Wendell Bryant's light goes on

[Ed B]

Last year, when we drafted Wendell Bryant, I said (with the benefit of years seeing him as a Wisconsin student and football fan) that he was a guy who wouldn't make an immediate contribution because he was just a pear-shaped kid who never worked out and got by on his (tremendous) natural ability. Last year he certainly didn't do much.

Now, Jim's minicamp report states that Wendell's "pear shape" has turned into a V-shape. If he finally decided to grow up and treat football like a profession and spent the whole offseason working his body into respectable shape, I think we're going to see great, great things from Wendell Bryant.

The first part of my comments about him were right. Let's hope the second part - that he has more natural ability than any tackle in the NFL and can be the best interior pass rusher since Warren Sapp if the light goes on - is also correct

 

[Krangodnzr]

I started watching Wisconsin when Dayne first jumped onto the College football scene. I liked Dayne a lot, though he didn't run "big" for a guy his size. But the one guy that I thought was the most talented on the squad, was Wendell Bryant.

Watching him as a freshman, it was obvious that he was a future high draft pick. He was tremendously quick for a young tackle, and if his strength and conditioning ever caught up, he would be a dominator.

Years later, he seems like he hasn't been able to get in consistently good shape. If he can stay in shape (since he is right now) and put on about 10 pounds of muscle, I agree Ed, he could be an outstanding player.

 

[Sack Daddy]

Well, he better be. There are now two 1st rounders and a high 2nd rounder on the D-Line. Somebody needs to stand up. (Actually, all of them) Everybody needs to stop looking outside the team for help. These guys have talent, they just need to lay it on the line.

 

[SECTION 11]

In the "Game of the Century" in 1971, it was DT Rich Glover that won that game, despite the accolades given to Johnny Rodgers.

A healthy Swann type would be beautiful. I don't know if Bryant's that guy, but I agree that we haven't seen the best of him yet.

Another side note, Ryan Simms in KC is eating himself into Vermeil's doghouse.

 

[pinnacle]

actually..I think we have 2 1st rounders and 2 2nd rounders on our dline..kvb and I think russel davis were both 2nd rounders..but russell was drafted by chicago...he was cut (I think they were going to put him on the practice squad - not sure (bears)) - we claimed him on waivers - but had to put davis on the regular roster - so we cut darwin walker to make room- hoping no one would notice and he would slip thru waivers and we could put him on our practice squad...no luck - eagles claimed him...

I think I got this right..not 100% sure..

 

[Sack Daddy]

Originally posted by SECTION 11
In the "Game of the Century" in 1971, it was DT Rich Glover that won that game, despite the accolades given to Johnny Rodgers.

A healthy Swann type would be beautiful. I don't know if Bryant's that guy, but I agree that we haven't seen the best of him yet.

Another side note, Ryan Simms in KC is eating himself into Vermeil's doghouse.

Exactly, Sec 11. Prior to the draft, Sims was all the rage. He was also one of those guys who had good, but not great stats in college. None of the top D-Lineman made a huge impact last year. Here's hoping W.Bryant moves to the top of the list this year.

 

[Ed B]

Originally posted by Sack Daddy
Exactly, Sec 11. Prior to the draft, Sims was all the rage. He was also one of those guys who had good, but not great stats in college. None of the top D-Lineman made a huge impact last year. Here's hoping W.Bryant moves to the top of the list this year.

Wendell Bryant had, by far, the best college career of the DTs in that draft.

He also had a less impressive workout than Haynesworth and Sims. Sims ended up getting drafted first, but in the long run I think Wendell will be the better NFL player.

 

[JeffGollin]

Sims was all the rage.
That's because he supposed to be a dominant run-stuffer first and pass rusher second.

Bryant is slightly smaller and quicker - more of a pressure up the middle on the pass rush kind of DT.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by pinnacle
actually..I think we have 2 1st rounders and 2 2nd rounders on our dline..kvb and I think russel davis were both 2nd rounders..but russell was drafted by chicago...he was cut (I think they were going to put him on the practice squad - not sure (bears)) - we claimed him on waivers - but had to put davis on the regular roster - so we cut darwin walker to make room- hoping no one would notice and he would slip thru waivers and we could put him on our practice squad...no luck - eagles claimed him...

I think I got this right..not 100% sure..

Davis was cut by the Bears for practice attitude and lack of effort. It served as his wake-up call. He was very lacksadasical in practice an didn;t seem to make much effort and the Bears simply said adios.

This is a young line that can be decent. Now is the time for them to step up for sure.

 

[Ed B]

CB, I always suspected Davis was on drugs or something.

If you recall, he had started the first 9 games for the Bears and then was cut after week 9. Cutting a starting player, and a rookie at that, after 9 games is highly, highly unusual. Almost unbelievable. So I always wondered if Davis did something weird to prompt that.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Ed B
CB, I always suspected Davis was on drugs or something.

If you recall, he had started the first 9 games for the Bears and then was cut after week 9. Cutting a starting player, and a rookie at that, after 9 games is highly, highly unusual. Almost unbelievable. So I always wondered if Davis did something weird to prompt that.

The word was always his practice habits. It was very strange and there may be something unsaid in all of it.

 

[pinnacle]

Ed..I read davis bio on azcardinals..said he started at defensive end for the 1st 9 games..was like a profootball weekly all rookie player..and was cut the next season in training camp..He was taken out of starting line up but was not cut till sept of the next season...yea..something must have happened..seems he was moved to tackle - not sure if the cards did this or the bears..

I have met russell a few times..he is about the most outgoing, nicest guy on the team...too slow to be an end..but gets pushed around in the middle...something clearly happened in chicago after he was starting for awile..seems he pissed some coach off pretty bad or something!

 

[BACH]

Originally posted by Ed B
Wendell Bryant had, by far, the best college career of the DTs in that draft.

He also had a less impressive workout than Haynesworth and Sims. Sims ended up getting drafted first, but in the long run I think Wendell will be the better NFL player.

Hmm, what about Henderson?? He was rated as the best before the draft and was the best on the field last year.

Ryan Sims 5.0 tcl. - 0 sacks
John Henderson 44.0 tcl. - 6.5
Wendell Bryant 11.0 tck. - 1.5 sacks
Albert Haynesworth 21.0 tck. - 1 sacks.

 

[Northern Card]

Originally posted by SECTION 11
In the "Game of the Century" in 1971, it was DT Rich Glover that won that game, despite the accolades given to Johnny Rodgers.

A healthy Swann type would be beautiful. I don't know if Bryant's that guy, but I agree that we haven't seen the best of him yet.

Another side note, Ryan Simms in KC is eating himself into Vermeil's doghouse.

Johnny Rogers or as he was known in the CFL - "JR the Ordinary Superstar" was my favourite player on the Montreal Alouettes in the 70s. It was something to watch him return kicks and punts...

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by pinnacle
Ed..I read davis bio on azcardinals..said he started at defensive end for the 1st 9 games..was like a profootball weekly all rookie player..and was cut the next season in training camp..He was taken out of starting line up but was not cut till sept of the next season...yea..something must have happened..seems he was moved to tackle - not sure if the cards did this or the bears..

I have met russell a few times..he is about the most outgoing, nicest guy on the team...too slow to be an end..but gets pushed around in the middle...something clearly happened in chicago after he was starting for awile..seems he pissed some coach off pretty bad or something!

I couldn't remeber the exact sequence of events but he may have been cut by the Bears the following year. All I know is he was playing well then disappeared and then he was cut.

 

[Capital Card]

Originally posted by AZCB34
I couldn't remeber the exact sequence of events but he may have been cut by the Bears the following year. All I know is he was playing well then disappeared and then he was cut.

"Also cut were ... defensive tackle Russell Davis, a second-round draft pick in 1999 who started eight games at defensive end a year ago.

Davis was made expendable when the Bears signed Brad Culpepper last week.

`I made a mistake on him (Davis),'Hatley said. 'High picks, you need for those guys to be successful. He made some plays but didn't make enough. He just didn't fit for whatever reason. He was just not consistent enough in his play.'''

 

[SeattleCard]

Originally posted by BACH
Hmm, what about Henderson?? He was rated as the best before the draft and was the best on the field last year.

Ryan Sims 5.0 tcl. - 0 sacks
John Henderson 44.0 tcl. - 6.5
Wendell Bryant 11.0 tck. - 1.5 sacks
Albert Haynesworth 21.0 tck. - 1 sacks.

Bryant only had 11 tackles last year? Ugh.... Hope that improves x 6

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by SeattleCardsFan
Bryant only had 11 tackles last year? Ugh.... Hope that improves x 6

66 tackles is quite a bit for a tackle. I'm looking more for about 50 tackles, 7 sacks...