Quote:You're using the least useful drill for a DE to make your statement. Fowler was quite poor in the ones that matter most: 3 cone, broad jump, vertical jump. Orakpo was 90th percentile in every drill, and Clay was above average to very good in all of the drills too. Fowler isn't close to those two from an athletic comparison standpoint. 

 

I think everyone falls in love with these new analytics stuff, and it certainly "pops" when you see that huge number or that huge web like you see with Beasley. But just like when it comes to arm strength with QBs, sometimes...having "good enough" is "good enough" if the guy has the feel for the game and the work ethic to improve. I've mentioned this quite a few times before, but Fowler's measurables compare favorably to Chris Clemons...the guy who the LEO was created for in Seattle.

 

Clemons: 6'3 236 (he's bulked up since. He's around the same size now as Fowler)

4.68 in the 40, 1.72 in 10 yard, 7.48 3-cone, 35" vert, 9'08 broad

 

Fowler: 6'3 261

4.60 in the 40, 1.59 in 10 yard, 7.40 in 3-cone, 32.5 vert, 9'04 broad

 

Is he the athlete that Beasley is? No. But is he good enough to play LEO? Well, if we use the original LEO as the benchmark, then he certainly looks like it.

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