Dontari Poe... a bright spot in this terrible season?

[Buckweath]

I thought he played good against the Raiders and decent overall the last few games. Sure, I would like him to give better push in the passing game but he's held his ground in the running game. Poe is on pace to record the exact same stats as Ngata in his rookie season.

Anyone has his PFF rating for the last game and overall this season?

And anyone thinks he's doing better than Dorsey and Jackson in their rookie season, not that it's hard to beat but well, he was supposed to be much more of a project than those two??

[keg in kc]

That play Sunday where Berry blew up the running back by going through the tackle was a beautiful thing.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Buckweath

The main reason that was stated for poe's lack of production in college was the fact he was moved all over. IMO he needs to become much more comfortable with the NT position and Dline technique before we can move him.

Actually most of Poe's problems are with technique. Very poorly coached. He plays with his pads high so he has to beat an entire body with just his upper body. And he doesn't have good hand technique, which is something that can be taught by our Kung fu panda specialist (he's better than the Kung Pao Panda).

He's going to take time. No reason for people to rush judgment on him. I don't know what he'll become, but his upside is tremendous.

[Easy 6]

I'm with pete & Tattoo about Powe, the few times he's gotten in there he looks workable, it doesnt seem to make sense playing him as little as they do.

The only thing that makes sense is that they've decided to push Poe's development at all costs, in hopes of making sure that their #1 pans out as quickly as possible and proves them right in picking him.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

No, terrible idea on Powe. WE're going to give up on Poe because he hasn't been a superstar in 7 games? Given that we knew with his inexperience, he'd be at least a 1-2 year experiment just to get him up to speed?

We're losing. There is ZERO value in maximizing snaps for Powe. Powe is obsolete. Teams prefer not to use 2-down 3-4 NTs. When you have guys like that, offenses will run no huddle spread and your 3-4 NT is completely out of position. The value in Poe is that when he matures, you hope he can play NT well, but have the versatility to stay on the field and play more of a 5-technique if the play dictates.

Which is why Poe was a great pick. I'm not a fan of Baldwin and never was. Still love the Berry pick, even if he's underperformed. I'm not convinced Berry couldn't improve with better coaching -- he's playing reckless.

Point taken with Powe, but I'm speaking in specific terms of the Crennel run defense. And you aren't going to see a full no huddle all game, especially if your defense is holding them to three and longs a lot, which is the basic tennent of the 34 defense.

And I'm not so enthusiastic about the Poe pick. We'll see. He does look more comfortable/better out there than at the start of the season. Let's see if that continues. However, he is still raw and hasn't shown the capability of getting under guys pads on a regular basis. It's a process though...

which leads to Berry. He's played reckless for two seasons now. His first year he was effectively a third linebacker for the team as his pass defense skills were non-existent. And they haven't really shown up this year either. I'd argue that he's playing sloppy versus reckless. I'm wondering how much his college production was simply based on his prodigious athletic talent versus actual football accumen.

[KCFaninSEA]

Since the season is over they might has well put the kid in and get him some reps and see what is there. Nothing to lose at this point

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Point taken with Powe, but I'm speaking in specific terms of the Crennel run defense. And you aren't going to see a full no huddle all game, especially if your defense is holding them to three and longs a lot, which is the basic tennent of the 34 defense.

And I'm not so enthusiastic about the Poe pick. We'll see. He does look more comfortable/better out there than at the start of the season. Let's see if that continues. However, he is still raw and hasn't shown the capability of getting under guys pads on a regular basis. It's a process though...

which leads to Berry. He's played reckless for two seasons now. His first year he was effectively a third linebacker for the team as his pass defense skills were non-existent. And they haven't really shown up this year either. I'd argue that he's playing sloppy versus reckless. I'm wondering how much his college production was simply based on his prodigious athletic talent versus actual football accumen.

I agree on Poe, but the thing that encourages me is technique. But even without technique, nose tackle takes a TON of mental training. It's the most underrated quality of a nose tackle, just as it is with a 5-technique. You have a very short period of time to know exactly where to move. I think some people think it's just about eating space. It's not. But the athleticism... that's just something you can't coach. I'd rather take a chance on that kind of talent than play it safe on a 2-down NT like Cody. Cody's position is starting to become obsolete.

Will agree that in Romeo's scheme, the need for this kind of versatile NT is lessened.

On Berry... toward the end of 2010, he was making strides. He had a standout game against Baltimore in the playoffs. Like DJ, he's playing out of control. He's freelancing because nobody on the coaching staff is holding him accountable for it. I'm bummed he's not the immediate impact guy we thought he'd be. But I think you get him with a better coach and he'll be coached up. Frankly, he's one of the few Haley may have babied along because he has such a great attitude that you may miss that he's not playing with the control that he should.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by KCFaninSEA

Since the season is over they might has well put the kid in and get him some reps and see what is there. Nothing to lose at this point

On the positive side it would paint a clear picture of yet another wasted Pioli pick...