Pre-season is indeed largely meaningless, particularly in terms of overall result and things like chemistry, since the purpose is evaluational instead of result-centric.

But certain things you can contextualize and realize shows true promise, even in an evaluation setting.

If a receiver runs for the EZ and is clocked at an unprecedented top speed, that means he has a capability that can be very useful.

If a D-lineman were to [lets take it to a ridiculous extreme] grab an O-limeman with one arm and throw that 300+ lbs man clear into the bleachers, you'd say 'wow, that's a lot of power' not 'meh, that's only a 3rd string 300# man.'

Karlaftis' display thus far GUARANTEES nothing, but it DEMONSTRATES capabilities that aren't just going to disappear against better or more focused competition either. If it were just 1-v-1 power matchups, you could say he's squaring off on underpowered opposition, but it's shift and lean and change direction and tenacity and follow-through.

Not the same as a guarantee of regular-season performance, but more durable and dependable metrics than can simply be discounted as being due to inferior competition.

I like the motor tag especially right now. Still plenty of unknowns about how he will play. I’d imagine plenty of ups and downs as he learns and others adjust to him.

But the motor thing feels like a certainty to me. We know that he will work relentlessly on every snap. Probably stealing some wins he should have otherwise lost.

Mitch called him the Greek Engine then went to the Locomotive. The Greek Engine was the better choice

Nah, you can take plenty from pre-season play, if you watch closely and evaluate.

First you have to know what the raw material is, and this is where the RAS scores carry weight. Even knowing that height is perhaps weighted unfairly, it's still a useful starting spot.

Karlaftis was what, a 9.23, something like that? Excellent.

Then you hear that he's a smart kid, and he wants to be great, and that he is constantly working-superior work ethic.

Then you see it all, the power, the relentlessness, the athleticism on the field as he embarasses grown men across from him.

And you can say to yourself-

Self, that will PLAY on Sundays.

That's terrible.

Furious George is so obvious.

2nd place for "My Gyro".

It's the preseason for Mitch too. Maybe he'll work in some Mountain Dew flavors Thursday

Yet another similarity to Tamba?

All of Mitch's nicknames are horrible.

Karlaftis is a far superior physical specimen to Hali. I'm sorry, that's just true.

Hali was a high effort player, but he really only had the one move, and he wasn't all that powerful, and he wasn't all that fast. But he had max effort every snap, he did have that.

Karlaftis is on another level athletically. Now, will he achieve the same level of play over his career? That remains to be seen, but early returns and a small sample size says yes.

Still holding out hope for George "the monitor lizard" Karlaftis

“The Greek Ermine”

"The Gyro of the Defense"

/Mitchderp

You spelt Tom Brady wrong. Speaking of which, Bucs OL is BANGED UP like Billay on a Saturday night. I hope Tom gets his karma payback from that SB shit show.

The Supergyro

At least 3 Super Bowl Titles would be revoked if karma exists with Brady