Training Camp Thread

[bobblehead]

I try not to get excited about physical appearance, cuz otherwise you end up drafting Rashaan Gary or that OLB from years ago, but Yosh is a man among boys.

My boy Yosh made the 53. Maybe he ends up starting at RT!!

[RashanGary]

My boy Yosh made the 53. Maybe he ends up starting at RT!!

Nice call!

[Patler]

My boy Yosh made the 53. Maybe he ends up starting at RT!!

It will be interesting to see how he develops. I read several of his pre-draft scouting reports. All said he was unquestionably the best physical specimen among all of the OTs, but......

One scout put it this way:
- if you design the perfect OT from scratch, you get Yosh Nijman physically and athletically.
- came to college as the #1 H.S. prospect on defensive line. Started college career on defense.
- converted to OT, but seems to have no idea how to play it. Not clear how he was coached.
- said he needed to go to a team with excellent coaches who would be willing to take several years to start from scratch with him, build up from the most basic concepts.

[bobblehead]

LaFleur said Lazard is extremely physical and smiled, and said he can’t wait to see him on the field. Said he can pass protect, run block and play WR. Kinda a unique slot weapon. Still has 4.5 speed and tough enough to block. Gonna be interesting to see how he’s used.

I could easily see a package of jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, Lazard, MVS and Davante being exciting to watch. Williams honed in his WR skills. Jones is even better I’m sure. With Williams and Lazard being such good blockers, you have a lot of run/pass unpredicability there.

Finally figured out who Lazard reminds me of. Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe played TE at about 235. 15-25 pounds lighter than most TE. Lazard is 5-10 pounds lighter than Sharpe, but he is almost a hybrid TE/WR. It just adds to the effectiveness of confusion and doing what the defense gives you in todays specialized game.

[bobblehead]

It will be interesting to see how he develops. I read several of his pre-draft scouting reports. All said he was unquestionably the best physical specimen among all of the OTs, but......

One scout put it this way:
- if you design the perfect OT from scratch, you get Yosh Nijman physically and athletically.
- came to college as the #1 H.S. prospect on defensive line. Started college career on defense.
- converted to OT, but seems to have no idea how to play it. Not clear how he was coached.
- said he needed to go to a team with excellent coaches who would be willing to take several years to start from scratch with him, build up from the most basic concepts.

All true from what I read and watched as well. Yosh is a physical freak. Last year I pimped Dillard, but Yosh is physically even more gifted. OL can be taught if the student is willing. I still don't think Yijman is "there" yet, but he is obviously far enough along that they didn't want to expose him to other teams grabbing him.

edit: I have nothing to back him not being there yet other than he was so green coming out, and having no offseason, if he is it would be a remarkable accomplishment of coaching and student.

[RashanGary]

Finally figured out who Lazard reminds me of. Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe played TE at about 235. 15-25 pounds lighter than most TE. Lazard is 5-10 pounds lighter than Sharpe, but he is almost a hybrid TE/WR. It just adds to the effectiveness of confusion and doing what the defense gives you in todays specialized game.

Not a bad comp. Hines ward is different in height/weight, but similar in the sense of being a WR who could block almost like a TE. Kind of a cross between Sharpe and Ward with skill set. A body between the two as well.

[bobblehead]

Not a bad comp. Hines ward is different in height/weight, but similar in the sense of being a WR who could block almost like a TE. Kind of a cross between Sharpe and Ward with skill set. A body between the two as well.

Go back and look at some early sharpe pics. Body is eerily similar. If Lazard adds 5-10 pounds muscle in next offseason its nearly a clone.

[RashanGary]

Go back and look at some early sharpe pics. Body is eerily similar. If Lazard adds 5-10 pounds muscle in next offseason its nearly a clone.

I see it somewhat. For now I like Hines Ward as a skill set comparison being both guys are tough as nails in all aspects and play WR. I like how Lazard lost weight since coming out of college but still wins physical battles like a big guy. I don’t really want to see him bigger because lighter he’s faster and quicker but still keeps his toughness. I think he’s ideal where he’s at.

As he ages, I could easily see him transition into more of a TE role because he barely has enough speed and quickness to hang at WR.

If I had to plan his career, id keep him WR for a while and transition into a TE mold later in his career.

[bobblehead]

I see it somewhat. For now I like Hines Ward as a skill set comparison being both guys are tough as nails in all aspects and play WR. I like how Lazard lost weight since coming out of college but still wins physical battles like a big guy. I don’t really want to see him bigger because lighter he’s faster and quicker but still keeps his toughness. I think he’s ideal where he’s at.

As he ages, I could easily see him transition into more of a TE role because he barely has enough speed and quickness to hang at WR.

If I had to plan his career, id keep him WR for a while and transition into a TE mold later in his career.

Hines is listed at 6', but I have stood next to Hines. I am 5'9" tall. I wasn't looking up by 3".

[Fritz]

My boy Yosh made the 53. Maybe he ends up starting at RT!!

Man, he looks skinny for a tackle. He needs to go on the Cletidus Hunt diet.

[RashanGary]

Hines is listed at 6', but I have stood next to Hines. I am 5'9" tall. I wasn't looking up by 3".

Not a body comp. More of a skillset comp. Both smart guys who run good routes and build trust with the QB. Both fiery blockers from the WR position who can play slot almost like a TE. So more on skillset than body type.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Hines is listed at 6', but I have stood next to Hines. I am 5'9" tall. I wasn't looking up by 3".

How come Hines Ward and Pat Chung are Black but Taylor Rapp is Asian?

[SudsMcBucky]

How come Hines Ward and Pat Chung are Black but Taylor Rapp is Asian?

I'm assuming it has something to do with what each of their parents' races were.

[bobblehead]

Man, he looks skinny for a tackle. He needs to go on the Cletidus Hunt diet.

He is 6'7" It makes him appear more slight than he is. Man is massive and athletic. Heard nothing about his progress. I figured with no off season he would spend another year on PS, but they must think he is ready. Probably best if we don't need him to start this year, but if he lives up to his eye test, he can be a player.

[Patler]

He is 6'7" It makes him appear more slight than he is. Man is massive and athletic. Heard nothing about his progress. I figured with no off season he would spend another year on PS, but they must think he is ready. Probably best if we don't need him to start this year, but if he lives up to his eye test, he can be a player.

He was signed to the 53 man roster from the practice squad last year in November when Cole Madison went on IR, then ended up going on IR himself in week 16 with an arm injury that required surgery. This year he has moved ahead of Alex Light who was ahead of him last year. There seems to be a promising progression, anyway.