News: Coach’s Corner: Frank Pollack on his mammoth 6’ 10” guard Dan Skipper

[CCBoy]

Coach’s Corner: Frank Pollack on his mammoth 6’ 10” guard Dan Skipper
Posted by Kristi Scales

http://www.5pointsblue.com/coachs-corner-frank-pollack-mammoth-6-10-guard-dan-skipper-2/



...“There’s no question it’s difficult for any quarterback who comes into the league, they’re having to navigate around tall offensive linemen, especially a guy who is 6-10,” says Pollack. “He (Skipper) has the disadvantage of being that tall, and I’m sure the quarterbacks are at their disadvantage trying to look around him.

“How we set and how we pass protect, we help the quarterback throw through some of those (passing) lanes. Our quarterbacks are really talented and they understand how to make the throws and adjust. They’re well-coached and they have the ability to handle all that stuff.”

Skipper played offensive tackle at Arkansas. Usually the taller, leaner offensive linemen play tackle while the shorter (and usually stouter) linemen play guard or center. To see a mammoth guy like Skipper at guard is disconcerting at first. He’s so much taller than everyone else, especially on the interior of the line. So why did Pollack move Skipper from offensive tackle to guard? “These young guys, especially free agents, if they want to make the team they have to play more than one spot,” explains Pollack. “They don’t have the luxury of sticking to one spot along the offensive line...

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm very anxious to see what Skipper looks like next summer. A year of nothing but pro football could turn this practice squad player into a legit 53 man roster threat. I was very glad when the Cowboys landed him.

 

[BigStar]

Wouldn't this make it harder on the QB considering his height? I could see @ T bc their on the wing of the QB's vision but that would force some creativity for the QB to find the "window" bw his OL for short/intermediate passes. Either way, kind of cool to have such a physical specimen on the team.

 

[Direwolf63]

....

 

[dogunwo]

I'm very anxious to see what Skipper looks like next summer. A year of nothing but pro football could turn this practice squad player into a legit 53 man roster threat. I was very glad when the Cowboys landed him.

I think we could have some excellent reserve lineman with he and Theaker. Hopefully will help get rid of Cleary.

 

[jobberone]

I have my doubts about his playing in the interior but we'll see. I'm hoping they find either a roster spot for him or on the PS so he can develop. Can you imagine this guy playing tackle with those arms and that length. If his feet are any good then he might just develop. And if he does then he could be a trend setter.

 

[Teague31]

Complete waste of time. There's a reason no one that tall has ever played OL on this level

 

[xwalker]

Complete waste of time. There's a reason no one that tall has ever played OL on this level

Jonathan Ogden was 6'9-1/4".

Skipper is 6'9-5/8'.

Ogden was an 11 time Pro Bowl player and 9 time All-Pro.

Both of these players were 6-9:
Jared Gaither
Dennis Roland

 

[Screw The Hall]

Screaming practice squad to me.

 

[xwalker]

Screaming practice squad to me.

Leary spent a year on the PS.

 

[gmoney112]

I think we could have some excellent reserve lineman with he and Theaker. Hopefully will help get rid of Cleary.

What's wrong with Cleary? He played pretty decent at T. I figured he was going to make the 53.

Skipper, really at this point, is fighting for a PS spot. Seeing him against an NFL caliber end right now would probably be pretty messy.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

I like the article from blogging the boys which said team should use Skipper in the redzone as a TE. Another weapon for Dak.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I have my doubts about his playing in the interior but we'll see. I'm hoping they find either a roster spot for him or on the PS so he can develop. Can you imagine this guy playing tackle with those arms and that length. If his feet are any good then he might just develop. And if he does then he could be a trend setter.

His feet are his biggest problem. He needs alot of work to make the 53 this year or next.

 

[haleyrules]

If anything, he will make TC more interesting. Having a giant like him on the PS can't be a bad thing. Development.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Leary spent a year on the PS.

There have been several good players across the league that started out on the PS.

 

[xwalker]

What's wrong with Cleary? He played pretty decent at T. I figured he was going to make the 53.

Skipper, really at this point, is fighting for a PS spot. Seeing him against an NFL caliber end right now would probably be pretty messy.

He did OK against Myles Garrett in college without help.

I still expect him to be on the PS.

 

[jazzcat22]

We can have the best talented group of players on a PS this year. ....

We could have a pretty good group in Skipper, and say if White can be stashed there as well, maybe the TE Barwin, a few WR, say if Brown can be stashed there if he doesn't make the team.cor even Gathers, but I think he makes it this year.
Watch a the LB, and a few DL, like Carrell or Ivie or both. Lenny Jones the DL or LB whatever they have him at.

 

[Screw The Hall]

Leary spent a year on the PS.

Yeah, I'm not knocking being on the PS by any means. It's just we have limited spots on the 53 and I think the OL is starting to become pretty self explanatory as far as who those guys are probably going to be. The big if being injures of course.

 

[bodi]

put him on the D LINE

 

[Nova]

6'10"!?!

Are we sure this guy isn't just Beasley sitting on top of Switzer in a trench coat?