Collins a no go at RT?

[conner01]

Mixed feelings.

I'm fine with replacing Free with a first round pick. That would be awesome. My top priority would always be the OL.

I would be irritated that they had to use a first to replace Free when the could have done it a couple of years ago for an extra 1.4M per season. Can they just trade Romo to get JP back?

I wouldn't spend a first rnd pick on a RT
I would spend any other pick on a guy with potential to play both tackle spots though

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Collins would be a pro bowl RT.

So who would he get the nod over? Tyron Smith, Trent Williams or Jason Peters? Peters is getting up there in age, but Collins won't get the only real open slot

 

[jrumann59]

His arm length is only 3/8" longer than Martins

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/la'el-collins?id=2552361

His big weakness is technique, and he is not a super athlete to overcome those flaws.

 

[robbieruff]

The NFL isn't college, night and day between them....the NFL is about measurable's and skill set, just because you played left tackle in college, doesn't make you a left tackle or right tackle in the pros, and just because you played corner in college, doesn't mean you can right corner in the pros..prime example of that is Zach Martin, played his entire career at ND as a left tackle but his measurable's and skill set makes him an all pro right guard in the pros.....Byron Jones, corner in college, safty in the pros......Offensive linemen aren't interchangeable, too many people on this forum think offensive linemen are interchangeable based on what a player did in college, THEY ARE NOT!!!!

And with regards to Dak do you really think he'd be as successful if he played for Cleveland last year, he's a product of the talent surrounding him, it wasn't all on his shoulders, and he played Qb in college, we're not talking about him now playing corner or defensive end, he's still playing QB based on his measurable's and skill set...

and the equivalence between asking a left tackle to play right tackle is like asking Dak to switch from throwing right handed to left handed...

So you're saying we shouldn't take into account anything about a player's collegiate career in terms of evaluating their projected performance in the NFL???

Is that true of baseball and the NBA, too???

I referenced Dak as an example of someone who gets to play due to injury...who cares if that's why they played!?! The comment about Collins playing at LSU due to injury was trying to dismiss his performance at LT during his two years at the position...it is an irrelevant point.

 

[jrumann59]

If Zack Martin projects better as OG then Collins is also a OG. Martin was a better college tackle than Collins IMO.

 

[robbieruff]

The NFL isn't college, night and day between them....the NFL is about measurable's and skill set, just because you played left tackle in college, doesn't make you a left tackle or right tackle in the pros, and just because you played corner in college, doesn't mean you can right corner in the pros..prime example of that is Zach Martin, played his entire career at ND as a left tackle but his measurable's and skill set makes him an all pro right guard in the pros.....Byron Jones, corner in college, safty in the pros......Offensive linemen aren't interchangeable, too many people on this forum think offensive linemen are interchangeable based on what a player did in college, THEY ARE NOT!!!!

And with regards to Dak do you really think he'd be as successful if he played for Cleveland last year, he's a product of the talent surrounding him, it wasn't all on his shoulders, and he played Qb in college, we're not talking about him now playing corner or defensive end, he's still playing QB based on his measurable's and skill set...

and the equivalence between asking a left tackle to play right tackle is like asking Dak to switch from throwing right handed to left handed...

P.S. - Here's his draft profile from NFL.com...so you can direct any further dramatics to whoever wrote that analysis if you so choose...bolded a few things for you as I don't like to use ALL CAPS...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/la'el-collins?id=2552361

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Thick through chest and displays upper-body strength. Has strong hands and will snatch and control less active defenders. He takes defenders for a ride once he's engaged on the move. Loves to mash and intimidate opponents. Mean player. Can center pass rushers and end their attempt in pass pro. Utilizes length in pass protection and is acclimated to a pro-style offense. Able to run-block and pass-set laterally. Well-schooled and technically proficient. If he gets beat on a play, he comes back even harder on the next snap. Finisher. Can come in and play guard or tackle.
WEAKNESSES
Fails to consistently bring hips and feet with him through contact in the running game, causing him to fall forward and lose balance. Hand usage is a major concern. Hands will start too low in pass pro at times and has to work hard to redirect. Change of direction is slow for a tackle. Relies on lunging rather than foot movement to counter inside moves. Plays high out of stance and loses leverage battle on short-yardage confrontations. Will have to move to right tackle or inside.
SOURCES TELL US
"I love the guy on tape. Big-time finisher in the run game and we need that. What I don't like is that his hands are bad as a pass blocker right now and I'm not sure he gets that fixed right away." -- AFC offensive line coach
NFL COMPARISON
Maurkice Pouncey
BOTTOM LINE
Brawling right tackle or guard prospect in the NFL who has had a level of success in hyper-competitive SEC West. Lacks athleticism to be a consistent left tackle, despite his snaps there in college. Collins plays with a mean streak that is evident in every game, and could come in and start right away in a power-running game as a guard. Collins has a first-round grade, but with the ongoing investigation into the death of his ex-girlfriend Mills unresolved at the time of the draft, no one would be surprised if he went undrafted.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I keep hearing that Collins can't play at right tackle. This is an honest question ........how many of you believe Collins would be an immediate upgrade over Doug Free if we resigned Leary? Free is a walking turnstile/penalty maker.

Si, Collins no go at tackle.

 

[AsthmaField]

I mean, I would like to know if Collins can play RT too... but I don't expect anyone on this forum to know the answer and they won't. So why even ask?

The only way we'll know is if Dallas gives him a shot to play over there. Same for Zack Martin. We'd have to see him do it to know for sure.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I'd rather sign Leary, trade Collins for the best pick available and use that pick on an RT...and from everything I've read, Collins can not play RT, not that Free can play RT anymore...

People also said Dak couldnt be a starter in this league. Until we see him play we have no idea, is all just speculation

 

[RandyOh]

Is this gonna be a weekly thing? Last Collins at RT thread turned hostile. At this point no one is going to change their opinion on the subject.

 

[noshame]

I wouldn't think you need to spend a #1 on a RT. I'm sure we can find a upgrade over free in a box of Cheerios. How about trying Martin out there? Seems athletic enough.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

His arm length is only 3/8" longer than Martins

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/la'el-collins?id=2552361

His big weakness is technique, and he is not a super athlete to overcome those flaws.

Yep.

Not a good enough athlete for either tackle spot.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Is this gonna be a weekly thing? Last Collins at RT thread turned hostile. At this point no one is going to change their opinion on the subject.

They wouldn't do that and unhinge the RG spot.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

People also said Dak couldnt be a starter in this league. Until we see him play we have no idea, is all just speculation

Not everyone said that about Prescott.

 

[cowboy_ron]

How upset would people here be if we selected a tackle in the first round to replace Free?

That would be an unexpected kick in the jewels

 

[noletime95]

I have no idea but I'm sure the coaching staff would happily move Collins to RT if they thought he'd be an all an all pro there particularly with Free on his last leg. Our interests are aligned and the coaching staff is not dumb.

It appears Collins is gonna play OG and Dallas will need to decide how to handle RT. If Dallas brings back Leary and Moves Collins to RT I will be thrilled. But Collins is cheap and going to play. If he can't play RT, Leary is gonzo

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

So, Collins isn't better than Leary at guard (Leary is good, but hardly a Pro Bowl-level guard). But he will be a Pro Bowl-level tackle? That's some logic.

What's even more hilarious is people whining about the Crawford contract being so horrible, but wanting to do the same thing with Leary - pay a solid player too big money.

 

[Chuck 54]

In our run game, those guys up the middle are more important than RT.

Let Leary go get paid by a team that can afford it; plug Collins in at LG; draft a Tackle and give Green his shot this summer.

Spend the money on resigning some of your own guys, signing 2-3 other guys, and paying your draft picks.

 

[Stash]

What's even more hilarious is people whining about the Crawford contract being so horrible, but wanting to do the same thing with Leary - pay a solid player too big money.

Even more "hilarious" is someone putting Leary and Crawford on equal footing.

One guy was a key contributor to the best offensive line in football, while the other was a key contributor to one of the worst defensive lines.

One guy is about to get 3-times what he was paid for 2016, while if the other guy was released, he wouldn't see half of what he's currently being paid.

One guy the team would keep if they could afford the contract, and the other guy the team would be rid of tomorrow if they could afford to get out of the contract.

But yeah, "same thing"...

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Even more "hilarious" is someone putting Leary and Crawford on equal footing.

One guy was a key contributor to the best offensive line in football, while the other was a key contributor to one of the worst defensive lines.

One guy is about to get 3-times what he was paid for 2016, while if the other guy was released, he wouldn't see half of what he's currently being paid.

One guy the team would keep if they could afford the contract, and the other guy the team would be rid of tomorrow if they could afford to get out of the contract.

But yeah, "same thing"...

It's still the same thing. Some people don't understand the nuances of either position, they just see "Good Offensive Line" and "Bad Defensive Line" and since Leary doesn't give up sacks like Free occasionally does, he must be good. I think Leary is a nice player, certainly don't think he's a scrub, but he's gonna get overpaid relative to his actual value here pretty quickly.