Darius Leonard Analysis

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Just read this article analyzing Darius Leonard's work against the Redskins:

https://thedraftnetwork.com/2018/09/...d-and-the-bad/

Says some nice stuff, but tempers it with a fair amount of negativity. For the technical experts here, is this just sour grapes or are his criticisms accurate?

His analysis seems pretty nitpicky outside of the one play where he bit on playaction badly. He's criticizing the LB for not beating the blocks of OL, but not criticizing the DL in front of him for not keeping the OL off of him, as they should be in this defense.

[Hoopsdoc]

Leonard reminds me a lot of Navarro Bowman. Rangy and quick and uber athletic.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Just read this article analyzing Darius Leonard's work against the Redskins:

https://thedraftnetwork.com/2018/09/...d-and-the-bad/

Says some nice stuff, but tempers it with a fair amount of negativity. For the technical experts here, is this just sour grapes or are his criticisms accurate?

I don't get why so many people didn't like him? Did they just not know about him? I know he was a small school prospect, but he should have been playing at a big school. His measurables were solid, he produced, and LB's with speed usually project well to the NFL. Especially for this position and this defense. It is one of the easier positions to fill in this type of defense. While the tackle numbers are impressive, you have to remember that this is his job in this defense. He is the designated tackler and the dline is trying to keep him clean so they can funnel the action to him and he can get to it.

Anyway, the bad is expected, he is a rookie. The good is a surprise that he has adjusted so fast.

[FatDT]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I don't get why so many people didn't like him? Did they just not know about him? I know he was a small school prospect, but he should have been playing at a big school. His measurables were solid, he produced, and LB's with speed usually project well to the NFL. Especially for this position and this defense. It is one of the easier positions to fill in this type of defense. While the tackle numbers are impressive, you have to remember that this is his job in this defense. He is the designated tackler and the dline is trying to keep him clean so they can funnel the action to him and he can get to it.

Anyway, the bad is expected, he is a rookie. The good is a surprise that he has adjusted so fast.

He tested slow and his competition level was low, so that probably brought out questions about how good he could be in the NFL.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by FatDT

He tested slow and his competition level was low, so that probably brought out questions about how good he could be in the NFL.

4.7 isn't bad for a LB, and he plays fast on his tape with the pads on, faster than his time would indicate. Happens sometimes. He wasn't top of the LB's but I don't think it was a glaring weakness. Not like he ran a 4.9. He dominated his competition too, which is what you want to see from a small school player. LB is usually one of the easier positions to project.

[Pez]

Per Chappell -

"Colts DC Matt Eberflus has been using his grading scale since 1995. Darius Leonard's game at Wash ranked 5th. Since 1995."

I tried to find the original source for this but no luck yet.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Pez

Per Chappell -

"Colts DC Matt Eberflus has been using his grading scale since 1995. Darius Leonard's game at Wash ranked 5th. Since 1995."

I tried to find the original source for this but no luck yet.

Great to hear. Upon reviewing the article again, and after reading all the comments here, I'm convinced this article is simply sour grapes by a guy who admits he didn't like Darius prior to the draft, and seems resistant to change this analysis. Even his positive comments are tinged with some sort of limitation - i.e. "I know Jordan Reed is a terrible blocker, but..." and "Yes, I know Smith telegraphed the throw, but...". The negative comments seem to have no such limitation - i.e. "I have rarely seen a linebacker bite on play-action fakes as hard as Leonard"

Scumbag.

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

4.7 isn't bad for a LB, and he plays fast on his tape with the pads on, faster than his time would indicate. Happens sometimes. He wasn't top of the LB's but I don't think it was a glaring weakness. Not like he ran a 4.9. He dominated his competition too, which is what you want to see from a small school player. LB is usually one of the easier positions to project.

All the stats in the world don't matter when you watch him play. He plays FAST. Anyone here had prior knowledge of Gary Brackett or Antoine Bethea? All they did was make plays, and they both had a high football IQ.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Great to hear. Upon reviewing the article again, and after reading all the comments here, I'm convinced this article is simply sour grapes by a guy who admits he didn't like Darius prior to the draft, and seems resistant to change this analysis. Even his positive comments are tinged with some sort of limitation - i.e. "I know Jordan Reed is a terrible blocker, but..." and "Yes, I know Smith telegraphed the throw, but...". The negative comments seem to have no such limitation - i.e. "I have rarely seen a linebacker bite on play-action fakes as hard as Leonard"

Scumbag.

He sounds kinda dickish doesn't he. Everyone is wrong on draft picks. If you make 50% you are a hell of a scout.

Originally Posted by JAFF

All the stats in the world don't matter when you watch him play. He plays FAST. Anyone here had prior knowledge of Gary Brackett or Antoine Bethea? All they did was make plays, and they both had a high football IQ.

His read and reaction skills are very good. Hooker's is too. When that fumble happened that Hooker grabbed, he saw it and had it in his hands before anyone else even reacted. Between the two of them, there should be a lot of turnovers. Leonard seems a great scheme fit for this D. Yeah he has some weaknesses, but those should improve with time, especially the biting on play action. He will get burned on that pretty soon and it will be a good lesson.