Bjorn Werner first round pick (merge)

[ztboiler]

Very well said and agree with everything, in particularly the bolded portion.  I couldn't be happier with Werner being our pick.  Really started to like him in 2011 when I started watching FSU games to check out Rhodes.  There was just no way to watch an FSU game without Werner jumping out at you.  He's a playmaker and was rated as a top 5 pick up until a poor showing at the combine.  Like others have said, games aren't won or lost by a combine performance.  I'm very glad to have a GM that looks at more than combine numbers...that watches game tape to see how a player actually performs on the field where it counts and Werner excels on the field.

 

You are onto something here.  If Werner ran 4.6 or 4.7 at the combine like he is probably capable of with a little training, then there is no way he is available at 24....yet still the exact same player.

[inviolable]

I'm not happy about this pick, I felt there was better on the board especially with Rhodes being there. I actually like his counterpart Tank Carradine better than him. But i'm willing to give him a chance. So until then i'll reserve judgement. Although that some people are saing he cannot stand up and lacks explosiveness concerns me. I think this is Robert Mathis' replacement.

[Rebelknight]

On a different note  while on the red carpet he seemed shocked I asked for his autograph while there were all these big named guys there. Alot of the guys were there had these sexpensive suits and high dollar watches on but he came with a low key suit that any of us would wear to a interview. Björn seemed very humble and appreciative of the fact he is in this position and oppertunity..He seemed blue collar sort of what the Colts have been building.

 

I like the guys drive and given all this guy has done to get to this point it shows us that the Colts are factoring in a persons attitude in the draft.

[jshipp23]

Just curious, but how do you see us trading into the 2nd round and still having a 3rd round pick?

Trading next years 1st which will be in the back of the 1st anyways, or packaging Hughes and Brown and a 4th......Or this years 4th and next years 2nd.

[ztboiler]

He is Mathis replacement and he'll probably beat Walden out for the starting OLB in training camp.

I'd be at least a little surprised if Werner beat out Walden for a starting role.  In fact, I'm not sure they are really competing with each other.  The starting SAM backer in our system does not have pass rusher as their primary job description.  Walden has established high level skills that our staff values in their starting SAM backer.  It is very unlikely that a rookie learning a new role can fill it as well as Walden has proven he can.  Werner is competing with Hughes to be the 1st pass rusher sub. That is a battle he has a good chance to win while apprenticing for the Suggs Rush LB role behind Mathis.  Werner will fill the same role Kruger did on the Ravens squad in 2011 when Jarrett Johnson was still the starter...at least for now.

[NewEra]

He will rotate. Just like pagano did his lbers in Baltimore

[Dustin]

Trading next years 1st which will be in the back of the 1st anyways, or packaging Hughes and Brown and a 4th......Or this years 4th and next years 2nd.

That would be a terrible trade.

[jshipp23]

That would be a terrible trade.

We will be picking 26 or later next year and this draft has a lot of quality in the 2nd so why would that be horrible?? That would give us a guy who can immediately help this year and an extra year of development??

[Jason_]

Trading next years 1st which will be in the back of the 1st anyways, or packaging Hughes and Brown and a 4th......Or this years 4th and next years 2nd.

 

to the red...no.  If we give up next year's 1st, which will be in the back of the 1st anyways, then our first pick next year won't be until the back of the 2nd.  

 

to the blue...wouldn't be against it but don't see it happening

 

to the green...meh, wouldn't be totally against it but not for a RB or a mediocre WR.  If they feel the need to move up to get one of the best available OL guys, like Warford perhaps, then I think I'd be good with it.

[Jason_]

We will be picking 26 or later next year and this draft has a lot of quality in the 2nd so why would that be horrible?? That would give us a guy who can immediately help this year and an extra year of development??

 

A couple of key injuries could land us with the first pick in the draft.  There are NO!!!!!!! guarantees.

[Dustin]

We will be picking 26 or later next year and this draft has a lot of quality in the 2nd so why would that be horrible?? That would give us a guy who can immediately help this year and an extra year of development??

 

Yeah, because this draft sucks.

[jshipp23]

to the red...no.  If we give up next year's 1st, which will be in the back of the 1st anyways, then our first pick next year won't be until the back of the 2nd.  

 

to the blue...wouldn't be against it but don't see it happening

 

to the green...meh, wouldn't be totally against it but not for a RB or a mediocre WR.  If they feel the need to move up to get one of the best available OL guys, like Warford perhaps, then I think I'd be good with it.

I wouldn't be opposed to Warford in mid-2nd and then Frederick,, Bernard, or Michael in 3rd if 1 is still there...If not go Safety or CB in 3rd and get Barner in 4th.

[jshipp23]

Yeah, because this draft sucks.

This is the best draft round 2-4 that I can remember and we stole a top 10 guy in the 1st already...

[Dustin]

This is the best draft round 2-4 that I can remember and we stole a top 10 guy in the 1st already...

 

Next year is a strong draft and we'll need a high round pick to get a receiver to replace Wayne. Trading away a 1st rounder from next year mean we won't pick til basically the 3rd round because we'll be picking at 26 (your guess) in the 2nd. 

[dgambill]

Man I had a bunch of multiquotes but i hit the wrong button and screwed them all up!! lol Needless to say Werner was the highest rated pass rusher on the board....and still a very good pickup. We had need to help our pash rush and he is a very good fit to do so. I see him rotating in for Walden AND Mathis and possibly becoming a starter opposite Mathis by season end. The reason I think we went here instead of Datone Jones I think is because we have added sooo much depth on the interior already and similarly to Carradine except Werner doesn't have ANY medical issues.

 

Come on guys....ACC defensive player of the year. 13 sacks/17 PD....just look at the guys stats..production...honors...medical history and not put a name on the guy and we would be salivating. Guy can play. Griggs and Pagano went down and worked him out EXTENSIVELY....including standing him up. Everyone was pleasantly surprised by his fluidity in LB drills. He can translate. Mathis has a huge contract and isn't getting younger....Walden can be cut at little expense after this year if necessary...this kid could step in to a starter role very soon.

 

As for Mcginnis...this guy doesn't follow teams very closely...he is a talking head. I mean he was a great player but that doesn't make him an analyst....that isn't his role. Former players aren't suppose to break teams down and evaluate them...they are there to comment from a players perspective...or give insight to a player...I don't put any stock into him. The reason he said we hadn't been active was because we didn't sign BIG NAME players...we were plenty active..just went after young hungry players that showed promise..not ones that were cashing in off of big seasons or past performance. We didn't go after Ed Reed or Kruger or Avril or Wallace....so to people that just pay attention to names...we weren't active....so he is just not very informed or tied to our situation...which isn't surprising.

 

I feel this was a great pick....bpa on the board and fit a position of need. Now I would love to go OL rd 3, cb/s rd 4, K rd 6, and rb and dt rd 7...or something like that lol.

[chrisfarley]

This is an odd pick (Germanator). This guy has a cold/hot motor. Takes plays off, just watch the film, once feet settle after quick start, CANNOT change direction to follow ball (too slow). If play is on opposite side of ball, he just watches like a spectator - he might as well take a seat and pay admission. I don't know how FSU defensive coordinator wasn't in his grill. Has attitude like non-other. Mixed reviews for sure. Like his motor on plays where he is motivated, can get to the ball (in college). Has College sack capability (big play), has NFL average player to below average player written all over him. He wanted to go to Giants, NOT COLTS, just like last year with our 2nd Tight End pick. Hated to come to the Colts from all indications. (posted this in the wrong spot so did here)

[Dustin]

This is an odd pick (Germanator). This guy has a cold/hot motor. Takes plays off, just watch the film, once feet settle after quick start, CANNOT change direction to follow ball (too slow). If play is on opposite side of ball, he just watches like a spectator - he might as well take a seat and pay admission. I don't know how FSU defensive coordinator wasn't in his grill. Has attitude like non-other. Mixed reviews for sure. Like his motor on plays where he is motivated, can get to the ball (in college). Has College sack capability (big play), has NFL average player to below average player written all over him. He wanted to go to Giants, NOT COLTS, just like last year with our 2nd Tight End pick. Hated to come to the Colts from all indications. (posted this in the wrong spot so did here)

 

What indications?

[jshipp23]

Next year is a strong draft and we'll need a high round pick to get a receiver to replace Wayne. Trading away a 1st rounder from next year mean we won't pick til basically the 3rd round because we'll be picking at 26 (your guess) in the 2nd. 

We could go wr in 2nd now but i'd go Lacy or Bernard or Warford...I think Heyward-Bey could be very good so I'm not so sure we don't have an adequate replacement now and with Fleenor, Allen, Hilton, Brazill, and Whalen I like the POTENTIAL we have at wr now...We could also get 1 in FA next year. Like Gruden said before our pick last night we need that feature back, although I would have took Werner allll day and I'm happy as could be about the pick...Can't believe he was there, and never even considered the possibility.

[chrisfarley]

What indications?

The indication that the article referred to.  Has a buddy on the Giants. Reaction to the pick. Steadfast hopes and prayers would be answered.

[SLILLINGTON10]

I don't think the JJ Watt comparison is accurate because they play two separate positions. I think he's a guy who will end up being compared to Suggs in the Colts system.

in the colts system you could be correct but i said on film, only film i was able to find his him playing DE

[Dustin]

The indication that the article referred to.  Has a buddy on the Giants. Reaction to the pick. Steadfast hopes and prayers would be answered.

 

Wait, are you talking about Werner or Allen?

[HtownColt]

@ryandaryk: Bjöern Werner had 47 knockdowns last year. That's more than 3 a game, which translates him taking away 3 downs a game. Huge stat.

That's what you call getting after the quarterback. This is just knockdowns it's not even counting hurries

[HtownColt]

This is an odd pick (Germanator). This guy has a cold/hot motor. Takes plays off, just watch the film, once feet settle after quick start, CANNOT change direction to follow ball (too slow). If play is on opposite side of ball, he just watches like a spectator - he might as well take a seat and pay admission. I don't know how FSU defensive coordinator wasn't in his grill. Has attitude like non-other. Mixed reviews for sure. Like his motor on plays where he is motivated, can get to the ball (in college). Has College sack capability (big play), has NFL average player to below average player written all over him. He wanted to go to Giants, NOT COLTS, just like last year with our 2nd Tight End pick. Hated to come to the Colts from all indications. (posted this in the wrong spot so did here)

You sound like Nolan Nawrocki when he talked about Geno Smith

[chrisfarley]

The indication that the article referred to.  Has a buddy on the Giants. Reaction to the pick. Steadfast hopes and prayers would be answered.

I like his desire to play for the Giants but who would want to play for the Giants in that stadium?  Seems like he would like it here.  And stop the knit-picking, you know what article I'm referring to.

[HtownColt]

I'd be at least a little surprised if Werner beat out Walden for a starting role. In fact, I'm not sure they are really competing with each other. The starting SAM backer in our system does not have pass rusher as their primary job description. Walden has established high level skills that our staff values in their starting SAM backer. It is very unlikely that a rookie learning a new role can fill it as well as Walden has proven he can. Werner is competing with Hughes to be the 1st pass rusher sub. That is a battle he has a good chance to win while apprenticing for the Suggs Rush LB role behind Mathis. Werner will fill the same role Kruger did on the Ravens squad in 2011 when Jarrett Johnson was still the starter...at least for now.

Nick Perry beat Erik Walden out last year as a rookie in preseason and won the starting job, I don't see how Werner can't do the same, ain't nothing wrong with a little competition in camp let the best man win

[chrisfarley]

Wait, are you talking about Werner or Allen?

Allen.  Also, on Werner here is a post from his Twitter: Im going to sleep as a colt! I still can't believe that. Im so proud to be part of such an amazing organization!

[jshipp23]

Werner will be a starter day 1 and possibly our best player on defense...We are very lucky to get him, It would have been a very tough decision to take Jordan over him..Great upside, good against the rush, great pass rusher, already has the skill-set to tip passes, no injury or character issues...Could not have been a better pick and we filled a glaring need..This kid will be a monster.

[Blackhawk4]

jshipp23, on 26 Apr 2013 - 1:40 PM, said:

Werner will be a starter day 1 and possibly our best player on defense...We are very lucky to get him, It would have been a very tough decision to take Jordan over him..Great upside, good against the rush, great pass rusher, already has the skill-set to tip passes, no injury or character issues...Could not have been a better pick and we filled a glaring need..This kid will be a monster.

....Unless Walden does horribly in training camp and preseason I just don't see it. He's not going to start over Mathis that's for sure, and with how much money we paid Walden he's going to be starting. You don't pay someone that much just to be 2nd string. It will probably end up like Freeney's career early on. He's there on 3rd down passing situations and if he does better than we all expect then he'll be starting midseason or late in the season.

[RomanianColtsFan]

This is very long interview with him pre-draft. Sorry if it has been posted already. Enjoyable

 

http://blip.tv/warchantcom/de-bjoern-werner-talks-about-pro-day-nfl-draft-and-more-6554211

[jshipp23]

....Unless Walden does horribly in training camp and preseason I just don't see it. He's not going to start over Mathis that's for sure, and with how much money we paid Walden he's going to be starting. You don't pay someone that much just to be 2nd string. It will probably end up like Freeney's career early on. He's there on 3rd down passing situations and if he does better than we all expect then he'll be starting midseason or late in the season.

WRONG...It doesn't matter what they are paying Walden, Werner is superior in every way...When they signed Walden they never dreamed Werner would be there..Walden will get plenty of run though; they will rotate in and out and stay fresh...The best player will start and Werner is the best player.

[chrisfarley]

Werner will be a starter day 1 and possibly our best player on defense...We are very lucky to get him, It would have been a very tough decision to take Jordan over him..Great upside, good against the rush, great pass rusher, already has the skill-set to tip passes, no injury or character issues...Could not have been a better pick and we filled a glaring need..This kid will be a monster.

they keep saying he is not versatile, seems to me the other negatives are enough, but I would like nothing better than for him to prove me and all the nay-sayers wrong about his capabilities.  Perhaps Coach Pagano will mold him into a monster and narrow what he does just down to his strengths.  Question: is he an every down guy?

[ztboiler]

Nick Perry beat Erik Walden out last year as a rookie in preseason and won the starting job, I don't see how Werner can't do the same, ain't nothing wrong with a little competition in camp let the best man win

 

Maybe.  Your point is certainly relevant.  Situation is quite different though.  Walden was clearly brought here as a specialist.  If he becomes an every down player, that is just a bonus.  I think our staff views the SAM position as a time share.  Werner may quickly prove to be as good at playing the run as Walden is - so you might be right, but that is what has to happen to unseat the starter.  Werner certainly looks like the obvious choice to rush opposite Mathis in our nickel, and we play a lot of nickel.  Werner could easily play more snaps than Walden, even if he doesn't start.

 

What will be interesting is to see if Walden gets more than 1 year of his deal.  

[Blackhawk4]

WRONG...It doesn't matter what they are paying Walden, Werner is superior in every way...When they signed Walden they never dreamed Werner would be there..Walden will get plenty of run though; they will rotate in and out and stay fresh...The best player will start and Werner is the best player.

Because you time traveled in the future and saw Werner play an NFL game so you know exactly how he is superior to Walden? Didn't think so. He hasn't played a NFL game yet. For all we know he could be a beast or he could be a bust and be as productive as Jamarcus Russel. As far as the never dreamed of Werner being there.....I'm pretty sure they dreamed of him being there if he was on their draft board and they had him targeted...It wasn't unrealistic to see him still available in the 20s-30s if you look at the evaluations and mock drafts.

[HtownColt]

they keep saying he is not versatile, seems to me the other negatives are enough, but I would like nothing better than for him to prove me and all the nay-sayers wrong about his capabilities. Perhaps Coach Pagano will mold him into a monster and narrow what he does just down to his strengths. Question: is he an every down guy?

Pagano says he is:

"(On) first and second down, he's going to be an edge-setter and play the run game for us," said Pagano. "On third down, there's a multitude of things we can do with this guy. The simplest is line him up opposite of Robert (Mathis) and tell him, 'Sick him. Go get the quarterback.' "

I'll trust his judgement on players playing His defense

[Jason_]

WRONG...It doesn't matter what they are paying Walden, Werner is superior in every way...When they signed Walden they never dreamed Werner would be there..Walden will get plenty of run though; they will rotate in and out and stay fresh...The best player will start and Werner is the best player.

 

 

 

Save the    rage for someone else *.  When someone expresses an opinion you disagree with, it's very easy to counter that argument in a civil manner thus continuing to provoke friendly debate and discussion.  No need for, "WRONG" 

 

For example...I disagree with you.  I don't think there's any way to accurately say right now, without a single practice that Werner will be the day one starter ahead of Walden.  Walden has 1 thing that Werner does not, something for which there is no substitute and that's actual NFL, in-game experience.  I think it's highly unlikely that Werner unseats Walden as the starter from day 1.  I do think that we'll see a lot of Walden and Werner on the field together on short yardage downs, then Mathis and Werner on the field together in longer yardage situations.  They'll use a strong rotation to keep everyone fresh and to try to keep the right guys in based on down and distance...something called "situational football".  Werner could very well get more snaps per game than Walden but Walden will still be labelled "the starter" at Sam LB...at least early on, imo.

[HtownColt]

Jimbo fisher on Werner:

"I'm going to tell you this, you don't have enough time to talk about all the good things about the guy. He's just the ultimate team player. He can rush the passer. He can play the run. The most amazing stat I tell folks about him, he led the ACC in pass breakups (13). Not only can he sack (the quarterback) but he's so instinctive and can trigger when a quarterback is going to throw. He will get in the lane, bat balls."

"The other thing that you don't know about him is that he's athletic. He can stand-up. He has very good ball skills. He's very fluid through his hips. He's a very natural football player, a very instinctive football player and a natural leader. He affected the guys on our team with his leadership every day."

On the best thing about Werner's leadership:

"He understood how to work. He understood what excellence was and he did not have a problem telling guys around him when they did not play to the level they should, or were doing things that were detrimental to the team. He did not have a problem speaking out. He can do it and the kids respected it and never resented it one bit because he lived the standard in which he preached."

On one negative about Werner:

"It's hard. I know as a coach you say that. I never coached a kid who has apologized to you when he made a mistake. If (Werner) made a mistake and you got on him about that, he would say, 'Coach I'm sorry. It won't happen again.' I can't sit here and give you any (negatives). Is he a 4.5 (40-yard dash) guy? No. But he plays much faster than he times. I don't have negatives on him. That's not a coaching thing. When you coach him, he's just a pleasure to be around."

[jshipp23]

 

 

Save the    rage for someone else *.  When someone expresses an opinion you disagree with, it's very easy to counter that argument in a civil manner thus continuing to provoke friendly debate and discussion.  No need for, "WRONG" 

 

For example...I disagree with you.  I don't think there's any way to accurately say right now, without a single practice that Werner will be the day one starter ahead of Walden.  Walden has 1 thing that Werner does not, something for which there is no substitute and that's actual NFL, in-game experience.  I think it's highly unlikely that Werner unseats Walden as the starter from day 1.  I do think that we'll see a lot of Walden and Werner on the field together on short yardage downs, then Mathis and Werner on the field together in longer yardage situations.  They'll use a strong rotation to keep everyone fresh and to try to keep the right guys in based on down and distance...something called "situational football".  Werner could very well get more snaps per game than Walden but Walden will still be labelled "the starter" at Sam LB...at least early on, imo.

No rage...just can't highlight on this computer..So I capitalize..

[jshipp23]

Jimbo fisher on Werner:

"I'm going to tell you this, you don't have enough time to talk about all the good things about the guy. He's just the ultimate team player. He can rush the passer. He can play the run. The most amazing stat I tell folks about him, he led the ACC in pass breakups (13). Not only can he sack (the quarterback) but he's so instinctive and can trigger when a quarterback is going to throw. He will get in the lane, bat balls."

"The other thing that you don't know about him is that he's athletic. He can stand-up. He has very good ball skills. He's very fluid through his hips. He's a very natural football player, a very instinctive football player and a natural leader. He affected the guys on our team with his leadership every day."

On the best thing about Werner's leadership:

"He understood how to work. He understood what excellence was and he did not have a problem telling guys around him when they did not play to the level they should, or were doing things that were detrimental to the team. He did not have a problem speaking out. He can do it and the kids respected it and never resented it one bit because he lived the standard in which he preached."

On one negative about Werner:

"It's hard. I know as a coach you say that. I never coached a kid who has apologized to you when he made a mistake. If (Werner) made a mistake and you got on him about that, he would say, 'Coach I'm sorry. It won't happen again.' I can't sit here and give you any (negatives). Is he a 4.5 (40-yard dash) guy? No. But he plays much faster than he times. I don't have negatives on him. That's not a coaching thing. When you coach him, he's just a pleasure to be around."

If he adds a little weight he can be close to J.J. Watt...He is 6-4 and very athletic and has the same ability to tip passes already...I'm not sure people really actually realize what we have?? He could be the best player in the 1st period..

[HtownColt]

If he adds a little weight he can be close to J.J. Watt...He is 6-4 and very athletic and has the same ability to tip passes already...I'm not sure people really actually realize what we have?? He could be the best player in the 1st period..

He will be playing both Sam and rush linebacker- Pagano said. Mostly Sam though

[jshipp23]

He will be playing both Sam and rush linebacker- Pagano said. Mostly Sam though

They will move him around because of his athleticism much like Watt..I wouldn't put him in any set position just yet.