Opposing Line Coach Says Poe 'Took Plays Off'

[Ruff]

CBS Sports’ Bruce Feldman interviewed one veteran college offensive line coach who game planned against Poe in Conference USA. The position coach gave Poe mixed reviews.

“He’s probably the best talent I’ve seen in several years,” said the assistant. “He took plays off and wasn’t a great effort guy, but he is a freakish talent.”

Feldman suggested that most oversized defensive linemen take some snaps off.

“Yeah,” the coach conceded. “But he took off more than most. He did get better last year than he was the year before. He just was never that productive, but I heard they didn’t require him to do that much. He was definitely someone I took into account with schemes. … I’m not at all surprised to hear that he’s blowing up at the Combine, at all.”

- PFT

Hm. There could be a lot of things going on right here. It could be the guy was bitter, maybe he has a personal vendetta against Poe? Or, it could be some team is finding these guys to bring up dirt, hoping he'll drop to them. (Like Miami with Marino, supposedly leaking that Marino had drug problems so the Steelers wouldn't draft him.)

But, all DTs do take plays off. I mean, when you weigh 350lbs, and you're probably the only decent player on your defense, you probably get tired pretty easily.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Or Poe is a poor effort guy who takes plays off.

[Ruff]

Or Poe is a poor effort guy who takes plays off.

Sure, it could.

But, who knows? None of us have scout tape on the guy, and Youtube only has his highlights, which are obviously not going to show him taking plays off.

[CRA]

- PFT

Hm. There could be a lot of things going on right here. It could be the guy was bitter, maybe he has a personal vendetta against Poe? Or, it could be some team is finding these guys to bring up dirt, hoping he'll drop to them. (Like Miami with Marino, supposedly leaking that Marino had drug problems so the Steelers wouldn't draft him.)

But, all DTs do take plays off. I mean, when you weigh 350lbs, and you're probably the only decent player on your defense, you probably get tired pretty easily.

How many games did Memphis win this year? Not sure you can play the bitter card. Everyone walked all over Poe's team. Nor did Poe individually have great production...

What would there to be bitter over. It ain't like he was Nick Fairly dominating and teams couldn't figure out how to stop one guy

[Ruff]

How many games did Memphis win this year? Not sure you can play the bitter card

lol, not a lot. 2.

But, I meant bitter as in personally. Maybe Poe and one of his guys got into it, maybe he snubbed him from a handshake? Who knows?

[Cat'sGrowl]

Sure, it could.

But, who knows? None of us have scout tape on the guy, and Youtube only has his highlights, which are obviously not going to show him taking plays off.

Just thought it should be mentioned. If we're going to be objective, keep it on an even keel.

[megadeth078]

in before "it can be coached"

[rayzor]

what 350 pound lineman doesn't take plays off?

they all do. even ngata did in college.

at that size they almost have to.

non-issue, imo.

[Dpantherman]

One of the most overused sentences in football.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

My Two Cents, for what it's worth

Guys that are at the 330 pound mark or above will take plays off, plain and simple. They have to, unless their coach gives them periods of rest and puts a rotational guy in for a few plays.

If you guys take a look at the NFL leaders in sacks, you will see that the top three defensive tackles in that category all weigh 300 pounds or less and that's simply because they have a motor that can go longer than a guy that weighs 340 pounds or 350 pounds.

I've watched video on the biggest guys in the draft class Dontari Poe (Memphis), Alameda Taamu (Washington), Hebron Fangupo (Brigham Young), Nicolas Jean Baptiste (Baylor), Ishmaaily Kitchen (Kent State), Asa Chapman (Liberty), and Damon Harrison (William Penn) and every single one of these guys has "takes plays off" under his analysis. In all reality, the only guys that don't take plays off are the small up tackles like Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati), Mike Daniels (Iowa), and Brett Roy (Nevada); but they won't be able to produce like they did at the college level due to the increased size of the offensive linemen.

Personally, I blame the coaches for not rotating guys in and out, and that's why I believe it would be beneficial for the Panthers to draft Poe because they could rotate Edwards (Ron) and Poe out; plus they could use both of them in defenses designed to stop the run.

All I see is a coach trying to gain the spotlight because he is an offensive line coach in the C-USA and God knows the newspaper reporters won't ever talk to him again, so he is taking advantage of his time in the limelight.

[rayzor]

Guys that are at the 330 pound mark or above will take plays off, plain and simple. They have to, unless their coach gives them periods of rest and puts a rotational guy in for a few plays.

If you guys take a look at the NFL leaders in sacks, you will see that top three all way 300 pounds or less and that's simply because they have a motor that can go longer than a guy that weighs 340 pounds or 350 pounds.

I've watched video on the biggest guys in the draft class Dontari Poe (Memphis), Alameda Taamu (Washington), Hebron Fangupo (Brigham Young), Nicolas Jean Baptiste (Baylor), Ishmaaily Kitchen (Kent State), Asa Chapman (Liberty), and of Damon Harrison (William Penn) and every single one of guys has under his analysis "takes plays off." In all reality, the guys that don't take plays off are the small up tackles like Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati), Mike Daniels (Iowa), and Brett Roy (Nevada).

Personally, I blame the coaches for not rotating guys in and out, and that's why I believe it would be beneficial for the Panthers to draft Poe because they could rotate Edwards and Poe out; plus use both of them in defenses designed to stop the run.

All I see is a coach trying to gain the spotlight because he is an offensive line coach in the C-USA and God knows the news paper reporters won't ever talk to him so he is taking advantage of his time in the limelight.

good point. massive benefit to having a good solid rotation. you just get more out of the guys.

[jtnc]

He was the only good player on a shitty d-line. On the otherhand, Brockers was surrounded by other defensive talent.

[SOJA]

if Rivera and Hurney think its enough of a problem, they won't draft him.

[panthers55]

Here is the thing. It is the exceptional individual that can play for 3 years and win a total of 5 games and not get down sometimes. They got beat sometimes by 30 points last year. Are you really telling me that being down by 30 points with no hope of climbing back in the game doesn't affect the defense and make players show less effort? Add that this guy is only a junior, has never played for a team with a winning record, and you want a motor that won't quit no matter what?? On a guy that is 350 lbs and getting doubled every play all day. Seriously??? As others mentioned, he was rarely off the field and had no help.

That has little to do with what he brings to the table in the NFL. If he were a no effort guy would he be able to do 44 reps of 225 lbs and run a sub 5 second 40. Do you think he didn't work on those things over the past few years. Was he born that fast and strong???

Objective??? Seriously????

Look at Newton this year when we were behind or he screwed up. Did he get down and lose focus and effort at times. This from a guy who has the heart of a tiger. It happens in sports when you are getting pasted every week. Anyone who doesn't know that hasn't play at any significant level or has an agenda.