w/ Greg Cosell.
Fowler - he regarded him as the best edge rusher but unsure of whether he could play DE in a 4-3. Common theme for all of these guys. Impressed w his flexibility given size.
Ray - called him a "Kamikaze" guy who is super competitive. Thought he'd measure bigger. Thinks he's a 7-9 sack guy minimum. Gives rare effort. Seemed to think his play strength was better than Beasley. Poo/poo'd workout results and suggested it was more due to toe injury. Said he'd likely remain as a hand in the dirt guy.
Beasley - tremendous athlete but questioned play strength. Said if he doesn't beat you immediately, he won't beat you at all. Also said he would struggle in a power battle i.e. vs run. Still, if he can wreek havoic on the 60% of the plays he's in there, there's plenty of value.
Gregory - didn't comment on drug situation only film. Said he's an outrageous athlete, more impressive than Clowney though obviously lighter. Questioned him on the fact that he tends to be late after snap of ball.
Dupree - Tremendous athlete but not yet a natural pass rusher. Thought he might be more of a Jamie Collins type than a pure DE (which his size would suggest).
But there is nothing that would convince me to take Gregory. He's been busted for weed several times, including at the combine, the most important professional interview of his life. It doesn't matter if the NFL policy against pot is stupid or not. All that matters is that it's the policy. Way too much of a risk at #9.
Have you heard even a modicum of noise about him within Giants Central?
I'm going off that he alledgedly weighed around 220 in his last game with Nebraska. Is up to 245 as of last week according to him. He's 6'5 and he's young. With an NFL weight training program he should have no problem putting on those 15 pounds. Similar to how JPP put on 20+ pounds when he hit the NFL or similar to how a lot of these guys put on weight in an NFL weight training program. He certainly has the frame to do it.
Playing at that almost that weight previously (255) is not enough evidence?
Apparently his type of frame can handle up to 265-270.
Giants have many specialists they consult when projecting these things as well.Tucks weight gain worked out pretty well I would say.
Coach where did you get that he played at 250# plus I haven't seen that anywhere. If that's true I'd re-asses. Thanks.
Plenty of players gain 20-25 pounds once they get acclimated to an NFL regiment.
Randy Gregory weight - ( New Window )
Deploying Beasley (or Ray) means a paradigm shift for NYG, as neither player is a full-time 4-3 DE. So, then you're deploying him part-time in Elephant looks (how Spags tried to use Kiwanuka in the past), or trying to do so in a Von Miller-type deployment (paradigm shift). Both players would fail to be maximized as a pure 4-3 WILL, imo.
Torrag, absolutely it will have been discussed, too important to not complete their due diligence. If they have any inkling it's not a maximum utilization, I too would rather they go OT (or WR if one falls).
That combined with him being one of the only top pass rushers who fit the Giants 34+ inch arms & 10+ inch hands makes me believe he's in play. Also his athleticism is off the charts. He's far more athletic & polished then JPP was. The Giants value DEs at the very top outside of QB. If the Giants see his film like Cosell does and they think he is a better athlete & has better film you have to give strong consideration to him at 9. If Clowney failed a piss test and was there at 9 would everybody on this board want him? YES! If Gregory didn't fail a piss test I don't see anyway of him even having a chance to be there at 9.
Obviously the Giants would have to do a lot of research, but I can't see how anybody can say he's not in play.
Double 0 - of UCLA, physically gifted, plays maniacal style (in a good way), somewhat raw, and two hip surgeries are of concern in terms of long term health
Preston Smith - Loved what I saw of him in Senior Bolw practices. More of a traditional DE, size wise and attention to stopping the run game.
Dannielle Hunter - Similar size and on field traits as Gregory. Not quite as gifted.
Nate Orchard - Productive as hell and there is no denying his maturity and work ethic, but really looked ordinary at the combine.
I'll be pissed off if they take the gamble on him.
It doesn't matter. 260 is arbitrary we can all list excellent 4-3 REs who played at less than 260.
Hunter has the physical tools, but it a bit lacking in demonstrated football. He'd be a gamble on upside, but one they might take if Odi and Preston are both gone.
That combined with him being one of the only top pass rushers who fit the Giants 34+ inch arms & 10+ inch hands makes me believe he's in play. Also his athleticism is off the charts. He's far more athletic & polished then JPP was. The Giants value DEs at the very top outside of QB. If the Giants see his film like Cosell does and they think he is a better athlete & has better film you have to give strong consideration to him at 9. If Clowney failed a piss test and was there at 9 would everybody on this board want him? YES! If Gregory didn't fail a piss test I don't see anyway of him even having a chance to be there at 9.
Obviously the Giants would have to do a lot of research, but I can't see how anybody can say he's not in play.
Good post. Agreed on all fronts. I fully acknowledge the pot stuff has to be explored and it will. I maybe in the minority but he strikes me as a kid ready to grow up.
Double 0 - of UCLA, physically gifted, plays maniacal style (in a good way), somewhat raw, and two hip surgeries are of concern in terms of long term health
Preston Smith - Loved what I saw of him in Senior Bolw practices. More of a traditional DE, size wise and attention to stopping the run game.
Dannielle Hunter - Similar size and on field traits as Gregory. Not quite as gifted.
Nate Orchard - Productive as hell and there is no denying his maturity and work ethic, but really looked ordinary at the combine.
Smith is the best of the group for the Giants. He had a stellar senior campaign and I think he had some amazing plays on specials too. Also fits the size/speed frame of what we look for in a 4-3 DE
I'll be pissed off if they take the gamble on him.
^This. Throw in Hosley as well.
The fact is the NY Giants have never used such a high pick, not even close, on a player with the confirmed, documented troubles Gregory carries as a prospect. It's been an organizational philosophy for decades and there is no reason to believe that will change now.
I'll be pissed off if they take the gamble on him.
None of the edge rushers are a perfect fit in a traditional 4-3 defense.
However Gregory comes closest to the tall long armed angular types the Giants covet.
Further, Gregory has the most innate pass rush ability out of all the guys in my opinion.
Does the upside outweigh the risk? Peat might be 'safer' and I think he's the top OT on our board.
I see Peat, Gregory or one of the WRs as the best fits for what we look for at 9.
That's a huge flag imo..Not the pot, but the lack of concern about being found out..The indifference..
He's an awful first round 4-3 DE prospect. Its not just the weight either. Cosell is way off on saying this guy is more impressive than Clowney. He got it the wrong way and its not close.
Bradshaw had issues with weed too, if I recall. Those two are the better comparisons for the Gregory situation, not Hill and Hosley. Will Hill's issues were deeper than weed. Hosley's issue is that he sucks (hi Greg).
I can definitely see the Giants avoiding higher risk players given the high position and recent draft issues (outside of the first round, where they've continued to be stellar).
+1
Will Hill was a completely different case. I've heard from people I know involved in Gators athletics that said he failed 15-20+ drug tests in college. I believe he was also arrested a few times.
No the Giants have never used a pick this high on a guy whose failed multiple drug tests, but that's probably because we've never had the opportunity to get such a good player with the failed tests. The Giants have never been afraid to take a guy because of off the field problems. Hosley, Manningham, Bradshaw, Hill & I'm sure there are others. Hill didn't work out because of off the field stuff. Hosley didn't work out because he just sucks. The other two were never in trouble for us.
Hunter has the physical tools, but it a bit lacking in demonstrated football. He'd be a gamble on upside, but one they might take if Odi and Preston are both gone.
What do you think of Za'darius Smith? 6'6" 270lbs. He could play inside or outside.