It'd not just on runs but also picking up RBs leaking out on pass plays. Both he an Nix have great play recognition. I noticed this as well. Very quick to recognize screens.
Did you see it on his tape from 2012? Much more so than his '13 tape, although admittedly I didn't watch as much '12 tape as this past season. He isn't a pure pass rusher, so you're not going to see Bruce Smith out there, but he's more of a Seymour type that can play different positions and have different responsibilities depending on the looks they want to run. I'm encouraged to hear he's lost a little weight, hopefully that will help get that explosiveness back.
You think he's a DE? It depends on the fronts they want to use. He's versatile enough to play end (in a 3-4 or 4-3) or tackle (in a 4-3), IMO. If they want to be stout vs the run, I could see a 4 man front of Jones, Wilfork, Kelly and Tuitt. Or a 3-4 look with Jones, Wilfork and Tuitt. And then on passing downs, he could kick inside for a Jones, Kelly, Tuitt, Nink look, or something along those lines.
My problem is that everyone wants him to be the next Dontari Poe, Fletcher Cox, Cameron Jordan, Muhammad Wilkerson, but he's already as old as those guys. He's older than Fletcher Cox, Sheldon Richardson, and Michael Brockers, but he's so, so far behind. Old and raw is a terrible combination. Yup, the age issue is a significant one for someone who has so much work to do. The raw talent is there, but I think he'd be better in a defense that allowed him more freedom to get after the QB. He sells out too much for him to "just do your job", and I think that would drive BB nuts. Tuitt is younger, more polished, and likely ready to play from day 1. I have no idea what to expect from a guy like Hageman, even if the physical traits are impressive.
