Maltese Falcon Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Bill Polian sees Shane Ray as the next Robert MathisPosted by Michael David Smith on April 24, 2015, 12:47 PM EDTAPThe man who drafted six-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Robert Mathis says there’s a player in this year’s draft who will be the same kind of player: Shane Ray.Ray, the Missouri pass rusher who’s widely viewed as a Top 10 talent, reminds former Colts General Manager Bill Polian of Mathis more than any other player.“When I see him I see Robert Mathis,” Polian said of Ray on ESPN. “Near a Hall of Fame player. People who don’t like him are going to say he’s narrow of build and therefore can’t stand on the line of scrimmage, and that’s fine. I don’t want him to stand on the line of scrimmage, I want him to go chase the quarterback, and he’s about the best in this draft at doing that.”There have been conflicting reports this week about the foot injury Ray suffered in Missouri’s bowl game and whether Ray will need surgery. Polian said Ray’s injury is similar to turf toe, and that when Polian was running draft boards, he didn’t move players down for turf toe injuries.“There is no long-term lingering issue with turf toe, not like a knee injury. You recover from it, you’re back, and you’re ready to go. I would not move him. I’d be praying that he’d come to me,” Polian said.There are obvious differences between Ray and Mathis, namely that Mathis was a little-known player out of Alabama A&M whom Polian stole with a fifth-round pick. But Polian said Ray and Mathis are similar as athletes. If they’re similar as NFL players, Ray surely belongs near the top of the first round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 +1000yesterday he said we should take Ray at 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artys Arryn Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 TD said in the interview today that the team doctors feel that Shane can start week 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconOdense Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Ray is still my favorite if we stay at 8. He had the attitude that we are missing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Polian played a role in drafting Bruce Smith(not as GM), Freeney, Mathis, and Hughes.He knows his ish when it comes to pass rushers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese Falcon Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) ATL's ties to Shane Ray began even before the combine and really reached a deafening roar at the combine with many coaching staffs there thinking the Falcons had already selected him. The fact that Ray didn't participate in the combine, coupled with this new turf toe scare, might have TD and Quinn high-fiving and pouring champagne on their chests. Edited April 24, 2015 by Maltese Falcon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 He's growing on me, but I'd rather take in the teens over top 10. I really want to move back. Williams, Fowler, and Beasley are the only players I'd stay put for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 He's growing on me, but I'd rather take in the teens over top 10. I really want to move back. Williams, Fowler, and Beasley are the only players I'd stay put for.He might not be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 My prediction: I believe SHANE RAY will be a Falcon at about 8:45pm next Thursday nite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 He might not be there.I think he could hang til the teens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I think he could hang til the teens.I don't knowSome think that he can go as early as the Skins at 5 or Jets at 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHEC Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Yes you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskooler Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Polian played a role in drafting Bruce Smith(not as GM), Freeney, Mathis, and Hughes.He knows his ish when it comes to pass rushers.He also built a team that went 2-14 by losing one player. He obviously isn't the talent evaluator he once was.Trust me instead. No NFL team ever fired me. No one ever put me in the Hall of Fame because of past accomplishments. Polian is the ancient past. I'm the Now and the Future!. So trust me when I say that Ray can't play. We need to all climb aboard the Bud Train! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird56 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I feel confident our pick is going to be either Ray or Dupree.. Not sure which one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Obviously Polian can be wrong like anyone else but if you're talking about someone whose ability to evaluate talent I believe in...it's him.Ray has grown on me more and more. I was not a big fan right after the CFB season ended but the guy can play and he plays with a chip on his shoulder and nastiness that we've lacked. I think Gregory might still be my top choice but if we land Ray, Gregory or Beasley I'll be excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I don't knowSome think that he can go as early as the Skins at 5 or Jets at 6.I think it comes down to the toe, and if the PUP rumors are true. If Ray goes that early, then Beasley or Fowler falls in our lap. If not, we can still move back a few spots and get Gregory or Dupree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 He also built a team that went 2-14 by losing one player. He obviously isn't the talent evaluator he once was.Trust me instead. No NFL team ever fired me. No one ever put me in the Hall of Fame because of past accomplishments. Polian is the ancient past. I'm the Now and the Future!. So trust me when I say that Ray can't play. We need to all climb aboard the Bud Train!That has nothing to do with his expertise of evaluating pass rushers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskooler Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 And yes: the above post was tongue in cheek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Polian played a role in drafting Bruce Smith(not as GM), Freeney, Mathis, and Hughes. He knows his ish when it comes to pass rushers.Yeah Polian has some street cred. Hes drafted some good pass rushers. I trust his analysis over a lot of talking heads on TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 He also built a team that went 2-14 by losing one player. He obviously isn't the talent evaluator he once was.Trust me instead. No NFL team ever fired me. No one ever put me in the Hall of Fame because of past accomplishments. Polian is the ancient past. I'm the Now and the Future!. So trust me when I say that Ray can't play. We need to all climb aboard the Bud Train!Polian was NFL GM and got his teams to 5 SuperBowls and won one - w/ two different teams(Bills/Colts) - he also got an expansion Carolina team to the playoffs in short order.But yeah, he is an idiot..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I think it comes down to the toe, and if the PUP rumors are true. If Ray goes that early, then Beasley or Fowler falls in our lap. If not, we can still move back a few spots and get Gregory or Dupree.Report came out that all Ray needs is rest and will be fine.He doesn't need surgery and will be ready before the season starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 And yes: the above post was tongue in cheek.Does that mean that all of your posts are tongue in check? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltese Falcon Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share Posted April 24, 2015 My favorite quote:"I don’t want him to stand on the line of scrimmage, I want him to go chase the quarterback, and he’s about the best in this draft at doing that.”I'm think I'm sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 My favorite quote:"I don’t want him to stand on the line of scrimmage, I want him to go chase the quarterback, and he’s about the best in this draft at doing that.”I'm think I'm sold.yeah, for a guy(Polian) that drafted both Freeney and Mathis, it makes you feel a little more solid if you already like Shane Ray - to hear Polian praise him like that. Hearing Polian say "Shane Ray is Robert Mathis" - he did not say "a poor man's Robert Mathis" either.....gets me tingly.I'm in on Shane Ray.p.s. - when Dwight Freeney was selected (believe it was #13 overall) - most in the NFL thought it was a terrible/reach pick and that Freeney was "too small" to play defensive end in the NFL. WRONG!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskooler Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Does that mean that all of your posts are tongue in check?The obviously ridiculous ones like that one are.I do believe that since Dupree is bigger, faster, stronger, more explosive, and is more fluid, that he will be the better all around player by a long shot. Dupree can learn the skills to rush the passer. Ray can't learn how to be 30 pounds bigger, how to cover as smoothly, how to be as athletic as Dupree.Ray will be better year one. If Dupree lands with us, or another teaching coach, will be better for a dozen years after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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