POLL: Who Will be the Starter at LG?

[Topcat]

With a hat tip to Wu-dai-clan for the idea, here for your cogent comments is another poll: Who wins at OLG?

[DerwinBosa]

At the start of the season, or for the majority of the year? I'll go with Slaughter on both.

[powderblueboy]

I was curious about Kayode's athleticism

Combine results

					40	vertical	bench press	long jump	short shuttle	3 cone
OL	Buffalo	College Stats	6-3	307	5.19	30.0	28	100	4.91	8.15

40 time is good, good vertical, ... , short shuttle & 3 cone is very poor

Here is Lance Zierlein's draft profile of Kayode:
Strengths

• Three-year starter with experience at both tackle spots.
• Thick thighs with build of an interior lineman.
• Displays some power as drive blocker.
• Consistent to keep feet running through contact.
• Adequate lateral quickness for basic move blocks.
• Rolls his anchor under him when sealing off run lane.
• Above-average hand strength to maintain his block.
• Offers protection benefits moving from tackle to guard.

Weaknesses

• Too upright and rigid when protecting his edge in pass sets.
• Struggles to redirect with reactive agility and length.
• May need help when isolated against athletic rushers.
• Pass punch lacks control and accuracy.
• Pad level stays too tall on his lateral steps.
• Needs to widen out base as drive blocker.
• Not very athletic working up to second level.

A somewhat uninspiring description for a Mike McDaniel's guard

BTW, the 2nd U. of Buffalo player on the Chargers.

[powderblueboy]

Here's Pip's

Combine results

					40	vertical	bench press	long jump	short shuttle	3 cone
OL	Sioux Falls	College Stats	6-6	307	5.12	33.5	17	114	4.7	7.61

Lance Zierlen

Strengths

Athletic build with long limbs and room for more weight. Pass sets have NFL potential with adequate balance, anchor and foot quickness. Quick sets out on top of edge rushers to land pre-emptive strike. Plays with good knee-bend to bolster body control during mirror. Sudden power step inside to cut-off inside moves. Enough early lateral quickness to have a shot at NFL reach blocks. Strong, clenching hands provide for longer block sustains. Finisher who keeps grinding on opponents until he hears the whistle. Praised by scouts for high character and football intelligence.

Weaknesses

Wasn't asked to take many pass sets at NFL depths. Hip tightness limits ability to gain desired depth with initial kick-slides. Initial hands are chronically outside proper target areas. Inconsistent hand placement allows defenders to slide away. Falls back on size and athletic ability over technique against lesser competition. Inconsistent keeping opponent centered and in front of him. Needs to drop pads and widen base for leverage as drive blocker. Can improve timing and rhythm on work-up blocks.

[powderblueboy]

Branson Taylor's

Pro day results

					40	vertical	bench press	long jump	short shuttle	3 cone
OL	Pittsburgh	College Stats	6-6	321	5.26	28.5		104	4.62	7.34

Brandon Thorn

POSITIVES

— Big, thick frame and build with a stiff punch to deliver jolt at the point.

— Excels on flat and jump sets when he can get his hands on rushers quickly, corral and clench them up with good grip strength.

— Firm, sturdy anchor.

— Does a nice job getting into his fit, torquing and uprooting defenders out of the hole on angle-drive blocks.

— Solid burst and quicks on the move to intersect and cover up smaller targets.

NEGATIVES

— High pad level saps his power and sustain skills in the run game.

[Maniaque 6]

The IOL have never looked so good in a decade
Kayodi/Slaughter at LG
Strange/Pennings at RG
Biadasz at center

[beachcomber]

think Logan Taylor/Travis Burke get poached if left off the 53, albeit unlikely for the likes of Harkey or Branson Taylor ??

[Whydachargers?]

I voted for Kayode but after reading their draft-time strengths and weaknesses I'd have to go for Logan Taylor at LG. I want Pipkins - he's my runner-up pick for LG - fresh in case one of Alt or Slater get injured. The only thing Taylor doesn't have over Pipkins at Guard is NFL experience. My answer to that is start Taylor at left guard to begin the regular season. He doesn't need to be great because it's Arizona. If he gets a passing grade in week #1 let Taylor start against the Raiders in week #2. If he looks out of place and slow to react in future weeks then put in Pipkins. Do NOT stick with Taylor at LG after game #2 if he looks lost. We don't need a Bozeman situation at LG.

[dmac_bolt]

Branson Taylor's

Pro day results

					40	vertical	bench press	long jump	short shuttle	3 cone
OL	Pittsburgh	College Stats	6-6	321	5.26	28.5		104	4.62	7.34

Brandon Thorn

POSITIVES

— Big, thick frame and build with a stiff punch to deliver jolt at the point.

— Excels on flat and jump sets when he can get his hands on rushers quickly, corral and clench them up with good grip strength.

— Firm, sturdy anchor.

— Does a nice job getting into his fit, torquing and uprooting defenders out of the hole on angle-drive blocks.

— Solid burst and quicks on the move to intersect and cover up smaller targets.

NEGATIVES

— High pad level saps his power and sustain skills in the run game.

To my uneducated eyes, Taylor looked more tailored to power gap than wide zone. Hope I’m wrong, I haven’t studied him that much so its a brief analysis and assessment.

[Boltnut]

I'm going with the two-time All-American... Jake Slaughter.

[powderblueboy]

To my uneducated eyes, Taylor looked more tailored to power gap than wide zone. Hope I’m wrong, I haven’t studied him that much so its a brief analysis and assessment.

In general, I would agree being a GRO guy... but his 3 cone is appealing, and his 40 is just a tick slower than Kayode - with a solid burst.

[powderblueboy]

I'm going with the two-time All-American... Jake Slaughter.

Out of the blocks, season opener?

I suppose it would be better doing so right away ... Cardinals/Raiders interior defense isn't much, and he can focus on his opponents for an extended time.

After that, Bills, Chiefs, Seahawks, Broncos .... don't want him suddenly tossed in there.


I can see Chris Jones lining up on his outside shoulder and abusing him all game on passing downs .... two time all American means nothing but raw to Jones/Spags