ZTF is what he is. When he broke out in the covid year he was obviously effective rushing the passer but he was a liability setting the edge. Last year he wasn't going to unseat Martin or Trice, guys who were great at both rushing the passer and setting the edge.
Trice is back next year so he obviously starts. The question is: if ZTF is still lacking in his ability to defend the run are the coaches willing to play him because of what he brings in the pass rush or would they rather play a more solid run defender who isn't as productive as a pass rusher? Under Pete it feels like they sort of did this we Benning Potoae... a guy who was almost zero threat as a pass rusher but was really solid in the run game.
Part of me wonders if luck played a big part in his breakout 3 game performance during the covid year. I can't remember if he was truly dominant or if he lucked into a few of those sacks
Part of me wonders if luck played a big part in his breakout 3 game performance during the covid year. I can't remember if he was truly dominant or if he lucked into a few of those sacks
He dominated. It wasn’t luck. He lost a bunch of weight since the injury, not sure if it mattered. Nasty injury.
Part of me wonders if luck played a big part in his breakout 3 game performance during the covid year. I can't remember if he was truly dominant or if he lucked into a few of those sacks
He dominated. It wasn’t luck. He lost a bunch of weight since the injury, not sure if it mattered. Nasty injury.
He was steamrolling blockers and QBs before the injury. The sample size wasn't big but you can't argue with how he was dominating. He was on a roll that only an injury or a short season were going to stop.
I doubt that guy returns but getting back up to his ideal playing weight is a good first step.
Part of me wonders if luck played a big part in his breakout 3 game performance during the covid year. I can't remember if he was truly dominant or if he lucked into a few of those sacks
He dominated. It wasn’t luck. He lost a bunch of weight since the injury, not sure if it mattered. Nasty injury.
He was steamrolling blockers and QBs before the injury. The sample size wasn't big but you can't argue with how he was dominating. He was on a roll that only an injury or a short season were going to stop.
I doubt that guy returns but getting back up to his ideal playing weight is a good first step.
He needs to be at least 255-260 IMO. Probably closer to 270 if he wants to bulldoze tackles the way he did in 2020 when he was 280. The 240-245 he played at last year is too light for his skill set. I feel like he slimmed down to take pressure off the tendon but adding more than 20lbs of good weight in one offseason seems like a lot to ask. EWIWBI
Comments
Or more importantly during this conference realignment shit show, northwest champs.
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/heres-how-the-huskies-are-pushing-past-prosperity-through-constant-competition/
Trice is back next year so he obviously starts. The question is: if ZTF is still lacking in his ability to defend the run are the coaches willing to play him because of what he brings in the pass rush or would they rather play a more solid run defender who isn't as productive as a pass rusher? Under Pete it feels like they sort of did this we Benning Potoae... a guy who was almost zero threat as a pass rusher but was really solid in the run game.
I doubt that guy returns but getting back up to his ideal playing weight is a good first step.