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Actually, Cosell completely confused the Kuechly strengths/weaknesses.
Who says Kuechly is average athletically? Is that code for, "beware of the white LBer?" Kuechly has very good athletic ability. His work out numbers are excellent. I think he plays fast too...no problems there. What he doesn't do is step up into an open hole and crack people. I've watched three full BC games and he didn't do it once. He tackles to the side and pulls guys down. Yes, he can run sideline to sideline and drag guys down. If that's what you want, great. But at best, he's a Will backer...he is not a Sam or a Mike at the NFL level. I know that they have different names in a 3-4, but you get the idea.
Unless there is a GREAT Mike backer sitting there (there isn't this year), you stick with Belcher and rotate in safeties as needed. Most of the time, NFL defenses play base nickle against Manning anyway. Kuechly is okay in coverage, but he's not great. The scouting reports say that he does this very well, I understand that. However, he is slow to rotate his hips, even when the TE releases right next to him. I'd rather have Belcher or Hightower later, and just rotate in cover guys.
Any LB is going to be situational at this point. Why waste an 11th pick on that?
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