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Scouts notebook: Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy

When I watch games, I take a lot of notes. A ridiculous amount, as a matter of fact. Someone asked why I like Oklahoma junior defensive tackle Gerald McCoy better than Syracuse senior Arthur Jones.

Because of that, I figured it would be a good idea to open you up to how I evaluate players. Defensive tackles are evaluated in nine criteria: pass rush, pursuit, quickness, run defense, size, strength, tackling ability and technique. Some -- like technique and quickness -- are more important than others.

Here are my thoughts on McCoy. Thoughts on Jones will be put up tomorrow.

Gerald McCoy

6'4, 295 pounds | Oklahoma | Defensive tackle

Pass rush:
McCoy is a very good pass rusher for a defensive tackle. His impact on the pass game isn't always evident in the stats, though. McCoy is relied upon in the Oklahoma defense to push the pocket back, opening gaps for linebackers to shoot. Gets off his blocks as good as any defensive tackle in the country. Has developed a nice counter move that helps him separate after initial contact.

Pursuit: Backside pursuit is decent but not quite as good as you'd like. McCoy will sometimes take a bad angle against shifty running backs and will get top heavy in his pursuit. Has an impressive burst in the short area to get to quarterbacks. At his best working in the box. McCoy's play recognition instincts are very good, but he doesn't make a lot of plays away from the line.

Quickness: McCoy gets off the snap as fast as any interior lineman in the nation. Routinely gets across the face of offensive linemen. Has good hips that he can flip quickly to move laterally down the line.

Run defend: Although McCoy doesn't really have the size to be a traditional two-gap defensive tackle, he consistently makes plays against the run. His strength allows him to maintain position in the middle.

Size: McCoy has good size, but it looks like his frame could handle another 10-15 pounds of mass. Frame is very lanky. Appears to have long arms.

Strength: McCoy might not have the natural brute strength a lot of defensive tackles possess. He makes up for it in his leverage and aggression.

Tackling:
A disciplined tackler who shows good technique. Plays with a lot of effort, and it shows in his takedown ability. Doesn't go for the highlight reel hit, opting instead for the sure tackle.

Technique: Actively uses his hands immediately off the snap to shed blockers. Keeps low and aggressively drives his legs. Does an above-average job of protecting his feet.

Versatility: McCoy is almost strictly a 4-3 defensive tackle. His skill set would not suit a 3-4 nose tackle. He may be able to hold up as a 3-4 end, but that position wouldn't best utilize his skills.

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Comments

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LOL!

Good stuff Dan..nice to see I motivated you to make a post like this….kidding but stil…

I read what I wrote and I don’t think I made the point I wanted to.

I mean that right now, you’d be stupid to draft McCoy over Jones. I know that.

But I see a lot of Arthur Jones (before the injury) and McCoy. I just think that McCoy gets by right now in College by athleticism.

He’s an incredible athlete, but as I think you know they’re all incredible athletes in the pros

Jones is a hell of an athlete too. He’s seems like he’s bigger than McCoy..I think he’s more like 310 than his listed 294.

I know the age different too and maybe that accounts for some of it. But in the NFL potential sometimes doesn’t mean anything.

McCoy may have 2x the potential, but right now Jones seems like he’s more NFL ready and many times that can mean a player has a better NFL career.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 12, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Brian Robiskie was also supposed to be very NFL ready.

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 12, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

WR =/= DT

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 12, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I was just pointing out that being called ‘NFL ready’ doesnt always mean a whole lot

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 12, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

And I was pointing out

that the position is different. Robiskie may be a bust so far…but its not entirely his fault his QB situation is a mess.

DT doesn’t have to worry about that.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 12, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.

by Patssuck456 on Dec 19, 2009 8:00 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the analysis Dan

I have not been able to see much of McCoy so I greatly appreciate your take on his ability and potential as a pro. It seems more and more likely that he will be the second DT taken, and still within the top eight players drafted.
I would love to see him as a Lion, but if Suh is available when the Lions draft I think they would take him first.

I know, I know, we still need a Left Tackle, and a Safety, and a DE, and a CB, etc., etc.

by NorthLeft12 on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

“He may be able to hold up as a 3-4 end, but”

But what? I’m not arguing, I just want to know why you don’t think he could be a 34 end?

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 12, 2009 8:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Choose your own adventure!

Thanks for reading all the way through. Damn lack of copy and paste skills.

Mocking the Draft: Your NFL Draft source.

by Mocking Dan on Nov 12, 2009 8:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs


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