Remind me, what do you hate about him again?
I don't think Ealy is a guy you want as your most explosive pass-rusher, seems like he'd play a similar role to Crawford, strongside DE in base, interior rusher in nickel/dime.
Then take him in the third round like Tyrone Crawford.
There are actually dumbasses who are buying the Aldon Smith "comparisons" and think he is worth a top 10-15 choice. No effing way.
You know damn good and well he's a better prospect than Crawford, he isn't Aldon Smith and he isn't worth a top 10-15 pick but he is definitely a first rounder.
He's a JAG. Not especially explosive off the ball, gets cut pretty easy, looks like he benefitted from a good cast, takes plays off and oh yeah, stupid name.
I don't think Ealy is a guy you want as your most explosive pass-rusher, seems like he'd play a similar role to Crawford, strongside DE in base, interior rusher in nickel/dime.
We need a pass rusher, period.
Well, we need both. We need the Ware-like pass rusher, and the other strong side end as well. We currently have neither.
If a guy isn't a plus pass rusher at DE he's a two down player who needs to be supplemented with a specialist. That's not the kind of guy you spend premium assets on. Red Bryant was a 4th Round Pick, Chris Canty was a 4th round pick, Corey Wootton was a 4th round pick, Brian Robison was a 4th round pick. You want an average starter at DE, you can get that in the middle rounds.
No, I don't agree. There is a middle ground, the Anthony Spencer type who is clearly not a premium pass rusher minus that one season, but didn't come off the field on third downs either. Spencer is a strong side end who is good against the run and gives enough against the pass rush that he really should have been like a career 8 sack guy. Instead, he had his ups and downs, but that's the kind of player he was.
Take a look at the LDEs in this defensive scheme over the years and let me know why you think it would be a priority.
I'm not sure I called it a "priority" but as Phil just said, yeah, look at a guy like Tony Tolbert. That's worth a mid-late first.
I'm not saying Ealy is my #1 choice, but there are things I'd hate a hell of a lot more. Including another worthless CB.
If you can get the Charles Haley, or a stud OL, instead, fine, do that.
But if we can't, I'm happy with Tolbert.
So you're looking for a LE that can get you 6-7 sacks a year and be stout against the run with like 45 tackles or so...
If only we had a guy on the roster who could do that.
Yes, but that takes focus and a lot of discipline. We are not the only team looking to rebuild a DL and add pass rushers.
I'm not sure I called it a "priority" but as Phil just said, yeah, look at a guy like Tony Tolbert. That's worth a mid-late first.
I'm not saying Ealy is my #1 choice, but there are things I'd hate a hell of a lot more. Including another worthless CB.
If you can get the Charles Haley, or a stud OL, instead, fine, do that.
But if we can't, I'm happy with Tolbert.
No, I don't agree. There is a middle ground, the Anthony Spencer type who is clearly not a premium pass rusher minus that one season, but didn't come off the field on third downs either. Spencer is a strong side end who is good against the run and gives enough against the pass rush that he really should have been like a career 8 sack guy. Instead, he had his ups and downs, but that's the kind of player he was.
I'm not sure I called it a "priority" but as Phil just said, yeah, look at a guy like Tony Tolbert. That's worth a mid-late first.
I'm not saying Ealy is my #1 choice, but there are things I'd hate a hell of a lot more. Including another worthless CB.
And just because Spencer didn't come off the field, doesn't mean he shouldn't have. He was NOT a career 8 sack guy. He was a career 5-6 sack guy and he was a waste of space as a pass rusher until 2012.
Tony Tolbert