The Legends of Tacko Fall

djbayko

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Sad. Wish it could've worked out for another year because I don't care too much about what's at the very end of the bench anyways. Good luck to him. Hope he finds some more agility and a role in the NBA.
 

scottyno

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Cavs fans are used to having a giant guy that isn't actually very good. Drummond to Fall is probably a downgrade though.
 

NomarsFool

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What is Cleveland's fascination with centers? Are they hoping to run out an all 7'+ lineup? Or am I getting them mixed up with Detroit that was hoarding centers?
 

Kliq

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Tacko was fucking awesome and I got immense joy watching him play, as limited as it was. The summer league, the preseason games, the random moments of garbage time, it was all so wonderful and the crowd loved him. I wish him all the best.

This isn't the team winning a championship, or really anything of real significance, but more than anything, it is the fun and enjoyment that make the NBA, and sports in general, worth investing in:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IWMzI9ArMA
 

Marbleheader

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Only SoSH could have 756 posts about Tako Fall when the words 'Hmm. Tall.' would have been sufficient He played fewer than 170 minutes, but we loved us some Tako.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Only SoSH could have 756 posts about Tako Fall when the words 'Hmm. Tall.' would have been sufficient He played fewer than 170 minutes, but we loved us some Tako.
Meh. There would have been a lot of posts about Greg Kite ("pound for pound the least talented player in the NBA") and Eric Fernsten too.
 

BlackJack

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My sister-in-law works with the Boys and Girls club and they did a thing with Taco, I think related to him learning to swim. She said he was super nice. It was fun having him associated with the team.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Meh. There would have been a lot of posts about Greg Kite ("pound for pound the least talented player in the NBA") and Eric Fernsten too.
Boston sports fans have historically rallied around the last men of the Celtics bench going back to Terry Duerod and Connor Henry. It’s like a right of passage to want the underdog to make his mark. I was going to include ML Carr and his towel waving but it annoys me that too many people forget that the swing man from my alma mater was only a couple years off an All-Star game appearance when he assumed his cheerleader role. (My cross to bear)
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Unless you consider fouls per minute a talent.

(average 2.3 fouls and 2.5 points in 14 min)
when you're talking about the least talented person in the NBA, I do!

I don't think there was anyone bigger and less talented. Maybe Tacko takes that bill. At least Greg Kite had a lefty jump hook that he famously showed off during one of the playoff blowouts against the Lakers.
 

Bernie Carbohydrate

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Boston sports fans have historically rallied around the last men of the Celtics bench going back to Terry Duerod and Connor Henry. It’s like a right of passage to want the underdog to make his mark. I was going to include ML Carr and his towel waving but it annoys me that too many people forget that the swing man from my alma mater was only a couple years off an All-Star game appearance when he assumed his cheerleader role. (My cross to bear)

Conner Henry dunked on Sir Charles. It happened.

 

Lose Remerswaal

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Unless you consider fouls per minute a talent.

(average 2.3 fouls and 2.5 points in 14 min)
I worked for the sneaker company that outfitted Greg Kite (and Sam Vincent and Xavier McDaniel) . Kite wanted money from us for a summer camp, the joke in the office was “what would he teach them, what to do after fouling out?”
 

nattysez

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when you're talking about the least talented person in the NBA, I do!

I don't think there was anyone bigger and less talented. Maybe Tacko takes that bill. At least Greg Kite had a lefty jump hook that he famously showed off during one of the playoff blowouts against the Lakers.
Chuck Nevitt of the 80s Lakers says hello. He was a less-mobile Tacko if memory serves.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Chuck Nevitt of the 80s Lakers says hello. He was a less-mobile Tacko if memory serves.
I had forgotten this but Google tells me that Nevitt only weighed 235 so pound for pound, Greg Kite (at 250) would be ahead, or below, him.

Here's a fun SI Vault article on Nevitt: https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/11/07/a-truly-tall-tale-this-1989-si-classic-took-the-measure-of-7-ft-5-in-chuck-nevitt-the-nbas-funniest-12th-man-this-is-one-of-40-classic-sports-illustrated-stories-to-be-presented-during-1994-as-a-special-bonus-to-our-readers-in-c
 

HomeRunBaker

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I worked for the sneaker company that outfitted Greg Kite (and Sam Vincent and Xavier McDaniel) . Kite wanted money from us for a summer camp, the joke in the office was “what would he teach them, what to do after fouling out?”
Spot Bilt? Or something like that?
 

HomeRunBaker

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Hearing whispers from an ex-Philadelphia Eagles coach that there are advanced discussions about Tacko or a Tacko-like player being utilized as a kick-blocking specialist by an NFL team. I know some have been throwing this around for years. Stay tuned.

BAD6AEAB-3CA0-4C8F-B791-BCA8CD46E1DA.png
 

HomeRunBaker

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The Denver Broncos tried it with a 6'8" backup QB named Brock Osweiler.
Yeah but there is an enormous difference between Osweiler and Tacko’s wingspan along with the advantage of the latter having years working on the timing of blocking shots. It’s a league of specialists now so in that respect it wouldn’t be that outlandish……I just wouldn’t want to be the company insuring Tacko’s knees if this does come to fruition.
 
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Eagle3

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Hearing whispers from an ex-Philadelphia Eagles coach that there are advanced discussions about Tacko or a Tacko-like player being utilized as a kick-blocking specialist by an NFL team. I know some have been throwing this around for years. Stay tuned.

View attachment 45215
I would think someone like Tacko would just get immediately pushed backward off the line far enough where his reach would be neutralized. Someone built like Shaq on the other hand, with his strength and bulk, might be able to maintain his spot and get his hands up into the ball flight zone.

edit: Is Tacko's reach so crazy that he could be a factor from behind the line, without having to engage with a lineman?
 
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Eddie Jurak

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I would think someone like Tacko would just get immediately pushed backward off the line far enough where his reach would be neutralized. Someone built like Shaq on the other hand, with his strength and bulk, might be able to maintain his spot and get his hands up into the ball flight zone.

edit: Is Tacko's reach so crazy that he could be a factor from behind the line, without having to engage with a lineman?
He'd be behind the line, though. Current rules don't allow rushers to engage with the center. That probably means Tacko could stand right over center and time his block. It could work, especially against long dustance kicks.

I'm skeptical that a player whose only value is ability to (maybe) block long field goals would be worth the roster spot.
 

the moops

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I'm skeptical that a player whose only value is ability to (maybe) block long field goals would be worth the roster spot.
If he could in fact block a decent percentage of long field goal attempts, he absolutely would be worth the roster spot. However, if he only gets his hand on a fraction more of kicks, then no, he wouldn't be worth the spot
 

joe dokes

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If he could in fact block a decent percentage of long field goal attempts, he absolutely would be worth the roster spot. However, if he only gets his hand on a fraction more of kicks, then no, he wouldn't be worth the spot
Indelible TV football memory ahead.
In 1970, George Blanda had a big run in 1970 when he was 43. One of those games was a game-tying 48-yard FG against Hank Stram's Chiefs. The Chiefs put their 6'10 backup (3rd string?) tight end, Morris Stroud, back on the goal line (where the goal posts were) to try and block it:
It's the opening sequence in this clip:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQiBYmz66g4
 

djbayko

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If he could in fact block a decent percentage of long field goal attempts, he absolutely would be worth the roster spot. However, if he only gets his hand on a fraction more of kicks, then no, he wouldn't be worth the spot
What if he just affects the kicker enough? By being inside their head and/or causing them to adjust the trajectory enough to decrease make %, especially on longer kicks?
 

joe dokes

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If he could in fact block a decent percentage of long field goal attempts, he absolutely would be worth the roster spot. However, if he only gets his hand on a fraction more of kicks, then no, he wouldn't be worth the spot
He'd retire after getting blocked hard, which will happen if he's anywhere near the line.
 

Jimbodandy

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I would think someone like Tacko would just get immediately pushed backward off the line far enough where his reach would be neutralized. Someone built like Shaq on the other hand, with his strength and bulk, might be able to maintain his spot and get his hands up into the ball flight zone.

edit: Is Tacko's reach so crazy that he could be a factor from behind the line, without having to engage with a lineman?
Tacko goes like 3 bills.

Don't get me wrong--the whole idea is asinine. And Tacko has no experience being hit below the waist by NFL players or anything. But he's 300#. Folks don't just toss aside that kind of weight.

Edit: just checked. Google has him at 311.
 
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djbayko

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Tacko goes like 3 bills.

Don't get me wrong--the whole idea is asinine. And Tacko has no experience being hit below the waist by NFL players or anything. But he's 300#. Folks don't just toss aside that kind of weight.

Edit: just checked. Google has him at 311.
300 pounds is a lot, no doubt, but high center of gravity also makes a big difference. Tacko has no experience being blocked / tackled. Take his awkward, lumbering play on the court and multiply it several times.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Don't get me wrong--the whole idea is asinine. And Tacko has no experience being hit below the waist by NFL players or anything. But he's 300#. Folks don't just toss aside that kind of weight.
I disagree on it being asinine. No NFL should have experience being blocked below the waist on kicks since that isn’t legal. He wouldn’t be positioned ON the line but just behind the lineman who occupy the O-line on every challenged kick now. The only difference is it’s Tacko at 7-6 jumping with arms extended and not a 6-2 safety. There is literally no chance of him being blocked as the O-lineman will a) be occupied by the D-lineman and b) they are not allowed to go downfield on a kick.
 

joe dokes

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I disagree on it being asinine. No NFL should have experience being blocked below the waist on kicks since that isn’t legal. He wouldn’t be positioned ON the line but just behind the lineman who occupy the O-line on every challenged kick now. The only difference is it’s Tacko at 7-6 jumping with arms extended and not a 6-2 safety. There is literally no chance of him being blocked as the O-lineman will a) be occupied by the D-lineman and b) they are not allowed to go downfield on a kick.
If his NBA play was any guide, Tacko cant really jump more than a few inches. In all seriousness, someone with some skills could probably use a picture of a FG kick and get some idea how high off the ground it is at various points along the way.
(The crossbar is 10 feet up, same as a rim, so he certainly might be able to block one at the goal post. The thought of him then trying to run with it is pretty amusing.)
 

djbayko

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If his NBA play was any guide, Tacko cant really jump more than a few inches. In all seriousness, someone with some skills could probably use a picture of a FG kick and get some idea how high off the ground it is at various points along the way.
(The crossbar is 10 feet up, same as a rim, so he certainly might be able to block one at the goal post. The thought of him then trying to run with it is pretty amusing.)
There are certain aspects of this scheme which I'm skeptical of, but I don't think it would be outlandish to experiment. As for the bolded part, one of the benefits such a player would bring is that they don't really need to jump much to have some effect whereas a normal athlete needs to jump high and time it perfectly. The tall player could focus more of their attention on getting their arms/hands in the path of the ball. Again, this would be more likely to pay dividends on longer kicks with lower trajectories.
 

Jimbodandy

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I disagree on it being asinine. No NFL should have experience being blocked below the waist on kicks since that isn’t legal. He wouldn’t be positioned ON the line but just behind the lineman who occupy the O-line on every challenged kick now. The only difference is it’s Tacko at 7-6 jumping with arms extended and not a 6-2 safety. There is literally no chance of him being blocked as the O-lineman will a) be occupied by the D-lineman and b) they are not allowed to go downfield on a kick.
What I mean is that he's not really used to being hit at all. And guys playing out of position, let alone a different sport, bring some serious risks. What's an NFL team planning to pay that FG block specialist, and is it worth him walking away from that money or more from his primary sport.

I agree that his long paws would probably knock down some kicks, and maybe that's worth a roster spot to a team. But is it worth it for Tacko? I'd think not.
 

Kliq

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Feel like college teams would have tried this already with some seven foot stiff from the basketball team.
 

Jimbodandy

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Feel like college teams would have tried this already with some seven foot stiff from the basketball team.
I'm doubtful that this ever happens, but most 7 foot stiffs from the basketball team don't have a 10'2" standing reach. Tacko is elite there.

Most NBA draft combines have a top guy around 9'4", and the average 7'0" stiff is closer to 9 flat.
 

HomeRunBaker

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What I mean is that he's not really used to being hit at all. And guys playing out of position, let alone a different sport, bring some serious risks. What's an NFL team planning to pay that FG block specialist, and is it worth him walking away from that money or more from his primary sport.

I agree that his long paws would probably knock down some kicks, and maybe that's worth a roster spot to a team. But is it worth it for Tacko? I'd think not.
I’m guessing this talk is for when Tacko’s NBA checks stop coming in which really should have been at the end of last year. I can’t imagine them continuing for much longer and the guy is going to need a job…….and apparently there is at least one NFL team seriously considering this.

I’m surprised on a highly analytical board such as this there wouldn’t be more on board with the math behind this possibility. What is the average trajectory on a kick from 35, 45, and 55 yards and would Tacko’s fingertips be in that zone with proper D-line blocking execution? There apparently are people given the project to know these numbers. Another thing to also consider is how it would affect a teams end of 1H and game approach to getting inside the 40 for a long FGA.
 
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Cesar Crespo

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I'm doubtful that this ever happens, but most 7 foot stiffs from the basketball team don't have a 10'2" standing reach. Tacko is elite there.

Most NBA draft combines have a top guy around 9'4", and the average 7'0" stiff is closer to 9 flat.
I think TL would be better than Tacko despite being at 9'4.
 

The Gray Eagle

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I highly doubt Tacko would want to do this. When he can't get an NBA contract anymore, he surely will be able to get paid to play basketball overseas if he wants to. That sounds a lot more enjoyable than learning a brand new new sport where monsters get paid to attack you. Sure they can't block him downfield on the field goal attempt, but once he blocks the kick and the ball is loose, he can be hit. And would be.
This might be worth trying with some other 7-footer who doesn't even have as many basketball options as Tacko. Maybe one of these guys would be interested:
https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2017-11-01/college-basketball-breaking-down-power-conferences-height-and