Looks like a soft Taco with no flavor

[camaro69]

One meaningless preseason game, I know. First live action in the NFL, yes, I know. But last night was decidedly unimpressive last night from Taco Charlton.

So I went back and watched his snaps again. Maybe I just missed something while the defense was getting torched early. Maybe it wasn't that bad. Maybe I need to chill.

Nope, it was even worse than I thought.

Absolutely no explosion off the snap. No twitch or quickness to him. No strength to push the pocket whatsoever. Not a single pass rush move that even looked like a pass rush move.

And this was against scrubs. He played like a three-toed sloth. Moved like molasses.

I realize pass rushers generally take a year or two to get their feet under them in the NFL. But even before that, you can see athleticism and that "special" quality that made them worthy of a first-round pick. You could see it immediately in Demarcus Ware. Randy Gregory looked different than the others. Demarcus Lawrence's athleticism was apparent. Charles Tapper certainly looks the part, even as a 4th-rounder.

I was hoping Taco could become a poor man's Greg Ellis. I'm afraid this is just another Shante Carver, Kavika Pittman, or Ebennezer Ekuban.

I just see nothing there at all. I hope desperately that I'm wrong.

I'm afraid your right. He's move's like he's weighted down. But on the bright side his name is Taco

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Do you realize that people were calling Zeke a bust last year? Believe it or not this happened on this board. Then the season happened. The point is when will we learn to RELAX? Football is a sport of unseen development, chemistry, and infinite variables THAT CANNOT ALWAYS BE DETERMINED AFTER ONE PRESEASON GAME. This happens every year and it's shocking.

Gotta be honest, I don't remember a lot of discussion around Zeke being a bust. I remember a lot of talk about the second coming of Emmitt but not bust.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Dude I promise you ZEKE WAS CALLED A BUST and not worth the #4 pick on this board. I bet my life on it and it was a popular opinion at that. He was also subpar in game 1 vs NYG and was buried for that. Some said he was not worth the pick, some said he had no moves, wasn't elusive with "no wiggle"... etc.. We live in a message board world where everyone MUST declare right away.. or have everything "figured out"..

Most of the talk about Zeke had nothing to do with him being a bust, but on the debate if the number 4 pick should be used on a RB

And I do remember calling out Zeke after the first two games because he was awful and he fumbled and his head wasn't in the game

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Nobody is saying the book is closed. Of course we're going to talk about every data point we have access to. I'd say it's perfectly reasonable to be concerned by what we've seen and read to this point.

It's funny; it's the folks telling us to relax that are taking things a bit too seriously. We know it's a preaseason game. We know it's early. We know! That doesn't mean there isn't room to be concerned--and reserve the right to be higher on him when his play and practice justifies it.

I get it... it's the world we live in. My problem is with those that want to reach CONCLUSIONS. It's the lack of perspective and reason that's hard to stomach although inevitable especially here.

 

[ConceptCoop]

Gotta be honest, I don't remember a lot of discussion around Zeke being a bust. I remember a lot of talk about the second coming of Emmitt but not bust.

Weeks 1 and 2 of last season. I remember at least one post, maybe two. But it was a tiny minority.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Most of the talk about Zeke had nothing to do with him being a bust, but on the debate if the number 4 pick should be used on a RB

And I do remember calling out Zeke after the first two games because he was awful and he fumbled and his head wasn't in the game

And how did that work out? I guess I'm looking for a perspective that I honestly shouldn't be If I'm being honest. It's a microwave world and people want instant conclusions. Have at it.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Weeks 1 and 2 of last season. I remember at least one post, maybe two. But it was a tiny minority.

ok

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Gotta be honest, I don't remember a lot of discussion around Zeke being a bust. I remember a lot of talk about the second coming of Emmitt but not bust.

After the opening game vs the Giants. People wanted Morris starting ahead of him.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

After the opening game vs the Giants. People wanted Morris starting ahead of him.

 

[ConceptCoop]

ok

Don't get me wrong; there were plenty of doubters. I'll be honest, I was worried about the first two games. But I only read the "bust" label a few times.

 

[RS12]

Eb, Shante and Kavicka send their best wishes.

 

[ConceptCoop]

After the opening game vs the Giants. People wanted Morris starting ahead of him.

A lot of that had to do with the fact that we were playing Washington and Morris looked better than Zeke against the G-men. But even that talk was more along the lines of: "Let's start Morris next week. Give Zeke a bit of time to catch up." I don't consider that calling a guy a bust.

 

[erod]

Dude I promise you ZEKE WAS CALLED A BUST and not worth the #4 pick on this board. I bet my life on it and it was a popular opinion at that. He was also subpar in game 1 vs NYG and was buried for that. Some said he was not worth the pick, some said he had no moves, wasn't elusive with "no wiggle"... etc.. We live in a message board world where everyone MUST declare right away.. or have everything "figured out"..

I think you're re-imagining it differently than it was.

Yes, there was a lot of scrutiny from the Jaylen Ramsey crowd, and yes, there was some concern over the early season fumbles. There wasn't anywhere to run against the Giants, but some folks questioned the value of a RB at No. 4 still.

But he had already blown up the Seahawks and Cam Chancellor. The athletic ability was flashing all over the place. There was no talk of "bust", just on whether he was the right pick.

Taco, on the other hand, hasn't shown a moment's flash yet. He looks like a JAG.

 

[erod]

I don't care what anyone thinks, Taco looks like a massive bust to me. Looks like he doesn't even
belong on the field.

It doesn't look promising. I see a guy that will spend many Sundays on the inactive list, and we wait to see what a year of weight-lifting and technique coaching does for him.

 

[ufcrules1]

It doesn't look promising. I see a guy that will spend many Sundays on the inactive list, and we wait to see what a year of weight-lifting and technique coaching does for him.

Agreed. I just feel like they would be putting lipstick on a pig though. He looks horrible out there.

 

[CowboyChris]

I would have picked Watt. I wanted him on draft day!

Oh, well. What's done is done. It's just going to suck seeing Watt make game-changing plays and be The Man knowing we could have (should have) taken him.

i also preferred Watt, what is worse than that is he is a Steeler.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Not all of his measuarables are "good" but that doesn't mean that he is destined to be a bust.

He was in the 70th percentile for DE on all, but 40 time.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I wasn't huge on the Taco selection. I wanted Watt. Having said that this is silly talk. Wake me up in a month.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Lol. I need 8 10+ sack guys.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

I think you're re-imagining it differently than it was.

Yes, there was a lot of scrutiny from the Jaylen Ramsey crowd, and yes, there was some concern over the early season fumbles. There wasn't anywhere to run against the Giants, but some folks questioned the value of a RB at No. 4 still.

But he had already blown up the Seahawks and Cam Chancellor. The athletic ability was flashing all over the place. There was no talk of "bust", just on whether he was the right pick.

Taco, on the other hand, hasn't shown a moment's flash yet. He looks like a JAG.

Ok... fair enough. My point is do we give him preseason game #2? Allow him to play with other starters? Or have we already defined his career?