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Originally posted by Formula Two One
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I think I read somewhere that cutting Flowers (after June) next year saves around 6-7 million. -
He is due to make $11 million next year, with $4 million in dead money so it is a $7 million savings. I like the way he bounced back but how can we count a guy with that many concussions?Originally posted by CTrout View PostComment
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Dunlap has been pretty healthy this year.Originally posted by OhioBolt View PostLife is too short to drink cheap beer :beer:Comment
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2017 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Tackles
By Charlie Campbell.
The top 2017 Offensive Tackle prospects available for the 2017 NFL Draft. * - denotes 2018 prospect. ** - denotes 2019 prospect.
This page was last updated Dec. 10, 2016. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
Cam Robinson*, OT, Alabama
Height: 6-6. Weight: 326.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2017): Top-20.
12/10/16: There is a fair amount of debate about Robinson for the NFL. One team said they had Robinson as a top-15 pick and believe that he is a Russell Okung- or Ryan Clady-caliber left tackle for the NFL. Another playoff team graded Robinson late in the first round. That organization thinks a team could get by with him at left tackle, but ideally, Robinson would be a right tackle. One NFC team gave Robinson a second-round grade. That team said that one could get away with Robinson at left tackle, but that he could have problems with speed rushers. They said they project him similar to Tampa Bay's second-year left tackle Donovan Smith. This is a weak tackle draft, however, so Robinson will probably go in the top-20 picks.
Robinson had a strong start to the 2016 season with a number of impressive performances, including games against USC and Arkansas. He held Razorbacks edge rusher Deatrich Wise Jr. to two tackles. Robinson held his own against Ole Miss, but did have an ugly play getting bull rushed by the Rebels' Marquis Haynes. Robinson had a rough start against Tennessee's Derek Barnett giving up a sack and some pressures before settling down to have a strong final three quarters versus the Volunteers edge rusher. Robinson had a good game against Texas A&M superstar Myles Garrett and kept Garrett from getting a sack.
Overall, Robinson's pass protection has been improved this season. His bending at the knee looks improved, his feet are better, and he looks quicker in his drop. Sources say that he lost 10-15 pounds prior to the season and that has helped him in pass blocking. Robinson is still very good in the ground game.
9/3/16: Robinson was a freshman sensation for the Crimson Tide in 2014. He was the leader on an offensive line that allowed only 16 sacks on the season. It didn't go as well in 2015 as Robinson allowed pressure and sacks on the quarterback. He had some real problems with Texas A&M superstar Myles Garrett for example. However, Robinson was better down the stretch and helped open a lot of holes for Heisman Trophy winning running back Derrick Henry. Given the improvement as the season went along, it wouldn't be surprising if Robinson takes his play to another level in 2016.
There are a lot pluses to the junior's game for the next level. As a pass protector, he has the length and quickness to defend the edge. He also has quick enough feet to cut off speed rushers and also displays some ability to bend at the knees. Robinson uses his length well and adjusts wisely to blitzes. He needs to get more consistent with his bending and shuffling his feet though. He gets sloppy sometimes, and that leads to him giving up some pressures and sacks.
In the ground game, Robinson is a quality blocker. He has strength to turn defenders at the point of attack and open holes. Robinson is quick to the second level to hit blocks as well and is able to pull. He has some power at the point of attack with a physical demeanor.
Mike McGlinchey*, OT, Notre Dame
Height: 6-7. Weight: 310.
Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
Projected Round (2017): Top-20.
12/10/16: In the 2017 NFL Draft, McGlinchey could be the closest thing to a franchise left tackle. He isn't one of the best tackle prospects to come out in years, but he is very good with upside to be a very good pro left tackle.
McGlinchey has suggested that he is inclined to return for his senior year rather than enter the 2017 NFL Draft, but a year ago around the same time, former teammate Will Fuller said the same thing and now he's playing for the Texans, so it isn't a definite that McGlinchey won't be in the 2017 NFL Draft. Stephon Tuitt said the same thing before leaving Notre Dame early, too.
McGlinchey was very impressive at left tackle for the Fighting Irish in 2016. As a run blocker, McGlinchey can get movement at the point of attack. He flashes heavy hands to push defenders out of their gaps and open holes for his back. In pass protection, he looks like a natural at left tackle, and one wouldn't have thought that he wasn't playing the position last year. McGlinchey shows excellent feet to get depth in his kick slide and cut off speed rushers. He also displays a nice ability to bend at the knee, and that in combination with his feet, keeps him from having to reach after edge rushers. The one consistent problem he has is a lot of false start penalties. McGlinchy's performance has given evidence that he is a future starting left tackle in the NFL and a first-round pick.
9/3/16: McGlinchey is a tough run blocker and has been part of a good Notre Dame line. After breaking into starting lineup during his sophomore year, in 2015 as a junior McGlinchey put together an impressive season as a pass protector at right tackle. He showed nice athleticism and the strength to open holes in the ground game.
With Ronnie Stanley in the NFL, McGlinchey is moving to left tackle. If the senior has a big season at left tackle, he could rise high during the season and the leadup to the 2017 NFL Draft. McGlinchey also has more of a physical style of play than Stanley did.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Wisconsin_logo.gif
Ryan Ramcyzk*, OT, Wisconsin
Height: 6-6. Weight: 297.
Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
Projected Round (2017): 1-3.
12/10/16: Ramcyzk had a strong season blocking for the Badgers in his debut as their starting left tackle. In 2013 and 2014, he was the starting left tackle at UW-Stevens Point, where he earned a lot of accolades before sitting out the 2015 season with a redshirt after transferring to Wisconsin. Ramcyzk has been one of the better left tackles in college football in 2016.
Ramcyzk has a lot of good qualities that could lead to him being a starting left tackle in the NFL. He is quick out his stance, fast to hit blocks in the second level, and is able to get in position for blocks in space. In pass protection, he can play the type writer with his feet and shuffle with rushers. Ramcyzk gets depth in his drop as well. Sometimes though, he can be slow to react and adjust to counter pass-rush moves. Ramcyzk also needs to add more strength. He can get bull rushed and pushed back by rushers. His frame doesn't look maxed out, however, and he should get stronger in a NFL strength and conditioning program. If Ramcyzk were to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, I think he could get late first-round consideration in a weak tackle class and could go early on Day 2 if he slips to Friday night.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Temple_logo.gif
Dion Dawkins, OT, Temple
Height: 6-5. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
12/10/16: Dawkins has some fans in the NFL scouting community. They feel that he has some athleticism and could turn into a good functional blocker. The sources that really like Dawkins have him graded in the second round and think he has left tackle potential for the NFL. Some other teams have him graded a round or two later and think he would be a better fit at guard in the NFL. Still, Dawkins has had a fine senior season that has him in a good position for next April.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/FloridaState_logo.gif
Roderick Johnson*, OT, Florida State
Height: 6-7. Weight: 312.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2017): 2-4.
12/10/16: In this writer's opinion, Johnson has struggled this season and should return for his senior year to get better before going pro. He has turned in some underwhelming performances, including rough moments against Louisville and Miami. NFL sources haven't been as hard on Johnson, but they aren't excited about him either. Even scouts from teams that are desperate from offensive line help aren't pining for their team to land Johnson. He hasn't been receiving first-round grades. Johnson did play better to close out the regular season, including a good game against Florida.
Johnson had an ugly start to the season as Ole Miss and edge rusher Marquis Haynes exposed a lot of problems for Johnson. Johnson was beaten for a sack and got zero movement in opening holes in the running game. The junior lacks strength and doesn't generate any push in the ground game. He ties up his blocker, but is not a force at the point of attack to push a defender out of their gap. In pass protection, Johnson has the athleticism to protect against speed rushers, but he is weak to block inside moves and gets bull rushed too easily. Even undersized speed rushers have success bull rushing him. Johnson is a finesse player who needs development.
9/3/16: A lot was made how the Seminoles' offensive line improved when Cam Erving moved to center midway through 2014, but Johnson was the reason for that move. He took over at left tackle and showed a lot of potential as a protector for Jameis Winston. Johnson was solid in 2015 and helped Dalvin Cook run wild over the ACC.
For the passing-driven NFL, Johnson has the skill set to be a competitor at left tackle. He has good size and length to protect on the edge. Johnson has some athleticism and is quick to adjust to blitzes or stunts in pass protection. Against speed rushers, Johnson can do a nice job of riding defenders around the pocket.
Johnson isn't a true bull in the ground game, but he is an effective run blocker. He is quick to get to spots on the second level and hit some blocks to spring his back for big gains. He doesn't blast defensive linemen out of their gap, but he does well holding them up and walling them off to the side to help open holes for his back.
There are a few things that Johnson needs to improve. The big issue for Johnson is improving his feet. He needs to get faster in his quick slide and bend at the knees over bending at the race. Sometimes Johnson can be sloppy in shuffling his feet, and he bends at the waist to reach after pass-rushers. He gets away with it against college defenders, but the NFL that isn't going to work, especially when going against a good rusher.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Bucknell_logo.gif
Julie'n Davenport, OT, Bucknell
Height: 6-7. Weight: 315.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
12/10/16: At the start of the season, there was a real buzz in the scouting community about Davenport. Area scouts and national scouts from every team visited Bucknell this season to see him. Sources say they believe that Davenport is likely to go on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft. Some team sources really like him and feel he has a starting left tackle skill set. They love his athleticism, length and upside. He needs some work developing his body, but they believe he could be a starting left tackle in the NFL.
Other team sources don't like Davenport and have him on Day 3. They point to some poor tape from his senior year with weak competition getting the best of him. The scouts who don't like Davenport say he has terrible technique and is exceedingly raw. There were snaps where Davenport looked awful. He would play high, get pushed around, get bull rushed, and struggle with redirecting. Thus, Davaneport is very much a love/hate prospect in the scouting community.
9/3/16: Sources say that Davenport has superb measurements to be a starting left tackle in the NFL. He is listed at 6-foot-7, 315 pounds. Scouts say they think he could be an inch shorter but has excellent length with 35-plus-inch arms and 10.5-inch hands. Davenport has good athleticism with quick feet with a background in playing basketball. Athletic ability runs in the family as Davenport is cousins with Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Team sources believe that Davenport could be a future starting left tackle in the NFL.
One scouting director told WalterFootball.com that they think Davenport would be a top-20 pick if he played at a big BCS school, but because of his level of competition, he is probably more likely to be a second-round pick.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Florida_logo.gif
David Sharpe*, OT, Florida
Height: 6-6. Weight: 357.
Projected 40 Time: 5.40.
Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
12/10/16: Sharpe is a tough run blocker who is generally reliable in pass protection. After a good first half against Tennessee's Derek Barnett, Sharpe was whipped in the second half of the Volunteers' comeback win. He also had some problems with Florida State's Demarcus Walker and Alabama's edge rushers. For the NFL, Sharpe is a better run blocker and needs to develop his pass protection. Sources believe Sharpe would be better off as a right tackle in the NFL. He should return for his senior year, drop some weight, and work on improving his fundamentals in pass coverage.
9/3/16: The Gators had a lot of injuries on their offensive line in 2015 and had to move players around. Sharpe was one of those players and saw action at both tackle positions. He was a good run blocker who flashed some pass-protection skills. Sharpe needs to improve his pass blocking, but he has upside to develop. He could be a right tackle candidate and also could move inside to guard for the next level.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/We...tucky_logo.gif
Forrest Lamp, OT, Western Kentucky
Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
12/10/16: Lamp was invited to the Senior Bowl after an excellent collegiate career. He made 39 straight starts and was been a tough lineman at the point of attack. Lamp is going to need to add some strength for the NFL. If his listed height holds true at the weigh-in in Mobile, then Lamp is a candidate to remain at tackle. If he is shorter than 6-foot-4, he probably will have to move inside to guard.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Fl...antic_logo.gif
Kelly Parfitt, OT, Florida Atlantic
Height: 6-6. Weight: 313.
Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
12/10/16: Parfitt started out his collegiate career at Central Florida before transferring to Florida Atlantic. He played well enough to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Parfitt projects more as a right tackle competitor.
image: http://walterfootball.com/college/We...higan_logo.gif
Taylor Moton, OT/G, Western Michigan
Height: 6-5. Weight: 326.
Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
12/10/16: Moton has been a solid offensive lineman for the Broncos the past few seasons and is having a quality senior year at right tackle. Western Michigan has had a superb offense with a dynamic aerial attack for a few years, and Moton's pass protection has contributed to that. As a sophomore, Moton played right tackle before moving to right guard as a junior. He has versatile size for the NFL and could be a player who is a valuable backup for guard or tackle early in his NFL career.Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
The Wasted Decade is done.
Build Back Better.Comment
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Robinson is the guy who is most interesting. Physically, I think he has all the tools to be a top notch LT. But he is weak on technique and needs to do a much, much better job of finishing. His arm punch is weak,a nd his hand placement is pretty bad. To me, he is a better version of Barksdale. A good athlete who does not play up to his athletic ability. HE should be a much more dominant player than he is.
He is still good, but he has some Ryan Clady in him. He can neutralize a top opponent, but he needs to do a better job of dominating. HE does a good job of making intial contact, but then doesn't sustain. HE also has trouble finding people to block downfield.
With a lot of college players, all of these things are the kinds of things that are easliy fixed. As they get pro coaching and work with other pro linemen, they realize how important this stuff is, and they work hard to correct it. THe issue with Robinson is that Alabama has a lot of coaches who have at least played in the NFL, if not been NFL coaches. They usually do a much better job of finishing then the typical college linemen. So it worries me that he might be one of those guys like Clady who never really develops that ability to finish and take his game to the next level.Comment
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A lot of ugly in that list. The bowls and combine should give us some better definition of the talent available. Certainly some of these guys will be decent pros, but it looks like a crap shoot so far.
Roderick Johnson is a former 5 star with everything you want to see in an OLT except consistent production.
FSU’s Roderick Johnson flashes potential for greatness
Consistency is key for the Seminoles' left tackle, who could read elite status in 2016.
John Breitenbach | 6 months ago
(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
The Seminoles’ offensive line was a mess last year after losing three starters to the NFL. Tre Jackson, Cameron Irving and Bobby Hart all graduated, leaving FSU desperately thin up front. The new generation returned mixed results in 2015. The best of the bunch – left tackle Roderick Johnson – typified the unit’s inconsistency. Johnson did not always play well in his first year as a full-time starter, but flashed rare and special traits.
Johnson immediately catches the eye on film because of his size. He looks like a typical tackle, with the height and length expected of the position. The pre-snap characteristics are impressive, but are worthless unless allied with proper technique. Johnson remains technically raw, which should not be a surprise considering his relative inexperience. Production-wise, Johnson was up and down in 2015. He ended the year ranked 52nd amongst tackles, recording a negative grade in pass protection. More promisingly, Johnson’s +14.7 run blocking grade was 17th at the position. The season chart below highlights his inconsistency.
Untitled
Room for improvement in pass protection
Pass protection is one of the more difficult skills to master. It is common for young tackles to take some time developing their kick slide. Johnson is no different. Although he was generally effective on dropbacks – he allowed only 17 combined pressures in 2015 – Johnson suffered some bad beats. There are a number of really ugly reps on tape from the Seminoles’ left tackle. Johnson has a tendency to dip his head and overextend on contact, which leaves him vulnerable to being knocked off balance. Waist-bending is a legitimate concern. The play below, from his game against Boston College, explains Johnson’s negative pass protection grade.
roderick johnson whiff 2
It’s only a handful of plays over the course of the season, but suffering these kinds of beats make the difference between an elite tackle and a merely average one. It shouldn’t take much for Johnson to eliminate such errors from his game, especially with added experience.
On the majority of snaps, Johnson was effective in pass protection. The aforementioned 17 overall pressures he allowed was fewer than all but 20 FBS tackles. He also ranked in the top 30 in pass blocking efficiency, allowing six knockdowns in 445 snaps. Only eight first or second year tackles from Power-5 teams graded positively in pass protection last season, putting Johnson’s -2.7 mark in context. He still has plenty of room to improve, but can be satisfied with a solid sophomore season.
Dominant run blocker
Young tackles are able to use their physical traits more naturally moving forward. Johnson’s work in the run game makes him a particularly exciting prospect. As well as size, his movement skills are particularly impressive. Johnson has no issue blocking on the move, especially at the second level. He also possesses the quickness and lateral agility to make cutoff blocks from the backside of zone. Although he fails to complete the block in the play below, the ability to get into position on the 3-technique’s inside shoulder is rare from that shade. It also highlights his desire to finish on every play.
roderick johnson run bs cutoff
As much as Johnson’s agility stands out, he is also able to win with power. His combination of athleticism, size and strength is tough to matchup with in the ground game. Below is an example of his power, in-line, from the contest against Wake. He drives the defensive tackle a good five yards on this play, widening the point of attack.
Johnson run drive
Bottom line
Johnson’s overall grade in his first season was not particularly impressive, but the manner of his performances suggest there’s much more to come. A generally high-level of play was interrupted with occasional lapses that should be rectifiable. Assuming Johnson is able to iron out those inconsistencies, look for him to join Florida State teammates Derwin James and Dalvin Cook in the “elite” category this upcoming season.Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
The Wasted Decade is done.
Build Back Better.Comment
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I wouldn't mind trading a 4th to someone for a young backup OLT with starter potential. Surely some team is overloaded at OL.Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
The Wasted Decade is done.
Build Back Better.Comment
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A 4th OT with Starting potential is indeed a luxury. Most teams struggle having 2 starting quality OTs now.Originally posted by Formula Two One View PostComment
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We've got to be thinking of adding a quality QB to the mix as insurance.
A first round pick on a QB should not be completely out of the question.Comment
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Today's solid loss puts us one step closer to getting a solid player for the OLComment
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