Ryan Shazier at FS ? Hmmmm

[Rod Polamalu]

Granted i like the thought of the kid at ILB. However, getting up to close to 230-240 might be more difficult than average for him as he seems to have a hard gainer genetic makeup, though he is exceptionally strong and aggressive.

However,....why is it that the thought of his speed, instincts and awareness along with the aforementioned tools intrigue me when i think of him playing FS for us under the tutelage of Carnell Lake no less ?!

Hmmmmm,

[SS Laser]

Granted i like the thought of the kid at ILB. However, getting up to close to 230-240 might be more difficult than average for him as he seems to have a hard gainer genetic makeup, though he is exceptionally strong and aggressive.

However,....why is it that the thought of his speed, instincts and awareness along with the aforementioned tools intrigue me when i think of him playing FS for us under the tutelage of Carnell Lake no less ?!

Hmmmmm,

Well there are two schools of thought on this forum I think. Why the Hell do the Steelers pick players and move them to a unnatural position. It takes them to long to see the field that way. But I like the "idea" of thinking outside the box and if he would be tops in the league at that position and could play some "ILB" like Troy does it helps get the best players all on the field at the same time. But projecting a ILB as a FS or SS has to be tough. The story behind Lake's switch I do not know. No more then he was a college LB of some sort. Also it is hard to project DE's to OLB's. It is hard to project if a 4-3 OLB can play ILB in a 3-4. Which the Steelers have done a few times. Then guys just want to pick BPA at a position of need that fits in the 3-4. Does not matter if a project can be a much better player then BPA at there natural position. The Draft is really tough. Some fans will say the Steelers just screwed up the pick and had to get them on the field some were. Which could be true but it has worked well a few times.

[Shawn]

I have been watching Shazier for his entire college career. He is a freak. I wouldn't be surprised if he runs in the low 4.4's. He is cat quick, has a nose for the ball, makes plays, plays with heart...is tough. I really like the guy. With that said, he is too small and not physical enough to play ILB in the NFL. Now, I know some will disagree with me quoting sizes of different ILBs over the years. But, Shazier will get swallowed up by the 300 pound OLmen. He reminds me of a young Troy P. Talented yes...but physical enough for pro ILB? Not so sure. Maybe if you packed 10-15 pounds of muscle on him...but then would he lose his quickness? Probably.

So, FS? Ehh...that isn't his thing. He isn't a centerfielder. He could play SS, and I think he would be above average. Elite at SS? Not so sure...as he doesn't have elite coverage skills.

It's the reason why I believe Shazier to be a tweener who will need the right system to thrive. I do not believe he will thrive as an inside linebacker in the 3-4.

[SteelBucks]

I have been watching Shazier for his entire college career. He is a freak. I wouldn't be surprised if he runs in the low 4.4's. He is cat quick, has a nose for the ball, makes plays, plays with heart...is tough. I really like the guy. With that said, he is too small and not physical enough to play ILB in the NFL. Now, I know some will disagree with me quoting sizes of different ILBs over the years. But, Shazier will get swallowed up by the 300 pound OLmen. He reminds me of a young Troy P. Talented yes...but physical enough for pro ILB? Not so sure. Maybe if you packed 10-15 pounds of muscle on him...but then would he lose his quickness? Probably.

So, FS? Ehh...that isn't his thing. He isn't a centerfielder. He could play SS, and I think he would be above average. Elite at SS? Not so sure...as he doesn't have elite coverage skills.

It's the reason why I believe Shazier to be a tweener who will need the right system to thrive. I do not believe he will thrive as an inside linebacker in the 3-4.

Tweeners actually thrive better in a 3-4. I agree with your comment about FS....I think that would be a train wreck.

[Slapstick]

Tweeners actually thrive better in a 3-4. I agree with your comment about FS....I think that would be a train wreck.

This is true....

[SteelCrazy]

Ryan Shazier is a ILB and when he is drafted he will play ILB in the NFL. I remember an undersized ILB playing for the Steelers that made it to the HOF. True, he played in a 4-3 and thats different from the 3-4, so he'll probably be drafted by a 4-3 team. He'll also gain the 10-20 lbs he needs so I dont see the big deal. I'm a Buckeyes fan, watched this guy play and he is a rare talent.

[Shoe]

In some ways, Shazier sounds like Sean Spence, with speed. Or I suppose (at best) a Derrick Brooks type. Both those players, were ideal fits in a 4-3. I haven't seen much of him (no OSU fan), but I don't see much chance he lasts til our 2nd pick. And he isn't good enough to go where we are supposed in the first.

[Shawn]

Tweeners actually thrive better in a 3-4. I agree with your comment about FS....I think that would be a train wreck.

Tweeners as DE to OLB projects...not LB to safety.

[Shawn]

Ryan Shazier is a ILB and when he is drafted he will play ILB in the NFL. I remember an undersized ILB playing for the Steelers that made it to the HOF. True, he played in a 4-3 and thats different from the 3-4, so he'll probably be drafted by a 4-3 team. He'll also gain the 10-20 lbs he needs so I dont see the big deal. I'm a Buckeyes fan, watched this guy play and he is a rare talent.

I disagree. I think he will play OLB in the NFL...he has just too much speed...a team will be looking at him to rush the passer from the outside. He isn't a rare talent. He has rare tools...rare speed size combo...but he is raw. He found himself on his back quite a bit when mixing it up with more talented OLmen. He is average in coverage, and has average physicality. He overshoots plays, is sometimes overaggressive totally taking himself out of plays.

He is a guy who has relied his entire career on unbelieveable quickness and speed. But, his technique is very raw...he is a project. He is not a plug and play guy.

[SteelCrazy]

I disagree. I think he will play OLB in the NFL...he has just too much speed...a team will be looking at him to rush the passer from the outside. He isn't a rare talent. He has rare tools...rare speed size combo...but he is raw. He found himself on his back quite a bit when mixing it up with more talented OLmen. He is average in coverage, and has average physicality. He overshoots plays, is sometimes overaggressive totally taking himself out of plays.

He is a guy who has relied his entire career on unbelieveable quickness and speed. But, his technique is very raw...he is a project. He is not a plug and play guy.

He has the best nose I've ever seen or at least in a long time, being able to sniff the ball out, (find it), and make a play on it. His talents screams ILB. All he needs is a little weight and the little bit of speed he gives up wont hurt him because he will then have strength and that is what he really needs. I look forward to seeing him play and finding out which one of us is right.

[SteelBuckeye]

I disagree. I think he will play OLB in the NFL...he has just too much speed...a team will be looking at him to rush the passer from the outside. He isn't a rare talent. He has rare tools...rare speed size combo...but he is raw. He found himself on his back quite a bit when mixing it up with more talented OLmen. He is average in coverage, and has average physicality. He overshoots plays, is sometimes overaggressive totally taking himself out of plays.

He is a guy who has relied his entire career on unbelieveable quickness and speed. But, his technique is very raw...he is a project. He is not a plug and play guy.

Methinks either you haven't "actually" watched Ryan play .. or you have a "thing" against Ryan (or maybe tOSU players). Ryan most certainly did NOT find "himself on his back quite a bit" .. either going against talented OLinemen or less than talented Olinemen. His physicality was praised each and every time he was mentioned, and shows up on tape.
Sometimes when we want to seem knowledgeable, we are "overaggressive" and "take ourselves totally out of the play" when speaking on players ... I think this is one of those situations.

[Shawn]

Methinks either you haven't "actually" watched Ryan play .. or you have a "thing" against Ryan (or maybe tOSU players). Ryan most certainly did NOT find "himself on his back quite a bit" .. either going against talented OLinemen or less than talented Olinemen. His physicality was praised each and every time he was mentioned, and shows up on tape.
Sometimes when we want to seem knowledgeable, we are "overaggressive" and "take ourselves totally out of the play" when speaking on players ... I think this is one of those situations.

I'll assume you are truly new here. I'm tOSU alum...a lover of my Buckeyes. I have watched Ryan his entire career just like I said in a previous post...in this thread. Anytime I can toot the horn of a Buckeye player...I do. But, I also evaluate their talent as best I can without fan glasses on. Generally speaking over the last decade plus I have been evaluating OSU talent on this board and on the Trib I have been more right than wrong. Take that for what its worth.

Buckeye fans love Ryan...because he is a superb college linebacker. His speed size combo borders on freakish. But, let me make an analogy I have made numerous times recently...Teddy Ginn Jr. When he came out...I said he would be a bust. I said Holmes was the more polished WR. Teddy for his entire career used his crazy speed to make plays, but he rounded out his routes, dropped balls he should have caught, could get bumped off his routes too easy. His speed wouldn't be enough in the pros. Shazier is in this same category. He isn't technically sound. He isn't as physical as you give him credit for. He can get swallowed up. His name gets called not because he does all the little things right for a consistent linebacker, but because he is a highlight reel kind of linebacker.

With all of that said, the other poster commenting on his nose for the ball is correct. He has a knack for making plays. He seems to always be around the ball. He is a playmaker. Can he become a consistent ILB in the NFL? I'm not sure. I do not think he is a plug and play linebacker. I think he will be a special package guy for several years. If he can put on muscle, if a linebacker coach can coach up his natural abilities with consistent block shedding, and tackling ability...he could be very good in the pros. I just think he is a boom or bust kind of guy...but some team will fall in love with him. Just hope they are ready to put in the work of developing him.

[Shawn]

He has the best nose I've ever seen or at least in a long time, being able to sniff the ball out, (find it), and make a play on it. His talents screams ILB. All he needs is a little weight and the little bit of speed he gives up wont hurt him because he will then have strength and that is what he really needs. I look forward to seeing him play and finding out which one of us is right.

I hope you didn't read into what I was saying as Ryan not being a good linebacker. I think he is a great college linebacker. I just think he is a boom or bust kind of guy...not a sure thing. I think most Buckeye fans are ready to put his bust in the hall...I'm hedging my predictions with him a bit as I think the Buckeyes have produced more well rounded linebackers in the last decade.

[SteelCrazy]

I hope you didn't read into what I was saying as Ryan not being a good linebacker. I think he is a great college linebacker. I just think he is a boom or bust kind of guy...not a sure thing. I think most Buckeye fans are ready to put his bust in the hall...I'm hedging my predictions with him a bit as I think the Buckeyes have produced more well rounded linebackers in the last decade.

I didnt think you were suggesting he isnt a good LB, but your opinion reflects a lot of others, that is he is a great college ILB and will have trouble or even fail in the NFL. I am thinking he becomes a great NFL ILB, but it may take a season or two.

[SteelBuckeye]

I'll assume you are truly new here. I'm tOSU alum...a lover of my Buckeyes. I have watched Ryan his entire career just like I said in a previous post...in this thread. Anytime I can toot the horn of a Buckeye player...I do. But, I also evaluate their talent as best I can without fan glasses on. Generally speaking over the last decade plus I have been evaluating OSU talent on this board and on the Trib I have been more right than wrong. Take that for what its worth.

Buckeye fans love Ryan...because he is a superb college linebacker. His speed size combo borders on freakish. But, let me make an analogy I have made numerous times recently...Teddy Ginn Jr. When he came out...I said he would be a bust. I said Holmes was the more polished WR. Teddy for his entire career used his crazy speed to make plays, but he rounded out his routes, dropped balls he should have caught, could get bumped off his routes too easy. His speed wouldn't be enough in the pros. Shazier is in this same category. He isn't technically sound. He isn't as physical as you give him credit for. He can get swallowed up. His name gets called not because he does all the little things right for a consistent linebacker, but because he is a highlight reel kind of linebacker.

With all of that said, the other poster commenting on his nose for the ball is correct. He has a knack for making plays. He seems to always be around the ball. He is a playmaker. Can he become a consistent ILB in the NFL? I'm not sure. I do not think he is a plug and play linebacker. I think he will be a special package guy for several years. If he can put on muscle, if a linebacker coach can coach up his natural abilities with consistent block shedding, and tackling ability...he could be very good in the pros. I just think he is a boom or bust kind of guy...but some team will fall in love with him. Just hope they are ready to put in the work of developing him.

Yepper ... Truly new here ... and I apologize for questioning your treatment/motive when it comes to Ryan. I've watched him his entire college career also. The Ginn/Holmes comparison is actually kind of valid when it comes to the speed Ryan has and his need to become a little more "assignment sound". That said, I'd take a mid 2nd to early 3rd round flier on him with the idea that he's not a day one starter and he'd have to put on some muscle weight ... only problem is that ILB is not our area of greatest need and I don't see the Steelers addressing the issue that early.
*Edit: that's not to suggest I think he's a mid 2nd round talent. I think Ryan is a mid to late first round pick in this year's draft.