Ta(c)k(l)ing it Easley
- Thread starter Reverend
- Start date
It's interesting to see the variety of ways the Patriots have used Easley. Given his size and skill set, I sort of see him as the penetrating tackle in a four down alignment but he has actually lined up all over. In fact, nearly every example pulled in the article has him in a different spot that calls for a different technique and gap responsibility. There's good (like SNs gif above in which he draws the double team exactly as intended) and bad here (like when head up over center in a couple of the highlighted plays), but the ability and versatility, at least in flashes, is definitely there. Speed certainly doesn't look like a concern as he is quick in pursuit of the ball carrier - only we would rather not see him have to chase ball carriers 10 yards down the sideline.
I think with another season removed from his latest ACL tear and no restrictions in his off season workout program, he will get stronger and (hopefully) regain that consistent explosive burst off the line.
I think with another season removed from his latest ACL tear and no restrictions in his off season workout program, he will get stronger and (hopefully) regain that consistent explosive burst off the line.
Herald is reporting that the Patriots are considering moving Easley to IR: https://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/the_blitz/2014/12/source_patriots_considering_ir_for_first_rounder_dominique
He's played just 21 snaps the past two weeks, was inactive the week before that, and is already declared out for Sunday after not practicing this week. The article suggests that they've been managing his recovery from knee surgery all season, and that this would be about getting him healthy for 2015 rather than triggered by a new injury.
I don't think they need him, with Siliga back and Jones presumably returning shortly. On the other hand, I don't think they're crying out for additional bodies anywhere else, and Easley might be the team's best interior rusher despite his inconsistencies this year. It makes sense to me to wait, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do IR him if they end up shorthanded somewhere.
He's played just 21 snaps the past two weeks, was inactive the week before that, and is already declared out for Sunday after not practicing this week. The article suggests that they've been managing his recovery from knee surgery all season, and that this would be about getting him healthy for 2015 rather than triggered by a new injury.
I don't think they need him, with Siliga back and Jones presumably returning shortly. On the other hand, I don't think they're crying out for additional bodies anywhere else, and Easley might be the team's best interior rusher despite his inconsistencies this year. It makes sense to me to wait, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do IR him if they end up shorthanded somewhere.
This doesn't really bother me as long as we stay healthy otherwise on the DL. It always looked likely to be red shirt year for Easley and the priority should be just putting him on a plan so that he can come into next year at full health and with NFL-level strength. It sucks that this pick isn't helping the cause this year but the reality is that - with the notable exception of Bitonio - none of the guys drafted in the 10 slots after Easley would be big contributors on this team either.
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
I'm a little nervous about whether he does come back healthy--you'd hope that about a year after his last ACL he'd be swinging into form know rather than missing multiple practices and getting placed on IR.
Shelterdog said:
Its definitely a big concern. I think most guys in this position end up basically red shirting the year, as coming back from an ACL at the same time that you're trying to acclimate to the mental side of the NFL and develop an NFL-level body is pretty tough. But its obviously not a promising start to his professional career.
He didn't have the explosion he did in college. If he can get that back this offseason he'll be fine.
Phragle said:
He actually was starting to improve and show flashes. His games against the Colts was quite excellent, then he either got injured or maybe they are just being cautious with the depth they've accumulated now.
he could never play another down in the NFL and I think I still wouldn't be upset with the draft pick. It was a worthy gamble on a level of talent that the Pats do not often have the luxury of drafting. For a team like that Pats that is deep and a Super Bowl contender/favorite it made and still does make all the sense in the world.
They should send him to Brady's guy and get him some avocado ice cream
They should send him to Brady's guy and get him some avocado ice cream
BigSoxFan said:
I'm not sure what your point was.
1.) We should stop drafting kids from Florida because...Hernandez?
2.) He's slow to recover from his injuries which means he probably - which, by definition, means "almost certainly" - won't pan out. I'm not sure where you derived that opinion, but it doesn't seem to be based in much fact.
Everything else you said was opinion, so that's the basic gist of your post. A whopping 270 snaps into his career and a guy that almost everyone assumed was entering a red shirt season as a rookie due to health concerns is basically thrown on the trash heap.
I think my short and sarcastic retort was a worthy reply. Maybe his knees will completely derail his career, or maybe this is exactly the place people thought he would/should be his rookie season. Either way, I think making declarations like you did is, quite frankly, dumb.
As per usual with the Pats I dont think we got any specifics on the injury, I'm not even sure if it was with the same knee as the ACL last year. But lets say it was a mild knee sprain or MCL or something like that on the same knee. That in conjunction with the ACL he is recovering from could have just been too much for his knee to handle and probably robbed him of his explosion. Plus its better safe than sorry because it seemed he was only in for certain pass rushing packages.
I would've liked that move a day or so earlier so we could've kept Walker. Not that he's amazing or anything, but it would've been more convenient, and possibly helpful to the 53.
Just out of curiosity I looked up every Florida Gator drafted by the Patriots. Included are round/overall. Seems like they like to take UF players in ~4 yr cycles.
2014
Dominique Easley, 1/29
Jon Halapio, 6/179
2010
Jermaine Cunningham, 2/53
Brandon Spikes, 2/62
Aaron Hernandez, 4/113
2006
Chad Jackson, 2/36
Jeremy Mincey, 6/191
2004
Guss Scott, 3/95
1999
Tony George, 3/91
1993
Lawrence Hatch, 6/142
1986
Ray McDonald, 7/187
1982
Brian Clark, 10, 253
1978
Charlie Williams, 11, 296
2014
Dominique Easley, 1/29
Jon Halapio, 6/179
2010
Jermaine Cunningham, 2/53
Brandon Spikes, 2/62
Aaron Hernandez, 4/113
2006
Chad Jackson, 2/36
Jeremy Mincey, 6/191
2004
Guss Scott, 3/95
1999
Tony George, 3/91
1993
Lawrence Hatch, 6/142
1986
Ray McDonald, 7/187
1982
Brian Clark, 10, 253
1978
Charlie Williams, 11, 296
Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt said:
They would have done it a day earlier if they'd wanted to keep Walker.
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
How has that guard with the unpronounceable name (Su'a Filo) that was often linked to the Pats pre-draft doing for the Texans? Given that the Pats will presumably draft a guard in the upcoming draft, I'd be curious about that. Another guy often linked to the Pats was Timmy Jernigan and have been reading real good reports on him for the Ravens.
That said, no regrets -- love taking the risk and thought Easley showed some good flashes. He desperately needs to get healthy and get much stronger. But be fun to track next year.
This still pains me. Apparently BB overrode scouts' recommendation to do it too.Ed Hillel said: