Scorpion05
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- Joined
- Dec 13, 2016
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I've been reading a lot of blog posts, comments on here, and just generally from speaking with other Hawks fans. I feel like we're holding some of our rookies to a super high standard.
Let's take the following for example:
Penny - Some have argued that Penny is average, or doesn't do anything "great," and I disagree. He's super explosive, and has elite shiftiness/quickness. Rewatch some of his plays, and he just has an amazing awareness of space, and the ability to make slight jukes/movements without losing speed. It's actually impressive to me.
Combined with his hands and catching ability, these are things that he is much better than Carson at. Carson in comparison is a violent power back who can break tackles, which we love since Lynch basically defined what we want in an RB. But it's not fair to Penny. In another system, he'd perform at a high level.
Shaquill Griffin - No he's not a shut down corner, but as a 3rd round pick why does he have to be? He does a solid job on any given Sunday, and gives up some plays. But if he performed any better he'd be an elite corner. I think he performs well when judged within an NFL context.
Tre Flowers - Same logic as Griffin. Young player who performed well given his draft position and development. And should be judged accordingly.
Tedric Thompson - Will never be Earl, yet somehow is measured against Earl every time he gives up a few plays. For the most part, he performs at a solid level.
Shaquem Griffin - Young player still learning to develop. Has potential as an edge rusher, and has the quickness to develop strongly into his position. People are giving up on him way too soon, as if our 2012 draft players nailed everything overnight. They didn't, they just didn't have the magnifying glass from fans that our most recent rookies have experienced.
I think our expectations are unrealistic for a lot of our players. I always get the sense that every CB will be compared to Sherman, every RB will be compared to Lynch, every SS will be compared to Kam (people are already doing this with Blair), and every FS will be compared to Earl. These were once in a generation, HOF elite talents. And in reality, most draft picks don't end up producing long term.
Earl, Sherm, Kam...none of these players developed overnight. It took 2 years at least for some of them to perform consistently well, we just didn't have the expectations to nitpick at them. But we're already nitpicking at Penny, even though he's shown an ability to perform in a MODERN offense (screens, split out wide, etc.). Lynch's career didn't truly take off until he got to Seattle. If most of our recent draft picks turn into at minimum B to B+ players, that is quality depth for a contending team. Which is all most fans could ever ask for. :irishdrinkers:
Let's take the following for example:
Penny - Some have argued that Penny is average, or doesn't do anything "great," and I disagree. He's super explosive, and has elite shiftiness/quickness. Rewatch some of his plays, and he just has an amazing awareness of space, and the ability to make slight jukes/movements without losing speed. It's actually impressive to me.
Combined with his hands and catching ability, these are things that he is much better than Carson at. Carson in comparison is a violent power back who can break tackles, which we love since Lynch basically defined what we want in an RB. But it's not fair to Penny. In another system, he'd perform at a high level.
Shaquill Griffin - No he's not a shut down corner, but as a 3rd round pick why does he have to be? He does a solid job on any given Sunday, and gives up some plays. But if he performed any better he'd be an elite corner. I think he performs well when judged within an NFL context.
Tre Flowers - Same logic as Griffin. Young player who performed well given his draft position and development. And should be judged accordingly.
Tedric Thompson - Will never be Earl, yet somehow is measured against Earl every time he gives up a few plays. For the most part, he performs at a solid level.
Shaquem Griffin - Young player still learning to develop. Has potential as an edge rusher, and has the quickness to develop strongly into his position. People are giving up on him way too soon, as if our 2012 draft players nailed everything overnight. They didn't, they just didn't have the magnifying glass from fans that our most recent rookies have experienced.
I think our expectations are unrealistic for a lot of our players. I always get the sense that every CB will be compared to Sherman, every RB will be compared to Lynch, every SS will be compared to Kam (people are already doing this with Blair), and every FS will be compared to Earl. These were once in a generation, HOF elite talents. And in reality, most draft picks don't end up producing long term.
Earl, Sherm, Kam...none of these players developed overnight. It took 2 years at least for some of them to perform consistently well, we just didn't have the expectations to nitpick at them. But we're already nitpicking at Penny, even though he's shown an ability to perform in a MODERN offense (screens, split out wide, etc.). Lynch's career didn't truly take off until he got to Seattle. If most of our recent draft picks turn into at minimum B to B+ players, that is quality depth for a contending team. Which is all most fans could ever ask for. :irishdrinkers: