Oh yeah he will do just fine. This kind of reminds me of when Pennington went down and Chad Henne had to step in. Yep he will play just fine...
Now or never. Ck brought up something interesting about possibly going DE in the draft and keeping Starks at NT.
In some odd way I feel everything is coming together. Remember in some odd way. We have a bunch of injuries but the players that have been filling in are doing a great job. Its going to be an interesting few weeks.
Very good observation. I also give the coaching staff mucho credit in not going some knee jerk reaction and letting the guys coming up prove their worth. I actually feel really good with Soliai at NT. What actually bothers me is the lack of depth there. I think big Paul will do fine, but he just isn't built to hold up for an entire game.
Starks did reasonably well at NT last year when Fergie went down. He is REALLY not built for the position, and is probably best when on the End position. Not sure we would actually need to draft anybody else either. We are already relatively deep at DE. Both Lankford and Merling have proven wealth. McDaniel is very strong and lankey and is solid. I think Cam plays a nice situational DE, and Q-Moses is still on the roster and can be a solid contributor at this point. I guess what I am trying to say is there are several other positions that need addressing before DE...and for that matter, I would prefer to draft another NT and let Starks go from NT to DE depending on the situation.
Hopefully not. Starks can fill in at NT nicely as a backup. But he has established himself as one of the best 3-4 DE's in the NFL this year, so he needs to remain there for the most part.
he gave the right answer we shall see how well he holds up starting I think Soliai will make his bones with this opportunity personally, I'm more concerned Berger starting @ center no way Berger can effectively replace Grove as the offensive line goes, so goes the season
It's finally nice to have a team that is built the right way. Notice how when good teams have injuries it really doesn't effect them that much. The pats, steelers, colts all have had significant injuries and they have guys who play a good coached system. Sure it hurts not having a starter at any position, but our guys comming in have learned and been taught how to play the position and should do just fine. Man that's a huge advantage. The year we went 1-15, one key injury and we stood no chance of even competing.
I really don't think the Fins are going to make the playoffs this year BUT I do believe the trifecta has this team going in the right direction. This is the first time I have felt that way about the Fins since the early 90's.
Why isn't he built for NT? According to their listed heights and weights, Fergie and Starks are both 6'3" and weigh 310 and 305 respectively. Now, it was pointed out to me by another forum member that Fergie is actually a lot heavier than 310. Well, if he is then so is Starks. Also, Starks is the physically strongest DL on the roster as for weight room strength. He was benching 500 lbs for a 1RM when he came into the league. From what I seen of him filling in at NT late in the Panthers game, I'd say he can handle the nose quite well. There is no physical limitation. If anything, only technique IMO.
Didn't care for that interview 23, not at all, a guy wins the Starting Job I want to see a bit more confident swagger about them, the player has their chance, it is their chance not the player who preceeded them. Come on Paul S, cowboy up, you are good and you know it, save the humble stuff.
There is NO way Ferg only ways 310. Randy Starks is not a NT. The job of the NT is to eat up blockers, allowing LB's to run free. Does that sound like Starks to anybody? Starks is one of the best 3-4 DE in the league. When you have a 3-4 DE who can rush the passer, you dont move him. If it aint broke dont fix it. Again, Starks is not a NT.
First and foremost, even though Fergie is listed at 310, I have serious doubt that is realistic. Second, you are correct, technique of the two is totally different, and the body weight is not a good indicator. While Starks is very strong he is really a technique with a strong upper body in fact, most of his power is upper, and he has more of a burst in his lower body. Fergie is a slug...he is not fast, he is very very very powerful in his lower body and that is EXTREMELY important at the NT position. He is also a master of leverage (Just like Tim Bo was). He eats up blockers helping guys like Starks make the play, and it is very hard to move Fergie out of the way. This is something Soliai has only started to do this year...that is, hold his ground and stay there. I attribute this to working with Fergie as much as I do the coaching staff. Once again, as you pointed out, it is technique as much as strength. Of course, Soliai is packing 340....or so. and as with most polynesians, he is very very thick south of the equator..... Starks is a much better athlete, and as I mentioned, he did very will filling in at NT when Jason went down last season, but IMO he is a DE filling in at NT. I think he will still be the back-up NT behind Soliai, but that has as much to do with his wealth as a DE as it does anything.
