Originally Posted by
Mojouw
Isn't that the same knock that floats around about Edmunds? I realize that Edmunds is a bit younger and perhaps even more physically gifted, but I hear similar criticisms about slow to react and lack of instincts, etc.
Here is the thing for me. It seems like these scouting reports are dancing around some stern questions that no one wants to put in print.
1. Is the player really just inexperienced and under-coached? Then no problem, draft high and coach 'em up.
2. Is the player dumb? Is all of this "lack of" stuff just code word for too darn dumb to read and react to keys in any kind of reasonable time frame. So don't draft because at the NFL level the athleticism that bought that player success to date will no longer be enough.
3. Does the player just not like the violence of the position? Not everyone has a passion to go out and hurl their body into a car crash 3-4 dozen times per game. For some it is a path to a paycheck and I know there is a certain point where a "business decision" becomes a realistic choice. That's fine, doesn't mean the kid is a bad person or a broken misfit toy - it just means there is only so much they are going to progress. Draft with caution.
4. Is it some other aspect of the game? Most common is that a player is being asked to do things in their college system that they won't have to do in the NFL. Freed up from whatever was holding them back (often having to make ALL OF THE PLAYS) they blossom. Draft away!
5. Player has simply been playing at less than all out in college. Knew their goal was the NFL and knew that they had to be healthy enough to get there. Caution, but draft anyway?
That's how I see it. I suspect that #2 is the most common reason. Fred Gibson might have been illiterate and he was certainly cut because he was simply too stupid to grasp the playbook. Martavis Bryant is walking a similar path. I have suspected Shamarko Thomas was also terminally dumb. One has to begin to wonder if Bud Dupree is going to join that club? What else explains his often "lost" wanderings in the run game and his stubborn refusal to alter any aspect of his pass rush "plan" (which I am starting a petition to call the "Ricky Bobby" - "Look, Mama, I'm going fast!") of just running around OTs.
All in all it is a curious wonder to me why some physical freak undersized linebackers get the Ryan Shazier scouting report (it's cool. he'll be fine - just needs time to adjust) and others get what we are seeing some say about Edmunds and Jefferson (lacks instincts, slow to react, etc). Only thing I can really find is that Shazier is really smart and a leader and the other two.....are not smart?????