'13 WA TE/OLB Danny Mattingly (Oregon Verbal)

[Sherm Sticky]

I understand your concern about the position given it's recent history: (1) Neal had the learn the position on the fly and was never comfortable there; (2) Shembo, for whatever reason, is simply terrible in space; and (3) Niklas was a massive true freshman who the staff tried to use as a stop gap. In short, we've never had a real DOLB before.

And it has really hurt our defense. As I mentioned previously, one big advantage of the 3-4 is its symmetrical versatility; either of the OLBs can rush or drop on any given down, which makes pre-snap adjustments very difficult. Since we haven't been able to find a DOLB who can cover, Kelly and Diaco have had to make the defense much more predictable by pulling the DOLB in favor of a Nickelback every time they expected a pass.

Unless Diaco is ready to scrap his 3-4 in favor of something more aggressive, we can't give up on the DOLB simply because we haven't had a good fit for it previously. Which is reason to be even more excited about Jaylon; getting a 5 is always a good thing, but plugging in a recruit of his talent at a position which has done more to hold us back over the last 2 years than anything else... it has the potential to take our defense to another level.

Good post...makes sense...reps whiskey.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

One thing I'd like to add is that he's a bit of a long strider which probably isn't ideal for a CAT edge rusher and he's also lean... not a bowling ball like a Shembo or James Harrison or really really most 3-4 rush OLBs. Most 3-4 DEs are prototypical DEs that just happen to have elite athleticism... or they're undersized "squat" DEs with tremendous quickness. Jaylon really is the best fit for DOG or WILL.

BUT with all of that being said I think there's a very fair chance he does play CAT. It's really the most important position... but more than that it's that you have to realize that we have taken ZERO CAT prospects so far in the '11 and '12 classes. If we don't land an elite prospect for that position... but do have guys like Mattingly or Anzalone or whoever that can be good players at WILL/DOG... you simply have to play them where they fit and let Jaylon do his thing at CAT. So unless we land someone like Alquadin Muhammed, etc. to play CAT in this class.... yeah, you see where I'm going. That's why I said earlier I expect him to eventually end up at CAT or WILL.

Just my uninformed opinion and no more valid than anyone else who is suggesting something else... it's important to remember that someone with Jaylon's incredible gifts is so flexible that no matter what we think now he could end up at multiple positions.

Lax excellent post again. I agree with almost everything you wrote here.

You stated no CAT prospects in the 2011...Ishaq is the prototypical CAT player though.

I would give you reps, but I have to spread it around.

 

[IrishLax]

Lax excellent post again. I agree with almost everything you wrote here.

You stated no CAT prospects in the 2011...Ishaq is the prototypical CAT player though.

I would give you reps, but I have to spread it around.

Ugh got my years wrong. Good catch. Meant '12 as this class is '13. We got a couple capable CAT players in '11... Ishaq, Rabasa (who has moved inside), Councell (who is playing DOG)... dunno if I'm forgetting anyone.

 

[GBdomer]

Jarrett Grace but he plays the Mike

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Ugh got my years wrong. Good catch. Meant '12 as this class is '13. We got a couple capable CAT players in '11... Ishaq, Rabasa (who has moved inside), Councell (who is playing DOG)... dunno if I'm forgetting anyone.

The guy who may be an excelent cat if he ever stops growing is Romeo Okwara. At fifteen he broke a 4.7 forty, and he has the strength to make it a bad day for a whole lot of people. And he is three days younger (exactly) than Jaylon Smith, even though Smith is at the younger end of his class.

 

[BeauBenken]

Wait, wait, wait...are you guys saying you don't think Danny here can play Cat? Cause I sure as hell think he can. He's long and really strong at the point of contact and pretty athletic.

Jaylon at Dog, Danny at Cat, Deeb and Anzalone on the inside, and we can pick up another Cat/DE guy just to make you guys quit your bitching and call it a day!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Is everyone assuming Okwara will play DE?

 

[peoriairish]

I don't know if it's been said, but I like Danny at WILL better. He has the hands and speed to play in coverage, a la Urlacher.

 

[Irishman77]

Is everyone assuming Okwara will play DE?

I am but who knows with this guy. I still have my pipe dream of us running more of a 4-3and him becoming a Jason Pierre Paul.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I don't know if it's been said, but I like Danny at WILL better. He has the hands and speed to play in coverage, a la Urlacher.

Couple of people have mentioned that.

 

[peoriairish]

Couple of people have mentioned that.

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't really want to read through the really in depth positional analysis/bickering from the past 3 pages. Long day at work.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't really want to read through the really in depth positional analysis/bickering from the past 3 pages. Long day at work.

lol bickering was all my doing. sorry

 

[peoriairish]

lol bickering was all my doing. sorry

Haha not a problem, man. Having your own opinion and not going by what someone says you should think isn't a bad thing. We'll see where he ends up in probably '14-'15. Good Lord, this kid won't see the field for 2-3 years. CFB recruiting is so draining haha.

 

[IrishLax]

Is everyone assuming Okwara will play DE?

I am.

 

[Irish YJ]

Is everyone assuming Okwara will play DE?

me 4

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Is everyone assuming Okwara will play DE?

I am.

^

 

[irishog77]

Danny Football

 

[ACamp1900]

Danny Football

Love it... let's all hope so...

 

[GBdomer]

Okwara frame i believe will grow into a DE

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenIsThyFame
Is everyone assuming Okwara will play DE?

I am.

I am not. Did any of you watch this kid?

Even if cat rushes a lot, there is a whole skill set the OLB needs that no DE really needs, (forget talking technique at this point) Romeo has it, just like Anthony Rasaba has it. And that is why he moved from DE to LB, starting outside and working his way in. Watch him.

Okwara frame i believe will grow into a DE

That is what everyone says, and there is a chance he gets too brolic. However, he has the linebacker skills, and I do believe the staff will move him in that direction. Either way he is going to be a monster! But you can remember me one on this. I think he is two legged not three or four.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I am not. Did any of you watch this kid?

He was 6'5'' 240 lbs. and could squat 600+ as a 15 year old. Odds are very good that he gets much bigger, stronger, and heavier under Longo. That type of Hulksmash belongs in the trenches.

 

[STLDomer]

He was 6'5'' 240 lbs. and could squat 600+ as a 15 year old. Odds are very good that he gets much bigger, stronger, and heavier under Longo. That type of Hulksmash belongs in the trenches.

The type of Hulksmash that enjoy Longo workouts

“@RomeoAK33: Longo beach is actually pretty fun #goodworkout”

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Whiskey, linebackers get to the trenches, Stanford had a couple that were really big recently. It is the speed, movement, decision making capablity, lateral pursuit, block shedding etc that makes the difference.

There was an earlier arguement on a thread about dog and cat linebackers. The consensus was, if you had the (big) skill you played it. I hear you about Romeo's size. But he could stop growing soon. And with that speed, just think, 0.3 seconds faster than anything we had on the corner two years ago, and at least that much faster than any of the last linebackers under Charlie, save Manti. And that is an old time. Did you see the way this kid keeps his shoulders square?

It is kind of funny, because I got rejected when I brought him forward as a d-line prospect during the Hounshell scare.

The type of Hulksmash that enjoy Longo workouts

“@RomeoAK33: Longo beach is actually pretty fun #goodworkout”

The type that may not need a red shirt year, if the supposition is true.

__________________

 

[STLDomer]

Really waiting anxiously for his UND profile to come out to see his current weight. Could be anywhere between 240 & 270 IMO

 

[GBdomer]

Plenty d ends play around 250. Kiki mingo is 235 maybe and he is the fastest d end I saw last year

 

[Bogtrotter07]

4-3 vs 3-4 is worth about fifty pounds.

And if play a 3-4 and you have a man that can play linebacker on the outside . . .

(Let alone some really hybrid animal - defense not individual)

 

[Cackalacky]

Not to sound obstinant but this 3-4 vs 4-3 argument is like the "decidely schematic advantage" argument.

3-4 is envogue right now, just like 4-3 was envogue 10 years ago. I dont care if we have a NT, 5 LB, 3 hybrid safeties, and a CB out there. Prepare for your opponent and put some pressure on the QB.

We did not seem to be aggressive enough last year IMO. Get after the damn QB.

 

[Irish#1]

Not to sound obstinant but this 3-4 vs 4-3 argument is like the "decidely schematic advantage" argument.

3-4 is envogue right now, just like 4-3 was envogue 10 years ago. I dont care if we have a NT, 5 LB, 3 hybrid safeties, and a CB out there. Prepare for your opponent and put some pressure on the QB.

We did not seem to be aggressive enough last year IMO. Get after the damn QB.

You're right and the 3-4 or 4/3 debate doesn't really matter these days. Watch the teams that play a 3/4 and they end up playing a 4/3 during a game quite often. They mix it up to keep the offense guessing.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

To a point teams give a 4-3 look with 3 dline/1lb. but the main thing is the majority of the 43 looks 34 principles apply.

 

[FLDomer]

is this the Mattingly thread or the 3-4 tutorial thread??