STL DEs - Little & Hargove (1 Viewer)

[Bob_Magaw]

despite a generally down season, this local article (full version posted on blogger) reminded me that there could be some hope for 2006, if little & hargrove can start the season where they left off in 2005 (little has had a difficult past two seasons, facing possible prison sentence & then his brother was murdered, so though not young, could be poised for a big rebound season... they are also talking about having him play RDE more, where he won't get chipped by the TE as much)...

i really like hargrove as a sleeper, but then i said that last year, too...

Little Leads Pass Rushers

Friday, June 30, 2006

By Nick Wagoner

Senior Writer

For the first time in three years, the Rams didn’t lose a starting defensive end to Seattle in free agency.

After losing Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher to the rival Seahawks the past two seasons, the Rams didn’t lose Leonard Little or Anthony Hargrove to the Pacific Northwest.

That qualifies as a good thing; potentially a great thing considering the way that duo finished the season. Little and Hargrove combined for 10 sacks in the team’s final three games.

Now, with Jim Haslett coordinating the defense and Brian Baker coaching the line, the defensive ends could be spending more time in the backfield than at any point in recent memory.

Leonard Little

Scouting Report: Incredibly fast and explosive off the edge. Little has become a three-down end with the ability to stay on the field in passing and running situations. One of the most complete ends in the league and a leader for the defense. Still makes plays despite the extra attention offenses give to him.

Last Year: Started and played in 14 games, making 81 tackles with 9.5 sacks despite missing a pair of games because of his brother’s death. Force four fumbles and recovered a pair.

Outlook: Will almost certainly be a starter at one of the defensive end spots. After a difficult season in 2005, should be able to bounce back with a big year in the more aggressive defensive scheme of Jim Haslett.

Quotable: “Leonard Little upfront…I look at defensively as if you go into a game as an offensive coach who have you got to contend with?” coach Scott Linehan said. “When I was at Minnesota two years ago we came into the Dome on the road and they were concerned about playing with the crowd noise. Leonard was one of those guys you had to have at least one, maybe two guys blocking. He affected the game. He really ruined the game for us that day. He really is one of those guys that affects the game. He is obviously somebody that we want to continue to utilize.”

Anthony Hargrove

Scouting Report: A raw, but extremely athletic end with his best football ahead of him. Hargrove is still a work in progress, but things appeared to click for him at the end of last year. Incredibly fast off the edge with a nice spin move, but still developing other go-to moves.

Last Year: Played in all 16 games with 14 starts. Finished with 82 tackles and 6.5 sacks, adding a pair of fumble recoveries. Caught fire at the end of the season, with at least one sack in each of the final three games.

Outlook: Is a favorite to land the starting job opposite Little. After his strong finish in 2005, could be poised to finally have his breakout season.

 

[-OZ-]

i really like hargrove as a sleeper, but then i said that last year, too...

You know my thoughts on Hargrove.

 

[pretender]

I like Hargrove too but is he an every down player? I didn't get much of a chance to watch him last year.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I like Hargrove too but is he an every down player? I didn't get much of a chance to watch him last year.

I think he can be. In fact, he already may be. I'm a big believer in looking at solo tackles less sacks, especially in young DE, as an indicator of who may be the next consistent stud fantasy 4-3 DE. Anything close to 40 solos per 16 games over a decent enough sample suggests a very solid player against the run. Some of these are flukes, and many are 3-4 DE and DTs, but I use it primarily to scout the 4-3 ends.

Hargrove is at 35 solos per 16 games over a 26 game sample size, and right at 40 over the last eight games of the season. Among 4-3 ends, Hargrove ranked 15th last year by that metric. His relatively weak 6.5 sack output left his rank by FBG scoring at 32. The light seemed to go for Hargrove at the end of the season as he got 4.5 sacks over the last three games. If he can combine his end of the year pass stats with those consistent solo tackle numbers, this guy will be a monster.

As Bob said, I've been high on Hargrove for a couple of seasons now. He's been on and off my rosters for three seasons. I've picked him up again this offseason every chance I've gotten. He's 28 in my FBG redraft rankings as well, and I won't hesitate to move him up if I hear good things in camp.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

here is the FBG player page on hargrove... the important things to remember are his measurables were very similar to much higher pedigree will smith from same class, & that he is raw (prep QB... played just two seasons of div 1 ball)... even with DL prospect that played four years in college, it can take 2-3 or more years for the light to go on, so hargrove actually isn't really behind the curve... & could still be primed to explode... technically, i think adeyanju is to be groomed as little's successor (i think he is RFA in 2007)... the LDE (used to be RDE) job is hargrove's...

Positives

Superior measureables. Similar or better size, strength and speed combine numbers compared to Will Smith (probably best DE from the class of 2004 so far). Already 270 lbs, about 40 lbs heavier than Little in his first few seasons in the league. A hard worker who just needs reps and experience to fluorish. Has the requisite passion for the game, desire to get better and practice/game intensity to be a good one. An explosive hitter who holds promise of being a playmaker capable of generating FFs. Has the all around package to be a two way threat as a run stuffer and sack artist. No complaints about his motor.

Negatives

May not have the instincts of a Will Smith or Leonard Little. Very raw in positional knowledge and learning technical nuances (a QB and safety as a prep, who quickly outgrew those positions at Georgia Tech). Hargrove only played two years there, as he was suspended his junior year for academic reasons, after which he decided to forego his remaining collegiate eligibility and become an early entrant to the NFL. At times sluggish run/pass recognition. Gets suckered by play action fakes and misdirection and can be prone to overrunning the action and taking himself out of position to make a play. Doesn't contain very well or always follow his assignments. Can be over-emotional and make mental mistakes. Needs to play smarter.

Outlook

Hargrove is an enigma who is very talented but hasn't consistently played up to his off-the-charts measurables. A manchild who could be a force if the new coaches can tap into and harness his formidable physical tools and raw natural ability. With development, has the traits to be the heir apparent and eventual successor to Pro Bowler Little, who is still capable of playing at a high level but aging. If he can learn to diagnose better, could be headed for a breakthrough season. His maturation and developement would go a long way to offsetting the loss in recent seasons of former St. Louis DEs Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher. Has a lot of upside to his respectable #34 standing among DL in FBG scoring.

 

[Beaumont]

Little is, and has been, a bargain for where you can get him ...