dK
Freshman
Posts: 393
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Post by dK on Jan 3, 2018 22:36:29 GMT -8
I wish Nall the best. My instinct tells me that unless he can find a special niche in the pros, he won't make it. There is no shame in that as only a tiny percentage of college "stars" make it at the next level anyway.
I don't think he is durable enough to be an every down back. What is the expectancy for RBs in the pros? Something like 2 or 2 1/2 years. And, he doesn't block well enough (I don't know if he has the will to) to be an every down back even if he is durable.
He might be able to carve out somewhat of a career as a 3rd down back/special teams player on some team, probably his best chance to make a team. That will take a lot of work on his part and some luck in landing with the right team. But, he will still have to be willing to block.
His career here reminds me of a big tall TE we had about a decade ago that seemed like he was destined for super stardom. He was pretty good, but just didn't come close to expectations. It wasn't that he lacked the physical talent.
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Post by TheGlove on Jan 3, 2018 22:44:31 GMT -8
I called him China Doll Nall since he got injured so many times. =========================== To his face, or just on angrybeaver? Please use the quote feature.
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Nall gone
Jan 4, 2018 7:03:38 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by spudbeaver on Jan 4, 2018 7:03:38 GMT -8
I wish Nall the best. My instinct tells me that unless he can find a special niche in the pros, he won't make it. There is no shame in that as only a tiny percentage of college "stars" make it at the next level anyway. I don't think he is durable enough to be an every down back. What is the expectancy for RBs in the pros? Something like 2 or 2 1/2 years. And, he doesn't block well enough (I don't know if he has the will to) to be an every down back even if he is durable. He might be able to carve out somewhat of a career as a 3rd down back/special teams player on some team, probably his best chance to make a team. That will take a lot of work on his part and some luck in landing with the right team. But, he will still have to be willing to block. His career here reminds me of a big tall TE we had about a decade ago that seemed like he was destined for super stardom. He was pretty good, but just didn't come close to expectations. It wasn't that he lacked the physical talent. Regarding durability, I said the same thing about Jonathan Stewart all those years ago. Guess it’s hard to tell.
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Post by jdogge on Jan 4, 2018 7:46:51 GMT -8
Thank you, Ryan. Good luck to you wherever you land.
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Post by Henry Skrimshander on Jan 4, 2018 10:23:14 GMT -8
I called him China Doll Nall since he got injured so many times. =========================== To his face, or just on angrybeaver? Please use the quote feature. Why? Just clogs up the post.
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Post by TheGlove on Jan 4, 2018 10:54:16 GMT -8
Please use the quote feature. Why? Just clogs up the post. It shows who you are quoting so people don't have to scroll up and scan all the posts. Plus, it's good protocol.
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Post by obf on Jan 4, 2018 11:05:31 GMT -8
Please use the quote feature. Why? Just clogs up the post. Wow looks like it saved an ENTIRE new lines worth of space! Maybe 10 pixels? I think your computer or device can handle that for how much more readable it makes things...
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Post by prothro on Jan 4, 2018 16:41:47 GMT -8
Good luck Ryan Nall, one of the few bright spots the past few years. I think he gets drafted, you can say what you want about his production, the fact of the matter is he played behind 3 years of horrid O-lines. The scouts will be able to roll tape and see that 60% of his carries were going nowhere, didn't matter who was carrying the ball. It's what he showed on the other 40% of his carries that will count most, and he made the most of those. Nall averaged 5.8 YPC, that's a pretty crazy stat all things considered. That's 0.1 YPC less than Freeman and Gaskin, 0.3 YPC less than Jones, and get this, better than SeQuon Barkley (5.7 YPC) He's not elite by any measure, but he's obviously got good size, decent speed, good vision, good hands, great athleticism. The biggest concern as someone mentioned above is can he stay healthy. I'd venture to guess his body can't and won't take the pounding it will receive at the NFL level. If there's one thing I've learned from reading OSU message boards for SO many years: Our collective "armchair" GMing/draft prognosticating is pretty bad. Even though I've heard "draft experts" claim that Nall will need to move to FB in the NFL, he doesn't look like a FB to me. He's not a FB type "mauler", and he has the same kind of speed, or better, than many of the "big" NFL RBs. If we're comparing him to "white NFL RBs" (which seems to be the only kind of comparison people are willing to make) he's more Brian Leonard than Mike Alstott. Leonard carved out a decent 8 year NFL career as mostly a 3rd down back and special teams stalwart. As to where that lands him in the NFL draft - I'm not even going to speculate. I am willing to bet that his 40x for his weight will be impressive, should he get an invite. Yep. I made the comparison only on the basis of Alstott being white. Not on the basis of role of responsibility within his college program, size, versatility, and NFL-level talent. If every post needs an affirmative action quota for those who are manic-obsessive on all things melanin, then I will also compare him with Barry Word as it appears the Neal/Richardson reference was missed on that score. Do I think he could play tailback at the next level? Yes. Do I believe the NFL will play him as a tailback? No. They will beef him up and attempt to make him a fullback. I certainly will not class myself as a "draft expert." And based on what I've seen, several people in the NFL who get paid for their expertise in this area are not worthy of the classification either.
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Post by prothro on Jan 4, 2018 17:30:28 GMT -8
Certainly going to miss him. Think the opportunity exists for him to have a versatile Rathman/Alstott-type career at the next level if he can gain the necessary weight without losing quickness. Could also see him deciding to get Lorenzo Neal/Tony Richardson big and have a nice career as a traditional fullback. Don't get me wrong, I like Nall - but guys like Rathman or Alstott or Lorenzo Neal wanted to obliterate LBs. Nall wants to juke them/out run them - just a completely different mind-set & style. Not sure it can be taught at this point. I do think his versatility will be key though - catch some passes, run a little bit, BLOCK and contribute on special teams. For most players, I agree with you. But to me Nall has the ability to be a player who can change positions. At Oregon State, he is asked to be a tailback who can avoid contact. The NFL is going to look at his size and see a fullback. There aren't many Eddie George's out there playing tailback in the league now. Given his athletic ability and the fact he will be working on his trade full-time in the NFL, he's going to be the type of player who can mold himself into a quality fullback.
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Nall gone
Jan 4, 2018 20:27:40 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by justdamwin on Jan 4, 2018 20:27:40 GMT -8
Don't get me wrong, I like Nall - but guys like Rathman or Alstott or Lorenzo Neal wanted to obliterate LBs. Nall wants to juke them/out run them - just a completely different mind-set & style. Not sure it can be taught at this point. I do think his versatility will be key though - catch some passes, run a little bit, BLOCK and contribute on special teams. For most players, I agree with you. But to me Nall has the ability to be a player who can change positions. At Oregon State, he is asked to be a tailback who can avoid contact. The NFL is going to look at his size and see a fullback. There aren't many Eddie George's out there playing tailback in the league now. Given his athletic ability and the fact he will be working on his trade full-time in the NFL, he's going to be the type of player who can mold himself into a quality fullback. BIG and fast he will find a roster spot, earn a lot of money and hopefully live out his dreams and retire with all his faculties. Only so many guys with those tools and the league needs them all
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Post by ag87 on Jan 4, 2018 20:54:29 GMT -8
I wish Nall the best. My instinct tells me that unless he can find a special niche in the pros, he won't make it. There is no shame in that as only a tiny percentage of college "stars" make it at the next level anyway. I don't think he is durable enough to be an every down back. What is the expectancy for RBs in the pros? Something like 2 or 2 1/2 years. And, he doesn't block well enough (I don't know if he has the will to) to be an every down back even if he is durable. He might be able to carve out somewhat of a career as a 3rd down back/special teams player on some team, probably his best chance to make a team. That will take a lot of work on his part and some luck in landing with the right team. But, he will still have to be willing to block. His career here reminds me of a big tall TE we had about a decade ago that seemed like he was destined for super stardom. He was pretty good, but just didn't come close to expectations. It wasn't that he lacked the physical talent. Joe Newton? He lost some speed after the achilles injury and blocking was never his strength. I think can Nall can have a decent career, maybe eight years or so, if he becomes a special teams standout. He has the measurables for it. He does that and he'll get some touches on offense.
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Post by giantkillers83 on Jan 8, 2018 19:12:29 GMT -8
No Nall is not as appealing as wrecking Nall..... Ryan , I wish you all the best. Stay healthy and have a long and productive career.
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Post by atownbeaver on Apr 4, 2018 13:20:41 GMT -8
Good for him, he dodges the NFL graduation rule, and can participate in all OTAs and mini camps immediately. For a guy that is likely to be a later round pick and certainly not assured a roster spot, this will go a long ways.
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Post by mbabeav on Apr 4, 2018 14:08:48 GMT -8
Good for him, he dodges the NFL graduation rule, and can participate in all OTAs and mini camps immediately. For a guy that is likely to be a later round pick and certainly not assured a roster spot, this will go a long ways. Congrats Ryan, you have the degree and the shot at the show - go get em!
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Post by kersting13 on Apr 5, 2018 8:08:37 GMT -8
Good for him, he dodges the NFL graduation rule, and can participate in all OTAs and mini camps immediately. For a guy that is likely to be a later round pick and certainly not assured a roster spot, this will go a long ways. Are we sure of that? Seems that at times in the past it didn't matter whether you had graduated or not, and the NFL had said that you couldn't participate until your school's graduation date. I thought they applied that rule to ALL students, but maybe they finally bowed to logic.
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