The future is hard to believe.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I'm not automatically opposed to that but they have to fix the DL and that's going to require heavy early round investments the next couple of years.

Our four rotational DEs have less than 10 sacks on the year so far. (Dunlap 4, Clark 3, Danna 2, Karlaftis 0.5.) Jones/Saunders have racked up 11.5 combined and Spags' blitzes have added an additional 10.

I think we all believe Karlaftis will develop into a solid sack guy, but they need to make multiple investments at DE and probably another one or two at DT.

In the 4th quarter (maybe even that final drive) Karlaftis absolutely roasted the RT to 'half a man' and had him beat...and then looked like a semi-truck trying to turn the corner.

I just don't think his game will ever be 'plus sack guy'. He impacted that play by moving Herbert off his spot; probably got credited with a hurry. But that's exactly the kind of nominal pressure that can inflate pressure numbers in a way that doesn't necessarily lead to sacks at any point.

He just could not get himself turned at all.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

In the 4th quarter (maybe even that final drive) Karlaftis absolutely roasted the RT to 'half a man' and had him beat...and then looked like a semi-truck trying to turn the corner.

I just don't think his game will ever be 'plus sack guy'. He impacted that play by moving Herbert off his spot; probably got credited with a hurry. But that's exactly the kind of nominal pressure that can inflate pressure numbers in a way that doesn't necessarily lead to sacks at any point.

He just could not get himself turned at all.

That is something you can coach up. There is technique to that, and after a year, maybe two, you'll see him rack up around 6-8 sacks on the regular.

I do agree with your assessment, and I don't blame Veach for drafting him -- we had nothing in the DE room and he's a high energy guy who can give you 60 quality snaps a game for 17 games -- but we are in need of some dynamism off the edge. Of our passrushers, Frank Clark in "good" mode and maybe only Danna threatens a tackle's outside shoulder with any regularity.

That has to change.