Starting a new bandwagon

[Mikie2times]

Given the teams ahead of us, and our future schedule, Ngata is a player that could be available when we pick. The guy is a mammoth beast of a DT, and could make an immediate impact.

 

Profile from Consensus Draft Services: Sometimes a prospect comes along that challenges your ability to trust what you've been told, usually a Polynesian surname+300+pounds equals plugger, run stuffer, not this red-shirt Junior who has tons of potential. The battle with Nebraska to sign Ngata, out of high school is already legend in Oregon. And was according to Mike Bellotti "the biggest signing in the history of Oregon football" Ngata's defensive line coach Steve Greatwood calls him the most intelligent athlete he's ever coached. Greatwood goes on to say that he has the potential to be the greatest player to ever come from the school. The mammoth defensive tackle has been clocked at 4.84 in the 40-yard dash. Ngata played in 12 games as a true freshman, finished the year with eight consecutive starts and was second on the team in tackles among defensive lineman. showed great agility in blocking kicks. His blocked PAT against the Bruins sealed a 31-30 victory for the Ducks and got them off to a 2-0 start in the Pac-10, and Named a Freshman All-American in 2002. Ngata returned to football for his sophomore season at Oregon but had his impressive development interrupted, after being injured in the first quarter of game 1 he missed the rest of the 2003 season with a torn ACL suffered in the first half of Oregon's first game against Mississippi State, had it surgically repaired, missed the rest of the season, and 2004 spring practice. After rehab Ngata stated that he believes his injured knee is stronger than his uninjured knee a statement he proved on the field. Ngata is a better player than day one 2004 NFL draft pick and fellow Oregon defensive linemen Igor Olshanksy and Junior Siavii. For what it's worth, Ngata was also a supreme rugby player, and a very fine wrestler in high school.

 

Recently named to watch list for the 2005 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the best defensive player in college football. Etuini Haloti Moala Ngata is a massive young man with a rare combination of power and agility. Ngata also has the athletic ability to chase down quarterbacks and make plays behind the line of scrimmage totalling 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks. Very good stats for a man that was double teamed on every play.

 

Off the field, Ngata is a quiet, devout Mormon who comes from a very close family. Tragedy struck the Ngata clan when Haloti's father died in a car wreck last December. Ngata wants to earn his college diploma out of respect for his late father, who never graduated from high school. It was his faith that nearly landed him at BYU. However, playing in the NFL is also one of his stated goals, so leaving school early is a probability, made even more likely if he continues his dominating ways this season he should considered a top ten pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.

 

Not only is Ngata is a giant with tremendous athleticism, he's one of the fastest linemen on the team and has great balance. When he gets leverage, it's over. His strength numbers are impressive: Power Clean: 385, Bench Press: 485, Squat: 585. If he can stay healthy Ngata will show that he is like Randy White and Joe Klecko only much, much bigger, but just as quick. He can get upfield, pursue, and annhilate a pocket, he's difficult to block even when double teamed there might be no player in the entire 2006 NFL Draft with more ability to make an immediate impact.

 

 

 

 

Haloti Ngata from Oregon's site

[Nanker]

Nice find.

My only question is, "Can he do the HAKA?"

 

Lavalle is likely to be gone next year, so this Defensive Team of great warriors is going to need another spiritual leader to guide them in the Haka during warmups and while daydreaming about their greatness.

[Mark VI]

Haloti Ngata

 

Pumba and Timon keep saying that in The Lion King.

[bobblehead]

Gezhundheit.

[Golden Wheels]

I'd rather the Bills draft 6-7, 261-pound defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka from Boston College. And some road hogs that can pass block.

[Mikie2times]

I'd rather the Bills draft 6-7, 261-pound defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka from Boston College. And some road hogs that can pass block.

493811[/snapback]

 

I think Kiwanuka will develop into a very talented pass rusher, but the FA DT's are paper thin this year, and run stopping should be in #1 priority for the defense this off-season.

[stuckincincy]

He believes his injured knee is stronger than his uninjured knee a statement he proved on the field. Ngata is a better player than day one 2004 NFL draft pick and fellow Oregon defensive linemen Igor Olshanksy and Junior Siavii. For what it's worth, Ngata was also a supreme rugby player, and a very fine wrestler in high school.

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Oh boy. A polynesian Leif Larsen...

[millbank]

Hava nagila, hava nagila

Hava nagila venis'mecha

 

Repeat

 

Hava neranena, hava neranena

Hava neranena venis'mecha

 

Uru, uru achim

Uru achim belev same'ac

[MartyBall4Buffalo]

I'd be fine with NGATA or Gabe Watson. Either one would suffice. I really think dt is a more pressing issue with this team then the oline right now, so either one of these big run stuffers and I'm a happy camper.

[Orton's Arm]

the FA DT's are paper thin this year

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That's not something you'll continue to hear if Sam Adams enters the FA market! You could use many phrases to describe that man, but "paper thin" isn't one of them!

[Fixxxer]

I'd rather the Bills draft 6-7, 261-pound defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka from Boston College. And some road hogs that can pass block.

493811[/snapback]

 

Agree

 

Mathias Kiwanuka DE

Position: DE

Height: 6' 7"

School: Boston College

Weight: 261 lbs.

 

General Variables: 33 out of 40

Position Variables: 30 out of 40

Size: 7

Run stopping: 7

Strength: 8

Pass rushing: 8

Speed: 9

Technique: 8

Athleticism: 9

Attitude: 7

 

Positives:

The difference between the top 3 DEs and Mathias Kiwanuka is that Kiwanuka is a pure speed edge rusher. He has a long, lean physique, with a narrow waste, long arms, and powerful legs. Mathias has the quickest first step in the country, and although he’s not the biggest guy in the game, his speed makes him almost impossible to stop when he comes on a full out edge rush. Like most speed guys, he’s got great balance and is able to get to the edge, then turn and chase the QB down with ease. He played amazing last year at around 250 lbs. and promises to play above 260 lbs. this year, but with no loss of speed or quickness. He isn’t a great run stopper, but he’s smart and able to dissect a play and chase down most any back in the country from behind.

 

Negatives:

Kiwanuka is a one trick pony. Not that the one trick he has isn’t great, but he’s a very one dimensional player. Watching him play, you can see he relies on his speed to just get under the tackle’s outside shoulder and rush around him. In the NFL, that can only get you so far. He’s the DE that teams will want to run at, because one on one, against a big nasty LT, Kiwanuka struggles at the point of attack on run plays.

 

Overall:

I see a lot of Dwight Freeney in Kiwanuka, and since his rookie year, Freeney has shown that he can be almost completely taken out of a game with a proper scheme. Kiwanuka is going to have to get stronger, so he can develop a better group of moves to get to the QB, but also helping him fight off blockers in run support. There’s a little tiny part of me that wonders what kind of 3-4 OLB he could be. He’s certainly athletic enough, but can he drop and cover, and make plays in space? Could be an interesting experiment, and if it doesn’t work, stick him on the left side, and let him run….Oh, and put your best run stuffing OLB on his side.

 

Games that matter:

10/23 @ Notre Dame and 11/13 @ West Virginia ― BC isn’t a great team, but these will be highly publicized matchups, where Mathias can show his skills. I am particularly excited to see Kiwanuka chasing Rasheed Marshall around and to see if he can tackle Kay-Jay Harris.

 

Final word:

‘TWEENER ― I didn’t want to use this word, too early in my breakdown of Mathias, but watching him play, it’s the word that keeps popping back into my head. I am more inclined to believe Kiwanuka can pack on a little more weight, and stay at DE, without losing his speed, but there will be teams who scout him as an over-sized rush OLB, like Baltimore did with Terrell Suggs.

 

Mathias Kiwanuka, 6-8, 255, Boston College

He could be the top pass rusher in college football and he seems to be getting better every game. As the first Boston College sophomore to win All-Big East honors since William Green in 2000, Kiwanuka led the league in sacks with 11.5 and an additional 24 quarterback hurries on the season. It's not just his talent at getting into the backfield, it's also his imposing way he blocks field goals and passes. He's also strong at stopping the run making him a near-complete overall prospect that the NFL scouts are already drooling over. He's definitely a player worth keeping an eye on as the year goes on. There are several excellent pass rushers in college football this season, but no one has the height and room to get bigger that Kiwanuka has. At 6’ 8”, he's impossible for most quarterbacks to throw over and his wingspan allows him to reach out and grab running backs that would normally slip away from average sized players. A high school tight end and a great pass catcher to go along with his defensive duties, Kiwanuka has tremendous agility and athleticism as well. He reminds me of the old Defensive End from the Cowboy’s Doomsday Defense Days, Too Tall Jones. As a side note, Kiwa comes from royal bloodlines; he hangs a Ugandan flag in his dorm room in memory of his late grandfather, Benedicto Kiwanuka, who was elected as the country’s first prime minister in 1961 and assassinated by Idi Amin in 1972. What a talent, when he is motivated he is awesome, he finished the 2004 season with a mind boggling 24.5 tackles for a loss.

[Mikie2times]

I'd be fine with NGATA or Gabe Watson. Either one would suffice.  I really think dt is a more pressing issue with this team then the oline right now, so either one of these big run stuffers and I'm a happy camper.

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I agree with everything besides looking at Gabe Watson. Sure he's a massive, and strong, but he plays soft and has very poor work ethic. All my die hard Michigan friends say he could be one of the best, but his motivation has never been in it. This is on par with what I've seen from watching all the Michigan games so I think it's an accurate assessment.

 

Also consider that we probably will be in the top 15. If these things about Watson are true he probably projects between 20-30, while Ngata will likely be a top 15 pick. I'm really high on this guy, and IMO is the only DT we can expect to make an immediate impact for our run support and interior pass rush. Ngata and Sam Adams would combine at nearly 700 pounds, and both have uncanny agility for their size. This move could really make our interior defense formidable once again.

[bills_fan]

Ngata.. sure I'll jump on board. As long as he can hold the point of attack the way Phat Pat did, I'm sold.

[IDBillzFan]

OBD is already planning on drafting him, and offering a special meal at the Ralph just for him: the Ngata Rettatta sandwich.

 

All orders must be placed 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

[Shamrock]

Nice find.

My only question is, "Can he do the HAKA?" 

 

Lavalle is likely to be gone next year, so this Defensive Team of great warriors is going to need another spiritual leader to guide them in the Haka during warmups and while daydreaming about their greatness. 

493545[/snapback]

 

 

Be careful my friend...the Haka is a Maori tradition, not Tongan...

[Fixxxer]

Be careful my friend...the Haka is a Maori tradition, not Tongan...

495741[/snapback]

 

Though it's different than the Haka the Tongans have a fight/tribal dance after each game of rugby. In fact every team from the Pacific Island have one.

[Nanker]

Be careful my friend...the Haka is a Maori tradition, not Tongan...

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Then Lavale stays! We're saved.

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

Not to change the subject completely, but while we're talking about next year's draft I think I got a guy who could be a good replacement for Fletcher (I think he could move inside easiy) or Posey in a year or two:

 

http://muredhawks.collegesports.com/sports...de_terna00.html

 

 

I've seen this guy play a lot and he is for real. I know he is a tad undersized but 10 more lbs and I think he'd be fine in the NFL. Also, if you read the first sentence of that article you'll probably agree that his physical talents easily make up for it. He suffered a lacerated liver in one of our early games this year and has been out of action for a while. He is returning today to face the mighty UB Bulls but maybe him missing some games (and having lower stat #'s) will cause him to slide a bit on draft day.

[Steven in MD]

Jesse Mahelona!

[Mikie2times]

Not to change the subject completely, but while we're talking about next year's draft I think I got a guy who could be a good replacement for Fletcher (I think he could move inside easiy) or Posey in a year or two:

 

http://muredhawks.collegesports.com/sports...de_terna00.html

I've seen this guy play a lot and he is for real. I know he is a tad undersized but 10 more lbs and I think he'd be fine in the NFL. Also, if you read the first sentence of that article you'll probably agree that his physical talents easily make up for it. He suffered a lacerated liver in one of our early games this year and has been out of action for a while. He is returning today to face the mighty UB Bulls but maybe him missing some games (and having lower stat #'s) will cause him to slide a  bit on draft day.

495797[/snapback]

 

Looks like a solid OLB prospect with his size and speed. Lacerated liver? Did they guy almost die? That sounds pretty serious, it will be very interesting to see when he goes with the injury, and rare speed and strength combo.