I took a close look at Boston College middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and there’s no question that he has great instincts at the middle linebacker position. He does a great job of getting off blocks and making plays. You can see that he does his homework and keeps himself in good position to make plays.
You can’t teach the instincts and playmaking elements of playing the linebacker position. All quality linebackers have this ability. They find ways to get to the ball regardless of what plays are running against him. Kuechly does this play after play.
I read what NFL Network Draft analyst Mike Mayock had to say, “If I’m the Eagles and Kuechly’s there, that might be a slam dunk for me, because I know what I’m getting and I’m plugging a huge hole,” Mayock said.
I do have some concerns about his speed in the passing game. Mayock talked about the fear that he may run a 4.8 at the combine. That would be a serious problem and cast some doubt about his value to a team.
Remember that Kuechly must be able to run with and cover the tremendously talented tight ends in the NFL. I don’t think he’s a slam dunk because of these speed questions. If you can’t run with these receivers, then you’ve got a problem.
I’m anxious to see what he runs at the combine in Indianapolis. Here’s some video of Kuechly in action.
[media id=239 width=320 height=240]
This guy is gsarbage and will do absoluely nothing in the NFL. Remember the hype for the Penn State guy that went the Bills?
The media want this guy to succeed or better yet get rewarded in be an early pick knowing he will never see another big payday after the draft.
A slow MLB on a losing program….Maybe the Eagles will get him.
Another “Great White Hope” player for the EAgles…I think Kuechley will be a solid Pro, but not the dominant physical player who is a playmaker, creates turnovers or makes plays behind the line of scrimmage… He just isn’t that type of player… Give me Hightower, Upshaw,A Cole in the middle before him…
that footage was unimpressive
@jakedog the guy made 12 plus tackles per game in that video and none of them were blitzes, they were all reaction tackles. If he is slow it did not show up in the film —- The Clemson kid made two nice cut backs on him but it wasn’t because he was to slow to arrive. What does he have to run at the combine to not scare the Kuechley detractors?
He does NOT have it all if he lacks SPEED.
After the 2nd round pick used for the LB from Iowa, how can you even suggest a slow linebacker.
Does he even have any muscles???
4.7?If he can scrape he can scrape…train for additional burst. Dude has some serious instincts.If he’s strong enough to jam them then he can make up for lack of speed. Dunno,if theres a chance we can get Az dude too?
Hope Walrus is on the night shift doing his h.w..Speaking of nite shift…Sixers..come on!
I’m having a flashback Mike Mamula is Luke Kuechly don’t do it Philadelphia.
Mike Mamula was a work-out warrior! Kuechly is a football player. Big difference! Kuechly is more like Lee. Draft him and fix a problem we have had for years!
Do you watch college football?If you did you wouldnt be making that statement B. Come on,the guy is more instinctive then anyone on our roster.Trott was slow outta college…Chaney graded out slow. There nto the same player but still,graded out the same. Tackling and instincts are hard to come by.
Songs …Paul Poz is actually a solid lb. Not his fault he was hyped up like he was Pat Willis. Dont forget the Arron Curry dude…whom the Birds shoulda inquired about…he went to Oaktown and played well. They got so much hype and didnt make the PB first year,so there bums?No, they didnt fit in the scheme.
The AZ dude might be the answer though.
Well,
As long as Songs says so.
Ignore the Butkus award. Ignore:
2009 CFN All-Freshman Defensive Team
2009 All-American (CFN)
2009 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year
2009 Emerald Bowl Defensive MVP
2010 All-American (unanimous)
2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Defensive MVP
2011 All-American (consensus)
2011 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
2011 Butkus Award
2011 Lombardi Award
2011 Lott IMPACT Trophy
2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Concentrate on the fact that he is white and lacks “speed”
Dixie watches college football. Turk doesnt. Its on on Saturdays and theres games on during the week.
Dont tell me ,we should draft Blackmon and trade Desean to the Niners?That will fix the defense.
Vinnie went Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl MVP!!!lol!
Another 237 lb lightweight that will get peshed around by these big NFL Olineman and TE’s. If Reid and the FO picks this guy, it will be another “Kolb pick” all over again while the Giants and Steelers grab the biggest nastiest and meanest LB there is. This guy reminds me of matthews and i’m not impressed with that video at all. Nothing stood out but another “great white matthews hope”.
I’m glad someone brought up his speed, or lack thereof but there are or should be other areas of concern in terms of plugging him into this defensive scheme here. The major problem I see with Keuchly is that in the defensive scheme he’s in I haven’t seen him have to jam a tight end and then get back into a play. I haven’t seen him have to charge the line, in a “Down Hill” way, still keep his instincts about him, still get in the play if his first instinct wasn’t right and that’s at the college level where everything is slower.
Certainly, I leave the door open to the possibility that he could do these if handed the responsibilities because he’s an athlete, but realistically that’s the only criteria one can use when trying to figure out how to theoretically shoehorn this guy into the Eagles defense.
…Also, to assume Jaun Castillo will make the same mistake of putting a rookie in at MIKE again would be pretty naive. Unless there’s absolutely no alternative I expect to see that none of the players that actually played the MIKE laste year will be in that spot this coming year and no newly drafted rookies will be in that spot either.
since when is 237lb small? that is huge– he is bigger than 3 out of 4 steeler LBS. bigger than pat willis, bigger than all the Eagle LBS, bigger than Stephen Tulloch, bigger than AJ Hawk ———additionally he is 6′ 3″ which means he would be the tallest starter on the eagles Defense
Give me Donte Hightower from Bama.. At 6’4 260 lbs is the kind of player we need to stop the other teams running attacaks, on short-yardage and in the red-zone… On obvious passing downs, take him out and use a Clayton/Matthews to defense again the pass better..
Remember that the Eagles have the AFC North and NFC South on next years schedule and if Eagles don’t beef up the interior of their Defense (DT/MLB?SS) then they will have a hard time stopping the Steelers,Ravens,Bengals,Falcons and Panthers Offenses in my opinion and could be loking at a 6-10 Season if they address these positions
Or even Cortney Upshaw who is 6-3 265lbs and can play MLB and OLB..
Erock – laugh it up
In that bowl he was defensive MVP, as the D held the high flying O of Nevada to 20 pts . Nevada’s RBs were held to 92 yrds rushing and Kapernack 172 passing and a pick (By Kuchely)….
Which was a little more impressive than everyone’s favourite Burfict in the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl (ifinetely more prestigious) . where he, along with his teammates became Boist States bitch as they dropped 54 pts.
And what exactly did the great “thumper, hard nosed, killer” Burfict do to stop the Broncos as they rolled up a massive 172 yrds rushing…..
0 tackles
1 assist.
Sounds spectacular
@Paulman –Good point about the schedule and the who’s who of rushing attacks in the NFL — — would rather have a SAM backer before MLB with Babin and DRC on the same side next year —- and you don’t have to sell me on Alabama players —– I wish they took the Alabama OT last year instead of Watkins in hindsight — give me both of those Alabama LBs can you make it happen
First off all, I would take G’s assessment over any of you guys, but his size does worry me. Best of both worlds is to get him and Hightower. They have the picks and players to do it.
@bugsyhawk wise move because I’m always right on Monday morning —- but G doesn’t question his size or strength, G is worry about his backpedal speed — which cannot be answered until he hits an NFL training camp
Look, I have no idea who will be the better pro.
What I do know is I read constantly on here how annoyed everyone is that the Eagles’ always “reach” for players And how this is terrible.
And now, all I’m reading from a whole lot of people on here is how the Eagles’ should pass on the consensus best LB in the draft (If available at 15) and instead select a guy who’s probably going to fall into the 3rd round.
And why?? Well, the reasons that seem to be given are that Kuchely is white, he’s “slow”, he’s “not athletic” and that Burfict is a “killer”
Ok then. That settles it.
I find that double standard a little strange.
Just for the record Bugs,
I am LB’sCcoach and area Scout for my Sons 110lb Football Team..I know my LB’s.. Our Defense gave up 1 Rushing TD last Season (and that’s the game Ihad Laragitis and couldn’t bark out instructions)
I ‘ve seen good kids like Kuechly come and go… He’s a good player, but the Eagles need more in the middle than he can provide
vinniethevictor the last time the eagles passed on the best player who was white and had speed questions was Jason Whiten for the faster L J Smith to make you feel better
At least Chad Hall is still on the Roster..
And G played NFL football for a living Pman. I know that you are well versed in football because it shows in your posts, but…
@eagles0superbowls- you are right in that he isn’t concerned about his size, but I am concerned about him being able to make plays with goes that are much bigger than him. And again, this is from a desk jockey, so take it for what it is worth. The fact that G doesn’t mention his size is very telling and that maybe I should relax about it.
Burfict have more upsside as fara as size, skills and speed than any other LB in the draft. All the tangibles to be not just good but great. Everyone points to his anger, freelancing at times, etc….but I think that is what makes him special. He believes he can beat anyone and usually do. If a coach can get him to play within himself he’ll be the steal of the draft and that’s worth risking. How did the Sapp character problem pan out? How about the Ray Lewis up on murder charges? I don’t give a damn about Keuchly’s instincts…He is not a gifted specimen who enforces his will on the opponent..Burfict is.
\that alone should have the Eagles grabbing him. Our defense need an aggressive leader who intimidates. If the Eagles don’t Harbaugh in Bmore will..and that alone tells me Harbaugh can coach better than Reid. Young guys have problems all the time but when they’re gifted as Burfict you have to take the chance.
Randy Moss was also a so called Character guy…Hell, djax was a Character guy and have 2 pro bowls. If the Eagles don’t get Burfict they’ll regret it.
Its not just about character Songs. Its about production
Where was your guy “enforcing his will” in the last Bowl he played in. 0 tackles. 1 assist as Boise St rolled up 172 yrds rushing.
Im actually wanting them to draft a DT and pickup a LB in the 2nd. Reason is….. we need to be thinking Free Agents for the LB.. not more draft picks. And furthermore….. who is coaching these lb’s…… you ok with that? im not.
You keep comparing him to Sapp….was Sapp ever kicked around like that? (Well, actually, I do remember him against Nebraska in the Ntl Championship and he was kicking ass in the first half, then made a stupid move…sacked the Nebraska QB and started dancing right in front of Osborne…gyrating the hips etc. Nebraska rolled the sesond half. I remember being so happy when Sapp did his little dance ’cause I had $$ on the Huskers and things were looking bleak till he made that idiot move)
I was propping you for the detailed info. i agree he is a beast. it was a compliment dude.
Burfict is another Ernie Sims bust waiting to happen and will be out of the NFL by 2014/2015… He’s too undisciplined and just not very bright.
Paulman Trade Alerts
Eagles Send WR D-Jax to the 49ers for their later 1st Round Pick (#30 Overall) The 49ers have 2 1st Round Selections (#27 & 30)
Eagles Trade CB Samuel & DE D Tapp and a 4th Round Pick (#111 Overall) to the Cleveland Browns for their 2nd Round Pick (#36th Overall)
The Eagles now go into the Draft with the Following Selections and 5 Slections of the Top 50 Players..
1st Rd (15th Overall)
1st Rd (30th Overall from 49ers)
2nd Rd (36th Overall from Browns)
2nd Rd (45th Overall from Cardinals)
2nd Rd (50th Overal)
3rd Rd (79th Overall)
4th Rd (101st Overall from Bucs)
5th Rd (143rd Overall)
3 Selections in the 6th Round
Vinnie – you are using facts and field results as comparison to what goes on in Songs mind – that’s funny…….. I would rather draft a SLB and bring in a veteran FA (I don;t care what anyone sez – I would take London Fletcher in a heartbeat – dude flat out can play and would be a great mentor/leader) – and pick up another DT to fight it out. Then get some safety competition (I am assuming Djax is franchised) – resign Mathis – find a third RB – keep Chad Hall –
Paulman’s New Mock Draft after the Trades are as follows
1st Rd (#15th) DT M Brockers (LSU 6-5 310 lbs)
1st Rd (#30th) MLB D Hightower (Bama 6-4 260lbs)
2nd Rd (#36th) CB S Gilmore (South Carolina 6-1 195lbs)
2nd Rd (#45th) OLB B Wagner (Utah State 6-1 244lbs)
2nd Rd (#50th) DE V Curry (Marshall 6-3 265lbs)
3rd Rd (#79th) RB B Pierce (Temple 6-1 215lbs)
4th Rd (#101) WR J Adams (Arkansas 5-10 190lbs, has 4.38 speed)
5th Rd (#143) OT N Potter (Boise State 6-6 300lbs)
Use 3 Picks in the 6th Round for a SS,FB,TE
This is the Paulman Plan and by moving Samuel,Tapp & Jackson off the Payroll, this allows the Eagles to Extend McCoy and go out and pick-up a Veteran LB, Safety and a Big Target WR
okay, watched th video again, his speed looks average, against college competition, didn’t shed blockers, the tackles were for positive yards, what’s so special about him?
P-Man then gets Voted “Best GM Wanna-Be Award” by Mike Mayock & Mel Kiper and Todd McShay and joins the ESPN Crew for 2013 Draft after a deep and thorough background check taking 8 months to cpmplete..
@jakedog that video is as good as it gets —- every tackle was solo — do you know how hard it is to make a solo tackle and the RB stops as soon as you touch him — and not only do it once but 12 times a game — most LB slow up a running back and then the safety helps tackle him —
keuchly is ass and will be a nothing in the NFL
@Paulman -Disagree with you my friend in reference to Burfict. I think he is the type of football player, FOOTBALL PLAYER, that his team needs. I think he is better suited to play on the outside, as a strongside Linebacker. I watched more tape of him today, and I am more convinced of this. His Cognitive skills as a MIddle Linebacker, aren’t as strong as alot of the draft class, but his physicality, his cover skills, tackling, and ability to rush of the end make him a value on the outside rather than the inside.
DeSean isn’t going anywhere.; There will be no trade in the draft, with him included – JUST BLOW IT OUT YOUR MIND –, and they are not going to draft a DT, in the first round. Devon Still, is from my town, Wilmington, Delaware,and my high school alma mater, Howard High School,
and I’m cheering him on, but he’s not what the Eagles need, and Brockers is completely overrated, Kiper does this all the time when it comes to some of these players from the powerhouse football programs…I see Bust, another Glenn Dorsey, GOOD prospect; thats it. Donta Hightower, I like, along with Burfict, and Nigel Bradham, on the outside
I agree with Songs. If the Eagles pass on him, they will regret it. They need to cut Casey Matthews NOW!!! He is a straight BUMM!!! If you are going to keep him you might as well draft Keuchly. Not Smart.
I do like Brandon Thompson, from Clemson, and Akiem Hicks from Canada, as my DT draft picks in the 2nd, and 4th rounds respectively.
I would trade down throughout the entire draft, to get more picks…Josh Norman, and Trumaine Johnson in the 3rd…/
Ths GM wants quality pick this year that can actually play.
To GM,
Eagles have 5 LB’s that they have drafted in the last 2 Drafts (Matthews,Rolle,Clayton,Chaney,Lloyd) and they believe that a couple of them will improve and get better
They are not going to Draft and expect 3 Rookies to come in and start in 2012
They will mostly draft an OLB early, Sign a Veteran Free-Agent to play MLB and then draft another MLB later in the Draft..
I love these scenarios you and others and myselft have come up, but the reality is, that it won’t happen.. They are not going to give up on MAtthews,Rolle,LLoyd,Clayton just yet…
Forgot to mention that GMCliff gets and “Honorable Mention” by ESPN GM Wanna BE Award and get’s a year supply of TastyKakes and Mel Kiper’s Hair Spray.. Enjoy ..
the real Strength and Value of this Draft is from about #20 (mid 1st Round) thru about #125 (thru the 4th Rd) so I dson’t think the Eagles need to trade down much (especially is they end up trading Samuel… Maybe they can package a Tapp or a Justice with one of their 5th/6th Rd picks to get an additional 4th round.. but as in most drafts, the quality and depth drops off after the 4th Rd early 5th Round or so..
The Top 20 are always a crap shoot due the hype,marketing,campaigning and overreaching that occure for certain postions (QB/RB for example) for certain players, college programs,etc,etc.. Give me 4-5 Picks between the 20th and 125th Selections every year and that’s how you build a Championship Team .. You cankeep the Top 20 and the final 2 Rounds and just throw a Dart..
eagles0superbowls, get a clue dude. 237 lbs for a linebacker is small. Patrick Willis is 2″ shorter at 6’1 and 5 lbs heavier, not to mention immensely stronger shedding blocks. the steelers LBs, Woodley 265 lbs, Harrison 250 lbs, Farrior 243 lbs, Timmons 234 lbs at 2 inches shorter. so he’s bigger than 1 of the 4 steelers backers by a whole 3 lbs. AJ Hawk 247 lbs., Tulloch 240 lbs even tho he’s 4 inches shorter. like i said, you are freaking clueless.
paulman, the niners don’t have 2 first round picks, and aren’t going to have any interest in Desean Jackson just like i told you that last year they wouldn’t even consider Kevin Kolb and they didn’t.
Erock, trot was slow but he was strong as hell and 263 lbs. Kuechley is smallish, slow, and not very strong. it’s funny you bring up Trotter because it wasn’t but 3 weeks ago that he said live on WIP the Kuechly wasn’t strong enough or explosive enough, that he couldn’t shed blocks in college and won’t be able to in the NFL either, which i agree with. he will regularly get swollowed up unless he has a superior lane clogging d-line in front of him.
To Hot 97x
My bad on 49ers, It’s the Patriots who have 2 Picks in the 1st Round (along with the Browns and Bengals)
The Pats have the #27 Overall Pick (In a deal they made with the Saints last year who drafted RB Mark Ingrahm) and the #31 Pick (their Own pick)
What does the 49ers having no interest in Kevin Kolb have to do with
D-Jax..Hell, the Patriots may be interested in D-Jax since they have no deep threat and willing to part with the #31 Pick to do so.. Pats & eagles haev a history of making trades with each other…
When looking at LB’s from the Steelers,Ravens,Jets,and even now the 49ers.. These LB’s players are thick, built lower to the ground with big hips,thighs and GCobb’s type of big butts (sorry G-Man) .. They are not these tall and lanky type of LB’s (Like Stewart Bradley is). These guys on the teams I mentioned are like fire-plugs/tree-trunks & squatters who are just so strong and explosive that they blow up OL’s, RB’s and anything in their path’s… take Suggs,Harris,Woodley,Lewis,Harrison,Bowman. The only Eagle that’s built like ant of these guys is Brian Rolle who goes about 5-10 230lbs but Rolle has short arms and not the strenth these other guys do… … .
Kolb and Jackson don’t have anything to do with each other, my point was that i know the 49ers organization and how they work. Desean in no way shape or form fits into their offense or Harbaugh’s constant preaching that the team means everything and you do anything for the team. if your not all about the team, they’ll send you elsewhere, see the release of Braylon Edwards before the playoffs.
You dont know that and neither does Trott. I respect his opinion bu that doesnt mean hes right. The kid has made impact plays agaisnt every level of comp. They get Hightower im ok, just get someone who is used to making plays in here.
He’s 6’3? You dont think that helps him overcome some weight issues. And lets talk about that…with a good training program he should be able to put on 10-15 pounds of muscle,right? ok 10…so thats 240? To someone on heres point the Steelers backers are all in that range.
Point being is hes a heck of an instinctive backers and knows how to find the ball. Sean Lee was in the same category as this guy.
He couldnt shed blocks in college? He averaged 12 f’n tackles dude…id tell you to re-think that. Seems he was shedding many a block to average that.
Just get an angry defender. Non of you know it alls on here have a clue as to who will be a stud and who wont. You cant reach inside a guy and pull out a trait that says he will be an All -Pro..or a solid pro.Thats why they get drafted..to prove it. I think the BC kid can ball…you dont…we’ll find out in Aug..
Do they play classic hiphop on hot97x?HAHAHAHA!!!