Dontari Poe DT

[Jack Power]

Ron Edwards was generally perceived to be playing out of scheme in the 3-4. Keiser, I got nothing. Maybe coincidence, maybe for adaptability since we're going to use 3-4 occasionally. Applewhite, he's a guy Rivera was familiar with. Just so happened to be in a 3-4 that Rivera was familiar with him. Fua can't play NT in a 3-4 in the pros. I think just about everyone knows that.

I think we're going to be doing just what the Rivera said, no more. Occasional looks at the 3-4, but still a base 4-3. Similar to what Arizona used to do. Maybe we'll also build more toward a 3-4 for years down the road, like what Arizona has been doing. But I don't expect to see a majority of 3-4 looks anytime soon. We just don't have the linemen for it unless you neuter CJ and Hardy by making them 3-4 DEs and that's taking away our best weapons on defense. CJ + Hardy as 4-3 DEs >>>> Applewhite + Keiser as 3-4 OLBs.

It would not be a bad idea to run a hybrid 4-3/3-4 if only for the simple fact that we would keep defenses on there toes. Again if Morris Claiborne is not available, I would vote that we trade down to get versatile players that would no doubt take players like Dontari Poe out of the equation but open us up to get players like Couples, Devon Still, Vinny Curry, Lavonte David, Billy Winn, Courntey upshaw, melvin ingram, Nick Perry so on...

[Kurb]

Hey fugtards we arent swtiching to a 3-4.

Maybe mixing it up, but we are not switching.

[Kurb]

What was the DT a couple of years ago that jumped out of a pool or some poo ?

The Bears ended up drafting him. Jason Gilbert ?

Anywho I am always wary of these Combine Heros. They rarely become something special.

[JawnyBlaze]

Jarron Gilbert? J something Gilbert he was a DE I think, I remember thinking he'd be worth a late round pick based on athleticism alone. Point agreed with, though.

[rayzor]

i like the idea of poe, but he's got ravens written all over him.

i've said it before....i'm just not thrilled with the idea of getting younger at DT. we need experience there. i think we may have done ok with the two guys we drafted this year and think that they will be better next year, but even before that i wanted to see us go after more experienced DTs. there were plenty of options. hopefully there are a couple good ones available in FA this year.

[JawnyBlaze]

I think getting bigger and stronger at DT is about as important as more experienced. McClain's size and speed is fine as a UT but it seems Fua is just too small and weak to anchor the NT spot. If he could get bigger and stronger he could still be the answer, but the problem with him seemed to me to be more getting blown off the line rather than not knowing assignments and nuances of the game.

[Woodie]

I think getting bigger and stronger at DT is about as important as more experienced. McClain's size and speed is fine as a UT but it seems Fua is just too small and weak to anchor the NT spot. If he could get bigger and stronger he could still be the answer, but the problem with him seemed to me to be more getting blown off the line rather than not knowing assignments and nuances of the game.

I think you are partially right on Fua, he does occasionally get blown off the line, and I do agree it's not because he doesn't know his assignments. But I think you are wrong about his size and strength. He is plenty big enough, and I think it was Kalil that said he is strong as an ox that can maul you when he gets his hands on you. The problem with Fua, other than the typical inexperience that all rookie DT's deal with, is that he tends to play too high at times. That allows the OL to get under his pads and control him. So rather than a strength problem, it's more of a leverage problem. Fortunately, that is something that he can work on during the offseason, so I think he'll be much better next year.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea, it's wholly possible it's just his technique that needs adjusting and in that case, the experience will turn him into what we need. He just doesn't seem that strong when I watch him play and at ~310 lbs he's not exactly a monster, he's just about average. I like his build - he's short and squatty which is good for the gap plugger (doesn't get the benefit of being able to swat passes away like the taller DTs, but it's a tradeoff), but he seems like he should be tougher to bull doze than he is.

[Woodie]

Yea, it's wholly possible it's just his technique that needs adjusting and in that case, the experience will turn him into what we need. He just doesn't seem that strong when I watch him play and at ~310 lbs he's not exactly a monster, he's just about average. I like his build - he's short and squatty which is good for the gap plugger (doesn't get the benefit of being able to swat passes away like the taller DTs, but it's a tradeoff), but he seems like he should be tougher to bull doze than he is.

I think this is why the Edwards' injury was more devastating than most outsiders realize. Fua, IMO, has the potental to be a good DT, but he wasn't ready to start this year. He would have been fine coming off the bench in a rotation while he figured things out, but being forced to start this early did him no favors...at least for this year, I'm sure it will pay dividends down the road though.

Even so, I don't think Fua will ever be a big stat hound. I expect him to be a run stopper that can push the pocket while others make the tackles and get the glory. I just hope that McClain can become the playmaker at DT we all hoped for when he was drafted, because he's the guy we need to make plays. These two are the reason I really don't expect a DT taken high this year...well them and the fact that Neblett seems to be impressing the coaching staff as well.

[NCstoner420]

If he falls to the 2nd pick I think they would get him but it seems like he is going to go late 1st. I do not think defensive tackle is that important to the team as of today.

[DaCityKats]

why is there no highlights of him no where?

[bleys]

I think getting bigger and stronger at DT is about as important as more experienced. McClain's size and speed is fine as a UT but it seems Fua is just too small and weak to anchor the NT spot. If he could get bigger and stronger he could still be the answer, but the problem with him seemed to me to be more getting blown off the line rather than not knowing assignments and nuances of the game.

:sigh:

[Jack Power]

Maybe I'm crazy for comparing Claiborne to Gamble. If that's the case then I've just lost my mind.....

"Junior defensive lineman Dontari Poe was named to the All-Conference USA second team he has made 30 starts for the Tigers during his three-year career. He tallied 33 tackles, including 18 solo stops, and was third on the team in TFL with eight for minus 26 yards in 2011. Poe also posted a sack, three pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. He matched his career high in tackles with eight against Marshall. At the post-season banquet, he was named an MVP as well as the Defensive Player of the Year. Poe was named to the 2009 C-USA All-Freshman Team and was an honorable mention All-C-USA selection" two years in a row

Sound like another big strong defensive end that went in the second round?

" Kris Jenkins played college football at the University of Maryland, where he started 27 of 41 games. He made the second team All-ACC during his senior season. He finished with 9.5 sacks and 154 tackles"

By the way his scouting report from nepatriotsdraft.com

Strengths: Unreal combination of size, bulk, length and strength – Good strength through his lower body – Ideal 4-3 DT, with the size to be a 3-4 nose – Good first step, especially early in games – Has a better motor than you’d expect out of a 350 pound prospect – Shows quality change of direction ability for his size – Penetrates easily when singled – Very good tackler, if he gets a piece of the ball-carrier, he is going down – Diagnoses plays quickly – Incredibly high ceiling – Team captain.

Weaknesses: Not an ideal nose tackle despite his size, plays on skates at times – Doesn’t disengage well against double teams – Gets a bit high at times with his pad level – Not a dynamic pass-rusher at this point, needs to add to his rip move – Draft stock based a lot on potential at this point (sounds like Cam)

[Ruff]

Hey fugtards we arent swtiching to a 3-4.

Maybe mixing it up, but we are not switching.

I wouldn't be so sure. For every quote of Rivera's saying that they would like to have more 3-4, there is also McDermott saying that they would love to evolve into a 3-4.

There's also quotes of McDermott saying he and Rivera talked about it, and they believe that it's the only way to stop all of these new tight ends are matched up with.

Besides, calling people fugtards for debating what Sean McDermott said he would like to do, is pretty fugtarded itself.