Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 16729858)

The only 'worry' I have, if you can even call it that, is that I think GK is mostly maxed physically. And I don't mean that to say he can't get stronger, but I mean it to say that he's not the sort of unicorn that can get stronger AND faster. Or even stronger while staying the same speed.

Let's say he has 100 attribute points - I don't think he can take that up to 120. I think he's capped at 100 and he can put 60 into speed and 40 into power. Or 50/50 or 40/60.

Any additional power will come at the expense of agility/bend. Any additional bend will come at the expense of power.

I think he can change HOW he's built but I don't think he's substantially improve his 'overall' physical ability. Did I make that clear as mud?

For me I think he can afford to spend an off-season focusing on his agility. It may mean a little less functional strength, but I think that's a trade worth making because I haven't seen a guy who's getting rocked out there. Moreover, technique/tenacity can do quite a bit to cover for a little bit of reduced strength.

But man, if he could get just a liiiiiitle quicker or more fluid, he could be a real force. At that point you'd be looking at a potential Maxx Crosby sort of player.

Originally Posted by Chris Meck (Post 16729906)

I think you're equating 'stronger' with 'heavier'.

I don't think that's necessarily the case. He's a big, strong, thick kid as it is, but that's with only one offseason with an NFL training staff. I don't think he needs to really get bigger, but I can absolutely see him getting more out of his muscle. I don't think that needs to mean he gets slower at all, quite the opposite.

You can train to develop quick twitch muscle, which is probably something he's never done, as he could just bully people in high school and college. Hell, he kind of can in the NFL, just not as consistently.

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 16729925)

We'll see. Obviously that would be pretty nice if he can add functional strength AND athleticism.

He's a baby, so it's not impossible.

I just know that the guy he played as in his final year at Purdue was built MUCH differently than the Freshman year version of him. He added a ton of strength over those 3 years but it did cost him some of that agility he showed as a Freshman.

And I know we like to cite "NFL Training Staffs" but fellas those guys running weight rooms at Big 10 schools ain't stupid. Hell, the guy in charge of the powerlifting team for my High School was a national champion in his mid-20s. I think at times we overestimate what some of these kids have access to in college.

The real issue, as you kinda alluded to, is the 'want to'. Many of them need a kick in the ass at the NFL level to dedicate themselves to the sort of high end training that they COULD'VE been doing in college but weren't doing because they were already physically imposing.

GK, OTOH, really re-shaped his body at Purdue. I think he absolutely was taking advantage of the facilities there and I'd be surprised if there's a new world of training tools available to him at this level.

Originally Posted by Chris Meck (Post 16729934)

Different, though. I imagine in college they saw George as a guy who could bulk up and monster through people. So they worked on that.

Now he's in the NFL. He can monster through, even in the NFL, but could use a little more efficiency, and a little quickness. I don't think it's crazy to think a 21 year old can still add a little juice.

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 16729938)

That's exactly what I think they'll try to do. And I think they'll succeed.

Like I said, I just think they'll have too sacrifice a little of that 'bulk up' to do so. I don't think he'll play less strong because I think he can develop his technique in ways to address that.

I think he has the ability to be a better player - I'm not saying I think his ability to contribute is maxed out. Only that I see him at/near the peak of his ability to physically 'turn the knob to 11' so to speak.

Originally Posted by Chris Meck (Post 16729944)

I'm with you in the idea that there won't be any massive transformation. I don't think that's necessary, anyway. Just a few tweaks could make him even more effective.

And the toughest part, really, is the desire and work ethic, and that kid's got that in spades.

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 16729954)

Sometimes I really do question if maybe NFL scouts get a little jaded/cynical to their own detriment.

Because unless you've seen 100 full of shit faux 'try-hards' show up in your pre-draft interviews, I don't know how you see someone like Karlaftis and not think he's a slam dunk to be at least a solid NFL player.

You have to have convinced yourself that they're all full of shit to just ignore that guys eagerness.

That kid showed up ready to work from Day 1 and it was just so inescapable.

Originally Posted by TwistedChief (Post 16729839)

T Walker 8.6%
A Hutchinson 9.4%
J Johnson 9.3%
G Karlaftis 10.4%

Originally Posted by Chris Meck (Post 16729957)

Yep. Give me 11 guys with above average athletic ability and THAT motor and I'll crush souls.

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut (Post 16729954)

Sometimes I really do question if maybe NFL scouts get a little jaded/cynical to their own detriment.

Because unless you've seen 100 full of shit faux 'try-hards' show up in your pre-draft interviews, I don't know how you see someone like Karlaftis and not think he's a slam dunk to be at least a solid NFL player.

You have to have convinced yourself that they're all full of shit to just ignore that guys eagerness.

That kid showed up ready to work from Day 1 and it was just so inescapable.

Originally Posted by Megatron96 (Post 16730017)

I think it's partly about 'measurables,' as well. How many people right here on CP were initially unimpressed by George because he only had 5 (I think that's what he had) sacks his last year in college? For some people, if they don't see an impressive stat history, they can't see anything else, or whatever.

Originally Posted by Detoxing (Post 16730071)

College stats, when trying to project a player in the pros, is about as trash as next day Taco Bell.

Originally Posted by RunKC (Post 16729877)

This was when I realized just how strong Karlaftis was. If you’re holding your own and winning against Quinten Nelson you’re pretty damn good

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">George Karlaftis on 3rd and 1 taking on Quinten Nelson <a href="https://t.co/2K1MtUbNZD">pic.twitter.com/2K1MtUbNZD</a></p>&mdash; Daniel Harms�� (@InHarmsWay19) <a href="https://twitter.com/InHarmsWay19/status/1587096714812739584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla (Post 16730445)

Damn.