Updated: Redskins Trade for Vikings DE Erasmus James

[jsarno]

It seems as if people are very high on James. I know he was a 1st round pick, but what makes people think he actually will be something special? (a genuine question)

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by jsarno

It seems as if people are very high on James. I know he was a 1st round pick, but what makes people think he actually will be something special? (a genuine question)

Had a good rookie season, would have improved if not beset by injury. He's a complete player who plays the run well. He's only 25.

I think that about covers everything nice to say about the guy,

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Had a good rookie season, would have improved if not beset by injury. He's a complete player who plays the run well. He's only 25.

I think that about covers everything nice to say about the guy,

I never watched him play...but I don't think 4 sacks in 15 games is "good". However, he sounds like a good "chance player" if what you say is correct.
Does anyone have a link to his college days, or a compilation of his NFL plays?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I never watched him play...but I don't think 4 sacks in 15 games is "good". However, he sounds like a good "chance player" if what you say is correct.
Does anyone have a link to his college days, or a compilation of his NFL plays?

Only 9 starts though, almost a sack per two starts...as a rookie. That's pretty much the status quo for a pass rushing prospect. If he starts all 16, you'd like to see 6-7 sacks his rookie year.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by jsarno

It seems as if people are very high on James. I know he was a 1st round pick, but what makes people think he actually will be something special? (a genuine question)

Solid sack numbers in limited time, as GTripp mentioned. But more importantly, to play for Blache you need to be pretty strong at the point of attack to hold up against the run. He's pretty good at that. Very physical guy, plays a bit bigger than his listed weight of 265. If he can stay healthy and conditioned, he's got potential to be an every-down DE, as opposed to a pass-rushing specialist.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Solid sack numbers in limited time, as GTripp mentioned. But more importantly, to play for Blache you need to be pretty strong at the point of attack to hold up against the run. He's pretty good at that. Very physical guy, plays a bit bigger than his listed weight of 265. If he can stay healthy and conditioned, he's got potential to be an every-down DE, as opposed to a pass-rushing specialist.

He's pretty light to fight off the run.
Some of the stuff I have read about this guy indicates his weakness is against the run.

[GTripp0012]

maj

Originally Posted by skinsnut

He's pretty light to fight off the run.
Some of the stuff I have read about this guy indicates his weakness is against the run.

A majority of guys who like to get in to the opposing blocker's pads as his first move also put themselves in very good position against the run, regardless of their size.

Normally, the issue with 265 pound ends is that they feel they can't afford to do this, because once they are engaged, the blocker will just overpower them. So guys like Chris Wilson, Elvis Dumerville, Dwight Freeney, they just try to get a step and beat the tackle around the edge.

That's not really James' game though, so we can trust that he's tougher against the run than his size indicates, and that he's capable at LE.