Rashawn Slater, Franchise LT - Discussion

[Xenos]

The single most important trait in a player at any position, but especially left tackle, is the length of his right arm. The second most important trait is the length of his left arm. After that, you can worry about stuff like vertical jump and the three-cone drill, eventually followed by whether he can pass block.

Slater can make a bunch of Pro Bowls based on his blocking ability, but he'll never have 34.5 inch arms, which is what really matters.

Wasted pick, IMO.

[Bearded14YourPleasure]

The worst part of this pick is that arm length now becomes a year around topic around here.:deadhorse:

[wu-dai clan]

maurile, you playin' wit r emoshons...

[Bolt-O]

Swap of the t-rex... SupaMel for Slater.

[Topcat]

Yup! Slater won't win any contests for pancake blocks. Won't have a great highlight reel. But he's such a perfect pick. Sure it would be great if he had a bit more wing span. But if so, he wouldn't have been there at 13. We wouldn't have been given the chance to make him a Charger.

Don't forget: lots of very keen NFL scouts regarded him higher than Sewell!

At tackle in today's game, It's not how many highlights you have, but bringing poor or ugly plays down to zero. Slater does that.

If I'm Justin it's who I want. If I'm a Charger RB in a zone scheme...it's who I want. Superior understanding and technique, amazing wheels for a man his size.

^ This. Including Jeremiah...

[Xenos]

The worst part of this pick is that arm length now becomes a year around topic around here.:deadhorse:

Brings back memories of 2012 with Ingram.

[Xenos]

Quote from Popper’s article:
https://theathletic.com/2555346/2021...line-overhaul/

“We just felt like Rashawn fits all of the characteristics of a player that we’re looking for, and then all the position critical factors for being a tackle in this league,” Staley said. “On the left side of the line for Northwestern, this guy was as good of an offensive tackle as there was in college football. We feel like this guy is an outstanding athlete, a guy that is really strong, has outstanding balance and body control. And then when you think about just the way he plays the game — understands angles, understands the front structures that he’s playing against, and you can just see that this guy can really process. And then he has the physicality to play the position at a high level.”

“He’s a pretty balanced player,” Telesco said.

[maurile]

The worst part of this pick is that arm length now becomes a year around topic around here.:deadhorse:

At least he doesn't have narrow shoulders.

[CivilBolt]

The worst part of this pick is that arm length now becomes a year around topic around here.:deadhorse:

To end this debate. We should bring back DJ Fluker with way longer arms but heavy feet and let them compete. I think I already know the answer who will get owned by a speedy pass rusher. His long arms will help him grab after getting beat.

[Caslon]

Guess it shouldn’t matter, but ninety percent of his highlights films shows him playing right tackle. He only played 11 total downs as a left tackle. Not sure it can even be said that a tackle does better on one side rather than the other. We shall certainly see.

[Velo]

Slater is one of those guys who has it all together. What minor things he may lack in his measurables he more than makes up for with his commitment to technique and strength. He is a naturally superior athlete, and he knows how to use it to play at the top of his game. I have a feeling he is going to be fixture on this team for a long time and be an anchor on the OL. Great pick.

[cmplxgal]

Today Philip Rivers is probably thinking to himself, gosh darn it, why didn't they ever get me a line like this?