VIDEO: Darryl Fields

[Mitch McConnell]

You get that speed on the perimeter and look out.

I think Fields will absolutely blow up on that side of the ball.

Are you saying you can't think of fast guys who played OLB and didn't live up to the hype?
What about a seven footer in basketball who couldn't dominate in the paint?
Or a pitcher who throws over 90 MPH but can't throw strikes?

Don't misread what I'm saying: I see no reason to believe he can't excel at OLB. He might end up being the next DeMarcus Ware or Brian Orakpo or Terrell Suggs or whoever you consider the best OLB to be.

But you have never seen him tackle, never seen him take on a blocker, never seen him blitz and never seen him drop into coverage. Think you're jumping the gun just a little bit?

Admittedly, I'm playing a hunch. To me, a great defense has linebackers who can run. And this kid can flat out run. Teach him the form tackling and other things, and I think the sky is the limit.

Coach the kid and see what happens.

[Dark Horse]

By that theory, shouldn't we just go find the fastest track relay team (in Texas, of course), and offer them all scholarships to play linebacker?

Sorry, there's a little more to it than a fast set of wheels.

[Mitch McConnell]

By that theory, shouldn't we just go find the fastest track relay team (in Texas, of course), and offer them all scholarships to play linebacker?

Sorry, there's a little more to it than a fast set of wheels.

You're right. I just completely dismissed his 6-2, 220-pound frame (or whatever it is) and just thought there was no way those dimensions would augment his speed.



My friend, the game IS speed. That's great if you're the best form tackler in all of football. Definitely need that. But it definitely won't come into play if you're constantly getting left behind.

[Hoss]

Yes, speed is important.

We know he can run the ball, and that's where I bet he ends up.

That said, it will be interesting to see how he does on defense.

Look, maybe everyone agrees here and just sucks at communicating. Maybe you dismissed Fields' build and maybe you didn't, but you have to admit, when you write something about "You get that speed on the perimeter and look out...." it sounds like you are considering nothing more than speed. Coach Mason wants speed more than any other feature, I think, but that's certainly not all he wants in his players. Maybe we're just talking in circles but you have to admit your first comment ("You get that speed on the perimeter and look out") certainly sounds like speed is the only thing that matters.

Anyway, enough semantics about who said what. Tear it up, Darryl.

[ClickClack]

You would think any reasonable individual who watches/pays attention to football would be able to understand from his comment that killer speed in combination with with a 6 foot 2, 220 lb frame, gifted athletic ability and the fact that he excelled on defense in highschool (be it a small school league in OK) is reason for people to think he could be a standout linebacker...Thank you for those who pointed out that you cant take track guys with no football expirence and put them at linebacker..such valuable information

[Mitch McConnell]

You would think any reasonable individual who watches/pays attention to football would be able to understand from his comment that killer speed in combination with with a 6 foot 2, 220 lb frame, gifted athletic ability and the fact that he excelled on defense in highschool (be it a small school league in OK) is reason for people to think he could be a standout linebacker...Thank you for those who pointed out that you cant take track guys with no football expirence and put them at linebacker..such valuable information

Maybe I was giving this board too much credit for being able to connect the dots.

Next time, I'll draw a picture....for the love of Pete!

[Stallion]

Track/Spint guys Mason has recruited at LB-Ja'Gared Davis, Brown, Yenga and wasn't Moreland bragging about running the spints in High School.

[PonyPlayer4]

Dontae Levingston was bragging about running the 100m. Put him at LB. Problem solved.