He's got long levers (arms and legs). Long is strong. I think people over play him being undersized. He had no problem leaning into that big Tackle from the Panthers and just ran right under him.
Will McDonald on Hard Knocks
- Thread starter FriendlySpartan
- Start date
Yeah I mean, going around Olinemen is one way to make up for the size disadvantage and that's Will's strength, so....
If the results are sacks and screwing up plays his size really won't matter.
Never understand how people like Will can do the move of lying on your back and jumping into a standing position. I would be in awe just like Coach
I used to be able to do that in my 20s, but not with football pads on and I'm nowhere near as big as Will.
They didn't draft him to over power people.
Nope which is why I think the size thing may be moot.
It's like the guys that run slower 40s.
Doesn't matter if they make plays.
The one where he gets his nose and eyebrow pierced (ear maybe too)? Ouch! I've only just started wathing that one.
Will "Held A lot" McDonald. Yup, that's his middle name.
McDonald has to two great attributes to becoming a great D-end, a great first step and the ability to bend his body while being blocked and keep moving towards the QB. If he can stay healthy, he will have a great career in the NFL.
TBF a lot of D linemen these days look like boys amongst men. The speed game has caught up to the linemen and the days where players are significantly over 300 lbs is quickly coming to an end because they're simply not fast enough anymore. You can put a sub-300 lb DE against a 350-lb OT because that OT won't be fast enough to block the DE - like what we saw in those highlights. I'm not saying size doesn't matter at all, but it's not everything like it was 10-20 years ago.
It's impressive when pro wrestlers do it, being the size they are, but Will, being that size and in full pads, pulled it off like it was no sweat. I mean, WTF?
I always thought that once he got into a 4 man front and saw less double teams, he'd do pretty well. Not saying that ISU misused him...he has the most career sacks in conference history. He just has incredible freakish bend going around the edge and pretty good quickness. He also landed in a pretty good spot with the Jets DL. Not many teams with that kind of talent on the DL. I do think that it won't take long for teams to start gameplanning for him and leaving a TE or chipping with a RB. He's that good rushing the passer.
Teams will chip him a lot after a while. Carolina did with a RB after his sack. RB came down to chip on the outside of the LT. Will bounced off the chip and spun inside. LT whiffed on the spin. Damn near got another sack.
I have to admit that I've said I wouldn't have drafted Will in the first round because I thought NFL O-linemen would manhandle him at his size... but I think I was possibly dead wrong.
Will is just such an athletic freak, that his lack of size doesn't matter. His quickness, his bend, and his moves are unreal.
Will is just such an athletic freak, that his lack of size doesn't matter. His quickness, his bend, and his moves are unreal.
Not possibly, you are dead wrong. If the jets thought that he would be manhandled they wouldn’t have drafted him at 15.
Well, no s**t the Jets didn't think he would get manhandled. If they thought that and still drafted him at 15, they would be idiots. I was giving MY opinion. And I'm fully admitting that I might have been wrong. I would have used a 2nd or later round pick on him though, so it's not like I didn't think he'd be successful. I just fully have to admit that I thought the Jets reached a little bit.
The only reason I said I "possibly" might have been wrong is because I'm going to wait and see how he does in the regular season. I'm sure he'll be just as impressive, but the preseason is far different from the regular season.
I'm rooting big time for him... like all former Cyclones. Hope he dominates!
The offensive lineman are as big as they ever were, just in better shape and run faster because of the training that has evolved over the past 20 years. The defensive tackles are all pushing 300 pounds or over it and can still get a push up the middle. The D-ends are in the 240/260 range and still rush the passer. The technique of the offensive tackle to slide back and out to catch the DE is improving every year, and those that cannot do it, are quickly moved inside to become guards. The big change for the offensive tackles is that they are put into a 2-point stance on passing plays to allow them to slide back and out. This move is also why many are trying to cheat and will lineup further back than what is legal for them to do and get called for not being on the line of scrimmage. It's the hardest thing for an offensive tackle to master, and why those that do, play left tackle and are paid millions. Have to protect the QB's blindside.
Just as the importance of the running back position has dropped dramatically in the NFL, the importance of pressuring the QB has risen dramatically. That is Will McDonald's specialty and boy is he going to get paid for it.
