Austin Booker

[Mongo3451]

This guy does a decent job breaking down Booker from the HOF game.  It's almost like they are wanting Booker to practice the QB moving up in the pocket as if Sweat will force that response.  Tell me what you see. 

 

[Stinger226]

The Football Scout has al lot of Bear content. It shows Booker has some good traits and will eventually show up in pressures and sacks. Like he said, he will probably be a situational pass rusher in the begining.

[AZ54]

In one practice game Booker has shown more positive traits than Dominique Robinson, who I think gets cut.   Booker is still young and needs a couple years to add strength but there's enough on this tape to believe he can contribute as a pass rush specialist.  

As far as the intent of the inside moves perhaps there is some coaching focus there but my hope is that Dexter provides that, not Booker.  He was also getting a bit more attention that I expected on some plays.  That is likely just the design of the play rather than them scheming against him but it was good to see how he handled those situations and it gives him tape on what to improve.  

The one thing I didn't see is him really bending around the edge.  He's got to add that to his portfolio and I think he can.  It'll be good to watch him across the preseason.  

 

[BearFan PHX]

1 hour ago, AZ54 said:

In one practice game Booker has shown more positive traits than Dominique Robinson, who I think gets cut.   Booker is still young and needs a couple years to add strength but there's enough on this tape to believe he can contribute as a pass rush specialist.  

As far as the intent of the inside moves perhaps there is some coaching focus there but my hope is that Dexter provides that, not Booker.  He was also getting a bit more attention that I expected on some plays.  That is likely just the design of the play rather than them scheming against him but it was good to see how he handled those situations and it gives him tape on what to improve.  

The one thing I didn't see is him really bending around the edge.  He's got to add that to his portfolio and I think he can.  It'll be good to watch him across the preseason.  

 

(once again) I agree with all your analysis! I have read that Booker has tons of bend, so maybe we just didnt see it in the game for some reason?

[adam]

To me it looked like he won a lot of reps, more than I thought. The run game is going to be the concern. Can you hold the edge or fill a gap and not get lost in the wash?

[Mongo3451]

6 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

(once again) I agree with all your analysis! I have read that Booker has tons of bend, so maybe we just didnt see it in the game for some reason?

Same.  That's why I asked, because it seemed intentional.

[BearFan PHX]

43 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Same.  That's why I asked, because it seemed intentional.

I wonder how much freedom a pass rusher has to decide which move they are starting off with. Whether they will attack the outside shoulder, bull rush or slip inside. I know of course that as soon as half a second has happened, then you react to what is going on in front of you and all plans are reevaluated, but i wonder if the original play call specifies that, or if they could even tell him something like that?

Obviously if there is a stunt that's one thing, and if you are the contain man, that may dictate an outside path, but in regular plays without stunts, I wonder if that is up to the player or assigned?

And either way, maybe they told him they wanted to see him work on inside moves more. Just to gain experience?

It's an interesting question. I wonder if we will pick up something on Hard Knocks that sheds any light.

[Mongo3451]

35 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I wonder how much freedom a pass rusher has to decide which move they are starting off with.

If there is no stunt and/or blitz, the EDGE rusher usually goes on feel.  If you get a tackle with happy feet, you bull rush him and put him on skates.  If you get a QB like Fields, scheme rushes are best to keep containment up the middle and outside. 

There are so many factors and I'm only speaking D1 level in college.  I didn't play in college, but my best friend was a D1 EDGE and played in Europe until he was 35.  Each level is a huge elevation in complexity.

[BearFan PHX]

3 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

If there is no stunt and/or blitz, the EDGE rusher usually goes on feel.  If you get a tackle with happy feet, you bull rush him and put him on skates.  If you get a QB like Fields, scheme rushes are best to keep containment up the middle and outside. 

There are so many factors and I'm only speaking D1 level in college.  I didn't play in college, but my best friend was a D1 EDGE and played in Europe until he was 35.  Each level is a huge elevation in complexity.

Im sure!

EVen if they dont have specific technique assignments, they still could have told Booker "we want to see interior and bull rush moves this week, we know you can bend" and like you, I wonder if they did.

[AZ54]

Despite all the positive reviews this week it has been Dom Rob getting more first team reps.  Robinson responded reportedly with some good play.  I’m curious to see how they both look in this next game.  If Washington found a way to get more out of Robinson that bodes well for the future of our Dline. 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

1 hour ago, AZ54 said:

Despite all the positive reviews this week it has been Dom Rob getting more first team reps.  Robinson responded reportedly with some good play.  I’m curious to see how they both look in this next game.  If Washington found a way to get more out of Robinson that bodes well for the future of our Dline. 

I feel Poles would want to see his first project player through.  Robinson was a WR, converted  to DE  which is not a norm you ever see. If any coach can get him to produce, it is Washington.  

[Pixote]

On 8/4/2024 at 12:57 AM, BearFan PHX said:

Im sure!

EVen if they dont have specific technique assignments, they still could have told Booker "we want to see interior and bull rush moves this week, we know you can bend" and like you, I wonder if they did.

I know, in watching his college tape, Booker has exceptional "bend & speed" moves. Here is an interesting excerpt from his rookie diary on the Bears' website published this morning.:

Quote

I was doing mostly power moves against the Texans which was just my instinct based on what the offensive line was giving me. They gave me a bunch of passive sets where the lineman is backing up and waiting for you versus being aggressive. Usually on those, you want to go power — go right down the middle of a guy, put your hands on them and drive back. But doing that every time won't work because it takes a while to get to the quarterback that way.

This week, I want to go back to my roots of speed moves and staying on the edge a little more — at least give a mix of power and speed. The speed moves are more finesse moves, trying to get a guy on his toes and make him guess.

 

[Pixote]

2.5 sacks

3 Hits

2 TFL

5 solo Tackles

The dude is a baller.

If Booker continues playing like this in preseason, he may be a starter against Tennessee.

 

[Mongo3451]

32 minutes ago, Pixote said:

2.5 sacks

3 Hits

2 TFL

5 solo Tackles

The dude is a baller.

If Booker continues playing like this in preseason, he may be a starter against Tennessee.

 

Jurko said he looked great against guys that will be mowing lawns in a few weeks.  He's looking forward to seeing him work with the first team next week, as Sweat probably won't play.

[BearFan PHX]

12 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Jurko said he looked great against guys that will be mowing lawns in a few weeks.  He's looking forward to seeing him work with the first team next week, as Sweat probably won't play.

yeah, if someone is gonna make the team, they should stand out against the scrubs. If Booker hadnt, that would have been a problem. That he did, is a great sign that hes on his way to being great for us.

[Stinger226]

Of course the competition is below  standard but its better than not being noticed at all. I dont think he starts but positive plays is a confident builder. He at least can contribute on a rotation basis.

[Mongo3451]

1 hour ago, Stinger226 said:

Of course the competition is below  standard but its better than not being noticed at all. I dont think he starts but positive plays is a confident builder. He at least can contribute on a rotation basis.

Totally agree.  His interview, after the game, was great.  Surprisingly, it's kinda coming naturally to him.  That's a really good sign.

[AZ54]

Wait for the film reviews.  His hustle is what really stands out.  Dude won’t quit on a play.   

[AZ54]

 

[AZ54]

 

[BearFan PHX]

21 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Wait for the film reviews.  His hustle is what really stands out.  Dude won’t quit on a play.   

yeah great motor.

I couldnt help but notice Kareem on the other side doesnt suck either.

[Mongo3451]

I'm excited to see him this weekend.  He'll get more than a handful of snaps with the starters.  We know the pass rush promise is there.  If he's going to be our "rookie" Micah Parsons, the run game has to get up to average.  He acknowledged that he has a way to go on that regard.

[Stinger226]

The first video stated he is 240 lbs. He dropped weight for the combine, normally he played at 254. I expect he put the weight back on. I would say his frame could handle 260 lbs. He will become a monster once he gets strength. What we have to remember, he is 21 yrs old, he now has the advantage of the NFL program on nutrition, workouts and Eric Washington to make him a stud. Not sure how quickly he grows but Sweat hasnt played the first 2 games and once he plays reguarly, lots of oppurtunities to show his stuff. 

[adam]

Fearless forecast: Booker will be better than Leonard Floyd was with the Bears.  

[Pixote]

2 hours ago, adam said:

Fearless forecast: Booker will be better than Leonard Floyd was with the Bears.  

I still get pi**ed every time I think of Floyd. He only averaged around 4.5 sacks a year for us, then goes via FA. So what does he do, averages 10 sacks a year for LAR & BUF. 

If Booker continues to impress, I want him to get a chance to start opposite Sweat. I know the last game, he didn't start against the 1s, but there were two plays (I read) where he pushed a three-time all-pro tackle backward, opening up lanes to sack the QB. I think he can hold his own against a team's 1s. Let's see what he does this week.