Speaks is a tweener DL, who was
horribly miscast at an OLB in Sutton’s D. When give the chance to play with a hand on the ground and play like a traditional DL, he showed some flashes as a rookie.

No, he doesn’t have a specific calling card - he does a little bit of everything. That type of player can be really successful in this system as a strong side DE/rush DT.

I agree with this. However, I was overly disappointed in how ungodly out of shape he was coming into camp last year. A second year guy coming in that out of shape after seeing your team sign three veterans at your position? That doesn’t bode well.

Hoping he wakes up.

well, kinda, yeah, but you have to consider:

He was drafted into the 3-4 and told to drop weight to play OLB. Then they shitcan Sutton and tell him to put the weight back on to play DL. So he kind of overdid it.

I mean, you know. It's not GREAT but it's not as bad as some people are making it out.

And with the early season injury, we don't really know what we've got there.

I didn’t feel like he dropped any weight his rookie year to play OLB. Matter of fact I thought he looked heavier his rookie year than he did as a senior in college.

Either way you spin it, this picture is not good.

https://twitter.com/arrowheadlive/st...738235393?s=21

What we do know is they had him higher on the depth chart than KPass before the injury, but everybody hates Speaks, so let’s just stick to the narrative that KPass is different and we can’t expect a huge jump from Speaks in year 3 in a scheme where he’s a much better fit.

Re: speaks. He is going to get a shot, it'll ostensibly be his second year, when/if training camp takes place. We've lost EO and others, so there is a need. Either he performs or he doesn't. I don't understand all the handwringing because he was 2nd rnd pick... The league is a meritocracy, generally...

On another note, isn't he suspended the first 4 games?

No. He served them while injured. It basically amounted to a fine. Although there was no info given on what he tested positive for.

I thought Kpass had a real shot to show something last season, and he did.

I think Speaks has a real shot to show something this season.

Ehhh 6"3 300lb men don't have 6 packs. Ill reserve judgment for awhile.

Dude...the guy came in completely out of shape, and unmotivated. I’m with you though. Hopefully he can figure it out. This will be a critical year for Speaks.

Speculation

Vet minimum against the cap? You're concerned about saving Vet minimum against the salary cap?

I don't think you understand the NFL Salary Cap.

So you're an expert on his motivation?

Please share with us how that works.

Thanks.

Remember when KU football wanted all of their offensive and defensive lineman to cut weight and look lean? That worked out so, so well.

Reality.

Rather save a vet minimum contract for another position.

Not showing up to camp fat. Not hard.

Thanks.