Darnell Wright: The Perils of a Microwave Mentality in Modern Sports
From the moment he stepped onto the gridiron in college, Darnell Wright was an intriguing prospect. He dominated his opponents with ease, and his talent seemed boundless. But as the tenth overall pick for the Bears, he's about to face the real test � transitioning to the NFL. Is he ready for the challenge? Well, before we rush to judgment, let's reflect on some history lessons.
Lessons from Penei Sewell's Rocky Start
Penei Sewell, now a Pro Bowler, had an alarming start right after being the #7 overall pick in the 2021 draft. His preseason was nothing short of disastrous. A glance at one of his clips shows severe missteps, a missed punch, and his feet getting entangled, allowing an easy sack on his quarterback.
His overall preseason performance was marked by poor grades - 38.6 overall and 27.0 in pass-block (with 60 being a replacement-level benchmark) by PFF Grades. He was evidently uncomfortable at Right Tackle, leading to hesitancy and defeat more often than not.
But what did this mean for his career? Absolutely nothing.
Wright's Transition and What to Expect
Darnell Wright's journey is a story that is still being written. The transition from college-level techniques to the demands of the NFL is never simple.
He's had to adapt to a new weight range, from around 350lbs during college to a lean 317lbs now. He's learning a new playbook filled with sophisticated rushing strategies and unlearning bad habits he acquired while outmatching his college opponents. All of this in just a few weeks.
Imagine the difficulty of adjusting his kick-step while learning to stop an NFL bull-rush with an anchor nearly 35lbs lighter than he's used to. There's no room for error as opponents like Rashan Gary and Shaq Barrett won't hesitate to exploit weaknesses in his defense.
Training and the Upcoming Challenges
The exciting news is that Wright possesses some incredible tools, like his advanced hand-usage and innate stopping power. He should flourish as he learns to protect Justin Fields and dominate in the run game. Just check out some examples from his college days - his repertoire of pass protection moves, including punches, counters, and slams, is among the best in his draft class.
But as fans eagerly await his debut this Saturday, it's crucial to recognize that mistakes will happen. It doesn't mean his career is doomed.
- Andrew Thomas, the 2020 4th overall pick, struggled in his first year but then played at an All-Pro level.- Penei Sewell rebounded from a dismal preseason to enjoy a solid rookie season and even made the Pro Bowl in his second year.- Evan Neal altered his stance after a difficult rookie season in preparation for a brighter future.
Conclusion: Embrace the Process
Darnell Wright's career is a process that will take time, patience, and growth. The path to becoming an NFL Offensive Tackle is often filled with bumps, twists, and turns. The excitement lies in watching a young player strive to become the best version of himself.
As we prepare to watch Wright on the field, let's remember to view his journey as a process rather than rush to conclusions based on initial performances. After all, the Wright way is the only way to appreciate the game.
| POLL | ||
9 AOUT | 22 ANSWERS Darnell Wright: The Perils of a Microwave Mentality in Modern Sports Will Darnell Wright be a Day 1 starter for the Bears? | ||
| yes | 17 | 77.3 % |
| No | 5 | 22.7 % |
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