Will McDonald on Hard Knocks

[Clonefan32]

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 Jets were a perfect destination for Will. They have all kinds of D-Line depth where he can focus on just getting up the field. I do think he could get manhandled some if he's expected to play the run. But with their depth, I think he can specialize in pass rushing, and when I think if he transitions more to a 3 down guy they can get creative in where they put him with his athleticism.

 

[clonedude]

I'm not saying ISU used Will incorrectly... but how many more sacks would he have had in his career if we played a 4 man front?

I think Heacock has proven that his scheme works... but honestly it is not a scheme that takes advantage of Will's talents. But he still succeeded anyway.

 

[Peter]

Von Miller: 6-3, 250; TJ Watt: 6-4, 250; Hasson Reddick: 6-1, 230. Will McDonald: 6-4, 245.

 

[Clone95]

Since the 3 man front was designed to provide more coverage on the back end, you can't say, definitively, that he would have had more sacks in a 4 man front. If the QB can get rid of the ball more quickly because of less coverage, it may have been a wash.

 

[madguy30]

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.

I think the average for pass plays is around 60-65% of total so the 'they'll only use him on passing downs' thing sounds like a pretty good thing even if it's being played like something negative.

 

[madguy30]

I'm not saying ISU used Will incorrectly... but how many more sacks would he have had in his career if we played a 4 man front?

I think Heacock has proven that his scheme works... but honestly it is not a scheme that takes advantage of Will's talents. But he still succeeded anyway.

Having other OCs have to double up on one guy is certainly using the talent to an advantage.

 

[enisthemenace]

Von Miller: 6-3, 250; TJ Watt: 6-4, 250; Hasson Reddick: 6-1, 230. Will McDonald: 6-4, 245.

Aren’t all these guys, except McDonald, technically linebackers?

Let’s look at DEs, which is what Will is.

Nick Bosa: 6’4” 266
Myles Garrett: 6’4” 272
JJ Watt: 6’5” 288
Maxx Crosby 6’5” 255
Brian Burns: 6’5” 250 - closest comp and he‘s damn good; played 82% of Carolina’s defensive snaps last year

If you look at true DEs with comparable size:

Samson Ebukam: 6’3” 245; 52% of defensive snaps
Marquis Hayes: 6’2” 235 (reeaally small); 41% of defensive snaps
Malcom Koonce: 6’2” 249; 6% of defensive snaps
Amare Bardo: 6’6” 245; 4.5% of defensive snaps

Will McDonald is a freak athlete. No doubt. All I’m saying is if he wants to be on the field for the majority of snaps, he needs to add weight. If he doesn’t and he still sees the majority of snaps, he transcends “freak” and becomes “unicorn”.

 

[hurdleisu24]

Aren’t all these guys, except McDonald, technically linebackers?

Let’s look at DEs, which is what Will is.

Nick Bosa: 6’4” 266
Myles Garrett: 6’4” 272
JJ Watt: 6’5” 288
Maxx Crosby 6’5” 255
Brian Burns: 6’5” 250 - closest comp and he‘s damn good; played 82% of Carolina’s defensive snaps last year

If you look at true DEs with comparable size:

Samson Ebukam: 6’3” 245; 52% of defensive snaps
Marquis Hayes: 6’2” 235 (reeaally small); 41% of defensive snaps
Malcom Koonce: 6’2” 249; 6% of defensive snaps
Amare Bardo: 6’6” 245; 4.5% of defensive snaps

Will McDonald is a freak athlete. No doubt. All I’m saying is if he wants to be on the field for the majority of snaps, he needs to add weight. If he doesn’t and he still sees the majority of snaps, he transcends “freak” and becomes “unicorn”.

The Jets want to use Will primarily in the wide 9. No football expert here but I don't think that is much different than those guys listed as a LB. Those guys would be listed as a LB bc they were in a 3-4 vs 4-3 but used primarily the same.

 

[Frak]

Aren’t all these guys, except McDonald, technically linebackers?

Let’s look at DEs, which is what Will is.

Nick Bosa: 6’4” 266
Myles Garrett: 6’4” 272
JJ Watt: 6’5” 288
Maxx Crosby 6’5” 255
Brian Burns: 6’5” 250 - closest comp and he‘s damn good; played 82% of Carolina’s defensive snaps last year

If you look at true DEs with comparable size:

Samson Ebukam: 6’3” 245; 52% of defensive snaps
Marquis Hayes: 6’2” 235 (reeaally small); 41% of defensive snaps
Malcom Koonce: 6’2” 249; 6% of defensive snaps
Amare Bardo: 6’6” 245; 4.5% of defensive snaps

Will McDonald is a freak athlete. No doubt. All I’m saying is if he wants to be on the field for the majority of snaps, he needs to add weight. If he doesn’t and he still sees the majority of snaps, he transcends “freak” and becomes “unicorn”.

I think that you are right. No doubt in my mind that he starts out as a pass rush specialist. He won't be a starter, just comes in on passing downs and tees off on the QB. There's no shame in that...Bruce Irvin made a heck of career doing that at 6'3 250. Now maybe if McDonald keeps hitting the weightroom and his metabolism slows down, he eventually becomes a 4 down player and gets up to 265-270. IF he does that AND keeps his athleticism AND stays healthy, he's a HOF type player. But those are pretty big ifs. I imagine though if he does pile up the sacks these next few years, his next contract is going to be through the roof because good pass rushers are pretty valuable.

 

[MJ271]

Aren’t all these guys, except McDonald, technically linebackers?

Let’s look at DEs, which is what Will is.

Nick Bosa: 6’4” 266
Myles Garrett: 6’4” 272
JJ Watt: 6’5” 288
Maxx Crosby 6’5” 255
Brian Burns: 6’5” 250 - closest comp and he‘s damn good; played 82% of Carolina’s defensive snaps last year

If you look at true DEs with comparable size:

Samson Ebukam: 6’3” 245; 52% of defensive snaps
Marquis Hayes: 6’2” 235 (reeaally small); 41% of defensive snaps
Malcom Koonce: 6’2” 249; 6% of defensive snaps
Amare Bardo: 6’6” 245; 4.5% of defensive snaps

Will McDonald is a freak athlete. No doubt. All I’m saying is if he wants to be on the field for the majority of snaps, he needs to add weight. If he doesn’t and he still sees the majority of snaps, he transcends “freak” and becomes “unicorn”.

With how defenses vary, I don't think that position names matter much. If you watch highlights of Miller, Watt, and Reddick, pretty much all of the highlights start with them on the line of scrimmage, sometimes with their hands in the dirt, sometimes as stand-up rushers. They do move around quite a bit, whether being lined up a ways outside or lined up straight across from a tackle, but that sounds a lot like the ideal of how McDonald would be used as well.

 

[NWICY]

I hurt just watching that front flip.

 

[NWICY]

Dude makes the NFL and a bunch of arm chair analysts are saying what he needs to be, to be in the NFL. Only on CF

Good luck this yr to all the Cyclones in the NFL.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

Aren’t all these guys, except McDonald, technically linebackers?

Let’s look at DEs, which is what Will is.

Nick Bosa: 6’4” 266
Myles Garrett: 6’4” 272
JJ Watt: 6’5” 288
Maxx Crosby 6’5” 255
Brian Burns: 6’5” 250 - closest comp and he‘s damn good; played 82% of Carolina’s defensive snaps last year

If you look at true DEs with comparable size:

Samson Ebukam: 6’3” 245; 52% of defensive snaps
Marquis Hayes: 6’2” 235 (reeaally small); 41% of defensive snaps
Malcom Koonce: 6’2” 249; 6% of defensive snaps
Amare Bardo: 6’6” 245; 4.5% of defensive snaps

Will McDonald is a freak athlete. No doubt. All I’m saying is if he wants to be on the field for the majority of snaps, he needs to add weight. If he doesn’t and he still sees the majority of snaps, he transcends “freak” and becomes “unicorn”.

The bolded are LBers in name only, rarely do they slide back and cover someone, they rush the passer. LBers have evolved like the TE, where they lineup all over the field. If you have someone like Bosa or Crosby, you want to slide them around making it harder for the offense to know which side he is going to rush from. They have the size to play strong side run protection, but the speed to rush the QB.

 

[Arkansas Cyclone]

Didn’t see anything posted on it but McDonald was heavily featured on Hard Knocks last night and after making an awesome play one of the panthers was asking what college he went to. Guy looks like he is going to be a beast in the NFL.

Just watched episode 1 and found it really interesting. I can't wait to see episode 2 later today

 

[ZRF]

Since the 3 man front was designed to provide more coverage on the back end, you can't say, definitively, that he would have had more sacks in a 4 man front. If the QB can get rid of the ball more quickly because of less coverage, it may have been a wash.

He most definitely would have had more sacks with a 4 man front last year. At least with the roster we had.

Our secondary was far and away the best unit on the team. I think you can almost make an argument they were one of the best units ISU has ever fielded in its history (and will be again this year). Our LBs were a weaker unit and we lacked the inside presence we had the previous several years.

Simply put, the NUMBER ONE most important thing in passing defense is getting to the QB. In high school, in college, and especially in the pros (unless playing against Spencer Petras...then it usually doesn't matter). Even the best coverage units typically can't contain receiving options for 5+ seconds. We simply didn't have enough size up front or playmaking ability in our LB core to run the 3 man front. But we did. The fact it was as successful as it was is quite miraculous.

If we are being honest I think part of our defensive success was due to our opponent offensive lines, as well as QBs, were below the standards of years past. Iowa didn't have their usual houses up from and their running game was below standard. OU wasn't as stout, especially at QB. The list goes on.

Personally I think we missed an opportunity to utilize the best player and playmaker ISU has ever had on its defense. I think the personnel screamed running a 4-2-5, using our playmakers in the secondary to utilizes blitzes and run support. While the defense was "effective" on yardage, I would have traded some of that for more turnovers and big plays, something we didn't do. I think that's where myself and many felt opportunities were missed to utilize strengths, mitigate weaknesses, and give more opportunities for your best playmakers (Will, Anderson, and the secondary) to make plays.

 

[enisthemenace]

The bolded are LBers in name only, rarely do they slide back and cover someone, they rush the passer. LBers have evolved like the TE, where they lineup all over the field. If you have someone like Bosa or Crosby, you want to slide them around making it harder for the offense to know which side he is going to rush from. They have the size to play strong side run protection, but the speed to rush the QB.

The bolded are guys that are defined as DEs, not LBs.

 

[Mr.G.Spot]

Dude makes the NFL and a bunch of arm chair analysts are saying what he needs to be, to be in the NFL. Only on CF

Good luck this yr to all the Cyclones in the NFL.

Also, did our defense (does Heacock know what he is doing?) use him properly while we had top 20 defenses 4 years in a row? Lol.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

He most definitely would have had more sacks with a 4 man front last year. At least with the roster we had.

Our secondary was far and away the best unit on the team. I think you can almost make an argument they were one of the best units ISU has ever fielded in its history (and will be again this year). Our LBs were a weaker unit and we lacked the inside presence we had the previous several years.

Simply put, the NUMBER ONE most important thing in passing defense is getting to the QB. In high school, in college, and especially in the pros (unless playing against Spencer Petras...then it usually doesn't matter). Even the best coverage units typically can't contain receiving options for 5+ seconds. We simply didn't have enough size up front or playmaking ability in our LB core to run the 3 man front. But we did. The fact it was as successful as it was is quite miraculous.

If we are being honest I think part of our defensive success was due to our opponent offensive lines, as well as QBs, were below the standards of years past. Iowa didn't have their usual houses up from and their running game was below standard. OU wasn't as stout, especially at QB. The list goes on.

Personally I think we missed an opportunity to utilize the best player and playmaker ISU has ever had on its defense. I think the personnel screamed running a 4-2-5, using our playmakers in the secondary to utilizes blitzes and run support. While the defense was "effective" on yardage, I would have traded some of that for more turnovers and big plays, something we didn't do. I think that's where myself and many felt opportunities were missed to utilize strengths, mitigate weaknesses, and give more opportunities for your best playmakers (Will, Anderson, and the secondary) to make plays.

My biggest complaint without defensive staff the past couple of seasons is we tend to sit back and examine what the offense is doing, and then make changes at halftime. So the defense has a great 2nd have, but has given up 21 points the first half and the offense struggles to come back and win the game.

We have allowed the opposing QB to get settled, get his confidence up and then he rips us apart till we make changes at half. We need to come out blitzing, putting pressure on the QB and then make him adjust to us, not us adjusting to him after he has confidence and is playing well. Thinking about the TT game from last year, the Baylor games ect.

 

[NorthCyd]

I hurt just watching that front flip.

Bert Kreischer trying to do one is pretty hilarious.

 

[ZRF]

My biggest complaint without defensive staff the past couple of seasons is we tend to sit back and exam what the offense is doing, and then make changes at halftime. So the defense has a great 2nd have, but has given up 21 points the first half and the offense struggles to come back and win the game.

We have allowed the opposing QB to get settled, get his confidence up and then he rips us apart till we make changes at half. We need to come out blitzing, putting pressure on the QB and then make him adjust to us, not us adjusting to him after he has confidence and is playing well. Thinking about the TT game from last year, the Baylor games ect.

I'm sure some will see your post, take it out of context, and say, "we can't blitz on every play". That's not what you (I presume) or many of us are wanting. Don't go straight vanilla and do a little better job of putting your talent in position to make plays. You get sacks and create interceptions by getting to the QB and forcing him to throw before he's ready or comfortable. We missed a big opportunity there, especially with our offense being as crappy/inconsistent as is was.