Quote:
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho
I think with Karlaftis, the question will be if his short-area quickness - the first step, his ability to wiggle - will continue to be enough, paired with his strength, heavy hands, and hand-fighting - for him to unbalance opposing offensive linemen by slowing their step/reaction.
He's very quick initially and was able to use it in college to get guys off-balance and then just brutalize them. If he can continue to progress at those technique items, he's going to be a really good pro. It's the type of package that always gave Eric Fisher fits at LT.
But yes, having a really speedy guy at RE who can force the QB to step up in the pocket (into the power-rushing angles of Karlaftis or Jones) would play up the whole situation.
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As you noted, he's actually pretty damn quick off the snap. I think some of this 'he's not very athletic' stuff has been overblown into a belief that he's just a lummox out there.
No he isn't. He has good initial burst and even decent speed. He's just not real bendy. So you COULD widen his split out and let him use that speed/burst to 'fake' the angle a bit.
But then you're more susceptible to runs through the B gap. Now he's powerful enough to maybe close that lane through merely bullying the tackle on occasion, but not every time.
I think he's a good player and can really contribute here. I think he's also the kind of guy that is more difficult to find these days than a speed rusher. I just don't think we've done all we can do to make him as successful as possible. We treated him as a stand-alone difference maker and I just don't think that's the case. He has a very valuable and fairly rare - but still mostly complementary - skill set.