Some OL at the Senior Bowl

From TFY. What Scouts are saying : (Don't know when these conversations happened. Maybe at some point during the week. Almost certainly not after the game. Most of the scouts don't even stay for the game. They can't see anything they won't see on the film of it, I guess.

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Levi Brown/OT/Penn State: Proved he will be the second tackle taken likely in the middle of round one. Has a lot of people believing he can handle the left tackle duties at the next level.

Justin Blalock/OL/Texas: Failed to meet expectations and there is real doubt he can handle the tackle abilities at the next level.

Ryan Kalil/C/USC: While all agree Kalil had a terrific week, there is concern about his lack of size and ability to handle large defenders in the middle of the line. As a result he is a mid-second round choice.

Arron Sears/OL/Tennessee: While he played well most of the time, the feeling is Sears will solely be a guard at the next level.

Joe Staley/OT/Central Michigan: While we don't agree with this, several scouts left Mobile stamping a first-round grade on Staley.

Tony Ugoh/T/Arkansas: There was overall disappointment with Ugoh. Scouts felt he should have been stronger and he displayed marginal punch at the point. Worse for Ugoh, many left Mobile wondering if he is a guy who really wants to play football.

TFY's Practice analysis. (Don't think this included the game)

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Levi Brown/Penn State Ht: 6053 Wt: 323
Arm: 34 1/2 Hand: 9 1/2
Monday Practice Notes: Great feet and pretty agile, moves like a player closer to 300 pounds. Can get to be off-balanced against inside moves and slants.
Tuesday Practice Notes: Better feet than expected. Slid well in pass protection and was able to move well enough to ward off all the North’s pass rushers. Lacked any type of punch in pass blocking, and his hand play overall was awful. Definitely flashed the talent which would make some scouts think highly of him.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Starting to beat a dead horse here, but Levi really needs to work on his handplay. It is a problem not only in his pass set but in his running blocking as well. One particular play he was driven back because he did not shoot his hands, could not anchor once the defender got into his body, and was beat. While his hands are a question mark at this point in the week, his feet are very good. Once again showed the ability to slide well, keep his shoulders in proper position, and mirror in pass protection.
Thursday Practice Notes: The ability to slide well in his pass set has been a constant all week. Even shows very good patience on the island and does not get in a hurry to engage a defender if it will throw him off balance.
Analysis: Entering this week as a probable late first rounder, Brown did nothing to hurt his overall standing. Overall technique was the issue all week but the talent was apparent. Technique can be coached up, yet the athleticism and quick feet to slide well in pass protection for potential left tackles cannot.

Tony Ugoh/Arkansas Ht: 6054 Wt: 301
Arm: 36 Hand: 9 3/4
Monday Practice Notes: Athleticism on the island is apparent but needs some refining in his technique. His punch can be very good but he is inconsistent with it. Needs to keep his shoulders square before committing in his pass set. Seemed comfortable making blocks in space.
Tuesday Practice Notes: Had the block of the day when pancaking Chase Pittman in one on one pass rush drills. This particular play showed Ugoh’s strength to his post leg as he just slammed the defensive end to the ground. Does need to bring his feet with him in run blocking though.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Again struggled with technique. Did not keep his feet pumping today. Initial punch and hand placement were erratic at best. Had a fantastic block on the backside of a zone play, creating a very large hole for his running back to hit.
Thursday Practice Notes: The speed rush was not a problem today.
Analysis: One minute Ugoh was spectacular, the next he was beat like a drum. Ugoh threw the two nastiest blocks of the week, but could not play to his potential on an every snap basis. More of an athlete off the edge, relying on finesse more so than power. Ugoh showed enough potential to warrant a second round grade, but needs to be more consistent if he ever expects to be a starting tackle at the next level.

Aaron Sears/Tennessee Ht: 6031 Wt: 317
Arm: 34 Hand: 10 1/8
Monday Practice Notes: Flashed more overall talent than any other lineman on his squad, but was wildly inconsistent. Was shifted to guard for the day. Very quick to the second level, but once in contact with a defender he does not bring his feet. Often lunges. Fires off the ball very hard and very strong at the point of attack but showed a tendency to lead his head too often as well.
Tuesday Practice Notes: Everything stops and started with footwork this afternoon. The coaching staff consistently corrected Sears on proper power steps. Had trouble taking the proper angles and getting to the second level. One scout pointed out Sears is very strong and does have a great punch.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Very good practice for Sears today. Really started to put everything together. Strong at the point of attack and the issue of his feet has slowly started to fade. Only once was his footwork questioned today by coaches and that was in his pass set where the back foot was drug instead of planted properly. Sears was even able to collapse the side of the line on one occasion with his power on a downblock.
Thursday Practice Notes: Often asked to pull today and looked solid out in space.
Analysis: Easily the most talented offensive lineman in Mobile. Many scouts were abuzz with his potential. Made the transition to guard for the most part this week and as a result struggled with technique. The flashes of talent were explosive though and he will be a very good guard at the next level. Do not be surprised to see Sears land in the late first round range.>>

 

cont

<<Ben Grubbs/Auburn Ht: 6030 Wt: 315
Arm: 33 Hand: 10
Monday Practice Notes: Footwork was an issue throughout the day. Often got too wide in his stance, and followed through by staying wide when engaged in blocks. Did show ability moving in space today. Much like his Auburn teammate, he struggled with overall technique.
Tuesday Practice Notes: A trend is starting to appear with Grubbs’ footwork and the coaching staff trying to correct it. Plays with his base way too wide at times. Also lead with his head at a few points in the running game today.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Very solid performance this afternoon. Grubbs especially exhibited a very strong initial punch. While his footwork has been a concern all week, Grubbs did improve and his ability to recover after getting too wide a base. Still struggled slightly with getting to the second level on a consistent basis. One time he whiffed on his block, while he sprung a big run up the middle by reaching the middle linebacker.
Thursday Practice Notes: Moves well out in space and threw a few nice blocks on screens.
Analysis: The best natural guard prospect of the group. Grubbs solidified himself as the second ranked player at his position in this draft. The one area of concern all week was with his footwork which was coached up often. His strength at the point of attack and with his punch will make him very good in a power running attack.

Ryan Kalil/USC Ht: 6027 Wt: 291
Arm: 32 Hand: 9 3/4
Monday Practice Notes: Technically sound. Quick off the ball. Hands are very good and well placed. Excels in space. Arguably had the best day of practice for a mediocre group of South offensive linemen.
Tuesday Practice Notes: Easily the most consistent and talented lineman on his particular squad. Was impressed to see the 291 lbs. center drive the 323 lbs. Tank Tyler a couple yards downfield with great technique. Kalil showed very good quickness especially with zone blocking and was able to get to the second level to make blocks with ease. The one time he was blown off the ball, he regrouped himself and regained perfect position to wall off the defender.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Again his quickness along the interior of the line was very evident. Really excelled in recognizing and reaching the second level to make blocks. One area his lack of size is currently hurting Kalil is the inability to true anchor in pass protection in the middle versus bigger defensive tackles. He often can wall them off due to good technique, but tends to be driven back a bit too far to begin with.
Analysis: The most consistent and impressive prospect along both sides of the line of scrimmage all week. Kalil basically just played his way into the late first round and proved there is a significant dropoff at the position after himself. The one area of concern for scouts is his size and accompanying strength at only 291 lbs.

Joe Staley/Central Michigan Ht: 6055 Wt: 296
Arm: 34 1/4 Hand: 10 1/8
Monday Practice Notes: Obviously very athletic. A scout mentioned he played not only tight end in high school, but some wide receiver as well. Smooth in his pass protection. Nice punch, but can windup at times. Does lack hip explosion. Not powerful at the point of attack.
Tuesday Practice Notes: Excelled in zone blocking today. Really showed the ability to work his way down the line, hook defenders, and drive them laterally down the field; and overall testament to his athletic ability. Struggled with his handplay today. At times can look like an albatross winding up for takeoff. Can be corrected, but it will hurt him at times during this particular week.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Really worked hard early in the practice on his pass set and was eventually applauded by his coaches for perfect form in this one area. Slides very well in pass protection and the athleticism shown so far this week would make one believe he could easily play the blindside at the next level.
Thursday Practice Notes: Continued to show a nice set in pass blocking.
Analysis: Hailing from Central Michigan this was a big week for Staley to prove he could handle the talent from the bigger conferences. On that end he did quite well. Athletically he has what it takes to play the blindside at the next level but will take time to develop physically before he becomes a full times starter. Solidified himself as a first day pick.

Justin Blalock/Texas Ht: 6033 Wt: 331
Arm: 33 1/2 Hand: 10 1/4
Monday Practice Notes: Got reps as both guard and right tackle. Loved to bury his head at all times. In pass blocking drills was beaten off the edge because did not get depth on his initial kick step. Also struggled today with getting arm extension.
Tuesday Practice Notes: This afternoon Blalock did not sport the extra wrap on his knee as he did yesterday. One thing is certain; his overall lateral quickness is still affected as evidenced in his subpar pass protection. Saw reps at both guard and tackle again. Did not lead with his head as much today, but at times he would stop his feet after initial contact.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Bit of a struggle for Blalock today. He was corrected in multiple facets of his game, especially when overhearing the line coach yell, “When you’re wide, you’re week”. Obviously his base was too wide and he suffered in his run blocking because of it. On his zone blocks was not able to get his head across. His lateral quickness today was better, but is still lacking. The one area where Blalock did look better was in his overall pass sets especially in his patience when engaging the defender.
Analysis: The guard/tackle prospect did not distinguish himself as the top interior prospect as was expected. Struggling with a sprained MCL ligament, Blalock had trouble all week with his lateral movement. Pass blocking was suspect early in the week and improved with each practice. His run blocking was not on par with what he had shown earlier in the season. If his knee is the major concern and it clears physicals, Blalock could see be an early round pick. His overall play though would indicate more of a late day one pick.

Marshall Yanda/OL Ht: 6037 Wt: 304
Arm: 32 1/4 Hand: 9 3/4
Monday Practice Notes: Plays well within his body and balanced off the ball. Excellent against speed and technique, but power rushers can overpower when he plays too tall.
Tuesday Practice Notes: Well coached in his fundamentals but plays stiff and as a result tends to get too high. Does a nice job especially in pass protecting keeping his back flat, shooting the hands, and getting a nice fit. Playing right tackle for the first unit, and playing some guard with the second unit.
Wednesday Practice Notes: Very nice day overall, arguably the best of the unit. Again, received reps as both a guard and right tackle. Though limited athletically, his fundamentals continue to shine at times especially in his pass sets. Had the block of the day when he drove a linebacker fifteen to twenty yards downfield to spring the running back for a big gain during the inside drill.
Thursday Practice Notes: Continues to play very well technically but is a bit stiff in the hips overall. Today maintaining his blocks quite well in pass blocking and was never beat clean. As a right tackle most of the day, Yanda did receiver a handful of reps as a guard in one on one drills.
Analysis: This versatile lineman was rock solid all week. Among the North unit, Yanda was the most consistent throughout practice. Physically he has some limitations; plays a little stiff and high at times. Overall though he was clearly the most technically sound prospect here in Mobile. The question becomes whether he is a tackle or guard at the next level. Odds are he will be a guard.>>

 

Does Davidson's OL coaching experience make us focus on a OT/OG on the first day? The Patriot scheme is more of a pulling scheme rather than a 'beat you up with 315 lbs'ers', correct?

 

One that will get drafted...Chris White from the Gamecocks. He WILL start somewhere. Would be an excellent 5-7 round pick. Shit...if we took S. Rice in the first and Kolb from Houston in the second...

 

I agree with many of their descriptions on Levi Brown, but not their evaluation. To me, I see a guy who does move well but is not particularly bright and does react to fluid situations. By that I mean that he will carry out his assignment and not adjust if the defense shifts, which is something you need your linemen to do in the NFL. Also, I'm not a big believer that you can teach a lineman to use his hands properly if he doesn't already. You can help him improve, but Brown is very bad about body blocking on both the run and the pass, and I'd be very surprised if he could be coached up that much. I agree with their assessment regarding his agility and athleticism, but I would not consider taking him in the first round. Beyond that, I worry a bit about his body weight being concentrated in his torso. Guys like that can tend to balloon as they get older and lose some of that agility that makes him worth watching now.


CarPanthers20:
No. We have at least 9 of our 10 line spots already filled. If someone great fell into our laps I'm sure we'd take it, but otherwise I don't expect them to look in that direction. In future years, though, that seems like a reasonable assumption.

...we would be incredibly retarded.

 

I'm very dissappointed in what's there. I find that I really want a LT with that pick, but it seems no one is worthy. My interest in Ugoh is gone.

I hate to trade down if a really special player, at whatever position, is available at 14. If there's not, I would like to trade down and take one of the G prospects. I'm afraid the best ones won't be there when we pick in the 2nd.

As to Brown, you may be right. I read other stuff on him which I didn't post, because its available. Somewhere I read "he isnt dominant." That's what Mag said about Gross when he opposed taking him. I haven't read he is dominant in any respect, anywhere. I do agree to take an OL in the 1st, he needs to be dominant. You can get a good one in the 2nd or 3rd.

 

I agree there has to be improvement in the line play. Also that there isn't value in the linemen at the 14 spot. I like Beekman at the 2nd pick if Mathis isn't going to cut it. Boston tends to turn out a lot of NFL ready linemen partially due to their pro style offense. He's a guard and not a jack of all trades, but I think there is enough depth now where this team can start drafting craftsmen rather than the jack of all trades on the line.

 

I like Blaylock but it sounds like he was hampered by his knee. I know we are not going to take him, he does not fit our scheme all that well but it would be nice to have a big mauler to run behind. I kind of wonder if that might be something we will see a little more of since we signed Bridges to an extension. I am fine with having finese blockers on the left side who can move and pull ala Wahle. I would like to see more bulk on the right side though. We rarely if ever pull the RG or RT.

 

Remember those screenshots I posted for you showing Hartwig throwing Kemoeatu down the field? That's your guy.

 

I swear you must read the same stuff my gamecock friend does. I hear from him the exact same stuff you post. Weird.