Armond Armstead Retires

[RedOctober3829]

Tom E. Curran ‏@tomecurran
The Patriots have signed Armond Armstead, according to a source. Former USC player was productive as CFL pass rusher in 2012. #PatriotsTalk

https://twitter.com/...836250115354624

He is only 22 years old. 6-foot-5, 295 lbs. 6 sacks last year in the CFL for Toronto. Looks to be very athletic. Came out of USC, but chest pains prevented him from being cleared to play in 2011. He sued USC because he claimed it was mandatory that he was shot up with Toradol and eventually won. He wasn't picked in the 2012 draft and played in Canada.

Here is a highlight video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PZjbbph7O-g#!

 

[SoxScout]

Can't believe I'm going to do this, but here is a recent Bleacher Report writeup:Who is Armond Armstead, and Why Are NFL Teams Hot on His Heels?

Toronto Argonauts defensive tackle Armond Armstead, who ESPN's Adam Schefter calls the equivalent of a "high draft pick," has already visited with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts and may visit with more teams before deciding where to sign. His decision is supposed to be made this week.

The 22-year-old Armstead, who was a CFL All-Star in his one year in Toronto, racked up six sacks in helping to lead the Argonauts in the Grey Cup in 2012.

Prior to that Armstead played at USC for three years, racking up 43 tackles and three sacks as a junior. Headed into the 2011 campaign, there were high hopes for both Armstead's senior year in Los Angeles and his prospects for the NFL.

Things didn't go as planned though. The 6'5", 300-pound Armstead experienced chest pains during training in February 2011 and was not cleared by USC to play at all that season. The incident led to a 2012 lawsuit by Armstead against the university in which Armstead alleges that mandatory injections of the controversial painkiller Toradol caused a heart attack, according to a report by Pedro Moura of ESPN.

After Armstead's recent visit to Indianapolis general manager Ryan Grigson came away impressed, according to the Associated Press via ESPN.

"He was here on a visit, he's a talented guy, I feel he fits this defense nice and had some versatility with this defense," Grigson said.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Once again, the working video embed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZjbbph7O-g

 

[Koufax]

Boy, the medical staff will have its hands full. A heart attack victim? Any lingering concern there?

 

[jsinger121]

Well hopefully this is the start to improve the DL.

 

[Phragle]

This guy is a beast. Huge score.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Boy, the medical staff will have its hands full. A heart attack victim? Any lingering concern there?

I'd say if it was a problem he would not have been cleared to play in Canada.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Mandatory painkiller injections that have serious potential side effects? Is this a normal practice!? That sounds really fucked up to me, especially in college.

If he was playing again, I assume a cardiologist has cleared him to play. Still, what a scary situation.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Mandatory painkiller injections that have serious potential side effects? Is this a normal practice!? That sounds really fucked up to me, especially in college.

If he was playing again, I assume a cardiologist has cleared him to play. Still, what a scary situation.

It happens in every locker room in the country.

 

[SoxScout]

The thing that sticks out most in that video is how truly pathetic the offensive line play is.

Not much taking on of blockers, goes to that swim move almost every play.

Is obviously a sick athlete and interesting 4-3 guy, though. It's crazy if he's really 300.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Physically, he looks like a beefed up Justin Tuck. The guy is a beast. Doesn't mean he can play in the NFL, but you can't teach some of the stuff he has.

 

[fairlee76]

Mandatory painkiller injections that have serious potential side effects? Is this a normal practice!? That sounds really fucked up to me, especially in college.

Yup, here's a recent article on Toradol with particular focus on Armstead.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/risks-college-football-powerful-painkiller/story?id=18114915

 

[Stitch01]

Nice start tp the offseason. Probably a better chance he turns into a productive interior pass rusher than whoever is available at 29 and leaves the pick available for other needs.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

So why did this guy go to Canada instead of trying to make an NFL team as an UDFA?

 

[SoxScout]

[quote name='Morgan's Magic Snowplow' timestamp='1358892979' post='4522321']
So why did this guy go to Canada instead of trying to make an NFL team as an UDFA?
[/quote]

Trusted himself and knew he could be an UFA after 1 year?

 

[RedOctober3829]

[quote name='Morgan's Magic Snowplow' timestamp='1358892979' post='4522321']
So why did this guy go to Canada instead of trying to make an NFL team as an UDFA?
[/quote]

He needed the reps after missing a whole season. It was actually a smart move on his part. That way, he re-established his value on the open market and teams wouldn't have questions marks on if he'd be physically ready to play football after having a heart attack. Now, he has played a full year after his health problems and played well so it seemed to have worked out for him.

 

[neil]

Yup, here's a recent article on Toradol with particular focus on Armstead.

http://abcnews.go.co...ory?id=18114915

Articles like this really put me off of football.

I like the signing though, I wonder what the terms are. Certainly looks like he has potential. Wonder about his weight though, doesn't look like a shredded 295 like Watt.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

He needed the reps after missing a whole season. It was actually a smart move on his part. That way, he re-established his value on the open market and teams wouldn't have questions marks on if he'd be physically ready to play football after having a heart attack. Now, he has played a full year after his health problems and played well so it seemed to have worked out for him.

That makes sense. Lets hope he pans out. We could really use a young athletic DT capable of occasionally winning 1-on-1 on the inside in passing situations. I was arguing the other day that we should look at Henry Melton in free agency but this would be a much cheaper (if probably inferior) version of that model.

 

[E5 Yaz]

I'd say if it was a problem he would not have been cleared to play in Canada.

Well, they do have socialist medicine there

 

[Corsi]

Boy, the medical staff will have its hands full. A heart attack victim? Any lingering concern there?

The defense has been giving me heart attacks for years now; it's time we got even.

 

[TheWalthamKid]

Cam Wake was the last notable guy to come from the CFL and he has been great for Miami, so hopefully Armstead follows in his footsteps. Good to know that he was in the CFL for reasons other then his ability.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

Boy, the medical staff will have its hands full. A heart attack victim? Any lingering concern there?

Just wait until he sees tape of the secondary. They better have the defibrillator ready.

 

[SoxVindaloo]

Don't know the $$ yet but I love this signing. Picking at the ass-end of the draft can make finding stud athletes a challenge. Even if this guy is no better than pre-suspension Jermaine Cunningham that is a great signing for only money.

 

[DannyHeep]

Mandatory painkiller injections that have serious potential side effects? Is this a normal practice!? That sounds really fucked up to me, especially in college.

If he was playing again, I assume a cardiologist has cleared him to play. Still, what a scary situation.

Don't you go hating on Toradol. Sweet sweet toradol.

 

[Dogman]

Just an excellent post.

 

[Wilco's Last Fan]

So sleeveless tops are the key to our porous secondary! I guess it's the added mobility.

 

[lithos2003]

Which explains why BB always cuts the sleeves on his hoodies. Such an innovator!

 

[E5 Yaz]

To be fair, Michelle looks as though she could tackle better than Gregory or Chung

 

[LMontro]

Cam Wake was the last notable guy to come from the CFL and he has been great for Miami, so hopefully Armstead follows in his footsteps. Good to know that he was in the CFL for reasons other then his ability.

Brandon Browner came from the CFL.

 

[bradmahn]

They had Armstead in on a pre-draft workout, per NFL Draft Scout, and here is a link to his pro day workout. He looks fluid, explosive, and quick in most drills, but none, disappointingly, answer questions about physicality.

Finally, Tony Pauline said this about Armond Armstead:

Former USC defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out in front of 11 teams at Sacramento State. He measured 6-feet, 4.5-inches and 289 pounds and was timed at 5.01 seconds in the 40 and posted a 3-cone best of 7.48 seconds. His other marks included a 30-inch vertical jump and 9-10 broad. Armstead later looked very athletic in position drills.
[snip]
Armstead offers the size and skill set to line up at several defensive line positions, but must show he hasn't lost the edge on his game after missing an entire campaign.

Read More: http://sportsillustr...l#ixzz2Imq2UtTb​

​

This sounds like what would have been a second round pick without the health concerns. And with his measurables and skill, if he had put up some sack numbers last year at USC, he'd probably have been a first round pick in the 2013 draft. If they can get him into the offseason conditioning program earlier than the usual rookie, he could become an important part of the defense this year and in years to come.​

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Argo fuck yourself.

Hey, somebody had to say it.

 

[SoxScout]

In a reflection of how the Patriots view defensive lineman Armon Armstead as a part of their future, the team guaranteed him $655,000 as part of his contract.
This is unusual for a player signing a "futures" contract, which Armstead did Tuesday.
Armstead's pact is a three-year deal, with base salaries of $405,000 in 2013, $495,000 in 2014, $585,000 in 2015.
The entire $405,000 base salary in 2013 is guaranteed, while $250,000 of the base salary in 2014 is guaranteed.

 
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4739148/armstead-gets-655k-guaranteed

 

[jsinger121]

 

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss
(1 of 2) Just off the phone with Toronto Argonauts general manager Jim Barker to learn some more about DL Armond Armstead.
 
 

 
 
 
 

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss
(2 of 2) Barker on Armstead: "I don't think it's very often that an NFL team can get a first-round pick without using a first-round pick."

 

[RedOctober3829]

More of that article that jsinger referenced to.
 

What type of player are the Patriots getting?

“They’re getting a 6-5, 280-pound active player who plays very
smart. He plays with great leverage. He’s an above-average pass-rusher
who plays the run well. He’s a solid all-around player, a phenomenal
young man. As good a player as he is, he’s a better person. I think at a
young age – he was 21 when he came up here – I think he grew a lot just
living in another country on his own. I think his maturation level is
going to be higher than if he were to come off a university campus. Not
only a great player, but a fantastic person; he’ll be great in the
community.”



Can you describe how Armond was utilized on defense with the Argonauts?

“He was used for us both as a nose guard – he’s obviously not Vince
Wilfork, that’s not what he does, he’s not a two-gap player in a 30
front – and 3 technique [outside shade on the guard]. He played on the
edge some in the 30 front but not much. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do
it, it’s that we didn’t play a lot of 30 front. He was moved around
inside and was mainly an inside player for us. He ended up being named
All-CFL as a rookie, which is very rare.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4739182/argonauts-gm-on-armstead

 

[wutang112878]

Am I the only one that thinks the salary and guaranteed money was lower than they expected?  Obviously injury risk is a factor, but considering the consensus was that Armstead was a first round grade and teams could 'buy' a first rounder, I figured he would get somewhat close to first round money.  Last year in the last 3rd of the first round guys got 4yrs and $6M-8M, so 3yrs and $1.5M seems very low to me, I assumed he would get over $1M in salary per year.

 

[SoxScout]

I guess that answers my question about him really being 300.
 
Not to read too much into it, but he doesn't sound like a real fit at N, T, or OLB in the 3-4. Will be interesting to see if more of the moves this offseason are 4-3 based, Wilfork and Armstead on the inside of a 4-3 is intriguing and would probably take some of the beating off of an older Wilfork playing the 3-4.

 

[neil]

Am I the only one that thinks the salary and guaranteed money was lower than they expected?  Obviously injury risk is a factor, but considering the consensus was that Armstead was a first round grade and teams could 'buy' a first rounder, I figured he would get somewhat close to first round money.  Last year in the last 3rd of the first round guys got 4yrs and $6M-8M, so 3yrs and $1.5M seems very low to me, I assumed he would get over $1M in salary per year.

It doesn't really surprise me given how many GM's in the league appear to be overly cautious regarding players. It seems the Belichick is more willing to either do/get homework on the player or take the risk. I feel like Armstead is along the same lines as Gronk and Cannon. All guys that others have passed on due to concerns over health. I would not be surprised to learn that this was the best deal on the table for Armstead.

 

[wutang112878]

You are right, GMs are very risk adverse.  Similar situation with Dennard, 2nd or 3rd round grade and slips to the 7th round.
 
In my narrow minded view, the Pats purchased a first round pick with the downside of a ~$600k cap hit.  Granted that comes with the normal talent risk [will he be a bust in the NFL], and the health risk as well.  But say the chances of him playing without a heart problem during the deal are 50/50, then in essence the Pats value a first rounder at $1.2M of a cap hit which still seems like a bargain.  I bet most teams view adding a first rounder at a $2M cap hit value, which would imply Armstead's risk is 30% of being healthy.

 

[Super Nomario]

Odds Jake Bequette makes the 53-man roster next season? I'm going about 20%.

 

[wutang112878]

I forget, he just been a healthy scratch all year right?

 

[Super Nomario]

I forget, he just been a healthy scratch all year right?

When everyone was healthy, yes, but he did get in a few games when some of the other guys were hurt or suspended.

 

[soxfan121]

This Dan Pompei piece from late January was not linked in the thread. Has some similar information to the ESPN link above but more of an anonymous scouting take on Armstead.
 

Said a general manager who looked at Armstead on tape: “He has length, and natural pass rush. He flashes power. He has to learn to play with pads down. He’s still raw. But he has things you can’t coach. At this point he’s more athletic than refined.”
Armstead measures at 6047, 289 pounds. He ran the 40 in 5.0. He has 33 ½ inch arms.
The general manager said he thought Armstead would compete for a starting job immediately at be no worse than a situational defensive player.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Armstead measures at 6047, 289 pounds. He ran the 40 in 5.0. He has 33 ½ inch arms.

 
Is this a Unix measure of his height?

 

[soxfan121]

Millimeters? Cubits?
 
Something got garbled in the translation. He's 6'5" (1.9meters) per Wikipedia.

 

[Phragle]

Is this a Unix measure of his height?

 
Feet - 6, inches - 04, eighths of an inch - 7.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

Eighths of an inch?  Not tenths?
 
That is one wacky twist on units of measurement.

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

Fractions of inches are typically measured in eighths.

 

[Drocca]

Go screw.

 

[LuckyBen]

Nm

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Fractions of inches are typically measured in eighths.

 
Doesn't make it right.
 
MDL's mom used to tell everyone that he was 5 feet seven and seventy-five hundreths of an inch tall.
 
So much cooler than saying 5 feet seven and three quarters inches.