NFL Discussion
- Thread starter Kiwipom
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@CoC: Color of Clowns if you still up, Lions picks coming up 
Really like Gibbs a lot, reminds me of Deebo Samuel but a bit smaller. Alabama used him all over the place, people who are obsessed with him being a running back are ignoring he's an elite receiving threat. After losing Chark, the Lions can use another receiving threat who stretches the field. Gibbs is probably the fastest player they have now, and can be motioned to cause a lot of mismatches on defense. Most linebackers just don't have the speed to deal with the guy once he's got them off balance, and he's more sturdy in terms of taking hits and breaking arm tackles than he looks.
The way he runs is wonderful, very balanced and efficient. He doesn't so much cut as swerve, using his whole body. Gibbs doesn't really dance around that much, he finds space, and attacks it. Great vision, and apparently he's good in pass protection, too. Swift is possibly (probably) gone next year, so pairing Gibbs with Montgomery for the future is smart, since it gives them help in both the running and passing game. Gibbs can partially replace both Chark's role this year, and Swift's role the next.
You need Running Backs in the NFL, but, they break easy and are often unavailable. Having three good/great backs for this level of cap hit is great. Getting a young running back who's also a receiving threat on a cheap contract IS good value. It's the guys who run up the middle 20 times a game who don't last in the NFL. Backs like Gibbs that operate more in space, and can be used outside the tackle box, open up soooooooo much for an offense. They'll probably use him the way Reggie Bush was used by the Saints. Geoff has a nice safety valve, who can take a broken play and possibly turn it into points.
Jack Campbell is also really great for them. Are Linebackers were BLEH last year in pass coverage, so getting an Academic Heisman with great pass-coverage skills is so important to rounding out the team (11 passes defended and four interceptions in the past two seasons).
In general, I love having smart Linebackers and Safeties, because they can see and diagnose things the D-Line can't. Linebackers like Campbell that can read and call out passing plays open up so much for a defense and its communication. Fantastic character fit, too, fits what Dan Campbell wants to a t.
Jack's got a good motor, and is big, strong, and fast, so he can clean up most RBs easily, and is the perfect size to give Tight Ends problems in shorter yardage situations. He's a bit more raw, IMO, and needs to add some pass rushing techniques and be able to move a bit more fluid to unlock his coverage skills. But, those are mostly teachable.
