There are #thingsfasterthanvontaze. Ironically, Vontaze is a part of one of these things.
The NFL is off for its usual hectic, attention-grabbing offseason and we ASU fans are anticipating the best for our Sun Devils entering the big Kahuna of football. This Kahuna, though, wields fire for some and for others, not so much.
I’ll get straight to it. I’ll set the scene of the ideal-but-probably-unlikely scenarios. Here are the best fits.
Burfict is that hard-hitting son of a gun; we know this. University of Southern California’s Matt Barkley surely knows this. Then again, no NFL team needs a guy that just points fingers. He has to perform and then some. He has a nose for the ball but his athletic ability has yet to be fully shown; his combine and pro day weren’t fitting of what I think he can do.
Another set-back is his immaturity. I think his on-field behavior is the spark to the infamous hits that make me cringe. If he can amp his athletic output, the round he’s picked in doesn’t matter; dropping stock means nothing unless undrafted. It may even open the doors for other teams.
I see a linebacker of his caliber as perfect for the Baltimore Ravens. There would be mutual benefit. The linebacker core for the franchise is getting older—mind you, just physically. Mentally, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, to name a few, are bosses. They are the bosses of that core.
With both on the back stretch of their careers, Burfict could take advantage and “grow up.” With that type of defensive personnel, Burfict would mentally become intact. Thereon, he could focus on his conditioning and be a balanced future icon—maybe. I won’t rush things just yet.
As for the Ravens, they get a young project player that should have exponential growth. By the time the franchise rebuilds from retired players like Lewis, Burfict should be ripe for a starting spot.
Next, “Brocktoberfest” has reaped the riches from a weak quarterback draft class by declaring early. Brock Osweiler should be fit for April.
Flat out: he’s huge, he can scramble, and did I mention that he’s huge? It kind of reminds me of Big Ben Roethlisberger from the Pittsburg Steelers — without a nagging ankle injury. How long is Big Ben going to survive? I don’t know. Recovering season after season could be catching up with him.
What I do know is that he would be a perfect mentor for Osweiler until the end. Roethlisberger is a scrambling goliath; so is Brock. So why not take it? Coming together on similar traits and perfecting those qualities is what he needs. Let’s just stick to the gridiron, though. There’s no need for Brock to have a motorcycle.
Those players are the key standouts, naturally. What sparks my interest further are the offensive linemen entering—Dan Knapp and Garth Gerhart being two of the three.
I feel like these guys are a steal. They were solid through the year in overall blocking; the only thing is they were on the same page. Knowing the playing level transition is a process in itself, these guys individually would need all the help they can get.
So do NFL franchises. The position in general is valuable. “The year of the quarterback” would not see another day without an accompanying line.
The under-value of these players — they might go undrafted — might change wind. They will get picked up. Any team would benefit from linemen but with these two, to sit in back of an experienced line would be ideal.
Wide-receivers Gerrell Robinson and Aaron Pflugrad share a similar fate. Robinson has the build and talent; he will easily be picked up. Wherever he goes, he will be an asset.
Pflugrad too. Hopefully “experts” see that. He resembles a Wes Welker or Danny Woodhead figure; remember, Woodhead played Division II. Pflugrad will work out for a team and be picked up; he has shown his worth.
The Sun Devil hopefuls look to be good go-to picks across the board; being undrafted hopefully will not plague them.
As far as those who will be taken earlier in the draft, they are in a good position to do so. Well, given Burfict takes advantage of any last shot remaining to end his skid down draft boards.
I’d say it’s overall an underrated draft class for Sun Devil Nation; there is a lot of talent and potential waiting for the shot to make it happen.
You can reach me at bcapria@asu.edu.
