Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington
 

What did you guys think? I didn't squeeze in many UofW games through the season, but yesterday this dude looked like men amongst boys. He looked VERY strong, stout at the point of attack, constantly was doubled and seemed to handle them well, made penetration on a few plays that helped Cam Johnson and Vinny Curry look like studs, and ran laterally down the LOS VERY good for a man 6'3'' 340. Looking like a true 34NT that could anchor down a D on 1st & 2nd down consistently..Thoughts?

Reminds me of Terrence Cody. Never going to generate a pass rush, but a very good two-down NT. Belongs in the 2nd.

He looked outstanding in the game and the occasional bits of practice that NFLN allowed us to see, but I wasn't overly impressed with his season. I think he's more than just a 2-down player. I would guess a 2nd round pick?

I thought his best ball was played down the stretch of the 2010 season for the Huskies. This year he never seemed to be able to string strong outings together, especially against good teams. As has been stated sometimes inside guys free up the rushers to do their job so not sure what was asked of him this past year. Solid rotational first and second down guy but i wouldnt jump for him too early. After the top 50 or so players he should get some serious attention.

He's a solid guy, I don't really like the Cody comparison cuz he has more energy than him IMO.

Terrence Cody wishes he had the movement skills Ta'amu has. Much quicker feet and better athleticism than Cody ever demonstrated on any level.

Liked him quite a bit in the practices, but as Babylon already mentioned, he never really played at a high level for a long stretch of time. Not sure if that's laziness or just a lack of refinement, but it's something that bears watching. Still, he'll likely be bumped up a bit(perhaps higher than he deserves) because he probably projects the best to being a NT better than the rest of the guys in the class(Poe is a DE in a 3-4 IMO). Solid second round grade, could go even higher due to supply and demand.

I never thought Alameda displayed that great of feet. I thought he struggled in practices on the 1 on 1 drills. Alameda showed me there he isn't a pass rusher at the next level, he is a space eater.

I still don't see a difference between the two. Alameda's ability as a pass rusher and feet are extremely overrated. There is a reason his production isn't as good as people expected of him, that's because many overrated his skills. Space eaters are going to disappear at times unless they are the elite of the elite at the position (Vince Wilfork, for example). Alameda is a two-down player at the next level.

I know most see him as a 34 NT prospect and he could certainly play there, but he may actually be best in a 43 where he can get up field and penetrate. He's not so much a guy who can just sit down, get extension and two-gap. He's definitely at his best when he is allowed to penetrate and can be disruptive in the backfield like we saw throughout his career and yesterday's game.

I wouldnt hate him if he slides down to the Bengals 2nd round pick.
We need to upgrade our DT's with someone who can take on double teams and not be rendered entirely useless. *cough*PEKO*cough*

I'm not a fan of Ta'amu. Just doesn't seem like a good NT at all. He's a guy with a NT body that plays like a UT. He really doesn't anchor well in the slightest and gets easily pushed back on double teams. He plays tall and doesn't use his natural leverage. The upside to him is that every once in a while he'll get off the ball quick, is able to penetrate and shoot the gap and blow up a play in the backfield. I wouldn't take him before the mid/late 2nd.

Like I said, I didn't watch a whole lot of him at UofW, but everything I saw yesterday is the exact opposite of what you said and that was against better competition. He didn't get blown back once (that I saw), hogged up doubles, penetrated consistently and essentially man handled any man up blockers. Perhaps there is a motivation problem? He just shows up when he wants? not sure, but it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Not sure why the differance in his play from the second half of 2010 to this past season, which wasnt terrible by the way. Not to pick on Nick Holt but better coaching at the next level might do him wonders.

Yah, i wouldn't be surprised to see if he had motivation problems. REALLY showed up in a BIG way for their bowl game vs. Nebraska last year, and the Sr. Bowl. But if you watch some video's from this year or last year durring the season at U Dub, he just didn't look good.

This was exactly my thought watching yesterday. I want him as the nose for Atlanta. He'd be a nice fit for Nolan.

350 lbs but relies more on his athleticism then his strength and size. i'm not sure if he'll be a good NT in the NFL. To play that position you need the right mentality, in which you will not be moved no matter how many guys block you. You don't need tackles, or sacks, or hits. I'm not sure this guy has that, plays a bit too flashy for a prototypical NT. I can see him being a very successful DT in a standard 4-3 or as a guy that can play the 2-gap in a team that plays in Nickel often. Uses his hands well and is very athletic for being so large. Can be very dangerous in the passing game in the right defense. I can see him being drafted for that purpose but my guess is that his NFL coach is going to ask him to lose 20 lbs or so, so he can keep that high motor during no huddle scenarios.

Poe has more upside.

Has a real shot to be a 10 year starter at NT in a 3-4. Solid late 1st rounder or early 2nd rounder.

I think Ta'amu might be a little better than Poe. fwiw he's got 6 career sacks and Poe has 5. both are excellent NT prospects.

I thought he destroyed his stock in the Alamo Bowl game, but I guess he impressed folks at the Senior Bowl. It's not really surprising that he would look good in practice where you don't have the same endurance needs compared to a full game. It's pretty much known amongst those who gamble on games that Washington is a team that you bet against in the 2nd half because they tire out on defense.

He actually didn't have great practices, he had a great game. There are conditioning issues and is far from inconsistent. Coaching will be huge.

They tired out mostly because they didnt have the depth to rotate guys along the front line. Against Baylor they were gassed because of the hurry up offense and in the second half they were on the field too much.

What did you hear around the Senior Bowl around his stock J-Boobie? I'm curious as to where some of the NFL guys have him valued.

Top 50 value. I wouldn't be overly surprised to see him sneak into the first a la James Carpenter last year.

He probably has no chance at the first. 2 down NTs dont have the value of OTs.

Wouldn't say no chance with a few teams in the 20-30 range with a big NT need. Teams are probably higher on his motor than they were Terrence Cody, but a guy as athletic as him has some upside. If the combine numbers are there, it will be interesting.