Fanfreakintastic! Washington!

[Krangodnzr]

I thought his size was a problem when he came out. It turns out that not only did the coaching staff agree, but Daryl thought he needed to put on weight, too. So much for all those people who thought that Daryl Washington could succeed at 224, huh?

Great work by Daryl Washington and the training staff at getting the weight on. It's more difficult for some guys than you might think.

So much for you saying he would never be any good and the rest of us stating he would put on weight once he was in the league for awhile.

 

[Darkside]

Daryl sheds blocks pretty damn well. He takes incredible angles and tackles with force. His speed is uncanny. Were very lucky to have him for sure.

Totally agree that we're lucky, but my concern--and only concern--about him has been his weight. He's quick through gaps and showed a ton of that last year, but the added weight will certainly help him shed blocks, especially if he feels he's just as quick.

And I agree that he sheds blocks pretty well, given his size, but there were still times where I saw him stood up and stymied on blocks. He's not Darnell-Dockett-good at shedding blocks while undersized.

This isn't a knock on him, mind you. I was totally impressed last year and I'll be way pumped if he improves this year and can still use his speed and explosiveness while still moving guys around. Even if he can't totally shed a dude, even if he just positions the guy where he wants him and moves him around, that will be a huge improvement over last year.

 

[Duckjake]

So much for you saying he would never be any good and the rest of us stating he would put on weight once he was in the league for awhile.

Yeah, it's not like there was any precedent to feel the way K9 did. I'm sure you remember Levar Fisher. Oddly enough the first time I saw Fisher's picture I wrote "he looks like a Safety"

Then of course there was Small Play Raynoch Thompson who spent most games getting rolled down field like driftwood in a flood because he was too small and never got big enough.

Meanwhile its great that DWash is getting larger. Something I've wanted in our Linebackers for years.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Yeah, it's not like there was any precedent to feel the way K9 did. I'm sure you remember Levar Fisher. Oddly enough the first time I saw Fisher's picture I wrote "he looks like a Safety"

Then of course there was Small Play Raynoch Thompson who spent most games getting rolled down field like driftwood in a flood because he was too small and never got big enough.

Meanwhile its great that DWash is getting larger. Something I've wanted in our Linebackers for years.

I really liked Fisher at NC STate, but knee injuries were the real reason for his demise. No LB made many plays in the Tobin/Mac defense.

Its easy to take the approach "the guy didn't start until his Senior year and is too small". Often you will be right, but to doggedly stick to the opinion until thoroughly proven wrong and then beat your chest that you were right later...

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I thought his size was a problem when he came out. It turns out that not only did the coaching staff agree, but Daryl thought he needed to put on weight, too. So much for all those people who thought that Daryl Washington could succeed at 224, huh?

Great work by Daryl Washington and the training staff at getting the weight on. It's more difficult for some guys than you might think.

You're the one who doubted he'd put on weight without, at least, losing speed. Most believed he'd put on weight over time naturally and pumping iron. And please name the poster(s) who thouight he could succeed at 224?

 

[Monty]

You're the one who doubted he'd put on weight without, at least, losing speed. Most believed he'd put on weight over time naturally and pumping iron. And please name the poster(s) who thouight he could succeed at 224?

Exactly. I dont remember anyone arguing he could succeed at 224. The majority who suggested he could be a good linebacker (myself included) pointed out that he needed to add bulk for him to reach his potential.

 

[Darkside]

That's what I remember too, maybe I'm wrong. I think most people were surprised at his ability to make plays at his former weight. It was a pleasant surprise, and one most of us were pretty excited about, calling him a badass and such, but a surprise nonetheless. The extra weight only helps him push guys around when he does get stood up. If his speed isn't compromised (which is hard to believe) then that's an added bonus. He'll be more effective at a heavier weight, for sure.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

That's what I remember too, maybe I'm wrong. I think most people were surprised at his ability to make plays at his former weight. It was a pleasant surprise, and one most of us were pretty excited about, calling him a badass and such, but a surprise nonetheless. The extra weight only helps him push guys around when he does get stood up. If his speed isn't compromised (which is hard to believe) then that's an added bonus. He'll be more effective at a heavier weight, for sure.

He came in at 228 and expects to play at 238. 10lbs of muscle won't hurt his natural and aad acquired speed IMO.

 

[Darkside]

He came in at 228 and expects to play at 238. 10lbs of muscle won't hurt his natural and aad acquired speed IMO.

Hope you're right, but 10lbs of muscle is a lot even for an average human like you or I. I can tell when I've put on 10 lbs (granted, it's mostly fat). Fitz says he can tell he's put on 5 measly pounds. Whether or not that effects his burst and his speed and quickness I can't say, I just know 10 lbs is more than people make it out to be. For a superb athlete, it's a lot of weight. You put 10 lbs on Michael Phelps and he's not winning Gold.

(Edit: Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good thing, at his position, I just question whether he has the speed and explosiveness through 4 quarters like he used to. Still think it's a good thing though.)

 

[kerouac9]

You're the one who doubted he'd put on weight without, at least, losing speed. Most believed he'd put on weight over time naturally and pumping iron. And please name the poster(s) who thouight he could succeed at 224?

Do your own homework, CC. It took me two minutes to find posts from Cbus and DoTheDew commenting that there are tons of undersized linebackers and we shouldn't be concerned with Daryl Washington's weight.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Hope you're right, but 10lbs of muscle is a lot even for an average human like you or I. I can tell when I've put on 10 lbs (granted, it's mostly fat). Fitz says he can tell he's put on 5 measly pounds. Whether or not that effects his burst and his speed and quickness I can't say, I just know 10 lbs is more than people make it out to be. For a superb athlete, it's a lot of weight. You put 10 lbs on Michael Phelps and he's not winning Gold.

I made a living playing hockey. Went from 185 to 195 over time; no loss of speed or quickness and added strength for corner work.

 

[Darkside]

I made a living playing hockey. Went from 185 to 195 over time; no loss of speed or quickness and added strength for corner work.

Nice!

 

[Krangodnzr]

If the kid played for Dallas or the Giants, he would have been a Pro Bowler last year. I was happy with the pick, but I'm thrilled with the results so far. Great character, and when you read how hard he works it reminds me of Von Miller. Miller's workout regimen at A&M was legendary stuff.

I think he's the third best ILB in the NFC, behind Wilis and Bowman. IF he becomes a better run defender, he could at least over takw Bowman since he's a significantly better playmaker.

 

[kerouac9]

I think he's the third best ILB in the NFC, behind Wilis and Bowman. IF he becomes a better run defender, he could at least over takw Bowman since he's a significantly better playmaker.

Better than Urlacher? Better than James Laurinitis? Better than Desmond Bishop?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Do your own homework, CC. It took me two minutes to find posts from Cbus and DoTheDew commenting that there are tons of undersized linebackers and we shouldn't be concerned with Daryl Washington's weight.

Waiting on their or anyone else's 224 reference.

(Take all the time you need)

 

[Krangodnzr]

Better than Urlacher?

Yes Washington is a significantly a better blitzer than Urlacher (Washington 19 hurries vs. 5 for Urlacher). Urlacher is better against the run, but not by much and they're probably equal against the pass.

I know Urlacher plays Cover Two, but that's not Washington's problem; he makes more plays than Urlacher.

Better than James Laurinitis?

Heck yeah, by a large margin. Laurinitis is a tackle machine, but obviously 4-3 LBs have inflated tackle numbers. Washington is a playmaker, Laurinitis is not. Washington is better in coverage AND better as a pass rusher.

Better than Desmond Bishop?

Bishop is a poor man's Daryl Washington. Washington is a better pass rusher (more sacks, more hits, more hurries) and is better against the pass. They are about equal against the run.

For Washington to take the next step in his game, he needs to improve against the run. He was fourth among all ILBs in missed tackles (12).

What's interesting is to compare Dansby's numbers to Washington. I know you may not want to hear this, but Washington had a better season. Dansby was MUCH better as a pass defender though (he allowed an 80 QB rating which is pretty good for a ILB). It's crazy that Paris Lenon was one of the better pass defending ILBs (76 QB Rating) but was terrible against the run and offered next to nothing as a pass rusher.

 

[Duckjake]

I really liked Fisher at NC STate, but knee injuries were the real reason for his demise. No LB made many plays in the Tobin/Mac defense.

Its easy to take the approach "the guy didn't start until his Senior year and is too small". Often you will be right, but to doggedly stick to the opinion until thoroughly proven wrong and then beat your chest that you were right later...

Sorry in most cases when I look at a guy and he looks too small to play at the level he has moved to he can't. I've been doing this for 40 years and have a fairly good idea of what size a guy needs to be to play a certain position in the NFL and college for that matter. And you know I don't pull any punches. Like you when I get an opinion on a player I'm right and everyone else is wrong.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Sorry in most cases when I look at a guy and he looks too small to play at the level he has moved to he can't. I've been doing this for 40 years and have a fairly good idea of what size a guy needs to be to play a certain position in the NFL and college for that matter. And you know I don't pull any punches. Like you when I get an opinion on a player I'm right and everyone else is wrong.

LOL I was referring to Kerouac, not you.

Even into the season last year, he claimed that Washington wasn't very good, when all the facts in the world stated otherwise.

I'll be the first one to admit that I've missed on quite a few players, but Washington is one that I've liked that's panned out.

I'm still convinced that, used correctly and without the knee injuries, Levar Fisher would've been a stud. If he played in the Mike Zimmer Cowboys system, where guys like Randall Godfrey excelled, he would've been awesome. But the Cardinals team he was drafted by NEVER got big plays from it's LBs.

 

[Duckjake]

But the Cardinals team he was drafted by NEVER got big plays from it's LBs.

Sadly something I cannot argue with. The Cardinals have long had problems drafting and then properly utilizing linebackers.

One of the things I'm most encouraged about with our current team. After 4 years of apparent cluelessness regarding the defense the Cards actually seem to have a group of coaches on that side of the ball who not only can recognize talent but also how to utilize it to maximum efficiency. We had several breakdowns last season but we had a new DC and a bunch of young players.

As I wrote last August, the sky's the limit for our D.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Even if the results aren't much better, I will always maintain that the current players and coaching staff are significantly better than the old, Pre-Dennis Green days.

As bad as our O Line is, we don't have a single lineman as bad as Fred Wakefield.

As bad as our QBs are, they're both better than Kent Graham/Dave Brown/Stoney Case/Chris Griesen etc.

You think AJ Jefferson is bad? Remember Tito Paul? Ty Howard? Robert Tate?

I'm convinced that this team will get it right again soon.

 

[kerouac9]

Even if the results aren't much better, I will always maintain that the current players and coaching staff are significantly better than the old, Pre-Dennis Green days.

As bad as our O Line is, we don't have a single lineman as bad as Fred Wakefield.

As bad as our QBs are, they're both better than Kent Graham/Dave Brown/Stoney Case/Chris Griesen etc.

You think AJ Jefferson is bad? Remember Tito Paul? Ty Howard? Robert Tate?

I'm convinced that this team will get it right again soon.

I don't know. It's a long time ago, but I don't think that Fred Wakefield was ever PWN3D as completely as Brandon Keith was by Mario Williams in his first snap as a starter. It was completely embarrassing.

The talent on the offensive line for Mac's first few years--and Denny's--was fine. Maybe better than The problem was how we used it. Why would you run a West Coast Offense when you have a bunch of run-blocking behemoths.

 

[Duckjake]

I don't know. It's a long time ago, but I don't think that Fred Wakefield was ever PWN3D as completely as Brandon Keith was by Mario Williams in his first snap as a starter. It was completely embarrassing.

The talent on the offensive line for Mac's first few years--and Denny's--was fine. Maybe better than The problem was how we used it. Why would you run a West Coast Offense when you have a bunch of run-blocking behemoths.

Fred did get owned. And I'll have to agree with Krang that what we have now is better than guys like Matt Joyce and James Dexter and Anthony Redmon and Lester "Duck Jake!" Holmes.

But we also had a line with 3 former first round selections and a 2nd in 2001. Our offense finished 20th in scoring. It was the only time in the 5 seasons following our playoff trip in 1998 that the offense didn't rank in the bottom 6 in points scored.