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Cyrus Kouandjio revisted


jarhead

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After watching sugar bowl highlights aj mccarron didnt do cyrus any favors. Striker speed rushes the whole time and eventually gets around cyrus but mccarron should've sensed Striker's rush depth and stepped up into the pocket, which he didn't.

Coaches and scouts who know the game will already know that and realize plays like that are not on cyrus. His job was to ride striker down past the pocket and he did.

Mccaron didn't step up and the play resulted in game ending fumble.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

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Charley Casserly

-Assistant General Manager, Redskins 1982-1988 (Super Bowl Champs 1982, 1987)

-General Manager, Redskins 1989 to 1999 (Super Bowl Champs 1991, 1st in NFC East 1999)

-General Manager, Texans 2002 to 2006 (first 5 years in Texans history)

said today on NFL Network's NFL AM:

Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker went 11th overall last year, and Casserly called Kouandjio "a better prospect" than Fluker. ... Casserly called him "a true No. 1 pick, talent-wise," but did say there were questions about the health of his knees and his ability to handle speed rushers.

Casserly said he would start Kouandjio out as a left tackle, and if he had trouble, he would be a good fit on the right side. He also said that if a team is told by doctors that Kouandjio can give them "a good four or five years" before his knees truly become a concern, the team should grab him anyway.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000346151/article/khalil-mack-cyrus-kouandjio-are-worth-watching-in-draft

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Cam Jordan, like the Falcon's newly acquired DE Tyson Jackson, is a big prototypical 3-4 DE (think a cross between a 4-3 DT and 4-3 DE). Kouandjio matches up well with them. Its the OLB he would need to worry about in the Saint's 3-4, which is a position they have a need at (Galette is okay/solid, Victor Butler blew his knee out and is a question mark). The Falcons have always run a 4-3 but could switch to a 3-4, we'll see.

As for Michael Johnson, he's a big freak athlete, I would love to see how Kouandjio matches up with him. I think Kouandjio would do well with him.

I loved Michael Johnson as a physical prospect back in his Georgia Tech days. One of my favorite match-ups was the GT DL vs the LSU OL in their bowl game in ATL's Georgiadome. in that game it was:

Georgia Tech

DE Derrick Morgan (#16 overall, 2010 draft)

DT Vance Walker (#210 overall, 2009 draft)

DT Darryl Richard (#234 overall, 2009 draft)

DE Michael Johnson (#70 overall, 2009 draft)

LSU

LT Ciron Black (Undrafted in 2010)

LG Herm Johnson (#167 overall in 2009 draft)

C Brett Helms (Undrafted in 2009)

RG Lyle Hitt (Undrafted in 2010)

RT Joe Barksdale (#92 overall, 2011 draft)

LSU dominated the line of scrimmage and won 38-3. Michael Johnson didn't look as great as I thought he would (i thought he was a sure fire early 1st Rounder). I mean he got his -- GT's only two sacks, but I vividly remember one was an easy one were LSU blew their blocking assignment and left Johnson completely unblocked with a straight shot at the QB. Can't remember the other, but Johnson didn't look like a 1st Round pick that game (and he fell to the 3rd Round in the draft)

just because you don't look like a 1st round pick in one bowl game doesn't mean you aren't worthy of a 1st R pick (I still would have taken Michael Johnson in the mid to lower first round back then, and i'm not a GT fan, i just liked Johnson)

As for Kouandjio, he is like Marquis Lee, great in 2012, issues in 2013 (Lee had a horrid drop rate in 2013, which is very concerning). Kouandjio was great in the run game both years (and we are a running team as are the 49ers and Seahawks) but showed issues in pass protection in 2013, specifically in two games: VT and Oklahoma. The VT game, multiple Bama OL looked rusty, ESPN the next morning had former OT Mark May doing a whole segment circling several Bama OL on film and showing their goofs). I chalked it up to a fluke performance that would be fixed by the next game, and I was right. And I dislike Bama.

As for Kouandjio, after his rusty performance in the opener vs VT, he went on to have a great season: First Team All-American (AFCA , FWAA, WCFF , AP , CBS, Athlon), 1st Team All-SEC (both coaches and media). Then he had the poor game vs Oklahoma which is on people's minds because it was his last game, which is good for us because it means he might fall to us (as for his knees, i'm not a doctor, I would have to ask them)

this is how Andrew Gribble explained it in an article he wrote yesterday (he graduated journalism from Ohio Univ, and was the beat writer for Auburn 2008-2010, Tennessee 2010-2012, Bama 2012-now)...

"After a strong sophomore season, Kouandjio struggled at the beginning of 2013, particularly against Virginia Tech's veteran defensive line. He got better as the year unfolded and displayed how dominant he could be when he repeatedly knocked down defensive ends ... But in Alabama's Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma, Kouandjio looked a step or two slow against Sooners' outside linebacker Eric Striker"

This is an absolutely brilliant post

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Charley Casserly

-Assistant General Manager, Redskins 1982-1988 (Super Bowl Champs 1982, 1987)

-General Manager, Redskins 1989 to 1999 (Super Bowl Champs 1991, 1st in NFC East 1999)

-General Manager, Texans 2002 to 2006 (first 5 years in Texans history)

said today on NFL Network's NFL AM:

Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker went 11th overall last year, and Casserly called Kouandjio "a better prospect" than Fluker. ... Casserly called him "a true No. 1 pick, talent-wise," but did say there were questions about the health of his knees and his ability to handle speed rushers.

Casserly said he would start Kouandjio out as a left tackle, and if he had trouble, he would be a good fit on the right side. He also said that if a team is told by doctors that Kouandjio can give them "a good four or five years" before his knees truly become a concern, the team should grab him anyway.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000346151/article/khalil-mack-cyrus-kouandjio-are-worth-watching-in-draft

I saw this.  Casserly is one ugly bastard but he's a terrific tv personality and talent evaluator.

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Another OLine guy that was considered a first rounder but had an awful combine and slipped before the draft: Duke Robinson

I was excited to gamble on this slider and Hurney always pounced on once highly regarded prospects who have late slides: Duke Robinson, Dan Conner, Brandon Hogan, Dewayne Jarrett, Jimmy Clausen, Ryan Kalil...

1 outta 6 aint bad!

I do still like Cryus but he is THE biggest (non-QB)gamble in the 1st.

Morgan Moses yes...Cyrus? id take a chance on a WR or Corner..now if he is there in the second ...a big yes.

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I thought Cosell did a good job of demystified him in Thunderraiden post. It sounds like he has all the physical attributes but needs some help in pass blocking. It sounds like he will need a year at RT before being worthy of a LT.    

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mock that came out today:

28. Carolina Panthers: OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama

Though the Panthers are in need of receiver help, their offensive line is in shambles right now. The Panthers run game is the focal point of their offense, so adding offensive linemen is a must if they want to be able to move the football. Kouandjio has some serious health concerns, but if he checks out medically the Panthers will be happy to land him here with this pick.

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Charley Casserly

-Assistant General Manager, Redskins 1982-1988 (Super Bowl Champs 1982, 1987)

-General Manager, Redskins 1989 to 1999 (Super Bowl Champs 1991, 1st in NFC East 1999)

-General Manager, Texans 2002 to 2006 (first 5 years in Texans history)

said today on NFL Network's NFL AM:

Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker went 11th overall last year, and Casserly called Kouandjio "a better prospect" than Fluker. ... Casserly called him "a true No. 1 pick, talent-wise," but did say there were questions about the health of his knees and his ability to handle speed rushers.

Casserly said he would start Kouandjio out as a left tackle, and if he had trouble, he would be a good fit on the right side. He also said that if a team is told by doctors that Kouandjio can give them "a good four or five years" before his knees truly become a concern, the team should grab him anyway.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000346151/article/khalil-mack-cyrus-kouandjio-are-worth-watching-in-draft

 

No. Just no.What kind of logic is this? Cant see how a team can be comfortable with this for a 1st round pick and thats excluding the risk of other freak injuries that could happen in that time frame.

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the Sports Bank, April 30

have us taking Kouandjio over Brandin Cooks (#30) and after Kelvin Benjamin (#23), Marqise Lee (#18), Odell Beckham (#17), Mike Evans (#13), and Watkins (#5)

28. Carolina - Cyrus Kouandjio , OT, Alabama

As you might have heard, the Panthers need help at the WR position. It’s more than the departure of Steve Smith; there are issues all up and down the position group. However, I think all the true first round talents at the position are gone by this time. Taking anyone else would be a stretch at this point. So why not go OT? It’s another position of need. And Kouandjio is likely a good fit in Charlotte.

Cyrus Kouandjio has blocked for 17 100-yard rushers over the past two seasons as a starter, including seven this year.

He anchors an offensive line that ranks ninth nationally in fewest sacks allowed (.90 per game) while opening holes for one of the most-balanced offenses in the nation, averaging 207.5 yards on the ground, 238.2 yards in the air and 38.8 points per game.

He’s had a few hiccups along the way, and he struggled at the beginning,” ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. said of him. However, he still rates Kouandjio as 18th overall on the big board.

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The Sports Bank on November 22, 2013, after Bama's 10th game of the season, when Bama was 10-0 (7-0 in SEC)...at that point Bama had been ranked #1 in every poll over the last two years, except for the period in 2012 between Bama's L to A&M and win over #1 Notre Dame in the title game

"Crimson Tide’s Cyrus Kouandjio is a sure fire 1st round pick...Alabama’s Cyrus Kouandjio is definitely a first round talent; perhaps a top ten overall NFL Draft pick....He has a team-high 14 knockdown blocks while allowing just 1.5 sacks in 286 pass attempts in 2013... Cyrus Kouandjio has blocked for 17 100-yard rushers over the past two seasons as a starter, including seven this year."

(he ended up blocking for ten 100-rushers in 2013, ten in 2012, for a total of 20....22 if you count 99-yard rushers...)

2013

6 - soph T.J. Yeldon vs Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Miss State, Kentucky in 2013

2 - soph Kenyan Drake vs Arkansas and Kentucky in 2013, also had 99 vs Ole Miss in 2013

2 - freshman Derrick Henry vs Oklahoma and Arkansas in 2013

2012

5 - junior Eddie Lacy vs Notre Dame (BCSCG), Georgia (SECCG), Auburn, Missouri, FAU in 2012, also had 99 vs Western Carolina in 2012

5 - freshman T.J. Yeldon vs Notre Dame (BCSCG), Georgia (SECCG), Missouri, Michigan, Tennessee in 2012

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Can anyone rattle off what the "medical issues" and "red flags" are specifically with CK?  I ask this because all I hear are knee issues and it sounds equally as much BS/smokescreen to push him back in the draft than actual injury.  Players like Brandon Thomas, James Hurst, CJ Mosley, etc have specific problems that have been put out in the open.  Maybe I'm just #faiLiNg on the InteRwebZz and can't locate the correct articles to show Kouandijio's injuries that would cause there to be such concern in GM circles. 

 

Dude has the talent and was vying for #1 OT coming into this season with Matthews.  I have no issue longterm with the VT or OU game, since there is so much potential there, as well as Day 1 talent to start on the weakside in 2014.  Maybe it's the Otah memories or just the fact that I've seen several people say that his shelf life might only be 4-5 years that scares me.

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mock that came out today:

28. Carolina Panthers: OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama

Though the Panthers are in need of receiver help, their offensive line is in shambles right now. The Panthers run game is the focal point of their offense, so adding offensive linemen is a must if they want to be able to move the football. Kouandjio has some serious health concerns, but if he checks out medically the Panthers will be happy to land him here with this pick.

 

Oh really?  :startle:

 

I love how people/outsiders almost routinely say this, when it really isn't/hasn't been (in so many ways) during Cam's tenure. 

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