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Hopefully, the flow chart of how they play in the NFL looks more like JPP >>> Coples >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Harvey than the other way around.
I think anyone comparing Coples to Peppers is lazy. They just aren't watching the right film and they are overlooking a very simple thing, these two players are not and will never be on the same level athletically. Watch film of Peppers at North Carolina and it's very apparent. Here is some film of 1 play showing exactly why this Peppers/Coples athletic comparison is so wrong:
I think anyone comparing Coples to Peppers is lazy. They just aren't watching the right film and they are overlooking a very simple thing, these two players are not and will never be on the same level athletically. Watch film of Peppers at North Carolina and it's very apparent. Here is some film of 1 play showing exactly why this Peppers/Coples athletic comparison is so wrong: http://youtu.be/n5sQOExoQK8
I don't think the comparison is lazy, just lacking. They have a similar frame -- tall, long and athletically explosive. Coples isn't as dramatically explosive at Peppers or JPP, but he's an extremely athletic defensive end. He went through lateral pad drills as quickly as guys like Zach Brown, Sean Spence and Lavonte David. (Melvin Ingram did, too, BTW.)Sigmund Bloom and I went back and forth about whether a better comp might be a guy like Calais Campbell. In the end, I argued that the right answer is somewhere in between. I agree that Coples isn't as quick twitch as Peppers, but I think there's more athletic upside to be tapped than Campbell may have.
I think it's lacking too, it's lacking critical thinking. That's what makes it lazy. It's just filler in scouting reports. His height and weight are well documented, throwing in Pepper's name is misleading. Playing basketball for North Carolina is not to be taken lightly. I think that the Peppers/Coples comparison is just based on how they look getting off the bus, it's a cosmetic observation and lacks substance in terms of really comparing their play objectively. It's easy to see that they are on different levels athletically, there really is no comparison there. Distinctions have to be made where they are evident, their difference are clear in my mind. I'm all for comparing players, but it has to be done responsibly on a case by case basis to have merit.
I mean seriously what about Coples game says Julius Peppers? If he played for Clemson instead of UNC he'd be Gaines Adams right? Keep it real.
I think you've got a valid argument, but I don't think it's quite as black and white as you're suggesting.Coples resembles Peppers as a prospect in body frame and hand size, explosiveness off the snap, lateral explosiveness, hand strength, potential to develop an array of pass rush moves, potential to develop into an all-around defensive end on the open or closed end. All of those things were true of Peppers.Is it a perfect comparison? Certainly not. I have clear concerns that he'll be able to translate his lateral explosiveness into a clear football skill or develop a consistent edge rush move. Peppers did both, and quickly.
I think there'd be some that would compare Coples to Peppers even without the UNC connection. But, you're correct, it's a comfortable and superficial comparison in a lot of respects. Had Coples gone to Clemson and been compared to Gaines Adams, I'd be standing on the table alongside you calling out the comparison as lazy. Adams was tall, but had a totally different body type. He was more of an edge rusher than anything else and there were questions on whether he'd develop an inside pass rush move or a bull rush to counter his speed rush. The likelihood that his game would translate to the closed end (or even be successful setting the edge on the open side) was much smaller than Coples. That certainly seems easy to say in hindsight, but I think it's accurate.Which current (or relatively recent) defensive lineman do you feel to be Coples' closest comp?
Jamaal Anderson? There may be some better comparisons, probably guys who aren't starters. I probably need to watch some scrubs more closely to get a perfect match.
Jamaal Anderson? There may be some better comparisons, probably guys who aren't starters. I probably need to watch some scrubs more closely to get a perfect match.
Interesting. Anderson was a guy that looked likely to be a much better pass rusher than he's become. I think Coples is much more athletic than I remember Anderson being when he entered the league, but Anderson might be a great comp (excluding his underrated play against the run) if Coples doesn't reach his potential.
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