Originally posted by SF69ers:
Originally posted by ninertico:
I wonder...
Does anyone have enough of Von Miller to make a comparison with Brandon Graham who I believe was the MVP of the SB last year? Graham, I remember, terrorized the OTs. I haven't seen the practices yet so I can't wait to flip the DVR on and watch.
Anyone? Bueller? 
If anyone compares to Graham at this time, I think it's Kerrigan.
Exactly, but Graham was a much, much better pass rusher. Now, I found this lil snippet today and wanted to share:
"From what we see on the field and what we're hearing about their interviews off it, Miller and Solder are standing out the most this week.
Miller has been spending most of his time at linebacker; at 6-foot-3, 237 pounds, that is where he'll need to play in the NFL. He was allowed to leave the LBs and join the D-linemen for one-on-one pass rush drills Tuesday, and it was impressive.
He was unstoppable against players who are expected to go in the first two days of the draft. On the first play, he did an outside-in double move to beat Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod, and it wasn't even close. The move was so quick and so natural, Sherrod had no chance. The next play, Miller did a quick stutter fake inside, and then showed great torso flexibility by dipping his shoulder and following with a rip move that allowed him to tightly bend the edge and get to the QB (or in this case, a bag that was representing the QB). There were no wasted steps with him as a pass-rusher.
To see it in person in a one-on-one situation against a quality offensive tackle helps drive home everything you've seen on film. Another thing that stands out is just how athletic he is. When you think of a defensive end moving to outside linebacker, you think it will be a challenge athletically. But it does not appear to be so for Miller.
It reminds me of Matthews -- and even Cushing to a lesser degree -- in how smooth the transition was for them. Both had experience playing hybrid DE/OLB roles at USC, but when they got to the Senior Bowl, they really showed they could do it all as traditional 4-3 outside linebackers as well. Also like Matthews and Cushing, Miller is proving he's receptive to coaching, specifically on improving his technique in drops and overall awareness in zone coverage. It's very clear Miller has the athleticism, speed and raw, natural football instincts to not only become adequate in coverage, but to make it a strength of his game, which already includes man-to-man coverage ability."--ESPN, Senior Bowl Buzz
I know that Genus and others, as well as myself at first, viewed Von Miller's weight to be an issue as an all down backer in the 3-4, being one dimensional as stated. Still, he played the 3-4 in coverage and against the run, effective in the former and not so much the latter. Then I kept reading about Clay Matthew's ability to gain the weight needed to be effective in the run. I read the same about Von Miller and his ability to transition to the NFL as either a 4-3 SAM or 3-4 WILL. Yet, both could be used in Fangio's scheme as he does run 4-3 sets at times given personnel and scheme.
To that degree, I keep wondering why not focus on a "Pure Pass Rusher" as opposed to a "complete" player, not overly excelling in one area of skill. Sorry, but that is Manny Lawson to a tee and I love the guy (no homo). Everyone expected him to be the next pass rusher, NOT! However, he was really good at the run.
Von Miller is the opposite of Manny, IMO. I keep going back to his first step and so does Mayock who only wrote the word "WOW" on his tablet when analyzing VM. I completely respect his analysis and look toward him for info more so than the other draftniks like McShay and Kiper. In addition, VM has been dominant against Derrick Sherrod, a high quality tackle. Sure it's not the game, but that doesn't matter as much as practice, just ask Mike Iupati.
I understand and somewhat concurr about the girth and needing it to do well as a 3-4 OLB. However, I see the ability for Von Miller to add the weight just like Matthews and become a very dominant pass rusher in the league for sometime.
IMO, he's definitely ahead of Kerrigan as a "pure" pass rusher. He can be coached on how to defend the run in the big game.
You can't teach that first explosive step and that's why he should be ours.
Just sayin'...
