Scouting the OTs: DJ Fluker, Alabama

[Gaede]

People said that Cordy Glenn had to move inside in the pros too.

But what little I saw of him, he looked pretty good out at tackle.

[da_whiz_kid]

Originally Posted by xwalker

They moved James Carpenter to OG.

Keep in mind that Callahan is known for his Zone Blocking Scheme.

I have reviewed all of the Cowboys games on the All-22. Many of their Zone Stretch Runs that failed were due to 1 player being 1 step late to their block.

I can't blame all of those failures on a lack of quickness because there were some failed blocks where the OL stayed on his initial help-block too long; although in theory the quicker the player the longer he can stay with the help block and still get to his required 2nd block.

I'm not advocating for or against the ZBS, just pointing out that quickness is critical if you're planning to use it.

It's funny actually reading up on the type of offense we ran and the ZBS. In the ZBS as you mentioned, quickness is key to getting to the block. In the Coryell(this was hilarious) the requirements for it to work efficiently were, a good line, one that could create a pocket and type for the QB to step in and hit his WR that were deep, and a power run game. It was about timing and rhythm and the wr had to be in their spots. So if the ZBS is not working because the players were not quick enough to run it, and your passing game is lacking to very key details to running the offense correctly(power run, great protection up front), couple that with lack of adjustments, I don't see how we even won 8 games considering how inefficiently the offense was being run as a whole.

[ABQCOWBOY]

I like Long. He's got short arms but I like everything else about him.

[Tezz]

He might go 1st-early 2nd because I think he would have a smooth transition to Guard if he fails at RT.

[The Realist]

I like, not love him.

I prefer Chris Faulk and he fits the bill of us drafting injured players that fall.

[TheCount]

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

I like Long. He's got short arms but I like everything else about him.

He seems like an LT to me.

[Gaede]

I like Fluker alot. He may not look the smoothest or fastest out there but he's a football player.

Kinda developing into a pet cat, I think

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by TheCount

He seems like an LT to me.

I think his arms are too short for LT but if he could be a LT, that's not a bad problem to have. We could move Smith back to RT, where he played much, much better anyway. Either way, I think we could probably draft Long a little later and get very good value there.

[RS12]

Can we all agree that Fluker, Faulk and even Long are likely upgrades over what is being trotted out there now. Only question is value, where do you get em.

[Gaede]

Originally Posted by RS12

Can we all agree that Fluker, Faulk and even Long are likely upgrades over what is being trotted out there now. Only question is value, where do you get em.

Yes, I think that's a fair thing to say.

[CowboysLaw87]

Fluker is a less athletic, more assertive Cordy Glenn. And for the record, I'll take that trade off. I really liked Cordy last year because of his position flexibility. I figured at worst, here's a guy that'll be a darn good OG that could bump out to either OT spot in a pinch (or to RT full time if Free struggled).

Fluker doesn't have a high ceiling as a pass protector at OT, but his 37" arms certainly help. With some minor technique tweaks, I think he'd be adequate there. And he could be the game's best run blocking RT. An A+ run blocker and a B- pass protector (where Romo can see the rush anyway). Yes please.

But initially I'd play him at OG, where his run blocking is highlighted and his pass pro concerns diminished. He'd be a Day 1 starter at OG, and a really good one at that. He allows us to release Free, start Parnell, and bump out there if need be.

Smith-Fluker-Costa-Livings/Berny-Parnell

That's a much better OL (particularly run blocking) than in 2012. And it could only cost a 2nd rounder.

[RS12]

Originally Posted by CowboysLaw87

Fluker doesn't have a high ceiling as a pass protector at OT, but his 37" arms certainly help. With some minor technique tweaks, I think he'd be adequate there. And he could be the game's best run blocking RT. An A+ run blocker and a B- pass protector (where Romo can see the rush anyway). Yes please.

That's a much better OL (particularly run blocking) than in 2012. And it could only cost a 2nd rounder.

Nut shell at worst pass blocking stays same and run blocking takes huge step forward. I totally agree.

[Gaede]

We could really use a massive run blocking tackle or guard on this team. Fluker is ideal. I really liked Glenn last year, but I like Fluker better--because of his strength and assertiveness (as mentioned above)

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by Gaede

People said that Cordy Glenn had to move inside in the pros too.

But what little I saw of him, he looked pretty good out at tackle.

Cordy Glenn
6056, 345, 5.15 forty

I don't expect Fluker to break 5.5 in the forty.

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by xwalker

Cordy Glenn
6056, 345, 5.15 forty

I don't expect Fluker to break 5.5 in the forty.

then we shouldn't ask him to block anyone 40 yards down field??

that's a very weak complaint imho.

in the SEC he proved plenty able to block down field for multiple seasons.
he was a day 1 starter on a great collegiate ol.

dont think nate newton had any speed. many other guys along our ol either. we need guys who can actually block, we have guys who can run pass people and whiff or get driven back into the QB now.

i hope he runs a slow 40 and falls to us in r2 because he projected much higher right now.

anyone who watched the games saw a guy destroy people play after play.