'19 NJ DE Howard Cross (Notre Dame Signee)

[GATTACA!]

Cross as a FB is wild lol

 

[CanadalovesND]

NFL has no love for a 6'1" 280ish pound DTs any more.

 

[Dale]

Dang, is that disrespectful or am I imagining it?

Ehh. He’s probably sub 6’1 and 285 at best. Also 24 come this fall already.

But does have fast hands and feet.

 

[GowerND11]

Worked out for Ricard with the Ravens. If it means Cross gets his years in, why not?

 

[NDPhilly]

If anything, we should be better against the run in 2025 with Mils and Cross moving on. I think they both got pushed around a decent amount by the better OLs we played, and Cross was better in '23 without the injuries he had all year.

We'll miss Riley's pass-rushing ability, but have a lot of faith that Dawson and Rubio to be a solid duo there that hold the point of attack well and let our LBs eat.

 

[IrishSpartan]

His measurables actually look better on paper than mills

 

[Dale]

His measurables actually look better on paper than mills

Mills has scheme versatility if a 3 - 4 odd front team wanted to take a look.

 

[Dale]

 

[Irish du Nord]

If anything, we should be better against the run in 2025 with Mils and Cross moving on. I think they both got pushed around a decent amount by the better OLs we played, and Cross was better in '23 without the injuries he had all year.

We'll miss Riley's pass-rushing ability, but have a lot of faith that Dawson and Rubio to be a solid duo there that hold the point of attack well and let our LBs eat.

I agree, I definitely think part of that was due to Cross's nagging injuries. Mills is naturally better rushing the passer than he is defending the run. If Rubio and Dawson can stay healthy they should be upgrades in the run-game, if not, we'll need some younger guys to emerge. Hinish is solid but better against the pass than the run, Onye is a massive question mark, what can we see from Mukam, Sevillano, Mullins, etc.?

Speaking of Mukam, he's the player that I'd be most excited about if he emerges. He has prototypical size and length for a DT (hits the mean height, 3lbs shy of mean weight, and 1 inch longer wingspan than the average NFL combine DT) and has explosiveness and athleticism to match. Plus he has a hockey background (A Quebecer!)

Rubio, Dawson, and Onye will be out of eligiblity this year, Hinish has 2 years remaining. It would be nice to get some of the young guys on track to contribute in 26 and onwards

 

[Old Man Mike]

I'm reading this differently. This looks to me like a good sign for Cross.

My reasoning: JJPegues is a DL who already lines up offensively and is effective in short yardage and goalie. He is considered "quick footed" and runs a 4.9 40. Cross has similarly mentioned traits --- quick lateral movements, exceptional for DL, and a 4.9 40. Pegues is heavier but for that job maybe not so much that it makes a difference. Both of them are "short" and compact. Cross' wrestling background MIGHT make him good with his hands (and a surprise slip-out-of-the-backfield possibility.)

Over and above Cross' situation here, I find the NFLers looking forcefully at "Refrigerator Perry's" at Full Back VERY intriguing. Do they see the Line-of-scrimmage and Goal Line game changing? Does the Tush Push make a difference?

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Actually pretty good arm length considering his height.

 

[NDPhilly]

Need some Alfred Collins size guys. My lord.

 

[KPENN]

 

[IrishLion]

Shoutouts to Al Golden

 

[IAIrish]

I'm always interested to see what happens in these situations where your DC heads to the nfl; does he try to get the guys he has in college? Golden knows exactly what he has in Howard. Congrats to him!

Actually surprised Golden didn't go after more, but I'm sure he can only pound the table so much.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[texbender]

Steely Dan All-Star

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Still crazy he went undrafted. I get that he is undersized, but that injury couldn't have come at a worse time for him.

I think he'll have a solid career in the NFL.

 

[KPENN]

 

[MacIrish75]

Al Golden, baby.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I'm a Howard Cross fan, so I believe that he deserves this.

But it couldn't have been nicer that Al Golden had a big say in this.

Also, the DL coach has a philosophy of not taking size into too much account.
A quote of his is (referring to players generally) "At the end of the day, it's right technique and fundamentals, toughness, and play style."

 

[NDWarrior]

Love this! 🍀🍀🍀

 

[Rizzophil]

I bet he gets cut before Sunday…:and added to practice squad.

But he’s proven to be a player

 

[Rocketman84]

NFL has no love for a 6'1" 280ish pound DTs any more.

John Randle would disapprove of that message