97 - Sione Fua, NT, Stanford

some had him lower. I did watch a lot of Stanford and liked him.

 

NFL.com:
Fua has the ability to contribute as a two-down wave player. Does not project to provide enough value as a pass rusher and runs out of gas during long drive and late in games. Will help out against the run, firing off the ball, staying low, establishing good position and holding up at the point of attack but isn't going to chase down many plays. Pass rushing could improve with more active hands and the addition of some more moves. Fua's solid against the run and shows enough effort to get selected in the middle rounds.

Strengths:
Fua's a strong, stout defensive tackle. Gets off the ball well and appears to do a good job of anticipating the snap count. Plays low, can anchor at the point of attack, and get some push. Plays with a mean streak. Solid intangibles and character to our knowledge.

Weaknesses:
Doesn't offer much as a pass rusher. Doesn't possess enough quickness to shoot gaps, is not a dominant bull rusher, and doesn't use his hands well to get off blocks. Also takes to long shed blocks against the run. Won't chase down many plays on the perimeter. Lacks stamina.

 

At least it helps explain the lack of interest in Dareus. They've really bought into this whole "rotate a bunch of DTs who are only good at one thing" idea.

 

Sounds like a cheaper version of Kemo.

 

I'm a cheaper version of Kemo.

 

I remember watching Stanford and he played the NT position on their 3-4 defense. Nice looking player that is prototypical strong as fuck Samaoan player.

 

http://absolutepanthers.blogspot.com/2011/04/97-sione-fua-nt-stanford.html

 

Not THE two DTs I wanted but at least it was 2 of them. And we didn't do any silly trades to do it.

I thought they were really quick with the pick too but it was a compensatory pick and you can't trade those. Right? So why not do it if you know who you want.

Now a CB, TE or OG.

 

a lot of us did mock out 2 DTs in the top 100 so I feel good about that. Also:

 

Tony Pauline from SI says:
Biography: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference honors as a senior with totals of 23/6/4.5. Had 24/3/1.5 as a junior and 17 tackles as a sophomore.

Positives: "Quick, explosive interior lineman with potential at tackle or on the nose. Explodes off the snap with a terrific first step, quickly gets his hands up, and uses them well to protect himself. Consistently bends his knees, plays with good pad level, and is strong in his lower body. Constantly focused on in the middle of the line but plays with a nasty attitude. Strong, pushes opponents off the ball, and works hard to make positive plays. Fluid moving in every direction of the field and easily changes direction to chase the action."

Negatives: Must develop more moves and become quicker disengaging from blocks. Not much of a pass rusher. Marginally productive in college.

Analysis: Fua has displayed consistent progress and is a prospect who can be used at several positions on the defensive line. He's an underrated athlete who will only get better as he physically matures and polishes his game. He possesses the skill and potential to break into a starting lineup at the next level.

Projection: 4th

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/draft-2011/players/54081.html#ixzz1KyHzu62p



I bolded the parts where a lot of scouts disagree. If he's right, he's a good fit for our moving scheme, and for moving him from an even-front tackle to nose.