Rams Sign former FSU CB Greg Reid

[fearsomefour]

Well he has character issues but at least there are health concerns.

 

[moklerman]

Not enthusiastic about guys with knee problems playing on the turf.

 

[Ramrasta]

I don't have a problem giving this guy a chance. Maybe now we won't need to have Veltung returning our kicks. He screams pick 6 when I watch his tape. On the flip side, he also screams personal foul/injury. I suspect his contract was pennies compared to his talent so sweet pick up. Does this mean we don't need to draft a FS and CB in the draft just because we signed a question mark kid? Nope, he is just cheap depth. If he wants a starting role on this roster, make him beat out another quality player to earn it.

 

[ChrisW]

The coaching staff here is the best chance in the NFL for this kid to succeed. When you throw in the fact that we have a vacant nickle spot, he's got every reason to play with a chip on his shoulder.

This signing could also take Tavon off the KR team, and let him focus on his offensive duties a little more. I'd love for this kid to turn into Dante Hall 2.0. Hall was 5'8" 187.

 

[RxNoleRx]

Hey guys, signed up to give a first-hand take. The reason interest in Greg Reid picked up was due to FSU's Pro Day last week, where several scouts pegged him as the best corner there (over L. Joyner and T. Brooks). He was coming off a year of rehab and no team had seen him live yet. Last week was the first time with over 70 scouts and a half-dozen head coaches in attendance in Tallahassee.

I watched Reid from HS throughout college, and attended FSU while he was there. Greg has a competitive fire that is contagious to teammates and fans, and definitely has the swagger of a prize fighter. Pre-injury speaking, Reid (affectionately known as G5) was absolutely electric as a punt returner. Electric. So-so as a cornerback (again, based on 2012 play), but a dynamite return man. If he makes the 53-man squad it will most likely be as a punt return specialist and situational nickel-corner. Watch him return punts and you will see true fearlessness, as he has the pure instincts necessary to know when to field it or let it go, how to make the first guy miss, and where to run after that. He made huge returns when games were in the balance, and saved us literally hundreds of yards in field position by catching punts on the bounce or while running full speed to fair catch it before it bounces another 20 yards. That dependency alone is worthy of a job in the NFL, but his elite quickness (even for the NFL) allows him to pick up yardage on nearly every return, even when surrounded. He's gifted, a natural, any word you can conjure up where the perfect mental makeup meets the perfect tools necessary to succeed.

As a cornerback - it's a mixed bag. He's undersized and lacks the top end speed to hang with deep threats (4.5ish speed). But his quickness, ball skills, and instincts makes him a natural Nickel corner tasked with mirroring the slot. In run support he has a tendency to go for the big hit and not wrap up. In my opinion, it's his "Go Big or Go Home" mindset that causes this, and it shows with either a missed tackle or a forced fumble off a monster hit (See Marcus Lattimore @ the Chick-fil-a Bowl).

As a person, he was booted from FSU for multiple weed violations. He then tore his ACL and went undrafted. He basically hit rock bottom and finally realized he could do still live his dream if he straightened out and worked hard. All evidence points to him doing just that. He was and still is an FSU fan favorite. I hope this sheds some light on who G5 can be for the Rams, and I'll answer any questions if I can.

 

[Tron]

Hey guys, signed up to give a first-hand take. The reason interest in Greg Reid picked up was due to FSU's Pro Day last week, where several scouts pegged him as the best corner there (over L. Joyner and T. Brooks). He was coming off a year of rehab and no team had seen him live yet. Last week was the first time with over 70 scouts and a half-dozen head coaches in attendance in Tallahassee.

I watched Reid from HS throughout college, and attended FSU while he was there. Greg has a competitive fire that is contagious to teammates and fans, and definitely has the swagger of a prize fighter. Pre-injury speaking, Reid (affectionately known as G5) was absolutely electric as a punt returner. Electric. So-so as a cornerback (again, based on 2012 play), but a dynamite return man. If he makes the 53-man squad it will most likely be as a punt return specialist and situational nickel-corner. Watch him return punts and you will see true fearlessness, as he has the pure instincts necessary to know when to field it or let it go, how to make the first guy miss, and where to run after that. He made huge returns when games were in the balance, and saved us literally hundreds of yards in field position by catching punts on the bounce or while running full speed to fair catch it before it bounces another 20 yards. That dependency alone is worthy of a job in the NFL, but his elite quickness (even for the NFL) allows him to pick up yardage on nearly every return, even when surrounded. He's gifted, a natural, any word you can conjure up where the perfect mental makeup meets the perfect tools necessary to succeed.

As a cornerback - it's a mixed bag. He's undersized and lacks the top end speed to hang with deep threats (4.5ish speed). But his quickness, ball skills, and instincts makes him a natural Nickel corner tasked with mirroring the slot. In run support he has a tendency to go for the big hit and not wrap up. In my opinion, it's his "Go Big or Go Home" mindset that causes this, and it shows with either a missed tackle or a forced fumble off a monster hit (See Marcus Lattimore @ the Chick-fil-a Bowl).

As a person, he was booted from FSU for multiple weed violations. He then tore his ACL and went undrafted. He basically hit rock bottom and finally realized he could do still live his dream if he straightened out and worked hard. All evidence points to him doing just that. He was and still is an FSU fan favorite. I hope this sheds some light on who G5 can be for the Rams, and I'll answer any questions if I can.

Thanks for the info RX!!! Few questions for you.

1. Do you think he has starter potential eventually? Or is he just going to be good depth when it comes to CB?
2. Is he good at kick returns? We already have Tavon Austin who is an awesome punt returner(when there isn't a penalty or someone in his way on his own team).
3. Can he become more sound and complete as a cb, or will he always be a "go big or go home" type?

Thanks again for all the info man, really great of you.

 

[RxNoleRx]

Thanks for the info RX!!! Few questions for you.

1. Do you think he has starter potential eventually? Or is he just going to be good depth when it comes to CB?
2. Is he good at kick returns? We already have Tavon Austin who is an awesome punt returner(when there isn't a penalty or someone in his way on his own team).
3. Can he become more sound and complete as a cb, or will he always be a "go big or go home" type?

Thanks again for all the info man, really great of you.

1. I think this greatly depends on how he has prepared in the last 18 months and his current mindset. He looked great at the pro day (you can watch it on ESPN3), but he didn't need to tackle or read patterns - only drills. I think his physical limitations will prevent him from being an every down player, despite his skills. In a year or 2 with better strength and willingness to improve his tackling, however, he could definitely become a starter in the Nickel package once he gets the defensive scheme down.

2. This was always a point of debate in his college years at FSU. Due to his lack of straight-line speed, any time he breaks into the open field he will be caught. The best he can do is get you to the opposing 30-40 yard line, I doubt he will ever take a kickoff for a touchdown. But his ability to make guys miss and find the open hole definitely allowed him to be better than average. It just depends on if you want better than average with no chance at a TD, or give another guy with less vision a shot who could go all the way if he gets free. Personally I see a lot of similarities between Tavon and Reid, but Reid lacks the top gear. G5 may have better vision, but that will have to be seen on the field.

3. I think this is answered similarly to question #1. If he has dedicated himself to becoming an NFL caliber player, he has the tools to succeed. He struggled with playing assignments early in his career, so the coaches basically made him a roving freelance player who played from instinct and he became an All-American caliber player that single-handedly changed games (hence the Go Big attitude). FSU's head coach Jimbo Fisher has said for years Greg was the best "football player" he'd ever coached...not the biggest/strongest/fastest but that he possessed the innate ability to know where the ball was going and react before anyone else. He will never overcome his height and top-end speed. Has he overcome his inability to play within a scheme? That is the big question IMO that will decide if he can become an every down player.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

This is just another part of the second perfect storm in St. Louis. This could end up being Dre Bly playmaking move that is short lived. Or like the no cost UDFA signing similar to London Fletcher. Get ready guys. I am starting to sense something.

 

[Tron]

1. I think this greatly depends on how he has prepared in the last 18 months and his current mindset. He looked great at the pro day (you can watch it on ESPN3), but he didn't need to tackle or read patterns - only drills. I think his physical limitations will prevent him from being an every down player, despite his skills. In a year or 2 with better strength and willingness to improve his tackling, however, he could definitely become a starter in the Nickel package once he gets the defensive scheme down.

2. This was always a point of debate in his college years at FSU. Due to his lack of straight-line speed, any time he breaks into the open field he will be caught. The best he can do is get you to the opposing 30-40 yard line, I doubt he will ever take a kickoff for a touchdown. But his ability to make guys miss and find the open hole definitely allowed him to be better than average. It just depends on if you want better than average with no chance at a TD, or give another guy with less vision a shot who could go all the way if he gets free. Personally I see a lot of similarities between Tavon and Reid, but Reid lacks the top gear. G5 may have better vision, but that will have to be seen on the field.

3. I think this is answered similarly to question #1. If he has dedicated himself to becoming an NFL caliber player, he has the tools to succeed. He struggled with playing assignments early in his career, so the coaches basically made him a roving freelance player who played from instinct and he became an All-American caliber player that single-handedly changed games (hence the Go Big attitude). FSU's head coach Jimbo Fisher has said for years Greg was the best "football player" he'd ever coached...not the biggest/strongest/fastest but that he possessed the innate ability to know where the ball was going and react before anyone else. He will never overcome his height and top-end speed. Has he overcome his inability to play within a scheme? That is the big question IMO that will decide if he can become an every down player.

Thanks for the feedback again.

1. Well since our greatest need at CB is at nickle, he seems like a good prospect for us.
2. I much rather have a guy who can get us to the 30 or 40 yard line than a guy who usually gets to the 20 at best with a return or two a year. Starting at the 30-40 yard line islas great starting position and trumps the 20 yarder with a "chance" to return one.
3. So basically he has great instincts? Not the best size or speed or anything. Like you said, a lot will depend on if he can learn and fit into a scheme.

Do you think he would be better as a nickle cb or a hybrid fs/cb role? I am looking more for the rams a solitary nickle cb role, someone who can fill in for finnigans roll before he went down hill.

In honesty, he sounds like a guy who might not be the most physically gifted, but has good instincts and plays bigger than his side and if he can adapt to a specific scheme, could be a great player. That last part being the most important, if he can adapt to that, seems like he could fit in the nfl in a starting role eventually.

 

[Rams and Gators]

How in the heck does anyone get thrown off the FSU team

It's what the ones who don't get thrown off the team are doing that worries me.

 

[Tron]

It's what the ones who don't get thrown off the team are doing that worries me.

Which ones are those? I mean from FSU, I am not up to date on the problems they have so actually am curious.

 

[RxNoleRx]

Thanks for the feedback again.

1. Well since our greatest need at CB is at nickle, he seems like a good prospect for us.
2. I much rather have a guy who can get us to the 30 or 40 yard line than a guy who usually gets to the 20 at best with a return or two a year. Starting at the 30-40 yard line islas great starting position and trumps the 20 yarder with a "chance" to return one.
3. So basically he has great instincts? Not the best size or speed or anything. Like you said, a lot will depend on if he can learn and fit into a scheme.

Do you think he would be better as a nickle cb or a hybrid fs/cb role? I am looking more for the rams a solitary nickle cb role, someone who can fill in for finnigans roll before he went down hill.

In honesty, he sounds like a guy who might not be the most physically gifted, but has good instincts and plays bigger than his side and if he can adapt to a specific scheme, could be a great player. That last part being the most important, if he can adapt to that, seems like he could fit in the nfl in a starting role eventually.

I don't think he has ever played free safety in his career (even HS), so he is most likely a nickel corner or bust on defense. At FSU his sophomore year he played CB opposite Xavier Rhodes (2013 1st Rd pick and current Minnesota Viking) and I only remember him losing a 1-on-1 jump ball once in his career (against Michael Floyd - 2012 1st Rd pick and current Arizona Cardinal 1000+ yd receiver) where he played the ball as perfect as possible and actually out-jumped the 6'2" Floyd to get both hands on the ball, but Floyd showed his strength and ripped it away. Here's a link to that play and you can see his ball skills/timing and leaping ability. He lands on his head and it knocks him out, but it shows he will give all he has to make a play, and when he fails it is not for lack of effort. That play really epitomizes Reid as a defender- great instincts and ball skills and timing that can put him in the right position to succeed. But if 5'8" and 6'2" both time it right, then 6'2" wins more often than not.

You basically hit on everything else. He definitely will have a following from FSU fans who watched him, so don't be surprised to see a few attending FSU fans in the stadium hold up the "5 fingers" symbol (for his jersey #5 or nickname "G5") when he goes back for a punt. If you have 10 minutes and want to get a good idea of his on-field demeanor, instincts, and field vision check out some of his youtube highlights (he has a lot, but here are links to his Freshman and Sophomore years and a short one of his Junior year at FSU). In high school he just dominated the biggest HS classification in Georgia, and was also voted Player of the Decade (for 2000-2010) by state coaches/media (including over current NFL'ers Eric Berry, Cameron Heyward, etc.).

Basically he has been very, very good at every level of competition thus far. NFL offenses will try to prey on his lack of height and top gear (like college offenses did), but he has mostly been able to win one-on-one jump balls despite this by using excellent timing and instincts. If he is plugged into a system that nullifies those weaknesses (ie. as a Nickel corner close to the line of scrimmage, minimizing the risk of jump balls vs. taller, stronger receivers) he could be excellent and a potential game-changer down the line.

 

[Username]

http://blip.tv/warchantcom/greg-reid-talks-about-returning-to-fsu-and-taking-part-in-pro-day-6554258
(Can't embed)



http://floridastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1621757&PT=4&PR=2
Powell Latimer
Warchant.com Staff Writer
A familiar face was at Florida State's Pro Day on Tuesday: Greg Reid. Reid, who was two years removed from his last game at Florida State after being dismissed from the team, transferring to Valdosta State and tearing his ACL.

It was an emotional return for Reid, who has gone from the NCAA's leading punt returner to barely on the NFL radar. But Reid said he wasn't bitter, far from it.

Gene Williams - Warchant.com

Greg Reid performed well for NFL scouts and coaches on Tuesday.
"Eight months ago I was laying up in a hospital bed and couldn't move or anything like that," Reid said. "I'm just blessed to walk. And get out here and run and do drills. Last year I could only do one 40, this time I could to both."
On Tuesday, Reid said he was grateful for the opportunity. He referred to himself as "blessed" every other sentence. While he spoke with reporters, Telvin Smith came up to stand nearby, grinning.

"Everybody knows what he's been through and all the obstacles, all the stuff like that," Smith said. "To see him back out here at 100 percent, running and stuff like that. You see the old Greg and everybody loves him. Man, it's just great to see him out here. Our families are out here watching. It's great."

Smith said he kept checking in with Reid throughout the day, seeing how his workouts were going. Many of FSU's other players who knew Reid also kept tabs on him throughout the day. He's stayed in touch with FSU's players and coaches even while away, even travelling to California for the national title game.

"I wish I could've been out there, but it's a blessing," Reid said. "I actually went out to California to watch, it was amazing. I knew Telvin would put his heart on the line and he'd have 10 guys on defense do it as well...the way Coach Fisher handles his children and the team, I knew they'd come out victorious."

Most important for Reid, though, was being able to share a moment with FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher, the same man who ultimately had to dismiss Reid from FSU's roster in 2012. The two shared an embrace on the field in between workouts.

"I never really grew up and had a mentor or a guy I looked up to, and I think Coach Fisher has become one of those in my life because all the things we went through," Reid said. "Just to see him succeed and I know everything he was telling me were the right things and to see him be successful, that means a lot to me. A handshake is one thing but a hug is very huge and important to my life."

For his part, Fisher said he enjoyed seeing Reid on Tuesday.

"You know something, I'm very happy," Fisher said. "I hope Greg gets a shot, because I'm going to tell you that's as instinctive and one of the best football players I've ever been around. For him to be able to battle back shows how committed he is. He's done a great job with his life, he's being very successful right now. I think if somebody gets him in camp, they're going to be very happy."

Reid worked out with former players and non-current FSU players, a group that most scouts weren't paying a whole lot of attention to. His main hope was to prove that he could still get enough speed from his surgically repaired knee, which he said was 100 percent now after long months of rehab.

"I've been asking everybody, I want to find out," But nobody's telling me. Hopefully it's good."

Reid knows he's a long shot to make an NFL roster. He was here last year as well before transferring to Valdosta State, and he took the impetus to reach out to FSU about coming again on Tuesday.

"All I need is one shot, man," Reid said. "I don't know about any feedback or what they're telling me. I'm just blessed to be here and blessed to get through my workouts."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/joyner-jernigan-shine-fsus-pro-232605581--nfl.html

NOTES: A surprise attendee was one-time star defensive back and former five-star prep recruit Greg Reid, who was kicked off the Seminoles before the 2012 season due to repeated violations of team rules. Reid, who played at Lowndes County (Ga.) High School with Florida State starting LB Telvin Smith, eventually transferred to Division II Valdosta State, where he tore his ACL and missed his senior season in 2012. Reid then took last year off to recover from the injury after post-surgery complications, but he said Tuesday he was 100 percent. He wowed many of the scouts on hand with an unofficial 40 time of 4.37 -- easily the fastest of any player participating in Tallahassee

 

[Username]

http://www.youtube.com/user/G5Takeover

 

[Rams and Gators]

Which ones are those? I mean from FSU, I am not up to date on the problems they have so actually am curious.

I have no proof of anything.

 

[kurtfaulk]

All this guy is a early UDFA signing. At his peak a couple years ago before he tore his ACL he was at best a late round pick or more likely a UDFA. He's too small to play safety, and is even small for a nickle.
Let him come to camp and compete. You never know with a year on the PS he might be ready. I just don't see him pushing Tru or JJ day one of camp.

Why weren't you in the war room when linehan passed on ngata and decided to take tye Hill. Great trade by the Rams there, move back to pick a shrimp who couldn't cover and a dope fiend with the extra pick they got. 2006, arrrrgggghhhh.

.

 

[Alan]

RxNoleRx dipping his left foot into clam infested waters:
Saying stuff.

Welcome to the ROD Rx! :lifting: :seizure: :rockon: :cheers:
Another Floridian! Half the state must be Ram fans. Glad you decided to join our tribe.

“Idiot - A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant and controlling. The Idiot's activity is not confined to any special field of thought or action, but "pervades and regulates the whole." He has the last word in everything; his decision is unappealable. He sets the fashions and opinion of taste, dictates the limitations of speech and circumscribes conduct with a dead-line.”
― Ambrose Bierce

 

[Ramhusker]

I've never really paid much attention to Reid's top end speed such as on kickoffs but I can tell you it never shows up on punt returns. He can take it to the house at any time. And I wouldn't mind seeing OLB Telvin Smith in horns either. He just might be a fit for the Rams and a positive influence on Greg.

 

[BonifayRam]

One might hope that Snead & Fisher have been looking very hard @ #20 Joyner and saw & discovered a bunch on #5 Reid during this review. Fisher has a #20 vacant now with vet Darian Stewart departed. The number #5 is also vacant. I would love to see both Joyner & Reid on this 2014 Ram team. We are half way there now.

 

[Ramhusker]

One might hope that Snead & Fisher have been looking very hard @ #20 Joyner and saw & discovered a bunch on #5 Reid during this review. Fisher has a #20 vacant now with vet Darian Stewart departed. The number #5 is also vacant. I would love to see both Joyner & Reid on this 2014 Ram team. We are half way there now.

I would really rather add Dennard in the draft. I like Joyner but he and Reid are very similar. I think we need some size on the back end of our D.