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Who was ... Gilbert Gardner

Next man up works fine until you bump a Gilbert Gardner into the starting lineup at SAM. So what made the Colts draft him in the third round 0f the 2004 draft and hand him a starting spot in 2006?

POSITIVES: Hard-working yet undersized defender who responded with a terrific senior campaign. Quick to key the action, disciplined and stays with assignments. Alert, displays a fluid change of direction and quick getting to the flanks. Plays sideline-to-sideline and gets depth on pass drops. Solid special teams player who helps out on coverage units.


NEGATIVES: Though he plays faster than his 40 time, still lacks the top size-speed numbers. Slow to shed once engaged with opponents or completely taken out of the action by blocks.

The inability to shed blocks was on display in 2006 with him on the strong side. He didn't show much of the awareness they praise either. SI projected him as a 6th rounder. Polian saw something there, likely quickness and coverage ability. Gardner was unable to hold against the run when the Colts needed him. I still buy the common post-SB, pre-Gilberts release line that he was much better suited for the weakside, but Keiaho was more than ready to be the next man up there and Morris' play on the strong side was great.

Gardner was put at a position he couldn't handle (which the scouting report suggests he'd struggle with) and he wasn't good enough at the position he was suit for.

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Haha

They said Gilbert Gardner had positives. That’s crazy talk.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Jul 22, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Gardner

The reason Gardner sucked was that he was stupid. He couldn’t understand his responsibility in the defense. He overpursued instead of ‘maintaining his gap’. He would take himself completely out of plays by not staying home. I don’t think his problems were physical. If you listen to postgame talk that season, Dungy was always talking about ‘fixable’ errors. That meant they were physical, but guys not understanding their roles. Watch the tape of Gardner vs Denver of that year. It’s hilarious. He consistently overran plays and on several occasions ran the opposite direction of the backs. This started week one against the NYG and continued to half time of Jacksonville when Rob Morris stepped in to save the season

18to88.com

by deshawn zombie on Jul 23, 2008 8:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Also...

Gardner sucked because…

HE PLAYED FOR PURDUE!

Go IU! ; )

by MasterRWayne on Jul 23, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lazy

A couple years ago I worked out with a personal trainer who was a student-trainer at Purdue when Gilbert was there and simply said he was lazy, his workouts were terrible. I think this work ethic is probably what led him to become a proud member of the Tennessee Titans.

by nicjohns on Jul 23, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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