Jake Ryan, 2015 Fourth Round Pick

[pbmax]

JAKE RYAN
2 of 5 Stars
Michigan
POSITION MLB
HEIGHT/WEIGHT 6'3"/236
NO. 47
VERIFIED 40 TIME 4.65
NFL TEAM Green Bay
COLLEGE Michigan
HS St. Ignatius HS
HOME Cleveland, OH


SCOUT RANK 186
POSITION RANK 12

BIO

Ryan has started 41-of-46 games at Michigan – 29 at strong-side outside linebacker and his final twelve appearances at middle linebacker…Recorded 267 tackles (166 solos), 9.5 sacks for minus 58 yards, 45.5 stops for losses of 168 yards and nine quarterback pressures…Recovered one fumble, causing seven others, as he also deflected six passes and gained two yards on his only interception return. NCAA Career-Record Results…Among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players, Ryan ranks 48th with 267 total tackles and 36th with 166 solo hits…His 45.5 stops-for-loss is third-best within the group and he placed 14th with five forced fumbles. School Career-Record Results…Ryan ranks sixth in school history with 45.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, topped by Mark Messner (70.0; 1985-88), Brandon Graham (56.0; 2006-09), LaMarr Woodley (52.5; 2003-06), Curtis Greer (48.0; 1976-79) and Victor Hobson (47.0; 1999-2002)…His tackle-for-lost yardage of 168 tied Ron Simpkins (1976-79) for 12th in Michigan annals…Placed tenth in school history by recording at least ten tackles in ten of his appearances…His seven forced fumbles rank second in Wolverines history. School Season-Record Results…Ryan’s sixteen tackles behind the line of scrimmage as a sophomore tied Henry Hill (1968), Trent Zenkewicz (1994), David Bowens (1996), James Hall (1998), LaMarr Woodley (both in 2004 and 2005) and David Harris (2006) for 13th on the school annual record list…Recorded at least ten tackles in seven games during the 2014 season, ranking seventh on the U-M chart.

[pbmax]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSRuF041aOE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5TXoZD0u7A


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLamo58-BDc

[Zool]

Now when do we pick up Long Duck Dong?

[pbmax]

Now when do we pick up Long Duck Dong?

Lake heh-heh BIG LAKE

Meanwhile on the outskirts of town...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEDf7KYVEAEnADD.jpg

[George Cumby]

Supposedly he's got instincts. I didn't see that. What about you guys? I saw another assignment sure Hawk, maybe a hair faster.

[pbmax]

CBS NFL Draft Scout (had him under OLBs)
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1737498/jake-ryan


COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD 20 YD 10 YD BENCH VERT BROAD SS 3-C-D
4.65 2.71 1.62 20 34 1/2 10'0" 4.20 7.11

STRENGTHS: Good-sized frame for the position with adequate length. Terrific play speed with a motor that is always revving - high effort player. Finds the quickest route from A-to-B with excellent pursuit skills, seeing plays develop before it happens with read/react awareness. Anticipates well as a run defender to blow up run lanes and blocks, sacrificing himself for the greater good. Sets the edge and understands field leverage with NFL take-on strength to give blockers a handful at the point of attack. Processes information quickly with decisive movements to cover a large area. High football intelligence and an assignment sound player. Good timing as a blitzer, doing a nice job playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Top-shelf competitor and often has the dirtiest jersey on the field.

Highly confident and marches to the beat of his own drum. Strong football resume with 41 starts, 267 total tackles and 45.5 tackles for loss over his career - extensive special teams experience and versatility inside and outside.

Football bloodlines: father (WR, Wake Forest), grandfather (DT, Xavier), older brother (WR, Ball State) and younger brother (LB, Ball State).

WEAKNESSES: Tight hips and lacks the body fluidity to consistently hold up one-on-one in coverage. Not a twitchy player with limitations moving laterally. One-speed type and doesn't offer much burst. Needs to do a better job anticipating blocks to avoid bodies, work off contact and stay off the ground. Struggles to keep himself clean and work through the garbage. Inconsistent vision and lacks the make-up speed to compensate. Will overpursue angles at times and arrive too early, forcing some break down issues. Tore the ACL in his right knee that required surgery (March 2013), missing half of his junior season while working his way back from the injury.

--Dane Brugler

PLAYER OVERVIEW

A two-year captain and the 2014 Michigan team MVP, Ryan is a self-made prospect who eats, drinks and breathes football and while he has some athletic limitations, he is the type of player who will make his coach smile and cry when describing how important he is to the team. After a standout sophomore season, Ryan battled through an injury-plagued junior year and looked lost at times when he moved inside as a senior. He has a great feel for the game with natural instincts to close on the action, but the farther from the ball, the less comfortable he feels. Ryan competes with an overachieving attitude and is the type of player who will outplay his draft slot - projects best on the outside where he can blitz, leverage the field and use his strengths.

Ryan received only MAC scholarship offers until an on-campus visit to Michigan prompted an offer from Rich Rodriguez, which Ryan accepted quickly. After redshirting in 2010, he earned the starting nod at strongside linebacker in 2011, finishing among the team leaders with 11.0 tackles for loss. Ryan emerged as a defensive playmaker in 2012 as a sophomore, leading the Wolverines in tackles (88), tackles for loss (16.0), sacks (4.5) and forced fumbles (4), earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He missed half of the 2013 season with a knee injury, but returned healthy in 2014 as a senior and moved inside to middle linebacker, finishing with a career-best 112 total tackles, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors.

[mraynrand]

Supposedly he's got instincts. I didn't see that. What about you guys? I saw another assignment sure Hawk, maybe a hair faster.

Depends on the year. in 2012, I would have bet he'd be a first rounder. I am holding out hope that 1) injury and 2) disintegrating defense served to confuse and demoralize him somewhat. Now is the time to recover!

[pbmax]

Well, if anyone can straighten him out, Winston Moss can.

:huh:

[vince]

Supposedly he's got instincts. I didn't see that. What about you guys? I saw another assignment sure Hawk, maybe a hair faster.
Yeah I want to see it but I just can't. You can see reliability and some aggressiveness but no burst. Hopefully ayn is right and he needed a year to fully recover. That's been known to happen with major knees. Plus the fact that he looks like Hawk doesn't help the situation.

[Brandon494]

Injury and position change, I like this kids game. I remember watching him play vs Virginia Tech a few years ago in a bowl game and kid was just all over the place.

[Freak Out]

Fingers crossed.

[3irty1]

A lot of guys never recover from the mental part of a bad injury. I can see how it'd be hard to go back to the reckless self-sacrificing style that makes a guy special. Its good that he's got some kind of upside, but I think this is just a pro-ready guy to replace 2013 Hawk now that 2014 Hawk is no longer up to that task. I don't think they are looking to turn a weakness into a strength here, just to put a guy in the middle of the defense who has a contagious attitude and can be trusted to not lose the game by himself. If he turns out to be a thorn, great. If not, oh well. We're no worse off than we were.

[3irty1]

I've figured out who he reminds me of: Stewart Bradley.

[mraynrand]

Injury and position change, I like this kids game. I remember watching him play vs Virginia Tech a few years ago in a bowl game and kid was just all over the place.

Yeah that was his great 2012 season. 4 TFL and a sack in that game.

[Pugger]

Supposedly he's got instincts. I didn't see that. What about you guys? I saw another assignment sure Hawk, maybe a hair faster.

I hope so...

[mission]

Agree with those saying he reminds of Hawk. Not overly exciting, but seems OK for a 4th round guy.

[run pMc]

Since he's not a top 5 pick, maybe people won't flame the kid. If he plays as well as Hawk, you'd hope he'll get better in Year 2.
Hey, they needed somebody at ILB.

[mraynrand]

Since he's not a top 5 pick, maybe people won't flame the kid. If he plays as well as Hawk, you'd hope he'll get better in Year 2.
Hey, they needed somebody at ILB.

See, if he plays as well as Hawk then: WHAT A STEAL!! GREAT VALUE!!

[pbmax]

See, if he plays as well as Hawk then: WHAT A STEAL!! GREAT VALUE!!

Value.

[smuggler]

Value!!!!

[mraynrand]

True Value!

[Brandon494]

Since he's not a top 5 pick, maybe people won't flame the kid. If he plays as well as Hawk, you'd hope he'll get better in Year 2.
Hey, they needed somebody at ILB.

I'm hoping he is better then AJ Hawk...damn I'm glad he gone.

[Freak Out]

I wanted another Michigan player....Frank Clark. I know he went in the second RD after we picked so he would have been there at #2. Dude is a possessed demon on the field....off the field as well. :) Oh well.....

[KYPack]

I've kinda channeled my inner Wist on this pick.

Hope he makes it, but my impression of him is another fucking Joe college that won't elevate his game.

I hope he does play like Hawk and not Bobby Carpenter.

[Fritz]

I've kinda channeled my inner Wist on this pick.

Hope he makes it, but my impression of him is another fucking Joe college that won't elevate his game.

I hope he does play like Hawk and not Bobby Carpenter.


I watched the guy, though not extensively, at Michigan for the last few years. He's a tackling machine, for sure, but he's not a playmaker. He'll make the tackles, but they're not for a loss, nor are they startling in their ferocity. To me, the guy is a poor man's Hawk, and Hawk was already kinda poor. This guy, like Hawk, will be a coach's dream but a fan's frustration. Meh.

[pbmax]

I watched the guy, though not extensively, at Michigan for the last few years. He's a tackling machine, for sure, but he's not a playmaker. He'll make the tackles, but they're not for a loss, nor are they startling in their ferocity. To me, the guy is a poor man's Hawk, and Hawk was already kinda poor. This guy, like Hawk, will be a coach's dream but a fan's frustration. Meh.

If he can make tackles and take on blocks, he could be more effective than late-stage Hawk, even if Ryan himself is limited. The Packers have speed elsewhere to do the rest.

[Bretsky]

He's on ok pick.........TT is fine with our ILB's

[red]

He's on ok pick.........TT is fine with our ILB's

i would be happier, if he was the second ILB we had taken

stephone anthony in the first would look damn good with the rest of this draft imo

and the idea that TT and M3 think we are "ok" at ILB, is shocker. these are the same people that thought we were "just fine" there last year

[Rastak]

If he can make tackles and take on blocks, he could be more effective than late-stage Hawk, even if Ryan himself is limited. The Packers have speed elsewhere to do the rest.


I read alot of good things about this guy during the weekend. One scout had him and Kendricks as the cream of the ILB class.

[smuggler]

If he can come back just a *little* more from the ACL, I think he could prove to be a very good pick...

[Carolina_Packer]

Since he's not a top 5 pick, maybe people won't flame the kid. If he plays as well as Hawk, you'd hope he'll get better in Year 2.
Hey, they needed somebody at ILB.

+1

[Carolina_Packer]

i would be happier, if he was the second ILB we had taken

stephone anthony in the first would look damn good with the rest of this draft imo

and the idea that TT and M3 think we are "ok" at ILB, is shocker. these are the same people that thought we were "just fine" there last year

I heard pundits saying that the Saints reached for Anthony at 31. What do you think?

[call_me_ishmael]

I heard pundits saying that the Saints reached for Anthony at 31. What do you think?

I think so, yes. Unless they are a truly special player like the kid Baltimore took last year from Alabama, ILBs aren't worth a one. How many in the past 12 years have been? Off the top of my head... Brian Urlacher, Pat Willis, Ray Lewis, Luke Kuechly, The other USC ILB from Clay's class, and maybe a few others.

[red]

I heard pundits saying that the Saints reached for Anthony at 31. What do you think?

well, at worst he was a second rounder. so at pick #30, i wouldn't have had a problem with it. the guy we took, was more of a reach in most peoples mind, then anthony was

i honestly, would have been fine with anthony, kendricks, perryman or mckinny at pick #30

[HarveyWallbangers]

well, at worst he was a second rounder. so at pick #30, i wouldn't have had a problem with it. the guy we took, was more of a reach in most peoples mind, then anthony was

i honestly, would have been fine with anthony, kendricks, perryman or mckinny at pick #30

Not really. Almost all of the rankings that I saw had Randall higher.

CBS had Randall at #37 and Anthony at #72.
Scouts Inc. had Randall #38 and Anthony at #50.
USA Today had Randall #36 and Anthony at #43.
Kiper had Randall at #31 and Anthony at #57.
McGinn had Randall mocked going #20 and Anthony not in the first round.

[smuggler]

the guy we took, was more of a reach in most peoples mind, then anthony was

This is pretty much overtly untrue if most media scouting is to be believed. I have not seen one big board posted where Anthony was ranked ahead of Randall. Clearly Green Bay felt Randall was at least an equal to Anthony, or they would have drafted Anthony or another from the field.

[Bretsky]

I heard pundits saying that the Saints reached for Anthony at 31. What do you think?



I wish we would have reached for him at 30

[3irty1]

Passing on Alec Ogletree in 2013 had to have been a lot harder for Ted than passing on any of the ILB talent in this draft.

Its not the sexy madden move you'd drool over but there's no ILB at pick #30 I like better than Jack Ryan at #129. Part of the collective groan in this thread is that fans can already tell he's going to easily take the job and boringly make the routine stuff look routine. If we're being honest with ourselves we're all annoyed because we can just see him clogging up the next decade being that guy you'd love to upgrade but somehow always finds a way to win his job every year. There's certainly no corner at #129 who I'd trust to not lose games so in that respect I think this turned out rather nicely. I just wish we could have gotten one or two more guys like Jack to injury proof the position so we can keep Clay outside where he has a chance of being worth his paycheck.

And while there is nothing about Jack that's boner worthy there is some stuff to get excited about. He seems to find the ball quicker than Hawk ever did at ILB. You never see running plays go through his gap a la Poppinga. Best of all, the man's tough as shit which we're going to need after losing Hawk. He tore is ACL in the spring and was back playing football in October. That's insane. Also he's old for a rookie at 23 so a decade of reliable mediocrity is probably pushing it.

[Rutnstrut]

First thing I thought with this pick was he will be another Hawk. If he has AJ's durability and work ethic, he's a great pick. Everyone always wants a superstar with every pick. But a team needs it's lunchpail players also.

[Carolina_Packer]

well, at worst he was a second rounder. so at pick #30, i wouldn't have had a problem with it. the guy we took, was more of a reach in most peoples mind, then anthony was

i honestly, would have been fine with anthony, kendricks, perryman or mckinny at pick #30

I was expecting ILB in either rounds 1 or 2 as well. When they picked Randall at 30, I was sure they would get an ILB in the 2nd, but with the run on the top-shelf guys, and most likely TT's reluctance to move up and get one, it was not meant to be. Picking Dawson at the end of the 2nd just to get an ILB would have been a reach. I'm guessing Joe Thomas and Carl Bradford are looking impressive enough as ILB prospects for TT to have uttered that phrase you so love.

[yetisnowman]

He looks serviceable at best. I think he will get pushed around and be caught off balance quite a bit at the next level. I will echo everyone's sentiments about him being a crappier version of Hawk. The question is, will he be be a little less crappy than Hawk or a lot crappier than Hawk? i'm not sure I can stomach the latter.

[Patler]

I don't know why, but I think he will be just fine in GB. (Maybe we will find out once and for all if my endorsement is the kiss-of-death only for O-linemen, or if it is more broadly applicable.)

[vince]

Passing on Alec Ogletree in 2013 had to have been a lot harder for Ted than passing on any of the ILB talent in this draft.

Its not the sexy madden move you'd drool over but there's no ILB at pick #30 I like better than Jack Ryan at #129. Part of the collective groan in this thread is that fans can already tell he's going to easily take the job and boringly make the routine stuff look routine. If we're being honest with ourselves we're all annoyed because we can just see him clogging up the next decade being that guy you'd love to upgrade but somehow always finds a way to win his job every year. There's certainly no corner at #129 who I'd trust to not lose games so in that respect I think this turned out rather nicely. I just wish we could have gotten one or two more guys like Jack to injury proof the position so we can keep Clay outside where he has a chance of being worth his paycheck.

And while there is nothing about Jack that's boner worthy there is some stuff to get excited about. He seems to find the ball quicker than Hawk ever did at ILB. You never see running plays go through his gap a la Poppinga. Best of all, the man's tough as shit which we're going to need after losing Hawk. He tore is ACL in the spring and was back playing football in October. That's insane. Also he's old for a rookie at 23 so a decade of reliable mediocrity is probably pushing it.
Good post as usual 3irty1. He doesn't look like the sideline-to-sideline playmaker many of us were hoping for (and the Packers don't appear to have) but he'll help improve the position and that may well be all they need. I'm coming around quickly on how scheme can mesh with the personnel.

In nickel/dime situations, which we know is a majority of snaps, they'll only have one of the group of ILB's on the field anyway. Hyde, Burnett, Dix, and quite possibly even Richardson, Rollins, et al can play in the box and cover better than any ILB while holding their own against the run, draws, screens, etc.

[pbmax]

I'll bet he was good at getting his teammates lined up correctly too.


"He just loves the game. I don't know if there was ever a day, and I had him for four years, there was never a time when he didn't come to meetings excited. He played hard all the time. You never had to get on him about the things that you had to with some guys.

"That's why it's the perfect fit for the kind of organization that Green Bay is."

from http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/168417/jake-ryans-coach-smart-move-by-packers-to-draft-michigan-linebacker

[pbmax]

On the plus side, same article above rom Demovsky mentions he did his ACL rehab in 6.5 months. So that might argue for his not being fully up to speed in his first year post-surgery.

[Carolina_Packer]

I don't know why, but I think he will be just fine in GB. (Maybe we will find out once and for all if my endorsement is the kiss-of-death only for O-linemen, or if it is more broadly applicable.)
+1
Let's give the kid a chance. Even if he doesn't wow with his physicality or athleticism, he might have enough. Plus, if his key and diagnose ability on plays is good, he might be able to out-think the opposing offense to make up for any short-comings.

[red]

Not really. Almost all of the rankings that I saw had Randall higher.

CBS had Randall at #37 and Anthony at #72.
Scouts Inc. had Randall #38 and Anthony at #50.
USA Today had Randall #36 and Anthony at #43.
Kiper had Randall at #31 and Anthony at #57.
McGinn had Randall mocked going #20 and Anthony not in the first round.

yeah, when you look at "big boards" he's usually ranked higher the anthony. however guys like kendricks and perryman were also usually ranked higher then randall

i looked at mocks more then big boads, and many if not most of the mocks i saw had anthony going before randall

also, it wasn't until the last week before the draft that randall started to shoot up big boards, i wonder what the reasons for that was? what changed?

[Fritz]

I'll bet he was good at getting his teammates lined up correctly too.



from http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/168417/jake-ryans-coach-smart-move-by-packers-to-draft-michigan-linebacker


I'm not sure how coming to meetings with a boner is, as 3irty1 used the phrase, "boner-worthy" for fans.

But I do hope the guy ends up being a really good player.

We shall see. We get all freaked out because a guy isn't on Mel Kiper's radar, or because Todd McShay tells us that ILB is GB's biggest need. But I think TT has a good, really good, track record compared to other GM's, and as Bob McGinn pointed out, the talking heads on the networks are not scouts.

So we read their blurbs on the top players, we study maybe sixty or a hundred players (a very generous estimate) by watching YouTube videos and maybe looking up info, and then we go ballistic when TT doesn't draft the known names we fancy are the best players.

Sure, it's fun to guess and put the opinions out there, but this vitriolic judgment of some posters is clearly about more than the draft picks no one, not even TT or Hoody Genius or John Schneider, can be certain of.

[Patler]

also, it wasn't until the last week before the draft that randall started to shoot up big boards, i wonder what the reasons for that was? what changed?

I read one article that said teams have had him there for a long time, it just took a while for the media (what we see) to catch on.

[pbmax]

also, it wasn't until the last week before the draft that randall started to shoot up big boards, i wonder what the reasons for that was? what changed?

That's been mentioned before. Rocketing up the draft boards is draft-nik speak for we just found out teams like this player much more than we do. Teams don't begin to put their board together until a month to go before the draft. Any talk about a board in Jan/Feb/most of March is baloney.

[red]

gotcha, makes sense

although, i should note that anthony was also shooting up those big boards, just not as much as randall

and he did end up going 32. so him going 30 wouldn't really be a reach then

[pbmax]

I'm not sure how coming to meetings with a boner is, as 3irty1 used the phrase, "boner-worthy" for fans.


I am just stunned there is still a market for this kind of tale.

Wilde* often remarks that he likes telling engaging stories about the players and teams more than X and Os. But he has also learned that he doesn't really know any of the players at all (after seemingly good guys turned out to be less than pristine - Sharper for example).

He hasn't connected the dots between the two and realize that much of what passes for coverage is inanity and less consequential than cotton candy.


*Its a Demovsky story but Wilde has talked about this before

[mraynrand]

ILB was a position of need for draft/FA, but where does ILB rank on overall position importance, particularly on the Packers? I'd say it's pretty low; that's why TT isn't gonna reach at all, and is comfortable drafting an ILB later in the draft.

Quick internet search:

Bleacherreport
15: OLB
14: Run stopping DE
13: OG
12: ILB*
11: RB
10: OC
9: DT, run stopping
8: WR
7: Cornerback
6: TE
5: Safety
4: OT
3: Inside pass rusher
2: Edge pass rusher
1: QB


*
"The Prototypes: Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers; Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

Traditionally, the middle linebacker has been the heart, mind and soul of a defense. Frequently the roughest, toughest player on the field, the middle linebacker was trusted with the most important job: getting to the ball-carrier.

Fending off a fullback or pulling guard and stuffing the running back 10 times a game or more takes a special combination of size, speed, grit, instincts and thirst for violence. Often called the quarterback of the defense, to this day, the middle linebacker usually relays the play calls from the sideline to the huddle.

Now, though, if all a player can do is stop the run between the tackles, he comes off the field in passing situations—and most situations are passing situations.

Today's middle linebacker has to have the size, power and attitude to stop the run when called upon, but it's more important to have the athleticism to cover the middle of the field—whether in man-to-man against running backs or patrolling the middle of the field in zone coverage.

Players that excel at both, like Patrick Willis, are rare and valuable indeed. For most teams, though, inside linebackers who are "good enough" tacklers and very good in coverage are sufficient and plentiful."


I like how they list inside and outside pass rush separately. So if you think about it, by scheme they will generate inside rush without having to necessarily draft it at ILB using a high pick (on a guy, esp in this draft, who might not have those pass rush qualities). You would like to have more than Clay Matthews as your inside AND outside pass rusher; thus the pick up last off season of Peppers. I am assuming someone else will need to step up in those roles this year.

[3irty1]

I'm not sure how coming to meetings with a boner is, as 3irty1 used the phrase, "boner-worthy" for fans.

But I do hope the guy ends up being a really good player.

We shall see. We get all freaked out because a guy isn't on Mel Kiper's radar, or because Todd McShay tells us that ILB is GB's biggest need. But I think TT has a good, really good, track record compared to other GM's, and as Bob McGinn pointed out, the talking heads on the networks are not scouts.

So we read their blurbs on the top players, we study maybe sixty or a hundred players (a very generous estimate) by watching YouTube videos and maybe looking up info, and then we go ballistic when TT doesn't draft the known names we fancy are the best players.

Sure, it's fun to guess and put the opinions out there, but this vitriolic judgment of some posters is clearly about more than the draft picks no one, not even TT or Hoody Genius or John Schneider, can be certain of.

If we care what Kiper thought we'd be excited as hell; he compared Ryan to Dick Butkus when he was drafted.

[3irty1]

ILB was a position of need for draft/FA, but where does ILB rank on overall position importance, particularly on the Packers? I'd say it's pretty low; that's why TT isn't gonna reach at all, and is comfortable drafting an ILB later in the draft.

Quick internet search:

Bleacherreport
15: OLB
14: Run stopping DE
13: OG
12: ILB*
11: RB
10: OC
9: DT, run stopping
8: WR
7: Cornerback
6: TE
5: Safety
4: OT
3: Inside pass rusher
2: Edge pass rusher
1: QB


*


I like how they list inside and outside pass rush separately. So if you think about it, by scheme they will generate inside rush without having to necessarily draft it at ILB using a high pick (on a guy, esp in this draft, who might not have those pass rush qualities). You would like to have more than Clay Matthews as your inside AND outside pass rusher; thus the pick up last off season of Peppers. I am assuming someone else will need to step up in those roles this year.

I'm pretty sure by inside pass rush they are talking about interior defensive lineman who can rush the passer.

[mraynrand]

I am just stunned there is still a market for this kind of tale.

Hang on a second. It's just an endorsement from Greg Mattison, a Michigan defensive assistant with NFL chops. Sure, it's a fluff piece, but it's not Lori Nickel Lifetime Channel stuff about how nice he is with his best girl and their volunteer opportunities. It's just an endorsement article, but there's a fact in there (move to the inside to keep him on the field) and a quote from Eliot Wolf. Thin gruel, but not worthless.

[mraynrand]

I'm pretty sure by inside pass rush they are talking about interior defensive lineman who can rush the passer.

I didn't read it carefully, but you're right:


The Prototypes: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions; J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

It's been said many times that the shortest path to the quarterback is a straight line. As anchoring against the inside run becomes less and less of a priority, explosive 300-pounders are being lined up inside and unleashed.

This revolution in approach is forcing offenses to reevaluate everything about how they protect the quarterback. Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer admitted to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that the Bears were thinking about Ndamukong Suh lining up "over the right guard" when they drafted a right guard in the first round.

Whether they line up over the guard in a 4-3 defense or between the guard and tackle as a 3-4 end like 2012 AP Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, these rare athletes force offenses to account for their disruptive power.

I would include pressure from the ILB in a category of "Inside pass rusher" but that's just me :)

[mraynrand]

If we care what Kiper thought we'd be excited as hell; he compared Ryan to Dick Butkus when he was drafted.

How did Kiper know what Butkus did when he was drafted?

[3irty1]

How did Kiper know what Butkus did when he was drafted?

Let me rephrase: When the Ryan pick was announced on TV, Kiper compared Ryan to Dick Butkus.

[mraynrand]

Let me rephrase: When the Ryan pick was announced on TV, Kiper compared Ryan to Dick Butkus.

favorably? :) :)

[red]

i think ILB is pretty important in our system. our zone, or whatever the hell it is, leaves the ILBs responible for the whole middle of the field. we've seen for 5 or 6 years now that teams can almost trow at will on us over the middle

it may not me as important as a lot of the other positions on defense, but you can't just neglect it either

and TT has spent high draft picks on every position on defense EXCEPT ILB (hawk was drafted as a WLB for a 4-3)

[pbmax]

Hang on a second. It's just an endorsement from Greg Mattison, a Michigan defensive assistant with NFL chops. Sure, it's a fluff piece, but it's not Lori Nickel Lifetime Channel stuff about how nice he is with his best girl and their volunteer opportunities. It's just an endorsement article, but there's a fact in there (move to the inside to keep him on the field) and a quote from Eliot Wolf. Thin gruel, but not worthless.

I agree its not about his 4th grade 4-H experience, but the fact that an NFL level coach came to the phone and produced a tale of grit and attitude rather than emphasize his NFL level skills and abilities is another instance of damning with faint praise.

"Boy he is tenacious"

"Can he start in the NFL?"

"Did I mention he gets excited for meetings?"

[3irty1]

i think ILB is pretty important in our system. our zone, or whatever the hell it is, leaves the ILBs responible for the whole middle of the field. we've seen for 5 or 6 years now that teams can almost trow at will on us over the middle

it may not me as important as a lot of the other positions on defense, but you can't just neglect it either

and TT has spent high draft picks on every position on defense EXCEPT ILB (hawk was drafted as a WLB for a 4-3)

I don't think its so much that the position isn't valuable to Ted as much as its a skill set where its theoretically easier to find good players with mid round picks and even UDFAs.

Until he got a big draft bargain on Lacy he hadn't brought in a high RB either. I like that comparison because with those two positions are similar in that success is more about vision and fit so they tend to be about as good as they're going to get immediately. This means you can search for an Arian Foster, Alfred Morris, Paul Worrilow, or Vontaze Burfict every year pretty effectively while using 1st round picks to address more difficult needs to fill. With LBs "bum mining" as wist puts it has the benefit of really helping your special teams too.

[mraynrand]

I agree its not about his 4th grade 4-H experience, but the fact that an NFL level coach came to the phone and produced a tale of grit and attitude rather than emphasize his NFL level skills and abilities is another instance of damning with faint praise.

"Boy he is tenacious"

"Can he start in the NFL?"

"Did I mention he gets excited for meetings?"

Sure, but that tells you something, doesn't it? If the guy started saying all sorts of things about how his game would translate to the NFL, it would change how you think about Ryan. This supports the idea that Ryan will be 'meh' until proven otherwise.

[mraynrand]

i think ILB is pretty important in our system. our zone, or whatever the hell it is, leaves the ILBs responible for the whole middle of the field. we've seen for 5 or 6 years now that teams can almost trow at will on us over the middle

it may not me as important as a lot of the other positions on defense, but you can't just neglect it either

and TT has spent high draft picks on every position on defense EXCEPT ILB (hawk was drafted as a WLB for a 4-3)

I think the move of Clay inside and the increased emphasis on safety shows that the middle is important. You'd like to have that ILB that can cover and tackle, but I don't think it was really there in this draft, and to draft the guys available in the early rounds to do this dual job would have been reaching.

[vince]

If he stays healthy, Jake Ryan will be a better pro than Benardrick McKinney. (bump material for wist)

[Fritz]

Let's hope he works out. I always saw him as a typical (from the past, typical) Michigan player: good try-hard college player, not enough skill to be in the pros. Of course there have been good and great pros from U of Mich, but most of the guys were really good college players (back when) whose skills didn't translate very well to the NFL.

[mraynrand]

Of course there have been good and great pros from U of Mich, but most of the guys were really good college players (back when) whose skills didn't translate very well to the NFL.

Yep
http://img.spokeo.com/public/900-600/jim_harbaugh_1990_09_01.jpg
but he sure could hand off well.



And opposite day:
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DdgpPZJSC_Q/hqdefault.jpg

[mraynrand]

Need a little more fire from the ILB position this year

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/51/files/2014/05/carl-bradford-ncaa-football-washington-arizona-state.jpg

[Fritz]

Let's hope this dude is making the transition and has some skills. Or will he be the next Nate Palmer?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Assuming Barrington comes back next year, perhaps a Barrington and Ryan combination can move Matthews back to OLB? I'd still like to see Clay move around, but it would be nice to have a couple of other guys at ILB to play the majority of snaps.

[woodbuck27]

JAKE RYAN
2 of 5 Stars
Michigan
POSITION MLB
HEIGHT/WEIGHT 6'3"/236
NO. 47
VERIFIED 40 TIME 4.65
NFL TEAM Green Bay
COLLEGE Michigan
HS St. Ignatius HS
HOME Cleveland, OH


SCOUT RANK 186
POSITION RANK 12

BIO

Ryan has started 41-of-46 games at Michigan – 29 at strong-side outside linebacker and his final twelve appearances at middle linebacker…Recorded 267 tackles (166 solos), 9.5 sacks for minus 58 yards, 45.5 stops for losses of 168 yards and nine quarterback pressures…Recovered one fumble, causing seven others, as he also deflected six passes and gained two yards on his only interception return. NCAA Career-Record Results…Among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players, Ryan ranks 48th with 267 total tackles and 36th with 166 solo hits…His 45.5 stops-for-loss is third-best within the group and he placed 14th with five forced fumbles. School Career-Record Results…Ryan ranks sixth in school history with 45.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, topped by Mark Messner (70.0; 1985-88), Brandon Graham (56.0; 2006-09), LaMarr Woodley (52.5; 2003-06), Curtis Greer (48.0; 1976-79) and Victor Hobson (47.0; 1999-2002)…His tackle-for-lost yardage of 168 tied Ron Simpkins (1976-79) for 12th in Michigan annals…Placed tenth in school history by recording at least ten tackles in ten of his appearances…His seven forced fumbles rank second in Wolverines history. School Season-Record Results…Ryan’s sixteen tackles behind the line of scrimmage as a sophomore tied Henry Hill (1968), Trent Zenkewicz (1994), David Bowens (1996), James Hall (1998), LaMarr Woodley (both in 2004 and 2005) and David Harris (2006) for 13th on the school annual record list…Recorded at least ten tackles in seven games during the 2014 season, ranking seventh on the U-M chart.

This new Packer is a fine athlete.

GO PACK GO !

[Fritz]

We all have a pretty good suspicion as to what the Packer offense might've been like if Jordy hadn't have gotten hurt.

But I wonder what the Packer defense would be like if Sam Barrington hadn't gotten hurt.

Would it be much different?

[Joemailman]

So far, Barrington and Ryan strike me as similar players. Ryan is a little better athlete, so he may have more upside.

[smuggler]

Ryan seems to be a bit more of a 'desperate' tackler. Not sure if that's a good thing. Neither Barrington or Ryan will ever be anything special, but I think Ryan might be a capable starter one day.

[Joemailman]

Ryan seems to be a bit more of a 'desperate' tackler. Not sure if that's a good thing.

Some of that might be inexperience leading to being a bit out of position. He only played inside his last year at Michigan. He probably still has a lot to learn about playing the position.

[mraynrand]

Some of that might be inexperience leading to being a bit out of position. He only played inside his last year at Michigan. He probably still has a lot to learn about playing the position.

he can learn from Matthews - oh, wait.

[KYPack]

Ryan seems to be a bit more of a 'desperate' tackler. Not sure if that's a good thing. Neither Barrington or Ryan will ever be anything special, but I think Ryan might be a capable starter one day.

How 'bout Sunday?