The Defensive Tackle Problem

by Sanders_fan89 on Oct 21, 2008 4:14 PM EDT

Not only am I a big NFL fan, I am also a big College Football fan (Oklahoma State, Go Pokes!!!) and follow both religiously. I also talk with John Levra, (he was a DL coach for a bunch of teams through out his time in the NFL. Here's his bio if anyone wants to see it http://www.hitrunscore.com/john-levra-biography.html) and because of that I tend to know more about the DT position than any other. Lately I have been finding myself looking at DT from all across the country. These are the guys that I would like the Colts to draft.

1) Terrance Taylor 6'0" 310lbs Michigan

He is great at stopping the run and playing the NT position. Also, he has no character issues and has not missed a game since becoming a starter three years ago. He is also good at getting into the back field and disrupting plays, but has some endurance problems if on the field for a long amount of time.

2) Peria Jerry 6'3" 310lbs Ole Miss

A very good run stopper but has had some injury problems early in his career, but has played every game last year and this year. Also good at disrupting the QB and collapsing the pocket.

3) Vance Walker 6'2" 293lbs Georgia Tech

A good all around DT with no injury or character issues. Has a mean streak and plays with a chip on his shoulder all the time. He is also very quick off the ball.

4) B.J. Raji 6'1" 335lbs Boston College

He is also a great run stopper, however he has had a questionable character record and has missed some time this year because of a shoulder surgery.

Note: I've only included seniors since no one ever really knows what juniors are going to enter the draft. If anyone wants just leave the name of a DT and I'll try to watch some film of him and try and get some info on him.

What does everyone else think?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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He's probably not a NT (more like a slightly bigger Raheem Brock)

but I would do backflips if they draft Mitch King from Iowa. He is a monster at DT. Gets into the backfield against the run and pass and holds his ground.

I'm still here in the flesh
Twenty-one year old legend
I'ma live way after my death
-Lil' Wayne "Get Down"

by shake n bake on Oct 21, 2008 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

Iowa homer.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Oct 21, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

watch him play and tell me he wouldn't be a phenominal undertackle

and maybe even a NT (at 6’3" 280 he’s bigger than every DT but Muir on the roster now)

I'm still here in the flesh
Twenty-one year old legend
I'ma live way after my death
-Lil' Wayne "Get Down"

by shake n bake on Oct 21, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

The big question:

Can we have him NOW?

please?

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Oct 21, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny you mention Iowa

I have a friend that’s on the Iowa DL. He’s Christain Ballard a DE. He can’t say enough good things about Mitch King, but like you said, he’s an undertackle and I was focusing more on the NT run stopping type. Also, I haven’t seen him on anyone’s draft boards. I’ve seen the other tackle from Iowa but not him so it’s likely he’ll be available to be picked up via free agency.

by Sanders_fan89 on Oct 21, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Most sites are listing him as a DE

I’ve seen King projected as high as a 2nd round pick preseason and if anything he’s boosted his stock.

I'm still here in the flesh
Twenty-one year old legend
I'ma live way after my death
-Lil' Wayne "Get Down"

by shake n bake on Oct 21, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

oh and that's cool

Ballard is the starting LE, he’s the 4th best starter on the line right now, but he’s the youngest (redshirt freshman) and both DTs are seniors who are getting drafted and the other end, Adrian Clayborn is a absolute beast. When I looked up his height-weight I was surprised that he was “only” 6’3" 283.

Best I can do is knowing Ferentz’s son who is a freshman and redshirting and going to high school with a couple current backups.

I'm still here in the flesh
Twenty-one year old legend
I'ma live way after my death
-Lil' Wayne "Get Down"

by shake n bake on Oct 21, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

That would explain why I couldn't find him

I wasn’t looking at DE simply due to the fact that the Colts seem to be pretty deep when in comes to DE.

by Sanders_fan89 on Oct 21, 2008 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Monte Reagor is a free agent

by colts9318rock on Oct 21, 2008 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

he has been for two months

if that was going to happen it would have already.

I'm still here in the flesh
Twenty-one year old legend
I'ma live way after my death
-Lil' Wayne "Get Down"

by shake n bake on Oct 21, 2008 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

just saying

If we needed a DT soooooooooo badly, lol

by colts9318rock on Oct 21, 2008 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Vince Oghobaase

It is rare that Duke players would look so good, but I love this guy. He’s definitely got the size (310 lb), and he got great pressure on the QB against Miami. He is John McCargo without the work ethic and injury problem.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Oct 21, 2008 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

Oghobaase

I believe he’s only a Jr and would be surprised if he left early.

I hate Georgia but I wouldn’t mind us taking a look at Geno Atkins. He’s a Jr as well but he’s more likely to leave early.

by BlueVol03 on Oct 21, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Atkins

He is a junior and he is a really good tackle, but he did get charged with a DUI not to long ago so I’m not so sure how much Polian would want him.

by Sanders_fan89 on Oct 21, 2008 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Not If

He is being projected as a first rounder like I think he will be. I could definitely see him leaving early.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Oct 21, 2008 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

and....

George Hypolite, Colorado
Demonte Bolden, Tennessee
Arthur Jones, Syracause
Marlon Favorite, LSU
Charles Alexander, LSU

These are probably middle round prospects and don’t know much about them except Bolden. He has the talent and has shown glimpses of being completely dominant. However, his attitude needs to be fixed and he needs to show more consistency. For what it’s worth, that’s the same thing Vol fans said when Haynesworth went Pro.

by BlueVol03 on Oct 21, 2008 6:53 PM EDT reply actions

LSU DT

Both the LSU DT are very good at stopping the run, but as of right now they are late second to third round draft picks. I’ve seen George Hypolite play in person and I can say that he is better than most people give him credit for.

by Sanders_fan89 on Oct 21, 2008 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Some other prospects

Corvey Irvin 6’4", 292 lbs

Roy Miller 6’2", 295 lbs

Mundrae Clifton 6’2", 290 lbs

Nader Abdallah 6’4", 300 lbs

George Hypolite 6’1", 290 lbs

Brandon Nicolas 6’3", 290 lbs

Just trying to make a contribution. Of these, Nicolas, Hypolite, Miller and Clifton look mean and smart. Off course I’m no scout (yet!), but their bios speak for themselves. I’m sure there are other seniors out there ready to join a class act organization, and that Polian will find them.

I can only hope that our inputs here are at least looked over by Colts recruiting. I’m sure that they will make something happen.

Now looking at Tennesse on Monday…we are not so deep in the hole, yet!!, and hopefully we won’t get any deeper. The way things are turning out this season, anything can happen. A playoff spot is realistic for the Colts. Tennesse and Jacksonville have gone into playoffs with us winning the division.

SO, I agree with many here that if the A Team shows up on Monday, we will win. If its the B Team instead, it’s going to be nasty, the division will be out of reach, BUT STILL, we will have a playoff spot on the horizon. I’m still getting myself together after last week. But I’m sure our Colts already have, and can’t wait to stop the run, intercept Collins and quiet the media for a while…

WE GOT TO GET MEAN ABOUT IT FELLAS, WE AS FANS TRUST IN THE ORGANIZATION AND TALENT YOU ALL HAVE.

LET’S MAKE HEADLINES….

GO COLTS…..

by CaribbeanColt on Oct 23, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Some others...

Matt Kroul 6’3", 281 lbs

Earl Heyman 6’3", 285 lbs

Nick Santiago 6’3", 284 lbs…latin representation. Aggressive, athletic. Reliable.

Pernnell Booth 6’1", 302 lbs

David Smith 6’3", 288 lbs

After reviewing many draft prospects, it looks to me that the quality defensive linemen are few.

It will be huge if we could get a good one in the first round, and trade someone, and some picks to another team, so we can grab a second good one in the first also, or early 2nd round. With all other players in place, two talented DL, will be huge for the Colts. Also keeping Foster and Dawson will be a good idea, since they are getting the “trial by fire” this year, it should payoff next year as 3 techs.

My 2 cents…

GO COLTS….

by CaribbeanColt on Oct 23, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions