Big, strong, athletic beast with flexible-hips at DT to get to QB

Willis

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Willis

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This hurts. But so true. Valentine is the answer to the OPs question, IMO. We need to land him.

We may have one on the roster now by the name of Greg Gilmore. I think many underestimate him (and Bain) because they didn't come in and play immediately.

Is Valentine? With technique coaching I'd gamble and say he probably can be. Most rave about his athleticism. Combine that with his size, and you have a good starting recipe.

Godchaux. This is where McDowell would have been helpful as well. I question his weight gaining ability like most of you but there is no question about his ability to rush. Also think Speaks could be that guy. Hes a better athlete than Willis

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Bain is going to be a beast.

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Bain might have the highest ceiling of all the young DT's.

On the surface, I wonder the same thing you do, but I also wonder if it is partially a matter of scheme under Chavis, as opposed to a significant talent difference. Lavalais, etc. really shot the gap and were disruptors, which was satisfying to watch. Perhaps-- now-- Chavis' scheme depends on them holding their lane more. I'm not well versed on the strategy and tactics various defenses employ, so honestly don't know... I'm just adding this as a potential reason Logan, Brockers, Anthony Johnson, Ego, etc. don't appear to be as disruptive, which I think is partially what you're hoping to see.

A potential example of this idea would be Tyson Jackson (I know Chavis wasn't DC at the time). When Jackson was a junior he seemed tremendously disruptive at DE. The next year, during an interview, he said something to the effect that the coaches asked him to modify his game and play the position differently for his senior year. I regrettably can't remember exactly what he said and what he meant, but the results-- on the surface-- were that it seemed like he was in the backfield less and his stats for sacks and TFL were a little lower as a senior. Yet, he was deemed to have had a good season and ended up being selected 3rd overall in the draft. I know the draft places a lot of emphasis on measurables and potential, so it's hard to determine how much of a role production plays in where a player is drafted. My point is that I suspect the coaches were asking Tyson to play contain a little more instead of trying to dynamically blow every play up. Similarly, now, it is possible that talent may not be the reason we don't see the same style of DT play we used to see. Considering that LSU does seem to have success stopping teams like A&M, which nobody else seems to be able to do, it isn't necessarily bad. And it doesn't appear to be hurting the players draft position either, considering Brockers, etc.

On another note, I just watched the videos for Valentine and Lealaimatafao back to back. I don't know how to evaluate talent so can't say which is better. I believe Valentine is rated higher. But one thing that stuck out to me is that Lealaimatafao seemed really strong and when he got his hands on the ball carrier, that person went down-- period.

I don't recall RJF doing much more at LSU than belonging to the "All Potential" team. Glad that he's been able to live up to some of that potential in the league.

Remember the name.... Bain.


And also, its extremely rare to have a DT that is able to get after the QB.

Valentine's hips are pretty flexible, and he seems to meet the other criteria also.

I wanna watch someone ask Kyle Williams if he has flexible hips.