Judging from the way ex-players talk about him, his super power seems to be how loose and linker he is at nearly 250lbs. So as an example he can have parts of his body appear to breaking out but not slow down when making his break. His A+ acceleration doesn’t hurt either.
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I was, and am still somewhat, on record of saying that I wouldn’t have taken any TE this early until the Williams debacle. I love LaPorta as a player and I get it but I also understand where fans are coming from who thought that there could have been better choices with the pick.
We’ve reached that annoying part of the rebuild where the coaches fall in love with a prospect for the role they see him having on their team.
When Porter Jr came off the board, I didn’t really care any longer which way they went.
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Justin Rogers with a film study on LaPorta in today’s News.
This one line made me laugh, nice shot at Hock.
LaPorta shows good feel with his route running. He’s able to shake a linebacker and most defensive backs with surprisingly quick footwork, releasing at the line of scrimmage, and he uses his size to his advantage when pressed or closing a cushion against off-man coverage, physically playing through the contact to create separation. And one thing Lions fans will love is his ability to stay on his feet after the catch.
He avg 6.0 yards after the catch.
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Just wanted to add a few bits of information. LaPorta had drops, yep, and he had a QB who sucked and didn’t throw a catchable ball, Is that a thing, a catchable ball??? Yes. " I heard Bill Walsh say this back in the day, the first thing he would always look for with quarterbacks is, ‘Does he throw a catchable ball?’ Matthew has a strong arm but he paces it as necessary as what’s required based on the type of throw, the type of concept. And you can talk to the receivers, the skill players and they love it because it only comes as hard as necessary and they give themselves a chance to create after the catch."
Spencer Petras was LaPortas QB and he sucked, worst college QB in the NCAA last year and I don’t care what level you’re talking about. The man had a QBR of 31.3 and the only reason it got THAT high is because of LaPorta. When targeting LaPorta he had a QBR of 80.3, 49 points higher than his average. Forty-nine ■■■■■■■ points higher. That mother ■■■■■■■ loser threw a total of 5 TD passes last year against 5 int’s. So when you wonder about his numbers, his drops, the fact that that ■■■■■■■ loser throwing him a ball he could even catch is like a miracle to begin with, just wait until it’s Goff tossing them before you decide what we got.
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Do you Michael Mayer would have been a better pick for us?
After watching some Iowa games I’m worried that he’s never had a QB that throws with any anticipation.
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I think the point is TE vs the player. I trust them with how they grade their picks as well as what they will ask from them. I hated our TE room before last season started but even with the departure of Hock and Fells the group seemed to be really hitting their stride at season end.
The lions paid him off so Laporte wouldn’t stand out as a prospect and we could get him
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LePorta’s best football is ahead of him for sure. I hope we are firing on all cylinders by december. I assume the rookies will take some time to get going at the level of consistency that Goff and BJ require
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Our most difficult positions to learn are filled by veteran-ish players now. Even Branch being picked as high as he was, will have time to develop…TE…Laporte…same.
We’re Gonna come out winning this year. Per usual they’ll get better as the season wears on. Just set up w/talent & depth from the beginning this time.
No longer the youngest team in the league starting all rookies. Rookies are lucky to get on the field now.
Also–> mostly healthy. LOVE the way Holmes is acquiring injured guy for cheap. Next up…Hooker
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LaPorta’s first post practice interview is terrific. He comes across as very likeable.
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Love this interview, just watched and came to post and you beat me to it!
@stephenboyd57 do you get a little bit of a Chris Farley vibe from him? He’s a young dude but just the way he was kinda laughing and talking and how he answered some questions.
“So what’s it gonna be like catching passes from Goff?”
“I grew up watching the rams, it’s gonna be awesome!”
Loved his answer at the end about Gibbs - “I can’t wait to block for him”.
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Okay. Everybody here knows how I feel / felt about drafting a TE. That said it wasn’t his call and I’m not going to hold it against him. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. Funny guy.
I’m trying to come from a place of love on this one. 
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And that’s saying something because their QB was less accurate than Conor!!
I think Trevor Kelce’s first pitch was worse than that one.
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