Anthony Barr

Discussion in 'NFL Draft' started by xpmar9x, Feb 12, 2014.

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  1. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    I've come to a realization that Anthony Barr is our guy. Khalil Mack is rising and rising up the draft boards, I think he's a lock in the Top-10. Barr is being forgot, and is starting to slip. Mack is the better prospect, so I don't see him being available. Barr would be a steal at #11 & I think it will happen. His DC is now our LB coach, so he'll have all the inside info for our scouts. We need this guy.

    Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

    Height: 6'4
    Weight: 248 lbs.
    Unofficial 40-yard dash: 4.48
    College stats
    2012: 82 tackles, 21.0 TFL, 13.0 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, 4 QB hurries
    2013: 66 tackles, 20.0 TFL, 10.0 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 QB hurries, 1 pass deflection

    **Most know Barr's back story, but if you don't: he began his career with the Bruins as a running back, but coaches moved him to the defensive side of the ball before his junior season. Obviously, the move worked and the production speaks for itself.

    Physical traits: From a size standpoint, Barr has exactly the sort of frame you would look for in an edge rusher: long and lean. He also possesses excellent initial quickness off the line and can have an offensive tackle on his heels in the blink of an eye. Maybe he would add 5-10 pounds of weight before his beginning his rookie season in the NFL, but even if he doesn't, Barr still has the ideal body for the position, and his conditioning and stamina were excellent while at UCLA.

    Pass rush: Clearly, this is where Barr's strengths lie. I'll emphasize again that in his first two years playing the position, he logged 23.0 sacks playing in a major conference. He can beat guys around the edge and he can execute the stunt quite well. But, as one might expect of a player with so little time at the position, his technique can be iffy and his repertoire of moves could certainly stand to grow. Barr can pursue to the quarterback in the open field with ferocity, resulting in the high number of sacks you see above. He's also shown the tendency to get his hands up at the line of scrimmage. But generating pressure on a consistent basis (6 "hurries" in two seasons) was tougher for him because the crafty offensive tackle, or the more technically sound blocker, could pick up on his tendencies. Showing more of a bend while rushing and better usage of arms/hands will be critical for him at the next level.

    Run defense: Again, with Barr's speed and size, he has shown flashes of being a dominant run stopper. When he hits, he can hit hard and force the fumble. He will anchor himself against an attacking lineman fairly well. These are the traits that made him an asset on special teams at UCLA. But the concern for Barr here has to do with his tendency to over-pursue to the ball or even lose track of the carrier, leaving him liable for missed tackles in the open field or allowing the back to find the lane when he has a chance to seal it off.

    Coverage: With his speed and open-field pursuit, Barr can hold his own in coverage, which as most know has become a more and more sought-after trait in NFL linebackers. He has the strength to deal out ball-jarring blows against a tight end or running back and the quickness to keep them covered. He wasn't called on to do this all that much at UCLA, but at the very least it doesn't stand out as a particular weakness for him.

    Intangibles: Character-wise, nothing (at least publicly) comes to mind. But on the field, Barr's college lowlights almost exclusively have to do with his lack of extended time at the position: susceptibility on play-action/counter runs, lack of pass-rushing technique and play recognition. But with only two seasons playing linebacker, can you really blame him? Still, the multi-million-dollar question for Barr will be how he mentally adjusts to the NFL game and his prospective coaching staff. Thus far, he has relied more upon his extraordinary natural tools to get the job done most of the time.

    Takeaway: Barr has simply got so, so much of that dangerous 'P' word: potential. The converse of that: "raw," the R-word scouts also love to use. But almost every player, no matter what his skill set, experiences a learning curve during the first couple of years in the league. We saw that with standout first-round pick Desmond Trufant. Heck, even Julio Jones had his share of growing pains.

    And it is precisely that "R" word that has scouts looking at Barr and thinking Clay Matthews - players that came into the league full of potential but lacking in technique. Both have developed into elite players, and we would hope the addition of Bryan Cox will improve this team's ability to develop pass rushers and potentially do the same with Barr were he drafted.

    I have no doubt that Barr will develop into an impact NFL pass rusher.


    SOURCE: http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2014/2...s-anthony-barr-scouting-report-nfl-draft-2014

    If we take Barr @ #11, it leaves us with the option of really: DE, OT, QB, RB, MLB, CB (if we lose Verner) in the 2nd round. Hopefully we'll be able to fill in a could of those holes via free agency.
     
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  2. Fry

    Fry Welcome to the land of tomorrow!

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    It's too early to say someone is falling. If he weighs in at 255 and runs faster than 4.55 he's going to rise.
     
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  3. JR1980

    JR1980 Pro Bowler

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    This is the type of player that they need to go after at #11. The Tackle position can be addressed later, and unless a stud QB falls, I like this pick. They need to get people capable of this 3-4 Defense and actually get some pressue on the QB. I just hope that they don't reach. That being said, I do think BARR will be there at #11
     
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  4. HeadOnASwivel

    HeadOnASwivel Pro Bowler

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    Welcome aboard the Barr bandwagon :). Personally I don't see Mack as the better prospect. All things being equal and I feel they are, I'd much rather have the guy who did it at UCLA vs. big time competition than they guy who played at the University of Buffalo.

    In addition, the NFL seems to really be into converting players to play different positions. Former basketball players playing tight end (Gates, Graham and others), wide receivers converting to corners (Richard Sherman), tight ends converting to DE/OLB (Dion Jordan and others). The thing I really like about Barr is he's a converted running back, and what are running backs good at; avoiding people? The guy just has the ability to avoid tackers/blockers. That being said, he still is a bit raw and a work in progress but he has all the underlying qualities that you want.
     
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  5. JR1980

    JR1980 Pro Bowler

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    I agree...In addition, looking at that film, I really like how he is hitting the gaps and tackling well consistently. ESPECIALLY like you said, against quality competition. That is huge! It is SO important to have good LB's and push in the middle for that 3-4 to work, and this guy has the raw skills and ability to fit into Horton's hybrid schemes.
     
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  6. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    Barr has better competition, that's for sure. Mack seems like a more all-around player, better tackler, more athletic, better coverage, etc. While Barr is more of the true 3-4 pass rushing OLB. Mack could excel as a 34 or 43 LB.
     
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  7. HeadOnASwivel

    HeadOnASwivel Pro Bowler

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    Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I don't like Mack I just like Barr better. Hell if we could end up with either one of them I'd be happy.
     
  8. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    Barr is fine by me, I was hopeful we'd draft Barkevious Mingo last year, but he went 4 spots earlier.

    We need better LB play for sure.
     
  9. 2ToneBlueBlood

    2ToneBlueBlood Pro Bowler

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    Barr is a one trick pony IMO. His sacks came from pretty much one thing, his speed. Just from watching UCLA a few times this year and his highlight films he seems like he depends only on his speed and doesn't have too many other pass rush moves. That might be that he's only played defense for 2 years.

    I also don't see him tackling very well in space. Just in the video posted above, look how many times he over pursues and has to come back to the play. I think Barr is WAY over hyped. If I had my choice between him and Mack, Mack wins hands down.
     
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  10. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    We drafted Zach brown and Zaviar Gooden, we dont like LB's who are sure tacklers, we seem more into the athletic guys.
     
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