Za'Darius Smith 3rd among rookies in sacks

[Cillmatic]

Beating out first rounders, Shane Ray, Bud Dupree and Vic Beasly, Za'darius is has the 3rd most sacks out of all rookies. Only 2 sacks away from #1. How crazy would that be if he finished #1?

[GrimCoconut]

Who's ahead of him? Ray went on IR and I think Beasley is also out due to injury?

[The Raven]

I worry that four of his five sacks came in two games. That could indicate that he lacks consistency in his game. He's looked really good overall though, and in my eyes, he's played better than Upshaw in recent weeks. I'm hoping he can get two sacks this week.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Who's ahead of him? Ray went on IR and I think Beasley is also out due to injury?

 

yes and yes

 

Ray has been great for Broncos.   

Vic not too much.   

Bud Dupree has been awful. 

[Cillmatic]

Think it shows that Za'darius might've been a steal. He came on just a couple weeks ago and has made himself quite a force on the line. I look forward to his progressions.

Edited December 30, 2015 by Cillmatic

[Cville-Raven]

wow didn't know his stats are very similar to what Pernell's were in his rookie year

Edited December 30, 2015 by Cville-Raven

[redrum52]

Who's ahead of him? Ray went on IR and I think Beasley is also out due to injury?

Don't know about Ray, but Beasley has been playing.

[GrimCoconut]

Don't know about Ray, but Beasley has been playing.

Strange. I thought he missed a game or two recently. Must have confused him with another player. Thanks for clearing it up for me

[Gordo52]

Definitely another bright spot in our front 7. Excited to see what he does when we play with leads and fix the secondary.

[Clmraven]

Who's ahead of him? Ray went on IR and I think Beasley is also out due to injury?

Preston smith is currently leading with 7 which probably doesn't surprise too many around here considering a lot of people on this forum were high on him.

[GrimCoconut]

Preston smith is currently leading with 7 which probably doesn't surprise too many around here considering a lot of people on this forum were high on him.

Yeah I liked him a lot. That's a real shame we didn't get him. That guy had talent.

[Winchester]

If the draft was a week later Preston would of been a round1 pick. He was surging fast!! As for Zadarius he has solid skills. Mostly coverage sacks so far. He should be a solid player. He bends and flattens better than he was given credit for. Pretty strong player but not quite as strong as a 280lb frame suggests but you could see his hands and arms effect blockers!! He could probably lose close to 20 lbs without losing any strength and would likely pick up a couple clicks of speed and explosion for the olb position and cover responsibilities. Would like to see him carefully and strategically cut to about 260-265 lbs and play olb. If he does it right he could retain all his power or eventually even add a little while picking up a couple steps of speed for the olb position. The way Strahan leaned out early in his career and began terrorizing QBs. If he did so, my opinion I would count on him being an impact olb moving forward.

[Filmstudy]

Think it shows that Za'darius might've been a steal. He came on just a couple weeks ago and has made himself quite a force on the line. I look forward to his progressions.

 

That's where I am too, Cill.  It is always a good sign when a rookie plays well to close out a season.  I'll be interested to see how he handles a bigger snap load next season with inevitable changes.

 

I read in one of these posts that Dumervil's rush has fallen off in the last few weeks, with 0 QH or sacks for 3 straight games.  It was my contention that the Ravens revived his career by changing him from an every-down player to a situational pass rusher.  He started this season well as a rusher, but he may be feeling the impact of cumulative snap counts an the attendant nagging injuries..

Edited December 30, 2015 by Filmstudy

[PurpleCity5]

If the draft was a week later Preston would of been a round1 pick. He was surging fast!! As for Zadarius he has solid skills. Mostly coverage sacks so far. He should be a solid player. He bends and flattens better than he was given credit for. Pretty strong player but not quite as strong as a 280lb frame suggests but you could see his hands and arms effect blockers!! He could probably lose close to 20 lbs without losing any strength and would likely pick up a couple clicks of speed and explosion for the olb position and cover responsibilities. Would like to see him carefully and strategically cut to about 260-265 lbs and play olb. If he does it right he could retain all his power or eventually even add a little while picking up a couple steps of speed for the olb position. The way Strahan leaned out early in his career and began terrorizing QBs. If he did so, my opinion I would count on him being an impact olb moving forward.

I was big on Preston as well, he def. was a riser. I do agree with your analysis on Zadarius, I want to see him blow up the line at least more this year. I give him credit for the K.C sacks, he really got there and against Pittsburgh he made some plays behind the LOS.

 

He's not the pass rusher that McPhee was, but I would place him ahead of Upshaw, that's where I think he is and as he gains more reps and experience he could be as good as McPhee. 

[Sizzlebshu]

Beating out first rounders, Shane Ray, Bud Dupree and Vic Beasly, Za'darius is has the 3rd most sacks out of all rookies. Only 2 sacks away from #1. How crazy would that be if he finished #1?

Don't care. Ho efficient has he been as a pass rusher. Wouldn't shock me if he was only behind Dupree in pass rush attempts of those.  

[Sizzlebshu]

Preston smith is currently leading with 7 which probably doesn't surprise too many around here considering a lot of people on this forum were high on him.

The scary thing is that of all the guys mentioned except for Ray, he probably was more efficient on a per snap basis having to rotate with murphy. 

[Winchester]

I was big on Preston as well, he def. was a riser. I do agree with your analysis on Zadarius, I want to see him blow up the line at least more this year. I give him credit for the K.C sacks, he really got there and against Pittsburgh he made some plays behind the LOS.

 

He's not the pass rusher that McPhee was, but I would place him ahead of Upshaw, that's where I think he is and as he gains more reps and experience he could be as good as McPhee.

If Zadarius plays his cards right he could be a steal!! He could be as good as Preston or Mcphee!! Zadarius is slightly top heavy. First weakness that jumped out in his play. His most dynamic play will come if he plays at about 265 lbs. He also needs to build more power in his legs. Not just through weightlifting, he needs to work hard and overtime at all the football drills that builds power,explosion,flexibility and balance in the legs. He has the rest of the tools. He could be a standout edge rusher. He is not as strong as McPhee but is more explosive and athletic. With the proper offseason workouts and nutrition he could be nearly as powerful as Mcphee and a lot more flexible and athletic. If he works hard at football drills and exercises to build muscle, power,flexibility and explosion in his legs while leaning out to 265lbs he could hit double digit sacks consistently and be athletic enough to run and cover for the olb position. He brings most of the skills, he just needs to work hard in a couple areas to be that standout player he could be if he wants to work.

[usmccharles]

I was big on Preston as well, he def. was a riser. I do agree with your analysis on Zadarius, I want to see him blow up the line at least more this year. I give him credit for the K.C sacks, he really got there and against Pittsburgh he made some plays behind the LOS.

 

He's not the pass rusher that McPhee was, but I would place him ahead of Upshaw, that's where I think he is and as he gains more reps and experience he could be as good as McPhee. 

Do you think we keep Upshaw moving forward?  I cant remember if hes a FA this year or next. 

[Tru11]

Do you think we keep Upshaw moving forward?  I cant remember if hes a FA this year or next. 

 

this year and will probably stay unless another team over pay

[usmccharles]

this year and will probably stay unless another team over pay

Well i dont think he has shown any real flashes warranting a big pay day.  Although, no clue what price range he would fall into. 

[RavensFanMania]

I worry that four of his five sacks came in two games. That could indicate that he lacks consistency in his game. He's looked really good overall though, and in my eyes, he's played better than Upshaw in recent weeks. I'm hoping he can get two sacks this week.

I've thought about this to, but feel the inconsistency is from being a rookie and feel he will be more consistent in time.  I also think he has gotten better the last few games, which is good because many rookies tail off at the end of the season, since they aren't used to playing this many games.  Says alot about him and his conditioning. 

[usmccharles]

yes and yes

 

Ray has been great for Broncos.   

Vic not too much.   

Bud Dupree has been awful. 

I havent really seen or read anything about him.  Does he have any reviews out yet?

[Cillmatic]

I havent really seen or read anything about him. Does he have any reviews out yet?

Steeler fans are already turning on him.

[usmccharles]

Steeler fans are already turning on him.

nice. I remember some posters here said that he wasn't much better than Z if he even is. Wasn't he just a physical beast?

[GrimCoconut]

nice. I remember some posters here said that he wasn't much better than Z if he even is. Wasn't he just a physical beast?

He's athletically amazing but needed refinement after coming out of Kentucky and their system. He converted recently from basketball if memory serves me right.

[JoeyFlex5]

Who's ahead of him? Ray went on IR and I think Beasley is also out due to injury?

wasn't ray playing against cinci?

[JoeyFlex5]

I'm excited about his potential, but his sacks mostly were a product of coverage or a free run at the qb, he hasn't convinced me of anything yet and I still think he has a lot of developing before he can even become a rotational rusher, let alone a full time guy.

He has outplayed his draft position though for sure

[Clmraven]

The scary thing is that of all the guys mentioned except for Ray, he probably was more efficient on a per snap basis having to rotate with murphy.

Very true Preston has only played 47% of the defensive snaps that's pretty darn good, too bad I don't have pff then I could actually see how many times he's rushed the passer this year. But Zadarius is pretty much right there with him with 2 less sacks but 10% less (37%) snaps on defense

[GrimCoconut]

wasn't ray playing against cinci?

You're right. Just goes to show I don't know what I am talking about sometimes, lol. I have no problem admitting I'm wrong. I guess I thought he was on IR because I recalled him missing some games earlier in the year, but I went back and looked and saw he only missed two. Oh well! 

 

I admit I haven't kept up with football much this year outside our team.

[PurpleCity5]

Do you think we keep Upshaw moving forward? I cant remember if hes a FA this year or next.

Nah, I think Upshaw is as good as gone unless we can keep him for a dirt cheap contract. I wouldn't even bother honestly.