Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

[A Perfect Score]

Originally Posted by Shane P. Hallam

Wouldn't say no chance with a few teams in the 20-30 range with a big NT need. Teams are probably higher on his motor than they were Terrence Cody, but a guy as athletic as him has some upside. If the combine numbers are there, it will be interesting.

Colts at the top of the second? With Pagano in town, they'll need that type of player regardless of what defense they're running.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Originally Posted by A Perfect Score

Colts at the top of the second? With Pagano in town, they'll need that type of player regardless of what defense they're running.

I think it is a strong possibility. Pagano needs that type of body to free up space for pass rushers.

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by Shane P. Hallam

He actually didn't have great practices, he had a great game. There are conditioning issues and is far from inconsistent. Coaching will be huge.

Oh, I didn't follow the Senior Bowl reports too much other than what's on this site and Scott sounded very high on him.

[RaiderNation]

I have him as a top 32 prospect and is a late 1st/early 2nd value. It's hard to find big athletes like him, and he is the type of player you can build your defense with at NT. He won't be Ngata or Wilfolk, but Ta'amu is a very capable NFL starter.

[ellsy82]

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

I have him as a top 32 prospect and is a late 1st/early 2nd value. It's hard to find big athletes like him, and he is the type of player you can build your defense with at NT. He won't be Ngata or Wilfolk, but Ta'amu is a very capable NFL starter.

Capable, sure. I question his motor/work ethic, though. I REALLY gotta see some work out numbers before I stamp him with a first OR second round grade.

[1funguy]

I see Poe as the kind of guy you can move around on a 3-4 DL. Not so much with Ta'amu.

[RaiderNation]

Originally Posted by ellsy82

Capable, sure. I question his motor/work ethic, though. I REALLY gotta see some work out numbers before I stamp him with a first OR second round grade.

True, but I think he will run much better than a Terrence Cody type NT, and with many teams now looking to add bigger run cloggers Ta'amu could see a rise in his stock. His strength is very solid, and even though he isn't a 3 down player, on those 2 downs(and running downs) he will be a force in the middle run defense.

Originally Posted by 1funguy

I see Poe as the kind of guy you can move around on a 3-4 DL. Not so much with Ta'amu.

I agree, Poe can play some NT and DE in the 3-4 similarly to Ngata and sometimes Wilfolk. Poe is a top 15 pick and could be a multiple time Pro Bowler if he reaches his highest potential.

[holt_bruce81]

I'm not as high on him as some are. I actually think his best position would be as an Under Tackle in a 4-3 scheme.

[ellsy82]

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

I agree, Poe can play some NT and DE in the 3-4 similarly to Ngata and sometimes Wilfolk. Poe is a top 15 pick and could be a multiple time Pro Bowler if he reaches his highest potential.

All potential...no pudding. At the nose, anyway.

[onejayhawk]

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

I agree, Poe can play some NT and DE in the 3-4 similarly to Ngata and sometimes Wilfolk. Poe is a top 15 pick and could be a multiple time Pro Bowler if he reaches his highest potential.

Not to hijack a Ta'amu thread, but how do the two compare to Phil Taylor? Cleveland see,s to like their double NT 4-3.

J

[SenorGato]

2nd-3rd. He'll be solid in the long run, but I think he'd need a year or two.

The Colts are praying for Konz with their first pick in the 2nd IMO.

[Larry]

Watched him against SC and Stanford was completely unimpressed with him.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by Larry

Watched him against SC and Stanford was completely unimpressed with him.

Got handled pretty well by DeCastro for two years but he did play better against SC.

[RaiderNation]

Originally Posted by onejayhawk

Not to hijack a Ta'amu thread, but how do the two compare to Phil Taylor? Cleveland see,s to like their double NT 4-3.

I'd say Ta'amu is similar value wise and size, but Poe plays more similarly since he is more of a pass rusher as well as a great run clogger. Ta'amu isn't a very productive pass rusher and seems more like a 2 down player, while Poe/Taylor could see time as a NT and DE in all 3 downs if they'd play in the 3-4.

[Dan_Steele]

I have no idea where this first round talk has come from. People are just impressed with his athleticism at 350, he hasn't shown enough on the field to warrant a first round grade. Also, the only reason this guy is being considered a "prototypical nose tackle" in the NFL, and that is his weight. He plays nothing like a NT, relies too much on athleticism than strength and technique. My guess is that he'll fall to late second or later, be taken by a 4-3 team and asked to lose 15-20 pounds.

[D-Unit]

I like Hebron Fangupo more than Ta'amu. Who's with me? :)

[bitonti]

Ta'amu and Poe are more or less the same draft grade: early to mid round 2. Ta'amu has 4 career sacks, Poe has 5. Poe probably gets drafted earlier but they will go within a dozen slots of each other, JMO. neither are gonna help you on 3rd and long. teams will grade them both out as 2 down players.

I wonder what kind of shape Poe will be in... if he is really at 350. Ta'amu was in excellent shape for 340 (as was Cordy Glenn).

Ta'amu made alot of plays at Senior Bowl 9-on-7 drills he's got way above avg aggression and penetration for big man.

[killxswitch]

From 4th rounder to practice squad:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ractice-squad/

He has not done nearly as well as expected. I hope the Colts poach him and somebody screws his head on straight though. I was a huge fan of this guy as a prospect.

[bigbuc]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

From 4th rounder to practice squad:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ractice-squad/

He has not done nearly as well as expected. I hope the Colts poach him and somebody screws his head on straight though. I was a huge fan of this guy as a prospect.

Getting drunk and driving, running from cops and hitting parked cars makes me think football is not the number 1 thing he cares about in his life.

[phlysac]

Originally Posted by bigbuc

Getting drunk and driving, running from cops and hitting parked cars makes me think football is not the number 1 thing he cares about in his life.

If he wasn't contrite and displaying characteristics of someone who could learn from his mistakes, the Steelers wouldn't have considered bringing him back. Let alone keeping him on the roster for a few weeks, and then re-signing to the PS.

[Abaddon]

Fat, lazy, and stupid. Quality NFL prospect he turned out to be.