Derion Kendrick, CB Pick #212 - 6th round

[Merlin]

Scott, Rapp, & Long are all entering the final year of their contracts. That's why they drafted so many DB's. It's that simple.

They won the Super Bowl despite losing two starting Safeties down the stretch... What else must they do?

Well, they also lost a starting CB in FA.

You're all over the map here. Once again there were multiple reasons why they drafted secondary so heavily. Not just "Scott, Rapp, & Long are all entering the final year of their contracts."

What is happening is you made a silly statement then decided to defend it. I'm not interested in doing that with you.

 

[PhillyRam]

While they do draft for the next years free agents often that doesn't mean they don't draft for immediate needs. Hell our first pick this year will likely start right away after camp competition yes. We've drafted safeties recently that saw significant time in their rookie year. Jones won the starting job so we ended up trading Kenny Young our starter ahead of him. So yeah they do draft for the future but not at the expense of the present roster and it's needs.

Well, if they were looking for a starting S in this draft, I doubt they would have waited until pick 211 and then another in the 7th round to get one I also doubt they would of traded up to 164 and taken a back up RB, having not yet taken a Safety.

So let's be real here. These guys are STs guys this yr and will be groomed to step in when needed in the future.

If they wanted a starting S they would have traded up into the 4th and grabbed one.

 

[PhillyRam]

You're all over the map here. Once again there were multiple reasons why they drafted secondary so heavily. Not just "Scott, Rapp, & Long are all entering the final year of their contracts."

What is happening is you made a silly statement then decided to defend it. I'm not interested in doing that with you.

It's silly to say they are not drafting depth and potential future starters down the road with DB's drafted in the 6th & 7th round? Really?

Are they are concerned at CB... Yes. That's why they added Hill for a short term solution. Then drafted Durant for the long term solution and are hopeful last yr's 4th round pick can step up... interesting that he was drafted last yr.

Anyway, if they want immediate S help it will come from adding someone like the Honey Badger for help this yr. Not from picks in 200's.

Be serious.

 

[Merlin]

Are they are concerned at CB... Yes.

There it is. Now was that so difficult?

 

[den-the-coach]

Derion Kendrick, dismissed by Clemson, now setting 'great example' at Georgia

Derion Kendrick used hard lessons at Clemson to 'elevate on and off the field' for national finalist Georgia.

www.greenvilleonline.com

 

[PhillyRam]

There it is. Now was that so difficult?

Umm...our discussion was how they drafted...Did they draft Hill?

 

[Merlin]

Here's that full game vs Michigan in the playoffs:


View: https://youtu.be/I5tIKRLKdqc

 

[den-the-coach]

Umm...our discussion was how they drafted...Did they draft Hill?

No, they didn't, but Kendrick played for two outstanding programs and was part of the best defense in college, so I'm willing to let DB Coach Jonathan Cooley work some of his magic, with Chris Shula probably getting the credit for success.

 

[PhillyRam]

There it is. Now was that so difficult?

It's difficult if you are comparing Hill to 6th & 7th round draft picks.

The discussion was why they DRAFTED 4 DB's...was it not?

My point is they drafted them because they will lose 4 DB's after next yr...you somehow think that is irrelevant, which is absurd.

Any immediate help will come from a FA signing or a trade like they did with Hill, not from late round picks.

What is so frickin difficult to understand about that?

 

[Merlin]

Derion Kendrick, dismissed by Clemson, now setting 'great example' at Georgia

Derion Kendrick used hard lessons at Clemson to 'elevate on and off the field' for national finalist Georgia.

www.greenvilleonline.com

This is a real nice quote from that article (thanks for putting it up too btw):

“There is not a player on our team that prepares harder than he does,” Smart said. “He comes to practice every day, gives great effort, takes notes in meetings. I’ve never been around a kid that is so attentive in meetings at the corner position. A lot of them just think ‘I’ve got to go play man.’ He tunes in. And he’s a competitor. There’s never a walk-through that he’s not focused and locked in. He set a great example for our other players.”

 

[den-the-coach]

This is a real nice quote from that article (thanks for putting it up too btw):

“There is not a player on our team that prepares harder than he does,” Smart said. “He comes to practice every day, gives great effort, takes notes in meetings. I’ve never been around a kid that is so attentive in meetings at the corner position. A lot of them just think ‘I’ve got to go play man.’ He tunes in. And he’s a competitor. There’s never a walk-through that he’s not focused and locked in. He set a great example for our other players.”

Corners are like pitchers in baseball, you can never have too many of them. Like the depth now and this kid is still learning the position.

 

[PhillyRam]

BTW, I just made a comment that they went heavy in the draft for developmental DB's because they currently have 4 DB's that will be on the last yr of their contract's...

Based on past drafting, where they tend to take the longview of the roster in account and draft a yr in advance, that seemed like a sane and rational observation.

Yet somehow that was not the case in your mind and you have to come at me on that comment. WTH?

Strange.

 

[OldSchool]

Well, if they were looking for a starting S in this draft, I doubt they would have waited until pick 211 and then another in the 7th round to get one I also doubt they would of traded up to 164 and taken a back up RB, having not yet taken a Safety.

So let's be real here. These guys are STs guys this yr and will be groomed to step in when needed in the future.

If they wanted a starting S they would have traded up into the 4th and grabbed one.

So on a team with our two starting safeties penciled in right now being a 6th and 7th rounder we can only get a starter to replace them in the 4th?

 

[Merlin]

Biggest problem is his long speed. He ran a 4.75 40 at his Pro Day. His tape shows issues sticking with speedy WRs. That's why I think he most likely moves into the slot. Problem is that he's iffy in run support. He's had good games, but the Ohio State game from last year sticks in my mind. Kendrick gets beaten for two TDs early in the game and seems to just give up. His effort and attitude the rest of the game were terrible. Gave poor effort when it came to physicality and tackling and got torched in coverage. This was in the college football playoffs, so that really soured me on him.

After watching that Orange Bowl linked above I have to admit I think you are correct about the physicality and tackling. In the plays where the ball was matriculating to his side he sort of lets whoever has his block on assignment get into his pads. Kind of a "hold me back" thing almost, while he lets someone else make the play. He definitely does not like contact. And btw this is just one game, I haven't focused on him in any others yet, but I see what you are alluding to. There's another play where he had a defender next to him making the tackle and he could have gone in as well and stopped any more yardage gain but he takes the back side.

Basically when he sees a ball carrier where he knows he has to tackle he's a guy whose instincts are to chase, i.e. take an angle where he won't take the hit. That's very hard to change. It's what soured the Rams on Littleton.

Also he got smoked rather badly and quite easily down the sideline in the first half and is fortunate that Michigan had zero time for their QB to survey the field. Strangely Michigan didn't seem to prioritize taking shots at him. But then again maybe that's because his heads up play and ball skills.

He looks really good putting a jam on the receiver, so I imagine if he's got help over the top he could be a beast, what with that and his ball awareness. On the first INT he pulled in he kept his head up and aware even while jamming the wideout which is noteworthy I think, and he made the play. On the second INT he basically read the route and play, at least that's what it looks like to me, which is a testament to his intelligence and prep. I think that jives with the comment of him working hard at Georgia.

So thankfully he's a late round pick. I have to admit after watching that I'd be a little pissed off if we took him earlier.

 

[PhillyRam]

So on a team with our two starting safeties penciled in right now being a 6th and 7th rounder we can only get a starter to replace them in the 4th?

So Scott started as a rookie? You need to watch more closely if you believe that.

In fact is exactly what these guys will likely be. Thank you.

And now you want to replace Fuller who was a rare rookie starter?

You make zero sense.

 

[OldSchool]

So Scott started as a rookie? You need to watch more closely if you believe that.

In fact is exactly what these guys will likely be. Thank you.

And now you want to replace Fuller who was a rare rookie starter?

You make zero sense.

LOL keep on keepin on man

 

[PhillyRam]

LOL keep on keepin on man

Just start making sense...

You point out Scott as a 7th rdr and being a starter, but leave out that he only started after injuries hit in the playoffs in his THIRD YR.

I mean let's keep it real.

 

[PhillyRam]

No, they didn't, but Kendrick played for two outstanding programs and was part of the best defense in college, so I'm willing to let DB Coach Jonathan Cooley work some of his magic, with Chris Shula probably getting the credit for success.

Yes, and he has a shot to develop just like Rochell, who in his 2nd yr will be counted on to win that role or Long who in yr 3 contributed.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Well, they also lost a starting CB in FA. So there is a need there and sure they don't have 3 all pro CBs and multiple all-pro safeties. So you always want to upgrade, not that late round picks are expected to step in and start. Unless you are predicting that?

However, this team has always drafted with the longview dominating their strategy.

So considering they lost a starting CB AND they have 4 DB's on one year contracts, pretty much explains why they went heavy in that area.

Or an I missing something?

Afterall they didnt burn their 3rd rounder on a CB or safety for a team desperate for a starter.

They also lost Hughes, who they really liked according to Jourdan.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

That's part of it but to say that's the entire crux of their approach is an oversimplification.

Rams had multiple young members of the secondary who failed to step up and be felt on that field. Rapp has looked like shit since the defense changed to a base quarters approach under Staley, he doesn't know what to do with receivers in space from that over the top perspective he's a "oh he caught the ball" reaction type with zero anticipation. Rochell was very raw and might not be ready year two. Burgess has been force fed snaps in packages and rarely is felt in anything they have him do out there. Scott has shown some growth in anticipation swooping down on shit underneath but stick him in the high post vs say Green Bay and he's probably going to be overwhelmed. Fuller had a shitty second season after a fantastic rookie year, I think that has to do with detail level of gameplanning (him and Williams) but either way we had two plus guys who dipped considerably year two.

Basically the Rams won the Super Bowl with Ramsey and the funky bunch behind an insane pass rush. Then they lost a big portion of said rush with Von's departure. These things all factor in here.

The coaches moved JJ to Safety despite being a corner. Who knows which position these new players will be groomed for? Not us.

In regards to the Rams bringing in new safeties and corners, I just call them DBs.

You mentioned a few reasons that make me still want Matthieu, and think Bradberry would be a nice add. Relying on guys that weren’t getting it done last year and a bunch of late round rookies is a bad formula.