I know the NFL scouts will evaluate players by far different standards than going by what they did at the college level. And by all accounts, Lemonier should do well when measured according to his physical ability. That being said, he completely disappeared after two games this season. I have no idea why. If it was injuries, I get it. If he wasn't injured, I have to believe he mailed it in like so many others on the team. In games against Climpsum and MSU, he was flat out disruptive. Even if he didn't get to the QB, he was right there, forcing him out of the pocket. I honestly can't recall a single play he made after the MSU game.
As I posted in this thread earlier, he had 5 of his 5.5 sacks in the first 4 games. He had 2 vs LSU (game 4). The whole team fell apart after that game, and it is a team game. Did he mail it in? I have no idea. I know this, he was our only thing resembling a defensive threat, and I have no doubt that teams, through film study, did something to take him out of the mix as at that time, he was on pace to have 16 sacks on the season. He also had no stats available for the Ole Miss game (game 6) which could indicate an injury. All his numbers dropped off significantly after games 4 and 5. Why? Your guess is as good as any, but just a guess. And, it matters not now really.
Your first sentence is spot on. They don't give a shit what happened this past season. They're looking for physical skills they can measure.
It may be a bit of an extreme example, but Jimmy Graham, TE Saints played one season of college football, and had a total of 17 Rec for 213 yds and 5 TDs. He was a 3rd round pick based almost solely on measurable physical ability.
Antonio Gates, TE Chargers, never played a down of college football, in part because when he went to Mich. St. to play both Football and Bball, the mighty midget named Saban wouldn't let him do both.
25 Replies
2473 Views