Abram = WOW

[Hawkeyegoofball]

Had an opportunity to watch a few hit films as well as game replays for MSU this weekend.

Holy 17 re: Jon Abram.

He's a big time dude - a really good player. No doubt about it.

Abram clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_DrUrg9Ycw

The things that stick out to me in the above clips, other than the fantastic plays he makes, is in the very beginning of the vid - his face, his swagger & intensity, his stride and confidence between plays. Really tells you a lot about the player and what you're up against.

Reminds me a lot of Bob Sanders from Iowa, but bigger (Sanders was 5'8 205 and I see that Abram is 6'0 and 215).

Sanders clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2hvkx7dHQQ

Abram is better in pass coverage. Sanders (2007 NFL Defensive POY) was more of a reckless abandoned hitter (and had a shortened career because of that mentality/approach) - but Abram can still really bring the wood.

Dudes like that are tough to game plan around.

The more I watch the MSU defense the more I am impressed with them. Wow.

Iowa is going to have it's hands full with him, to say the least...as well as with the rest of that defense.

Very impressed.

[dawgday166]

He's the best safety in the country.

ETA: And we have the best DT in the country too. And a top 5 DE edge rusher.

ETA again: We don't really have a weakness on D that I can tell right now. Extremely solid at all positions. And a helluva D coordinator and D staff.

[BuckyIsAB****]

I'd say yall dont score more than 10 at the most. Good chance of not scoring at all unless we help yall

[WSOPdawg]

He's the best safety in the country.

I'd say yall dont score more than 10 at the most. Good chance of not scoring at all unless we help yall

C'mon guys.

First, I wouldn't trade Jonathon Abram for anybody, but let's say he's among the best safeties in the country... not the best.

Second, you've gotta give EVERY opponent respect (well, except for the Bearsharts) instead of saying "good chance of not scoring at all unless we help yall." Everybody thought it would be difficult for Kentucky to score more than 10 and they hung 28 on the scoreboard.

It's okay to have a little swagger, but be humble and respectful (as opposed to cocky and pretentious like our nonstop cheating sisters in Oxford).

[ZedFedder]

Is Hawkeyegoofball actually a State fan boosting his own team up? lol

[dawgday166]

C'mon guys.

First, I wouldn't trade Jonathon Abram for anybody, but let's say he's among the best safeties in the country... not the best.

Second, you've gotta give EVERY opponent respect (well, except for the Bearsharts) instead of saying "good chance of not scoring at all unless we help yall." Everybody thought it would be difficult for Kentucky to score more than 10 and they hung 28 on the scoreboard.

It's okay to have a little swagger, but be humble and respectful (as opposed to cocky and pretentious like our nonstop cheating sisters in Oxford).

His QBing the backend, his speed and coverage skills, his hitting ability ... there is no one better IMO.

[Hawkeyegoofball]

He's the best safety in the country.

ETA: And we have the best DT in the country too. And a top 5 DE edge rusher.

ETA again: We don't really have a weakness on D that I can tell right now. Extremely solid at all positions. And a helluva D coordinator and D staff.

He's the best safety CFB I've seen in the past 3 or 4 years - admittedly, I can't watch game film on all CFB teams.

I know that Hooker from Iowa nabbed 2nd team and Abram landed on 3rd - but Hooker was really pushed into the OLB role in a 4-2-5 defensive realignment the second half of the season, so wasn't playing a true safety spot.

And yes, Sweat and Simmons are very good as well and will be tough assignments.

But, having a dude like Abram in that safety position is key - guys like that in the back 7 are typically the straw that stirs the drink, so to speak, and keep team intensity up at the highest level throughout the game.

I'm not up to date on the defensive staff at this point (but you can tell overall that the D is really talented, well coached and coordinated). The addition of Tony Hughes to the staff - whatever role is playing now and will play in the future - is big time. Great coach!

[Tbonewannabe]

Simmons and Sweat combo is probably the best DT-DE combo in college football. Abram is one of the top safeties. He probably wins an award if you put him in a Bama jersey but he might still be the top safety in the NFL draft. Errol Thompson is highly underrated. He is statistically one of the best MLB in the SEC and Gay is becoming one of the top OLB in the SEC.

That doesn't even take into consideration that Jamal Peters might be the 1st big corner chosen in the NFL and Dantzler has been one of the top corners in the SEC.

It will be a great game but this defense might be the best in MSU history.

[dawgday166]

He's the best safety CFB I've seen in the past 3 or 4 years - admittedly, I can't watch game film on all CFB teams.

I know that Hooker from Iowa nabbed 2nd team and Abram landed on 3rd - but Hooker was really pushed into the OLB role in a 4-2-5 defensive realignment the second half of the season, so wasn't playing a true safety spot.

And yes, Sweat and Simmons are very good as well and will be tough assignments.

But, having a dude like Abram in that safety position is key - guys like that in the back 7 are typically the straw that stirs the drink, so to speak, and keep team intensity up at the highest level throughout the game.

I'm not up to date on the defensive staff at this point (but you can tell overall that the D is really talented, well coached and coordinated). The addition of Tony Hughes to the staff - whatever role is playing now and will play in the future - is big time. Great coach!

Absolutely ... and he does that as well or better than anyone else does.

The guy that has surprised me the most on the D staff is Lukabu (our LBs coach). Our LBs (Thompson and Gay) are playing lights out and they bring the lumber too. Leo still ain't playing up to his ability, tho he's getting closer.

[dawgday166]

Simmons and Sweat combo is probably the best DT-DE combo in college football. Abram is one of the top safeties. He probably wins an award if you put him in a Bama jersey but he might still be the top safety in the NFL draft. Errol Thompson is highly underrated. He is statistically one of the best MLB in the SEC and Gay is becoming one of the top OLB in the SEC.

That doesn't even take into consideration that Jamal Peters might be the 1st big corner chosen in the NFL and Dantzler has been one of the top corners in the SEC.

It will be a great game but this defense might be the best in MSU history.

Put him in Bama jersey and he's probably Defensive POTY.

[Tbonewannabe]

He's the best safety CFB I've seen in the past 3 or 4 years - admittedly, I can't watch game film on all CFB teams.

I know that Hooker from Iowa nabbed 2nd team and Abram landed on 3rd - but Hooker was really pushed into the OLB role in a 4-2-5 defensive realignment the second half of the season, so wasn't playing a true safety spot.

And yes, Sweat and Simmons are very good as well and will be tough assignments.

But, having a dude like Abram in that safety position is key - guys like that in the back 7 are typically the straw that stirs the drink, so to speak, and keep team intensity up at the highest level throughout the game.

I'm not up to date on the defensive staff at this point (but you can tell overall that the D is really talented, well coached and coordinated). The addition of Tony Hughes to the staff - whatever role is playing now and will play in the future - is big time. Great coach!

Abram's first spring in our public scrimmage, he knocked out our own RB and got sent to the locker room early. It wasn't a dirty hit, he just knocked the shit out of him when it is a glorified scrimmage for the fans. Abram only knows one way to practice and play which is 100% full intensity. He would fit in back in the day with guys like Ronnie Lott. He absolutely loves football and loves to hit.

[Hawkeyegoofball]

Is Hawkeyegoofball actually a State fan boosting his own team up? lol

Not. Even. Close.

I played at Pitt, landed in Iowa for work and life, and know the Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz from days in PA - so that's my connection. Kirk played HS at Upper St. Clair in Pittsburgh (for Joe Moore - one of the finest FB coaches you'd ever want to meet RIP), was a GA at Pitt before I got there, but most everyone in the coaching community raves about him and I connected with him first thing when I relocated to the midwest.

I just really like football, Iowa and your team on defense.

Peace.

[dawgday166]

Abram's first spring in our public scrimmage, he knocked out our own RB and got sent to the locker room early. It wasn't a dirty hit, he just knocked the shit out of him when it is a glorified scrimmage for the fans. Abram only knows one way to practice and play which is 100% full intensity. He would fit in back in the day with guys like Ronnie Lott. He absolutely loves football and loves to hit.

If he was a tad bigger ... he definitely a Ronnie Lott type. The way he understands every position so well and is always where he needs to be and the hitting too. Be interesting to see how he does in the league. Gotta do it for a looonnng time to be a Ronnie Lott.

[Hawkeyegoofball]

Abram's first spring in our public scrimmage, he knocked out our own RB and got sent to the locker room early. It wasn't a dirty hit, he just knocked the shit out of him when it is a glorified scrimmage for the fans. Abram only knows one way to practice and play which is 100% full intensity. He would fit in back in the day with guys like Ronnie Lott. He absolutely loves football and loves to hit.

Wow again.

Sounds like Sanders. Coaches would pull Bob out of drills because he had only one speed and presented risk to other players. They needed to save the other guys, and Bob, for the games.

You can see the same characteristics in Abram. If you can't see that, then you don't know how to watch and evaluate the game.

[Hawkeyegoofball]

If he was a tad bigger ... he definitely a Ronnie Lott type. The way he understands every position so well and is always where he needs to be and the hitting too. Be interesting to see how he does in the league. Gotta do it for a looonnng time to be a Ronnie Lott.

Lott was the same height and lighter than Abram. But it's a different game - training, nutrition, rules and coaching.

Abram is not a headhunter like Lott (rules, coaching).

But overall, agree - there have been very few Lott's placed on this earth. A very rare bird.

[Interpolation_Dawg_EX]

Lott was the same height and lighter than Abram. But it's a different game - training, nutrition, rules and coaching.

Abram is not a headhunter like Lott (rules, coaching).

But overall, agree - there have been very few Lott's placed on this earth. A very rare bird.

Agreed with everything you said until this.

Most State fans would agree, the most likely person to get a targeting foul on defense would be Abram. Not saying he hits dirty or anything, but he has an old school streak in him.

[starkvegasdawg]

Wow again.

Sounds like Sanders. Coaches would pull Bob out of drills because he had only one speed and presented risk to other players. They needed to save the other guys, and Bob, for the games.

You can see the same characteristics in Abram. If you can't see that, then you don't know how to watch and evaluate the game.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fj4P7rzVVOU

For your viewing pleasure.

[starkvegasdawg]

Lott was the same height and lighter than Abram. But it's a different game - training, nutrition, rules and coaching.

Abram is not a headhunter like Lott (rules, coaching).

But overall, agree - there have been very few Lott's placed on this earth. A very rare bird.

Ask that KSU player about him not head hunting.

[Hawkeyegoofball]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fj4P7rzVVOU

For your viewing pleasure.

That play, at least from what I could see, was a player lowering his shoulder - having read the play and understanding where he needed to be spatially to make a defensive play. He moves at a different speed (violent, fast and with purpose and understanding), and did so vs. an offensive player who wasn't at his caliber and couldn't complete the play and, at the same time, was falling down and got hit with a shoulder to the noggin.

That's not headhunting, at least in my book. Call it/flag it how you may - but it's not a dirty play...just a rules violation.

[Hawkeyegoofball]

Ask that KSU player about him not head hunting.

Link?