05-31-2017, 12:41 PM
(05-31-2017, 08:19 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I think you have been listening to Arizona homer radio, because they traded a 26 year old who was the 3rd ranked LB in coverage last year (I think that was what I saw on here) for a 36 year old who may have experience, but has no wheels.
Everything I've seen says Minter is weak in coverage.
His scouting report: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/kevin-minter?id=2540159
Quote:Lacks desirable range in coverage because of lost ground when forced to open up hips, turn, and run.
Sees pass and reacts to it in coverage, but doesn't move any sooner.
PFF (via Rotoworld): http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/8443/kevin-minter (2015)
Quote:A disappointment through two seasons, Minter played only 344 snaps last year, earning positive run-defense grades from PFF but struggling in coverage. The Cardinals hope the more-athletic Weatherspoon will key their pass coverage at inside linebacker. Minter will only be an early-down player.
http://raisingzona.com/2017/02/16/arizona-cardinals-free-agent-preview-kevin-minter/ (looks like Cincy Jungle)
Quote:A technically sound player, Minter is intelligent and has good instincts for the position. The biggest problem is that he just doesn’t have the athleticism that the top inside linebackers have. He tackles well, and has good field vision, but there are times when he just lacks the burst to make the play, or over-pursues and misses the play. He also is inconsistent in coverage, which was one of the knocks on him coming out of college.
Typical comment from Cardinals fan after Minter signed with Bengals:
Quote:AZ has a very good defense and us fans look at Minter, along with CB2 opposite Peterson, as the weak links we needed to upgrade. He’s been a disappointment but in his final year was good against the run but slow on pass coverage. The Cards D coaches adapted to using him to succeed where they knew he could and he did what was asked, but none of us in the Cardinals message board wanted or expected a re-signing unless he became a backup. We know Dansby well and old Dansby is an upgrade on Minter…and we still want an upgrade on Dansby.
Sure sounds a lot like a younger Maualuga. Even with what their message board and fans thought of him. Obviously for us it's still an upgrade, as a young Maualuga is certainly better than the Maualuga we had last year. I guess we'll get to form our own opinions soon enough. Either way, I liked the signing.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
