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DE/OLB's

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by Boomer, Dec 13, 2008.

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  1. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I wonder if they called it that because of Haley's penchant for wagging his trunk all over the locker room, masturbating in front of people, and urinating on the floor.

    BTW I'm a little surprised we haven't been calling Connor Barwin's name more, and even more surprised that I haven't been the one doing the calling. I mean, I've seen the guy play and I really like him and he screams Mike Vrabel but he's always seemed almost too obvious, and he doesn't have that super sexy speed rush.

    But still he's perfectly sized, he's got all of the earmarks they look for in a transition player. He was a big time basketball player for the school before focusing on football. He played Tight End for them before converting to DE. He caught a touchdown pass as a TE against USF and I know USF has some athletic LBs and DBs. Not sure what he runs, reportedly like a 4.64 at 6'4" and 255 which is pretty good. He's definitely been a USF killer. Always been a key special teams standout and talented TE in the rotation, he played DE for the first time this year and notched 11 sacks leading the Big East I believe.

    Had two solo sacks and two assisted sacks against Pittsburgh and I believe they have some decent OLs over there. Had 6 passes defensed. Blocked 3 kicks. Caught a 1 yard TD against USF. Heck of an athlete and football player, seems to excel wherever they put him (TE, STs, DE).
     
  2. joeydolfan

    joeydolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Thank you, I have mentioned Connor Barwin a few times in the draft forum and no one seemed to really have an opinion one way or the other if I remember correctly.

    http://forums.thephins.com/showpost.php?p=471718&postcount=2

    http://forums.thephins.com/showpost.php?p=471724&postcount=4

    The second post had several youtube clips of Barwin. Last I looked he was the 4th rated DE from Mel Kiper. What stood out is the fact he played Basketball for the Bearcats and I remember one of the coaches repsonding to a reporters question on what they look for from players to convert to a 3-4 olb.
     
  3. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Saw him twice this season and didn't like him in either game, which is why I haven't brought him up too much. Typically he will now go on to a Hall of Fame career whilst Jerry Hughes has less success in his career than Vernon Gholston has in one year.
     
  4. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Assuming that one year doesn't constitute Vernon Gholston's entire career? ;)

    Personally, I think Barwin has been exceptional when you consider it was his first college season as a DE. He only moved there in spring drills. There's something to be said for a guy that goes and excels at whatever he does. There's something to a player like that, that you just can't teach and probably can't measure or time.

    As for why I hadn't mentioned him before, it's just that there always tends to be a sexier name out there like a Clint Sintim who has all the ties and experience and leadership, etc...or a Greg Hardy who you just know is more physically gifted than Connor Barwin...or your guy Jerry Hughes...to me Barwin has just been too obvious.

    But the facts are what they are and like joey says, Ireland and Pasqualoni specifically cited basketball as something they key on when looking for a conversion player. Barwin was a standout basketball player in high school and in college, a standout tight end in 2006 and 2007, a standout special teams tackler back in 2006, a standout kick blocker in 2007 and 2008 (4 total), and now a standout (as in All Big East First Team, leading the conference in sacks) defensive end in 2008.

    And if he really does run somewhere between a 4.54 and 4.64? He'll be a standout draft pick. :)
     
  5. joeydolfan

    joeydolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    LMFAO at you right now Boomer with that one. You are probably right though, how many other guys in the past that were considered hands down the next great one only to fall on their face. Then you have the few who come out of nowhere to become the best at their position.

    I had never really followed James Harrison until last year and did not realize he was cut from both the Steelers and the Ravens before turning into an animal at OLB.
     
  6. joeydolfan

    joeydolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Barwin mainly stuck out to me for the basketball reason 1st and foremost after hearing that from the coaching staff this year. 2nd if you watch that first youtube video you can see he is really in top notch shape so you know he trains hard.

    Lop into account his size, athleticism, has played TE and is an excellent special teams player who god forbids actually has blocked 3 kicks which is something we almost never do and I figured he had to at least be on our watch list.
     
  7. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I wonder how much Barwin's deafness will affect his stock?
     
  8. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    And we talk about Hughes being a one season wonder but this caught my eye from the papers on December 29th:

    Remarkable that he got 11 sacks, but that's so little experience.
     
  9. joeydolfan

    joeydolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Was not aware of any problems with his hearing, never seen any mention of it. Once again the master dropping info on a grasshopper.
     
  10. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    He's completely deaf in both ears.
     
  11. joeydolfan

    joeydolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    http://www.mytimesdispatch.com/inde..._cincinnati_defensive_end_connor_barwin/6418/

    I wonder if his lack of hearing had anything to do with his move to DE? No way to be able to pick up audibles from the QB on the fly if you are almost completely deaf. Wow, I have even more respect for the guy now.
     
  12. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Three things that WILL adhere him to Jeff and Bill:


     
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  13. joeydolfan

    joeydolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    To be honest, I can not remember a College kid heading for the draft being deaf. Any instances you can think of and any idea on if or how much it would affect his draft status?
     
  14. joeydolfan

    joeydolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    http://sports.jrank.org/pages/5116/Walker-Kenny-Joined-Denver-Broncos.html

    Found this tidbit, only 2 players in the NFL were deaf. Sloan back in the 70s and Walker in the early 90s. Neither played more than 2 seasons.
     
  15. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Flozell Adams is deaf in one ear.
     
  16. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    There was a Broncos LB who was deaf I thought, didn't think his name was Walker though.
     
  17. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    Kenny Walker. I remember him
     
  18. PerfectTeam

    PerfectTeam Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Martel Van Zandt from Oklahoma State was deaf I believe. CB from about maybe 2 years ago. I dont think he was drafted or even signed as an UDFA.
     
  19. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    I remember him as well. ESPN Outside the Lines did something about him and his incredible storie. Its a shame he wasn't given a shot in the NFL.
     
  20. GRT8

    GRT8 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Rey Maualuga | ILB
     
  21. GRT8

    GRT8 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    the thing with Dorsey is he has to be used right. he isn't in a good situation in KC right now with the scheme
     
  22. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    You like Rey? You like him in this defense?
     
  23. GRT8

    GRT8 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Miami won't take him, but he is a high motor powerful impact player. He is a football player. I don't care about the picky scouts critiques, this kid can play.
     
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  24. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I agree with the impact player and high motor, I was just confused as to whether you liked him in our defense or not. :up:
     
  25. GRT8

    GRT8 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    It is way too early to target a player in the draft, but if I was building this defense, i would start from the inside DT, ILB and this kid would be my target, but he won't be there when we pick. He beats OL all day
     
  26. jim1

    jim1 New Member

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    I don't see how that's possible given the clip below:

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kmdObof7Qc"]YouTube - BearcatLair.com: Craig Carey and Connor Barwin Interview[/ame]
     
  27. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Hey Tim, great to see you. Can't fault this kids energy, his ability to get sideline to sideline, his relentless hitting ability, but time and again I see him fill the wrong hole or over pursue a play or bite on a play fake where he has no reason to. Tremendous athlete, but that would worry the hell out of me.
     
  28. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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  29. jim1

    jim1 New Member

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    Hey genius, people who are totally deaf may be able to read lips, but they can't speak normally. Examples would be Marlee Matlin and Lou Ferrigno. Double check your sources, pal.
     
  30. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    FLMAO. Get back to the ER Forum.
     
  31. jim1

    jim1 New Member

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    I've got plenty of relatives who are MD's, I'd be more than happy to ask one of them. You state that he's completely deaf in both ears- after watching that clip I'm calling bull**** on that one.

    FLMAO is correct- on what you stated as fact.
     
  32. Vendigo

    Vendigo German Gigolo Club Member

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    Prolly I'm one of the picky scouts as well (as in "picky armchair scout") but every time I watch Maualuga I see a guy who just doesn't seem to posess instincts. As soon as he recognizes the play, he's a beast but I often see him taking quite a long time to recognize it in the first place. Would be curious to hear what you think about this issue.
     
  33. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Good for you. Hopefully you can find one to get the requisite work done.

    Actually he was born mostly deaf in both ears, so my bad.

    That said, if I hadn't have brought it up, no-one would have been any the wiser.
     
  34. jim1

    jim1 New Member

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    That's all you had to say, thank you.
     
  35. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Words cannot even begin to descibe........
     
  36. Pink_dove

    Pink_dove Burning coal Luxury Box

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    To draft Glenn Dorsey and have him play straight up over the guard instead of on the outside shoulder blows my mind as well. Until he's allowed to play as a three technique tackle, he'll be as effective as Lot's wife.

    Although USC played some 34 at times with Cushing as the Elephant and Rey Rey as the MIKE last year, I see Rey Rey in a one gap 43 defense. If only because he has a tendency to commit to full pursuit too early, he gets his motor running and is gone. At other times, against Oregon State, it was the other way around, especially in the second half, he had trouble figuring out Jacquizz Rogers, and was indecisive in reading his keys. When that happens he gets lost in the trash which is why I think he'd struggle somewhat as the MIKE in our defense. I also think if his name was Adam Smith, he was as white as snow, with short cropped hair, devoid of tattoos, he wouldn't get as much press or love as he does. There's a certain image associated to him that plays in his favor.
     
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  37. cnc66

    cnc66 wiley veteran, bad spelur Luxury Box

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    if you don't stop insuting each other I will close the thread and go throught it giving out infractions. At least two you will accrue enough points for a ban. I am tired of spending my Sunday chasing ignorant posts, knock it off. ANY comments or questions go to PM.
     
  38. Zeke0123

    Zeke0123 message board ******* Club Member

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    I also think he is one of the most sound tacklers I've seen come out in recent memory...a skill that seems far to undervalued by scouts imo.
     
  39. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    inching to 100k posts

    Agree there, I like Rey Rey, but he lacks a Seau's ability to diagnose and disrupt, in USC's soon to be NFL draftee rich Defense, that can be hidden, in the NFL it is the Kiss o' Death.

    I'm beginning to warm up to Clay Matthews Jr though.
     
  40. FinSane

    FinSane Cynical Dolphins Fan

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    im not sure about OLB/DEs..

    I mean, we were all high on Vernon Gholston and Quentin Groves last year, look how they turned out
     

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