COMMENTARY: Kendall Langford

Can Kendall Langford Be Our Justin Tuck?

New York Giants Defensive End Justin Tuck is quickly becoming a terrorizing player for opposing teams, often getting into the backfield and disrupting plays. Tuck produced ten sacks in twenty games last year, as a backup Defensive End. He was a integral part in the Giants Super Bowl run especially in the big game where he forced a fumble and had two sacks.

Justin Tuck has many positives and he uses them to the best of his abilities. Tuck uses his hands to get around the opposition, using several pass-rush moves such as the swim technique ( i.e. Redskins vs. Giants season opener). Tuck has a explosive first step and it helps that he runs a 4.72 forty yard dash. He uses his speed to speed-rush around the opposition and change directions, leaving the Tackle out of the play. Versatility is key with defensive linemen and Tuck has just that. Justin Tuck came into the NFL, having played Linebacker and both Defensive End spots at Notre Dame. Steve Spagnulo often uses Tuck’s versatility to his advantage, by also putting him at Defensive Tackle. With him at DT, Tuck can use his speed against the slower Guards and it provides more pressure on the Quarterback. Justin Tuck’s ability to play with leverage and play well against the point of attack helped make the Giants one of the top rushing defenses in the league, allowing 84 yards per game. He has quickly become an NFL elite and teams hope they can find their very own Justin Tuck. Fortunately for the Dolphins, they may have found their man in the 2008 NFL draft.

Kendall Langford was the 66th pick in the 3rd round out of Hampton. He was productive at Hampton with 18.5 sacks in 36 games played. Langford has similar abilities to Justin Tuck of the Giants. Langford spent time at Defensive Tackle and Defensive End spots while playing at Hampton. Kendall Langford has a very high motor and is a very strong player. Langford’s strength was often on display at Hampton when he constantly looked to the bull-rush move to get through the Tackles. Many scouts believe that Langford has quick feet like a Linebacker which raised the possibility of him being a hybrid OLB/DE in the Dolphins 34 system when he was drafted. He plays with his head up and can hold his own. Another attribute of Langford is his long arms. The long arms enable Langford to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. This was often displayed in training camp and the pre-season with the Miami Dolphins.

One of the few knocks on Langford coming out was his lack of burst. Langford ran a 4.9 forty yard dash, unlike Tuck who ran a 4.72. However, one of the differences between Tuck and Langford is their playing weights. Tuck weighs 274 pounds while Langford weighs 294 pounds. A difference of 20 pounds slows Langford down a little bit but makes him a bigger body when playing the tackle spot. Also, the two are very similar in height, a difference on only one inch in Langford's favor.

All in all, Justin Tuck and Kendall Langford have many similarities as mentioned above. Kendall Langford will need time to develop and polish his skills but the Dolphins could have a player similar to the emerging “Big Apple” star Justin Tuck.

What Kind of An Impact Can Langford Have On The Run Defense?

The Dolphins rush defense gave up 153 yards rushing per game and was ranked 32nd in the NFL in 2007. The new management hopes that new acquisitions such as Kendall Langford can help improve it. Watching Kendall Langford, one of his strengths that stood out was his instincts. Langford is good at reading plays and reacting to them. Those instincts helped him make an impact in run support while at Hampton. In Langford’s senior year, he took part in 234 defensive rushing plays . In those 234 plays, the opposing offense managed only 63 yards rushing, an abysmal 0.27 yard per carry average.

The Miami Dolphins hope that college success translates over to NFL Sundays as his help will be needed to shore up the 32nd ranked rushing defense from last season.

 

Yeah, he's a pretty scary guy. He does weigh 294. Several scouting reports have him in the 4.9's. The reason he runs in the 4's is because he has quick feet as I mentioned in the write-up. Talent evaluators have said that he has quick feet "like a LB."

 

You guys mention that Langford beat out Merling as well as Roth. He did beat out Roth but Merling? I thought Merling was the backup to Holliday on the opposite side of the line?

 

It would be great to have Merling and Langford be our top duo. I look forward to seeing them play. Langford already won the job as we know and impressed us Sunday against Damien Woody. I have questions about Woody playing the RT spot but it still doesn't take away Langford's nice play. I liked Merling on the run stop I think it was. I think we have two stars in the making. The question is just when.

Thanks for the compliments guys and at Boik's comment above.

 

Thanks. That would have been a very good comparison as well.