Dwayne Slay: Any Thoughts?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Dwayne plays safety for Texas Tech. I've seen him play all season long out here in west Texas, and I havent seen a college safety lay the wood like this kid since Roy Williams. He's a legit NFL safety and hits like Lynch.

Shanahan has always liked run oriented safeties that can hit. Slay fits the traditional Bronco safety mold from what I've seen. I dont have his measurealbes, but he doesnt seem like much of a speed guy. He's always in the right place and players always knew where he was.

If he's around in the 2nd or 3rd round, does Shanahan grab him?

[27atwater]

he'll be around later than that. In my mock, I have him as a late option for us. Big12 defensive player of the year if i remember correctly. I like him, but don't wanna reach for him. Maybe since we have so mnay pix, we may wanna move up in the 4th to go after him if he isn't gone on day 1...which i believe he won't be.

[DBroncos4life]

way to steal my idea ;). As of now he isn't rated that high by most sites. Still if we landed a comp third I wouldn't mind drafting him. He's a scary hitter like Taylor but he lacks the other things Taylor does so well. To me he is a better KK, and didn't we draft him in the third?

[DBroncos4life]

He's 6'3" 214 pounds. If I had to guess he would be in the 4.5 range, but like I said thats just a guess.

[27atwater]

nfldraftcountdown.com has him rated as the #14 Safety. No breakdown yet. He can be had late. There are plenty of names ahead of him. Ko, Jason Allen, Landry, Huff, Bing, the guy from syracuse, whitner and others.

[DBroncos4life]

nfldraftcountdown.com has him rated as the #14 Safety. No breakdown yet. He can be had late. There are plenty of names ahead of him. Ko, Jason Allen, Landry, Huff, Bing, the guy from syracuse, whitner and others.
That could change though during the combine. The knock against him is he's slow. If he runs well then watch him move up. Right now he is projected to go in the 4th.

[DBroncos4life]

If Denver landed him and if Browner does somehow pan out at FS that would give us some damn tall safteys.

[WABronco]

He's strictly a run-safety from what I've read. I really don't have a problem with that, but he should have some grasp of coverage. We've been all right with Fergy, so I don't think Slay would hurt us too much.

Imagine that though, LYNCH and SLAY for safeties...that'd be sick.

[DBroncos4life]

He's strictly a run-safety from what I've read. I really don't have a problem with that, but he should have some grasp of coverage. We've been all right with Fergy, so I don't think Slay would hurt us too much.

Imagine that though, LYNCH and SLAY for safeties...that'd be sick.
I think thats a bad wrap. The man can hit, that is true but I can't remember watching a saftey knock the ball out of WRs like in my years of watching football. The games I watched of them I can't recall him being lined up in the box all that often but I may have just not been watching it that well. I do recall him laying the wood on WRs and causing fumbles though. I can't say that he is great in coverage though. I believe he was only a one year starter so his skills are at best raw. Still 8 forced fumbles are hard to not look at.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I think thats a bad wrap. The man can hit, that is true but I can't remember watching a saftey knock the ball out of WRs like in my years of watching football. The games I watched of them I can't recall him being lined up in the box all that often but I may have just not been watching it that well. I do recall him laying the wood on WRs and causing fumbles though. I can't say that he is great in coverage though. I believe he was only a one year starter so his skills are at best raw. Still 8 forced fumbles are hard to not look at.

When I say that the guy can hit harder than any safety I've seen in recent years, I mean it. He is a mauler, a wrecking ball. He'll see some fines in the NFL.

Plus, how cool would it be to have a KO safety in your backfield named "Slay"??

[DBroncos4life]

When I say that the guy can hit harder than any safety I've seen in recent years, I mean it. He is a mauler, a wrecking ball. He'll see some fines in the NFL.

Plus, how cool would it be to have a KO safety in your backfield named "Slay"??
I seen him hit a few players and thought damn they won't get up. I was scared for NU WRs that game. The guy had 12 tackles and a FF against us. It says he finished the last four games of the season with a 12.5 TPG avg. All I see wrong with him is he is on the raw side. I guess its nothing Lynch couldnt help to fix.

[WABronco]

I seen him hit a few players and thought damn they won't get up. I was scared for NU WRs that game. The guy had 12 tackles and a FF against us. It says he finished the last four games of the season with a 12.5 TPG avg. All I see wrong with him is he is on the raw side. I guess its nothing Lynch couldnt help to fix.

Just as long as we don't burn a first day pick on him. Maybe late third...tops.

[BritBronco Maniac]

I have seen the footage of him absolutely creaming a QB who foolishly attempted a draw play.
Big time hitter, but it's unlikely his cover skills will be very polished coming out of the Big 12.
I'd be interesting in taking him, but not until the 2nd day.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I have seen the footage of him absolutely creaming a QB who foolishly attempted a draw play.
Big time hitter, but it's unlikely his cover skills will be very polished coming out of the Big 12.
I'd be interesting in taking him, but not until the 2nd day.

I doubt he's around that late. He's an impact player despite the 'raw' tag. Impact players and even potential impact players go on day one.

[IHaveALight]

I would love for us to use our 3rd round comp pick (assuming we get one) on this guy. Mainly just because I think he would be a beast on kick/punt coverage. Dante Hall thought Lynch hit like a truck, wait'll he gets a hit from Slay!!

I thought the same thing about Bob Sanders a couple years back (though he doesn't hit like Slay), and thought we could get him in the 3rd too. I think Indy ended up taking him in the 2nd but he has turned out to be a pretty good starting safety for them. I guess Slay could do the same, but mainly I want him for special teams. Anything more then that would just be an added bonus.

[Rich Karlis]

http://football.about.com/od/nationalfootballleague/p/dwayneslay.htm

Dwayne Slay

Height: 6-3
Weight: 214
40-Yard Dash: 4.80 (est)

Positives:
One thing is for sure: whoever gets Dwayne Slay is getting a quarterback killer. He is a hard-hitting safety and a great tackler who plays more like a linebacker. He has great size for a free safety – the type of size (6-3, 214) that NFL GMs drool over. The best thing you can say about Slay is that he makes plays. In 2005, he posted a Texas Tech record eight forced fumbles to go along with his 101 tackles.

Negatives:
Slay’s coverage skills are largely unproven at the college level, and it shows in his career interception number of one. He is a bit slow for an NFL free safety and may have trouble keeping up with the speedsters he’ll have to stay on top of as a result. There are also serious questions about his experience, as he has only started for one season in college.

Big plays and big hits are his forte, but sometimes Slay ends up missing sure tackles while going for broke. If that continues, he’ll find himself looking for playing time in the NFL.

Overview:
Slay is the type of player NFL defensive coordinators love. He makes game-changing plays and delivers the kind of hits that make offensive players think twice about going over the middle. That said, his lack of speed and proven coverage skills are hurting his draft stock for the time being. Slay looks to be a third or fourth rounder pending his performance at the NFL combine. Expect a good showing, and watch as his stock rises.

[WABronco]

From Senior Bowl reports I've read on the official site, Denver scouts are all over Greg Blue. Sounds good to me.

Slay isn't even close to Blue in terms of athletic ability, but both need some serious work on coverage. Let's not forget how Denver uses safeties though--runstoppers, blitzers, and then coverage...

I'd put money on either Blue or Brian Iwuh, who has been compared to Michael Boulware of two years ago. Not bad...

[epicSocialism4tw]

From Senior Bowl reports I've read on the official site, Denver scouts are all over Greg Blue. Sounds good to me.

Slay isn't even close to Blue in terms of athletic ability, but both need some serious work on coverage. Let's not forget how Denver uses safeties though--runstoppers, blitzers, and then coverage...

I'd put money on either Blue or Brian Iwuh, who has been compared to Michael Boulware of two years ago. Not bad...

I cant see how any run stuffer would be better than Slay. The guy is a knock out artist.

[WABronco]

I cant see how any run stuffer would be better than Slay. The guy is a knock out artist.

Well you'd like to have at least some coverage ability from your safeties, and based on Blue's measurables he's already ahead of Slay in that category IMO. Both guys are raw and need work, but I'd rather go with Blue if I had to choose between the two.

Just an overview from nfldc:

Strengths:
Good athlete...Has excellent size and a solid frame...Is very fast with good recovery speed and a burst...Lives for the big hit and will lay people out...Has excellent range in coverage...Hips are fluid...Has quick feet...Outstanding in run support...Versatile and could project to either free or strong safety...Is very strong and physical...An intimidator...Still improving and has some upside and potential.

Weaknesses:
Only intercepted two passes throughout his career with both coming as a senior...Focuses too much on making the big hit and fails to wrap up...Is too aggressive at times...Will take bad angles to the ball...Is not as good in coverage as he should be considering his measurables...Might be a bit of a workout warrior.

Notes:
In terms of computer numbers he has everything you look for...A bit of an oddity in that he has the physical tools of a centerfielder / coverage guy but plays more like an in-the-box safety...Continues the tradition of Sean Jones & Thomas Davis.

[DBroncos4life]

Well you'd like to have at least some coverage ability from your safeties, and based on Blue's measurables he's already ahead of Slay in that category IMO. Both guys are raw and need work, but I'd rather go with Blue if I had to choose between the two.

Just an overview from nfldc:

Strengths:
Good athlete...Has excellent size and a solid frame...Is very fast with good recovery speed and a burst...Lives for the big hit and will lay people out...Has excellent range in coverage...Hips are fluid...Has quick feet...Outstanding in run support...Versatile and could project to either free or strong safety...Is very strong and physical...An intimidator...Still improving and has some upside and potential.

Weaknesses:
Only intercepted two passes throughout his career with both coming as a senior...Focuses too much on making the big hit and fails to wrap up...Is too aggressive at times...Will take bad angles to the ball...Is not as good in coverage as he should be considering his measurables...Might be a bit of a workout warrior.

Notes:
In terms of computer numbers he has everything you look for...A bit of an oddity in that he has the physical tools of a centerfielder / coverage guy but plays more like an in-the-box safety...Continues the tradition of Sean Jones & Thomas Davis.
What do you mean by measurables? Size or something else? Slay is taller and bigger. Blue is a FS while Slay is a SS. Both have different jobs do to in a system. Blue has just 2 career picks. Both pretty much struggle in coverage, but typically FS are the ones doing most of the covering. This isn't always the case.

: Dwayne Slay isn’t the best safety in the draft, but is probably the biggest hitter in all of college football and does just what his name says – Slays. He is a HUGE hitter and forces fumbles regularly. He is a great safety in terms of tackling. However, Slay needs to improve upon his coverage skills and not be so risky. Whoever gets him is going to get a QB destroyer.


Most Like: Sean Taylor (Washington Redskins)

Best Fits: New England, Oakland, Denver Worst Fits: Houston, Dallas

[WABronco]

What do you mean by measurables? Size or something else? Slay is taller and bigger. Blue is a FS while Slay is a SS. Both have different jobs do to in a system. Blue has just 2 career picks. Both pretty much struggle in coverage, but typically FS are the ones doing most of the covering. This isn't always the case.

: Dwayne Slay isn’t the best safety in the draft, but is probably the biggest hitter in all of college football and does just what his name says – Slays. He is a HUGE hitter and forces fumbles regularly. He is a great safety in terms of tackling. However, Slay needs to improve upon his coverage skills and not be so risky. Whoever gets him is going to get a QB destroyer.


Most Like: Sean Taylor (Washington Redskins)

Best Fits: New England, Oakland, Denver Worst Fits: Houston, Dallas

From what I've seen and read, that comparison to Taylor is laughable. Sean Taylor is by far the most talented safety in the league. He's got the size of a weak side linebacker and the speed of a cornerback. He covers ground, covers receivers, and punishes ball carriers.

Anyways, measurables=speed, agility, jumping, quickness, etc. And as far as the picks, I'm not totally sure but I think that Blue hasn't even started until this year...

I wouldn't object to Slay, I'm just stating my opinion and what I've read.

[DBroncos4life]

From what I've seen and read, that comparison to Taylor is laughable. Sean Taylor is by far the most talented safety in the league. He's got the size of a weak side linebacker and the speed of a cornerback. He covers ground, covers receivers, and punishes ball carriers.

Anyways, measurables=speed, agility, jumping, quickness, etc. And as far as the picks, I'm not totally sure but I think that Blue hasn't even started until this year...

I wouldn't object to Slay, I'm just stating my opinion and what I've read.
Blue started two years. I think they compare him to Taylor for the way that he plays and hits, not because he is as poslished as Taylor was or is. I don't think Taylor is better then Reed but thats just my opinion.
http://www.nflfans.com/x/2006/showplayer.php?key=Greg%20Blue

Blue isn't that great in coverage. They brought it up in the practice reports. Maybe he has a tad more speed then Slay, I don't know right now. When the combine has come and gone we will know alot more on how they match up.

[Mr. Trout]

Imagine Slay lined up in Lynch's spot blitzing the QB. He would be toppling some of the statues we got in the AFC West.

[BritBronco Maniac]

I'd prefer the D-line to be getting the sacks, and the safeties to be getting interceptions!

[DBroncos4life]

just to let you know some of the TTU fans claim he ran a 4.4 in college. If thats the case at the combine you will see him jump up big-time

[Ray Finkle]

I think they pass on him. After watching TP in the playoffs, I think Shanahan will go over after a safety that does great in coverage.

[broncohaven]

I think there's a chance that Bullocks is around in the 2nd, and he's more of a modern day S with his coverage skills. I don't think Slay will go before the 4th.

[AustinTXBronco]

http://football.about.com/od/nationalfootballleague/p/dwayneslay.htm

Dwayne Slay

Height: 6-3
Weight: 214
40-Yard Dash: 4.80 (est)

Positives:
One thing is for sure: whoever gets Dwayne Slay is getting a quarterback killer. He is a hard-hitting safety and a great tackler who plays more like a linebacker. He has great size for a free safety – the type of size (6-3, 214) that NFL GMs drool over. The best thing you can say about Slay is that he makes plays. In 2005, he posted a Texas Tech record eight forced fumbles to go along with his 101 tackles.

Negatives:
Slay’s coverage skills are largely unproven at the college level, and it shows in his career interception number of one. He is a bit slow for an NFL free safety and may have trouble keeping up with the speedsters he’ll have to stay on top of as a result. There are also serious questions about his experience, as he has only started for one season in college.

Big plays and big hits are his forte, but sometimes Slay ends up missing sure tackles while going for broke. If that continues, he’ll find himself looking for playing time in the NFL.

Overview:
Slay is the type of player NFL defensive coordinators love. He makes game-changing plays and delivers the kind of hits that make offensive players think twice about going over the middle. That said, his lack of speed and proven coverage skills are hurting his draft stock for the time being. Slay looks to be a third or fourth rounder pending his performance at the NFL combine. Expect a good showing, and watch as his stock rises.
in a way reminds me of browner but darn a 4.8 forty thats still pretty darn slow even for a safety

[DBroncos4life]

in a way reminds me of browner but darn a 4.8 forty thats still pretty darn slow even for a safety
he isn't that slow, odds are that was off the rivials site. The combine will show that he is much faster then that.

[SkipMeister]

http://media.putfile.com/Slayhit

http://media.putfile.com/DwayneSlay

[DBroncos4life]

slay is a game changer.