Colts Select Laiatu Latu Edge UCLA

[stitches]

18 hours ago, IinD said:

Agreed, very cool. He's very likeable.

 

Over/under 2 games before he's called a bust here?? 

Do pre-season count?  Actually I can see it happening even in pre-season. Imagine Dallas Turner gets 3 sacks against the 3d stringers of the Bills or something, while Latu gets shut down by a pro-bowler in our pre-season opener... and some variation of this will be said... 

[stitches]

20 hours ago, w87r said:

 

 

 

20 hours ago, jvan1973 said:

That's pretty darn cool.   How can you not root for this kid.   Even if he went to another team I would root for him.  But I'm glad we got him

Yeah... I love how genuinely excited he is by this whole process. From videos coming into the building, to videos of the introduction to his helmet, to just any interview really... he seems so thankful and exuberant. Love his whole demeanor. There's very little to nothing that seems rehearsed or contrived like most of the prospects nowadays... This is not a dig at other players - they are all media coached and prepared so much in the pre-draft process that they lose a lot of their personality in front of the camera. I don't think this is the case with Laiatu. 

[w87r]

 

 

[CR91]

97 is gonna take time for me to get use to. 

[RollerColt]

Really gives you perspective on how big he is compared to his peers. 

[Solid84]

2 hours ago, RollerColt said:

Really gives you perspective on how big he is compared to his peers. 

Yeah, saw a video of him playing rugby. He was definitely one of the big guys on the team lol. 

[cdgacoltsfan]

Just now, Solid84 said:

Yeah, saw a video of him playing rugby. He was definitely one of the big guys on the team lol. 

I saw that vid...I think it was high school. I'm amazed some of those smaller guys actually lived. He planted a few of them.

[krunk]

Colts OT Bernhard Raimann on Laiatu Latu: He's going to be an 'impact player'

https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2024/06/02/colts-ot-bernhard-raimann-on-laiatu-latu-hes-going-to-be-an-impact-player/

      

[OLD FAN MAN]

after all of ballards failed attempts at drafting a truly elite pass rusher I think imo he has finally drafted a game changer at pass rush.

[stitches]

 

This is interesting. The Rams tried to trade with the Jets for 11 too:

 

I wonder who they were targeting. Some are speculating Bowers at 11. Seattle reporters think they tried to jump the Seahawks for Byron Murphy.

 

[smittywerb]

1 hour ago, stitches said:

 

This is interesting. The Rams tried to trade with the Jets for 11 too:

 

I wonder who they were targeting. Some are speculating Bowers at 11. Seattle reporters think they tried to jump the Seahawks for Byron Murphy.

 

 

 

more reason to believe that after the top 3 wide receivers, Latu was their guy.  To not accept an offer to move back ONLY 4 spots and gain a top 100 pick is hard to do.  Bet if the rams through in a second instead of a third we might’ve took it.

 

think about it, if you move back 4 spots you’d still have a shot at one of the two top corners or even Dallas turner.  And we said no thanks, we want Latu. 

[cdgacoltsfan]

11 hours ago, smittywerb said:

 

 

more reason to believe that after the top 3 wide receivers, Latu was their guy.  To not accept an offer to move back ONLY 4 spots and gain a top 100 pick is hard to do.  Bet if the rams through in a second instead of a third we might’ve took it.

 

think about it, if you move back 4 spots you’d still have a shot at one of the two top corners or even Dallas turner.  And we said no thanks, we want Latu. 

I'm glad we declined. Latu may or may not be great but I like the kid and will be pulling for him.

[1959Colts]

Happy we declined. Latu was the player I was hoping we would take at 15

[Fluke_33]

3 minutes ago, 1959Colts said:

Happy we declined. Latu was the player I was hoping we would take at 15

Same.  I didn’t think he’d be there though.  Polian would have taken him 2nd overall.  

[jvan1973]

11 minutes ago, Fluke_33 said:

Same.  I didn’t think he’d be there though.  Polian would have taken him 2nd overall.  

Polian would have taken MHJ 2nd .  He would have loved Latu though

[Fluke_33]

6 minutes ago, jvan1973 said:

Polian would have taken MHJ 2nd .  He would have loved Latu though

Maybe.  Position was huge with him.  Qb then de then ot 

[jvan1973]

1 hour ago, Fluke_33 said:

Maybe.  Position was huge with him.  Qb then de then ot 

He drafted reggie and Dallas in the first.   I think he drafted the best player even in his Buffalo days

[throwing BBZ]

On 6/15/2024 at 3:53 AM, smittywerb said:

 

 

more reason to believe that after the top 3 wide receivers, Latu was their guy.  To not accept an offer to move back ONLY 4 spots and gain a top 100 pick is hard to do.  Bet if the rams through in a second instead of a third we might’ve took it.

 

think about it, if you move back 4 spots you’d still have a shot at one of the two top corners or even Dallas turner.  And we said no thanks, we want Latu. 

 

 The additions of say Taylor, Raimann, and looking back to Leonard could be called important, savy drafting.

 Our Colts have been waiting for awhile for a special, difference making player to surprisingly fall to US. Right when we really really needed it to happen, it sure looks like we got two of them. 🙏 for good health.

 AR a surprise at 4, not at all.  But   

  

[smittywerb]

6 hours ago, throwing BBZ said:

 

 The additions of say Taylor, Raimann, and looking back to Leonard could be called important, savy drafting.

 Our Colts have been waiting for awhile for a special, difference making player to surprisingly fall to US. Right when we really really needed it to happen, it sure looks like we got two of them. 🙏 for good health.

 AR a surprise at 4, not at all.  But   

  

Agreed.  After this last off season, I kind of give Ballard a pass on taking long to find a certified DE (if Latu pans out).  Like QBs, they don’t grow on trees.  You either have to draft one high, get lucky with one in the draft, or sign one in FA for loads of cash.  All I can ask for him as GM to do is try.  He hasn’t been perfect by any means but at least he’s tried with the DE position specifically.

 

i also think Shane being here has changed his thinking.  Before, Ballard might’ve went with Turner due to the higher upside.  But maybe Shane differs and wants proven players.  
 

Either way, I’m glad we possibly have our stud at a premium position for the next 5 years at a cheap rate.  
 

And gotta thank the Falcons for us landing Latu.  Lol

[w87r]

Edit: this appears to be news already posted, as I see prior quoted post about it, now.

 

Sorry been away a few days.

[NFLfan]

On 6/15/2024 at 2:49 AM, stitches said:

 

This is interesting. The Rams tried to trade with the Jets for 11 too:

 

I wonder who they were targeting. Some are speculating Bowers at 11. Seattle reporters think they tried to jump the Seahawks for Byron Murphy.

 

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rams-tried-to-trade-up-for-brock-bowers-then-byron-murphy

 

You seem to be right.

[teganslaw]

Laiatu Latu is one of the best pass rushers in the draft, but I am a bit concerned about his past neck injury. He had to go several doctors before finding one who allowed him to play. I'm sure the Colts vetted him before drafting (as did other teams who wanted him), so they must feel he's safe enough. 

 

However, this injury could re occur sometime, and cause later problems. Consider the Cowboys Leighton Vander Esh who was a very good player but finally had to retire due to a nagging neck injury. 

 

Is anyone else concerned about this? Or am I jumping to conclusions? 

[Superman]

30 minutes ago, teganslaw said:

Laiatu Latu is one of the best pass rushers in the draft, but I am a bit concerned about his past neck injury. He had to go several doctors before finding one who allowed him to play. I'm sure the Colts vetted him before drafting (as did other teams who wanted him), so they must feel he's safe enough. 

 

However, this injury could re occur sometime, and cause later problems. Consider the Cowboys Leighton Vander Esh who was a very good player but finally had to retire due to a nagging neck injury. 

 

Is anyone else concerned about this? Or am I jumping to conclusions? 

 

It's a valid concern. We had a powerhouse post on this from one of our members after the Colts made the pick. You should check it out.

 

 

 

[wig]

On 6/15/2024 at 12:53 AM, smittywerb said:

 

 

more reason to believe that after the top 3 wide receivers, Latu was their guy.  To not accept an offer to move back ONLY 4 spots and gain a top 100 pick is hard to do.  Bet if the rams through in a second instead of a third we might’ve took it.

 

think about it, if you move back 4 spots you’d still have a shot at one of the two top corners or even Dallas turner.  And we said no thanks, we want Latu. 

 

But if they were like me, they only liked one of the corners and wasn't a fan of Turner. So I'd look at it and say there's a fair chance the two guys I really liked that were left in that range would be gone. 

[CR91]

 

[cdgacoltsfan]

2 hours ago, CR91 said:

 

SEC vs Pac 10 makes a big difference but I still love Latu.

[CR91]

1 hour ago, cdgacoltsfan said:

SEC vs Pac 10 makes a big difference but I still love Latu.

 

Still played against teams like Washington and SC

[cdgacoltsfan]

7 minutes ago, CR91 said:

 

Still played against teams like Washington and SC

Compare that to Alabama and Georgia.

[GoColts8818]

On 6/15/2024 at 6:44 PM, jvan1973 said:

He drafted reggie and Dallas in the first.   I think he drafted the best player even in his Buffalo days

He also took a running back with his second highest pick he had while here.  I know running backs were as devalued as they are now then too still Polian model was always BPA that fit a need.

[CR91]

1 hour ago, cdgacoltsfan said:

Compare that to Alabama and Georgia.

 

I'm just saying. He did play competition 

[GoColts8818]

1 hour ago, GoColts8818 said:

He also took a running back with his second highest pick he had while here.  I know running backs were as devalued as they are now then too still Polian model was always BPA that fit a need.

Were  NOT I mean.

[shasta519]

On 6/22/2024 at 5:42 PM, cdgacoltsfan said:

SEC vs Pac 10 makes a big difference but I still love Latu.

And to be fair…Garrett was also two years younger.
 

I mean… Garrett had 13.5 sacks in the NFL at the age Latu was a senior in college. Imagine Garrett still in college at that point. 

Latu is still a great prospect, but some of these are really high expectations.

[Solid84]

52 minutes ago, shasta519 said:

And to be fair…Garrett was also two years younger.
 

I mean… Garrett had 13.5 sacks in the NFL at the age Latu was a senior in college. Imagine Garrett still in college at that point. 

Latu is still a great prospect, but some of these are really high expectations.

Latu did miss 2 seasons because of his injury. 
 

In fact what I think is most impressive about Latu is he was out of football for 2 seasons, then comes in and dominates. That takes extreme focus and discipline. 

[NewColtsFan]

22 minutes ago, Solid84 said:

Latu did miss 2 seasons because of his injury. 
 

In fact what I think is most impressive about Latu is he was out of football for 2 seasons, then comes in and dominates. That takes extreme focus and discipline. 

 

FWIW: 

As you may know, one of our community members is not just a doctor, he’s a surgeon.   And he has performed the exact surgery that Latu received.  And just after the draft he shared here that once you’ve had the surgery, the impacted area is now STRONGER than it was before the injury.  Reassuring news for all. 
 

 

[shasta519]

12 hours ago, Solid84 said:

Latu did miss 2 seasons because of his injury. 
 

In fact what I think is most impressive about Latu is he was out of football for 2 seasons, then comes in and dominates. That takes extreme focus and discipline. 

 

Right. It wasn't his fault or due to him developing late. 

 

But he was still an older prospect. And these stat comps to guys like Garrett, Bosa, Chase Young, etc. are comparing what Latu did at age 22/23 vs. other pass rushers who were age 19/20/21. 

 

It's likely his neck injury and his age-adjusted production were baked into his draft price though. 

 

He's polished, so I think he will translate to the NFL well enough. But until we see it, people are setting awfully high expectations with these comps.  

 

Personally, I would have taken Dallas Turner. I think he has the highest upside, given his traits, age and production. But I am glad Ballard grabbed an ER. 

[shasta519]

12 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

FWIW: 

As you may know, one of our community members is not just a doctor, he’s a surgeon.   And he has performed the exact surgery that Latu received.  And just after the draft he shared here that once you’ve had the surgery, the impacted area is now STRONGER than it was before the injury.  Reassuring news for all. 
 

 

 

The re-injury risk doesn't seem that concerning. If there was a high chance of re-injury, I doubt professional athletes would get the surgery and keep playing.

 

I am not a doctor, but from what I have read on the procedure, my concerns would be more about the increased load-bearing on other joints and discs, which can cause pain and potential injury. And since it's been nearly 4 years since he had it, there's also an increased risk for the hardware having issues over time.

 

But I think we can be reassured that we aren't going to be watching a game and see some re-injury occurs.

 

[NewColtsFan]

5 hours ago, shasta519 said:

 

Right. It wasn't his fault or due to him developing late. 

 

But he was still an older prospect. And these stat comps to guys like Garrett, Bosa, Chase Young, etc. are comparing what Latu did at age 22/23 vs. other pass rushers who were age 19/20/21. 

 

It's likely his neck injury and his age-adjusted production were baked into his draft price though. 

 

He's polished, so I think he will translate to the NFL well enough. But until we see it, people are setting awfully high expectations with these comps.  

 

Personally, I would have taken Dallas Turner. I think he has the highest upside, given his traits, age and production. But I am glad Ballard grabbed an ER. 

I haven’t seen the comps you speak of.  
 

I know most projections seem high.  Football outsiders does an annual projection either just before or just after the draft.  I think Liatu was projected with the most sacks and the number was basically 6 sacks.   
 

I suspect Liatu was picked in part because he’s an inch taller and roughly 20 pounds heavier than Turner.  And I suspect the new DL coach, who I love, had strong input to the selection. 
 

 

[smittywerb]

Once again, Latu just pops on the screen.  I know it’s just a drill, but compared to Ebukam…his movements and techniques are more fluid and crisp, and hes quicker.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/k5W6CFq5ReQ?si=7DLSO-G0Gqt-5R6a

[Solid84]

4 hours ago, smittywerb said:

Once again, Latu just pops on the screen.  I know it’s just a drill, but compared to Ebukam…his movements and techniques are more fluid and crisp, and hes quicker.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/k5W6CFq5ReQ?si=7DLSO-G0Gqt-5R6a

Yeah, Ebukam almost looks clumsy next to Latu. He's just so fluid.