Bengals messin' around with JPP?

[derekshank]

I could easily see him being there at #21, simply because the team that takes him has to know he's a project. And the only time you take a project in the 1st round is when you aren't going to be rushed to start him. There aren't a ton of teams who pick in the top 20 with that type of luxury with their #1 pick.

He's certainly a high risk/high reward type.

Here's a good write-up on him by the folks over at New Era Scouting:

Pass Rush/Closing Ability/Moves and Counter Moves: Excellent closing speed. Turns the corner very well, but can struggle against elite tackles. Naturally gifted and agile. Struggles to dip his shoulder and rotate hips to turn the corner because of a lack of flexibility. Can be improved with NFL strength training. A little inconsistent and must learn to keep the intensity up every play. Needs to be more aggressive when met in the lane.

Pursuit/Lateral Movement and Agility: An impressive all-around athlete. Great speed and leaping ability. Lacks great flexibility. Not great change of direction skills. Is aggressive in pursuit and will chase down runners from behind. Is not fast enough to catch many backs from behind, but does give maximum effort.

Quickness/Explosion: Explosive out of his stance in a two or three-point. Looked lost at times against NFL-level tackles. Until he learns to use his body, he will struggle.

Run Defend/Recognition: Gets pushed around here. Is often on the ground. Does not protect against cut blocks particularly well. Poor recognition, but has played at three levels in three seasons. Will benefit from consistency and film study. It cannot be stressed enough that Pierre-Paul is incredibly green.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Great length and ideal size for a pass rushing end. Does have the frame to put on more weight. Hand size is adequate. Length is above-average. Lanky and lean. Can add 20+ lbs to his frame.

Strength/Ability to Shed Blocks: Will need built from the ground-up in a NFL strength program. Struggles against the run and needs work shedding blocks. Must learn to use hands to keep blockers off his legs. Has to improve keeping blockers from getting in to his body and attacking his legs. Is able to improve in all areas, but needs time and coaching. At this time he does not have the strength to hold-up against NFL blockers for an entire game, much less an entire season. However, he does have the work ethic to get bigger and stronger.

Tackling: Makes plenty of arm tackles against the run. Will explode through the ball carrier with force. Closes fast and shows natural instincts. Is a lunge tackler (again- he needs coaching) and raw in his form.

Technique/Hand Use/Leverage: Is very raw and will require hours and hours of coaching. Teams must remember he is still new to football after only playing two years in High School and one year at USF. Lacks secondary moves and tries too often to beat blockers will outside speed moves. Does flash a bull rush, but is not effective against better blockers. Comes out of his stance too high at times. Needs refined, but is loaded with potential.

Versatility: Has lined up at both left and right end and even played some outside linebacker. Has the size to play head-up on tackles and the speed to play outside. A former basketball player who could pique a team’s interest at outside linebacker.

Final Word: A junior college transfer from Fort Scott Community College(academics), Pierre-Paul quickly became a star at South Florida. Lining up opposite George Selvie, his freakish athleticism started to attract scouts. While he is not the most well-known defensive end in the draft, Pierre-Paul may be the best pure pass rusher. Although he only played one year at USF, Pierre-Paul quickly became known as a dominating pass rusher and will attract general managers and coaches looking for an edge rush. When scouting Pierre-Paul you must look at the athleticism and potential and look past the raw technique. He is definitely a project, but one will huge dividends.

Also PFT recently had a short article on teams being worried about his maturity. Not that it'll scare off Mike Brown though... but I think there's a really good chance he'll be there at #21. It'll just depend on who else is also available at #21 that might be a better/safer pick.

[HairOnFire]

That reads like the resume of a player who goes to Pittsburgh or Baltimore and kills the NFL for 10 years. And the kind of player that comes to Cincy and doesn't pan out.

It reminds me of when Jason Taylor was drafted. Outstanding physical skills, but so unknown to fans almost any opinion offered about him was formed by things read, not observed. That said, we do have the combine to watch these days, but I wasn't really blown away by JPP in shorts. Or rather, I expected more from a guy so often ranked ahead of Derrick Morgan.

As for who will be tasked most with developing JPP, Zimmer or Marvin, I'll argue that it may indeed be Zimmer standing upon the table for this guy, but he won't be the pick unless Marvin agrees to climb up there too. And if that happens then I guess I'm onboard too.

But until then, I wouldn't.

I couldn't.

[ArmyBengal]

Not to defend JPP, but that write up on PFT was absolute horse sh*t.

What were the questions asked ?? What were the answers given ??

If he gave silly answers to the questions asked, doesn't that speak more to intelligence as opposed to maturity ??

Either way, my stance on JPP hasn't changed...

[Kazkal]

Who ever he plays for,he needs to do that after every sack

[cincyhokie]

That reads like the resume of a player who goes to Pittsburgh or Baltimore and kills the NFL for 10 years. And the kind of player that comes to Cincy and doesn't pan out.

If they make the pick, it's not in Marvin I would have to hope, but in Zim.

Exactly.

[wpeldios]

Why are we even discussing this guy? He will probably be drafted before the 21nd pick... Does anyone know the last time Mikey moved up the draft board to take a guy? The last one I can remember was Akili Smith... ho hum.

We didn't move up for Akili, just stayed put despite being offered the saints entire draft. The last time I believe we actually moved up at any point was Matt Schobel in the 3rd round. The last time we moved up in the first I believe was Kijana Carter. Pretty sure those are the correct names.