Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

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Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by koolherc »

Not sure about the rest of you guys but I'm enjoying all the hype Margus is getting after the combine & I've been googling to find everything I could read/watch/listen to about him. Most of the stories have already been posted, and are getting their own threads, but I thought I'd start a catch-all thread for all the stories about him in the lead up to the draft. I'm sure there will be a lot more of them to come.

First up, a good interview Margus did on the Petros and Money show today:
http://media.ccomrcdn.com/media/station ... _27500.mp3

Don't recall seeing Bucky Brooks' analysis of Margus on here, one of the most positive things I've read about him so far:
Margus Hunt, SMU

The Estonia native, who originally came to SMU as a highly decorated track athlete (he won gold medals in the shot put and discus in the 2006 World Junior Championships), has developed into a dominant defender. In just his fourth season of organized football, Hunt amassed 11.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and an interception. While those numbers don't necessarily jump off the page for a pass rusher, the fact that Hunt has shown exceptional strength, power and hand skills leads me to believe he has the potential to be a disruptive force as a pro. That opinion was certainly validated when I watched Hunt work out at the Senior Bowl. Although he struggled at times in one-on-one pass-rush drills, Hunt routinely flashed during team periods. And his ability to collapse the pocket is what coaches covet in five-technique players. Additionally, he displays outstanding first-step quickness on inside moves. Hunt routinely slips past blockers on slants and games to harass quarterbacks in the pocket. With an 82-inch wingspan and an impeccable sense of timing honed through blocking kicks on special teams (he piled up a whopping 17 blocks over his SMU career), Hunt can develop into a disruptive fly-swatter at the line.

As a run defender, Hunt's combination of size and strength makes him immovable at the point of attack. When he plays with proper pad level, Hunt overwhelms blockers with his explosiveness, utilizing superior arm strength to quickly shed and disengage. Additionally, he shows the ability to chase down ball carriers from the backside. Hunt's motor, relentlessness and athleticism make him a threat to take over the game at any time, a trait that will endear him to coaches and scouts across the league.

Given Hunt's impressive physical dimensions, athleticism and potential, he certainly will intrigue teams looking for a difference maker, despite his limited football experience.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap10000 ... xt-jj-watt


Seems to be one of the most polarizing players in the draft, getting a kick out of reading random fans talk about him.

There's a heated debate going on about him over at this 49ers forum:
http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl-d ... nt-de-smu/
Somehow I have a sneaking suspicion he ends up getting drafted around there to the 49ers.

Falcons:
http://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/ ... rgus-hunt/

Cowboys:
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/dallascow ... p?t=253128

and Chiefs:
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=270419

Post more links as you find them.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interview links

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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by smusic 00 »

I think it's interesting because we all know he wasn't the best player on our defense, and his biggest standout games were the ones that garnered national headlines, the last two bowls. He was absent for long stretches on the line. Could be anywhere from 1st to 4th round depending on who just can't resist.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by ponyboy »

My theory is that Margus likes the big game. I think he'll do very, very well in the NFL.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by smusic 00 »

I agree. He really seems to embrace the process and has a knack for making big plays. But he is completely unproven. Millions of dollars is a lot, even in the NFL.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by JasonB »

Don't discount the fact he got hurt against Baylor and finally got healthy for the Bowl.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by GiddyUp »

I know he got hurt against Baylor but there was no talk about being hurt during the season - kind of a non factor other than blocked kicks last year as well.. Did some nice things against lesser opponents. Only games that stood out were bowls. He obviously has the body and athletic tools, we'll see..
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by smusic 00 »

Yeah, the only "hurt" talk we heard was at the Ozona's film sessions as an excuse for why he wasn't as good this year. There was no other public acknowledgement of his injury, though it was noticeable at Baylor. Then he dominates at Hawaii when he switches sides and lines up against a freshman (remember that Margus is, what, 25-26 years old now?). I'm as anxious as anyone to see him kick [deleted] in the pro's, but, as you say, we'll see...
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by Grant Carter »

smusic 00 wrote:Yeah, the only "hurt" talk we heard was at the Ozona's film sessions as an excuse for why he wasn't as good this year. There was no other public acknowledgement of his injury, though it was noticeable at Baylor. Then he dominates at Hawaii when he switches sides and lines up against a freshman (remember that Margus is, what, 25-26 years old now?). I'm as anxious as anyone to see him kick [deleted] in the pro's, but, as you say, we'll see...

So the only time you heard reference to him being hurt was in the private meeting when he is speaking to (theoretically) a friendly and private group? That seems somewhat plausible.

Also, he dominated fresno's guard as well as their tackle. I can remember the safety where the announcers are talking about him dominating the freshman tackle as they show the replay, but the replay is showing the tackle kicking out to get the olb as hunt goes around the guard.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by couch 'em »

Interesting coaching commentary buried in the Chiefs board:

  #9Sully Good Merlinpeen to all!!!  Join Date: Sep 2005Location: Lees SummitCasino cash: $24597I posted this several weeks ago, but...I go to a lot of coaches clinics. A couple of years back, I listened to SMU's DL coach speak. The way his guys are coached to play, IMO, is completely ass-backwards. This is mainly about playing the run. To make a long story short, he teaches his guys to play the zone backwards. If your OL steps to reach or zone you, he wants you to let them overtake, and play the gap back from your assignment. I suppose, if the entire D knows to "re-gap" on zone, then it's sound (though I still don't like it, opens you up to be filled on "counter" and "power"), but my problem is that his instinct now, through repetition, is to allow his blocker to overtake. This makes him a project (again, IMO).
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by koolherc »

^ I saw that too, interesting if true. If anything it explains how he can improve on last year.

Also agree with the theory that he likes the big game. I think he'll be a different story when he's 100% focused on football, playing with top players, and getting the best coaching. But we'll have to wait and see.

The more I think about it and read I can't see him getting out of the first round, someone will take a chance on him, DE's are too valuable to pass up on.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by koolherc »

Also ProFootballTalk has a new story on Margus:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... t-combine/
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by SMUer »

You mean we play against opponents that even bore our star players?
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by ponyboy »

smusic 00 wrote:Then he dominates at Hawaii when he switches sides and lines up against a freshman...


He was an man in that game. Sure he lined up against a freshman, until they double and then triple teamed him. He had his way and you cannot take that away from him.

But you're right that there's a risk in drafting him. Ultimately though, he's going to make some team very, very happy.
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Re: Margus Hunt draft talk, news & interviews links

Post by PonyKai »

SMUer wrote:You mean we play against opponents that even bore our star players?


It's cool, we swapped boring old Baylor for super awesome Montana St. next year. Problem solved.
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