NT?

Sauce Boss · Post #1 » by **Sauce Boss** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:47 pm

Considering that we are going to a 3-4 with Capers, who are we going to use at NT? NT is the key to a 3-4 and we all know that Ryan Pickett is not that. I could see Pickett sliding into a DE role in the 3-4 since you need three big bodies up front rather than 4, is there a college NT that could warrant our #9 pick? Is there someone hitting free agency that we could use at the NT?

(Also on another note with the 3-4 i think this is one of McCarthy's ways of getting Hawk to play MLB so he has less need to play coverage and more so to use his instincts to stop the run and blitz which he excels at which makes this switch smart)

Ill-yasova · Post #2 » by **Ill-yasova** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:59 pm

BJ Raji

Post #3 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:07 pm

Ryan Pickett will make a fine NT. I also think Colin Cole will be better in this system.

There isn't a Haloti Ngata or Vince Wilfork in this class. Raji has only come on once he lost weight and got down to around 322 lbs. I don't see him holding up at NT, or at the very least, being nearly as effective.

Ayt · Post #4 » by **Ayt** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:12 pm

I have to agree with DB. I think Pickett will make a fine NT.

MikeIsGood · Post #5 » by **MikeIsGood** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:15 pm

Ill-yasova wrote:BJ Raji

I wouldn't mind a flier on his teammate Ron Brace. And you wouldn't have to spend the first on him.

Ill-yasova · Post #6 » by **Ill-yasova** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:15 pm

Pickett could barely hold his own in a four man line. He's way overmatched at tackle in a three man line. Raji is 322 and had 7 sacks last year from the tackle position. I'm not seeing the problem with him.

Post #7 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:17 pm

Ill-yasova wrote:Pickett could barely hold his own in a four man line. He's way overmatched at tackle in a three man line. Raji is 322 and had 7 sacks last year from the tackle position. I'm not seeing the problem with him.

He also played in a 4-3 and was more effective the more weight he lost. Now you want him to put it back on and play nose? Err...

automatic44 · Post #8 » by **automatic44** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:18 pm

i see no reason why pickett wouldn't be a good NT. a NT in a 3-4 is asked to plug lanes,occupy multiple blockers, and hold his ground. that is exactly what pickett did in our previous scheme.

Lippo · Post #9 » by **Lippo** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:22 pm

Sign Tubbs from Seattle for insurance.

Ill-yasova · Post #10 » by **Ill-yasova** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:23 pm

Why do you think the pack was so bad in short yardage defense last year. Pickett could never get anything that resembled a push. Raji can play in a 3-4 at his size, no need to put on weight.

Post #11 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:27 pm

Ill-yasova wrote:Why do you think the pack was so bad in short yardage defense last year. Pickett could never get anything that resembled a push. Raji can play in a 3-4 at his size, no need to put on weight.

Not sure where people are getting the idea that Raji is Vince Wilfork or some massive, space eating run plugger. The guy is a penetrating, disruptive one-gap DT, not a two-gapper. Early on at BC, maybe, but not anymore. He would get swallowed playing NT in a 3-4.

Ill-yasova · Post #12 » by **Ill-yasova** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:34 pm

DrugBust wrote:
Ill-yasova wrote:Why do you think the pack was so bad in short yardage defense last year. Pickett could never get anything that resembled a push. Raji can play in a 3-4 at his size, no need to put on weight.

Not sure where people are getting the idea that Raji is Vince Wilfork or some massive, space eating run plugger. The guy is a penetrating, disruptive one-gap DT, not a two-gapper. Early on at BC, maybe, but not anymore. He would get swallowed playing NT in a 3-4.

73 Tackles, 13 TFL, and 7 sacks. Pickett could only dream of those numbers.

Ill-yasova · Post #13 » by **Ill-yasova** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:36 pm

Picketts best college season 48 tackles, 3 sacks

aaprigs311 · Post #14 » by **aaprigs311** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:36 pm

Whether Pickett can play NT or not, it's a position we're going to need to address in the near future.

Post #15 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:40 pm

Raji had 22 solo, 20 assisted.

Regardless, he's a one-gapper that had to get into the backfield. Brace was the guy that took on the double teams and kept blockers off their outstanding linebackers. I don't know what stats have to do with anything.

Sauce Boss · Post #16 » by **Sauce Boss** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:44 pm

aaprigs311 wrote:Whether Pickett can play NT or not, it's a position we're going to need to address in the near future.

Are you joking me? The NT i really important to the system, its the anchor of the whole D-line, if he cant hold down two guys it becomes a liability and people can just rush you up the middle and tear us apart.

Ill-yasova · Post #17 » by **Ill-yasova** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:47 pm

DrugBust wrote:Raji had 22 solo, 20 assisted.

Regardless, he's a one-gapper that had to get into the backfield. Brace was the guy that took on the double teams and kept blockers off their outstanding linebackers. I don't know what stats have to do with anything.

Every profile on him says he's great against the run. Where are you getting this?
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/BJ-Raji.php
http://www.walterfootball.com/pro2009bjraji.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/bj_raji.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/kevin_armstrong/10/17/bj.raji/
So all of these reports are dead wrong? Come on. Oh, and there are more but I think this says enough.

Post #18 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:47 pm

Slinky O wrote:
aaprigs311 wrote:Whether Pickett can play NT or not, it's a position we're going to need to address in the near future.

Are you joking me? The NT i really important to the system, its the anchor of the whole D-line, if he cant hold down two guys it becomes a liability and people can just rush you up the middle and tear us apart.

Um, yes. That's why he said it would need to be a addressed in the near future. While I think Pickett and Cole could be good there in 2009, I would certainly look at getting someone closer to Kris Jenkins or Jamal Williams.

Ill-yasova · Post #19 » by **Ill-yasova** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:49 pm

Strengths
Thickly built. Can show bursts of quickness off the line. Naturally strong and can anchor. Can flatten down the line of scrimmage. Playing with a fury early in 2008 after being forced to miss the entire 2007 season through no fault of his own. Could be the best pure 3-4 NT prospect in the country. Brings a load, and moves it all very well. Pushes the double team block backwards, earns holding calls, active tackler for a defensive linemen, who plays with a LB mentality. Has trimmed down some this season and looks even quicker. Stamina is fine. Stuffs the run blocker, and must be accounted for on every play. Demands constant double-teaming.

This from another website. The the fourth sentence is pretty interesting.

automatic44 · Post #20 » by **automatic44** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:50 pm

Ill-yasova wrote:Why do you think the pack was so bad in short yardage defense last year. Pickett could never get anything that resembled a push.

Thats because in Sander's scheme the DTs aren't supposed to get up field and make a lot tackles, they are asked to hold their ground. pickett didn't do a bad job last year, harrell and jolly were the ones who were getting washed out of plays.