My take on the selection of Tyson Alualu (also a scout report about the newest Jaguar)

I slept 5 hours before I would write about this pick without getting too too emotional about it. It is always good if you are thinking through your thoughts. I will stand by this statement… until September the Jaguars and Gene Smith have made a big reach for Alualu. Even in the most optimistic scenario, Tyson would have been selected at the end of the 1st round with the 27th pick by New England. Instead Gene Smith made him a Top 10 pick. So that alone says to me; when a player is selected 17 picks higher then his best case scenario; you just did a bit of a reach.

But now comes the good part. Alualu is a reach, but only until September! If he hits the field and is what Gene expected; a DT with a powerful pass rush (you know the things we lacked last year) and a great cannot switch off type of motor, with true leader abilities; well then I think 1 year from now nobody will say he was a reach! Nobody questions the GM about where a great player was drafted in hindsight!

This guy had 17 sacks; he can play anywhere in the D-line; fits to both defensive scheme system (If we switch in the future to a 3-4 system we have a NT – Knighton-; and a DE –Alualu-; just saying…). He has great hands; he will always put his best effort to the field; he is a hard worker; with great work ethics; so I think we must not worry about what  the lot of money will do with him; looks like he is very durable; (he played all 52 games for the Golden Bears; and started 40 of them…)

He is a 6; 3; 295 lbs senior. He was selected the Defensive player of the year in 2005 in his last year in high school in his division (Interscholastic League of Honolulu). He recorded seven sacks and 59 tackles (39 were solo) in that year. In his freshman year; he saw action in every game; started in 1; registered 16 tackles which was the 4th most in his team. In his sophomore year; he played and started every game; recorded 52 tackles (3.5 TFLs); 23 of the was solo; had 2;5 sacks; 1 Interception and 4 QB hurries and 4 fumble recoveries (one of them against Arizona was returned for a TD; I’m sure Eben Britton and Mike Thomas – 2 ex Wildcat; who were on the field for Arizona back then can remember that action as well). He earned the Brick Muller Award as the team’s most valuable defensive lineman!

In his junior year started and played every 13 games; had 62 tackles (11.0 TFLs); most for a California defensive lineman since Duane Clemons had 82 in 1995. He had 6 sacks; 2FFs; and 6 QB hurries. He once again earned California’s Brick Muller Award as the team’s most valuable defensive lineman! In his senior year; he started all 13 games; finished the season with 7.5 sacks 65 tackles (led all Pac-10 linemen); 30 solos; and 11.5 TFLs had once again 2 FFs . He earned first-team All-Pac-10 selection; won four team awards (Brick Muller Award – Most Valuable Defensive Lineman; Joe Roth Award – Player best exemplifying courage, attitude and sportsmanship; Cort Majors Captain – Defense, Senior Lifter of the Year) with the Brick Muller honor he have earned that award to the 3rd consecutive time.

He finished his career at California with 195 tackles (74 were solo) 26, TFLs; 17 sacks; 7 passes defended, 4forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries(1 TD), a blocked kick, an interception that he returned eight yards and 11 quarterback hurries. He has a very impressive Senior Bowl in February 2010; where he contributed a sack for a loss of four yards, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His sack was executed against Tim Tebow…

So we can see; what he is. A DT who can be a threat in the pass rush (Joe Cullen I think can’t wait to work with him); has great motor;  I read in some places that he has archived much more then his physical abilities indicates already. His height maybe not the most ideal to the position. He has  sometimes problems; how to handle the O-line blocks. And the biggest things is with him comes from his versatility. Even California can’t figured out really which is his true position DE or DT. I think Gene selected him as a DT; but maybe he is a true 3-4 DE. But hey; we thought Knighton is a 3-4 NT; and he was pretty good at a 4-5 DT….

So this is what I got from Tyson. We will never be worried about his commitment; his work ethics. He looks like durable too. He can rush the passer. This are facts. Is he a Top 10 worth pick? I hope yes; but we must wait for the answer until the season begins. If he turns out to be great; Gene will look like a genius. If not; well… then the Jaguars made a step toward Los Angeles/London…

Zoltan Paksa