Dee Ford's first step

[Strongside]

We've all seen the videos and gifs of this kid in college looking like he's being shot out of a cannon when the ball is snapped. I had wondered whether or not it would translate to the next level. Sometimes the snap is a bit easier to time in College than it is in the pros.

To be honest, Ford's college film looks eerily similar to how Derrick Thomas used to 'load up' just before the ball was snapped in anticipation. DT had a freakish knack for timing the snap of the ball and being 2 steps to the quarterback before the Tackle/TE/RB or whatever unfortunate soul was attempting to block him had a chance to react.

Ford, until last Sunday, had been asked to drop back in coverage a lot in his reps. This week, we were able to see him get to rush the passer. Dee made a couple of big, disruptive plays, including a huge 4th down tackle for a loss. I did come across this gif, that I absolutely love.

Ford 'loads up' just as Thomas used to right as the ball is about to be snapped and then literally blasts across the line of scrimmage with seemingly inhuman straight-line speed for a man of his size. Obviously, he's still a work in progress and needs to round out his game...but I think this guy is going to be a staple and cornerstone of this team for years to come. (Also, for reaction comparison, and probably an indictment on his age, watch Tamba's rush in contrast to Ford's. ha.)

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

I disagree. How could he be the best pass rushing talent of any class when he was barely in the top 5 for the 2014 class as far as OLB prospects went?

He fell bc of his back injury and mouth IMO

[Direckshun]

He fell because he ended his senior season with 30 tackles, and 12 of them were sacks. That's extremely low production for a full-time defender, aside of course from the sacks.

He's also barely over 240 lbs.

He's got a ton of talent, but teams knew he was a huge project who may not have the size to be a full-time starter.

That didn't scare the Chiefs off, who, it must be said, have a Top 5 coaching staff. They can bench him for the year because of Hali/Houston, and figured it's better to coach a sack artist into a well-rounded game than to coach a well-rounded player how to sack.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

I disagree. How could he be the best pass rushing talent of any class when he was barely in the top 5 for the 2014 class as far as 3-4 OLB prospects went?

He has a back problem that really hurt his stock. They wouldn't even let him work out at the combine because of it.

Based purely on raw talent in terms of what skills he has that translate to the next level, the guy was flat out elite.

His first step is amazing
His closing speed is off the charts
His strength is comparable with anyone's
His pass rushing instincts are crazy good
He played the best in the biggest games
He showed up at crunch time consistently

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by RunKC

He fell bc of his back injury and mouth IMO

He is also undersized, has short arms, not very strong at the point of attack, and is a one trick pony who got neutralized a lot. Also, among the top 3-4 OLB prospects, Ford had one of the longest time to sack averages out of all of them, meaning coverage sacks. He also wasn't nearly as productive throughout his career as the other prospects were. Ford was rated as a day 2 pick, about the mid 2nd to 3rd round, prior to the draft process. It was the Senior Bowl that really made him shoot up boards which concerns me a bit.

Ford can't win with his first step alone like Clowney is able to do, but with his snap anticipation combined with his first step. That's why he looked so dominant at the Senior Bowl, very predictable snap counts to the point that, during the game, he looked like he was almost offsides on every snap that he was in.

The other thing that worries me is his lack of good arm length. Unless he develops perfect hand technique and a lot more power in his hands, Ford is going to struggle to get off of blocks for the rest of his career.

[Direckshun]

He had a top 10 three-cone, too, which is easily the most reliable drill at the Combine.

Interesting fact: Aaron Donald had a top 10 three-cone, too. As a defensive tackle. Insane.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

He had a top 10 three-cone, too, which is easily the most reliable drill at the Combine.

Interesting fact: Aaron Donald had a top 10 three-cone, too. As a defensive tackle. Insane.

Yup, and he is already rated as one of the top DT's in the league. PFF has him at #2 behind McCoy. I laugh at the fools here who wanted Hageman or Tuitt over Donald.

Like I said, he will immediately be the most explosive DT in the league as a rookie and that has come true. I'll add to that and say that Donald, barring any health issues, will be the most disruptive interior DL player in the NFL over the next decade. He is simply too quick, explosive, and powerful for any OL man to contain for long.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

He is also undersized, has short arms, not very strong at the point of attack, and is a one trick pony who got neutralized a lot. Also, among the top 3-4 OLB prospects, Ford had one of the longest time to sack averages out of all of them, meaning coverage sacks. He also wasn't nearly as productive throughout his career as the other prospects were. Ford was rated as a day 2 pick, about the mid 2nd to 3rd round, prior to the draft process. It was the Senior Bowl that really made him shoot up boards which concerns me a bit.

Ford can't win with his first step alone like Clowney is able to do, but with his snap anticipation combined with his first step. That's why he looked so dominant at the Senior Bowl, very predictable snap counts to the point that, during the game, he looked like he was almost offsides on every snap that he was in.

The other thing that worries me is his lack of good arm length. Unless he develops perfect hand technique and a lot more power in his hands, Ford is going to struggle to get off of blocks for the rest of his career.

Link?

[Direckshun]

Ford's going to get stronger, I'm not concerned about that. One offseason in an NFL strength&conditioning program is all the doctor's ordered.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Link?

It was posted multiple times on this board, one of those draft breakdowns that analyzed the production of the top prospects at certain positions compared to each other, might have been from rotoworld. I'll try to find it.

[OldSchool]

Here it is, Ford was the slowest out of the top prospects at 4.26 seconds per sack.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cf...-sack-study-10

[Direckshun]

It's also worth noting the coaching job Ford has ALREADY experienced and is showing.

Ford was a one-trick speed pony at Auburn. In his limited time against the Rams, he was a different passrushing move almost every snap.

[RunKC]

Ford played guys like JFF and Jameis Winston. I'm sure they were hard as **** to sack

[Easy 6]

Old School always has it in for the strangest players.

[RunKC]

Imagine if Gaines keeps playing well and Ford becomes the guy we think he can be?

2013-Fisher, Kelce, Davis. Maybe Cat
2014-Ford, Gaines, DAT. Maybe Fulton.

Long way to go but if these guys turn out then we've got ourselves a GM.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Imagine if Gaines keeps playing well and Ford becomes the guy we think he can be?

2013-Fisher, Kelce, Davis. Maybe Cat
2014-Ford, Gaines, DAT. Maybe Fulton.

Long way to go but if these guys turn out then we've got ourselves a GM.

That doesn't even include Parker, Cooper, and either of the QBs we have on the roster, or any of the scrap heap pickups the Chiefs get that always seem to work out under Dorsey.

I think Gaines looks like a starter. If Ford turns out, Dorsey will have been absolutely torching it.