I was wondering if anyone can name some current (or former) succesful NFL pass rushers who were not known for their pass rushing capabilities coming out of college. I ask this specifically because of the Koa Misi pick - knowing that he has the measurables to be an OLB that gets to the QB in the pros but didnt necesarrily fill that role while at Utah. Any names, numbers or anecdotes would be interesting to drive the discussion.
Clay Matthews had 4.5 sacks for USC in 2008 and he almost won NFL defensive rookie of the year last year. Matthews had 10 sacks for the Packers last season and was all over the field making plays.
I think it's pretty rare. Besides Matthews, I can't think of anyone. Ware, Harrison, Porter. All those guys had a monster sack totals in college.
IMO Clay Matthews would have had more sacks if he had been the full time starter instead of being a part of the rotation at USC. He was very talented at USC and even though his sack total wasn't high, he was a really effective pass rusher because he used his hands so well.
Those are all weakside players though. The SOLB in this system isn't likely to get more than 7-10 sacks per season.
Dwight Freeney, Elvis Dumervil, Jared Allen, LaMarr Woodley, Juilus Peppers, Jason Taylor, and Mario Williams were all productive pass rushers in college too. If I had to guess I would say Misi is going to play on the strong side and Cameron Wake is going to be our premiere pass rusher on the weak side.
This is kind of an anecdote, while Koa doesn't have amazing sack numbers, his other stats are pretty impressive with forced fumbles, batted passes and tackles. Tackles you say? Yeah, he was fourth on his team in tackles...FOURTH! Pretty impressive that a lineman can be fourth in tackles (65) while only playing in 11 games, and 65 tackles I think is more than Crowder had last year... This kid finds ways to make plays on the football field. Also, Ndamukong Suh averaged 5.8 tackles per game, Koa averaged 5.9. just sayin!
well i looked for awhile and couldnt come up with a big name to support Misi, so instead i went the much easier route: Vernon Gholsten in College: 21.5 sacks. Vernon Gholsten in the Pros: 0 sacks
misi, played DT DE and OLB at Utah, he was always moved around and didnt always have the opportunity to get to the QB. He also was used more in pass defense than most other were in college.
I would relate his "game" with Brian Cushing they share a lot of the same traits and Cushing wasn't asked to rush the passer a ton last year but he made a lot of impact plays...the SS OLB isnt going to be a pure passrusher anyway.
Misi had 206 career tackles in 38 games. Jerry Hughes had 112 career tackles in 49 games. Of course Hughes had 28 career sacks and 40 TFL while Misi only had 11 career sacks and 26 TFL. What is encouraging there is the fact that Hughes played in 11 more games than Misi.
As I've been trying to explain for months, the team was looking for a SOLB in the draft to provide coverage and run support. The pass rush was of secondary importance. Even with Porter's poor performance we were 3rd in the AFC in sacks and top 10 in pass rush by just about every measure. Our pass rush was as consistent as just about every other good pass rush team in the league. The pass rush wasn't the problem and replacing the pass rush of the departing players wasn't going to be that hard. If our defense improves, as I expect it will, it will be b/c of better coverage, tackling and S play.
misi ultimately will be the player that the 2010 draft revolves around. He is going to haver to be better than Kindle and Worilds. Doesnt mean he needs more sacks if he can do the other things better...tackles, tackles for loss, turnovers, pass defense, run support, etc... If however Kindle or Worilds blow up the NFL and Misi becomes just another Matt Roth then we will have blown it. Fingers crossed. I am a big fan of the Samoan type players so I am cautiously optimistic
From what I've read and seen, Misi is no slouch when it comes to rushing the passer. I think Nolan will have more impact with his schemes than any one player morphing into the next LT (or JT). And if he sets anyone loose on the QB, it's gonna be Wake...