I’ve heard it mentioned a few times previously that one of Miller’s best traits is that he can "set up" a blocker with a move and then get by him to make the tackle. I’m afraid that trait is going to turn into a hinderence once he hits the NFL.

 NFL blockers (whether a pulling lineman, Tight End, or chipping back) are much more adept than those seen in most college players (obviously). When Miller tries to make those "set up moves" in the NFL and they don’t work, he is going to be viewed as a speed rusher only that can’t make all the necessary moves to be successful.

If you are a pass rush "expert" but don’t have any kind of bull rush, it eliminates multiple other moves as the blocker never has to worry about being stout at the point of attack to counter the bull rush. If the blocker isn’t attacking the rusher and is thus sitting back on his heels, he won’t ever get beat by a spin or swim move. Ultimately eliminating the rusher’s effectiveness all together. He’ll just push the pass rusher back into the pile around the guard/center or run him around the pocket all together.

That said, I understand it is possible for Miller to add weight and develop this aspect of his game, but I don’t think you can justify a top 3 pick in the draft for a player that needs to develop aspects of his specific trade, especially when that aspect was already considered his strength (pash rushing).

Note:  I posted this comment in the pash rusher thread, but wanted to open it for further discussion. 

After what has been reported as a very good performance at the Senior Bowl, I've been doing a little research on Von Miller.  I wasn't very high on him during the 2010 season, but admittedly, I probably should have been.  He's had great production during his Junior and Senior years with the Aggies. 

The more I look into Mr. Miller, the more good things I find about him.  Seems like an upstanding your man with good college production.  The question then becomes whether or not he can translate that production into the NFL. 


Based on his current draft positioning, I have to believe most of the experts/pundits seem to think that transition to the Pro's won't be a problem for him.  (answers that question)

My final question was whether or not he was worth the third overall pick in the draft. 

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Admittedly, I don't know much about Cornell Green other than the fact that the Raiders didn't think he was a worth paying to be their starting Tackle.  Now, it seems he is the default starter on the right side of our offensive line while we are leaving Bell and Meredith to battle it out for the starting gig on the left.  On top of that, everyone seems convinced we need a starting Left Tackle in the first round of the draft. 

I propose that Bell ends up better than Green and OBD expects this to be the case come training camp.  That being said, the draft room at OBD is probably praying that Bulaga falls to them at 9 and they can plug him into the right side. 

I, on an semi unrelated note, hope this is the case because I would like to have Mr. Tebow as our starting QB in a couple years and Mr. Bulaga protecting his blind side for many days to come. 

What say you?

Damn, I hate that word.  Anyway, that's what we're looking at.  A nice, big, fat rebuild of the entire team (top to bottom). 

I'm all for starting that sooner than later.  It doesn't make sense to keep Jauron if he is going to keep putting these players in the same position for failure.  Maybe an interim guy (I don't care who, it is just for 11 games) will put the players in different positions based on strategy, formations, calls, etc. that would give them a better (or even different) chance to succeed.

Keeping status quo just fails to give the next coach, GM, front office all possible view points to critique the current roster and make the necessary adjustments.  Watching the same guys fail to do the same things isn't doing anyone any good.  The players are regressing as opposed to improving with play.  We need change and the sooner the better. 

Keeping Jauron for the remainder of the season (or even one more game) only restates the "continuity" we are trying to dissuade. 

I've read the articles and posts this morning and it seems some people are for keeping Jauron around, if only for a few weeks.  However, the same articles preach the failures of the front office and coaching staff by maintaining continuity.  You can't have it both ways. 

This is our team as a fan base.  They can't exist without us.  Time for us to burn our bras or whatever is necessary to demand change.  If Ralph is so cheap, lets show him cheap. 

Time for change or time for a boycott...lets see how well they do when they lose tens of thousands of people worth of concessions on a Sunday.  That's where they make a lot of their money.  Lets hit him where it hurts.

Has anyone else seen the NFL Network advertising their preseason games in HD? 

The advertisement I'm referring to is the one that includes a video clip of Adrian Wilson's hit on Trent Edwards.

I just find it quite ironic that the NFL would fine Wilson $25 large for an "illegal hit" and then use that same hit to promote their product. 

Doesn't seem right to try and make a profit off of something that they deemed illegal themselves. 

As we continue to get excited for the draft (and past the initial "shock" of a receiver signing to remain unnamed for this post), and assuming we don't make any moves prior to that (which is a big assumption), which one of these situations would you be most willing to live with (and which one would be the worst) assuming the other positions are addressed in the first couple rounds of the draft (none of these are ideal, but assume you have no choice): 

1.)  TE rotation of the two Dereks.

2.)  DE rotation of Schobel, Kelsay, Denney and Ellis.

3.)  Ellison starting in LB

4.)  Chambers starting at LG

I'm not giving up on L. Coles just yet, but the longer it lasts and the more visitors we see, the more skeptical I am. 

I agree that defensive rookies have much quicker success in the NFL and we undoubtedly need quick defensive success, but...

Now that T.J. has signed with the Seahawks, any chance we look at Crabtree if he falls to 11?  Maybe there is no chance he gets past the Raiders.  Just a thought.