Za'Darius Smith 3rd among rookies in sacks

[Winchester]

If he was about two or three inches taller, yes. His frame isn't big or long enough for that.

If he was about two or three inches taller, yes. His frame isn't big or long enough for that.

He is not nearly strong enough to play 3-4 defensive end!! Many players his height can play it. He was supposed to be a power rusher but it was clear he was not going to overpower NFL players. He generates very little heat off the snap. He was just strong enough in college to be productive. He was an intense effort player in college with very little raw skill. It is why he dropped out of roumd1. If it were not for playing at Alabama with surrounding talent he would of been a mid round pick if that.

[CalvinSmoke]

He is not nearly strong enough to play 3-4 defensive end!! Many players his height can play it. He was supposed to be a power rusher but it was clear he was not going to overpower NFL players. He generates very little heat off the snap. He was just strong enough in college to be productive. He was an intense effort player in college with very little raw skill. It is why he dropped out of roumd1. If it were not for playing at Alabama with surrounding talent he would of been a mid round pick if that.

Upshaw's strength is up there man. The dude mauled tight ends in college, and it is why he instantly became a top edge setter during his rookie year. He lacks explosion and agility

[GrimCoconut]

Upshaw's strength is up there man. The dude mauled tight ends in college, and it is why he instantly became a top edge setter during his rookie year. He lacks explosion and agility

He is strong but he's also not. He certainly plays with attitude but he lacks something and it's visible when he's on the field. He also hasn't set the edge quite that well this year at least imo.

[Tank 92]

He is strong but he's also not. He certainly plays with attitude but he lacks something and it's visible when he's on the field. He also hasn't set the edge quite that well this year at least imo.

 

He is slooow.

[JoeyFlex5]

upshaw has always been a very high iq player, hes always known what to do, and where to be, and was a leader on the field his first 3 years, i have no idea what has happened to him this year, he completely fell off even with the 2 sacks, im disappointed.

[Winchester]

Upshaw's strength is up there man. The dude mauled tight ends in college, and it is why he instantly became a top edge setter during his rookie year. He lacks explosion and agility

Mauling TEs in college and NFL tackles is totally different. And another reason you need to be careful of college production and identify a players movement skills and strengths and weaknesses. Just as college QBs with great stats and strong arms with athleticism that do not project to be good in the NFL.

[CalvinSmoke]

Mauling TEs in college and NFL tackles is totally different. And another reason you need to be careful of college production and identify a players movement skills and strengths and weaknesses. Just as college QBs with great stats and strong arms with athleticism that do not project to be good in the NFL.

for a guy his size, Upshaw deals with people, only the elites can move guys that have 20-40 pounds on them. If Upshaw wasn't so slow he could throw in counter moves and such with his hands but he isn't that guy. But I think he is strong.

[CalvinSmoke]

He is strong but he's also not. He certainly plays with attitude but he lacks something and it's visible when he's on the field. He also hasn't set the edge quite that well this year at least imo.

when I watch him he always seems tired lol. What u think Grim?

[GrimCoconut]

when I watch him he always seems tired lol. What u think Grim?

One thing I really noticed at the game Sunday against the Steelers is Upshaw was doing some really stupid stuff out there. I'm not sure what was going on, but he was frequently engaged in scrimmages with the Steelers' on various times I watched him well after the whistle blew. I sometimes wondered if he was just wrestling or something--that's how it looked. It was strange, too, because it wasn't like he was even really on the field near the other players with this guy this one time. This one time I watched him he was literally past the endzone and nearly wrestling this one Steeler. I was honestly left wondering what he thought he was doing and whether we would get a penalty for it. When I realized we wouldn't, I was wondering if this was some freak circus sideshow act the NFL put out on the field. 

 

He definitely looks tired. I think he has garbage endurance possibly related bad diet. He doesn't look like he takes care of himself and is a buyer-beware player in this regard. I don't want him back because the scouting reports on him were right on the money and he is too ,much of a tweener to succeed IMO. He's just not a good player. He's an average player who gets by because he does one thing well, but I don't want those kind of players here. I think we can do better than him, honestly. I'm just not impressed when I watch him out there. He may be a good player and if he stays, great. I'll still cheer for him and stuff, but this guy is sort of like the Michael Oher of the defense. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery, I don't know. Or maybe he's just not very good.

[RaineV1]

The media definitely liked him way more than any NFL scouts did. Remember seeing Dupree mocked to the Falcons in the top 10 frequently. I really do think we would've picked him if he was available so the Steelers probably bit the bullet on that one just like they did on Shazier over Mosley the year before. I don't think Dupree will be a flat out bust a la Vernon Gholston but I don't see him ever being a premiere pass rusher. Will likely be good enough to keep starting but will be far from a game changer.

I think ZDS will turn out to be better than Dupree, which makes them taking Dupree even funnier.

[Winchester]

One thing I really noticed at the game Sunday against the Steelers is Upshaw was doing some really stupid stuff out there. I'm not sure what was going on, but he was frequently engaged in scrimmages with the Steelers' on various times I watched him well after the whistle blew. I sometimes wondered if he was just wrestling or something--that's how it looked. It was strange, too, because it wasn't like he was even really on the field near the other players with this guy this one time. This one time I watched him he was literally past the endzone and nearly wrestling this one Steeler. I was honestly left wondering what he thought he was doing and whether we would get a penalty for it. When I realized we wouldn't, I was wondering if this was some freak circus sideshow act the NFL put out on the field. 

 

He definitely looks tired. I think he has garbage endurance possibly related bad diet. He doesn't look like he takes care of himself and is a buyer-beware player in this regard. I don't want him back because the scouting reports on him were right on the money and he is too ,much of a tweener to succeed IMO. He's just not a good player. He's an average player who gets by because he does one thing well, but I don't want those kind of players here. I think we can do better than him, honestly. I'm just not impressed when I watch him out there. He may be a good player and if he stays, great. I'll still cheer for him and stuff, but this guy is sort of like the Michael Oher of the defense. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery, I don't know. Or maybe he's just not very good.

He is in his mid 20s now. It is where bad diet catches up to athletes. He is decent strong. However he is not elite strong. And because he is so slow he can not put his power to the pavement. The power he does have, there is no burst to get that power going. He has overgrown his frame. Lot of bad weight even in his legs so he is not as strong as his weight and thick build suggests. He does not have balance or flexibility which is another flaw that does not get his power to the pavement. Think of an awkward boxer that has a pretty hard punch. But he has no speed, agility or balance. Now take a boxer with similar power but is very skilled. The awkward boxers punch is almost useless because he can only use and generate his hard punch when he is set in a particular position. Because he can't generate the same power from various positions because he does not have the balance to do so. Also because he is so slow and awkward he needs to wind up and stand flat to get his top power. So against top boxers his power is useless because he can not get his punches off. Or a strong person who hasn't the balance or explosion to wrestle. The strength upshaw does have (which is ok but noting to write home) is pretty much useless because he has no speed,burst,balance or flexibility to use it. Like a car with a strong engine but does not have the suspension or tires to put the power to the pavement. And burns out and shimmys and can not get going. That is Upshaw. He is decently strong but it takes speed and power to produce movement. Kinda like if a running back bulks up to much he loses burst,flexibility and balance and is then less likely to break tackles. I saw some dudes from the fan at the harbor. My friend noticed them and began talking and told them I said upshaw was going to be a huge loser bust. I told them a little why I did not like him at all and the guys caught an attitude. Especially when I said Jones was leaps and bounds better. And yes he is a below average player. He is a terrible pick.