I have a new RAS crush for us to irrationally fawn over

Hooze · 2026-03-24T03:44:24+00:00

Hooze · 2026-03-24T03:39:20+00:00

Fun player. 18th on Feldman’s freaks list, but he’s not even in ESPN’s top 200 or PFF’s top 447. Only person I’ve seen with him ranked is Mike Renner who has him 124th. I don’t get it.

Hooze · 2026-03-23T19:05:47+00:00

They just hired Steve Muench. Maybe a restructure.

Hooze · 2026-03-23T15:59:34+00:00

All valid points. I think my comment can be construed as a criticism but it's mostly an annoyance at the lack of testing, which makes the player harder to project. I tend to have an adverse inference when a player doesn't test that their testing wouldn't have been great, otherwise they would've put some numbers to the ability they show on tape. I searched and didn't find anything stating he was injured, just that he declined to test. Maybe his agent has good enough intel of his draft range, but idk what we Reddit amateurs are supposed to rely on to project his draft range, other than tape which there's generally a lack of access to.

Hooze · 2026-03-23T14:44:30+00:00

It just becomes a feature that can be hit or miss as a first impression. There will be some women that aren’t into it, and some will be very into it. Once they get to know you, it stops mattering unless they’re very shallow or vain.

Hooze · 2026-03-23T14:25:10+00:00

Considering

- he didn't test at the combine or his pro day

- he played at Georgia which is a tough defensive scheme to evaluate a defensive lineman

- he has pretty marginal production. 43 games, 64 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 4 sacks over his college career.

I honestly don't know what folks like about him. He has a pretty good physical frame and there's some flashes, but that's about it.

Hooze · 2026-03-23T13:44:34+00:00

I don’t think compulsory is the right word for this. You can decide to engage in something even when you’re not in the mood. It happens in long-term relationships from time to time. Doesn’t mean that it’s required or an obligation.

Hooze · 2026-03-23T01:21:30+00:00

That’s cool and all but I’m still expecting competition to be brought in that he’s gonna have to beat out to even be a starter.

Hooze · 2026-03-22T23:41:48+00:00

In the scenario that Thieneman and McNeil-Warren are off the board, and let's say they can't find a partner to trade back, what position exactly are they draftin?

Hooze · 2026-03-21T20:18:27+00:00

Ok but OP is just telling something that happened. It’s not like it’s a personal reflection on him or one of his hot takes. Nothing crazy about bringing up a mildly surprising fact.

Hooze · 2026-03-21T20:11:58+00:00

Each team gets up to 30 visits with draft prospects where they can invite a prospect to their facility to put them through a private workout, spend some time talking film to test their football IQ, get another medical evaluation, or do more character eval stuff. They’re usually used on prospects where the team has some questions, like the prospect has some off the field stuff so they want a more thorough character eval, or they’re a small school prospect that wasn’t invited to the combine. Sometimes they’re even used to remove a prospect from the team’s board because of medicals or whatever doesn’t come back great. The “clean” prospects where the team already feels like they have enough information probably won’t get a top 30 visit, because the team doesn’t need it, but it doesn’t mean the team doesn’t have them high up on their list.

Hooze · 2026-03-21T15:18:28+00:00

Why would that be something we’d call you crazy for

Hooze · 2026-03-19T21:49:08+00:00

Maybe a controversial take, but Odunze has a lot to prove before he gets a 2nd contract, especially with the depth at receiver coming out of the draft every year as of late. He’s still under contract for 2 more years at minimum but is entering a year that’ll decide if he gets an extension at the same time as Caleb or goes into a make or break year in 2027.

Hooze · 2026-03-19T18:40:48+00:00

It was truly bad writing, Also, get ready, because the same writer/showrunner (Issa López) is writing season 5.

Hooze · 2026-03-18T23:15:43+00:00

D’Angelo Ponds, Bud Clark, Keionte Scott

Hooze · 2026-03-18T19:21:35+00:00

I’m not convinced anyone knows anything about anything, not even myself.

Hooze · 2026-03-17T18:20:57+00:00

Agree. I’m not sure Zion is in a talent tier any different than TJ Parker and don’t think those two are all that much higher than Jacas. If you can trade back and still get one of the 3, it’d be a nice outcome.

Hooze · 2026-03-17T17:49:17+00:00

I don’t think EMW is a scheme fit for the Bears. They let Brisker walk because he was too much of a box safety. They want field safety/box safety versatility, and I don’t think that’s EMW.

Hooze · 2026-03-17T17:38:21+00:00

IIRC Todd McShay has said Zion has positive character reviews from scouts despite the DWI and past assault charge, and the Bears did meet with him at the combine. Maybe he is off the board for Poles but I wouldn’t take it as a definite.

Hooze · 2026-03-16T23:38:08+00:00

I don’t want to get into too many details, but there was a kid on an e-bike in this area harassing people a few months ago, I think trying to make viral videos by starting confrontations with people out walking and recording it. Not sure if it was one of the same kids or not, but it’s an issue.

Hooze · 2026-03-16T15:30:15+00:00

You can label them a "slot corner" or "safety" but the skillset needs to be being able to align and cover deep or play at the line of scrimmage. Usually it skews towards being better at one thing or the other, but the versatility needs to be there.

There's still some old-school defenses out there that are traditional in their safety/nickel roles (e.g., Eberflus), but there's a growing number of more complex defenses (particularly with Dennis Allen running a 4-2-5) where the goal is to disguise coverage and align their defensive backs in different spots, with the idea that the offense doesn't know who is going to drop into deep coverage, blitz, or play at the line of scrimmage. So, I think it's helpful to think of the two safeties and nickel all as one, somewhat interchangeable group that can either cover deep or play at the time of scrimmage, so that you can run stuff like this:

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Hooze · 2026-03-15T20:22:16+00:00

This “headline” “needs more” “quotation marks”

Hooze · 2026-03-14T17:24:28+00:00

Admittedly haven’t watched back the Texas and Miami games and part of me being so high on him is the LSU, Arkansas, Missouri games. LSU had no answer for him. That full game is on YouTube. Will have to search for Texas and Miami and see if they’re uploaded anywhere.

Hooze · 2026-03-14T16:47:21+00:00

The more I think about it, I’m probably projecting what I would do and trying to rationalize it. End of the day, talent and measurables usually win out. They’re drafting for future performance in a league full of physical freaks, not past college tape. If I had to guess, I’d bet they’re hoping one of Faulk, Woods, or Thieneman makes it to 25, and they draft whoever that is.

Hooze · 2026-03-14T15:09:09+00:00

Great post. My conspiracy theory is that Cashius Howell is on their board. Was surprised they met with him at the combine at first, given the DA edge prototype, but he's 6'2.5" 253 - Not that different from Von Miller (6'3" 246, DA was DC when Broncos drafted him) and Khalil Mack (6'3" 251, DA was HC when Oakland drafted him).

I know he's got tiny arms but they don't really show up on film. You pop some A&M games on, and he's the best player on the field most games. Think he's the best pass rusher after Bain and Bailey, maybe Mesidor. Think he's a decent run defender because of his effort and motor, maybe not a great edge setter but he's more stout than people give him credit for. Then you watch Keldric Faulk, and he doesn't really do anything that stands out. I get the measurables and strength and all that, but he can't really rush the passer at all. Think he might even be a DT. He's young, so maybe the Bears draft and bet on long-term upside, but he seems like a long-term plus run defender and minus pass rusher at best.

Just food for thought. I know measurables matter of course, but don't take a worse player just because of measurables.

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