Quote:
Originally Posted by saphojunkie
Interesting points, all. However, I just disagree that Poe's rawness is a drawback. Romeo is a fantastic developer of defensive line talent, and I think Poe's athleticism/size ratio makes him an elite prospect. His rawness can be corrected. If a man his size had polished technique, he'd be a top three pick.
If you can teach him to drop anchor, he will be an absolute wrecking ball in the middle. We had a horrible run defense last year, and it starts at the nose. The problem with the draft this year is that the #11 pick is too low for the players you want and too high for the players you could use.
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It's not that simple.
Two-gap football isn't just physically taxing, it's psychologically taxing. It's a very tough scheme, but when you play it very well, you've got a top defense.
Crennel's a brilliant developer of talent, but two-gap football is just too tough to start all over from scratch. It's a style of play (occupying blockers, absorbing punishment) that's as much a mindset and a way of life as it is a style of play. Dropping anchor is one thing,
craving the opportunity to drop anchor is another thing.
Look at the one nose tackle prospect they drafted: Jerrell Powe. Powe has dedicated his life to this specific style of play. He's so old school when it comes to the nose tackle position he calls it the "nose guard." His career after football? Construction.
Powe may or may not take off, but the Chiefs deliberately drafted him
because he was built for this style of play and loves to play it. He's the block of granite type.
From my limited time watching Memphis this year, I don't think that's in Poe's DNA. I think he's a thrasher -- he has never once to occupy a blocker, his assignments his whole career thus far has been to put the guy in front of him on his ass.
I really like Poe. And I do think Crennel could develop him. I just don't think his best upside is in the two-gap 3-4. It's either in the one-gap system or in a 4-3.
It's clear that you only have really one guy from this draft that is built for this system, and it's Alabama's Josh Chapman. He has the highest floor for the position.