Arden Key-DE/OLB-LSU

To play devil's advocate, the defense has a bit more leadership this season. I think Sherman was brought in to be the Garcon-like big brother for the defense. The DL group also has Marsh and Mitchell, who can be examples of what it takes to be a pro. Plus, there's no Ray Ray to hang out with and almost get mugged with in the city. Also, the biggest drug threat (Foster) may be suspended. So, the environment might be better than it was for Foster.

That said, Arden Key the person is a big question mark. He didn't bomb the combine, so that's one up from Foster. Even if he's past his adversity, my hesitation is that he still needs to grow up fast. Honey Badger was able to and Aaron Lynch not so much. Judging from his interviews, he seems to genuinely enjoy the art of the pass rush, but is still a kid with some growing up to do. The risk might be manageable somewhere in round 3/4. Otherwise, IMO a Josh Sweat might be a less volatile edge choice (knock on wood for the knee).

Originally posted by zonkers:
To play devil's advocate, the defense has a bit more leadership this season. I think Sherman was brought in to be the Garcon-like big brother for the defense. The DL group also has Marsh and Mitchell, who can be examples of what it takes to be a pro. Plus, there's no Ray Ray to hang out with and almost get mugged with in the city. Also, the biggest drug threat (Foster) may be suspended. So, the environment might be better than it was for Foster.

This doesn't help when the season ends and players are off on their own with a plethora of free time on their hands. Middlekauff called it the most dangerous time of the year to football front offices because they're helpless and are required to stay away. Players like Sherman and Garcon are with their families, not babysitting grown men.

There's structure in college year-round, but in the NFL, these kids are sent off to be on their own with a bunch of money in their bank accounts for the first time in their lives and loads of free time.

With the 9th selection in the 2018 nfl draft. The 49ers select..... Arden Key.

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:
With the 9th selection in the 2018 nfl draft. The 49ers select..... Arden Key.

Oh hell no. I'd be super pissed for a long, long, ...long, long...long time.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:

With the 9th selection in the 2018 nfl draft. The 49ers select..... Arden Key.

Oh hell no. I'd be super pissed for a long, long, ...long, long...long time.

Even if he becomes DROY and stays out of trouble?

Originally posted by zonkers:

To play devil's advocate, the defense has a bit more leadership this season. I think Sherman was brought in to be the Garcon-like big brother for the defense. The DL group also has Marsh and Mitchell, who can be examples of what it takes to be a pro. Plus, there's no Ray Ray to hang out with and almost get mugged with in the city. Also, the biggest drug threat (Foster) may be suspended. So, the environment might be better than it was for Foster.

That said, Arden Key the person is a big question mark. He didn't bomb the combine, so that's one up from Foster. Even if he's past his adversity, my hesitation is that he still needs to grow up fast. Honey Badger was able to and Aaron Lynch not so much. Judging from his interviews, he seems to genuinely enjoy the art of the pass rush, but is still a kid with some growing up to do. The risk might be manageable somewhere in round 3/4. Otherwise, IMO a Josh Sweat might be a less volatile edge choice (knock on wood for the knee).

What I think saved Honey Badger was moving in with Patrick Peterson's family. He had constant support and accountability 24/7. That to me is absolutely essential if you're taking a chance on a troubled player.


Its not enough to give them support when they are around the team, you need to extend that support to when they are off the clock and offseason.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by zonkers:
To play devil's advocate, the defense has a bit more leadership this season. I think Sherman was brought in to be the Garcon-like big brother for the defense. The DL group also has Marsh and Mitchell, who can be examples of what it takes to be a pro. Plus, there's no Ray Ray to hang out with and almost get mugged with in the city. Also, the biggest drug threat (Foster) may be suspended. So, the environment might be better than it was for Foster.

This doesn't help when the season ends and players are off on their own with a plethora of free time on their hands. Middlekauff called it the most dangerous time of the year to football front offices because they're helpless and are required to stay away. Players like Sherman and Garcon are with their families, not babysitting grown men.

There's structure in college year-round, but in the NFL, these kids are sent off to be on their own with a bunch of money in their bank accounts for the first time in their lives and loads of free time.

All of this concerns me.

It is time for the league and the players' union to get together and formulate a plan so that guys like Key, and Foster, can get the kind of year round support and mentoring they need to learn to be responsible citizens.

There are many kids each year coming out of college that have no other preparation for life other than to play football. They come from bad family backgrounds where there is little or no emphasis placed on education, hence they have bad grades and never get a college degree. It isn't that they couldn't gain a better education or learn more life skills. They were just never given the opportunity. To shut these kids out of the NFL because of an oversight in the CBA is wrong.

There have been some fairly notable cases of players who were put in better situations and did well. Michael Oher was one well-known example. Honey Badger is another one and a more notable example of what needs to be done. The fact that Patrick Peterson took him under his wing when the CBA would not allow anything more is further proof the current restriction needs to be changed if we are to help these kids take advantage of the one talent they have coming out of college.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:
With the 9th selection in the 2018 nfl draft. The 49ers select..... Arden Key.

Oh hell no. I'd be super pissed for a long, long, ...long, long...long time.

If they use a 4rth rounder on him, I'd be ok with it.

If they don't get the LEO locked up in the 1st round, they might not have a choice. Probably would leave him on the board.

Originally posted by dj43:
All of this concerns me.

It is time for the league and the players' union to get together and formulate a plan so that guys like Key, and Foster, can get the kind of year round support and mentoring they need to learn to be responsible citizens.

There are many kids each year coming out of college that have no other preparation for life other than to play football. They come from bad family backgrounds where there is little or no emphasis placed on education, hence they have bad grades and never get a college degree. It isn't that they couldn't gain a better education or learn more life skills. They were just never given the opportunity. To shut these kids out of the NFL because of an oversight in the CBA is wrong.

There have been some fairly notable cases of players who were put in better situations and did well. Michael Oher was one well-known example. Honey Badger is another one and a more notable example of what needs to be done. The fact that Patrick Peterson took him under his wing when the CBA would not allow anything more is further proof the current restriction needs to be changed if we are to help these kids take advantage of the one talent they have coming out of college.

Well said!

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by dj43:
All of this concerns me.

It is time for the league and the players' union to get together and formulate a plan so that guys like Key, and Foster, can get the kind of year round support and mentoring they need to learn to be responsible citizens.

There are many kids each year coming out of college that have no other preparation for life other than to play football. They come from bad family backgrounds where there is little or no emphasis placed on education, hence they have bad grades and never get a college degree. It isn't that they couldn't gain a better education or learn more life skills. They were just never given the opportunity. To shut these kids out of the NFL because of an oversight in the CBA is wrong.

There have been some fairly notable cases of players who were put in better situations and did well. Michael Oher was one well-known example. Honey Badger is another one and a more notable example of what needs to be done. The fact that Patrick Peterson took him under his wing when the CBA would not allow anything more is further proof the current restriction needs to be changed if we are to help these kids take advantage of the one talent they have coming out of college.

Well said!

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:
With the 9th selection in the 2018 nfl draft. The 49ers select..... Arden Key.

Id give that about a .000000000000000000000000000000000001% chance of happening

I'd love to have an elite pass rusher...but with Foster facing 3 felony charges for domestic violence, Lynch's best bet is to draft an elite LB with the #9 pick. For me, that's Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds. Vander Esche is another possibility, even though many don't rate him as elite. I saw him play several times and he's outstanding.

I've heard this dude is a knucklehead but exactly what did he get in trouble for?

Originally posted by lamontb:

I've heard this dude is a knucklehead but exactly what did he get in trouble for?

He's Joe Williams, but an edge rusher.