Pros and cons Still vs Brockers?

[jtnc]

What are they? A lot of people are high on Brockers, but I think it will take awhile for him to be a force because of his lack of experience in college. That's why I would pick Still but, maybe someone can convince me and others why Brockers?

[frash.exe]

Brockers has a higher ceiling, but with picking Still you kind of know what you're going to get. I guess you could say Still would be the "safe" pick.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea, based on what I've read (compared to each other):

Brockers: Better vs the run, still developing, much higher ceiling, much more physically imposing, better at getting arms up to bat down passes, high motor, loves the game, only going to get better.

Still: Better getting to the QB, good leadership qualities, more polished, but seems to already be at his ceiling. Might be as good as he's going to get.

I personally prefer Brockers. By a lot. His attitude and physical attributes, plus the fact he's so good against the run, put him on top for me. Against the run is where we were weakest. Our pass rush wasn't elite, but it wasn't as bad as our run defense. I don't think Brockers is much, if any, behind Still just in terms of ability RIGHT NOW. Even without technique his motor and physicality puts him on even ground. And Brockers obviously seems like he's going to get a lot better with technique and studying the game. Still seems to already have the technique for the most part, he's just not as naturally gifted as Brockers. I'd be fine with getting Still in the back third of the first, because I think he's going to be a fine football player. But I don't think he'll ever be close to elite. I think the only thing that will prevent Brockers from being an elite DT is injury. I don't necessarily mean Suh-like set the DT world on fire in season 1 elite, but he'll be a solid contributor in season 1 and could be a Pro Bowler in season 2.

[Catalyst]

Does anyone have any good video of Brockers and/or Still? I can't seem to find much, especially on Brockers.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

They are similar in my opinion. Both have pretty much the same body.

I have just recently started hearing about Brockers. I like him a lot but I think if I had to chose I would go with Still. He is a beast in the middle.

Some words to describe Still:

strong

fast

mobile

explosive

physical

gets in the backfield

big

good hands

awareness

[Catalyst]

Yeah, I'll take that.

[HeatCheck]

Not going to lie, Still looks better than Brockers. Haven't seen much of Still and I know it's just a highlight film and against lesser opponents, but he looks explosive. I know Brockers probably has more upside but looking at it now, Still is more polished and more ready to contribute right away.

[Jackofalltrades]

If I had to take one of the two I think the potential of Brokers gives him a slight edge.

[Woodie]

Here's Scout's Inc's profile for Brockers that I posted in another thread.

Michael Brockers

Defensive Tackle

6'6" Height

306 lbs Weight

—Arm Length

—Hand Size

17 Overall Rank

1 Positional Rank

92 SCOUTS GRADE

CAREER NCAA FOOTBALL STATS

TACKLES FUMBLES FORCED INT

47 1 1

Overall Football Traits

Production 2 "2009: Redshirt 2010: (13/1) 25-1-0 2011: (14/14) 54-10-2 Career: 5 PBU, 2 FF, 1 INT, 1 blocked kick "

Height-Weight-Speed 1 "Straight out of central casting. Tall, athletic build. Well-proportioned and has room to add bulk to frame if necessary. Very good speed for size."

Durability 1 "Has played in all 27 games, including 15 starts, during his two seasons of playing time at LSU."

Intangibles 2 No off the field issues to our knowledge. One of five children. Reportedly has a strong work ethic and passion for game.

1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal

Defensive Tackle Specific Traits

Versus the Run 1 "Shows adequate-to-good initial quickness and power. Will come off the ball a bit high at times but shows ability to play with leverage and continues to improve in this area. Displays above average awareness locating the ball. Powerful upper body. Flashes ability to ragdoll some OL. Does a nice job with swim and rip moves but can be a little loose with technique at times. Generally does a very good job of disengaging quickly once ball is located. But occasionally will let his pads rise while looking for the ball, and will allow OL to establish leverage advantage. Lower body strength is adequate but can improve. Works hard to fight through double-team. Does a nice job of defending lower body on cut blocks. Gives a good effort in pursuit. A powerful hitter. Will sell out to make the play."

Pass Rush Skills 3 Good initial quickness but not elite first step to consistently penetrate. Shows power to collapse the pocket at times as a bull rusher. Does not appear to have a game-plan as a pass rusher at times and wastes a lot of steps and energy. Effort is not in question; he will chase if he gets a clear line to the quarterback and he keeps fighting even when he's not making headway. Also shows good awareness. Will get his long arms up and disrupt passing windows. Has tools to improve but results in this area have been underwhelming.

Quickness (hands/feet) 2 Lacks elite first step explosiveness but is still a very good athlete for his size. Shows good lateral agility and balance. Hand quickness is above average. Will continue to improve hand usage with more focus on technique details.

Toughness/Motor 2 "Had luxury of playing on deep defensive line at LSU and got plenty of rest. However, his effort is very good. He works hard to find the ball and pursue. He's not afraid to sacrifice his body to get into the mix. Fights hard to split the double team. "

1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal

[Woodie]

Now here their profile for Still.

Devon Still

Defensive Tackle

6'5¼" Height

307 lbs Weight

—Arm Length

—Hand Size

19 Overall Rank

2 Positional Rank

91 SCOUTS GRADE

CAREER NCAA FOOTBALL STATS

TACKLES FUMBLES FORCED INT

49

Overall Football Traits

Production 2 2007: Redshirt. 2008: (3/0) 2009: (13/1) - 19-5.5-2 2010: (13/12) - 39-10-4

Height-Weight-Speed 2 "Above average blend of height, weight and top-end speed. "

Durability 5 Tore ACL in left knee during 2007 preseason and Penn State red shirted him. Broke left ankle during 2008 preseason and did not return until late November.

Intangibles 3 "Hard worker that battled back from substantial injuries to play in all 26 games over the past two years. Cousin Levon Kirkland played for the Steelers and cousin Art Still played for the Chiefs. Accused a teammate of stealing cell phone in April of 2008 and teammate later pulled a knife on him. Coaches disarmed the teammate who was dismissed from the team. Police found marijuana residue and drug related items at the apartment Still shared with three teammates in April of 2009. However, all four players were cleared and a visitor that did not attend Penn State was charged at the end of the investigation. Has a daughter. "

1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal

Defensive Tackle Specific Traits

Versus the Run 2 Gave too much ground when played too high and has a relatively high center of gravity but kept pads down for the most part. Showed that can split double teams when stayed low. Powerful upper body and shed blocks in time to make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. Narrow base and got washed down the line by down blocks. Limited range and not going to make many plays outside the tackle box.

Pass Rush Skills 4 Tracked the quarterback and got hands up in passing lanes when given middle draw/screen responsibilities. Adequate club-to-swim move. Stood up as worked upfield and not a powerful bull rusher that can consistently collapse the pocket. Narrow base and can get knocked off course by powerful punch. Not a quick twitch athlete that can shake interior offensive linemen with double moves. Didn't protect legs well and got knocked to the ground on occasion.

Quickness (hands/feet) 3 First step quickness is average for size. Quick enough to establish position but not a disruptive 3-techique that can shoot the B-gap with any kind of consistency. Hands are active but hand speed is just average.

Toughness/Motor 2 Got gassed when forced to chase but above average effort as an interior run stopper. Fights through blocks and off the ground to make play at or behind the line of scrimmage. Tough competitor that doesn't back down and can get under opponent's skin.

1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal

[Jackofalltrades]

Based on the above, the durability thing in particular, I would have to go with Brockers.

I like Poe a lot too, think he could easily replace Fua.

[rayzor]

[Mr. Scot]

Brockers...

...because his name has more potential to get screwed up by the radio announcers.

(and on that play blockers was taking on two brockers...wait)

[JawnyBlaze]

Someone else brought up this in another thread, a good way to watch video of Brockers is to watch videos of the other LSU D-lineman and just watch #90.