Kemal Ishmael underrated?

[quotemokc]

Kemal Ishmael continues to be a force for the Falcons

 

I’m ready to call it: Kemal Ishmael is the best Falcons seventh round pick of the last decade, and perhaps the most underrated player they’ve drafted in that span, period.

 

That may seem like high praise for a player with noted limitations in coverage, but it is true. Ishmael is one of the team’s hardest-hitting, most valuable special teamers even when he’s not seeing the field on defense, and when he does get into the lineup due to injury, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Last week against the Raiders, Ishmael fared pretty well in coverage, put up 15 total tackles, and played well in run support, as always. For his career with Atlanta, Ishmael has 121 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and five interceptions in 38 games with 17 starts.

 

It’s worth remembering that Ishmael was the second safety drafted in the seventh round back in 2012, with Zeke Motta suffering an injury that wound up effectively ending his career. When you’re one of three seventh rounders, you’re certainly not a lock to make the roster, much less enjoy fourth productive, largely impressive years with the team that drafted you. Ishmael has defied the odds by being fearless and (yes) quite good, and there’s little question that the Falcons would’ve been much worse off with someone else stepping in when William Moore and Keanu Neal suffered injuries, as they have.

 

I’m writing all this because even for his effective play, Ishmael is probably ticketed for his usual reserve and special teams role when Neal returns, which could be as soon as Week 4. He’s also no lock to be here beyond 2016, so it’s a good time to salute the guy.

 

Ishmael’s rookie contract is up after this season, and certainly it’s very possible other teams will have strong interest. Dan Quinn wants to put his stamp on this defense and Ishmael may never be a full-time player for Atlanta, but I can’t see a single reason this team would not make a strong push to lock him up.

 

Let’s hope they do so. The Falcons have four young, talented safeties in Neal, Ishmael, Ricardo Allen and Robenson Therezie, and with the holes elsewhere on the roster, keeping that quartet intact at least over the short term really should be a priority.

 

http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2016/9/25/13015048/kemal-ishmael-falcons-safety-ricardo-allen-keanu-neal-robenson-therezie

Edited September 25, 2016 by quotemokc

[JD dirtybird21]

He's kinda like Brady Smith. Never talked about much, not a star, but does his job very well

[Halsey.]

Good article. He always seems to be doing well when I watch him. Would be interested to know how much longer the Falcons have his rights and if he could be due a new contract soon.

[birdz4i]

quality depth never hurts.

[Diggable Birds]

I would say he is underrated just as good as William Moore who we paid a boatload of money

[maxatlanta]

He would be smart to stick around if no one is offering starter money. This system plays to his strength. Its the blown coverages that kept him from taking that next step, not been an issue with him down in the box all the time.

[Slappywhite]

2 hours ago, quotemokc said:

Kemal Ishmael continues to be a force for the Falcons

 

I’m ready to call it: Kemal Ishmael is the best Falcons seventh round pick of the last decade, and perhaps the most underrated player they’ve drafted in that span, period.

 

That may seem like high praise for a player with noted limitations in coverage, but it is true. Ishmael is one of the team’s hardest-hitting, most valuable special teamers even when he’s not seeing the field on defense, and when he does get into the lineup due to injury, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Last week against the Raiders, Ishmael fared pretty well in coverage, put up 15 total tackles, and played well in run support, as always. For his career with Atlanta, Ishmael has 121 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and five interceptions in 38 games with 17 starts.

 

It’s worth remembering that Ishmael was the second safety drafted in the seventh round back in 2012, with Zeke Motta suffering an injury that wound up effectively ending his career. When you’re one of three seventh rounders, you’re certainly not a lock to make the roster, much less enjoy fourth productive, largely impressive years with the team that drafted you. Ishmael has defied the odds by being fearless and (yes) quite good, and there’s little question that the Falcons would’ve been much worse off with someone else stepping in when William Moore and Keanu Neal suffered injuries, as they have.

 

I’m writing all this because even for his effective play, Ishmael is probably ticketed for his usual reserve and special teams role when Neal returns, which could be as soon as Week 4. He’s also no lock to be here beyond 2016, so it’s a good time to salute the guy.

 

Ishmael’s rookie contract is up after this season, and certainly it’s very possible other teams will have strong interest. Dan Quinn wants to put his stamp on this defense and Ishmael may never be a full-time player for Atlanta, but I can’t see a single reason this team would not make a strong push to lock him up.

 

Let’s hope they do so. The Falcons have four young, talented safeties in Neal, Ishmael, Ricardo Allen and Robenson Therezie, and with the holes elsewhere on the roster, keeping that quartet intact at least over the short term really should be a priority.

 

http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2016/9/25/13015048/kemal-ishmael-falcons-safety-ricardo-allen-keanu-neal-robenson-therezie

Totally agree, he was easily our best player on D last week.

[Knight of God]

No. He's average.

[droopy1592]

Kid basically saved us last week from the game being MUCH closer or a loss. Lock him up. 

[red falcon]

I would keep him. He's no superstar but he's great depth. He can get the job done. Don't over pay of course.

[GeorgiaBoyz]

He's ok.. I never get caught up with a player having a ton of tackles. This is the Paul Worrilow treatment. Everyone talkes about tackles but nothing about the awful angles or bad coverage. If you struggle with the both of those Idk how you can be considered a "force" so to speak regardless of where you were picked. 

Edited September 25, 2016 by GeorgiaBoyz

[ChickenBiscuit]

3 hours ago, Diggable Birds said:

I would say he is underrated just as good as William Moore who we paid a boatload of money

Willy Mo was better in coverage than Ishmael.

[autigerfan]

Ishmael has been productive whenever on the field.  Didn't think drafting a safety high was neccessary.

[ZoneOne01]

He's a good backup.

[Run 'n' Shoot]

Yeah, I'd pump the brakes on the Ishmael love. He's a solid contributor which is great for a 7th rounder but he's not a starter and its not worth paying much more for him.

[ltstorm2]

Ish, is exactly the kind of player you want on your roster.  He is the perfect backup.  He's not someone you'd want starting for you all 16 weeks, but if he has to start sparingly he is not going to be a liability.  Our coaches know what Ish can and can't do and will use him at his best.

[SirCzah]

I've always been a fan of Ish.  Being very solid and dependable depth isn't a diss.  He is alot like what Snelling was for us.  We can plug him in confidently (even in the biggest games) and if our opponent treats him like some scab, they'll get hurt for it.

[Money Lee]

He's in a system that plays to his strength which is hovering around the line of scrimmage. He was often exposed in coverage, biting too strongly on play action during Coach Smith's final season. 

 

Hope he sticks around. He's excellent depth, and would work well in a big dime look w/Neal. 

[atljbo]

10 hours ago, birdz4i said:

quality depth never hurts.

I agree

[Vandy]

8 hours ago, Knight of God said:

No. He's average.

True. But Average is good for a 2nd string 7th rounder 

[Vandy]

7 hours ago, GeorgiaBoyz said:

He's ok.. I never get caught up with a player having a ton of tackles. This is the Paul Worrilow treatment. Everyone talkes about tackles but nothing about the awful angles or bad coverage. If you struggle with the both of those Idk how you can be considered a "force" so to speak regardless of where you were picked. 

See above for Ish. In Worrilow's case, Average is very good for a 2nd string undrafted free agent. 

[Knight of God]

4 minutes ago, Vandy said:

True. But Average is good for a 2nd string 7th rounder 

Yep, that's why he's not underrated.

[RandomFan]

9 hours ago, Knight of God said:

No. He's average.

Agree. He's strong in the run game, but limits what we can do in coverage and has to be helped in the passing game. Good backup though.

[Knight of God]

Just now, RandomFan said:

Agree. He's strong in the run game, but limits what we can do in coverage and has to be helped in the passing game. Good backup though.

Excellent back up. Glad to have him.

[⚡Slumerican⚡]

I think his durability is his biggest issue. I saw him favoring his shoulder and neck several times after tackles last week. One time it looked like he lost feeling in his shoulder because his are went limp after one tackle