LB Ivan Pace Jr.
Got another shout out from Harrison Smith yesterday. If there's a Mr. Mankato, this is the guy. Stay tuned.
These are his strengths as listed from a NFL.com pre-draft profile:
Strengths
- Recorded 262 tackles with 34.5 for loss over the last two seasons.
- Densely bound frame with rare lower-body power.
- Rare contact balance to withstand force and stay balanced.
- GPS to reroute and go make the play.
- Feet and athleticism to slip block seamlessly when needed.
- Surprisingly effective as a stand-up rusher over the guard.
- Balances eyes between routes and quarterback in coverage.
- Possesses the heart of a special teams lion.
What is the expression? A bowling ball lined with razor blades? That's what Ivan Pace Jr is... he's making an impression.
Still think it's unlikely he ends up a starter as a rookie, but he'll make the 53 man roster as a special teams guy and may push for some snaps as a situational pass rusher. Could be our next Adam Thielen on the defensive side where he ends up being a great player for us as an UDFA.
I wonder if teams just forgot about IPJ. I know that sounds ridiculous, because it is. But teams have certain size benchmarks players must meet in order to even be listed on their draft boards.
Why else do you not take a flyer in the 6th or 7th round on one of the best LBs in the country? Once again, kudos to the Wilfs for opening up the purse strings on two of the best UDFAs in the country. Andre Carter being the other.
@"MaroonBells" said: I wonder if teams just forgot about IPJ. I know that sounds ridiculous, because it is. But teams have certain size benchmarks players must meet in order to even be listed on their draft boards.Why else do you not take a flyer in the 6th or 7th round on one of the best LBs in the country? Once again, kudos to the Wilfs for opening up the purse strings on two of the best UDFAs in the country. Andre Carter being the other.
Carter is just going to get back on the field this week too.
He was even getting some 1st team reps alongside Hicks at ILB this week. Hicks is apparently safe because they want 1 vet out there, but Asamoah may be in a real competition for the other ILB spot.
More on IPJ (for those who can handle it) :-)
"Undrafted. Undersized. Just 230 pounds, he's a heat-seeking missile. Talk to anyone there--he's been one of the real standouts of @Vikings camp."
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) August 8, 2023
- @PSchrags on rookie LB and undrafted unanimous All-American LB Ivan Pace, Jr. pic.twitter.com/WplUfwqfVA
How T F are you a unanimous All American @ LB and go un-drafted?
NFL can be stoopid and crazy...
Can you imagine getting hit in the shins from this human bowling ball at full speed...?
@"MaroonBells" said: I wonder if teams just forgot about IPJ. I know that sounds ridiculous, because it is. But teams have certain size benchmarks players must meet in order to even be listed on their draft boards.Why else do you not take a flyer in the 6th or 7th round on one of the best LBs in the country? Once again, kudos to the Wilfs for opening up the purse strings on two of the best UDFAs in the country. Andre Carter being the other.
Yea our owners really want to win and are not shy about shelling out the bucks.
@"minny65" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I wonder if teams just forgot about IPJ. I know that sounds ridiculous, because it is. But teams have certain size benchmarks players must meet in order to even be listed on their draft boards.Why else do you not take a flyer in the 6th or 7th round on one of the best LBs in the country? Once again, kudos to the Wilfs for opening up the purse strings on two of the best UDFAs in the country. Andre Carter being the other.
Yea our owners really want to win and are not shy about shelling out the bucks.
It's stupid not to IMO. When your payroll is over $200M and the lowest paid player on your roster clears $800K, it's insane to me that more owners don't risk $300K on a couple of UDFA signing bonuses. Austin Ekeler was a UDFA. Shaq Barrett. Adam Thielen. In the past, Warren Moon, Kurt Warner.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"minny65" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I wonder if teams just forgot about IPJ. I know that sounds ridiculous, because it is. But teams have certain size benchmarks players must meet in order to even be listed on their draft boards.Why else do you not take a flyer in the 6th or 7th round on one of the best LBs in the country? Once again, kudos to the Wilfs for opening up the purse strings on two of the best UDFAs in the country. Andre Carter being the other.
Yea our owners really want to win and are not shy about shelling out the bucks.
It's stupid not to IMO. When your payroll is over $200M and the lowest paid player on your roster clears $800K, it's insane to me that more owners don't risk $300K on a couple of UDFA signing bonuses. Austin Ekeler was a UDFA. Shaq Barrett. Adam Thielen. In the past, Warren Moon, Kurt Warner.
Agree, don't forget one of the true Vikings greats was an UDFA too...John Randle.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"minny65" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I wonder if teams just forgot about IPJ. I know that sounds ridiculous, because it is. But teams have certain size benchmarks players must meet in order to even be listed on their draft boards.Why else do you not take a flyer in the 6th or 7th round on one of the best LBs in the country? Once again, kudos to the Wilfs for opening up the purse strings on two of the best UDFAs in the country. Andre Carter being the other.
Yea our owners really want to win and are not shy about shelling out the bucks.
It's stupid not to IMO. When your payroll is over $200M and the lowest paid player on your roster clears $800K, it's insane to me that more owners don't risk $300K on a couple of UDFA signing bonuses. Austin Ekeler was a UDFA. Shaq Barrett. Adam Thielen. In the past, Warren Moon, Kurt Warner.
That was my thought as well. It is like spending 30k a year for your kids college and not wanting to spend a $2 on parking when you visit them.
@"greediron" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"minny65" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I wonder if teams just forgot about IPJ. I know that sounds ridiculous, because it is. But teams have certain size benchmarks players must meet in order to even be listed on their draft boards.Why else do you not take a flyer in the 6th or 7th round on one of the best LBs in the country? Once again, kudos to the Wilfs for opening up the purse strings on two of the best UDFAs in the country. Andre Carter being the other.
Yea our owners really want to win and are not shy about shelling out the bucks.
It's stupid not to IMO. When your payroll is over $200M and the lowest paid player on your roster clears $800K, it's insane to me that more owners don't risk $300K on a couple of UDFA signing bonuses. Austin Ekeler was a UDFA. Shaq Barrett. Adam Thielen. In the past, Warren Moon, Kurt Warner.
That was my thought as well. It is like spending 30k a year for your kids college and not wanting to spend a $2 on parking when you visit them.
Agree it is smart but we seem to outspend on our UDFA's vs every other team so every other team is not as willing. We have a couple of posters who think the Wilf's are just happy with a decent team to draw audience and revenue but I really think they spend up to the max on salary CAP every year and we have top rated facilities. I don't know what the Wilf's can do to convince others that they are in this to win a SB.
Pace highlights...
Ivan Pace Jr. says hello to the Seahawks' right guard pic.twitter.com/JeirV5Pq7n
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 11, 2023
More IPJ love...
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) August 11, 2023
@"MaroonBells" said: More IPJ love...— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) August 11, 2023
@"MaroonBells" said:
More IPJ love...— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) August 11, 2023
wearing a #40, just go ahead and put his name on the roster in ink right now.
@"MaroonBells" said: Pace highlights...Another nice Ivan Pace Jr. run fit pic.twitter.com/xtvFcHsB4m
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 11, 2023
That wasn't just a fit, that was a fill.
Kinda strange that after Addison, this is the kid everyone is watching from our draft. Maybe it'll make Cine and Booth sucking feel better.
@"MaroonBells" said: Pace highlights...Ivan Pace Jr. says hello to the Seahawks' right guard pic.twitter.com/JeirV5Pq7n
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 11, 2023
Either he needs the nickname of scarface or everyone else on D needs this on a t-shirt.
Man, makes you wonder if he's actually going to crack the starting line-up?
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