What about drafting Greenway?

boysfanindc

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I am not suggesting that the boys will draft this guy, so don't bite me head off. I just find it facinating that he is not at least discussed, with the exception of the hate discussions. I suppose this comes from people projecting him to WOLB or MLB because of some people's fears he could not handle SOLB because of some perceived concerns about his ability against the TE. But it seems to me he is a guy that could add some weight and strength (definately has the frame for it). and eventually be very effective at any of the LB positions.

Again, not suggesting he is our guy, just that he is never mentioned, comapred to other guys that have more potential questions about them such as Lawson etc.

Chad Greenway

Position:
OLB

School:
Univ. of Iowa

Height:
6' 4"

Weight:
244 lbs.

General Variables:
35 out of 40

Size:
10

Strength:
9

Speed:
8

Athleticism:
8

Position Variables:
35 out of 40

Run support:
9

Pass coverage:
8

Blitzing:
8

Tackling:
10

Positives:

What’s not to like about Chad Greenway? He’s a huge man, with eye-popping strength. If anyone in this draft defines “sideline-to-sideline” linebacker, Chad Greenway does. He possesses a startling quickness when making plays, rather than having out and out speed. It seems 9 times out of 10 when opposing offensive players look up, Chad Greenway is in their face because his tackling abilities are as stout as they come. If Greenway gets a hand on the ball carrier, it’s a safe bet he’s hitting the turf real soon. He wraps up and drives through his tackles exceptionally well. If you’re looking for a big body to stuff the run, Chad is as good as they get. Yet, originally sized up as a safety, Chad can cover well in passing situations also, and has that great intermediate speed to hang with any coverage across the middle or with the shorter shallow routes. His game study ethics, and ability to see the entire field, help to make him even more lethal.

Negatives:

One of the biggest knocks on him would have to be his knee. He has had major reconstructive surgery, and it might lead some teams to have concerns. I think he will have to come out strong in the combines and workouts with his 40, and show he can move laterally through the cones, etc. with good times. Although his run stopping abilities are fantastic, I’d like to see a more of a push into the backfield. Blitzing from the outside and getting into the backfield without over pursuing might be an issue as well.

Overall:

Greenway is the total physical package with tremendous upside, and little, if any, downside. He’s a strong student of the game as well. Coming out of a Kirk Ferentz program where players are highly encouraged to film study is a big plus for him. Ferentz is a big believer in film study, and already knowing how to just study film and analyzing your own position breakdowns will be a huge hurdle already cleared for Greenway. For the most part Chad has had solid talent around him at the college level, which has helped him succeed, but in the right defense at the next level, with that same kind of help, he could be an even big pillar to his defense.

Final Word:

FIRE ― Chad is the type of football player whose game is defined by his intensity and desire on and off the field. His success will largely be affected by him being able to maintain that intensity and desire that has propelled him to where he sits today. He made a huge jump coming out of high school and playing linebacker in the Big 10. He didn’t get there on luck, he got there by smacking people in the mouth. If he’s to be as successful in the NFL as many expect, that’ll have to continue. Not surprising is that Chad being mentioned as a first round pick. He’s earned that respect like every other honor he’s received, and again, he’ll have to play with that same fire he always has to gain even more when he’s in the NFL
 

trickblue

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boysfanindc said:
Negatives:

One of the biggest knocks on him would have to be his knee. He has had major reconstructive surgery, and it might lead some teams to have concerns. I think he will have to come out strong in the combines and workouts with his 40, and show he can move laterally through the cones, etc. with good times. Although his run stopping abilities are fantastic, I’d like to see a more of a push into the backfield. Blitzing from the outside and getting into the backfield without over pursuing might be an issue as well.

His biggest negative not mentioned here is that he makes ALOT of ankle tackles. NFL players don't go down with ankle tackles...
 

junk

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He reminds me of a not as good Derrick Johnson, who Dallas had no interest in last year.

Take this scouting report with a grain of salt. He isn't very good at taking on and shedding blocks. More of a run through a free lane to the ball carrier. Doesn't have much experience blitzing. Very good in coverage.

I think he'd be better suited as a 4-3 weakside LB in a Cover 2 scheme.

I'd be very disappointed if Dallas picked him. Iowa players tend to disappoint in the NFL.

However, I didn't really think Burnett was a Cowboys type of player last year either.
 

Doomsday101

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Well count me as one who likes Greenway and should trade trade down out of 18 I would not mind seeing Dallas draft him.
 

CrazyCowboy

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trickblue said:
His biggest negative not mentioned here is that he makes ALOT of ankle tackles. NFL players don't go down with ankle tackles...

I also read in addition to this.....he is slow coming to the ball--reaction time.
 

DLCassidy

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If we ran a 4-3 I'd be interested maybe late 1st, early 2nd. I can't see this guy in the 3-4. He's a finesse guy that had a bad combine- ran bad, lifted bad.

There's a reason few NFL SOLB in the 3-4 played LB in college- you need the size and strength to take on OT's and the speed to blow past them. That's not Greenway.
 

Clove

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I think he has something as well, but other guys are better right now.
 

cobra

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This evaluation was done before the combine.

Once he was measured and tested, the comments made in the analysis ring hollow.
 

Alexander

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cobra said:
This evaluation was done before the combine.

Once he was measured and tested, the comments made in the analysis ring hollow.

I don't have any problem with someone questioning his value because he isn't physical and has a poor tackling style.

But making judgements that he cannot play football anymore because he had a bad combine is completely foolish. If anything, poor work with the weights and speed are easier to correct that some of the other flaws.
 

Doomsday101

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Alexander said:
I don't have any problem with someone questioning his value because he isn't physical and has a poor tackling style.

But making judgements that he cannot play football anymore because he had a bad combine is completely foolish. If anything, poor work with the weights and speed are easier to correct that some of the other flaws.

Bottom line is everyone has opinion on all of these draft choice and by and large most have a favorable view of Greenway more so than some members at this site. I'm only going by what I have seen from Greenway and I think the guy will turn out to be a very good player in the NFL. Does he have some negatives? Yes but so do the guys who are projected to go at the top of this draft.
 

DLCassidy

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I think Greenway will be a good player. Not being a good fit for us, or not being worth the 18th pick doesn't make him bad. I wouldn't have supoorted him for us at 18 if he had a good combine- he's not a 3-4 SOLB and that's what we need.
 

boysfanindc

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Doomsday101 said:
Bottom line is everyone has opinion on all of these draft choice and by and large most have a favorable view of Greenway more so than some members at this site. I'm only going by what I have seen from Greenway and I think the guy will turn out to be a very good player in the NFL. Does he have some negatives? Yes but so do the guys who are projected to go at the top of this draft.

Well said, I guess that is my point. Anyone drafted after 10 has positives and negatives about their game, some maybe most above 10 do also. Besides Hawk I have seen negatives about all the LB prospects.

Just seems to be more negativity on this site about Greenway that what appears to be the national consensus.
 

Doomsday101

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boysfanindc said:
Well said, I guess that is my point. Anyone drafted after 10 has positives and negatives about their game, some maybe most above 10 do also. Besides Hawk I have seen negatives about all the LB prospects.

Just seems to be more negativity on this site about Greenway that what appears to be the national consensus.

I'm not saying Dallas should take him at 18 I do think if we trade down out of the 18 spot that Greenway would be 1 option for Dallas. I do disagree with some about his ability to play in a 3-4 defense I think he can
 

Sasquatch

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Doomsday101 said:
Bottom line is everyone has opinion on all of these draft choice and by and large most have a favorable view of Greenway more so than some members at this site. I'm only going by what I have seen from Greenway and I think the guy will turn out to be a very good player in the NFL. Does he have some negatives? Yes but so do the guys who are projected to go at the top of this draft.

So what have you got to say in response to the claims that he can't blitz and only makes "shoestring" tackles five yards beyond the line of scrimmage?

I, for one, would like to see a more indepth debate on Greenway by those who have seen him play a few times because like one poster suggested the national consensus seems very much at odds with this board. And he may be available when we pick in the first round.
 

Doomsday101

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The_Jackal said:
So what have you got to say in response to the claims that he can't blitz and only makes "shoestring" tackles five yards beyond the line of scrimmage?

I, for one, would like to see a more indepth debate on Greenway by those who have seen him play a few times because like one poster suggested the national consensus seems very much at odds with this board. And he may be available when we pick in the first round.

I would say I disagree that he only makes shoe string tackles and the fact he can't rush the passer and I doubt so many boards would have him rated as high as they do if that truly were the case. I can go by what I have seen in the games I have watched and that is a guy who can play sideline to sideline is a solid tackler, good against the run and good in pass coverage. Let me say while I like Greenway I also like Carpenter as well as a few other options that the Cowboys may have available to them
 

Alexander

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Doomsday101 said:
I would say I disagree that he only makes shoe string tackles and the fact he can't rush the passer

He has said in interviews that blitzing/pass rushing is something he has not done much of and needs to learn. The idea that he is an accomplished blitzer and pass rusher has been fabricated.

Unless of course, he was lying.
 

Doomsday101

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Alexander said:
He has said in interviews that blitzing/pass rushing is something he has not done much of and needs to learn. The idea that he is an accomplished blitzer and pass rusher has been fabricated.

Unless of course, he was lying.

Where did I say he was an accomplished blitzer? I said he could rush the passer and he can I agree he was not asked to pass rush often. Sorry if you got a problem with me but that appears to be a 1 way problem because I really have no problem with you. It appears you’re just trying to put words in my mouth or exaggerate what I'm saying.
 

Alexander

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Doomsday101 said:
Where did I say he was an accomplished blitzer? I said he could rush the passer and he can I agree he was not asked to pass rush often.

First, I wasn't refering to you saying he was an accomplished blitzer. I have heard it on several of these very bad draft shows on ESPN and NFL Network recently as well as several scouting reports.

But back on topic, if he is inexperienced and hasn't done it often, how can you conclude he could rush the passer effectively? The biggest knock against him is that he doesn't engage blockers well and can get engulfed by linemen. That alone makes him a questionable selection for a 3-4 team. Couple that with his inexperience rushing the pasher, what exactly is left to hang your hat on? Reputation? Because given the skill set we need from our linebackers, he comes up short in practically every regard.

And to make it perfectly clear, the consensus out there is that he is an active linebacker that can make plays. And that is very true.

If we were running a conventional 4-3, he would absolutely need to be on our radar. But we don't and he isn't.
 

StanleySpadowski

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I've been saying for quite a while that Greenway's a finesse-type player and the bench at the combine showed why anyone commenting on his "incredible strength" is a moron.

Greenway's going to be a pretty decent pro but only as a 4-3 OLB. He compares to Derrick Johnson in many ways in that he's hesitant to take on blockers but pretty athletic (not as athletic as Johnson though) and will chase down plays.
 
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