Shaq

Great post. Depressing too - only in the way of who we could've gotten, and where he was picked. We didn't get the best linebacker, or the best safety.

Nothing against the player - not his fault, like he said, he was surprised he went where he did. But this is the kind of thing that can keep an average team average.

 

No offense to you, but that analysis is terrible. He starts the video by describing Thompson as "a hard-hitting player" and then proceeds to show exactly one hard hit over the next four minutes (when I stopped watching), and that was at the beginning on special teams. Then he says that Shaq "excels at blitzing the passer as well" but only provides two examples where Thompson came completely unblocked on delayed blitzes. Add in the comments about "how fast Thompson processes the information," which is justified by showing some plays where QBs ran around like headless chickens behind the line of scrimmage before being tackled.

 

from your youtube he didn't engage, rather he bounced off the runner or blocker like a pinball.

 

I think this is going to all that stuff Gettleman said about assessing whether or not they can teach a player stuff he hasn't been doing. IOW they have a role in mind and he is somewhat of a project.

I am not real upset simply because there was really no one I had a hard on for, that we could have taken instead. I am more bothered by that, than the actual selection. Trading back would have been good.

 

I was hoping they would've traded back, but at that point, not sure there was anyone picked after us anyone would be needing to jump up for.

On Thompson - the minute he starts making big plays, I suppose a lot will be forgiven - if he does.

It's sad that we're one of those bad teams tho, that drafts a QB first overall and then doesn't try to surround him with elite talent.

 

That's the thing about the pick and the whole draft this year. Seems like 7 close to sure things and the rest are players with warts. Picking where we did is there anyone that much better (cue someone with a more educated opinion). I would have LOVED to trade back but who's to say there was anyone asking even though as mentioned we seemed to know who we wanted. If Clemmings wasn't desired then I might have looked at Strong or OO

 

You don't use first round draft choices on projects.

Can he learn to use his hands? sure.
Can he get stronger? yes.
Will he? who know?

 

Unfortunately Shaq doesn't have the frame to add much weight or strength. He already bulked up to 228 for the combine after playing in the 210s at Washington.

 

Will miss a good amount of OTAs as well

 

The more I read and watch, the less I like this pick.