Justin Durant

[xwalker]

I've seen many negative comments about this player so I decided to review him on the All-22.

It's somewhat difficult to review the SLB because I kept pulling up games and the defense would often be in Nickel. There were multiple games where they were in Nickel for the entire 1st quarter and beyond.

Anyway, I reviewed about 40 snaps for Durant in various games.

I really didn't see any significant problems but I also didn't see any significant big plays. He basically played assignment sound football and tended to be more conservative versus going for the big play.

An example would be a running play that was a 2-yard gain. Durant probably could have stopped it for no-gain with an aggressive approach but also could have allowed a much bigger gain if he missed while being aggressive.

His take-on skills against OLinemen on running plays was OK, not the best but adequate. He was generally good in coverage. He was very aggressive/physical when covering TEs.

I didn't see him rushing the pass much at all. Later in the season when Wilber was the SLB he did rush the passer several times.

Summary: Durant was decent at SLB but is probably more of a natural WLB.


Side note: I've been as critical of Bruce Carter as anyone, but I did notice that he made a lot of really good plays. He really has good ability, but just seems to lose concentration on occasion.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I've seen many negative comments about this player so I decided to review him on the All-22.

It's somewhat difficult to review the SLB because I kept pulling up games and the defense would often be in Nickel. There were multiple games where they were in Nickel for the entire 1st quarter and beyond.

Anyway, I reviewed about 40 snaps for Durant in various games.

I really didn't see any significant problems but I also didn't see any significant big plays. He basically played assignment sound football and tended to be more conservative versus going for the big play.

An example would be a running play that was a 2-yard gain. Durant probably could have stopped it for no-gain with an aggressive approach but also could have allowed a much bigger gain if he missed while being aggressive.

His take-on skills against OLinemen on running plays was OK, not the best but adequate. He was generally good in coverage. He was very aggressive/physical when covering TEs.

I didn't see him rushing the pass much at all. Later in the season when Wilber was the SLB he did rush the passer several times.

Summary: Durant was decent at SLB but is probably more of a natural WLB.


Side note: I've been as critical of Bruce Carter as anyone, but I did notice that he made a lot of really good plays. He really has good ability, but just seems to lose concentration on occasion.

You mean Durant was the "anti" Ernie Sims, i.e. playing fundamentally sound football.

 

[Idgit]

Very comfortable with Durant taking snaps. I'll be bummed if we try to save some cash and cut him in camp.

 

[conner01]

depending on the young guys he may not make the team. if is a solid player but anytime you can't get equal play from a young and cheaper player, thats what you have to do. there are going to be some very interesting camp battles this year. wr is gonna be one nice one to watch as well

 

[JohnsKey19]

Very comfortable with Durant taking snaps. I'll be bummed if we try to save some cash and cut him in camp.

I actually think this will happen. Assuming Carter and Lee are at Will and Mike respectively, the word is they really want Holloman and Wilbur to battle for the starting Sam spot. If things go according to that plan, I don't think they will keep Durant as a backup. Will go cheaper route with a young guy. But like you said, Durant is a solid player.

 

[speedkilz88]

Very comfortable with Durant taking snaps. I'll be bummed if we try to save some cash and cut him in camp.

I don't have a problem with him, but I hope Will Smith beats him out on the will.

 

[xwalker]

You mean Durant was the "anti" Ernie Sims, i.e. playing fundamentally sound football.

Yes, exactly.

 

[Nation]

I like Durant as a player and think as far as SLB goes that's a position where a "good enough" player can fit. It's probably somewhere in between position numbers 10 and 12 as far as where I'd want my most talented guys, and I feel like Durant is certainly adequate there.

 

[Idgit]

I actually think this will happen. Assuming Carter and Lee are at Will and Mike respectively, the word is they really want Holloman and Wilbur to battle for the starting Sam spot. If things go according to that plan, I don't think they will keep Durant as a backup. Will go cheaper route with a young guy. But like you said, Durant is a solid player.

I do, too. Then somebody gets hurt and we're back to scrambling because one if the rookies isn't ready.

I don't love our LB unit, but at least with Durant and Wilber we don't have a huge drop off if somebody gets hurt.

 

[TonyRomo17]

yeah people have been overrating how bad carter bad because of the chargers game

 

[TonyRomo17]

also about Durant yes hes good but you cant depend on him, was basically injured all the season

 

[davey999]

Why not keep him around for depth?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

yeah people have been overrating how bad carter bad because of the chargers game

I think Carter is going to bounce back this year, but if you want to watch his worst game– watch the contest vs. New Orleans. His run defense that day was abysmal.

 

[links18]

yeah people have been overrating how bad carter bad because of the chargers game

Don't forget the non tackle against the Giants.

 

[Bullflop]

The youth movement is what may very well ultimately decide Durant's fate. There'll be no shortage of OLB candidates in camp.

 

[ShiningStar]

Very comfortable with Durant taking snaps. I'll be bummed if we try to save some cash and cut him in camp.

dont worry you wont miss him.

 

[perrykemp]

I'm going to be honest I don't recall a single game last season where I once said "Wow, nice play by Durant". He was as invisible as a starting LB can be.

I haven't dug into the All 22 film or anything, however, I am hoping he gets pushed this season by a younger player.

 

[jobberone]

The Sam is going to be invisible a good bit. He's going to come out a lot because we're out of base package a good deal. And when he's in the game you don't want to notice him a lot although some stuff behind the LOS is always good. They are worker bees. If he's doing his job then they aren't running over people and he's making the camera be somewhere else covering TE and RBs. You're more likely to see them get burned on occasion by a mismatch they notice all the good plays they make.

If they cut Durant, who I agree is a solid player, then they'd better have two guys that can be 'invisible', too.

 

[Idgit]

I'm going to be honest I don't recall a single game last season where I once said "Wow, nice play by Durant". He was as invisible as a starting LB can be.

I haven't dug into the All 22 film or anything, however, I am hoping he gets pushed this season by a younger player.

He played well in relief of Lee in the GB game for a bit..before going out himself. He's just as Walker described him: solid. Watching Sims run around chasing chickens the last two seasons is all I need to know about the value of 'solid'.

 

[CyberB0b]

Very comfortable with Durant taking snaps. I'll be bummed if we try to save some cash and cut him in camp.

He doesn't even save a ton. The fact that he can play more than one position makes him valuable to me, with the injuries that group has had.