Kinda OT but curious what people think about Anthony Barr at UCLA?

[Russ Smith]

Pretty amazing story recruited as a RB, they converted him to FB, and then this year Mora convinced him to move to defense(at the urging of his coaches).

Barr is the starting OLB and had 7.5 sacks in his first 6 college games on defense. The last game against Utah he had no sacks but if you saw any of the game Utah doubled him on most plays and he still got in teh backfield.

He's listed at 235, not sure his actual weight he's one of those guys who looks "slim" but is heavier than you think.

He's probably UCLA's MVP on defense and there are people around the program comparing him to Von Miller.

Probably too small for a 3/4 guy and it's not really a need just curious what others think. He's a junior so he's actually draft eligible although I can't imagine him coming out this year after one year on D.

 

[Chopper0080]

I will look into this player. Consider, he may be small for OLB in the 3-4, but if he can get to the QB, teams will make exceptions. Possibly could move inside in a 3-4 as well ala Daryl Washington. Anymore, I am of the mind to get as many top athletes on the field and allow them to make plays. 10lbs is just not that much of a big deal to me anymore.

 

[Russ Smith]

I will look into this player. Consider, he may be small for OLB in the 3-4, but if he can get to the QB, teams will make exceptions. Possibly could move inside in a 3-4 as well ala Daryl Washington. Anymore, I am of the mind to get as many top athletes on the field and allow them to make plays. 10lbs is just not that much of a big deal to me anymore.

If you want to look at Pac 12 players another kid is Star Lotulelei(sp?) at Utah. terrible team, kid is a stud though. Scouts compare him to Ngata although some says Suh. Big guy surprisingly athletic. Doesn't get the gaudy stats Suh does but in a different system his role at Utah is like Dockett here take on 2 blockers hold them up to free up his teammates.

Not sure with Dockett and Dumpster Dan we would have interest but I watched this kid against UCLA and he was impressive. Couple of times he was double teamed and blocked with the FB he's that disruptive.

Amazing story too he failed to qualify and was working at a furniture store when he decided to go to JC

 

[Chopper0080]

If you want to look at Pac 12 players another kid is Star Lotulelei(sp?) at Utah. terrible team, kid is a stud though. Scouts compare him to Ngata although some says Suh. Big guy surprisingly athletic. Doesn't get the gaudy stats Suh does but in a different system his role at Utah is like Dockett here take on 2 blockers hold them up to free up his teammates.

Not sure with Dockett and Dumpster Dan we would have interest but I watched this kid against UCLA and he was impressive. Couple of times he was double teamed and blocked with the FB he's that disruptive.

Amazing story too he failed to qualify and was working at a furniture store when he decided to go to JC

I am all over Star, he is awesome. I DVR Utah games just to watch his defensive snaps. For the record, if we tanked the season and had a shot to draft him in round 1, I would and then trade up from round two to get a QB. He is a special talent, and top DT IMO.

Difference makers in this draft on defense are Jarvis Jones, Star Lotulelei, Sam Montgomery, Manti Te'o, Eric Reid, TJ McDonald and Kenny Vaccaro. Each of these guys makes your team better from day one IMO.

 

[Russ Smith]

I am all over Star, he is awesome. I DVR Utah games just to watch his defensive snaps. For the record, if we tanked the season and had a shot to draft him in round 1, I would and then trade up from round two to get a QB. He is a special talent, and top DT IMO.

Difference makers in this draft on defense are Jarvis Jones, Star Lotulelei, Sam Montgomery, Manti Te'o, Eric Reid, TJ McDonald and Kenny Vaccaro. Each of these guys makes your team better from day one IMO.

I like Te'o a lot too saw quite a bit of the Stanford game he was huge.

If I could have any one player in the country it would probably be Clowney from S Carolina but he's only a soph.

I like Scho and Acho but Clowney is an insane edge rusher and athletic enough to play OLB in a 3-4.

 

[Chopper0080]

Bump.

Kid is a stud. Have watched him the last two weeks and he is unblockable. Really good quickness off the edge and has pretty good instincts for a guy who was moved from RB. He is a junior and it is a pretty strong OLB/DE class so I don't think he will come out, but man you were right. This kid is legit.

 

[52brandon]

Pretty amazing story recruited as a RB, they converted him to FB, and then this year Mora convinced him to move to defense(at the urging of his coaches).

Barr is the starting OLB and had 7.5 sacks in his first 6 college games on defense. The last game against Utah he had no sacks but if you saw any of the game Utah doubled him on most plays and he still got in teh backfield.

He's listed at 235, not sure his actual weight he's one of those guys who looks "slim" but is heavier than you think.

He's probably UCLA's MVP on defense and there are people around the program comparing him to Von Miller.

Probably too small for a 3/4 guy and it's not really a need just curious what others think. He's a junior so he's actually draft eligible although I can't imagine him coming out this year after one year on D.

the kid is a beast. The highlight reel of his first game on D said he was a TE though, just FYI

If you want to look at Pac 12 players another kid is Star Lotulelei(sp?) at Utah. terrible team, kid is a stud though. Scouts compare him to Ngata although some says Suh. Big guy surprisingly athletic. Doesn't get the gaudy stats Suh does but in a different system his role at Utah is like Dockett here take on 2 blockers hold them up to free up his teammates.

Not sure with Dockett and Dumpster Dan we would have interest but I watched this kid against UCLA and he was impressive. Couple of times he was double teamed and blocked with the FB he's that disruptive.

Amazing story too he failed to qualify and was working at a furniture store when he decided to go to JC

I don't see why we wouldn't have interest. DD and CC have both been hurt already this year. Adding another badass into the rotation with them should keep em fresher, healthier, etc.

 

[Russ Smith]

Bump.

Kid is a stud. Have watched him the last two weeks and he is unblockable. Really good quickness off the edge and has pretty good instincts for a guy who was moved from RB. He is a junior and it is a pretty strong OLB/DE class so I don't think he will come out, but man you were right. This kid is legit.

I've completely changed my take on him since then from might be too small to this kid is going to be an NFL player for a LONG time.

They've started to drop him into coverage and he looks natural. THe first pick by Barkley it was Barr who was covering the guy Barkley threw to he did a good enough job Barkley threw poorly and the DB behind picked it off.

He's also shown some variety he's not just running around the DE now to get sacks he's started doing delays and stunts coming up the middle. He had 2 hits and one should be sack on Barkley doing that and the big knockout hit was an inside move where he came unblocked because he disguised it well enough.

He plays too upright against the run he'll have to work on that but he is an absolute beast of a hitter.

I don't think he's coming out but if he does he could be one of those kids who goes from projected 2nd rounder to top 10 pick.

 

[Russ Smith]

the kid is a beast. The highlight reel of his first game on D said he was a TE though, just FYI

I don't see why we wouldn't have interest. DD and CC have both been hurt already this year. Adding another badass into the rotation with them should keep em fresher, healthier, etc.

UCLA was using him as a FB/HB, he did play some TE but he was recruited as a RB and then moved around.

It turns out to be fair to Neuheisel he wanted to move Barr to defense too but Barr didn't want to. After not playing much as a soph he was finally willing to change.

He's absolutely relentless he's the got the LeBron chasedown thing where he catches QB's or RB's from behind who just don't think he can get there.

 

[football karma]

maybe this is now a PAC-12 draft thread?


if so:

watching that Stanford - Oregon game: Stanford has a bunch of NFL players on its team

I am not sure any of them are 1st rounders, but they have a bunch of 3rd, 4th and later draft picks playing -- all of whom look to be the kinds of players that coaches love to have on the roster.

Russ -- am I wrong in thinking all four of Stanfords linebackers make a NFL roster? I guess its sterotypical to see a white LB and assume "not fast" -- but each of those guys can run, and they are so fundamentally sound in making tackles. Impressive.

Again -- I am pimping Trent Murphy. 6-6, 260. Stanford has him regularly dropping into pass coverage. I think this is a guy you can take in round 3, 4, 5 and you get a very versatile strongside outside LB that can set an edge, drop into coverage and rush the passer.

 

[Russ Smith]

maybe this is now a PAC-12 draft thread?


if so:

watching that Stanford - Oregon game: Stanford has a bunch of NFL players on its team

I am not sure any of them are 1st rounders, but they have a bunch of 3rd, 4th and later draft picks playing -- all of whom look to be the kinds of players that coaches love to have on the roster.

Russ -- am I wrong in thinking all four of Stanfords linebackers make a NFL roster? I guess its sterotypical to see a white LB and assume "not fast" -- but each of those guys can run, and they are so fundamentally sound in making tackles. Impressive.

Again -- I am pimping Trent Murphy. 6-6, 260. Stanford has him regularly dropping into pass coverage. I think this is a guy you can take in round 3, 4, 5 and you get a very versatile strongside outside LB that can set an edge, drop into coverage and rush the passer.

Yeah their LB's are all good. Skov was the one that had the best upside but I don't think he's as fast now after the knee injury although maybe it's a 2nd year back thing.

UCLA also has Datone Jones who is a Dockett like player but smaller, he's like 275-280 but a very disruptive kid who's so good at getting a shoulder by on D and then getting into the gaps.

I also really like McNeal the RB from USC as a late pick who might contribute at some point. He got overlooked this year with Redd there but he's one of those kids who runs really low to the ground so he plays bigger than he is.

I've said before I really like Stepfan Taylor from Stanford and I'd add Spencer Ware from LSU, the type of RB we need is a kid who pushes the pile runs tough inside and gets positive yardage. Neither guy is going to make a lot of people miss though.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I don't know how tall Barr is but his build kind of reminds me of Jason Taylor.

 

[juza76]

I don't know how tall Barr is but his build kind of reminds me of Jason Taylor.

6'4'' / 6'5''.i dont know how he could play rb

 

[football karma]

I've said before I really like Stepfan Taylor from Stanford and I'd add Spencer Ware from LSU, the type of RB we need is a kid who pushes the pile runs tough inside and gets positive yardage. Neither guy is going to make a lot of people miss though.

I was higher on Taylor before that game --

odd that in a game where he was so productive, I was so disspointed. He regularly just flat out ran right into a tackle where a back with just a bit of wiggle would have gained extra yards. It seems to be a vision thing rather than a lack of moves though

i do agree on the extra yards part: my wife said it best watching the game with me -- Taylor always gets three more yards than it looks like he should get

Taylor might be that guy who gets you five yards when its blocked for three, and gets you ten yards when its blocked for 20.

 

[Russ Smith]

I don't know how tall Barr is but his build kind of reminds me of Jason Taylor.

6'4" and he even looks like Taylor facially. I think he's thicker than Taylor at the same stage though.

I'd add I like the UCLA RB Franklin too I just worry he's had a lot of college mileage already.

 

[Chopper0080]

I don't know how tall Barr is but his build kind of reminds me of Jason Taylor.

Me too. He looks lean, but could very well be able to put on some weight with an offseason to thicken up for defense.

 

[Russ Smith]

I was higher on Taylor before that game --

odd that in a game where he was so productive, I was so disspointed. He regularly just flat out ran right into a tackle where a back with just a bit of wiggle would have gained extra yards. It seems to be a vision thing rather than a lack of moves though

i do agree on the extra yards part: my wife said it best watching the game with me -- Taylor always gets three more yards than it looks like he should get

Taylor might be that guy who gets you five yards when its blocked for three, and gets you ten yards when its blocked for 20.

Yeah he's NOT a breakaway guy and there are plays where you wish he had more speed.

Franklin is better in that regard but I worry about Franklin, lot of mileage for a kid who's not that big.

 

[Chopper0080]

maybe this is now a PAC-12 draft thread?


if so:

watching that Stanford - Oregon game: Stanford has a bunch of NFL players on its team

I am not sure any of them are 1st rounders, but they have a bunch of 3rd, 4th and later draft picks playing -- all of whom look to be the kinds of players that coaches love to have on the roster.

Russ -- am I wrong in thinking all four of Stanfords linebackers make a NFL roster? I guess its sterotypical to see a white LB and assume "not fast" -- but each of those guys can run, and they are so fundamentally sound in making tackles. Impressive.

Again -- I am pimping Trent Murphy. 6-6, 260. Stanford has him regularly dropping into pass coverage. I think this is a guy you can take in round 3, 4, 5 and you get a very versatile strongside outside LB that can set an edge, drop into coverage and rush the passer.

Stanford
Oregon
UCLA
Utah
USC
Oregon St

all have some pretty projectable NFL talent. And surprisingly a bunch of LBs that can play.

 

[Russ Smith]

Me too. He looks lean, but could very well be able to put on some weight with an offseason to thicken up for defense.

I talked about that with a guy who follows UCLA football much more closely than I do. the claim is the kid is much thicker than you think he is.

He can definitely get bigger at the next level the irony being they wanted to move him to defense because he outgrew RB, and was too big, and now you'd want him to get bigger.

 

[WildBB]

I am all over Star, he is awesome. I DVR Utah games just to watch his defensive snaps. For the record, if we tanked the season and had a shot to draft him in round 1, I would and then trade up from round two to get a QB. He is a special talent, and top DT IMO.

Difference makers in this draft on defense are Jarvis Jones, Star Lotulelei, Sam Montgomery, Manti Te'o, Eric Reid, TJ McDonald and Kenny Vaccaro. Each of these guys makes your team better from day one IMO.

Does this team take an impact D player early this yr? With 4 W's we may be on track for 5-6 W's. That leaves us at #7-9 in the draft. You'd think since it's us, they're going to stay put and draft O there.

I really think Lotulelei is top 5 easy, this yr. Maybe Te'o and Jones as well.

 

[Russ Smith]

Does this team take an impact D player early this yr? With 4 W's we may be on track for 5-6 W's. That leaves us at #7-9 in the draft. You'd think since it's us, they're going to stay put and draft O there.

I really think Lotulelei is top 5 easy, this yr. Maybe Te'o and Jones as well.

I think it comes down to who's on the board and what we do.

You can weigh the trade back and try and get 2 players on offense vs an impact player on D scenarios.

There's no way we're going to get Warmack, Barr and Tyler Wilson in the same draft without trades etc so we're not getting everything we want.

I don't think Barr even comes out and barring health issues I doubt Wilson falls to the 2nd round so you're looking at us maybe getting 1 of those guys.

I agree on Star he's a top 5 talent.

I continue to remind people, the reason Jones is at Georgia not USC is he had an injury and then USC wouldn't clear him because he has spinal stenosis.

He may find many NFL teams will back off him no matter how good he is because of that.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think it comes down to who's on the board and what we do.

You can weigh the trade back and try and get 2 players on offense vs an impact player on D scenarios.

There's no way we're going to get Warmack, Barr and Tyler Wilson in the same draft without trades etc so we're not getting everything we want.

I don't think Barr even comes out and barring health issues I doubt Wilson falls to the 2nd round so you're looking at us maybe getting 1 of those guys.

I agree on Star he's a top 5 talent.

I continue to remind people, the reason Jones is at Georgia not USC is he had an injury and then USC wouldn't clear him because he has spinal stenosis.

He may find many NFL teams will back off him no matter how good he is because of that.

I agree Jones will have to check out medically, but if he does he is a top 5 talent. Mingo has great ability but hasn't been able to put it on film. Manti Te'o is the most solid prospect with Star Lotulelei but they play ILB and DT which are not traditionally high passing game impact positions.

 

[Chopper0080]

Does this team take an impact D player early this yr? With 4 W's we may be on track for 5-6 W's. That leaves us at #7-9 in the draft. You'd think since it's us, they're going to stay put and draft O there.

I really think Lotulelei is top 5 easy, this yr. Maybe Te'o and Jones as well.

As a GM, you have to do what is best for your team and this does open up the argument to take the best player on the board. The issue the Cardinals will face is that most of the biggest impact draft prospects play on the defensive side. IMO, if the Cardinals do not address the QB position prior to the draft, they will really have to be creative to find ways to get value with their pick while still filling their several needs. Draft day movement might be necessary for the Cardinals to do this and I can't say that this is their strong point.

 

[Russ Smith]

As a GM, you have to do what is best for your team and this does open up the argument to take the best player on the board. The issue the Cardinals will face is that most of the biggest impact draft prospects play on the defensive side. IMO, if the Cardinals do not address the QB position prior to the draft, they will really have to be creative to find ways to get value with their pick while still filling their several needs. Draft day movement might be necessary for the Cardinals to do this and I can't say that this is their strong point.

Yep the Cards have a tough task this year in the draft because the trade back to get multiple pick scenario assumes that there's impact guys further back and I'm not sure they are going to find those guys.

This years draft looks to be top heavy and the real impact guys are then gone.

I'd have a hard time not taking manti Te'O if he's there because if you put him next to Washington you get 2 great inside players the run defense should improve and you're set there for years.

There really aren't that many guys like that on O.

If you move down into the low teens maybe you get an OL but you might not.

Depends how we finish obviously but this is the year you'd want to trade down for more picks in terms of team needs but it likely doesn't make sense based on available talent.

 

[football karma]

If you look at the top notch talent -- its seems like ( seems is the key word, its so early) that in the top 10 -- its Joekel at OT and then 9 defensive players

Given Philly looks on track to draft ahead of us, I doubt Joekel makes it past them

so the Cards are then at a point where the best impact player could very well be a Teo, or Star, or a Sam Montgomery


its why pro personnel is important -- the Cards have to go into the draft not counting on drafting a starting o-lineman in the first round --- AND -- a line that is looking at Levi and Massie as the starting tackles has a pretty low ceiling