Jordan's been plugged in - after he dropped the name, I had to go back. If I'm late to the party - holy hell - tremendous football player! 6'4" 230 lbs - spiderman arms. A unique play style I haven't seen in a long time - like that safety that used to decapitate people for the Steelers. Violent. I see a Perennial Pro Bowler here. Lead the SEC in tackles. Jumps off the screen with freakish closing speed and burst. Attacks like a pitbull that broke free from its chain.
And the f#cking guy shows instincts too. It's really quite remarkable.
I also see that he fits the scheme well - he takes on blockers and seeks contact. Lot of similarities to Leonard Floyd and also Karlos Dansby. This could be the rare 3-down playmaking LB that stuffs the run, blitzing like a kamikaze, closes quickly in zone and has the size:speed to cover TE's and RB's man.
This guy is a killer and would be an absolute terror behind our front 4. With Landon Collins you've got 2 sharks cleaning up whatever leaks through. If you haven't seen him, do yourself a favor and check out his highlight reel below. Special player.
ZC highlights - (
New Window )
He looks like a great athlete -- good blitzing, decent in coverage. I think he'll struggle with physicality at the next level though. I'd rather go in a different direction. If we go LB I like Jarrad Davis better.
So count me in.....No problem with it
He looks like a great athlete -- good blitzing, decent in coverage. I think he'll struggle with physicality at the next level though. I'd rather go in a different direction. If we go LB I like Jarrad Davis better.
I agree completely. He reminds me of a cowboy trying to take down a steer and needing to wrestle it down...none of the Harry Carson school of "hit him hard and down he goes, hard". I want to see that kind of "violence" from a LB, and Cunningham hasn't shown me that.
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Hate the way he tackles. Way too many drag down, arm tackle plays. I think he'd drive Giants fans crazy at the next level with missed/broken tackles/yards after contact.
He looks like a great athlete -- good blitzing, decent in coverage. I think he'll struggle with physicality at the next level though. I'd rather go in a different direction. If we go LB I like Jarrad Davis better.
I agree completely. He reminds me of a cowboy trying to take down a steer and needing to wrestle it down...none of the Harry Carson school of "hit him hard and down he goes, hard". I want to see that kind of "violence" from a LB, and Cunningham hasn't shown me that.
Right there with you guys. I like his athleticism but not his tackling. If he struggled with that in college, I don't see it getting any better in the pros against bigger and better comp.
They can? If he hasn't fixed them in college against lesser comp what makes you confident it can get better at the next level vs better players?
NJ.com's Mark Eckel spoke with an NFL scout who ranks Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham as the Draft's best linebacker.
"I love him," the scout said. "He's big, fast, athletic, plays his (butt) off." The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has 4.75 wheels and an impressive collegiate resume. This past season, Cunningham logged 125 tackles, 16.5 TFL, three passes defensed and two fumbles forced over 13 games. If he gets out of Round 1, he won't last long on Day 2.
Zach Cunningham - ( New Window )
Wasn't this the knock on Floyd? We know the Giants really liked him. And since he had 7 sacks in 12 games I'd bet the Giants would jump on a Floyd-like player at 23.
The kid has probably been tackling the same way for the last 8+ years, and all of a sudden that's going to change in a few months of prep before NFL season starts? Not buying it.
Fact check time: Hill and Brown were 5th and 6th round picks, respectively. Jerraud Powers is the slot corner for the Ravens. Jarrad Davis is the LB for the Gators.
I hope we're not relying on our first round pick to fix our O woes. We need to attack those in FA.
I would welcome a change, but until events show otherwise, am not expecting it. I think the stars have to align just right in order for LB/TE to be the pick in round one, two, or three.
Go watch the attached for a few minutes and tell me that NFL coaches don't teach tackling techniques. In the NFL, if he has a good head coach who actually cares about tackling he will get it drilled into him to improve. His limitation now is lower body flexibility or at least the awareness to do it in short spaces. That can be fixed from drills as he learns to focus on the hips and thighs of the target instead of aiming for the shoulders like he appears to. The arm tackling bandwagon needs to slow down a touch here, recognize what he's trying to do, that is clearly being taught and it's effective at times but he'll have to aim lower in the NFL.
He's got quick reaction times and tracks the ball well and rarely takes missteps when diagnosing. He is NOT a traditional 4-3 MLB, but he could be a great WILL who moves to nickel MLB on passing downs not unlike Jon Casillas or Keenan Robinson. We have Goodson if we need a thumper inside, what we need is another young fast LB who can cover and he certainly fits the bill.
Tackling Done Right - ( New Window )
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and strength concern me
That would explain why he does the roll on seemingly every tackle, so when it comes to all of the "arm tackling" complaints he's not really just arm tackling, most of the time he's trying to use leverage to grab and roll over. He's coming in entirely too high which usually means lack of lower body explosion in short areas and that's not really correctable. What is correctable, again which flies in the face of many here is that his tackling can't be fixed.
Go watch the attached for a few minutes and tell me that NFL coaches don't teach tackling techniques. In the NFL, if he has a good head coach who actually cares about tackling he will get it drilled into him to improve. His limitation now is lower body flexibility or at least the awareness to do it in short spaces. That can be fixed from drills as he learns to focus on the hips and thighs of the target instead of aiming for the shoulders like he appears to. The arm tackling bandwagon needs to slow down a touch here, recognize what he's trying to do, that is clearly being taught and it's effective at times but he'll have to aim lower in the NFL.
He's got quick reaction times and tracks the ball well and rarely takes missteps when diagnosing. He is NOT a traditional 4-3 MLB, but he could be a great WILL who moves to nickel MLB on passing downs not unlike Jon Casillas or Keenan Robinson. We have Goodson if we need a thumper inside, what we need is another young fast LB who can cover and he certainly fits the bill. Tackling Done Right - ( New Window )
Great analysis.
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and strength concern me
That would explain why he does the roll on seemingly every tackle, so when it comes to all of the "arm tackling" complaints he's not really just arm tackling, most of the time he's trying to use leverage to grab and roll over. He's coming in entirely too high which usually means lack of lower body explosion in short areas and that's not really correctable. What is correctable, again which flies in the face of many here is that his tackling can't be fixed.
Go watch the attached for a few minutes and tell me that NFL coaches don't teach tackling techniques. In the NFL, if he has a good head coach who actually cares about tackling he will get it drilled into him to improve. His limitation now is lower body flexibility or at least the awareness to do it in short spaces. That can be fixed from drills as he learns to focus on the hips and thighs of the target instead of aiming for the shoulders like he appears to. The arm tackling bandwagon needs to slow down a touch here, recognize what he's trying to do, that is clearly being taught and it's effective at times but he'll have to aim lower in the NFL.
He's got quick reaction times and tracks the ball well and rarely takes missteps when diagnosing. He is NOT a traditional 4-3 MLB, but he could be a great WILL who moves to nickel MLB on passing downs not unlike Jon Casillas or Keenan Robinson. We have Goodson if we need a thumper inside, what we need is another young fast LB who can cover and he certainly fits the bill. Tackling Done Right - ( New Window )
Joey: I completely agree. Does anyone think a college D coach is going to pull their star player aside and smack him behind the head or bench him because he's using the wrong technique? They're going to go with the: If it aint broke don't fix it approach. In the NFL, tackling can be taught. Kids get stronger. You can't teach athleticism...that said I don't know this kid from Adam.
Go watch the attached for a few minutes and tell me that NFL coaches don't teach tackling techniques. In the NFL, if he has a good head coach who actually cares about tackling he will get it drilled into him to improve.
Nice to read somebody 'that knows' other than Pat Kirwan giving Carroll's team props for raising the bar on tackling and doing something that can have a real effect on player safety from the top to the bottom of the ladder.
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and strength concern me
That would explain why he does the roll on seemingly every tackle, so when it comes to all of the "arm tackling" complaints he's not really just arm tackling, most of the time he's trying to use leverage to grab and roll over. He's coming in entirely too high which usually means lack of lower body explosion in short areas and that's not really correctable. What is correctable, again which flies in the face of many here is that his tackling can't be fixed.
Go watch the attached for a few minutes and tell me that NFL coaches don't teach tackling techniques. In the NFL, if he has a good head coach who actually cares about tackling he will get it drilled into him to improve. His limitation now is lower body flexibility or at least the awareness to do it in short spaces. That can be fixed from drills as he learns to focus on the hips and thighs of the target instead of aiming for the shoulders like he appears to. The arm tackling bandwagon needs to slow down a touch here, recognize what he's trying to do, that is clearly being taught and it's effective at times but he'll have to aim lower in the NFL.
He's got quick reaction times and tracks the ball well and rarely takes missteps when diagnosing. He is NOT a traditional 4-3 MLB, but he could be a great WILL who moves to nickel MLB on passing downs not unlike Jon Casillas or Keenan Robinson. We have Goodson if we need a thumper inside, what we need is another young fast LB who can cover and he certainly fits the bill. Tackling Done Right - ( New Window )
Leverage? Did you see how high he was on most of the plays in that clip?
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+1
Maybe I'm watching the wrong highlights but I've seen enough pop warner tackles. POA in the NFL? Not feeling confident with this 230lb linebacker.
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be thrilled with Cunningham. The tackling problems can be fixed. (He also overruns plays). He's relentless, can bend the edge, and can cover in space. He also loves football. Great pick.
They can? If he hasn't fixed them in college against lesser comp what makes you confident it can get better at the next level vs better players?
I think that's a valid point, although I'd throw a few factors out to consider as reasons why his tackling could improve at the NFL level:
None of those guarantee that Cunningham will all of a sudden become a great tackler, but it's possible. I'll throw out an example (albeit at a different position) - Visanthe Shiancoe. Drafted as an athletic receiving TE prospect with questionable in-line blocking skills, VS became a very good blocker in the NFL.
Draft prospects are not finished products.
The knock on our own Ereck Flowers coming into the draft was technique. Here we are 2 full seasons as a starter later with the same issues.
Reese needs to nail this draft if we're going to be SB contenders. Drafting projects or guys with technique issues isn't going to get it done.
COMPARES TO: Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs: It is hard not to remember a young Johnson at Texas when watching Cunningham, who possesses a similar rangy frame, speed and nose for the ball. Like the Chiefs' 12-year veteran, Cunningham possesses Pro Bowl potential with the skill-set to translate into the 4-3 or 3-4 alignment.
That said, expect more talk of ZC, Lawson, and other SEC OLBs.
COMPARES TO: Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs: It is hard not to remember a young Johnson at Texas when watching Cunningham, who possesses a similar rangy frame, speed and nose for the ball. Like the Chiefs' 12-year veteran, Cunningham possesses Pro Bowl potential with the skill-set to translate into the 4-3 or 3-4 alignment
Link - ( New Window )
That said, expect more talk of ZC, Lawson, and other SEC OLBs.
No interest in Lawson because of injuries.
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In comment 13347823 Sy'56 said:
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and strength concern me
That would explain why he does the roll on seemingly every tackle, so when it comes to all of the "arm tackling" complaints he's not really just arm tackling, most of the time he's trying to use leverage to grab and roll over. He's coming in entirely too high which usually means lack of lower body explosion in short areas and that's not really correctable. What is correctable, again which flies in the face of many here is that his tackling can't be fixed.
Go watch the attached for a few minutes and tell me that NFL coaches don't teach tackling techniques. In the NFL, if he has a good head coach who actually cares about tackling he will get it drilled into him to improve. His limitation now is lower body flexibility or at least the awareness to do it in short spaces. That can be fixed from drills as he learns to focus on the hips and thighs of the target instead of aiming for the shoulders like he appears to. The arm tackling bandwagon needs to slow down a touch here, recognize what he's trying to do, that is clearly being taught and it's effective at times but he'll have to aim lower in the NFL.
He's got quick reaction times and tracks the ball well and rarely takes missteps when diagnosing. He is NOT a traditional 4-3 MLB, but he could be a great WILL who moves to nickel MLB on passing downs not unlike Jon Casillas or Keenan Robinson. We have Goodson if we need a thumper inside, what we need is another young fast LB who can cover and he certainly fits the bill. Tackling Done Right - ( New Window )
Leverage? Did you see how high he was on most of the plays in that clip?
If true, where do I sign? Thanks Big guy
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to in the NFL, past or present, so I can get a better read on him? Thanks in advance
COMPARES TO: Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs: It is hard not to remember a young Johnson at Texas when watching Cunningham, who possesses a similar rangy frame, speed and nose for the ball. Like the Chiefs' 12-year veteran, Cunningham possesses Pro Bowl potential with the skill-set to translate into the 4-3 or 3-4 alignment Link - ( New Window )
Thanks
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49ers Julian Peterson for me
If true, where do I sign? Thanks Big guy
overall play style, I was thinking Dansby but I agree - Julian Peterson is a great comparison. Tall, rangy linebacker
Just because you don't have the stats doesn't mean you can't do something. There are a whole bunch of factors that can take away from stats. Just watch him or read basically any scouting report. You can clearly see he has the ability to be a 3 down LB in the NFL.
Just because you don't have the stats doesn't mean you can't do something. There are a whole bunch of factors that can take away from stats. Just watch him or read basically any scouting report. You can clearly see he has the ability to be a 3 down LB in the NFL.
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That's specifically why I said 49ers Julian Peterson who played OLB. The same position that Cunningham will be playing in the NFL.
Just because you don't have the stats doesn't mean you can't do something. There are a whole bunch of factors that can take away from stats. Just watch him or read basically any scouting report. You can clearly see he has the ability to be a 3 down LB in the NFL.
When I read about Cunningham, I think of Jesse Armstead, who was also a three down linebacker, but a different player than Julian Peterson although both made Pro Bowls.
May he doesn't LIKE making hard hitting tackles because it jars/affects him more than the ball carrier, given his relative height/weight. So far his athleticism has let him do that, and why he's an OLB and not an MLB.
Maybe loves the game, enjoys playing,has ability, etc, but... We see lots of secondary guys make ' business decisions'.
Leonard Floyd kinda hopped around the field like an antelope,this guy is a little different.
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In comment 13347791 WillVAB said:
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Hate the way he tackles. Way too many drag down, arm tackle plays. I think he'd drive Giants fans crazy at the next level with missed/broken tackles/yards after contact.
He looks like a great athlete -- good blitzing, decent in coverage. I think he'll struggle with physicality at the next level though. I'd rather go in a different direction. If we go LB I like Jarrad Davis better.
I agree completely. He reminds me of a cowboy trying to take down a steer and needing to wrestle it down...none of the Harry Carson school of "hit him hard and down he goes, hard". I want to see that kind of "violence" from a LB, and Cunningham hasn't shown me that.
Right there with you guys. I like his athleticism but not his tackling. If he struggled with that in college, I don't see it getting any better in the pros against bigger and better comp.
I agree with you guys about the tackling but who tackles well these days in the NFL, not to many good tacklers out there because every one is going for the strip...