gazoo Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Hageman takes challenge of losing weightSeptember, 4, 2014 By Vaughn McClure | ESPN.comFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- When Ra'Shede Hageman was shown gasping for air during an episode of "Hard Knocks," the world knew the Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive lineman's conditioning wasn't where it needed to be. Hageman might have been upset with defensive line coach Bryan Cox riding him about it at the time, but he has since come to the realization that he needed to lose weight. He said he has dropped 10 pounds since first coming to the Falcons, with at least five more pounds to shed. Hageman "You can never be all the way there because there's always room for improvement," Hageman said. "As of right now, I'm still doing extra conditioning by myself to get better. It was mutual between me and coach [Cox]. I feel like playing at this level, you have to have a healthier condition. It's just like me lifting after practice or studying film: It's just a way to get better. After practice, you're going to see me running because I'm trying to get ahead of the competition." Hageman isn't expected to play a high number of snaps initially as the Falcons work him into the defensive line rotation. Regardless of playing time, his conditioning needs to be adequate, even for spurts. "I came in at 320 [pounds] and I really wasn't moving as well as I wanted to," Hageman admitted. "Now, I'm at 310. And I probably want to be at 305. Then, I'm able to move a lot easier. That's the main reason they had me running when I came in here -- to get that weight off. Ultimately, in order to run faster and make plays, I have to play at a comfortable weight for myself." Falcons coach Mike Smith lauded Hageman for showing some maturity. "I think he's grown leaps and bounds since he got here," Smith said. "He's grown leaps and bounds since we first got an opportunity to work with him at the Senior Bowl. He's one of the strongest defensive linemen that I've been around, and I've said that before. He reminds me of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. They could win the line of scrimmage and not only win the line of scrimmage, but shed and make plays. Ra'Shede is going to be a guy who helps us win a lot of games. "He's going to have a much better understanding that preseason games are different than regular-season games. Everybody thinks they're ready for that first game, and their body's going to get stunned like it's never been stunned before. And that's just a learning process that everybody is going to go through. It doesn't matter if you're a rookie or 10-year vet; that Monday after the first Sunday game is always a tough one." It will be interesting to see how the Falcons use the 6-foot-7-inch Hageman against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Part of the key in the game could be what type of push the Falcons get up the middle in Drew Brees' face. When Hageman is at his best, he can provide such push while getting his hands up to obstruct the quarterback's view. "Ra'Shede is a guy who in college, he blocked a lot of passes and field goals as well," Smith said. "And, yes, you want to push the pocket on any quarterback and get him uncomfortable. But you don't want to give Drew Brees any time. Their blocking schemes, sometimes when they want to take shots, they commit a lot of guys to the protection. And we've got to win when we get some one-one-one opportunities." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveJN Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Thanks for posting this. Some players just need a little time you adjust and mature. Hageman is on the right track to becoming a great player for us. Hope the doubters can see it too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Excellent read. Hageman is the bizz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardc Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 As of right now, I'm still doing extra conditioning by myself to get better. It was mutual between me and coach [Cox].Lol. Ya Coach Cox is a "mutual" kind of guy. Great read though. Good that he is seeing the light. I hope he light's it up when he gets in the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GleasonForever! Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Please Please Please sack Bree's this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfishtom Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Great post I want to see Hageman dominate , he has already shown improvement physically and mentally. . Again great post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macintez Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) He reminds me more of Stroud than Henderson tho... Still, Stroud was All-Pro a few times and was a beast for a few years in Buffalo. Both were drafted in the top 10 and wrecked the AFC South. One of my fav. D-line tandems of all-time. I knew Hageman would have to lose some weight tho, hopefully he could build it back up to solid muscle. 310 would be a perfect playing weight, he just needs to get rid of that jelly first.Edit:Excuse me Stroud was drafted 13 Edited September 4, 2014 by Macintez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Loved this:He reminds me of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. They could win the line of scrimmage and not only win the line of scrimmage, but shed and make plays. Ra'Shede is going to be a guy who helps us win a lot of games.Hope it starts soon.By the way, Hageman had 8 passes defensed last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HASHBROWN3 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Just wait until Shede hears the roar of a full falcon house after he brings down a drew brees or a cam newton.... it'll be something that he'll live for from then on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Lubba Lubba© Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Honestly, first hearing Hageman reacting to Cox in the childish way was kind of rubbing me the wrong way. From the limited time we see the two on Hard Knocks, it's clear that Cox never threw his hands up and never really even got mad, he just stayed persistent with the coaching.In the last episode, seeing Hageman standing right next to Cox, it was clear to me that the coaching was working. Hageman wasn't rejecting Cox, and it's a mutual relationship between the two because Cox's coaching evaluation hinges on the development of Hageman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveJN Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Loved this:He reminds me of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. They could win the line of scrimmage and not only win the line of scrimmage, but shed and make plays. Ra'Shede is going to be a guy who helps us win a lot of games.Hope it starts soon.By the way, Hageman had 8 passes defensed last year.Holy **** 8?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1967 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) He reminds me more of Stroud than Henderson tho... Still, Stroud was All-Pro a few times and was a beast for a few years in Buffalo. Both were drafted in the top 10 and wrecked the AFC South. One of my fav. D-line tandems of all-time. I knew Hageman would have to lose some weight tho, hopefully he could build it back up to solid muscle. 310 would be a perfect playing weight, he just needs to get rid of that jelly first.Edit:Excuse me Stroud was drafted 13I agree with the Marcus Stroud comparison as Henderson played around 330/340 if I remember correctly. But at the same time how can someone who has no affiliation with the team tell a player what their "perfect" playing weight would be? Especially a rookie we've hardly seen play. Let the man and coaches decide what's "perfect" for him. Edited September 4, 2014 by ShmevinShmarris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungHeezy Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Folks tend to forget that dude has only been a "professional" for a few months now. He's really just getting his feet wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I agree with the Marcus Stroud comparison as Henderson played around 330/340 if I remember correctly.But at the same time how can someone who has no affiliation with the team tell a player what their "perfect" playing weight would be? Especially a rookie we've hardly seen play. Let the man and coaches decide what's "perfect" for him.Wouldn't be surprised if he filled out to 330 over the next couple of years, but the 320 he came in at wasn't a healthy weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Wouldn't be surprised if he filled out to 330 over the next couple of years, but the 320 he came in at wasn't a healthy weight.Yeah I think so too. He is losing chub, he will put on muscle. He has the frame to hold quite a bit and not be slowed. By muscle of course, fat slows everyone down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stldirtybird Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Falcons rookie Ra'Shede Hageman embraces losing weight, improving his conditioning. http://t.co/eETKoX3Bcz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Holy **** 8?!that's what PFR says:http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/rashede-hageman-1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 http://espn.go.com/b...f-losing-weight Hageman takes challenge of losing weightFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- When Ra'Shede Hageman was shown gasping for air during an episode of "Hard Knocks," the world knew the Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive lineman's conditioning wasn't where it needed to be.Hageman might have been upset with defensive line coach Bryan Cox riding him about it at the time, but he has since come to the realization that he needed to lose weight. He said he has dropped 10 pounds since first coming to the Falcons, with at least five more pounds to shed."You can never be all the way there because there's always room for improvement," Hageman said. "As of right now, I'm still doing extra conditioning by myself to get better. It was mutual between me and coach [Cox]. I feel like playing at this level, you have to have a healthier condition. It's just like me lifting after practice or studying film: It's just a way to get better. After practice, you're going to see me running because I'm trying to get ahead of the competition."Hageman isn't expected to play a high number of snaps initially as the Falcons work him into the defensive line rotation. Regardless of playing time, his conditioning needs to be adequate, even for spurts."I came in at 320 [pounds] and I really wasn't moving as well as I wanted to," Hageman admitted. "Now, I'm at 310. And I probably want to be at 305. Then, I'm able to move a lot easier. That's the main reason they had me running when I came in here -- to get that weight off. Ultimately, in order to run faster and make plays, I have to play at a comfortable weight for myself."Falcons coach Mike Smith lauded Hageman for showing some maturity."I think he's grown leaps and bounds since he got here," Smith said. "He's grown leaps and bounds since we first got an opportunity to work with him at the Senior Bowl. He's one of the strongest defensive linemen that I've been around, and I've said that before. He reminds me of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. They could win the line of scrimmage and not only win the line of scrimmage, but shed and make plays. Ra'Shede is going to be a guy who helps us win a lot of games."He's going to have a much better understanding that preseason games are different than regular-season games. Everybody thinks they're ready for that first game, and their body's going to get stunned like it's never been stunned before. And that's just a learning process that everybody is going to go through. It doesn't matter if you're a rookie or 10-year vet; that Monday after the first Sunday game is always a tough one."It will be interesting to see how the Falcons use the 6-foot-7-inch Hageman against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Part of the key in the game could be what type of push the Falcons get up the middle in Drew Brees' face. When Hageman is at his best, he can provide such push while getting his hands up to obstruct the quarterback's view."Ra'Shede is a guy who in college, he blocked a lot of passes and field goals as well," Smith said. "And, yes, you want to push the pocket on any quarterback and get him uncomfortable. But you don't want to give Drew Brees any time. Their blocking schemes, sometimes when they want to take shots, they commit a lot of guys to the protection. And we've got to win when we get some one-one-one opportunities." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Tzu 7 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Another benefit of Hard Knocks... Public shaming.He looked bad in front of EVERYONE he knows. That's powerful motivation right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papachaz Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 absolutely love it! this dude is gonna be a monster for us for years to come!come on Shede, we're pulling for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarterback Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Great post, gazoo!It has to be hard knowing the entire football nation, your family, your friends, watching as you appear to be out of shape. This is definitely an advantage of "Hard Knocks" coverage. and I'm sure embarrassed him. Good to see he's responding positively as he's a potential pro bowler if his attitude and enthusiasm matches his powerful body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 Honestly, first hearing Hageman reacting to Cox in the childish way was kind of rubbing me the wrong way. From the limited time we see the two on Hard Knocks, it's clear that Cox never threw his hands up and never really even got mad, he just stayed persistent with the coaching.In the last episode, seeing Hageman standing right next to Cox, it was clear to me that the coaching was working. Hageman wasn't rejecting Cox, and it's a mutual relationship between the two because Cox's coaching evaluation hinges on the development of Hageman. excellent observation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Again...Cox is the right man on duty for Hageman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 Great post, gazoo!It has to be hard knowing the entire football nation, your family, your friends, watching as you appear to be out of shape. This is definitely an advantage of "Hard Knocks" coverage. and I'm sure embarrassed him. Good to see he's responding positively as he's a potential pro bowler if his attitude and enthusiasm matches his powerful body. I was thinking the same thing.....the hard knocks stuff may actually have been a blessing in disguise for Hageman. I'll tell you what, I am **extremely** impressed by the way Hageman dealt with all this, it is a very promising sign for his future that he manned up to the situation he found himself in, rather than shrinking from it. He's staying after practice, working hard on his conditioning and showing the attitude of a champion right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugger8 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I have my concerns, but Cox appears to be the right coaching fit for Hageman. I definitely see his potential, however.Does that make me a doubter or critic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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