Originally Posted by : Overview
Speaks finished strong in his final year in Oxford, sacking the quarterback six times in the team's final six games from the defensive end position. He started all 12 games for the Rebels in 2017, posting 67 tackles, eight for loss which included seven sacks to garner second-team All-SEC by league media. The Jackson, Mississippi native and four-star recruit was a defensive tackle initially, redshirting in 2014 and then starting two of 13 games played the following year (32 tackles, 5.5 for loss, one sack, two pass breakups). Speaks played in every game again as a sophomore, starting seven, making 28 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a sack.
Originally Posted by : Strengths
Big man with good speed and plus athletic ability
Has experience at a variety of spots along defensive line
Has size and length to play in odd or even front
Punches with good hand placement, arm extension and rolled hips when allowed to two-gap
Has attitude and edge
Flashes potential to become more proficient with hands as a weapon
Able to play ahead of move blocks and disrupt into backside gaps
Plays with plus awareness
Responds well to flow of the play
Offers a little more pass rush than expected as power end
Pairs hands and feet to help free him as interior rusher along the edge
Arm-over move has some potential
Weaknesses
Had just one season of big production
Inconsistent at leveraging gap
Plays top-heavy with high pad level
Allows blockers under his pads when attacking gaps
Hip-tightness leads to narrowing of his base
Struggles to hold ground against down blocks and can be rolled out of the gap
Has straight line speed, but lateral agility and foot quickness are average in tight quarters
Goes over the edge with emotions
Chippy hitter willing to lead with helmet when play is ending
Ejected for targeting against Kentucky and ejected against Mississippi State for two unsportsmanlike penalties
Reid says Brett Veach "wore him out" watching tape on Speaks. Watched all of his snaps from last season, says he never saw him on the ground. Compares him to Tamba Hali with size and metrics.
So, should we be concerned about Speaks? I didn't watch most of the game, but from watching highlights and checking Twitter it seems like Speaks got absolutely dominated in this game and was pancaked several times. [Reply]
I maintain my assertion that they are going to waste this guy's talent at OLB. They should be beefing him up to play DE. He had a great get-off and was a penetrating player with his hand in the dirt in college. Why in the fuck they want to convert that to an OLB is beyond me. He should be the heir to Bailey. Sometimes I don't get the decisions this team makes. Loved the pick and the player, but hate what they are trying to do with him. [Reply]
Originally Posted by kccrow:
I maintain my assertion that they are going to waste this guy's talent at OLB. They should be beefing him up to play DE. He had a great get-off and was a penetrating player with his hand in the dirt in college. Why in the **** they want to convert that to an OLB is beyond me. He should be the heir to Bailey. Sometimes I don't get the decisions this team makes. Loved the pick and the player, but hate what they are trying to do with him.
Going back to DE is a very easy idea to entertain, you may end up being right
But throwing in the towel on him at OLB just two games into his career doesnt seem like the way to go IMO... its not just you either, several other respected football minds here are way down on him as well [Reply]
Originally Posted by kccrow:
I maintain my assertion that they are going to waste this guy's talent at OLB. They should be beefing him up to play DE. He had a great get-off and was a penetrating player with his hand in the dirt in college. Why in the fuck they want to convert that to an OLB is beyond me. He should be the heir to Bailey. Sometimes I don't get the decisions this team makes. Loved the pick and the player, but hate what they are trying to do with him.
This.
Seriously, after Bailey moves on we all want to replace him with a guy like Jones anyway. [Reply]
Seriously, after Bailey moves on we all want to replace him with a guy like Jones anyway.
I talked with someone on Twitter and said I think he'll be Bailey's replacement. He or Tanoh. Tanoh needs some more snaps to try and generate some more consistent pressure. Was definitely good to see Bailey get a sack. [Reply]
#Gianrs Lorenzo Carter has the most pressures on the Giants defensive so far this season with 4. He just continues to find ways to get to the QB. #BigBluehttps://t.co/ELEFKZRgPq
Originally Posted by RunKC:
We were mocked Lorenzo Carter in the draft process last year and we passed on him. He’s balling so far. It’s early but damn.
#Gianrs Lorenzo Carter has the most pressures on the Giants defensive so far this season with 4. He just continues to find ways to get to the QB. #BigBluehttps://t.co/ELEFKZRgPq
