Drafting a nose = bad idea this year.

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

IMO Poe isn't suited to be a NT in a 34. He's not an anchor in the middle.

Come on, bud. He's 6'5", 350 lbs. He's obviously a prime candidate for NT. He also commands constant double-teams and is strong as an ox. He's not your average tackle, because he's actually fast for his size and a work-out warrior to boot. Sounds like a NT to me, who can actually flush the pocket.


Why don't you think he's a NT?

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Come on, bud. He's 6'5", 350 lbs. He's obviously a prime candidate for NT. He also commands constant double-teams and is strong as an ox. He's not your average tackle, because he's actually fast for his size and a work-out warrior to boot. Sounds like a NT to me, who can actually flush the pocket.


Why don't you think he's a NT?

I don't think he's going to come in at 350. Even if he does, he's a very different 340-350 than Ted Washington or MT. Cody. He's very light on his feet. He doesn't command double teams in the run game. Memphis moved him around the line and used his speed and athleticism. IMO, he has much more potential in a 34 as a DE than DT.

Some scouting reports that aren't based on hearsay:

nfldraftmonsters.comRun Defense: Poe is a pretty strong run defender, but he doesn’t project to the nose tackle position as well as I expected him to. As I mentioned earlier, he has an impressive get-off for his size which allows him to penetrate into the backfield and disrupt running plays on occasion. However, he gets pushed around much easier than you would expect him to given his great combination of size and weight room strength. Theoretically he should be incredibly difficult to move off of the line of scrimmage, even in the face of double teams, but too many times I saw him get pushed off of the line of scrimmage by just one offensive lineman. That surprised and disappointed me, and made me doubt his potential to be a 3-4 NT at all in the NFL. He struggles with leverage on a pretty regular basis because of his height and that contributes to him getting pushed off the line of scrimmage.

bleacherreport.com
I have talked to an NFL scout who sees Poe a lot more like a Haloti Ngata (don't freak out, I meant style, not skill) in that he would actually act more like a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

sidelinescouting.com
Lacks the anchor and balance of an elite 3-4 nose tackle prospect and disappeared for stretches at a time playing at Memphis; moving him off the line of scrimmage is easier than expected... Doesn't always maintain gap responsibilities, blockers can easily seal him out of the play... Lacks ideal awareness of the ball carrier, he often ends up out of position to prevent backs from crossing the line of scrimmage... Staying low is difficult, comes out of his stance too high and can be driven off the ball

Read more: http://sidelinescouting.com/rankings...#ixzz1m6m2NNBc

scoutsnotebook.com
The downside is that he’s a big guy who doesn’t always play like it. He’s single-blocked way too often for a guy with his size/power. Poe should be tossing blockers around like rag dolls. He’s more interested in using his quickness and agility to beat blockers. Poe needs a tough DL coach to ride him until he starts playing up to his size. Poe played both NT and under tackle at Memphis. He has a good motor. He’ll chase plays. He runs well for a guy his size. I wonder if a 3-4 team will try him at DE. Poe might be more natural at that spot.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

IMO Poe isn't suited to be a NT in a 34. He's not an anchor in the middle.

Okay, but in, like, EVERY professional scout's eyes, he is. So...

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Okay, but in, like, EVERY professional scout's eyes, he is. So...

Except almost every scouting report says something to the effect of:

Negatives -- Pass rush ability is subpar despite impressive get-off, struggles to disengage once blocked, limited potential in this area, only flashes a rip move and nothing else... Lacks the anchor and balance of an elite 3-4 nose tackle prospect and disappeared for stretches at a time playing at Memphis; moving him off the line of scrimmage is easier than expected... Doesn't always maintain gap responsibilities, blockers can easily seal him out of the play... Lacks ideal awareness of the ball carrier, he often ends up out of position to prevent backs from crossing the line of scrimmage... Staying low is difficult, comes out of his stance too high and can be driven off the ball; his height serves as a disadvantage, shorter centers have the natural leverage advantage and can get their hands into his chest, doesn't disengage well versus double teams... Gives up a ton of leverage at 6'5", ideal 3-4 nose tackle height is around 6'1" or 6'2" such as Casey Hampton, Vince Wilfork, Aubrayo Franklin or B.J. Raji... His ability to line up at nose tackle in a three-man front is questioned due to his lack of leverage and balance, has the size of a 3-4 nose but not the skill set, would be a more natural fit in a 4-3 or as a 3-4 DE (5-technique), doesn't project to 3-4 nose as well as his weight would suggest

Read more: http://sidelinescouting.com/rankings...#ixzz1nhUbOey5

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Except almost every scouting report says something to the effect of:

Negatives -- Pass rush ability is subpar despite impressive get-off, struggles to disengage once blocked, limited potential in this area, only flashes a rip move and nothing else... Lacks the anchor and balance of an elite 3-4 nose tackle prospect and disappeared for stretches at a time playing at Memphis; moving him off the line of scrimmage is easier than expected... Doesn't always maintain gap responsibilities, blockers can easily seal him out of the play... Lacks ideal awareness of the ball carrier, he often ends up out of position to prevent backs from crossing the line of scrimmage... Staying low is difficult, comes out of his stance too high and can be driven off the ball; his height serves as a disadvantage, shorter centers have the natural leverage advantage and can get their hands into his chest, doesn't disengage well versus double teams... Gives up a ton of leverage at 6'5", ideal 3-4 nose tackle height is around 6'1" or 6'2" such as Casey Hampton, Vince Wilfork, Aubrayo Franklin or B.J. Raji... His ability to line up at nose tackle in a three-man front is questioned due to his lack of leverage and balance, has the size of a 3-4 nose but not the skill set, would be a more natural fit in a 4-3 or as a 3-4 DE (5-technique), doesn't project to 3-4 nose as well as his weight would suggest

Read more: http://sidelinescouting.com/rankings...#ixzz1nhUbOey5

Just to be clear - Poe is 6'3", not the 6'5 he was reported as pre-combine.

Phil Taylor is 6'3". Terrence Cody is 6'4". Poe is an inch taller than wilfork and Raji.

I have no idea if he would work as a nose tackle or not. However, I am saying that one inch of height will not be the difference between the hall of fame and a bust.

Just as I had complete faith in Herm Edwards being able to draft and develop cornerbacks, I have complete faith in Romeo Crennel with defensive linemen. I'd rather have a physically gifted, raw player that doesn't have a ton of bad habits to unlearn.


Todd McShay is comparing him to Ngata:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...combinebuzz227

I'm not crazy on the Poe train - I'd rather have Soliai and DeCastro. But if we draft Poe, I won't be crying about another top pick going to the DL.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

I'm not crazy on the Poe train - I'd rather have Soliai and DeCastro. But if we draft Poe, I won't be crying about another top pick going to the DL.

Is this the Poe train?



Or maybe more like this?

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

IMO Poe isn't suited to be a NT in a 34. He's not an anchor in the middle.

Nice call.

[DJ's left nut]

**** you, Direckshun.

FANGUPO!

[O.city]

I know he will cost some money, but does Soliai really fit our system?

I remember that being a reason last year why we didn't target Franklin.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

I know he will cost some money, but does Soliai really fit our system?

I remember that being a reason last year why we didn't target Franklin.

Soliai is a 2-gapper; he fits our system better than Franklin.

Then again, I was never convinced that Franklin wouldn't be decent 2-gapper. Unfortunately he cost money and effort, something that we were evidently unwilling to put out there last off-season.

[O.city]

Then we should probably look past Soliai?


Isn't he alot younger than Franklin was?

[O.city]

I think he's a little too tall.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

I think he's a little too tall.

Yup.

Looks like he'd make a great 5-tech or maybe even a nice disruptive under-tackle, but as a 2-gap, people will be able to get under his pads a little easier. He'll have a pretty tough time keeping leverage as a 2-gap, IMO.

[philfree]

I have talked to an NFL scout who sees Poe a lot more like a Haloti Ngata (don't freak out, I meant style, not skill) in that he would actually act more like a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

So he can play NT and DE for us. That could prove to be an awsome thing.

[O.city]

Thats really not a half bad idea phil. If he can play both spots some that is.