Size

[twizbuck]

I'm reading a lot about how size seems to affect how people view the talents of a player. For example, some are worried about Unger and Mack because they're getting beat by a guy smaller than the NT's they'd face in the AFCN. Alphonso Smith isn't tall so people are worried about him being thrown on. Jason Smith moved from TE to LT so he's not prototypical size.

I'm asking to those who are concerned, why does it make that big of a difference what their size is? I realize it matters to an extent, but really I don't see it being that much of an issue.

[djam]

I'm reading a lot about how size seems to affect how people view the talents of a player. For example, some are worried about Unger and Mack because they're getting beat by a guy smaller than the NT's they'd face in the AFCN. Alphonso Smith isn't tall so people are worried about him being thrown on. Jason Smith moved from TE to LT so he's not prototypical size.

I'm asking to those who are concerned, why does it make that big of a difference what their size is? I realize it matters to an extent, but really I don't see it being that much of an issue.

D'Sean Jackson doesn't seem to mind, nor does Drew Brees, Darren Sproles, Steve Slaton, and Warrick Dunn never cared either ;) I could go on....

[Bfox12585]

I agree size matters but not that much, I think drive, determanation and work ethic are much more important than size. But if I had a choice I would rather have a bigger guy.

[timw99]

I'm reading a lot about how size seems to affect how people view the talents of a player. For example, some are worried about Unger and Mack because they're getting beat by a guy smaller than the NT's they'd face in the AFCN. Alphonso Smith isn't tall so people are worried about him being thrown on. Jason Smith moved from TE to LT so he's not prototypical size.

I'm asking to those who are concerned, why does it make that big of a difference what their size is? I realize it matters to an extent, but really I don't see it being that much of an issue.

Well.......When you speak of size on the O-line like in the case of Smith, you have to question how that player will stand up against the huge 3-4 lines that a team like us faces in the AFC North. That has been the knock on Erik Ghaicuic, that he was not physical enough to stand up to those beasts. So when you get a guy like Smith that not too long ago was converted from TE you have to wonder if strength wise over the course of an NFL game like that if he can take the pounding these type players will put on him. Then you wonder about him bulking up and if he does this to be more of a physical presence against these type players then how much will it take away the agility and quickness that is a big part of his game.

Personally i think it justs comes down to the individual teams and what body type that they are looking for in a player. I think you could have 2 players rated about the same and it is going to come down to the player that they feel best fits what they are looking for. Take Ghaicuic for instance. I actually think he could be a quality center for a team like Denver that uses alot of pulls and zone blocking techniques.

[twizbuck]

Well.......When you speak of size on the O-line like in the case of Smith, you have to question how that player will stand up against the huge 3-4 lines that a team like us faces in the AFC North. That has been the knock on Erik Ghaicuic, that he was not physical enough to stand up to those beasts. So when you get a guy like Smith that not too long ago was converted from TE you have to wonder if strength wise over the course of an NFL game like that if he can take the pounding these type players will put on him. Then you wonder about him bulking up and if he does this to be more of a physical presence against these type players then how much will it take away the agility and quickness that is a big part of his game.

Personally i think it justs comes down to the individual teams and what body type that they are looking for in a player. I think you could have 2 players rated about the same and it is going to come down to the player that they feel best fits what they are looking for. Take Ghaicuic for instance. I actually think he could be a quality center for a team like Denver that uses alot of pulls and zone blocking techniques.

While I agree, I don't see how Smith's size would prevent him from being strong and aggressive enough to take on 3-4 DE's. Size =/= Strength. Now, granted he's not the strongest tackle in the draft, but we really don't know how strong he really is (meaning, you know he's not going to have Andre Smith strength, but he could still have enough to fair well), and at that he's still listed at 300lbs and is known for being athletic and quick, it's not like he's small. Plus, it could give him an advantage in facing the blitz from LB's and DB's. There's an advantage there.

[Bech72]

It's not so much size that worries me when it comes to Unger and Mack; but do they possesses the strength to take on the AFCN nose tackles, if so it hasn't shown at times this week.

The size thing I understand to an extent with Alphonso Smith, at 5'8" you have to worry a bit with the way the WR position is evolving. WRs are beginning to check in at 6'3", 6'4" and 6'5" on a regular basis; and a guy like Smith could have trouble defending them.

So size is important to an extent. It's why you don't see any 200 pound LBs in the league. But I wouldn't discount a guy too much for a couple inches.

[twizbuck]

It's not so much size that worries me when it comes to Unger and Mack; but do they possesses the strength to take on the AFCN nose tackles, if so it hasn't shown at times this week.

The size thing I understand to an extent with Alphonso Smith, at 5'8" you have to worry a bit with the way the WR position is evolving. WRs are beginning to check in at 6'3", 6'4" and 6'5" on a regular basis; and a guy like Smith could have trouble defending them.

So size is important to an extent. It's why you don't see any 200 pound LBs in the league. But I wouldn't discount a guy too much for a couple inches.

I did say I understand to an extent, so yeah you're not going to put a CB at LB, or whatever. But guys like Smith show the awareness and athleticism to cope with their height, so what's the concern? There's not many tall WR's that are actually quick/athletic enough to really beat a guy like Smith anyway outside of guys like Moss and Fitz.

[Bech72]

I did say I understand to an extent, so yeah you're not going to put a CB at LB, or whatever. But guys like Smith show the awareness and athleticism to cope with their height, so what's the concern? There's not many tall WR's that are actually quick/athletic enough to really beat a guy like Smith anyway outside of guys like Moss and Fitz.

Absolutely disagree. I would take Henry in a matchup with Smith any day of the week based on Henry's jumping ability and height advantage. When you have a guy that short at either CB or WR the most important thing is his vertical, not his speed. I also think you're putting a lot of faith into an untested soon to be rookie DB, saying that only Moss and Fitz would beat him regularly.

[ralex]

It's the same thing that takes place with the combine... players' stock jumps WAAY up because of their triangle numbers- there's something to be said for the guys that just know how to play football, know proper angles, and play with a huge heart.

I understand that "potential" goes up when you have a guy with size, but I agree, it shouldn't matter as much as people think it should, because there's been plenty of guys with great size and speed and they just can't play..

Besides, the way college football is evolving nowadays, it's going to be harder and harder to find those "size" guys as the future goes on.. all the spread offenses that seek out the smaller/faster guys is starting to take over because it's just too uncommon to find the Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson guys all the time.

[twizbuck]

Absolutely disagree. I would take Henry in a matchup with Smith any day of the week based on Henry's jumping ability and height advantage. When you have a guy that short at either CB or WR the most important thing is his vertical, not his speed. I also think you're putting a lot of faith into an untested soon to be rookie DB, saying that only Moss and Fitz would beat him regularly.

I'm basing that off of Smith's potential. Of course his first season he'll have issues with just about every WR, but when you're talking about WR's with size, how many of them are really athletic/quick enough to make a consistent impact? Those were the only two I thought of. Guys like CJ, TJ, Boldin, Welker, Ward, Holmes, Jennings, Wayne, Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, they're not towering guys.

Also, Henry? I don't think I'd trust the guy in a match up with Nate Robinson. Yeah he's got the ability, but we don't see it often enough.

[Bech72]

I'm basing that off of Smith's potential. Of course his first season he'll have issues with just about every WR, but when you're talking about WR's with size, how many of them are really athletic/quick enough to make a consistent impact? Those were the only two I thought of. Guys like CJ, TJ, Boldin, Welker, Ward, Holmes, Jennings, Wayne, Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, they're not towering guys.

Also, Henry? I don't think I'd trust the guy in a match up with Nate Robinson. Yeah he's got the ability, but we don't see it often enough.

Calvin Johnson is 6'5" and Andre Johnson is 6'3"; the rest I'll give you, but those are towering.

[twizbuck]

Calvin Johnson is 6'5" and Andre Johnson is 6'3"; the rest I'll give you, but those are towering.

Hmm... thought CJ was smaller than that (6' 2"-6' 3"). Oh well.

[fatphil101]

Size is a lot of times related to strength more than anything. You go in a weight room and your big lineman are always going to be benchin, squating, ect. more than your CB's. If you see a C that's 6'3" 320 lbs [Mack]. compared to a guy that's 6'1" 300 lbs. [Shipley], you're going to assume he has more strength. You're also going to assume that Shipley's more mobile based on their size and weight. It's all an educated guess that people make without knowing a player. If I saw Michael Johnson working out, I'd assume he's one hell of an athelte. Look him up on google images to see what I'm talking about. Someone like Terrance Taylor, I'd assume was a poor athlete, because he does not carry weight well at all.

Just mental assumptions.

[Whatever]

I'm reading a lot about how size seems to affect how people view the talents of a player. For example, some are worried about Unger and Mack because they're getting beat by a guy smaller than the NT's they'd face in the AFCN. Alphonso Smith isn't tall so people are worried about him being thrown on. Jason Smith moved from TE to LT so he's not prototypical size.

I'm asking to those who are concerned, why does it make that big of a difference what their size is? I realize it matters to an extent, but really I don't see it being that much of an issue.

I think the big place where people start freaking out over size is on the OL and DL. I notice that several people have this "bigger is better" mentality around here when it comes to the OL and DT's. We saw it last year with people jonesing for Frank Okam,and we see it this year with guys like Andre Smith and Herman Johnson. Size is important at those positions,but what's more important is how big a guy plays,so to speak. For example,some are jonesing for Herman Johnson because he's 360+,but he doesn't play anywhere even close to that. I think people don't value quickness and technique enough at these positions. Jason Smith playing with good technique>Andre Smith with bad technique. I realize that size adds a certain "upside" to a player,but being 350+ pounds isn't going to make a bad OL good.