Leonard Williams USC

Discussion in 'NFL Draft' started by Alex1939, Jan 13, 2015.

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  1. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    That's my hope, but I'm not going to be pissed when we take Leonard Williams. I believe that's ultimately what happens.
     
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  2. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    First off, Cosell says some things that leave me scratching my head...like Randy Gregory is a BETTER athlete than Clowney. He simply is not and the combine numbers prove it! Especially when you consider their different sizes. Even with Gregory being MUCH lighter than expected and not being the top athlete of the edge rushers at the combine (Beasely), he still thinks Gregory is 'probably' still a better athlete than Clowney. That's like saying 2+2=5. When shown proof that 2+2=4, you still think 2+2 probably still equals 5. I don't get it.

    As for LW, this lack of explosiveness talk I believe stems from his being late off the ball very often. I'm not sure why...perhaps it's part of their 2 gap read and react scheme, but on about 90% of his snaps he's last off the ball. Even with that, he makes a LOT of plays even when last off the ball. But when you watch enough tape, you occasionally see plays where he does in fact fire off the ball at the snap (sometimes on pass rush down and others or 3rd or 4th and short). These are the plays in which you can see his combination of explosion, power, hands and finish!

    I just saw repeated by rotoworld that PFF says LW only had 1 QB hit and 2 hurries. I must have picked the right game first to rewatch as he was a dominant force in USC vs Nebraska. The video is from Draftbreakdown so they highlight him. It's 12+mins long so you can watch the whole thing or focus on a few plays below.

    2:16 LW single blocked uses his hands to disengage from his blocker and gets good pressure on the QB (2nd pressure of game).

    2:31 LW stands up, takes a inside move, sees pass and goes right past everyone to sack the QB. He threw the QB too hard so it came back on a penalty (shows his immaturity) but another pressure/sack! And he's not even firing off the ball.

    3:07 Very next play. Again, slow off the ball, uses his hands to disengage, shoots inside and again sacks the QB. Again called back to LY immaturity (taunted opposing sideline after the play). Would have been 2nd sack and 4th pressure of game.

    5:37 LW goes right past the OT and has 3-4 blockers trying to contain him. He gets into the backfield almost as fast as #56 coming from the other side unblocked. If you're tying up 3-4 blockers, you are helping your team!

    6:17 LW bullrushes right past the OC (who holds him) and only didn't get a pressure because a CB blitzing from the outside unblocked, got their first. I guess PFF doesn't take this into account nor the other 2 plays he flushes the QB from the pocket (I didn't count as QB pressure).

    6:26 LW shows how you 2 gap against the run. He takes on the OT and stands him up, as Abdullah tries to cut to the next hole past him, he sheds the blocker and makes the tackle for a 1yd gain. Watching this tape shows you how good he is with his hands and how smooth an athlete he is for a 300lbr!

    6:41 On 3rd and long, he goes inside the OT, get pressure and a QB hit forcing an early and bad throw. Guess I picked one of the lucky games where he actually get a pressure and the only QB hit of the season on 3rd and long according to PFF. LOL! But in all seriousness, he is on time getting off the ball on this play and you can see the difference!!!

    9:02 LW stands up and slides watching the QB, then shoots past the blocker who barely gets a hand on him and he makes a crushing hit on the QB (though misses the tackle). He shows the quickness to simply blow past OL standing right in front of him.

    10:58 LW on 3rd and short shows what happens again when he gets off the ball on time. He takes an inside move, finds the ballcarrier (attempting to run up the gut), shoots the gap and takes him down in the backfield. This is one of many good plays he makes against the run!

    11:13 On 4th and 1, again LW shoots off the ball and bull rushes getting 2-3 yds into the backfield. Unfortunately, there was no help behind him and Abdullah makes a nice run for the first down and more. But this shows when he fires off the ball to get penetration, he gets there easily.

    Leonard Williams vs Nebraska (2014) | Draft Breakdown

    And if you watch his Notre Dame tape from last year, you can see him also makes some similar impact plays on 3rd and 4th and short when he fires off the ball. I think if LW fired off the ball and hunted QB's exclusively on 3rd and long, he'd have a lot of sacks. In the Nebraska game he lost 2 sacks with his own stupid penalties. With those sacks he has the same # of sacks as Dante Fowler. Without those 2 sacks, he still had the same # of sacks as Randy Gregory. And when was the last game you saw 6+ pressures from Gregory? And if you watch the whole tape, you'll see occasionally on 3rd down he gets single blocking, but most of the time he's doubled and several times he's triple teamed!

    Only way he fails is if he gets lazy and undisciplined ala Nick Fairley. Like Suh, he's not the fastest guy, but he has great hand usage and knows how to disengage from blockers to his advantage or set up the less athletic ones to get by them as in this game.
     
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  3. ImATitan

    ImATitan Pro Bowler

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    ^ I also thought he was absolutely dominant vs Nebraska. I know I'm a nobody, but I like to assign "grades" to a prospect per game.. I thought he scored an "A" in that game (not something I give out every game).. I also gave him an "A" vs California (I probably sound ridiculous lol) but it helps me remember prospects stand out games when I've watched 100+ lol.
     
  4. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    Just don't put on his UCLA tape. He didn't get an A on that day:(
     
  5. Finnebosch

    Finnebosch I am vengeance.

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    Honestly I'm starting to think that Danny Shelton will have a better pro career then Lenard Williams. Not saying that Id take Shelton 2nd overall but idk if anyother prospect has put up the same quality tape as Shelton.
     
  6. TitansAC4

    TitansAC4 Starter

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    I'm a huge fan of Williams. Not sure if I would be happier drafting him or getting a huge trade haul for the pick.
     
  7. Alex1939

    Alex1939 Space Invaders Champion

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    If we draft either at #2, I consider it a win.
     
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  8. RavensShallBurn

    RavensShallBurn Ruck the Favens

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    I don't get the Shelton love. I think he looks the part, and he keeps getting hyped up for no reason. Tape on him looks pretty average to me. Comparisons to Ngata and Poe... Eh I don't see it so much.

    But I feel like he's going to just be a decent/average player, and I would be surprised if he turns out to be better than Leonard Williams.

    I much prefer to trade rape the Eagles or Browns, but if we have to pick at #2, Williams has to be the pick. Absurd to do anything else.
     
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  9. Alex1939

    Alex1939 Space Invaders Champion

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    In part it is due to need. Without a good NT, it's hard to have any success in the 3-4. Because teams can just run up the middle until the D sells out, then the O takes advantage vertically.
     
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  10. RavensShallBurn

    RavensShallBurn Ruck the Favens

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    That's why I'm hoping for Dan Williams or Wilfork in FA.
     
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