Lets Talk Travis Goethel

I went back and forth on two answers but ultimately gave him the benefit of choosing a back-up/special team stud. (I was also just considering the special team stand out) I hope I am completely wrong about this and he turns out to be a stud but a great work ethic and attitude sometimes can only get you so far.

Let me first start off by saying that I really like Goethel and thought that he brought a lot to ASU’s team. However, I do not honestly see him as being a huge part in your teams turnaround. I am probably not the best person to dissect a defensive player since I was always on offense and really look at the qb’s, but I will give it a shot.

I went to every game the last 4 years and have gotten to watch him play a lot in those times. I hope this doesn’t come off as negative towards Travis but when I would leave a game I rarely would say man Goethel was everywhere, his games rarely really stood out. He was also just solid….Not great, Not bad, just solid. To me being good and consistent every week in college for an average at best team probably doesn’t translate into a stud defensive player in the pros. I don’t believe he was blessed with the natural ability that most are in the NFL and the speed and athleticism in the NFL might be to much for him.

You are getting a tough, smart, and fundamentally sounds player who is a great person. He seems to be in the right places and never really gets to out of position. I think he could be a great addition to the team and he will bring a positive attitude to a locker room that seems to need it. (sorry, not to rip on your raiders…I am a diehard Lions fan so I know the pain) I personally think that he is better against the run versus the pass but he will need to get stronger to take on the NFL blockers. IMO, Travis seems to be one of those players that if someone tells him he can’t, he will find a way to actually do it.

It will actually be really interesting to see how he does for the Raiders and make sure you keep us posted his progress and if there are any good articles about him.

While I’m not an ASU fan in the sense of suiting up in maroon and gold for pre-game festivities in lieu of my crimson and white, as a neutral eye who has watched this player for the last two years I can tell you at best I see him as a special teams player if he works hard enough.

When it comes to playing strong side LB at the next level he lacks the speed to go with his natural instincts for playing. He’ll never wow you with a penetrating blitz, or with stellar coverage on a TE over the middle. No offense to the gentleman, but short of making a splash on special teams this pick should not have any expectations.

I honestly don’t see him lasting more than five years in the pros. He lacks the key athletics to make an effective splash at the next level.