We all knew watching Calvin Pryor last year that this wasn’t your average Safety. Over and over Pryor would make plays, whether a one handed INT or a monster hit, that would leave us speechless. While we knew he was special I don’t know that anyone grasp just how good Pryor may be. Upon arriving at Jets camp Pryor immediately started making an impact, so much so many people began speculating he could be moving into the starting role. ESPN has also taken notice and in Ashley Fox’s new article she makes the bold prediction that Calvin Pryor will be Defensive Rookie of the Year.
(From Article)
“Pryor’s head wasn’t spinning after his first minicamp. His mouth was running, yes, to the point that second-year quarterback Geno Smith quipped that Pryor had not earned the right to chirp. Yet.
But that is Pryor’s nature, and he is a perfect fit for the Jets. Pryor is, as Jets head coach Rex Ryan noted after selecting him, in the mold of Seattle safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas: big, brash, a vicious hitter with range, who is able to blitz from various spots on the field, and an enforcer for the back of the defense.
“It’s how we want to play defense,” Ryan said at the time, while noting: “Big hits still win games.”
“Pryor played three seasons at Louisville. He started the final seven games as a true freshman and developed a reputation as a hitter, hence the nickname “Louisville Slugger.” As a junior last season, the 6-foot-2, 208-pound Pryor knocked an opponent out of each game of a three-game stretch. He finished his collegiate career as Louisville’s all-time leader with nine forced fumbles. He also had seven interceptions.”
“It is inevitable that Pryor will make big hits. He should be able to create turnovers. He will make plays. And if Pryor does so from the jump, he should add another line to his résumé: NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.”
Whether Pryor wins ROY or not I think we all can agree the “Louisville Slugger” will have the best nickname in all of football.
