Sean Spence = Jack Ham

I know it's way too early to compare Sean Spence to a HOF linebacker like Jack Ham, but there are some similarities. If you go back and read the scouting reports on Jack Ham, many thought the Steelers reached a bit when they selected him in the second round of the draft that year. Most scouts thought he was too small and not strong enough to hold up in the NFL. Shoot, I would dare say if there was a scouting combine back then that Ham may not have even been drafted. But the fact was that he was a tackling machine at PSU and had an extremely high football IQ. Sounds a lot like Sean Spence. Too small, not real strong but always seems to be the guy making the big tackle. He's all over the place when you watch him on film. He's also a filmaholic and is a very intelligent football payer. I know that some are concerned about this selection, but I've got a feeling that we'll all be pleasantly surprised with his performance. He may not be the HOFer that Ham was, but he's a tackling machine and a heady player, just like Ham. I'm excited to see what he can do.

 

TTF, in my defense, while the post name is ultra-hyperbolic I did point out in my first sentence that it's way too early to be comparing the two. Hey, if Spence turns out to be half the player Ham was, I'll be happy.

 

Measurables is just one part of the equation. See JaMarcus Russell and Elvis Dumervil. Both on polar oppsites when it came to measurables. But who's producing now? My point being there's much more to being an NFL player than just height, weight, speed, strength.

 

I don't doubt the dude can play, but if he is behind Timmons playing the same position he won't be playing much.

He either needs to find a new position, or the Steelers need to create a hybrid-position or special package for him if he is to see the field.

I don't buy that they will make him a safety like others though.

 

everybody acts like he's a midget. he's 7/8 of an inch shorter then timmons. he weighs pretty close to all our inside guys.

 

well let's not gloss over this. what is your 40 time TSS?

 

The poster on this MB who goes by Dobre Shunka does have a very nice Avatar...

 

Incorrect. Timmons is 6'-0 7/8". Spence is 5'-11 3/8". That's 1 1/2" different. And Timmons always had the body type to handle more weight and fill out. Timmons weighed 234 at the combine but he is now playing at above 240 (he has confirmed that in interviews). Spence ADDED weight going into the combine and played in college at around 225 (he confirmed that in interviews as well). Spence adding weight for the combine was one of his excuses for running a bit slow there (4.71). Even at his pro day, he was couple pounds lighter.

Timmons and Spence are completely different body types and really different players on the field because of it.

 

you are correct. it is an 1-1/2" big whoop. i'll bet foote don't weigh 230 while playing last year. farrior was under that. spence is a football player. i've followed miami for 35 years. the kid can play. i have no concerns about what he can do on the field if he's at 225 or 230. he makes plays and lots of tackles behind the line. he runs by before most blocks get to him. he's hard to find out there for linemen on the move and he's a good solid tackler. add that to his decisive football knowledge and quick reactions to plays and he will be more then fine at either spot. i have no worries about his ability to play LB.

 

Spence you were a worthy pick where we got you, BUT

I knew Jack Ham, I watched him play, and you sir are no Jack ham.

 

i too saw jack play and no, right now he's not. he's also at a different position. you surely are talking about the jack ham that wasen't the most physicly gifted lb of all time but was one of the best. the guy that was good in pass protection and didn't always make highlight reel tackles ,but did get the guy on the ground. the same guy that just made plays during the game. no i don't see any simularities at all.

 

Hahahahah... Nice reference.

 

Equating a rookie to a HOF'er just doesn't seem right.

 

Ok lets slow down a bit here, these expectations are a little high for
a third rounder that does not have good measurables. To compare him to
one of the Steelers greatest LB's OF ALL TIME IS A BIT PREMATURE. Lets let Sean Spence be
Sean Spence and hope that he can play like Dobre Shunka.

 

Agree with everything you say here. I watched Jack Ham play and he truly was one of the all time greats. The point I was trying to make in my comparison was that a lot of so-called experts had reservations about Ham coming out of college. Many felt the Steelers may have reached a bit when they drafted him because they felt he was a little smallish and not particularly strong. Some are saying the same thing about Spence now. Ham also had a tremendous football mind and so does Spence by all accounts. At this point, that's where the comparison stops.

 

I know what you were trying to do Jack Attack 5958 and this is all well and good,
just trying to stir some conversation. I took no offense to your comments, I too
hope that Sean Spence can be a heck uva ball player for us. You have to admit, for
us guys that have seen the great players of those dynasty years it is just hard comparing
these young guys to those ledgends.

 

i agree jack. i don't think any of us are saying spence will be or won't be as good as jack ham. alot of things they do well and their measurables as far as the small size and the somewhat lack of strength, they use what they have to be successful. the skys the limit with spence. jack was good. so was russell. he wasen't a giant, and did alot of things on willpower and insticts. they are similar in those ways. i guess then, why wouldn't we want and expect good things out of this kid too. this is pittsburgh and we breed extremely good LB'ers here.

 

Even if he is good he still needs to beat out Timmons to start.

 

maybe.

 

Yo Dobre! What up? Haha

 

maybe. [/quote:3dzrdlwb]

Taking into account what Coach Butler has said those are the facts, in terms of base defense...

 

maybe. [/quote:6pqmauav]

Taking into account what Coach Butler has said those are the facts, in terms of base defense...[/quote:6pqmauav]

i got a feeling we will be seeing both on the field together alot. more as they perfect some new wrinkles to keep up with the league. our base may not be used near as much as it used to be, or at least a newer version of it.

i think alot of what they are trying to do is protect troy a little more. keep him away from the line more. he's getting to beat up making tackles at the line and it also takes him out of coverage/ roaming the secondary. with spence and even rolle i'm not counting out yet, they can bring other quick but stouter guys up to do that job. they are also good in coverage.

the most difficult part of this is teaching and being comfortable enough with whomever takes over the green dot. both spence and rolle are pretty smart people. spence has very good football smarts, and i'm sure rolle does too. i think spence was drafted partly for this reason over maybe some other guys. one way or another it's going to be pretty exciting to watch some of the transformation of this defense.