Bob McGinn - Scouts Comments on La'el Collins

[perrykemp]

2. LA'EL COLLINS, Louisiana State (6-4½, 312, 5.14, 1): Started at LG as a sophomore before moving to LT in 2013-'14. "He's a lot like Scherff," said one scout. "Not unlike Bulaga. Little short-armed (33¼). Kind of like a Sam Baker kind of tackle with the Falcons but he could be a really good guard." Described by another scout as a "mean" player. "He could be a Pro Bowl guard, but I also think he can play tackle," a third scout said. "He's a really good run blocker. He's athletic. He's nasty." Tied with Humphries for the lowest score (12) on the Wonderlic among the top-25 offensive linemen. "I think he's smart enough to play tackle," a fourth scout said. "He's a motivated guy and I think he'll learn it." From Baton Rouge, La. "He's got good girth, he's strong, he can bend his knees and he's got play instincts," a fifth scout said. "He doesn't have ideal length to be a full-time left tackle. He only took a few reps at right tackle during Senior Bowl week and you could tell he's never played the right side. It was awkward. But when you see him in a workout and roll it all together, he's going to be a longtime starter at left guard or left tackle."

 

[sbark]

I love to see

2. LA'EL COLLINS, Louisiana State (6-4½, 312, 5.14, 1): Started at LG as a sophomore before moving to LT in 2013-'14. "He's a lot like Scherff," said one scout. "Not unlike Bulaga. Little short-armed (33¼). Kind of like a Sam Baker kind of tackle with the Falcons but he could be a really good guard." Described by another scout as a "mean" player. "He could be a Pro Bowl guard, but I also think he can play tackle," a third scout said. "He's a really good run blocker. He's athletic. He's nasty." Tied with Humphries for the lowest score (12) on the Wonderlic among the top-25 offensive linemen. "I think he's smart enough to play tackle," a fourth scout said. "He's a motivated guy and I think he'll learn it." From Baton Rouge, La. "He's got good girth, he's strong, he can bend his knees and he's got play instincts," a fifth scout said. "He doesn't have ideal length to be a full-time left tackle. He only took a few reps at right tackle during Senior Bowl week and you could tell he's never played the right side. It was awkward. But when you see him in a workout and roll it all together, he's going to be a longtime starter at left guard or left tackle."

I love to see the terms "mean" and nasty"

 

[CowboyRoy]

2. LA'EL COLLINS, Louisiana State (6-4½, 312, 5.14, 1): Started at LG as a sophomore before moving to LT in 2013-'14. "He's a lot like Scherff," said one scout. "Not unlike Bulaga. Little short-armed (33¼). Kind of like a Sam Baker kind of tackle with the Falcons but he could be a really good guard." Described by another scout as a "mean" player. "He could be a Pro Bowl guard, but I also think he can play tackle," a third scout said. "He's a really good run blocker. He's athletic. He's nasty." Tied with Humphries for the lowest score (12) on the Wonderlic among the top-25 offensive linemen. "I think he's smart enough to play tackle," a fourth scout said. "He's a motivated guy and I think he'll learn it." From Baton Rouge, La. "He's got good girth, he's strong, he can bend his knees and he's got play instincts," a fifth scout said. "He doesn't have ideal length to be a full-time left tackle. He only took a few reps at right tackle during Senior Bowl week and you could tell he's never played the right side. It was awkward. But when you see him in a workout and roll it all together, he's going to be a longtime starter at left guard or left tackle."

Left Guard? Absolutely perfect. Thats exactly what we need. 4 pro bowlers on the line? Wow, this line will rival the 90's line. Unbelievable. An extra top 20 pick. Incredible.

 

[Alexander]

Note the commentary about the left side.

 

[Silver N Blue]

man o man its a great feeling as a long time fan knowing are boys are back!!

 

[texbumthelife]

Holy smokes. Won't be a day one starter over Leary, but he will probably take over before the end of the season. If we can keep him at guard throughout his career it keeps his price down too. I don't know how long we can keep this line together financially speaking, but it's going to be a beautiful thing for as long as it lasts.

 

[BrassCowboy]

what the heck is going on here? maybe Jerry can run the ball behind this line. Awesome job!

 

[AdamJT13]

We've now added three rookies who were projected in some mocks to be gone before we even picked at #27.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Collins would be good at tackle, but at left Guard, he's a GREAT Zach Martin 2.0

 

[The Quest for Six]

Holy smokes. Won't be a day one starter over Leary, but he will probably take over before the end of the season. If we can keep him at guard throughout his career it keeps his price down too. I don't know how long we can keep this line together financially speaking, but it's going to be a beautiful thing for as long as it lasts.

Collins is already better than Leary, he's taking Leary's job on day one!

 

[perrykemp]

That's the scouting report of a Top 10 pick. Basically nothing negative there.

 

[TonyS]

We've now added three rookies who were projected in some mocks to be gone before we even picked at #27.

Nice detail there Adam! Gotta admit I feel sorry for this kid as he went through a couple tragedies, including the loss of someone he probably cared about as well as millions of dollars to help his family. Hope he can dominate this contract and finally get a big deal for his second contract.

 

[TwistedMetal]

Collins is already better than Leary, he's taking Leary's job on day one!

Highly unlikely, Leary has played really well and will start this year. If Leary goes down, Collins comes in, otherwise, Collins starts next year and someone signs Leary to a nice contract and we maybe get a comp pick from Leary, an UDFA, go Scouting Dept.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Highly unlikely, Leary has played really well and will start this year. If Leary goes down, Collins comes in, otherwise, Collins starts next year and someone signs Leary to a nice contract and we maybe get a comp pick from Leary, an UDFA, go Scouting Dept.

he's a top ten pick, Leary is the weak point in this offensive line, Collins will be starting come week one, just like Smith, Fredrick and Martin did, he's that good at Guard

 

[Chuck 54]

he's a top ten pick, Leary is the weak point in this offensive line, Collins will be starting come week one, just like Smith, Fredrick and Martin did, he's that good at Guard

when did Free stop being the weak link?

 

[big dog cowboy]

We've now added three rookies who were projected in some mocks to be gone before we even picked at #27.

My favorite thought of the day is either this or.....our first round pick is the 3rd best player we got out of this draft.

 

[TwistedMetal]

he's a top ten pick, Leary is the weak point in this offensive line, Collins will be starting come week one, just like Smith, Fredrick and Martin did, he's that good at Guard

Sorry, do not agree at all, you are not going to take Leary who has been playing well and has continuity with the line out just because. Could Collins outplay Leary in camp and win the job, yes but I doubt that happens. Leary is pretty darn good.

 

[theogt]

He only took a few reps at right tackle during Senior Bowl week and you could tell he's never played the right side. It was awkward. But when you see him in a workout and roll it all together, he's going to be a longtime starter at left guard or left tackle."

I hadn't heard that. So, there you have it -- our new LG.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Sorry, do not agree at all, you are not going to take Leary who has been playing well and has continuity with the line out just because. Could Collins outplay Leary in camp and win the job, yes but I doubt that happens. Leary is pretty darn good.

That is actually the plan.

 

[Eskimo]

Sorry, do not agree at all, you are not going to take Leary who has been playing well and has continuity with the line out just because. Could Collins outplay Leary in camp and win the job, yes but I doubt that happens. Leary is pretty darn good.

Leary was by far the weak link on that OL, especially in pass protection. Cox, Peppers and JJ Watt absolutely abused him when they got isolation opportunities against him. You could live with him as a starter but he is definitely someone you would upgrade if given the chance to do so at a reasonable cost.

IMO, part of the reason Collins came here was a behind the curtains handshake guarantee to get the starting job at LG so he could earn playing time bonuses on top of his salary to make up for lost money from the police investigation. It is very likely his job to lose no matter what is said to the media or how they line up at the start of TC. It is important for him to get the snaps so he can learn and build the continuity with his linemates so they are ready to dominate in the playoffs.