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Great article on KT

BSIMatt : 5/10/2022 1:12 am
Quote:


THIBODEAUX KNEW THERE was a target on his back once he got to Oregon, coming in as a five-star, all-everything, top-ranked recruit.

"He didn't think of himself as being special and he didn't want special treatment, nothing like that from the coaches," Oregon offensive line coach Alex Mirabal said. "I thought that was very refreshing, and I think that's why he's been able to establish himself and become a heck of a football player because he's always constantly yearning to learn."

At the time, Oregon had a veteran offensive line group with Penei Sewell, who was selected in the first round of this year's NFL draft, Shane Lemieux, who was picked by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the draft, and a handful of other established players.

Thibodeaux treated each practice session like a series of game situations, which at first created battles and rose tempers.

"He came in right from the start, ready to take somebody's job," Sewell said. "I remember one practice, he got in a little scuffle with the offensive linemen. He came ready to play, wanting to play right away."

It was a minor mix-up that didn't escalate to anything notable, but it was the start of Thibodeaux becoming a leader on the team and pushing his teammates to compete at the highest level.

"He really doesn't want any more hype, he just wants to go play his best football," Cristobal said. "He's working right now at an ungodly rate, like what he did the other day in the weight room. That guy couldn't squat 405 [pounds] when he got here, and yesterday he was doing single leg reverse lunges with 405 reps.

"I've never seen that before -- that's different."

Thibodeaux constantly asked Mirabal about what he saw on film from the opponent's offensive line as he scouted games. He pushed his teammates -- and himself -- in the weight room and on the practice field.


Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux is more than the next potential No. 1 NFL draft pick - ( New Window )
The more  
Pork Chop : 5/10/2022 2:21 am : link
i read about him the more i love the pick
That so many doubted him based in rumors is one thing.  
BillT : 5/10/2022 7:15 am : link
But then when he was drafted at 5 and the Cowboys leaked they had him at 1 there were still doubters even though the pros, who had actual access to him and his coaches, didn’t. Don’t get it.
Excellent article. Thanks for sharing!  
Jon C. in MD : 5/10/2022 7:25 am : link
This is really worth clicking though and reading....From oct 2021.
I am beyond psyched to have KT in blue  
Rjanyg : 5/10/2022 7:27 am : link
This draft will be a transforming draft. KT with Neal will be the beginning of the turn around. This season might be tough, but we have some new blood and a new staff. Hope.
This is a kid who cares about greatness  
Ben in Tampa : 5/10/2022 7:50 am : link
on and off the field. He's got the leadership gene.

I think his impact in New York is going to be awesome.
I keep wanting him to be truly great  
JohnB : 5/10/2022 10:17 am : link
but I keep rereading Sy's report and I check my enthusiasm. Let's hope for the best.
RE: I keep wanting him to be truly great  
Reale01 : 5/10/2022 10:52 am : link
In comment 15704194 JohnB said:
Quote:
but I keep rereading Sy's report and I check my enthusiasm. Let's hope for the best.


I appreciate all Sy does for BBI and I value his expertise and insight. I think he would be the first to say that he is not always right. Also the one major obstacle for him in his evaluation is that he does not get direct access to the player and their medicals. In this case that is important as we do not know the severity of the ankle injury and its possible affect on performance and he cannot accurately gauge how important football is to a player without knowing the player.

Caution is always wise - but I really like what I am hearing about Thibs.
RE: I keep wanting him to be truly great  
BSIMatt : 5/10/2022 10:57 am : link
In comment 15704194 JohnB said:
Quote:
but I keep rereading Sy's report and I check my enthusiasm. Let's hope for the best.


From Sy:
Quote:

Where Thibodeaux struggles, however, is when he is matched up against pro-caliber size and power when it comes to secondary rush moves. He needs to show more technique refinement and continue to try and strengthen his base, which plays small and gets too narrow at times...


..My issues with Thibodeaux revolve around what he did against his best competition. If he lost initially, if he got locked on to, I did not see the secondary moves. I didn’t see the secondary wiggle to try and re-gain a position.



I honestly think, getting reps against Thomas and Neal is going to be the best thing for KT. I have watched Thomas lock down Chase Young a few times now, watched him handle Myles Garret. Thomas has had games where he has more than held his own against some of the best the league has to offer. After reading about Neal, the thought that there is a even a chance that he could be an even better prospect as a pass protector is hard to comprehend. The guy put up 1100 pass blocking reps the last two seasons squaring off against some of the best talent in the country week in and week out and gave up only 17 hurries, many times handling top tier edge guys with ease(guys who ended up being top draft picks, including the #1 overall selection who is a freak among freaks).

I honestly think, the tackles he faces in practice each day are his path towards success. I actually think the Giants bookend tackles will have the upperhand early on. They have more reps against guys in the KT tier of skill than KT has reps against OTs of their skill level.They will allow him to fail, learn and grow and truly realize where he needs to get better when his first step does not win it all. I've never been to an NFL training camp, but watching Thomas and Neal square off against Ojulari and Thibodeaux seems like it will be the headlining act come August. Handfighting will need to become an art form, and the best handfighting artist I've ever witnessed on a football field says he will be mentoring Thibodeaux which is music to my ears.

Quote:

“We took it back to the roots,” Brown said. “Working his agility, always working on his get-off because that’s the moneymaker. Once it’s third-and-long and you know it’s pass, working on that get-off to get out his pads and explosiveness. Continuing to work and train his hand combat, his moves to identify his toolbag of his pass rush moves to where he feels comfortable in any situation being able to execute any of his moves.”

The drills all had a purpose, Brown said.

“Everything we do, we try to make it relate to football itself," Brown said. "I don’t believe in doing drills just to do drills if you don’t have that direct translation to what you might see on the football field. We would talk through different pass sets and how you attack different sets and different style O-linemen and show how each of those moves that we work on marry up with the other moves, so we can try to make everything look similar to where you’re not giving away a move based off of your get-off. Being able to keep on working, always being on the attack on the pass rush.”



Link...
Kayvon Thibodeaux went ‘back to the roots’ this summer as part of his quest for perfection for the Oregon Ducks - ( New Window )
I thought Sauce was going to be our #5  
5BowlsSoon : 5/10/2022 11:01 am : link
Didn’t expect KT to be there. Crazy how it all worked out. Also loved how Neal was there for us. A double blessing.
RE: I keep wanting him to be truly great  
Reale01 : 5/10/2022 11:39 am : link
In comment 15704194 JohnB said:
Quote:
but I keep rereading Sy's report and I check my enthusiasm. Let's hope for the best.


I appreciate all Sy does for BBI and I value his expertise and insight. I think he would be the first to say that he is not always right. Also the one major obstacle for him in his evaluation is that he does not get direct access to the player and their medicals. In this case that is important as we do not know the severity of the ankle injury and its possible affect on performance and he cannot accurately gauge how important football is to a player without knowing the player.

Caution is always wise - but I really like what I am hearing about Thibs.
When Houston took Stingley I said OMG there's  
gtt350 : 5/10/2022 11:52 am : link
a chance. We hit the daily Double
This a young man  
Will Shine : 5/10/2022 12:33 pm : link
who in addition to his physical ability and intelligence, clearly has his head screwed on right.

AN intriguing trifecta.
Cristobal and Mirabal are not bullshitters  
Ten Ton Hammer : 5/10/2022 12:35 pm : link
They're no nonsense coaches. Cristobal was a former offensive lineman. If he respects Thibs, it's probably more than just blowing smoke.
RE: RE: I keep wanting him to be truly great  
Will Shine : 5/10/2022 12:36 pm : link
In comment 15704245 BSIMatt said:
Quote:
In comment 15704194 JohnB said:


Quote:


but I keep rereading Sy's report and I check my enthusiasm. Let's hope for the best.



From Sy:


Quote:



Where Thibodeaux struggles, however, is when he is matched up against pro-caliber size and power when it comes to secondary rush moves. He needs to show more technique refinement and continue to try and strengthen his base, which plays small and gets too narrow at times...


..My issues with Thibodeaux revolve around what he did against his best competition. If he lost initially, if he got locked on to, I did not see the secondary moves. I didn’t see the secondary wiggle to try and re-gain a position.




I am under the impression that our DL coaching is quite good, So ihope these issues will be taken care of.
I hate getting my hopes up at this time of year  
arniefez : 5/10/2022 12:48 pm : link
and then the Giants are eliminated before Halloween and we're talking draft slots for next year. I hope those days are over for a while. I can't imagine given the current roster that the Giants will win more games than they lose in 2022. I have a feeling 2023 might be similar if there's a rookie QB. But I do feel the right GM/FO and HC/OC/DC are in place to make 2024 a lot of fun. The sooner the better though.

I wanted the Giants to draft Thibodeaux not Gardner because I value the front 7 on defense and the OL on offense as the foundation of the team and the Giants stink at both areas until proven otherwise.

I wanted Thibodeaux not just for his position though. I think the Giants need his personality on and off the field. IMO the Giants desperately need some leaders and attitude on defense. There's only been one rookie in my lifetime to step in and turn the entire team around and he's not that guy. They only made one of them. I just hope he stays healthy and I hope Ojulari stays healthy and maybe a few years down the road the Giants will have a fearsome pass rush and a home field advantage again.
Thought this was about Kadarius Toney  
US1 Giants : 5/10/2022 12:55 pm : link
maybe he is showing up for optional training?

RE: Thought this was about Kadarius Toney  
cjac : 5/10/2022 1:05 pm : link
In comment 15704389 US1 Giants said:
Quote:
maybe he is showing up for optional training?


I also thought this was an article on Kadarius Toney

for some reason i'm way less concerned about Kavon Thibs, i feel like i know his head is in football and nothing but football

Kadarius Toney i'm not so sure about, he can be anywhere from quitting football altogether to having a great season, and anything in between. Nothing would surprise me
Sy is my go to whenever I get too high or too low about the Giants  
arniefez : 5/10/2022 2:04 pm : link
or individual players. I know we post it out but it can never be said too often how much I and I think we all value his time, experience and contributions to this forum.

I'm sure his eval on Thibodeux is accurate but very few college players come in as finished products either in their NFL skill set of their bodies. Look at pictures of Azeez from last year to this year. No matter how good they are in college NFL techniques and skill sets have to be learned on Sundays.

This is what the NFL web site lists as his weaknesses after rating him an elite prospect and day 1 starter.

Quote:
Weaknesses

Not a natural or instinctive pass rusher. - subjective IMO

Not as bendy or fluid as teams would like. - can that be coached?

Needs to be schooled up in hand usage. - needs NFL coaching and experience

Underdeveloped counters to keep rush alive versus quality tackles. - needs NFL coaching and experience

Lacks awareness and play recognition. - needs NFL coaching and experience

Needs to play with better control and shed timing at the point of attack. - needs NFL coaching and experience

Still has technique work in front of him as edge-setter. - needs NFL coaching and experience

Can be a little disjointed and tall as a tackler. - subjective IMO


Now look at what they list as his Strengths. Lots of can't be taught IMO. You either have it or don't when you get to the NFL.

[quote]Strengths

Scouts say he's fueled by solid internal drive. - Subjective but good to hear

Long, strong, explosive and plays hard. - Subjective but good to hear

Initial movements off the snap are fast and furious. - Can't be taught

Speed to consistently stress high side of the rush. - Can't be taught.

Effective shoulder dip and lean into the turn.

Firm base makes it hard to redirect or wash him down once he's to an edge.

Wicked closing kick to the quarterback. - Can't be taught

Heavy hands into entry point in speed-to-power.

Generates decent bull-rush despite lack of desired bend.

Plays with effective use of length and upper-body power.

Twitchy hands get on top of blockers first.

Creates space through forceful punch and extend.

Treats tight ends to shock-and-awe power at point of attack.

Back-side burst to wipe out running backs and ruin the play call. - Can't be taught

Pursues ball-carrier with extended motor and plus speed. - Can't be taught

Hopefully as I said above he stays healthy.
RE: I hate getting my hopes up at this time of year  
BSIMatt : 5/10/2022 3:09 pm : link
In comment 15704374 arniefez said:
Quote:
and then the Giants are eliminated before Halloween and we're talking draft slots for next year. I hope those days are over for a while. I can't imagine given the current roster that the Giants will win more games than they lose in 2022. I have a feeling 2023 might be similar if there's a rookie QB. But I do feel the right GM/FO and HC/OC/DC are in place to make 2024 a lot of fun. The sooner the better though.


It's hard to find optimism with regards to the way injuries have impacted the Giants the past several years. It almost seems as a fanbase we should feel resigned to accept that injuries will continue to place a stranglehold on the organizations efforts to turn the franchise around. However, when discussing the roster, I really am surprised by the lack of acknowledgement the role injuries played in 2021.

Quote:

Who leads the NFL in injuries?

In what should not be a surprise to fans of the New York Giants, a study done by the folks at ManGamesLost.com lists the Giants as the team with the most injuries that cost players to miss games through Week 16 in The NFL.Dec 31, 2021


We had 4 players on the entire roster last year that started 17 games. For me, it's pretty hard to assess exactly what the Giants would have been in 2021, because of this. Based on recent history, it's certainly hard to be optimistic when it feels like the organization has a hex placed on it. However, you can't predict, or rather expect the level of what we saw in 2021. It would be like getting struck by lightning twice.
Disregard the 4 players starting 17 games comment  
BSIMatt : 5/10/2022 3:19 pm : link
It is true, it does not seem relevant after looking at the other nfc east teams, still though, giants were generally regarded as being one of a handful of teams most impacted by injuries in 2021.
RE: I keep wanting him to be truly great  
BestFeature : 5/10/2022 9:01 pm : link
In comment 15704194 JohnB said:
Quote:
but I keep rereading Sy's report and I check my enthusiasm. Let's hope for the best.


I appreciate everything Sy brings to this site but I feel like people are more confident in his expertise than Sy himself. He's not the only person in the world that can scout players. Scouts disagree all the time. Why do we treat his word like the word of God? I guarantee you he would be the first person to say that his opinion isn't gospel.
RE: RE: I keep wanting him to be truly great  
Reale01 : 5/11/2022 1:42 pm : link
In comment 15704824 BestFeature said:
Quote:
In comment 15704194 JohnB said:


Quote:


but I keep rereading Sy's report and I check my enthusiasm. Let's hope for the best.



I appreciate everything Sy brings to this site but I feel like people are more confident in his expertise than Sy himself. He's not the only person in the world that can scout players. Scouts disagree all the time. Why do we treat his word like the word of God? I guarantee you he would be the first person to say that his opinion isn't gospel.


Ditto see my comment above.
RE: I hate getting my hopes up at this time of year  
Thegratefulhead : 5/11/2022 2:48 pm : link
In comment 15704374 arniefez said:
Quote:
and then the Giants are eliminated before Halloween and we're talking draft slots for next year. I hope those days are over for a while. I can't imagine given the current roster that the Giants will win more games than they lose in 2022. I have a feeling 2023 might be similar if there's a rookie QB. But I do feel the right GM/FO and HC/OC/DC are in place to make 2024 a lot of fun. The sooner the better though.

I wanted the Giants to draft Thibodeaux not Gardner because I value the front 7 on defense and the OL on offense as the foundation of the team and the Giants stink at both areas until proven otherwise.

I wanted Thibodeaux not just for his position though. I think the Giants need his personality on and off the field. IMO the Giants desperately need some leaders and attitude on defense. There's only been one rookie in my lifetime to step in and turn the entire team around and he's not that guy. They only made one of them. I just hope he stays healthy and I hope Ojulari stays healthy and maybe a few years down the road the Giants will have a fearsome pass rush and a home field advantage again.
Thye need a dog, one that bites. It is why I wanted Parsons, I knew he was that kind of dog. I think KT can be that. Hall of fame offensive tackles said about LT,

"You thought LT was impossible to stop, but if you pissed him off, forget it, over"

We need that attitude.
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