Justin Houston, Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan

[Direckshun]

Let's chat about these passrushers, in which there is some remote possibility that one of these three will make it to our pick.

Which ones do you like, which ones don't you like. And why.

I haven't seen too much Mizzou on tape just yet, so I'll let someone else comment on Smith.

Houston definitely has that wow factor, but at this point he's kind of a one-trick pony. He's a speed demon around the edge and he stacks up all his stats on bad teams. I haven't seen any sacks where he swims in, spins, or bullrushes. He just bolts around the corner -- which is intriguing as an OLB (I'd say, of the three, he's the best fit there), but that athleticism is something you can't teach. Moves, you can teach.

Kerrigan I'm not sold on yet, but again, I never seem to like passrushers in the draft. He has a little of that Tyson Jackson feel to him -- like he can be good, but he'll never be a game changer. He doesn't have that explosion in him that the other two seem to have.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by buddha

Do not concur at all. Worrying about a few hundreths of a second for a DE in the forty is meaningless. If you watched Aldon Smith in his workouts and drills at the combine, dude was IMPRESSIVE. He moved like a panther out there and Mayock commented on him every time he came up. I don't think he is 100% back from his leg break...who would be? If he moves this well and he's still mending, just imagine where he'll end up when he's fully healed?

He does need to get stronger.

I think another year would have done him a world of good. However, if he can get back to 100%, he should be an outstanding pro, although it may take him a few years.

[buddha]

I agree Gorilla...one more year in college would have done him wonders. However, it is what it is. I hope Aldon goes to a team that can develop him gradually, instead of relying on him from day one.

[Chiefnj2]

Unofficial #'s I found. I'll put Moch first because his 40 time was raved over and can be a point of comparison for straight line speed vs. burst/change of direction.

Moch (248lbs) 4.44 forty, 1.61 10yardsplit, 7.09 3 cone.

Smith (263) 4.78 forty, 1.78 10yardsplit, 7.14 3 cone.
Acho (262lbs) 4.68 forty, 1.60 10yardsplit, 6.69 3 cone.
Kerrigan (267) 4.71 forty, 1.65 10yardsplit, 7.18 3 cone.
Reed (263) 4.68 forty, ??? 10yardsplit, 7.11 3 cone.
Ayers (254) 4.80 forty, ??? 10yardsplit, 7.49 3 cone.
Houston (270) 4.68 forty, ???? 10yardsplit, 6.95 3 cone.

[JimBaker488]

Originally Posted by buddha

I agree Gorilla...one more year in college would have done him wonders. However, it is what it is. I hope Aldon goes to a team that can develop him gradually, instead of relying on him from day one.

Agreed, but then that's why he's starting to look like he slips out of the first round. Most teams expect 1st rounders to step in and be a player immediately, on the other hand projects aren't usually first-rounders. And somebody said what difference does a few hundredths of a second make ? Well that was supposed to be Smiths long-suit, his forte. He was supposed to be a guy with lots of speed and overall athletic ability.

[Saccopoo]

If I was Smith, I'd immediately have someone film me doing 14 backflips in a row. That would lock down any rumors of athletic inadequacy regardless of combine numbers.

[buddha]

Originally Posted by JimBaker488

Agreed, but then that's why he's starting to look like he slips out of the first round. Most teams expect 1st rounders to step in and be a player immediately, on the other hand projects aren't usually first-rounders. And somebody said what difference does a few hundredths of a second make ? Well that was supposed to be Smiths long-suit, his forte. He was supposed to be a guy with lots of speed and overall athletic ability.

I would agree that is generally true. However, these NFL teams also know that drafting younger kids who didn't play four full college seasons is a futures play, not necessarily who can do it the best from day one. I believe that Smith will develop into a helluva player, but he won't be that from day one. If a team is desperate, they shouldn't take a guy like this. If a team has some starting talent and can wait awhile for a guy who has a bigger upside, then Aldon will likely pay off big for that team.