Luke Kuechly why ins't he a top 6 pick?

[Go_Eagles77]

Originally Posted by duesouth

Kuechly has short arms and plays like it - tends to peel back off blocks - makes a ton of tackles 5+ yard downfield. I didn't think he would run slow as he has a nice burst to the ball. Only take him high if you have a good (and big) defensive line to keep him clean - otherwise avoid early.

This is why I've become less interested in Kuechly to the eagles recently. Dont'a Hightower is the best MLB in the draft for the eagles' wide 9 scheme. I honestly wouldn't mind if the eagles took Hightower 15th overall.

[PossibleCabbage]

Originally Posted by Go_Eagles77

wide 9 scheme.

"Wide Nine" is a technique, not a scheme.

</pet peeve>

What the Eagles are basically doing is running an updated version of Jimmy Johnson's defense (also to a lesser extent Jim Bates'). In that scheme a player like Kuechly is a much better fit than Hightower, since you need an LB who is always going to be in the right place and can cover a lot of ground. That's not Hightower.

[Go_Eagles77]

Originally Posted by PossibleCabbage

"Wide Nine" is a technique, not a scheme.

</pet peeve>

What the Eagles are basically doing is running an updated version of Jimmy Johnson's defense (also to a lesser extent Jim Bates'). In that scheme a player like Kuechly is a much better fit than Hightower, since you need an LB who is always going to be in the right place and can cover a lot of ground. That's not Hightower.

We had plenty of guys who can cover ground last year, but none of them can get off blocks. Kuechly would still be a huge upgrade, but Hightower would be able to get off blocks and get down hill much more efficiently.

[keylime_5]

Originally Posted by bigbuc

I don't think teams that are picking top ten are one player away from the playoffs.

except the colts, who literally were one player difference from #1 pick to playoffs, haha.

[A Perfect Score]

Originally Posted by keylime_5

except the colts, who literally were one player difference from #1 pick to playoffs, haha.

And, ironically enough, that player as a QB, not a LB...further illustrating why Kuechly won't go in the Top 10, despite being an extremely talented football player.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by keylime_5

except the colts, who literally were one player difference from #1 pick to playoffs, haha.

Can't say for sure. The Colts have/had problems even without Peyton. I say they may have been a .500 team.

As for Kuechly if some team like the Eagles dont want him there will be several others waiting in line.

[igglefanz]

Originally Posted by PossibleCabbage

"Wide Nine" is a technique, not a scheme.

</pet peeve>

What the Eagles are basically doing is running an updated version of Jimmy Johnson's defense (also to a lesser extent Jim Bates'). In that scheme a player like Kuechly is a much better fit than Hightower, since you need an LB who is always going to be in the right place and can cover a lot of ground. That's not Hightower.

Actually no the Eagles went from one of the highest blitzing teams to one of the lowest. They expect to get pressure alot of the time rushing only 4. We need a physical presence up the middle and Luke is NOT that. Matthews Rolle and Chaney are all fast and can cover ground.

I was worried that Donta wouldn't grade out very good at the combine but I am OK now with taking him if he is there.

[cmarq83]

Originally Posted by Go_Eagles77

This is why I've become less interested in Kuechly to the eagles recently. Dont'a Hightower is the best MLB in the draft for the eagles' wide 9 scheme. I honestly wouldn't mind if the eagles took Hightower 15th overall.

Kuechly probably isn't the best linebacker at shedding blocks in this draft class, but he's pretty much superior to Hightower in every other aspect. You have to remember just how god awful that BC team was, and how he almost single-handedly kept that defense respectable. He didn't have Chapman, Cody, or Dareus taking up blockers for him, and he had a big nasty coming down at him on essentially every single play. He tends to resort to the spin to shed blocks more often than he should which makes him a step late sometimes or makes him take a flatter angle to the ball carrier, but at the same time it's not like he's bad at shedding blocks. He's still an above average prospect in this respect.

So the Eagles would have the choice to pick a guy who has been pretty average for most of his career, but has good size and combine numbers, or take a guy who has pretty much been the best linebacker in college football since he's set foot on BC's campus. I'd take Kuechly in any scheme or at any linebacker position besides 3-4 OLB over Hightower in a heartbeat. You may have some guys who're fast, but in reality there is a difference between being fast and being instinctive and fast. It's why Gary Guyton sucks for the Patriots and Jerod Mayo is one of the better linebackers in the NFL.