Official Carl Bradford Thread

[smuggler]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2014/sackseer-2014

For those not familiar with sackSEER, it isn't always accurate, but it did predict Mike Daniels would be a plus pass rusher.

Bradford is higher ranked in his passrushing projection than Scott Crichton, the player the Vikings took in the third round.

Interesting is that both Jackson Jeffcoat (Tenn) and Adrian Hubbard (Bama) are rated highish, but went undrafted.

[mraynrand]

For those not familiar with sackSEER, it isn't always accurate

It sure didn't properly diagnose my testicular cancer

[3irty1]

My take is that he fell because he's an odd enough shape to make him positionally ambiguous. Will his extreme lack of length hurt him more taking on lineman or trying to cover tight ends? His best athletic traits and experience are as an edge rusher, so I'd think that's plan A just in case he proves effective. In the likely event that he's not the next Terrell Suggs (a successful edge rusher with his body type), he should be able to at least compete with our ILB and be able to back up all 4 LB spots.

[mraynrand]

My take is that he fell because he's an odd enough shape to make him positionally ambiguous.

[pbmax]

Radio today said his coach praised him as the best pressure player he had seen. They designed a unique position for him (devilbacker) to take advantage of his skills.

Blogger for ASU said while he had played all over the defense with a huge degree of latitude, one place he didn't spend much time was ILB. Prior to Packer pick, most teams and scouts were telling people close to ASU (media, not coaches) that he would need a position switch.

[smuggler]

Would be nice to see him as an inside backer. He could pressure for sure, and he actually has plus size on the inside. I wonder if he'll have adequate range and coverage ability?

[woodbuck27]

Bradford was a 4th round selection who was projected to go as high as round 2. Round 4 was the lowest projection. Of course, that means diddly squat, but he was pretty well-liked. I'd like to see him get a shot inside immediately. We have enough OLB candidates with Clay, Perry, Peppers, Neal, Mulumba, Palmer. On the other hand, I wouldn't be shocked if Lattimore challenged for Jones's ILB spot. He was pretty solid last year and he could be a lot better with more playing experience. Next to Adams, this is my favorite pick. This guy is a baller. Wist's type of player. Not sure why he doesn't like that pick. Athletic, hard-nosed, all out effort. This guy has to be given a shot at ILB. I hope they don't wait too long to make the move. He's not quite athletic, but the dude reminds me a bit of Junior Seau.

Moving Rookie LB Carl Bradford for a solid inside and LBer would threaten the Hawk / Jones LOVE fest.

[3irty1]

I was watching some 2013 ASU games to get a feel for what to expect from Damarious Randall and #52 kept making plays. Eventually I realized that guy is Carl Bradford.

What an absolute maniac this guy was on the college football field. I think its worth bumping this thread to discuss where he might fit in for 2015 because as the roster stands he's the primary competition for what is sure to be the weakest and shallowest position group on the defense.

Anyone else curious to see what he does now that his position has been solidified for an off season?

[Fritz]

I was watching some 2013 ASU games to get a feel for what to expect from Damarious Randall and #52 kept making plays. Eventually I realized that guy is Carl Bradford.

What an absolute maniac this guy was on the college football field. I think its worth bumping this thread to discuss where he might fit in for 2015 because as the roster stands he's the primary competition for what is sure to be the weakest and shallowest position group on the defense.

Anyone else curious to see what he does now that his position has been solidified for an off season?

Some of this depends on how fast a learner he is. If he's picked up on the position, he can play fast(er) than he did last training camp, and we'll see if he has the skills to play ILB in the NFL.

I suppose we can't expect him to cover the speedy TE's or running backs coming out of the backfield, but maybe he can play in certain situations so Matthews can go back to his beloved outside.

Personally, I don't see why Matthews would care - he got more sacks from inside than outside last year. Maybe it's because he can't just roam free as much.

[mraynrand]

I was watching some 2013 ASU games to get a feel for what to expect from Damarious Randall and #52 kept making plays. Eventually I realized that guy is Carl Bradford.

What an absolute maniac this guy was on the college football field. I think its worth bumping this thread to discuss where he might fit in for 2015 because as the roster stands he's the primary competition for what is sure to be the weakest and shallowest position group on the defense.

Anyone else curious to see what he does now that his position has been solidified for an off season?

Good bump. I looked at the highlight reel, and anyone can look good on a highlight tape - well, except Joey Thomas. Still, kid has some talent. I would say he has to show progress in preseason ("The game has to slow down for him"). These are the guys that make those PS games worth watching.

[3irty1]

Some of this depends on how fast a learner he is. If he's picked up on the position, he can play fast(er) than he did last training camp, and we'll see if he has the skills to play ILB in the NFL.

I suppose we can't expect him to cover the speedy TE's or running backs coming out of the backfield, but maybe he can play in certain situations so Matthews can go back to his beloved outside.

Personally, I don't see why Matthews would care - he got more sacks from inside than outside last year. Maybe it's because he can't just roam free as much.

He's not particularly fast but he's in the right window for the position. He had a little weight to lose once the OLB dream was dead as well which should speed him up some. I think the bigger concern in coverage is his lack of length. He was forgettable in last years preseason at ILB but didn't embarrass himself or anything. What I'd like to see is the stuff you can't coach show up this year. The explosive hits and 2nd effort heroics and whatnot. That's what made him special at ASU IMO.

Sacks correlate with pressure and thus are used to measure it but they aren't the same thing. Clay can bring pressure every passing down as an OLB. He can draw double teams and free up teammates. He also has the incredibly rare ability to catch a NFL running play from the backside which he's not in position to do as an ILB. There is a reason he gets paid more than any ILB in the league and if he wants to continue to get paid more than any ILB in the league he'll have to not become one.

[Fritz]

He's not particularly fast but he's in the right window for the position. He had a little weight to lose once the OLB dream was dead as well which should speed him up some. I think the bigger concern in coverage is his lack of length. He was forgettable in last years preseason at ILB but didn't embarrass himself or anything. What I'd like to see is the stuff you can't coach show up this year. The explosive hits and 2nd effort heroics and whatnot. That's what made him special at ASU IMO.

Sacks correlate with pressure and thus are used to measure it but they aren't the same thing. Clay can bring pressure every passing down as an OLB. He can draw double teams and free up teammates. He also has the incredibly rare ability to catch a NFL running play from the backside which he's not in position to do as an ILB. There is a reason he gets paid more than any ILB in the league and if he wants to continue to get paid more than any ILB in the league he'll have to not become one.

Well, one thing you know Russ Ball better not do next time around with Clay is to try to use ILB salaries to justify a low-ballish offer.

[pbmax]

Good bump. I looked at the highlight reel, and anyone can look good on a highlight tape - well, except Joey Thomas. Still, kid has some talent. I would say he has to show progress in preseason ("The game has to slow down for him"). These are the guys that make those PS games worth watching.

That's true, but when you look good on someone else's highlight tape, then you may have something there.