'08 PA LB Shayne Hale (Pitt signee)

[Napoleonbuck]

It could happen, but in his videos he just plain looks like a natural linebacker, and I'd see him playing a Carp or a Will Smith type role before I see him becoming an every down defensive end. I just don't see him putting his hand in the dirt every down, not with his athleticism and instincts. Our staff has shown that they'll innovate to utilize the abilities of our players to their fullest, and I hope Hale recognizes that. I think he could be special at Ohio State simply because of our history with similar prospects.

[cbus2005]

I'm of the frame of mind that, it doesn't matter what size/athleticsm you are, if you look like a natural at the position, and dominate at it, the measurables don't really matter.

Why move Hale from linebacker, a position he's already dominant at, to defensive end, a position that he would be required to learn and there is no gaurantee he'll be dominant at?

Now, using him in a carp OLB/LEO type role is a different story.

Besides, having a 6'4 260 lb linebacker roving the middle of our defense with the speed to keep up with most outside linebackers is never a bad situation. Brian Urlacher could tell you a bit about these type of measurables.

[super_mario]

Originally Posted by cbus2005

I'm of the frame of mind that, it doesn't matter what size/athleticsm you are, if you look like a natural at the position, and dominate at it, the measurables don't really matter.

Why move Hale from linebacker, a position he's already dominant at, to defensive end, a position that he would be required to learn and there is no gaurantee he'll be dominant at?

Now, using him in a carp OLB/LEO type role is a different story.

Besides, having a 6'4 260 lb linebacker roving the middle of our defense with the speed to keep up with most outside linebackers is never a bad situation. Brian Urlacher could tell you a bit about these type of measurables.

While Hale is a fantastic prospect with great insticts, I think it's a bit pre-mature to compare him to Brian Urlacher. Urlacher is a veteran in the NFL and he's 260. Hale is a HS JR and he's pushing 245. Secondly, while Hale has great lateral quickness, intsitcs, and closing speed, he isn't exactly known for blazing speed. Urlacher ran in the 4.4's at the NFL combine. I don't think Hale would even get near that if he were running at a combine.

[cbus2005]

Originally Posted by super_mario

While Hale is a fantastic prospect with great insticts, I think it's a bit pre-mature to compare him to Brian Urlacher. Urlacher is a veteran in the NFL and he's 260. Hale is a HS JR and he's pushing 245. Secondly, while Hale has great lateral quickness, intsitcs, and closing speed, he isn't exactly known for blazing speed. Urlacher ran in the 4.4's at the NFL combine. I don't think Hale would even get near that if he were running at a combine.

I'm not comparing him with urlacher. I'm simply pointing out that just because you're 6'4-6'5 and 260ish pounds, doesnt mean you need to be a defensive end.

[cheetah]

By all accounts, he is physically excellent, but isn't an excellent football player yet. He lacks consistency. Some plays he will look like a superstar and some plays he looks mediocre. We see the best of him on films but people who watch him all year watch him with some doubts.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by super_mario

I just have a hard time seeing a kid who is only a JR who is pushing 245 pounds play LB'er in college.

Bobby Carpenter played LB at 260+...

[wadc45]

Originally Posted by cheetah

By all accounts, he is physically excellent, but isn't an excellent football player yet. He lacks consistency. Some plays he will look like a superstar and some plays he looks mediocre. We see the best of him on films but people who watch him all year watch him with some doubts.

Not to sound like a leach, but that is exactly how I would have described what I've seen from Shayne so far. Workout/combine freak but doesn't have the instincts to play with the consistancy you would like to see at this point. Doesn't mean he can't work on that with a position coach in college and become a more consistant and complete LB. But right now his game is lacking a little bit of the read/react pace that is needed to play LB at a school like OSU or UM.

[IrishCalves]

Update on Shayne's summer plans: one of my Domer informants is saying Hale will visit South Bend the 26th this month.

[akronbuck]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Bobby Carpenter played LB at 260+...

and the Katzenator was 6'4 260

[osugrad21]

Rivals $ (WVU)

Shayne and Cam Saddler visited WVU and enjoyed the trip. Again, Saddler says they are considering attending the same school.

[super_mario]

99.9% of "packaged deals" are BS and never amount to anything.

The Saddler/Hale might be one of those .01% of cases when a package deal actually works out. Saddler/Hale aren't only best buds, they are cousins.

Is there some strange frequent occurences of inbreeding going on in West PA that we don't know about? How are all of these kids related to eachother or to current college/NFL players?

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by super_mario

Is there some strange frequent occurences of inbreeding going on in West PA that we don't know about?

Well, many on here have sought to explain the phenomenon that is tibor75 in different ways - I think you just hit the nail squarely on the head - without even trying to answer that vexing question.

As for Shayne and Saddler I'd say the leader of the pack leads in these situations. If that leader has better options than the follower that is why the deal making breaks down.

So, ask yourself, is Hale / Saddler a leader with a follower (Saddler) or not? If any part of you says yes, the deal likely breaks down.

My answer - Hale leader, Saddler follower, and Hale has more options than Saddler.

[cheetah]

Pretty much every excellent player to ever come through the WPIAL are related in some way.

[OSUnumber45]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Rivals $ (WVU)

Shayne and Cam Saddler visited WVU and enjoyed the trip. Again, Saddler says they are considering attending the same school.

Notice that it's Saddler that keeps bringing up them attending the same school and not Hale?

[wadc45]

BG $

6/19

By BK...will not be at any camps but is considering visits to OSU, Florida, West Virginia and Michigan.