Rams take Battle!!!

[OldSchool]

Wait are people actually saying Battle will beat out GRob for the starting LT spot? Wow I've seen this guy play a lot and I don't see a starting LT.

 

[JackDRams]

What a idiot, if I was the coach he would be sent back to the locker room for that

I didnt watch the actual game, but the coach did boot him. Not sure if for the rest of the game, but you can see the coach sends him away in the clip. Maybe he went to shake the guys hand, and hit triangle for uppercut instead by accident?

 

[12intheBox]

Wait are people actually saying Battle will beat out GRob for the starting LT spot? Wow I've seen this guy play a lot and I don't see a starting LT.

I think someone threw out a hypothetical and it ran wild - as these things tend to do.

G Rob is the Left Tackle - and he is going to be a stud.

 

[Memento]

It's a fifth round pick...but I honestly didn't want him. Sushi-raw, serious character issues (people thought that he wasn't fully honest about leaving for the supplemental draft), concerns about motivation, etc. Just not a guy I'd take. But hey, at least it's only a fifth round pick.

 

[RamFan503]

So lets say, for the sake of argument that he wins the LT job. Do you consider G. Rob a bust if he gets moved inside to left guard?

If Battle is THAT good? No. I would suggest he was a steal and G. Rob will be a total stud at Guard. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. I sure liked what I saw from GR coming from a program with basically 6 line calls I believe. The kid is going to be a stud and ain't no way Battle takes his job.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Assuming that both Robinson & Havenstein are successful, we still need a swing Tackle and better depth there.
I like the signing. Cost a 5th rounder...meh, it's kind of irrelevant since we acquired that extra 2nd in the Bradford/Foles trade.

 

[ChrisW]

If Battle is THAT good? No. I would suggest he was a steal and G. Rob will be a total stud at Guard. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. I sure liked what I saw from GR coming from a program with basically 6 line calls I believe. The kid is going to be a stud and ain't no way Battle takes his job.

That's what I expect. Was purely for debate purposes.

 

[RamsJunkie]

Isaiah Battle Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:

• Pass-protection skills

• Quick

• Agile

• Good athlete

• Balanced blocker

• Quick feet

• Good length

• Starting left tackle attributes

• Quick

• Mobile to hit kick-out blocks

• Can kick slide

• Sustains pass blocks

• Upside

Weaknesses:

• Significant off-the-field issues

• Plays tall

• Concerns about being coachable

• Not a road-grading people mover

• Needs more power

• Should fill out his frame

Summary: In the 2014 NFL Draft, the Clemson Tigers produced a good offensive line prospect in Brandon Thomas. Tajh Boyd's blind-side protector was likely going to be a second-day pick before a torn ACL in a pre-draft workout dropped him in the draft. Thomas' replacement with the Tigers was Isaiah Battle, a player with a natural skill set, but who is also a flawed prospect for different reasons. Battle carries character concerns, and after a quality 2014 season as the Tigers left tackle Battle has entered the 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft because of off-the-field issues.

Battle improved as the 2014 season progressed, and by the end of the year, he was a good left tackle for Clemson. Battle has excellent length with the quickness and athleticism to protect the edge. He is quick to handle speed rushers and does a nice job of sustaining his blocks once he gets his hands on the defender. Battle can hit kick-out blocks and get to the second level. Overall, he was a balanced blocker who improved with experience.

As a run- and pass-blocker, Battle needs more power. He should gain weight and fill out his frame. Battle needs more strength to move defenders in the ground game and anchor in the pass rush. If Battle were to be placed at right tackle, he definitely would need to get a lot stronger for the pros. In the NFL, Battle has the skill set to be a starting left tackle. The left side is a better fit for him immediately in 2015 if he is forced to play.

The off-the-field issues will definitely hurt the round value on where teams will consider him. According to sources, Battle had a couple of failed drug tests at Clemson. He also had a citation for marijuana this year when it was found on him after being pulled over speeding. League contacts say that Battle has some anger-management issues, and they don't feel he is all that coachable. Battle is said to not react well to hard coaching.

According to sources, if Battle was in a normal draft class, and didn't have off-the-field issues, he would grade out as a third-round pick from his tape. They like Battle's length, athleticism and balance as a pass-blocker. They feel that 6-foot-7, 290-pounder needs some work, but he has the ability to develop into a starting left tackle in the NFL. Early on, he probably should be developed as a backup and serve as a swing tackle on game days.

In the 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft, teams generally move the grade down a round from their regular draft estimation. Then, the off-the-field issues are factored into the grade, and that will vary by team. From speaking with sources, it sounds like Battle can expect to be selected by a team probably using a fourth-or fifth-round pick.






Player Comparison: D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Battle is similar to Ferguson in being quick, athletic tackles with length. Ferguson has more power, and Battle needs to add that, but Ferguson has never been a road-grading, overpowering left tackle, and that could be the case for Battle as well.

NFL Matches: Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Denver, Oakland, Kansas City, Houston

Tampa Bay needs more talent to protect Jameis Winston. If the Bucs were to land Battle, they could develop him on the bench behind Donovan Smith and Demar Dotson. In 2016, the organization could move Smith to the right side and have Battle starting at left tackle. That would give the Buccaneers' offensive line two young bookends for their franchise quarterback.

Atlanta received a disappointing debut season out of Jake Matthews in 2014. Right tackle Ryan Schraeder flashed as an undrafted free agent, but the Falcons could definitely use more offensive line talent and competition.

The Panthers need to upgrade their offensive tackles, and Battle could be a fit for the organization. Carolina did not draft offensive line help early in the 2015 NFL Draft and has the lazy Michael Oher taking over at left tackle. Oher was a massive disappointment as a right tackle the past few seasons, and the Titans cut him because they needed an upgrade over him. Thus, the Panthers could really use Battle to be a possible solution as the long-term left tackle to protect Cam Newton.

The Raiders got a good season out of Donald Penn in 2014, but he is no spring chicken, so Battle could be groomed on the bench to replace Penn in 2016.

Denver suffered a huge loss in the spring with left tackle Ryan Clady going out for the season. The Broncos also lost Orlando Franklin over the offseason, so taking Battle would make a ton of sense for Denver to improve the talent and competition on the team's offensive line. Battle could compete at left tackle with fellow rookie Ty Sambrailo, and it wouldn't be surprising if Battle beat out Sambrailo.

The Chiefs have Donald Stephenson entering the last year of his contract, while Eric Fisher has been a massive disappointment thus far. Battle could push Fisher, and if Stephenson isn't re-signed, Battle could take over at left tackle with Fisher moving to the right side.

The Texans could use offensive line depth. They could select Battle and have him serve as a swing tackle. He could eventually become the replacement at left tackle for veteran Duane Brown.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2016ibattle.php#dHC7o0Twvvpx5qTQ.99

 

[Rmfnlt]

Watch out Seahawks, we have Battlin' Isaiah Battle.

Richie... is that you, Richie?

 

[Akrasian]

On the one hand, I think taking Battle means that somebody else they would like to develop will be gone - it's just a numbers game. On the plus side, the Rams did need a swing tackle. Battle won't be ready early in the season, but maybe by later in the season he can be that. It'll take a LOT of time in the weight room to get him up to speed though, we'll see how hard of a worker he really is, since he's months behind all the other OL they just drafted.

 

[LACHAMP46]

Does it say something about the guys they drafted? Hope not.

Me too....but really in 2016.

Good find @12intheBox. More on this player at these links...
http://www.ramsondemand.com/threads...this-do-we-take-this-kid-outta-clemson.38316/
http://www.ramsondemand.com/threads/supplemental-draft-set-for-july-9th.38215/page-2#post-583539

I semi called that prime......tell Les & Alan I done did good...My picks this year are gonna be hot! I at least gotta pass @Tron or @CGI_Ram on the Pickem Leaderboard!

I applaud Snead, you've gotta take some chances to get a leg up on the competition in our division.

Man that was a good move...Still a 2016 unless he just blows the doors off in camp.

If he is a top 2 left guard he is a total bust, because you totally failed on getting #2 overall value out of your #2 overall pick.

I was gonna answer this but a few have already...so I'll just say.....
10-15yr HOF'er @ OG = Worth it! Any round drafted....

 

[dhaab]

He has potential, but alos has failed drug tests in his past.

I'm getting really tired of all of these critics who immediately write an athlete off (not saying you're doing this here) because he smoked pot in college. Marijuana will be legal in every state in 15 years. It is no different than drinking alcohol. Obviously, you don't want someone who drinks or smokes weed all of the time, but anyone who does this kind of stuff in moderation is no more of a risk than anyone else.

 

[-X-]

Watch out Seahawks, we have Battlin' Isaiah Battle.

Can't stop watching that. lol.
This, on the other hand, perplexes me...

12 bench reps? I'm seriously not bragging here, but that's less than I can do, and I'm almost 50 and weigh over 70 lbs less.
Those uppercuts are nice, but if I were him, I'd work on my straight jab.

 

[ChrisW]

I'm getting really tired of all of these critics who immediately write an athlete off (not saying you're doing this here) because he smoked pot in college. Marijuana will be legal in every state in 15 years. It is no different than drinking alcohol. Obviously, you don't want someone who drinks or smokes weed all of the time, but anyone who does this kind of stuff in moderation is no more a risk than anyone else.

I agree that smoking a little pot isn't a huge risk, but the real risk is that he can't control himself when he has so much on the line. Look at the guys that blew their fingers off during the 4th. Now, it's a little different, but it's the same in that they couldn't resist and ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it could have been avoided in the first place.

 

[Sum1]

Sorry if it's been mentioned already...can someone fill me in on what the character concerns are with Battle and why he was in the supplemental draft? (I got rid of cable/satellite last fall and have directed my attention other things for most of this offseason and haven't kept up with the football soap opera much).


Thanks fellas!

 

[OldSchool]

According to Snead he won't join the team until the 2016 off season. He will be going to school for 2015 to finish. They're basically red shirting him.

http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLc...ck-Battle-to-Start-Rookie-Season-in-2016.aspx

 

[Mojo Ram]

According to Snead he won't join the team until the 2016 off season. He will be going to school for 2015 to finish. They're basically red shirting him.

http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLc...ck-Battle-to-Start-Rookie-Season-in-2016.aspx

The Brooklyn, N.Y. native ranked eighth in school history in snaps by an offensive tackle with 1,336 and added 32 knockdowns during his collegiate career.

Indeed....but how many pancakes did he serve up?

 

[OldSchool]

Sorry if it's been mentioned already...can someone fill me in on what the character concerns are with Battle and why he was in the supplemental draft? (I got rid of cable/satellite last fall and have directed my attention other things for most of this offseason and haven't kept up with the football soap opera much).


Thanks fellas!

Suspended twice from Clemson, once for the punch that's been linked in this thread and another for unspecified violation of team rules. Then this off season he was arrested for possession.

 

[Corbin]

LOL @ Those who are thinking G-Rob won't be our LT this season or be moved to G. I'm sorry to break it to you but he's going to be an average LT at worst. Poor dude got sent in to work at Guard from the get go, then LT, then Start as a rookie. Believe me after seeing the crap that came after Mr. Pace that he didn't do a half bad job. Full season, experience, and a year to work on his technique and he'll be fine this year.


As for Mr. Battle I like the pick up and thought a 5th rounder or less was a good risk to value ratio. If anybody can get him to get his shit together it's Fisher and Couch Boudreu! Fisher has a history turning talented players around and of course it doesn't always work (i.e. Pactard Jones) I think he's kept JJ under wraps pretty well and it seems like our organization gives our young payers a ton of Financial, emotional, and overall support compared to other teams out there from the get go and since he's going to be the only guy here late I'd expect him to get extra focus from Fisher and Co.

TIme to beat the hell out of the rest of the division in the trenches and to be the bully... F THE LAST 10+ YEARS!!

 

[Afro Ram]

You won't hear me complaining about picking up a starting caliber LT with a fith round pick.

I'm kinda bummed he won't be playing until next year, but maybe that'll give him time to work on his strength and conditioning.