Noah Spence sleeper pick/highlights

[kbso83432]

Scot has brought him in for two visits. Off the field issues, but loads of talent. I think he will be a steal for someone. Maybe Murphy is moving to DE and having Spence on the roster could provide insurance for Galette in case he asks for too much next year.

Watch "Noah Spence Highlights || Ohio State/Eastern Kentucky" on YouTube

 

[Sharkinva]

Depends on where we get him. I think he has a good chance of going in the first round. And while I would not be upset with him at 21 if viewed in a vacuum, Im thinking there will be some guys with just as much talent, and not as many issues available.

That being said, from a strictly on field view, I love what this kid could bring both now and in the future.

 

[kbso83432]

I would love it at 53. Let Murphy, Paea, play in base and bring him in on passing downs. Like Scot said you can never have enough pass rushers. 2 visits means they are considering him.

 

[Sharkinva]

I would love it at 53. Let Murphy, Paea, play in base and bring him in on passing downs. Like Scot said you can never have enough pass rushers. 2 visits means they are considering him.

at 53 Im all over it, especially if we had already grabbed Robinson, Reed or Butler, would basically leave only ILB abd safety as actual needs on the defense.

 

[gkekoa]

I am not sure why we would look to use a first round pick on Spence. Did Preston Smith not impress enough to not waste a pick of near equal value on a guy with question marks?

 

[kbso83432]

2nd. Not first. I'd be a little puzzled at 21 too.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Boy I don't know guys. I was pissed that we didn't take Randy Gregory in the 2nd last year, believing him when he said his positive test at the combine was a thing of the past. So he slips to the end of round 2, then gets a 4 game suspension which means he tested positive several times since joining the league on a short leash. I just have zero faith guys like this can avoid the problems going forward.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Well there's this from Fox Sports...and Scot has shown that he isn't beyond giving a guy with a past a chance if he feels he has the right football makeup and has learned from his past.




Spence even went so far as to reportedly send drug tests results to all 32 teams in the days leading up to the draft, according to ESPN:

Eastern Kentucky LB Noah Spence, whom the Big Ten banned in November 2014 after a few positive drug tests at Ohio State, this week sent each of the 32 NFL teams the past 20 drug tests he has taken since May, per league sources.

And then this, from later in the story.

Spence had Eastern Kentucky conduct five drug tests from May through December, then an independent drug-testing company conduct 15 more each week from January until this week. All of the results were sent via FedEx to all NFL teams this week to review before Thursday night's draft.

If this report is true, it's an incredible gesture by Spence to show just how far he has come in his battle with drugs, and more importantly just how seriously he is taking the NFL Draft process.

Then again, it shouldn't be a total surprise either.

FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman did a fascinating, wide-ranging piece on Spence back in October, and even back then Spence seemed like a man on a mission, one determined to put the past behind him.

Here is how he described watching the 2014 Buckeyes celebrate a national championship without him.

"I will never in my life forget that feeling," Spence said. "That feeling right there is always in my head whenever I do anything because I know I don't ever want to go back again, hit rock bottom -- and I know I won't be back there ever again because I will always have that feeling in my mind."

Only time will tell if Spence is truly able to put his troubles in the past, but credit him for this: He isn't hiding from it either.

 

[kbso83432]

I hear you on that. I do think that as a fan base we may may have misunderstood Scot when he said he's looking for character guys. I think we all assumed, including myself that he meant clean slate off the field.

What I think he meant was character on the field. Guys that play every play as if it's their last. Guys that sell out on Sundays. Guys that want to win. Guys not looking to cash a check.

He brought in Culliver and Galette in his first off-season. Both had off the field issues but both are extreme competitors. He himself has a checkered past off the field.

I wouldn't close the door on guys like Nkemdiche or Spence just yet. Not saying we will pick either of them but I don't think they are off his list because of some transgressions either.

 

[Ojb81]

Greetings, Skins faithful. If I may chime in, I definitely like his game and I think he'll blossom into a special player, I wouldn't be mad at all if the Steelers took him at 1.25

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Greetings, Skins faithful. If I may chime in, I definitely like his game and I think he'll blossom into a special player, I wouldn't be mad at all if the Steelers took him at 1.25

I think the Steelers and the Skins are liking quite a few of the same type players these days

 

[Caliskinsfan]

I hear you on that. I do think that as a fan base we may may have misunderstood Scot when he said he's looking for character guys. I think we all assumed, including myself that he meant clean slate off the field.

What I think he meant was character on the field. Guys that play every play as if it's their last. Guys that sell out on Sundays. Guys that want to win. Guys not looking to cash a check.

He brought in Culliver and Galette in his first off-season. Both had off the field issues but both are extreme competitors. He himself has a checkered past off the field.

I wouldn't close the door on guys like Nkemdiche or Spence just yet. Not saying we will pick either of them but I don't think they are off his list because of some transgressions either.

Been coming around to this thought line myself. But I think it's key that Scots gut take is that the same mistake off the field isn't happening again.

 

[Sharkinva]

I hear you on that. I do think that as a fan base we may may have misunderstood Scot when he said he's looking for character guys. I think we all assumed, including myself that he meant clean slate off the field.

What I think he meant was character on the field. Guys that play every play as if it's their last. Guys that sell out on Sundays. Guys that want to win. Guys not looking to cash a check.

He brought in Culliver and Galette in his first off-season. Both had off the field issues but both are extreme competitors. He himself has a checkered past off the field.

I wouldn't close the door on guys like Nkemdiche or Spence just yet. Not saying we will pick either of them but I don't think they are off his list because of some transgressions either.

Some people define Character as the ability to never screw up in the face of temptation.

Smart people define it as the ability to be human, which means occasionally screwing up ( some times very badly). But also the ability to own up to your mistakes, fix them and at least try to not make the same mistake again. The measure of a man is not if he can behave all the time, its if he can own up to his mistakes and refrain from making them again.

 

[gkekoa]

Difference between a free agent and a high draft pick with off the field issues. The free agent got a one year contract, the rookie is on a five year contract. A second rounder can be missed so chances are better...you can't afford to Russell a first rounder.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

No SM was quite clear what he meant when he said character. He said clearly he didn't want any problems on and off the field, which is why I was critical of his Culliver and Galette signings. Not that I didn't want the team to sign them, just that this high character thing is apparently flexible when talent is available.

As for Spence I'm not a prude when it comes to marijuana, I think the league's policy is as outdated as my kitchen. But as long as these rules are in place I'm a bit nervous about spending a first round pick on a gamble. This is a great draft, at 21 you can still get a star without the risk.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Difference between a free agent and a high draft pick with off the field issues.

Good point on this regarding a first rounder

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Good point on this regarding a first rounder

I liked how he turned "Russell" into a verb.

 

[kbso83432]

Difference between a free agent and a high draft pick with off the field issues. The free agent got a one year contract, the rookie is on a five year contract. A second rounder can be missed so chances are better...you can't afford to Russell a first rounder.

That's a good point.

 

[Sharkinva]

For every Randy Gregory, there is a T. Mathieu type who actually realizes whats at stake, and fixes the issue. Taking drug tests on his own for three months, keeping the records and sending them to the teams to me shows a bit of that character thing we are always concerned with. Again, Im not saying we take him with the 21st pick, but in the 2nd round... I wouldnt be mad at the pick.

 

[kbso83432]

No SM was quite clear what he meant when he said character. He said clearly he didn't want any problems on and off the field, which is why I was critical of his Culliver and Galette signings. Not that I didn't want the team to sign them, just that this high character thing is apparently flexible when talent is available.

As for Spence I'm not a prude when it comes to marijuana, I think the league's policy is as outdated as my kitchen. But as long as these rules are in place I'm a bit nervous about spending a first round pick on a gamble. This is a great draft, at 21 you can still get a star without the risk.

No, not at 21, but 53............