1st Round: Nick Perry, LB, USC

[ArodpwnsFavre]

I was happy we drafted this guy. Now reading all these advanced stats and the articles, I am extremely excited to see him opposite clay... If he can just be a solid starter his first year we will be so much better defensively.

[Marley2Hendrix]

The more I think about it, the more I realize how much it will help our defense is Perry is even just an average starter. I obviously hope for more than that... but just adding another guy who is at least a threat to get to the QB would be huge.

I'm not only looking forward to what he can do, but to see what kind of impact he can have on how teams shift their focus over to Clay.

Yep, this is huge. I'm not even all that concerned about drafting another OLB, well not high anyway. I look forward to the future progression of train of death and Lattimore. If Perry steps up, our crap-roulette guys (zombo, walden, jones) become what they really should have been all along - quality depth guys. All it takes is one more talented player (hopefully Perry) to turn our crop of OLB's around. Similarly, man, if DJ Smiff beats out Hawk (not all that unlikely imo), Perry-Bishop-Smiff-Claymaker is a fierce little quartet for us.

[wichmae]

Im really stoked about this pick man. Still have needs to address but TT hit huge on this one IMO.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

The best part about this pick is that we didn't have to trade up for it. TT still has a full stockpile of draft picks to do whatever he wants with.

[Newz]

Yep, this is huge. I'm not even all that concerned about drafting another OLB, well not high anyway. I look forward to the future progression of train of death and Lattimore. If Perry steps up, our crap-roulette guys (zombo, walden, jones) become what they really should have been all along - quality depth guys. All it takes is one more talented player (hopefully Perry) to turn our crop of OLB's around. Similarly, man, if DJ Smiff beats out Hawk (not all that unlikely imo), Perry-Bishop-Smiff-Claymaker is a fierce little quartet for us.

I have a man-crush on DJ Smith and think he's going to be a very, very good player. I think he's already better than Hawk... but I doubt he beats him out. For some reason our coaching staff just loves that guy.

He kept Bishop in the dark for quite some time and he's going to do the same with Smith. I even like Francois more than Hawk... and I actually think Hawk is a solid player.

[RiotPunch]

Hawk and Smith are different types of players though. D.J. Smith has a lot of Bishop in his game as a WILB. I'd love to give it a whirl to see how Bishop/Smith could do as the starters but IDK how their games would mesh. Francois plays more like a SILB similar to Hawk.

Speaking of ILB's though. If Mychal Kendricks and/or Bobby Wagner is on the board when we pick, it would be mighty hard to pass on either of them. Isn't really a need at all but those two are damn good football players.

[RiotPunch]

Matthews/Perry?

[emunney]

[jimmybones]

The more I think about it, the more I realize how much it will help our defense is Perry is even just an average starter. I obviously hope for more than that... but just adding another guy who is at least a threat to get to the QB would be huge.

I'm not only looking forward to what he can do, but to see what kind of impact he can have on how teams shift their focus over to Clay.

Agreed. That trickle down effect. For having such a **** pass rush last year. We oddly aren't THAT far off from having an effective one IMO. The difference that one or two semi impact to solid guys would be huge. Going from basically just Matthews as a threat to having multiple options at least to get into the backfield should make everyone better.

[DrugBust]

Reminds me of a great scene.

[Newz]

The more I think about it, the more I realize how much it will help our defense is Perry is even just an average starter. I obviously hope for more than that... but just adding another guy who is at least a threat to get to the QB would be huge.

I'm not only looking forward to what he can do, but to see what kind of impact he can have on how teams shift their focus over to Clay.

Agreed. That trickle down effect. For having such a **** pass rush last year. We oddly aren't THAT far off from having an effective one IMO. The difference that one or two semi impact to solid guys would be huge. Going from basically just Matthews as a threat to having multiple options at least to get into the backfield should make everyone better.

Agreed. I think losing Cullen Jenkins had a massive impact on the defense because he left us with just one effective pass rusher.

If Perry can rush the passer AND we can find a DE (even if he's just a situational guy) that can also put on some pressure... watch for Clay to have a HUGE year.

[Ayt]

I'm really excited about Perry as a pure pass rusher, but I don't think he's going to be an everydown player right away. As a rookie, if he can come in for obvious passing situations and cause some trouble, I'll be happy.

That's really all we need compared to last year, especially if we can get more out of our DL as well.

[midranger]

The thing about Perry is that he just has to move the tackle opposite Clay into the backfield, collapsing the pocket. He doesn't actually have to get to the QB himself. Clay will do that, if the escape routes are closed out. At 270lbs, with battering ram speed and strength, he should be able to do that. The rest of the stuff be damned.

[RiotPunch]

The thing about Perry is that he just has to move the tackle opposite Clay into the backfield, collapsing the pocket. He doesn't actually have to get to the QB himself. Clay will do that, if the escape routes are closed out. At 270lbs, with battering ram speed and strength, he should be able to do that. The rest of the stuff be damned.

That's just not his game right now. He tries for the edge rather than using his big body and great explosion to create leverage. I hope that's something Greene can teach him, because he has the tools to be phenomenal at it.

[midranger]

The thing about Perry is that he just has to move the tackle opposite Clay into the backfield, collapsing the pocket. He doesn't actually have to get to the QB himself. Clay will do that, if the escape routes are closed out. At 270lbs, with battering ram speed and strength, he should be able to do that. The rest of the stuff be damned.

That's just not his game right now. He tries for the edge rather than using his big body and great explosion to create leverage. I hope that's something Greene can teach him, because he has the tools to be phenomenal at it.

Oh, I know. I'm a little bummed that he's not more of a finished product, because we need the help next year. The upside makes one salivate though.