state of the team............ d-line

with ota's under way now, it's time for another positional analysis... this time it's the d-line's turn.

overview:
no more casey Hampton.. no more aaron smith, and no more bret keisel.. the once immovable d-line is no more... also gone is the misplaced ziggy hood, gone to a defense that better fits his skill set...... teams used to abandon the run right from the start because they knew it was futile... that hasn't been the case lately.... but a changing of the guard is afoot... there is youth and talent, along with versatility..... there is also a bit of a log jam... we have a potential all pro returning at de, and a nose that may finally be used according to his skill set... a highly impressive rookie and a free agent pick up that can spell any spot on the line... a couple of 2nd yr. players that have some promise and some interesting undrafted free agents...... the coaches may have a tough descision as far as who stays, but it's a good problem to have.

individual:
de:
cam heyward: the coaches finally put him into the lineup and he grabbed the bull by the horns...heyward has the makings of a star, and I believe he will rise into elite status this season.

stephon tuitt: steal in the 2nd rd... compared favorably to Richard Seymour..... if he comes anywhere near that, then the ends are set...

brian arnfelt: quite a bit of potential.... has the ability to hold the point and occupy multiple blockers.. needs a bit more schooling as far as pass rush ability is concerned, as currently I don't see him being much more than a bull rusher.... then again, a strong bull rush with the olb's coming behind him might just be enough

josh Mauro: great pick up... I really like this kid and thinks he compares favorably to aaron smith... like arnfelt, I feel he is more run stuffer than pass rusher but he certainly won't be overpowered anytime soon..

nick Williams: strong man with upside..... still needs more schooling though, and will probably end up on the practice squad barring injury

ethan hemer: odd man out here... don't think he makes it to pre-season.

dt:
steve mclendon: didn't live up to expectations last yr., but still has the ability to dominate the middle, and that just what I expect him to do this yr...superior pass rusher and supremely strong... if the coaches are to be believed, then he will be out there in passing situations doing what he does best

hebron fangupo: the man that made ta'amu expendable... whether that was a mistake or not remains to be seen.... a very active dt with some decent moves... of course with the signing of the next guy on this list, he now faces an uphill battle for playing time... still, he's a fighter that will not make it easy on his competition.

cam Thomas: the free agent pick up that fell out of favor on a team that needs help up front....big man with a ton of athletic ability... able to play any spot on the d-line, so if the light comes on, then we have an incredible rotation

al lapuaho: I fully expect him to make the practice squad, but as far as this yr., is concerned, he'll just be used as a body to keep the others fresh and healthy

roy philon: not much hope for the kid..... really nothing more than camp fodder


dan McCullers: giant of a man that can't help but draw double teams... the ultimate space eater... I worry about him though.... will his height work against him in the leverage battle or will he simply overwhelm the o-line with his mass..... will be very interesting to see once the pads come on

next up: lbers

 

you forgot one my friend. one big one.

 

No opinion on Mount McCullers, B&G?

 

if they can get McCullers down a few pounds and quicker of that ball, can you imagine our two line possibilities? that is a big, big dude right there. imagine him if he was mean. yikes.

 

oops!!!!!!!!!!!!...... how do I lose sight of someone that big??

ok... all set now

 

You might want to add DE Williams.

 

lol !!!! too much liquor tonight...............now it's all set

 

Another great write-up, thanks! I also worry about McCullers playing too high. I hope they can coach that out of him. He would pretty much demand a double team every snap if they can get him firing off low.

 

The nice thing about McCullers is that he knows that leverage is his weakness and he is focusing on it. He knows if he is too high in his stance he will get blocked no matter how big and strong he is, if he gets low then he wins the battle. I read a great article about him in the Trib I believe it was. My biggest concern for him would be that he seems to need a lot of structure something he got from the military academy but the he acknowledges he has a problem with. So I hope the coaching staff knows this and sets things up for him. The big leap from the support system they have in college to next to nothing in the pro's. This is why I wish Keisel was still in camp or Hoke was an assistant because they could help this kid alot.

 

If McCullers makes the team they need to use him on special teams, with his height to try to block field goals and extra points.

 

It's a shame they can't just get him to stand on the crossbar and breathe out.

 

He did have a few blocked kicks in college.

 

maybe he could just toss archer up in the air in front of them.