Sad to see Rip go

[AKCheese]

just such a cool name

nother TT bust tho

 

[OldSchool101]

I also appreciated Rip’s tenure. However, I don’t think Rip was a bust at all. He was basically a late round projection and pick (6th round). That’s hardly a pick one expects to get major production. His background screamed special teams and that’s exactly what he provided for ST during his 4 year stint.
Rip got beat out by Tonyan, who simply provides more upside. Tonyan has better measurables (4.58-40, adequate strength 16Reps and at 6’5 235+lbs possesses a 38” vertical and 10 1/2 feet broad jump! He’s faster and noticeably more athletic than Rip was. Tonyan (5.39 grade) was also initially projected higher in the draft than Ripkowski (5.0 grade) so it’s not much of a surprise he’s a younger and cheaper option with more upside.

 

[Jerellh528]

Whoa I didn’t know about tonyans measurables. Stud. Glad we kept him, you can definitely see that athleticism on the field.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

just such a cool name

nother TT bust tho

Ripkowski wasn't a bust by any means. It seems you have to lower your expectations for a sixth round pick.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I also appreciated Rip’s tenure. However, I don’t think Rip was a bust at all. He was basically a late round projection and pick (6th round). That’s hardly a pick one expects to get major production. His background screamed special teams and that’s exactly what he provided for ST during his 4 year stint.
Rip got beat out by Tonyan, who simply provides more upside. Tonyan has better measurables (4.58-40, adequate strength 16Reps and at 6’5 235+lbs possesses a 38” vertical and 10 1/2 feet broad jump! He’s faster and noticeably more athletic than Rip was. Tonyan (5.39 grade) was also initially projected higher in the draft than Ripkowski (5.0 grade) so it’s not much of a surprise he’s a younger and cheaper option with more upside.

It's not really a one-for-one, Tonyan "beat out" Ripkowski, is it?

Tonyan's not the guy you would expect to block from the H-back position. If H-back is the way they go on a sell-out run in short yardage, it would stand to reason Lewis would be the FB substitute. Nor is Tonyan the guy you'd want to run behind in 7 man front if that's the default for short yardage, which may be the case given Willimas ability to move the pile. Running to Lewis' side would be the default. Graham is a sup-par run blocker. Kendricks is just sorta OK in run blocking but better than Graham. Tonyan is converted WR from Indian Stat at 236 lbs. with 16 lifts at his Pro Day. The experience/size/strength equation does not bespeak "run blocker".

Even in tweener downs with an H-back where you want to present a run look but throw instead, Kendricks would be the other option as a receiving threat out of the backfield who can also block enough to make the run threat credible.

One would have to believe that it is Lewis' presence that made Ripkowski expendable, opening the door for Tonyan to make the squad as more of a receiver option, the Graham backup.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Ripkowski wasn't a bust by any means. It seems you have to lower your expectations for a sixth round pick.

Right. For what he cost and what he did, including being a good special teams tackler, in the final analysis he was a pretty good value.

Unfortunately, he'll be best remembered for the following, with the Packers down 10-0 and about to get back in the game:

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Huge momentum swing, that one.

 

[Packer Brother]

Right. For what he cost and what he did, including being a good special teams tackler, in the final analysis he was a pretty good value.

Unfortunately, he'll be best remembered for the following, with the Packers down 10-0 and about to get back in the game:

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Huge momentum swing, that one.

Just like Bostitch will be remembered for one play. Although I doubt we win that game even if "Rip" scored the TD. That game was a big boy team vs a high school team.

 

[JK64]

Ripkowski wasn't a bust by any means. It seems you have to lower your expectations for a sixth round pick.

That fumble is the playoffs was just horrible.