Phil Taylor our new NT?

[realtick]

Taylor has the size to mature into a force at the next level.

DT Phil Taylor: No. 98 (6-4, 355)

A massive interior lineman with a thick lower half who actually looks to carry his weight pretty well. Exhibits a good first step off the snap for his size and at times can be very violent with his hands when trying to make his way toward the football on perimeter runs. Is a better pass rusher than given credit for and seems improved from last season. Displays some natural power on his bull rush when blocked one-on-one inside. But isn’t consistently overpowering because he allows his pad level to get too high and rarely keeps his base under him. Needs to do a better job using his length and hands to dictate to blocks initially off the snap, doesn’t extend his arms until well into contact and consistently allows opposing linemen to get under his frame. However, there is a definite improvement in his overall lateral quickness/balance as a pass rusher. He does display some quickness laterally for his size and his combination of size, length and power allow him to slip blocks at times off the ball and fight his way through contact one-on-one.

Exhibits the kind of lower body strength and natural get-off burst to simply overwhelm blockers at the point of attack vs. the run game. Can simply manhandle opposing linemen one-on-one inside and quickly drive his way into the backfield. Is stout at the point of attack inside and even shows the grace to cleanly move down the line, fend off a block and make his way toward the ball carrier. However, he’s still very raw, allowing his pad level again to get too high and failing to consistently extend his arms into blocks, which at times is the difference from him making the play and not. Isn’t overly instinctive at this stage either and will struggle to consistently diagnose his run/pass keys quickly and find the football. Would like to see him do a better job sitting into his stance to anchor as well; it would really allow him to play much stronger inside vs. the double.

Impression: He’s got a big frame, a pretty good step for his size and is really powerful both in his upper and lower body. However, technically he’s slightly improved but still raw. Nevertheless, I think he’s an intriguing tackle prospect because of his size and athleticism. Does have some character concerns though as well and seems like a real boom or burst kind of prospect.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Bowl-Mania-Prospect-breakdowns-7959.html


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Here's a video with some good highlights of his...

 

[Bluestang]

The boom or bust thing is a huge question mark. Projection?

 

[realtick]

The boom or bust thing is a huge question mark. Projection?

My best guess is he goes somewhere between the 3rd-6th round.

He's intriguing because you don't find guys with that size and he flashes that ability once in awhile. Problem is with big guys his size is that he disappears at times; like a croccidile waiting and building up its strength for one big burst.

FWIW, he's on TV playing Illinois in the Texas Bowl right now. I've seen him make two nice plays already.

 

[Bluestang]

My best guess is he goes somewhere between the 3rd-6th round.

He's intriguing because you don't find guys with that size and he flashes that ability once in awhile. Problem is with big guys his size is that he disappears at times; like a croccidile waiting and building up its strength for one big burst.

FWIW, he's on TV playing Illinois in the Texas Bowl right now. I've seen him make two nice plays already.

On the current drive there he had one good play where he shed his blocker and tracked the RB. The rest of the plays he was 1v1 and got stone walled. The G would come in the last second and finish the block as well. His size is intriguing but that report saying he is raw means he has alot to learn still. Right now we have Lissemore, Josh-Brent, and Ratliff as NT do we need another project NT?

 

[jblaze2004]

On the current drive there he had one good play where he shed his blocker and tracked the RB. The rest of the plays he was 1v1 and got stone walled. The G would come in the last second and finish the block as well. His size is intriguing but that report saying he is raw means he has alot to learn still. Right now we have Lissemore, Josh-Brent, and Ratliff as NT do we need another project NT?

the problem is only 1 of the 3 you named should be really considered for the nose tackle position in a 3-4 and that's Brent ratliff and lissemore are too small and tall for you everyday nose tackle.

 

[realtick]

On the current drive there he had one good play where he shed his blocker and tracked the RB. The rest of the plays he was 1v1 and got stone walled. The G would come in the last second and finish the block as well. His size is intriguing but that report saying he is raw means he has alot to learn still. Right now we have Lissemore, Josh-Brent, and Ratliff as NT do we need another project NT?

Well, in fairness that's one report and the reality is all college players have a lot to learn.

I think Josh Brent is a keeper without a doubt. He's produced at a good level as a rookie.

We all like nice stories of players from small colleges, but I'm not holding my breath, let alone a roster spot for Lissemore next season. One of the hosts from the Lunch Break mentioned a few weeks ago that Lissemore doesn't even pass the eyeball test as a defensive lineman. In other words, he's got a lot of work to do on his body.

Bottomline is, if this team is serious about preserving Ratliff by protecting him with depth or moving him to DE, then a big-bodied guy like Taylor might be well worth a mid-round pick. If it's not Phil Taylor, so be it, but they do need some girth at that position from someone. JMO

 

[Bluestang]

LOL at you guys with those notion of Ratliff being moved to DE. In a perfect world it would happen but Ratliff won't stand for it and neither will the coaches. I think Ratliff had a down year this year because of the elbow surgeries he had to go through. Ratliff even admitted that is was a big problem and that he could not even bench press late last year and in the offseason. For a NT their hand usage is critical taking on double teams and Ratliff looked like a guy that hadn't worked his upper body and arms this year. He'll bounce back next year and crow will be served. He had a phenom year last year.

BTW the lunch crew barely passes for a legit media crew. They suck and their show is never about football because they always get off subject.

 

[realtick]

LOL at you guys with those notion of Ratliff being moved to DE. In a perfect world it would happen but Ratliff won't stand for it and neither will the coaches. I think Ratliff had a down year this year because of the elbow surgeries he had to go through. Ratliff even admitted that is was a big problem and that he could not even bench press late last year and in the offseason. For a NT their hand usage is critical taking on double teams and Ratliff looked like a guy that hadn't worked his upper body and arms this year. He'll bounce back next year and crow will be served. He had a phenom year last year.

That's funny because Ratliff had surgery in the offseason before this season and said it was the healthiest he's felt in years going into this season.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

On the current drive there he had one good play where he shed his blocker and tracked the RB. The rest of the plays he was 1v1 and got stone walled. The G would come in the last second and finish the block as well. His size is intriguing but that report saying he is raw means he has alot to learn still. Right now we have Lissemore, Josh-Brent, and Ratliff as NT do we need another project NT?

Right now we have no NT.. that's the problem. I'd say its the biggest problem with this defense too. NT and Safety.

 

[dbair1967]

Right now we have no NT.. that's the problem. I'd say its the biggest problem with this defense too. NT and Safety.

Josh Brent shows alot of upside. He would have likely been a middle round pick (or earlier) if he hadnt entered the supp draft.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Taylor is a beast. He'd be a great pickup in the mid rounds

 

[TheCount]

I like his size, and I like him as a mid round pick but he's pretty much just a space eater. He's not the type of guy, like Raji, that can collapse a pocket, obviously.

 

[TheCount]

Ugh, what a disappointment this is so far.

Late off the ball, gets no push, easily blocked by one guard (does not require a double team), and when he gets tired it gets even worse.

I liked Taylor too but he doesn't look like the answer.

I'd like to see more of Kenrick Ellis.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Josh Brent shows alot of upside. He would have likely been a middle round pick (or earlier) if he hadnt entered the supp draft.

He's still a little light for what we need at the position. If we got a rotation going that included him i think that'd work better, but we need a guy with mass in here. 350 lb guy.

 

[RS12]

Another fat lazy guy. The lower the round, the better.

 

[Hostile]

I watched the game tonight and he impressed me, but I just don't think we need a NT.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I watched the game tonight and he impressed me, but I just don't think we need a NT.

You advocating a return to the 43?

 

[Hostile]

You advocating a return to the 43?

No. Why do you ask? Not sure where what I said even intimates it.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I know we need 2 good pass rushers up front. If we add a guy like Phil Taylor at NT, we will still need another DE that can rush the passer. Bowen is a good rotational guy, but not a starter.

If we keep Ratlif at NT, we can keep Spears at LDE and only need to add 1 pass rushing DE in the draft (Fairley, Dareus, Jordan, Bailey, Watt, Clayborn).

 

[RoyTheHammer]

No. Why do you ask? Not sure where what I said even intimates it.

You only said one thing.. take 5 seconds to remember what that was.

How do you propose we get better as a 34 defense without a true, solid NT?