Sorry but Darren Lee really isn't good in coverage

[Money Lee]

I notes this earlier today that in watching OSU games, the speed to the ball was evident, but he really didn't make many plays outside of rushing the passer. I couldn't necessarily quantify this, but PFF did:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/02/28/4-takeaways-from-linebacker-combine-workouts/

"Two linebackers who fit this description are Ohio State’s Darron Lee and LSU’s Deion Jones. Lee dominated the event, including a 4.47 40-yard dash time that led all linebackers, but a two-year coverage grade of -3.5 is concerning, even if he was challenged quite a bit in a slow role for the Buckeyes. Lee did most of his damage as a blitzer the last two seasons, certainly a great place to use his athleticism, but for those looking for a 3-down coverage linebacker, he still has some developing to do."

 

That's said, I'd consider him after Lawson and Floyd. I'd even consider Ogbah as well. Another guy who tested well, but it didn't necessarily show up in the games. 

[Halsey.]

A 20 year old, 3 year college player who still has developing to do? What is this? The college Draft?

[Sandy5prings]

14 minutes ago, Halsey. said:

A 20 year old, 3 year college player who still has developing to do? What is this? The college Draft?

I know, right? We have a building full of slow, non-athletic LBs who can cover like a cocktail napkin covers Kim Kardashian's azz. 

[Falcanuck]

He's played LBer for like 2 years....

Also, if you actually watched any game tape you'd realize he is often split out like a nickel CB covering WRs.

[CTann]

Just now, Falcanuck said:

He's played LBer for like 2 years....

Also, if you actually watched any game tape you'd realize he is often split out like a nickel CB covering WRs.

This. Definitely this. Dude is set up out wide quite often.

[The O.D.B]

55 minutes ago, Money Lee said:

I notes this earlier today that in watching OSU games, the speed to the ball was evident, but he really didn't make many plays outside of rushing the passer. I couldn't necessarily quantify this, but PFF did:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/02/28/4-takeaways-from-linebacker-combine-workouts/

"Two linebackers who fit this description are Ohio State’s Darron Lee and LSU’s Deion Jones. Lee dominated the event, including a 4.47 40-yard dash time that led all linebackers, but a two-year coverage grade of -3.5 is concerning, even if he was challenged quite a bit in a slow role for the Buckeyes. Lee did most of his damage as a blitzer the last two seasons, certainly a great place to use his athleticism, but for those looking for a 3-down coverage linebacker, he still has some developing to do."

 

That's said, I'd consider him after Lawson and Floyd. I'd even consider Ogbah as well. Another guy who tested well, but it didn't necessarily show up in the games. 

I've had the same problem with him. yesterday I dug in a little deeper on his vids and I saw some potential that I hadn't noticed before. Both he and V. Bell are similar in coverage, perhaps due to their coaching. They both play a little off and with either when they see the play they shift into another gear and close the gap at an insane rate. V. Bell is better at this and I believe it's because his job entails a lot more coverage. Lee could learn this very quick or it could take him years. I like Lee as a prospect but, I'd like to see us get some more vets at LB. Durrant walked in and looked to be the cream of the crop so lets try that again and get it right. Spoon was supposed to be great in coverage and save 1 year I can't remember when he was. I hope we go vet. 

[JayOzOne]

Prognosticators said he would be a perfect fit for Todd Bowles and the Jets which makes me wonder why he shouldn't fit equally well here. Urban Meyer had to be talked into extending the offer (Lee was a three-star athlete as a recruit) so his rapid progression tells me he has some dog in him. He hasn't scratched the surface of his potential.

[HaRdH3ad]

Did you see what they said about Joshua Perry though? I think we need to get him. Not in the 1st but we need to get him if we don't get Ragland 

[Smiler11]

He played CB in high-school. The kid can cover. 

[AndySG]

Coverage ability appears to be the exception rather than the rule. 

[Nino11]

That's where Profootball can mislead you. Lee is around the ball making plays constantly

[toadfishtom]

this is why we have coaches 

[HaRdH3ad]

1 hour ago, toadfishtom said:

this is why we have coaches 

lol see that's what upsets me about this board people apply that to the players they like if it a player they don't like its "oh he does this bad or that bad" it's like dude just because he is that way now doesn't mean he will be that with good coaching and a few years under his belt. I personally think Reggie Ragland is better, idc how fast he is. He instincts aren't great and just because you start the play lined up over a wr or TE doesn't mean you are actually covering them 

[Ezekiel 25:17]

11 hours ago, Sandy5prings said:

I know, right? We have a building full of slow, non-athletic LBs who can cover like a cocktail napkin covers Kim Kardashian's azz. 

Not sure if I want that A$$ open or not! 

[Rise]

Last season, Thomas Davis has had 3 reconstructive knee surgeries, and people were saying that he is a great coverage OLB... It's the Panthers D-Line. All he was doing was "dropping and popping", and blitzing people because The Panther's pass rush was getting to the QB and shutting-down the run... LBs aren't man-to-man most of the time..

 

I saw Bartu (NCAA Free Agent) run with several TEs down the seems, but opposing QBs had all day to throw with touch....Geno Smith dropped a "tear-drop" pass right over Bartu's shoulder.. He was comfortable in the pocket.

D-Line seems like more of a priority for The Falcons: (scheme, players, coaching, play-calling)

Are your D-Lineman focused, or are they..distracted? Are they studying snap-counts, alignments..Plays?

Lee will be tired of running by the 3rd quarter.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Rise

[HASHBROWN3]

Sorry OP but put me down for Darron Lee.  

Deion Jones would be a nice consolation prize.

The one LB who disappointed me with his combine was Eric Striker.  I still like him as a football player but he lost some money this weekend.

[Money Lee]

For the folks that say he can cover, where's the proof? He's got what 5 PDs in two years? 

Seriously, go watch OSU tape. Yes, they line him up over the slot, as a part of their zone D, but he makes next to zero plays in the passing game unless he's rushing the passer. He's got twice as man career sacks than he does PBS. 

Lee can play, he's just not the player his measurables suggest. 

[Romfal]

well, he actually played Corner in highschool, the guys at the combine said he has corner feet when watching him do the drills at the combine. I'd take my chances

[A-TowN.-]

I'm honestly not a huge fan of him. He blows up the combine and everyone loves him, but on film I see a guy who doesn't usually stick his nose in the action. He shows range, but not a downhill type of guy and he doesn't always attack which annoys me. 

[HaRdH3ad]

29 minutes ago, A-TowN.- said:

I'm honestly not a huge fan of him. He blows up the combine and everyone loves him, but on film I see a guy who doesn't usually stick his nose in the action. He shows range, but not a downhill type of guy and he doesn't always attack which annoys me. 

Exactly this guy had like 25 missed tackles the last 2 years he whiffs way to much 

[Romfal]

2 hours ago, HaRdH3ad said:

Exactly this guy had like 25 missed tackles the last 2 years he whiffs way to much 

you can teach tackling, you cant teach speed

[Power I]

36 minutes ago, Romfal said:

you can teach tackling, you cant teach speed

I don't think you should be taught how to tackle when you reach the NFL. That should have been something he learned a long time ago. I think it's a little overstated that people can be taught to tackle at this stage, I think it has more to do with the mentality of the player than teaching them anything. Some guys have that killer instinct to get a guy to the ground at all costs and some simply run to the ball carrier with no drive. 

[Bobby.Digital]

4 hours ago, A-TowN.- said:

I'm honestly not a huge fan of him. He blows up the combine and everyone loves him, but on film I see a guy who doesn't usually stick his nose in the action. He shows range, but not a downhill type of guy and he doesn't always attack which annoys me. 

 

6 hours ago, Money Lee said:

For the folks that say he can cover, where's the proof? He's got what 5 PDs in two years? 

Seriously, go watch OSU tape. Yes, they line him up over the slot, as a part of their zone D, but he makes next to zero plays in the passing game unless he's rushing the passer. He's got twice as man career sacks than he does PBS. 

Lee can play, he's just not the player his measurables suggest. 

Most people here don't even watch film. They look at production and athleticism and that's it. See how anyone here isn't really pointing out anything on film. The Ogbah thread is another example. 

[Romfal]

10 minutes ago, Power I said:

I don't think you should be taught how to tackle when you reach the NFL. That should have been something he learned a long time ago. I think it's a little overstated that people can be taught to tackle at this stage, I think it has more to do with the mentality of the player than teaching them anything. Some guys have that killer instinct to get a guy to the ground at all costs and some simply run to the ball carrier with no drive. 

I don't, if you're looking for a finished product, good luck finding one, theres room for improvement at any part of his craft. hands, coverage, you name it.

Maybe he just likes going for the splash plays(turnovers), something his college coach was ok with and something that also is fine in the NFL, if he can get better at wrapping up while going for the ball.

 These players are in college, besides the games and practice they have a family, college life, classes, etc on their plate. Football becomes a full time job when you get drafted.

[Ezekiel 25:17]

5 hours ago, Romfal said:

I don't, if you're looking for a finished product, good luck finding one, theres room for improvement at any part of his craft. hands, coverage, you name it.

Maybe he just likes going for the splash plays(turnovers), something his college coach was ok with and something that also is fine in the NFL, if he can get better at wrapping up while going for the ball.

 These players are in college, besides the games and practice they have a family, college life, classes, etc on their plate. Football becomes a full time job when you get drafted.

You are correct, Players coming out of College do need additional workings on their Craft. 

The only downside to this is Tackling, which you don't do in an NFL practice. With that knowledge I would tend to agree more with "Power I" on this one.