Grizzly ~ Malcom Brown ~ Texas LongHorns 6024/320
For that reason, and in order to offer NomenClature that speaks not to archaic, obsolete "Positions", but rather to Skill Sets that accurately reflect the dynamic Changes of the 21st Century Game and the Roles they have spawned, I have undertaken to craft Terminology that is designed to break Skill Sets down as they really are.
Defensive Coordinators have, since Time Immemorial, employed highly creative terminology in devising Defenses and in designating Assignments. In that Spirit, I have admittedly indulged myself considerably in devising the following NomenClature. It is undeniably colorful, but I like to think that there's an underlying Logic, as well:
Grizzlies ~ This is my terminology for the larger, beefier Defensive Tackles, many of whom often see a lot of Snaps at Nose Tackle. Unlike Gorillas, they're not lengthy enough or fast enough for the classic Defensive End gig to be an optimal Deployment, but nowadays can be lined up anywhere. The Prototype'd be about 6015/325 or so.
Of course, where and how any given Coach chooses to deploy his Players is his Business. Players that I characterize as Grizzlies may often or even routinely line up anywhere, on any given Down. My only purpose is simply to identify what I perceive as Skill Sets, to distinguish types, if you will, and perhaps create a universal Point of Reference.
When evaluating Grizzlies, this is how I break down the Attributes to which I pay most particular attention:
Power: Above all: Core Power. Torso Power is important, but Core Power, from the Knees to the Ribs, is absolutely crucial. All the upper body strength in the world still fails if you can't dig in your heels. But Core Power enables a Defensive Lineman to project Power in the Passing Game and to reject Power in the Running Game.
Agility: Launch Velocity, Acceleration, and above all: Fluidity or Core Agility. Core Agility is even more essential to sustained good Health ~ and to sustained good FootBall ~ than Core Power. The ability to react with Serpentine smoothness is a tremendous asset in all Aspects of the Game, and certainly in the Hand to Hand Combat that characterizes Trench Warfare. All the Power in the World goes only so far if you're stiff and lumbering out there.
Combat Skills: Paw Power, Mechanics ~ Hand Speed & Positioning ~ and of course: Frame.
Intangibles: Processing Speed and Motor. Processing Speed or Diagnostic Velocity is about how quickly and effectively one Reads & Reacts to how the Rapidly Roiling Tactical LandScape effects Blocking Schemes, and Motor is about Endurance and Drive: How much Work has been put into Conditioning, and how it manifests itself.
Run Defense: Power, Agility, Combat Skills, and Processing Speed.
Pass Rush: Power, Agility, and Combat Skills.
Broken down into SubCategories, it'd go something like this:
Power
* Core Power ~ lower body Power. Core Power trumps Torso Power. Tyrannosaurus Rex had exceptional Core Power.
* Torso Power ~ upper Body Power. Important, but not crucial. T Rex had lousy Torso Power...yet was King.
* Anchoring Strength against the Run.
* Drive Power in the Pass Rush.
Agility
* Fluidity, above all things: Core Agility & Flexibility makes everything possible.
* Launch Velocity ~ Speed into Contact off the Snap.
* Acceleration ~ Short Speed or Quickness.
Combat Skills
* Paw Power ~ The Power & Speed of the initial Punch.
* Paw Velocity ~ How active the Hands are.
* Paw Positioning ~ It's all about Angles & Leverage.
* Frame ~ Above all: WingSpan.
Intangibles
* Processing Speed ~ Field Vision. Rapidly Reading & Reacting to the Offense.
* Motor ~ Intensity and Duration.
Run Defense
* Power
* Agility
* Combat Skills
* Processing Speed
Pass Rush
* Power
* Agility
* Combat Skills
Agility: Mediocre. Marginal Launch Velocity. Marginal Fluidity. Impressive Acceleration.
Combat Skills: Superb. Exceptional Paw Power. Competitive Mechanics. Excellent Hand Speed.
Intangibles: Adept. Good Field Vision. Adequate Motor.
Run Defense: Tremendous. Brown brings extraordinary Anchoring Strength to the BattleField, but I would break that down as Impressive at Nose Tackle and Outstanding at Defensive Tackle. He doesn't seem to have sufficient Core Power to excel if he's routinely taking on Double Teams as a Nose Tackle in a 34, but I believe that he's got enough Power, combined with superb Combat Skills and impressive Acceleration, to dominate at Defensive Tackle.
Pass Rush: Mediocre, though with the Potential for Impressive. He's already got impressive Drive Power and Closing Speed, and superb and improving Combat Skills. His Launch Velocity and Fluidity are holding'm back, and I tend to suspect that they always will, but I also believe that Brown is the type to make the very most of what he has.
I believe that Malcolm Brown is saddled with mediocre Agility, but I have learned, through Hard Experience, not to let that get in the way of an higher Grade, if the Trench Warrior in question has enough going for'm in other Aspects.
And I believe that that is the case, here. Malcom Brown brings outstanding Power to the Field of Battle. He's able to push a Pocket or two from time to time, based on that Bull Rush alone, and his Anchor against the Run is extraordinary.
What really excites me about'is Game, though, is his Combat Skills. They are not extraordinary, mind you, but they are very impressive, and they are dramatically improved from a Year ago: Brown is Doing The Work.
He's developing his Game in many small ways, learning to master The Little Things, and that of course, Ladies & Laddies, is what sets off my Trajectory Radar: I believe that Brown's considerable Improvement in this Aspect of the Game, this Campaign, casts a penetrating light upon his Intelligence, his Drive, and How Badly He Wants It.
The Great Ones master The Little Things...like Mechanics.
I'm not making any such grandiose Prediction about Brown, mind you. But when I perceive Evidence of a combination of Intelligence & Drive, combined with exceptional Talent, such as Brown's tremendous Power, his mediocre Agility notwithstanding, I am inclined to like his Chances of attaining Excellent at the next level.
Grateful Thanks, as always, for the crucial Work done by the folks at Draft BreakDown!!
Market Value 1st/2nd Round | Yankee Grade 1st/2nd Round |
None of this is even remotely a Complaint, mind you, but rather a Warning!! Caveat Emptor!!