Kubiak Comments on #15, Okoye, and Brown

[TexanAddict]

From ESPN's AFC South Blog:

What do you expect out of your first-round pick?

Our first-round pick has to have a big impact on our team. The more the first-round pick continues to be an impact player, the better we're going to get. We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round.

How important is it for you to hit a home run with that pick?

It's very important. We've made progress, and for us to make some more progress, that guy has to be an impact player.

On Okoye's second-year drop off and expectations for him now:

Amobi's got to become an impact player. You talk about this year's No. 1 pick becoming an impact player, that's what we need him to do. When it comes to taking the next step for our defense, Amobi's more important than anybody. I was a little disappointed last season but not with his work. He battled a high ankle sprain. I think we're over those things. He's grown up. He's more mature. I like the way he's started the offseason. Bill [Kollar] has a good reputation with players like Amobi and what his talent is as far as coming off the ball. It's a big year for him."

On what Kubiak wants to see from Okoye:

I want to see him be active, be a factor. We want him to be a factor in all phases of the game. Sometimes I think he worried so much about trying to get sacks that he forgot about having fun and just cutting it loose and playing the game. Sacks aren't the most important thing. We expect him to be a big-time contributor.

If Okoye is the one defensive player who has to step up, who's the one offensive player who has to step up?

I think Duane Brown has to take another step forward. There's no more coming off the field like he did last year [when backup Ephraim Salaam played every fourth series]. He made a lot of progress as a rookie starting every game, and now he has to make more to help our offense be more successful.

AFC South Blog

Nothing too Earth-shattering in there, but still good to read

[nunusguy]

"We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."
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Last time I checked we've got an "impact player at linebacker", so I'm guessing he means another one ?
And I dunno what he means by "the backend" ? The defensive backfield ?
BTW coach, you still need another edge-rusher across from Mario. Did you forget ?

Backend = DB's

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

"We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."
***********************************
Last time I checked we've got an "impact player at linebacker", so I'm guessing he means another one ?
And I dunno what he means by "the backend" ? The defensive backfield ?
BTW coach, you still need another edge-rusher across from Mario. Did you forget ?

Shhhh... this misdirection is part of his jedi plan. Don't spoil it.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

"We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."
***********************************
Last time I checked we've got an "impact player at linebacker", so I'm guessing he means another one ?
And I dunno what he means by "the backend" ? The defensive backfield ?
BTW coach, you still need another edge-rusher across from Mario. Did you forget ?

That kind of threw me too at first. I suspect it'd be like him saying "We need an impact pass rusher from the DE spot". I don't think he is discounting Demeco (or in this hypothetically Mario) but saying we need [another] one. another being implied.


Good read, I love hearing things straight from the horses...err Coache's mouth! Very interesting about his comment on the WR and RB in the 1st. I like hearing that but hope it doesn't mean he'd reach for a D player. I'd rather him be thinking we should trade down and target a/the D player further down. Can't wait for the draft!

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

"We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."
***********************************
Last time I checked we've got an "impact player at linebacker", so I'm guessing he means another one ?
And I dunno what he means by "the backend" ? The defensive backfield ?
BTW coach, you still need another edge-rusher across from Mario. Did you forget ?

C'mon man, at 15 who is there to put across from Mario? Did you forget to account for the situation? Sounds like LB/DB are the preferred choice at #15 but that certainly has little impact on whether or not they try for another DE later, besides the guy they just signed. Don't know if I would put him down as forgetting just yet.

[Ben Frank]

Yea, I think we go best LB available, @ 15 unless Jinkin's fall's to us which I think thay will consider

[Goatcheese]

Originally Posted by Ben Frank

Yea, I think we go best LB available, @ 15 unless Jinkin's fall's to us which I think thay will consider

I'd rather reach for somebody like Alphonso Smith(if Jenkins isn't there) than take any Linebacker in this class not named Curry.

[ObsiWan]

Our first-round pick has to have a big impact on our team. The more the first-round pick continues to be an impact player, the better we're going to get. We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round.

is this the old Jedi mind trick to make folks think we're going Cushing or Matthews???

[mussop]

Originally Posted by Ben Frank

Yea, I think we go best LB available, @ 15 unless Jinkin's fall's to us which I think thay will consider

Sounds like that is waht he is implying. I hope Vonte Davis is gone so we dont even have to consider him. I would take Darius Butler over him any day of the week. Yes even at 15.

So lets see, Jenkins, Davis and Butler are the only CB's worthy of 15. There are absolutely no S's worth that high of a pick. Kubiack has made it known that Demeco isnt moving outside so any LB we draft would have to be an "impact player" on the outside. That leaves Curry, Mathews and possibly Barwin, English and Sintim? All of these LB's bring the added bonus of being able to put their hand down and russ the passer.

Wonder who it will be?

Actually after rereading Kubiacks comments im confused alittle.

"We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."

Bakend has to mean CB right? Plus why does he add "(but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."? Just seems like there was no reason to even add that remark. Oohhhh my head is spinning. I cant wait until the draft dammit.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by mussop

Sounds like that is waht he is implying. I hope Vonte Davis is gone so we dont even have to consider him. I would take Darius Butler over him any day of the week. Yes even at 15.

So lets see, Jenkins, Davis and Butler are the only CB's worthy of 15. There are absolutely no S's worth that high of a pick. Kubiack has made it known that Demeco isnt moving outside so any LB we draft would have to be an "impact player" on the outside. That leaves Curry, Mathews and possibly Barwin, English and Sintim? All of these LB's bring the added bonus of being able to put their hand down and russ the passer.

Wonder who it will be?

Actually after rereading Kubiacks comments im confused alittle.

"We could still use an impact player at linebacker and on the backend (but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."

Bakend has to mean CB right? Plus why does he add "(but) we'd be hard-pressed to take a receiver or a running back in the first round."? Just seems like there was no reason to even add that remark. Oohhhh my head is spinning. I cant wait until the draft dammit.

That comment confuses me as well. We don't need a 1st round WR or RB yet I can't tell what he is implying with that comment.

[Texan4Ever]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

That comment confuses me as well. We don't need a 1st round WR or RB yet I can't tell what he is implying with that comment.

Does it mean we're going to pull "a Duane Brown" and pick a player nobody had going in the 1st to fill our needs on ?

I seriosuly think its going to be OLB, all I hope is we don't reach for a player like Tyrone McKenzie or whatever.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Texan4Ever

Does it mean we're going to pull "a Duane Brown" and pick a player nobody had going in the 1st to fill our needs on ?

I seriosuly think its going to be OLB, all I hope is we don't reach for a player like Tyrone McKenzie or whatever.

The ONLY offensive player I can see us taking in the 1st round would be Maclin. He is the only guy that would be available that would be justified with the 15th pick. Oher is a possiblity, but then do we move Duane Brown to Guard? I don't really know how that would work out.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

That comment confuses me as well. We don't need a 1st round WR or RB yet I can't tell what he is implying with that comment.

Who is that in youre aviator? Oh yeh and what you said.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by mussop

Who is that in youre aviator? Oh yeh and what you said.

Keeley Hazell, British supermodel.

[Silver Oak]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

Keeley Hazell, British supermodel.

she's rather healthy.

[WolverineFan]

Originally Posted by Silver Oak

she's rather healthy.

Lol that's an understatement if I ever heard one.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

The ONLY offensive player I can see us taking in the 1st round would be Maclin. He is the only guy that would be available that would be justified with the 15th pick. Oher is a possiblity, but then do we move Duane Brown to Guard? I don't really know how that would work out.

Either Maclin or Oher on the Board are possiblilties, though probably not likely.
But as always predicated on what other players remain on the Board for our pick and opportunities (if any) to move back, either of these 2 offensive players might represent the BPA at #15, even if not a need compared to other areas.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by WolverineFan

Keeley Hazell, British supermodel.

I wouldn't mind if we "reach" for her in the 1st. She's got the impact we need on the backend, if that's what Kubiak is really referring too.

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

I wouldn't mind if we "reach" for her in the 1st. She's got the impact we need on the backend, if that's what Kubiak is really referring too.

I think she'd have the biggest impact on my front end.