Man I hope we draft this guy!

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

http://www.redraiders.com/stories/120105/foo_120105008.shtml


Tech's Slay racks up Big 12 nod



BY DON WILLIAMS

Throughout his senior season, Dwayne Slay stunned quarterbacks, running backs and receivers who ventured into his territory. In a pleasant development, Slay was the one who got stunned Wednesday.
Texas Tech's free safety, a first-year starter, was taken aback when told that he'd been named Big 12 Conference defensive player of the year by The Associated Press.

"Oh, wow. That's big time,'' Slay said. "It's a blessing and I'm happy for it, but the thing about it is, I can't get complacent about it. I have to stay humble and do what God's blessed me to do - that's come out day in and day out and help the team as much as I can.''

Slay didn't put up big ball-hawk numbers, but he didn't have to. He finished the regular season second in the Big 12 in tackles with 101 and caused eight fumbles, a figure that ranked second in the nation. Kliff Kingsbury in 2002 is the only other Red Raider to be named a Big 12 offensive or defensive player of the year.

The AP honors - unveiled over a three-day period - are chosen by a panel of 20 sportswriters in seven states who regularly cover Big 12 football. Texas's Mack Brown on Tuesday was named coach of the year. Texas quarterback Vince Young was a unanimous choice as offensive player of the year, and Slay beat out seven other vote-getters on the defensive side.

Oklahoma State freshman running back Mike Hamilton and Oklahoma junior defensive end C.J. Ah You were named newcomers of the year for offense and defense.

The AP all-Big 12 teams will be revealed today.

Slay didn't have to wait for acknowledgment.

"I'm really excited for Dwayne, because he's certainly deserving,'' said Carlos Mainord, who coaches the Tech safeties. "The guy has done everything he needs to do to be the best player that he can be. He's been a great guy to coach and a great guy to work with, and I think he's very deserving of the honor.''

Two decades ago, in a previous stint on the Tech staff, Mainord coached a secondary that ranked among the best in the nation at pass defense. As a group, they were physical players who called themselves "The Hammerheads.''

With Slay around, it's been "Hammerhead, the Next Generation.''

Whether it was making a violent hit or just homing in to put his helmet on the football, Slay changed the momentum of games more than once with his forced fumbles. The Raiders were involved in a tight game against Kansas State early in the second half, but Slay caused two fumbles in the third quarter that sparked Tech to a 59-20 blowout.

A tight game against Texas A&M changed at the start of the third quarter when Slay knocked the ball free from an Aggies running back. Tech took it in, scored and went on to win 56-17.

One of Slays hits, on K-State's Allan Evridge, was so chilling that even Tech players sounded as if they felt sorry for the Wildcats' quarterback.

"I was trying to get off a block and I heard a boom. Everybody was like 'oooohhh,' '' Tech linebacker Fletcher Session said in a hushed tone.

Oddly enough, Slay swears causing fumbles was never part of his reputation - at Reedley (Calif.) College or in high school at Brunswick, Ga.

"Not a one. Not a one,'' he said. "Never caused a fumble until this year. Seriously. It's strange. I got one and said, maybe I can get another. They just kept coming, and guys around me helped me out.''

To be the conference defensive player of the year was a remarkable leap. Last year, his first at Tech, Slay was a valuable player on special teams but a backup safety.

Neither he nor Mainord, though, acted surprised by his ascension.

"Not really,'' Slay said. "I believe the things that I did last year for the team were pretty big. Although it was special teams, whenever I got a chance to get in there, I made something happen.''

Mainord, who spent a decade in the NFL before returning to Tech in 2004, says Slay puts in the preparation behind the scenes that will give him a chance to succeed at the next level. It showed just in the past 12 months.

"He got his feet on the ground last year and picked up the system,'' Mainord said. "Then last spring, he had a great spring, and he put it all into effect this fall. The guy is a hard-working, dedicated player. It's a tribute to him, the way he works and the way he prepares and the way he approaches games.''


To comment on this story:

don.williams@lubbockonline.com 766-8734

patrick.gonzales@lubbockonline.com t 766-8735

 

[Bob Sacamano]

another Roy Williams, we need a cover FS

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

Having watched him play many many times, I disagree. He is indeed a very good cover guy as well. He is long and lanky and runs very well. Has great hands, and obviously brings a load when he hits. Being Big 12 Defensive player of the year is awesome!

 

[Roy3131]

This kid crushes players id love to have him at the other safety spot. I just wonder what round he is projected to go in...

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

O my, that shot he put on the QB from KState was just plain wicked.

 

[playit12]

I'm normally big on my Big 12 guys, but I say pass on Slay.

After watching him play in 3 games this year, I don't think he has his fundamentals down. The difference between the way that RW hits and Slay his is this. Roy leads with his shoulder blade with his arms open and quickly closing on the opponent. He also generally strikes mid body on bigger players (backs or big recievers) or near the top on smaller recievers. This means that even when he doesn't lay the big hit, he at least gets the tackle.

I don't see this with Slay. He keeps his arms down and leads with the hit. That works against the relatively smaller College bodies, but not at the next level.

However my biggest knock on Slay is this. Dwayne is not a very bright guy. I don't think he made the grades to go Div I out of high school and thus played JC. I've seen him in one interview and I looked around for some quotes.

Check out these from an interview with a guy from WildRaiders.com.

Zach: “Alright Dwayne. The Defensive Backs have looked good in practice so far. How good can we expect this unit to be heading into the season?”

Dwayne: “We can be pretty good, pretty well, you know what I mean, because if we come together, and play hard, you know, only God knows how good we can really be. With the athleticism we have out here, we look good right now, and we can improve, so right now we look good, but we can be great.”

Zach: “We’ve seen a lot of intensity between the receivers and defensive backs. Is there a lot of animosity between the two units or is it just all in good fun?”

Dwayne: “Oh yeah man, its fun, its competition, you know, there’s nothing between us. On the field, we go hard at each other and off the field, you know, we go out and have fun, you know, with each other, so it’s all competition. It’s all fun.”

Zach: “A lot of fans have nicknamed you “Slayer” because of your hard-hits. Can we expect the same hard-hitting from you this year?”

Dwayne: “*laughs* Oh yeah man, yeah. That’s just part of my game, that’s part of my game. I go all out, leave it all out on the field. You know, if I break my neck or whatever hitting to hard, then so be it. It’s just part of my game.”

 

[sporadic]

I'm normally big on my Big 12 guys, but I say pass on Slay.

However my biggest knock on Slay is this. Dwayne is not a very bright guy. I don't think he made the grades to go Div I out of high school and thus played JC.

QUOTE]

JC to Texas Tech = Harvard to Sam Houston

 

[InmanRoshi]

Slay is about a good a tackler as I've ever seen from the S position, but you might want to wait until he records his 40 times before you jump on that bandwagon. I've heard they are pretty bad. As in Ernest Shazor bad. And you might want to tap the break on how good he is in coverage. Vince Young toasted him with a 75 yard TD seam pass to Billy Pittman because he was slow getting over.

 

[Hiero]

I really dont care how well he hits, we dont need two hitting safeties, we need one hitter and one cover guy. This guy doesnt have a place on our team, i'd rather go with Beriault.

 

[31WillHammerU]

However my biggest knock on Slay is this. Dwayne is not a very bright guy. I don't think he made the grades to go Div I out of high school and thus played JC.

This could apply to countless other guys who transferred to other D1 schools. I sense a little bias here. Regardless, the guy made plays. We ain't exactly set at the safety position. I doubt he would be on our radar, but there is no reason to go after a guy like this.

 

[aznhalf]

I'm normally big on my Big 12 guys, but I say pass on Slay.

After watching him play in 3 games this year, I don't think he has his fundamentals down. The difference between the way that RW hits and Slay his is this. Roy leads with his shoulder blade with his arms open and quickly closing on the opponent. He also generally strikes mid body on bigger players (backs or big recievers) or near the top on smaller recievers. This means that even when he doesn't lay the big hit, he at least gets the tackle.

I don't see this with Slay. He keeps his arms down and leads with the hit. That works against the relatively smaller College bodies, but not at the next level.

However my biggest knock on Slay is this. Dwayne is not a very bright guy. I don't think he made the grades to go Div I out of high school and thus played JC. I've seen him in one interview and I looked around for some quotes.

Very nice analysis. From what I've seen from him, I agree wholeheartidly. Well said.

 

[CowboysFan28]

I'd draft him just on his last name alone.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I really dont care how well he hits, we dont need two hitting safeties, we need one hitter and one cover guy. This guy doesnt have a place on our team, i'd rather go with Beriault.

Beriault built his reputation in college as being a guy who made a ton of tackles, and built his reptuation in training camp around big hits.

 

[playit12]

This could apply to countless other guys who transferred to other D1 schools. I sense a little bias here. Regardless, the guy made plays. We ain't exactly set at the safety position. I doubt he would be on our radar, but there is no reason to go after a guy like this.

Not disagreeing, but I think some positions require more ability to anticipate and memorize than others. I personally don't care, for instance, how bright my CBs are, but I want my Safety to know every route a team runs each week, what tendencies they have in important situations, any tells each reciever, TE, RB, and QB have, and how teams will attack any defensive zone that the team wants to use.

Having seen Sean Taylor play quite a bit up here in DC, I can honestly say I think that's the only thing keeping him back in this game.

The smartest players on your team should be, Center, QB, MLB, FS, and SS.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[Hiero]

Beriault built his reputation in college as being a guy who made a ton of tackles, and built his reptuation in training camp around big hits.

yes but we already have Beriault on the team who seems to be the same player as this guy so why draft a guy exactly like someone we have on the team already? Honestly I see us drafting a FS sometime first day a guy with speed and cover skills.

 

[calico]

Huff

 

[31WillHammerU]

Not disagreeing, but I think some positions require more ability to anticipate and memorize than others. I personally don't care, for instance, how bright my CBs are, but I want my Safety to know every route a team runs each week, what tendencies they have in important situations, any tells each reciever, TE, RB, and QB have, and how teams will attack any defensive zone that the team wants to use.

Having seen Sean Taylor play quite a bit up here in DC, I can honestly say I think that's the only thing keeping him back in this game.

The smartest players on your team should be, Center, QB, MLB, FS, and SS.

Just my opinion of course.

Taylor scored a 9 or 10 on the wonderlic. His behavior off of the field stands next to that score. You are right, you have to be smart. Tuna likes'em smart.

Just because Slay had to go the Juco route doesn't mean he isn't bright enough or incapable of handling the position of FS in the NFL.

Again, I'm not sure that he would even be on our radar.

 

[playit12]

Taylor scored a 9 or 10 on the wonderlic. His behavior off of the field stands next to that score. You are right, you have to be smart. Tuna likes'em smart.

Just because Slay had to go the Juco route doesn't mean he isn't bright enough or incapable of handling the position of FS in the NFL.

Again, I'm not sure that he would even be on our radar.

I was actually going more from the interviews I've seen and the one I quoted. But then not being able to score a 750 on the SAT isn't a great sign either. I wouldn't be surprised if that equates to about a 9 or 10 on the old Wonderlic.

 

[31WillHammerU]

I was actually going more from the interviews I've seen and the one I quoted. But then not being able to score a 750 on the SAT isn't a great sign either. I wouldn't be surprised if that equates to about a 9 or 10 on the old Wonderlic.

Again, do you realize how many guys go the Juco route? Are you applying this logic to each and every one or is it just to Slay? I smell an agenda.

 

[playit12]

Again, do you realize how many guys go the Juco route? Are you applying this logic to each and every one or is it just to Slay? I smell an agenda.

Each and everyone that is playing in one of the positions I mentioned above, doesn't interview well, and was a hot enough prospect in HS that you can be assured they went JC because of their test scores and not because of lack of interest before they developed.

If I had the choice to pick the three smartest players on my team they would be, in order, Center, QB, and FS. So I certainly don't apply the same test to for instance a WR or Guard. But the demands are different.