Have you ever seen Ryans play? I have a good friend who goes to Alabama, so I try to catch their games when they're on TV. Ryans is always around the ball, and is a true leader on the field. Both of those are qualities that are needed on a defense that was the worst in the NFL last year.
Go easy on Hoge. His multiple concussions from his playing days have reduced his football analysis to mindless drivel.
I was kidding about that but the theme of the piece was that it's his "tremendous upside" is the only thing keeping him around - as he is dumb and throws funny.
4-3 means 4 lines. DE- mario william, babin, peek, anthony weaver DT- travis johnson, rbaire smith, seth pain now a line gut??
Easy. Create a poll at the end of the year and we'll let the forum voters decide. No matter what Clutchfans will get the $. Jabaar Gafney = mediocrity. At best Ryan will be solid. At worst, he'll be a part time starter. He lacks speed, strength, and does not have the instinctive LB skills like a Zach Thomas or Chris Spielman.
OK at least they aren't completely stupid. However, I can imagine Hodge saying something like that after he said Leinart and Young shouldn't be taken until DAY 2 of the draft.
Here's the profile on Ryans from Scouts Inc.: Strengths: Is quicker than fast. Moves well laterally and when coming forward. He is instinctive and his technique is outstanding. He plays with leverage and shows very good balance and body control. Is quicker than fast. Takes excellent angles in pursuit and is a reliable, powerful tackler. Really has a nose for the football. Is disciplined and will execute his assignments. He shows good recognition skills and won't take too many false steps. He shows adequate-to-good range in underneath zone coverage. Gets good jumps on the ball and also shows good ball skills when in position to make a play. He has developed his array of pass rush moves and is relentless in pursuit of the QB. He has spent some time with his hand down as an edge rusher on obvious passing downs. He is a hard worker on and off the field. Intelligent player and good student. High character person with elite overall intangibles. Weaknesses: Is an elite prospect but lacks elite top-end speed and ideal size. While he possesses adequate size as a MLB or WLB, he lacks ideal height and bulk for an SLB and will struggle to stack at the LOS vs. taller, bigger TE's in the NFL. Will need to improve his overall strength. A better fit size-wise at WLB in the NFL, but lacks ideal top-end speed at that position. Will have some trouble when forced to turn and run vs. faster RB's one-on-one. Had some minor injuries during career at Alabama, including both hamstrings in spring of 2005. Overall: Ryans played a reserve role as a true freshman in 2002. He finished with a team-high 126 total tackles as a sophomore in 2003. He also set the school's single-game record versus Arkansas with 25 total tackles that season. As a junior in 2004, he finished with 78 tackles and seven tackles for loss. Ryans started all 12 games as a senior in 2005 and finished with 76 tackles, 12 TFL, five sacks and one interception. He finished his career at Alabama with 37 starts and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. Ryans was a four-time All-Academic SEC selection and was also a recipient of the prestigious NCAA Top VIII award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in athletics, scholarship and community service and is given each year to a total of eight student-athletes from Division I, II and III. Ryans is an experienced, intelligent and versatile linebacker prospect that improved with each season of experience and finished with his best season as a senior in 2005. While Ryans spent most of his time in college at the SLB position, he showed the versatility to play all three LB positions. We think his best fit will be at WLB in the NFL. Ryans lacks elite speed and he will need to improve his bulk and strength in order to match up better in the NFL. However, he plays the game with outstanding technique and instincts. He is quick, aggressive, tough and active versus the run. He shows outstanding tackling skills and he has developed into a solid contributor in the passing game both as a pass rusher and in coverage. Ryans has the physical tools to develop into a playmaking fulltime starter in the NFL and he is polished enough to contribute immediately as a rookie. Ryans should be one of the top-five linebackers selected in the 2006 draft most likely late in the first round.
Take the bet. I saw 6 Alabama games last year plus the bowl game and as much as the announcers hyped him, he was very unimpressive. It's all going to be settled on the field.
It's not settled on the field, when it's decided by the opinions of members of a BBS. And after reading the posts over the last 24 hours, I'm conviced the majority of the people who would be voting know little to nothing about football.
Damn RIET... You keep saying the same thing in every post... Isn't your post count high enough already. $420 tip jar bet RIET keeps downtalking Ryans for his next 50 posts (which will be in this thread alone)...
I have full faith and confidence the BBS fans know mediocrity when they see it. Hell, we saw it the first few years before last year's disaster. Im pretty sure if the kid is one of our leading tacklers or makes some All Rookie team, we'll know it. I hope he becomes a great player. However, I don't think he has the skills to do it. I saw him get sucked up completely in crowds and was not explosive at all. He's the guy who comes in after 2 or 3 other guys are already on the ball carrier.
I wil because I think this pick was complete trash. Have you donated 1 cent to the tip jar? Maybe you should start there.
