'14 TX DE Solomon Thomas (Stanford Verbal)

irishog77

irishog77

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Luckylucci said:
Could you elaborate on this? Why would him playing DE in our 3-4 excite you more than OLB? His pass rushing skills is whats exciting to me and that is much better suited coming off the edge. In a 3-4 your best pass rusher is usually one of your OLB's. Think Mario Williams, Clay Mathews, DeMarus Ware, James Harrison, Aldon Smith, Terrell Suggs. The exception to the rule is Tuitt last year and JJ Watt because they are freaks.
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Pretty much what Whiskey said above. He's already a pretty big guy. There are always exceptions, but there aren't many 265lb+ guys that move real well in space. I also think DL is a bigger need than OLB/DOG for this cycle. And, there are already a couple guys (Carter, Williams) that are in the mix for OLB/DOG that the staff is recruiting, plus a guy like Bonner who could play it, and a guy like Yeargin that could play it (if he opts for ND). And a guy like Okwara already on the team that could play there.
 
irishog77

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Whiskeyjack said:
I'm skeptical of him playing at ROLB long-term, since he's already tipping the scales at ~260. But we may be recruiting him at that position if he sees himself primarily as a pass-rusher.



Vanderdoes defected and Hounshell hurt his shoulder again. Sh!t happens.



I recall Kelly praising Okwara's coverage ability last year, but I wouldn't read too much into it.
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Right, but will he have the size and/or ability to play there THIS year?
 
Whiskeyjack

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irishog77 said:
Right, but will he have the size and/or ability to play there THIS year?
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Probably not, but as you've mentioned, remodeling an OLB's physique into a DE's takes time. Our DL depth is pretty solid this year anyway. It's next year that things could get scary, so moving Okwara now is preemptive.
 
irishog77

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Whiskeyjack said:
Probably not, but as you've mentioned, remodeling an OLB's physique into a DE's takes time. Our DL depth is pretty solid this year anyway. It's next year that things could get scary, so moving Okwara now is preemptive.
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Tru dat. And further reasoning I hope he redshirts this year.


Again though, any confirmation about Okwara's switch besides Andrew Williams? Anyone?
 
STLDomer

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and while we are talking about him playing ROLB, he's playing 4-3 DT at The Opening (and dominating).
 
Old Man Mike

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I have a prejudice for speed as everybody here knows. Alongside that, I have a hunch that 21st century defense is going to feature not only outside linebackers who can pass-rush and rapidly close ground on hesitating QBs and run down hesitating RBs from behind, BUT that 21st century DEs will become more and more indistinguishable from that skill set. ... but "twenty" pounds bigger [and not "forty" pounds bigger.]

Shembo is very close to a mold of a lighter DE who is Bull enough to hold the edge while giving tackles he!l on the rush. Utupo seems to have transitioned [to the best of his ability] to that sort of lighter but bull-powerful DE. Okwara is precisely in that image, in my opinion. The 21st century DE will have to be "good in space" to shorten plays and contain the Manziels, Golsons, RGIIIs, Kaepernicks, etc etc etc... and this type of QB is coming of the "dual threat" assembly line [to alter college and NFL O-football] in stunning numbers.

In the VERY near future, I want a SPEEDBULL coming at you from DE, more than an immovable giant [who belongs in the meathouse in the middle.]
 
Whiskeyjack

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Old Man Mike said:
The 21st century DE will have to be "good in space" to shorten plays and contain the Manziels, Golsons, RGIIIs, Kaepernicks, etc etc etc...
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When Kelly's comment about Okwara being "good in space" is brought up, it always seems to reference his abilities in pass coverage; not just in containing DT QBs. I've been skeptical on that front mainly because do-it-all edge defenders are extremely rare; we know Okwara is big, fast and strong (he could squat 600 lbs as a 15-year-old!) If he can also adequately cover TEs and Z WRs on the intermediate routes, he'd have superstar hype by now, and he probably would have been in the two-deep last year.

Jaylon has a shot to be that kind of player. Okwara is probably best served by playing to his strengths at DE.

Edit: I think OMM and I agree here. Just wanted to clarify my skepticism about Okwara's being "good in space".
 
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luckoftheirish11

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Caught a TD against Tony Brown, the 5star corner from TX at the Opening (in 7on7s). Becoming more and more clear that we got a complete diamond in the rough here.
 
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Whiskeyjack said:
When Kelly's comment about Okwara being "good in space" is brought up, it always seems to reference his abilities in pass coverage; not just in containing DT QBs. I've been skeptical on that front mainly because do-it-all edge defenders are extremely rare; we know Okwara is big, fast and strong (he could squat 600 lbs as a 15-year-old!) If he can also adequately cover TEs and Z WRs on the intermediate routes, he'd have superstar hype by now, and he probably would have been in the two-deep last year.

Jaylon has a shot to be that kind of player. Okwara is probably best served by playing to his strengths at DE.

Edit: I think OMM and I agree here. Just wanted to clarify my skepticism about Okwara's being "good in space".
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This sounds like Irish Chocolate.
 
Old Man Mike

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Well, in an obsessive/compulsive urge to leave behind clarity rather than confusion, I should say: whether talking about a young superman like Thomas, or an on-roster superman like Okwara, what I was envisioning as "good in space" was the circumstance of an Okwara/ Thomas breaking the line, the QB beginning to make magic with his feet, Romeo/ Solomon "instantly" utilizing swivel-able hips and fast feet to buffoon the Johnny Football imitator, and boggle him into making the mistake of running into Tuitt or Big Lou coming from the other side.

The "Space" that the 21st century DE must be good in is the Space in the Offensive Backfield, side-to-side. This space is just as crucial to be closed rapidly as the short zones or the flats. In that sense, Kelly claiming that Romeo is good in space is a desired quality of the DE with spatial shutdown fast twitch change of direction, and I look forward to that in Diaco's defense.
 
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Cpnd1 said:
The USC game is going to be loaded! Hope we don't screw up on that weekend again.
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We'll have a much different and more athletic team this time around. Also, the lights won't be so bright this time
 
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arrowryan said:
We'll have a much different and more athletic team this time around. Also, the lights won't be so bright this time
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Hope Coach Kelly gets everyone ready to play, that game two years ago everyone was playing flat-footed at first. Would be nice to beat SC at home for once.
 
STLDomer

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Brown, Luatua, & Smith are locked in on USC. Jackson, Quick, Mama, D Williams, Thomas & Lazard are maybes, some stronger than others
 
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STLDomer

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TJ34
We took TE Durham Smythe away from Texas (UT) this last cycle, and though not from the state itself, CB Cole Luke as well since UT was a finalist and once-rumored strong lean.

I believe we're going to take at least one top prospect from Texas away from UT this cycle as well.
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Me likey
 
Luckylucci

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According to a poster on II his top 5 is OSU, Alabama, ND, Arkansas, and Stanford. Per his HS coach. TJ believes that Stanford is the slight leader with us right in the mix.
 
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