be available in either Rd2 or Rd3 (and second Rd3 pick from sliding down a few spots) and infuse our entire OL with young studs.

I strongly believe Rob Ryan will be pretty satisfied with current defensive players. If Brent gains a few pounds and can play the NT position, Ratliff can slide down to DE or (better yet) rotate with Brent to keep each other fresh. With Spears, Bowen, Hatcher, Igor, and young Lissemore as our DE's, we should be in pretty good shape for 2011. If we DRAFT a young stud NT (330lbs or bigger like they have on the Packers, Ravens, Jets, and Steelers rosters), Ratliff can move to DE to compete/rotate with the other five DE's on our roster. If we can't draft CB/S Peterson in RD 1, I'm sure our scouting department has one or two young fast CB's on their radar for Rd 3 or Rd 4. Regarding FS, the draft is NOT that good this year for FS prospects. Jerrah can address the FS position in Free Agency since we should play an NFL veteran at this position. And, I, personally don't believe AOA or Ball can get the job done at FS. They need to start on nickel packages and work their way into the lineup unless someone gets injured. Rds 4 thru 7 should be we look for RB and FB help since this is our year to finally get 2-3 future stud starters for the OL.

Remember in Emmitt Smith's era (3 RINGS), we had the BEST OL in the NFL.

 

[CATCH17]

IF you draft the guy in a 3-4 I just don't feel you can line him up @ LOLB and tell him to be a Prototypical OLB in a 3-4.



You're going to have to be creative with this guy.



Would we be willing to build schemes for this player?


If not and we want to just keep it traditional than I don't think he will be effective for us.

But if you want to let him be a Clay Matthews or Polamalu in our defense than it could definetely work.

 

[realtick]

Here's a pretty subjective clip of Von Miller (A&M vs. Nebraska) that shows all his snaps...good or bad

I see a average sized 43 WLB playing as a undersized 34 OLB in a 34 for A&M. I see guy who uses his speed to get up the field and around OTs at times. I also see a guy who doesn't play with much power and gets overwhelmed by blockers at times.

[youtube]SkDdpgRn7Pk[/youtube]

 

[Jaxonsdaddd]

What I see watching those snaps is a guy who makes the quarterback move virtually on every passing play. If he isnt making the tackle or getting the sack his pressure is making the QB move left, right, back, up, etc..

There were a few running plays where he shot up the field leaving an area where the running back cut back to. Now if these were third and long plays where the front is coached to go get the quarterback than these plays dont look as bad. He did get blocked on some plays in all fairness but thats football.

I do see an impac/pressure player here in any regard.

 

[CATCH17]

What I see watching those snaps is a guy who makes the quarterback move virtually on every passing play. If he isnt making the tackle or getting the sack his pressure is making the QB move left, right, back, up, etc..

There were a few running plays where he shot up the field leaving an area where the running back cut back to. Now if these were third and long plays where the front is coached to go get the quarterback than these plays dont look as bad. He did get blocked on some plays in all fairness but thats football.

I do see an impac/pressure player here in any regard.

Agreed but I just don't think he is a player you plug in @ LOLB.

You have to take the Polamalu route with this guy and just tell him to go be disruptive in a 3-4 imo.

 

[Tobal]

You know he held the edge on those run plays and that's what his job is, he looks small but he stood the tackle up on those run plays, and he's very active. That's a quick QB he's playing against, he took an inside rush more times in that game than Ware does all season. He just looks so damn small, but he didn't play that way.

 

[TheCount]

Here's a pretty subjective clip of Von Miller (A&M vs. Nebraska) that shows all his snaps...good or bad

I see a average sized 43 WLB playing as a undersized 34 OLB in a 34 for A&M. I see guy who uses his speed to get up the field and around OTs at times. I also see a guy who doesn't play with much power and gets overwhelmed by blockers at times.

[youtube]SkDdpgRn7Pk[/youtube]

Interesting that, that's what you saw. I thought he looked very good in the vast majority of those plays and I thought he held his ground very well, especially for his size.

I even saw him take on a few double teams and not get eliminated from the play, he certainly never gave up on a play because he met resistance. He was active, chasing down plays from the back side, looked decent when he dropped back and picked his way through trash very well.

There were certainly plays where he guessed wrong, especially the play where he shot inside and the run got bounced outside, but overall if I was grading him based on that "tape", I'd say he graded very well.

I certainly agree he doesn't play with much power, but I think he held up to the power play of his opponents pretty darn well.

I think his talents would be pretty much a waste at 4-3 OLB, and he's too small to play 4-3 DE.