H
HardRightEdge
Guest
I will make the less than bold prediction that Neal will not be re-signed after this season. The good news is we're paying him only $630,000 for 2013.
I actually think the staff asked him to cut weight. Even if they hadn't, from the start of OTA's to TC is more than enough time to put on 10 lbs and then some. They saw a guy who could get pressure, and decided to gadget him in. This does not surprise me. Not like he was effective in base as a DE anyway, but that 3 tech value in nickel... I'd be much more comfortable with him at 280.Neal showed up to OTAs at 275 lbs. I don't believe that was planned or expected by the team. That's probably too light to play DE in base or DT in nickel. He's now scaled more like a 4-3 DE...Perry conversion redux.
In base, we have Raji or Pickett for DE on the strong side and Datone Jones on the weak side. We have several options for the DTs in nickel...Raji, Daniels, Jones, Worthy when healthy. It's not like Neal was guaranteed to be anything more than a rotational player once we drafted Jones.
It looks like an attempt to make lemonade out of lemons, which is not a criticism of the coaches...trying to fit Neal into some OLB sets is a way to derive some residual value.
I'm skeptical of the "unblockable" claims. We've heard some excitement and encouraging words over the years regarding slow OLBs, along with Greene's assurances that 4.8 speed (if Neal can even crack that number) at the position is not a problem. Yet, we continue to have issues and those promising names are gone.
I actually think the staff asked him to cut weight. Even if they hadn't, from the start of OTA's to TC is more than enough time to put on 10 lbs and then some. They saw a guy who could get pressure, and decided to gadget him in. This does not surprise me. Not like he was effective in base as a DE anyway, but that 3 tech value in nickel... I'd be much more comfortable with him at 280.
That would be true of an established player, safe in his position. Matthews, for instance, has scored only one win in practice one-on-ones as of last week...he says he's experimenting with some new moves.
Neal and Perry are converted DEs who have not even established a baseline at the position. They don't have enough demonstrated strong points to be messing around with weak points. These guys are competing for snaps; they will be trying to put their best foot forward.
Allegedly that PED was adderol. Riiiiiight.I hate to throw around loose accusations, but Neal was busted for PEDs once already. Strange decisions often come from multiple reasons. It's possible Neal wanted to get off of something sooner rather than later as the HGH testing is getting closer to reality, it's his contract year, and downsizing and gaining some quickness might draw some interest in him as a 4-3 end for the FA market.
I just hope that you're wrong.
Me too. I find myself saying that a lot. As with the children in Lake Wobegon, I wish all our players were above average.
What made 2010 work was Cullen Jenkins and better play out of Raji giving the secondary and Woodson time to pick off passes and sack the quarterback. We've been our heals instead of attacking ever since...
I will make the less than bold prediction that Neal will not be re-signed after this season. The good news is we're paying him only $630,000 for 2013.
And if he is still with the team you will be asked for an apology.