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Grantland folk: Barnwell likes PJ Williams, Mays LOVES Kikaha...

Posted on 5/4/15 at 10:47 pm
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49675 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 10:47 pm
Barnwell:
LINK /

"The NFL Draft All-Value Team"
quote:

Cornerback: P.J. Williams (3-78), Saints, and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (7-241), Browns
The concept of an undervalued cornerback is an oxymoron these days, but there are a couple who managed to fall through the cracks. Williams slipped in part because of a DUI arrest, but those charges were recently dropped, and he should be an interesting candidate for a Saints team that appears to be moving toward more press-man coverage after adding Brandon Browner. Williams isn’t the sort of powerhouse former Legion of Boom member Browner is, but he’s a willing run defender who was able to lock up smaller receivers at the line of scrimmage at Florida State. He could end up as Browner’s replacement in 2016 or 2017.



Mays: "Breaking Down the Top 4 Edge Rushers"
LINK /

quote:

Pass-Rushing Nerd Addendum: Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington

OK, I know I said I was only doing the top four, but give me this one. When I was sitting in a barbershop with Danny Shelton a couple of weeks ago, we were watching Beasley’s episode of Sport Science on ESPN. We got on to the subject of pass-rushers, and Shelton, admitting his biases, said Kikaha was still the best one he’d seen in this year’s draft. It was enough to send me back to Kikaha’s tape, and after watching it, I agree with him.

No pass-rusher in college football was more productive over the past two seasons than Kikaha. He had a Division I–best 19 sacks last season after racking up 13 the year before. He didn’t impress during the draft process — not after running a 4.9 at his pro day, while facing questions about the two ACL surgeries he underwent in college — but the guy just knows what he’s doing.

Kikaha

The respectable club-rip of Beasley has nothing on the one Kikaha throws out every once in a while. An ex-judo champion, he wastes no movement with his hands, often tossing aside a tackle’s arms without much effort. Add those talents to an insane amount of balance and the most natural bend back toward the quarterback that I’ve seen among this group, and for my money, you get the best pure pass-rusher in this draft. Seriously, just go watch the highlights. He’s an instructional video. There was another guy in the 6-foot-3, 260-pound range who led the nation in sacks his final year of college before running a 4.84 in the 40 before the draft. His name is Terrell Suggs. Kikaha will fall because of the sprint times and the injury history, but if I were picking a single pass-rusher from this draft — and again, Oreos for dinner recently — it would be Hau’oli Kikaha.

Optimistic Comparsion: Terrell Suggs


They have both talked about these two over their last two podcasts. The fist podcast (coming after the first round) involved Mays talking about his favorite edge rusher not being drafted yet. The second podcast (talking about all NFC teams) had Mays reiterating his love for Kihaka, and Barnwell talking about how he thought PJ Williams was a really good pick. Barnwell sort of ragged on the Grayson pick.
This post was edited on 5/5/15 at 11:06 am
Posted by Rand AlThor
Member since Jan 2014
9554 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 10:50 pm to
quote:

Barnwell likes


quote:

candidate for a Saints team



Posted by LooseCannon22282
Mobile
Member since May 2008
34145 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 10:57 pm to
quote:

An ex-judo champion, he wastes no movement with his hands, often tossing aside a tackle’s arms without much effort.


Huh, did not know that. Solid technician.

League is going to be fricked!
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49675 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 10:58 pm to



Barnwell isn't one to dish out obvious praise. What he said about Williams was about as positive as he gets.
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49675 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 11:00 pm to
Yeah, I really didn't know much about Kihaka prior to the draft because I relied too much on mock drafts to tell me which OLBs to keep an eye on. The more I read about him, the more excited I am about him. Hes' definitely an injury risk, but he's a fricking stud. His production in a really good conference was off the charts.
Posted by CocoLoco
Member since Jan 2012
29108 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 11:47 pm to
The last two players that posted similar sack numbers in college (Suggs and Dummervil) were studs, I like his odds. He's my favorite of our picks. Davison is another one I really like.
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49675 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 11:55 pm to
I was overly harsh on our draft on account of Peat not filling an immediate need. He still may not even start, but whatever. I'm OK with every other pick up until that returner in the 7th round.

ETA: And the GIF in that article is insane. Kihaka just demolishes a LT an trosses a blocking RB aside like he's nothing.
This post was edited on 5/4/15 at 11:57 pm
Posted by BigBrod81
Houma
Member since Sep 2010
19291 posts
Posted on 5/4/15 at 11:56 pm to
quote:

Huh, did not know that. Solid technician.


He is also was a wrestler in high school so he understands how to win with leverage along with his ability to use his hands extremely well.

quote:

In high school, member of team that finished as runner-up to state champion. Played defensive end and tight end. Also competed in judo and wrestling, winning league championship in judo.


LINK
Posted by BigBrod81
Houma
Member since Sep 2010
19291 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 12:00 am to
quote:

I'm OK with every other pick up until that returner in the 7th round.


I see you have come over to the dark side in terms of becoming a fan of Kikaha, right? Welcome.




quote:

Kihaka just demolishes a LT an trosses a blocking RB aside like he's nothing.


Those hands of his are violent.

This post was edited on 5/5/15 at 12:02 am
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49675 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 12:02 am to
Yeah, he's the more I look into him, the more I think he belongs with the second tier of edge rushers (which includes Ray, Gregory, and Beasley... all those guys except Fowler). I'm really excited about him.
This post was edited on 5/5/15 at 12:03 am
Posted by BigBrod81
Houma
Member since Sep 2010
19291 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 12:07 am to
Wait though, you don't like the Murphy pick? The kid plays with a ton of heart & he was a fan favorite at Missouri. I expect him to quickly become one with the Saints too. He's an excellent screen back along with his return skills. He's solid depth in case any of the top guys go down at any point of the season.
Posted by BigBrod81
Houma
Member since Sep 2010
19291 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 12:17 am to
quote:

All-purpose running back with a lean frame and a big heart. Showed consistency of effort and production during his time at Missouri. His value as a runner is limited due to his size, but he has the potential to become a legitimate target out of the backfield and might warrant some reps in camp as a slot receiver. Murphy can step in and immediately challenge for the top spot as a kickoff and/or punt returner.


LINK


quote:

Regarded as just a three-star athlete in high school, head coach Gary Pinkel was able to get the most out of Murphy by utilizing him in many different ways.

While his NFL career may not be as successful as Maclin, Murphy’s impact on the program will hold a similar place in the heart of Missouri fans. It seemed like whenever Missouri needed a big play, Murphy was there to step up in the moment.

So it’s fitting to see Murphy’s career with the Tigers come to an end after such an incredible individual performance in the Citrus Bowl — 207 total yards with contributions in all four areas.


LINK

Don't sleep on this guy. He may not be an all world back but he can definitely be an asset. His heart & knack for coming up with clutch plays will quickly remind fans of PT. I'm just not sure if Murphy will ever be as good of a blocker as PT was though.
Posted by IIxxBREADxxII
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
9747 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 12:19 am to
Can't wait to see these young guys plugged into this revamped Saints defense.
Posted by THRILLHO
Metry, LA
Member since Apr 2006
49675 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 12:23 am to
I just REALLY liked what I saw of Saunders late last season when he was given the opportunity. I would have preferred to take a chance on another position, unless our FO thinks that Murphy can contribute as a RB.
Posted by BigBrod81
Houma
Member since Sep 2010
19291 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 12:32 am to
Oh, I really like Saunders too but running back is such a brutal position. Guys get banged up so much that you can almost bank on them missing a game or two somewhere along the way. Like I said, though Murphy is a great screen back. Here's his highlights if you haven't seen them already.

LINK

ETA: I know Saunders isn't a running back. I was just meaning that the guys in front of Murphy (Ingram, Spiller & Robinson) are guys who have dealt with different injuries so far in their careers.
This post was edited on 5/5/15 at 12:38 am
Posted by WalkingTurtles
Alexandria
Member since Jan 2013
5913 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 1:22 am to
Great thing about all those night LSU games last year was staying up to watch PAC-12 games. Arizona St was one of my favorite teams to watch along with Washington. Kikaha plays like a man possessed.

Also PJ Williams is a steal, a DUI arrest scared people off. Dude was 1st round talented. We essentially got an addition 1st rd CB. I know teams get wary of off field issue guys but sometimes it borders on stupidity.
Posted by Suntiger
BR or somewhere else
Member since Feb 2007
33556 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 5:12 am to
Yep, never knew much about Kikaha until after the draft. But I love the pick now. I want to see how he does in camp, but I'm pretty sure I'm getting a Kikaha jersey this year.
Posted by mindbreaker
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
7681 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 6:40 am to
quote:

Yeah, I really didn't know much about Kihaka prior to the draft because I relied too much on mock drafts to tell me which OLBs to keep an eye on. The more I read about him, the more excited I am about him. Hes' definitely an injury risk, but he's a fricking stud. His production in a really good conference was off the charts.


This for me also.
Posted by Mr. Hangover
New Orleans
Member since Sep 2003
34650 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 6:59 am to
How do you pronounce Kikaha?


KEEK-A-Ha??
Posted by SaintEB
Member since Jul 2008
23078 posts
Posted on 5/5/15 at 8:29 am to
I think is Kee-Ka-Ha
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