Dee Ford's first step
 

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.)

http://giant.gfycat.com/BelovedPartialHeifer.gif

http://giant.gfycat.com/HealthyEnchantingAmmonite.gif

Yeah, but was he a wasted pick? /CP

yeah, I saw that play live and was like:

http://images.bidnessetc.com/content...ed38d714cd.gif

He'd better be careful with that "loading" up just before the snap. A good QB/OC combo will notice that and hard count him for a couple penalties.

Yeah, that is a really special first step.

Great anticipation, reflexes... that's just something you can't teach.

Good call.

LMAO on Brandon Albert needing TE help on Hali.

What I like about having Ford on the field....is that it allows the coaching staff to move Houston around.

When he can anticipate the snap count, good things happen and he doesn't end up being complete shit. The snap count was very predictable vs the Phins and so Ford looked better than he did in the Pre-season and his limited snaps in the first 2 games.

It's when he can't correctly guess the snap count that he looks completely lost. While he does have a good first step, it's still not dominant enough for him to win with it alone even when he gets the jump on the OT like you saw in the gif. James was still able to keep up with him quite easily even though Ford got the early jump on him; where he lost was when he slightly overstepped and allowed Ford to stop and come back underneath for the disruption.

Ford's pure speed and explosion from a standstill is good, not exceptional. He doesn't have the goods to win on speed alone.

He has one play where he got off the line quick, so you assume it wasn't a wasted pick because of that one play?

If we have a shot at Vic Beasley and pass because we took Ford over a number of other players who would have started immediately for us? Yes.

Too early to tell either way.

Two.

I know so his comment was pointless. IMO I think it was reach and I still don't like the pick