LaDarius Gunter another UDFA gem?

[Pokerbrat2000]

Is it just me, or are other people excited about this guy? Yes, we spent our first two picks in the draft on DB's but what a find this guy was as an UDFA! Unless I'm missing something or he has a total collapse during the next 2 exhibition games, he is not only a lock to make the team, but besides special teams, how and when do we get him on the field?

 

[Packer Fan in SD]

I also have been pretty dang impressed with him. It is a good feeling to realize that year in and year out we somehow find young guys to fill the ranks and keep us both young and pretty successful. And never in salary cap purgatory.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Is it just me, or are other people excited about this guy? Yes, we spent our first two picks in the draft on DB's but what a find this guy was as an UDFA! Unless I'm missing something or he has a total collapse during the next 2 exhibition games, he is not only a lock to make the team, but besides special teams, how and when do we get him on the field?

Absolutely expect Gunter to make the team after his impressive camp and preseason games so far. I don't know how much snaps he will get in the regular season but could be especially important covering tall and strong receivers.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

Absolutely expect Gunter to make the team after his impressive camp and preseason games so far. I don't know how much snaps he will get in the regular season but could be especially important covering tall and strong receivers.

I know this sounds stupid but........I`m assuming that wide receivers and cornerback have basically the same attributes given the nature of the positions, could Gunter or another fill the Nelson position short term at least ?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I know this sounds stupid but........I`m assuming that wide receivers and cornerback have basically the same attributes given the nature of the positions, could Gunter or another fill the Nelson position short term at least ?

Mostly cornerbacks don't have the hands necessary to play receiver in the NFL. In addition they aren't used to run crisp routes. I guarantee that all of the wide receivers currently on the roster are way better options to play the position as any cornerback.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

Mostly cornerbacks don't have the hands necessary to play receiver in the NFL. In addition they aren't used to run crisp routes. I guarantee that all of the wide receivers currently on the roster are way better options to play the position as any cornerback.

thanks Capt

 

[Curly Calhoun]

I like Gunter. I would like to see how he fares against some top-tier receivers.

For now, though, he might actually be the best of our rookie corners.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I like Gunter. I would like to see how he fares against some top-tier receivers.

Gunter hasn´t faced any top-tier receivers during preseason games although he broke up a pass on Sunday intended for Martavis Bryant, who at least had some success as a rookie last year. He has made some plays against Rodgers and the offense´s best receivers during practice though.

 

[JBlood]

Mostly cornerbacks don't have the hands necessary to play receiver in the NFL.

I've heard it said that cornerbacks are receivers who can't catch; but we've all seen some amazing catches made by corners. I think great corners, in general, have to have quicker reaction times, and faster acceleration than the receivers in order to keep up with them.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I've heard it said that cornerbacks are receivers who can't catch; but we've all seen some amazing catches made by corners.

It´s true cornerbacks have made great catches occassionally but most of them aren´t capable of doing it constantly.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

It´s true cornerbacks have made great catches occassionally but most of them aren´t capable of doing it constantly.

Sam Shields went the other way; he was a receiver before he was a corner.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Sam Shields went the other way; he was a receiver before he was a corner.

Yeah, there are several NFL cornerbacks who played wide receiver at some point during their career. It´s way less frequent the other way around though.

 

[Vrill]

Gunter plays that Seattle Seahawk DB style of Football. He gets all up in your grill and harasses you and bumps you and hes cocky. Gunter brings a physical game and swag to our secondary. I like him!

 

[AmishMafia]

Gunter plays that Seattle Seahawk DB style of Football. He gets all up in your grill and harasses you and bumps you and hes cocky. Gunter brings a physical game and swag to our secondary. I like him!

I prefer to call it 'Al Harris Style'.

WR need to be evasive, good vision, hands, and route running/cutting ability

DBs need to have good tackling skills, peripherial vision (watch the hips, eyes and where you are going), back pedal, and hip turning.

Good hands are an asset to each, but a requirement for a WR.

 

[JBlood]

Deion Sanders had 60 receptions, averaging 13 yards/catch over his career. Not bad.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Deion Sanders had 60 receptions, averaging 13 yards/catch over his career. Not bad.

Neon Deon was a freak of nature. But if he and Randy Moss are both coming out of retirement.....hmmm...what a media circus that would be up in GB!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I prefer to call it 'Al Harris Style'.

DBs need to have good tackling skills, peripherial vision (watch the hips, eyes and where you are going), back pedal, and hip turning.

So far this is what makes Gunter look legit and proving to some scouts, its not just about your 40 speed

 

[TJV]

Gunter looks like another great UDFA find by Thompson & staff (like Tramon and Shields - although Tramon was signed by another team after the draft). He appears to have the ability to "muscle" WRs without using his hands in an obvious way to avoid PI calls. So far we haven't seen his lack of straight-line speed exposed. He's an example of why evaluating college players is more art than science. We've seen workout warriors and combine stars crash and burn in the NFL and we've seen players like Gunter who "failed" the combine with his 40 time succeed in the NFL. He knows how to play the game. It's that "something" that's very difficult to evaluate as well as whether or not players can make the jump in competition in the NFL.

How will he get on the field other than STs? Either an injury to, or poor play by someone ahead of him on the depth chart. But that's a good "problem" to have.

 

[Poppa San]

I'd like to see him in early this next game. See if he can hang with Chip Kelly's attack.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

I'd like to see him in early this next game. See if he can hang with Chip Kelly's attack.

Ditto. I'd like to see how he matches up with Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor, both 6-footers.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I'd like to see him in early this next game. See if he can hang with Chip Kelly's attack.

Ditto. I'd like to see how he matches up with Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor, both 6-footers.

Usually the starters play the most snaps during the third preseason game and with Hayward´s limited experience on the outside I don´t think Gunter will get any snaps against the Eagles top-tier receivers.

 

[SoonerPack]

Absolutely expect Gunter to make the team after his impressive camp and preseason games so far. I don't know how much snaps he will get in the regular season but could be especially important covering tall and strong receivers.

I love this post and think it's spot on. He may see limited snaps but could really be a weapon in certain situations.
I think his biggest impact could be when teams are near or in the RZ and the field is a bit more condensed. His length and apparent ball skills could be a major asset in defending some of the larger WR's and TE's in these situations. He seems to have this air of confidence about him which is so dang important for all players let alone cornerbacks. I am really excited about the way this group seems to be coming together. For the first time in a while it looks as if we have quality depth and flexibility which will allow us to be a bit more diverse in regards to scheme/coverage. Randall looked pretty darn good the other day especially on the pic where he high-pointed the ball vs. a 6'5" WR. Rollins brings a lot to the table as well and I am still very much excited about his future. There will most certainly be growing pains but I firmly believe this secondary could end up being a super productive group that forces many-a-headache for opposing QB's. Solid post as always WIMM.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Usually the starters play the most snaps during the third preseason game and with Hayward´s limited experience on the outside I don´t think Gunter will get any snaps against the Eagles top-tier receivers.

Likely true. However, this is the "dress rehearsal" game, so there's a chance the starters will play longer. If we start pulling our guys before they do, Gunter may get his shot.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Likely true. However, this is the "dress rehearsal" game, so there's a chance the starters will play longer. If we start pulling our guys before they do, Gunter may get his shot.

With him most likely being the fifth cornerback on the depth chart as of now I don´t expect that to happen. He will get a ton of action in the final preseason game though but will face mostly second-stringers in that one.

 

[Vrill]

Question is, is Gunter going to be our primary backup boundary corner? All signs point to yes so far.