re: Mel Kiper has Damone Clark as his 9th ranked draft eligible inside linebacker

quote:

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Clark was a solid player last season. He's been awful this season. What's the more likely reason for that? He all of a sudden forgot how to play football and became physically weaker in one season? Or, whatever the coaches are asking him to do isn't working and/or he's just not grasping what he's being asked to do?


This is true.

And he's a great kid/team leader type that coaches want in their locker room.

shite, we've had several formally VERY good players look average to shitty in this defense (e.g. Stevens).

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That's what I be sayin'!!!

Granted, he does indeed have a real problem engaging and defeating blocks. I do believe part of that problem is ALSO a result of confusion or otherwise being in the wrong place. But only a minority, most of that is on him, his physicality and mentality. I see him run around, or try to run around, blocks way to often. Sometimes it is because he's got no chance to engage and make a play. Sometimes with no obvious explanation.