Could Khaled Holmes be a perfect fit for us?

[Galian Beast]

We could probably get this guy pretty late in the draft, and it looks like he is a perfect fit for a zone blocking scheme. Really athletic, and a really smart player.

[youtube]kLCGhYIV5JY[/youtube]

Khaled Holmes of USC is another talented center prospect that should hear his name called on day two. He is a good athlete that has very good mobility on the field, showing the ability pull and block on the move very well. He lacks power at the point of attack, but is usually in the right position and never quits on the play, so he can hold his own against power players on the interior line. Holmes may not project well in a power blocking scheme, but could be a standout in a zone blocking scheme.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2013/prospects/ol.html

I've seen mocks with him going as late as the 7th round. Given that we don't have a 7th round pick, I would suggest we definitely pick him up in the 6th round. If combined with Cooper or Warmack on one side and Brandon Moore on the otherside, I think that would be an awesome interior. I would even suggest trading up a few spots to get Cooper if possible.

Anyways I think he would be a great choice if we can't get Barrett Jones.

Imagine

Smith - Cooper - Holmes - Moore* - Winston*

* - Free Agents

 

[Tabascocat]

I like his potential as a late round pick. I have us taking a C at some point, 5th or 6th rd. For some reason I can't explain, I like Lonergan in the 6th.

 

[Zekeats]

LOOK at 1 minute 50 seconds......he would fit right in with our current line

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Heard rumors that people question his love of the game. Now some said he is kind of an aloof player of sorts so maybe that is what it is.

 

[Sasquatch]

Heard rumors that people question his love of the game. Now some said he is kind of an aloof player of sorts so maybe that is what it is.

I read that somewhere as well. JG rightfully targets players for whom the "game is important" which would probably disqualify Khaled.

 

[TheSport78]

Heard he doesn't really love the game. No thank you.

 

[burmafrd]

I was really wanting him earlier; but I have also heard that football is not all that important to him as well. NEVER pick someone like that.

 

[Future]

I was really wanting him earlier; but I have also heard that football is not all that important to him as well. NEVER pick someone like that.

I'd bet that half the guys in the NFL fall into that category.

 

[Galian Beast]

Heard rumors that people question his love of the game. Now some said he is kind of an aloof player of sorts so maybe that is what it is.

[youtube]RyEV-7CmNpE[/youtube]

 

[xwalker]

LOOK at 1 minute 50 seconds......he would fit right in with our current line

I've watched that complete game with Holmes against Lotulelei. Holmes won most of the snaps and was alone 1-on-1 with Lotulelei more than other college Centers or Guards. Lotulelei is going to win some snaps against everybody. He wouldn't be a probable top 10 pick if he didn't.

Here is a report that I did back in November on that matchup:

I Tivo’d the USC/Utah game specifically to see Holmes and Lotulelei. I’ve watched it multiple times now, isolating on Holmes.

I’ve read in multiple places that Lotulelei owned Holmes in that game. I can understand that if someone watched the game in real time without rewinding that it might appear that Lotulelei was killing Holmes, especially if you listen to the announcers; however, I just don’t agree.

I was impressed with Holmes ability to block Lotulelei 1-on-1 on multiple occasions.

I watched the 1st half again and noted what I saw.

Single Blocked = Holmes blocked Lotulelei 1-on-1
Double Team Block = Homes involved in the block with another Olineman against Lotulelei
Other = Holmes blocked someone other than Lotulelei
Win = Holmes keeps Lotulelei from affecting the play
SL = Star Lotulelei
KH = Khaled Holmes

Play-by-Play: (1st half only)

Win, Single Block
Win, Single Block, Low Shotgun Snap. QB has his hands on it but can’t maintain possession.
Win, Single Block
Other
Lose, Single Block, KH can't step back because the QB didn't get the ball. SL knocks KH backwards. Not sure if fault is KH or QB.
Win, Single Block
Other, SL blew up the RB in the backfield. At first this appeared to be KH's fault; however, in slow-motion review, KH was trying to get to his left to block someone else. The RG, RT, TE and FB all end up trying to block the 1 guy lined up between the RG and RT. Although the hole was open and KH was not attempting to block SL, SL slammed in to the side of KH before bursting through unblocked to get the RB.
Win, Single Block
Facemask Against Utah. This was a stretch run play that KH was losing, but the penalty negated the play.
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block
Other
Win, Single Block
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Single Block
Win, Double Team Block
Other
Win, Single Block
Win, Single Block
Other
Other
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Single Block
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block, This is a great play by Holmes. He is the primary blocker against SL and then drops into the backfield to pick up a free rusher coming from the outside.
Other
Flase Start on USC, SL knocks KH to the ground.
Win, Single Block
Win, Single Block
Other
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block
Other
Other
Other
Win, Single Block

 

[xwalker]

Heard rumors that people question his love of the game. Now some said he is kind of an aloof player of sorts so maybe that is what it is.

I don't think that scouts like Intellectual types. I'm not sure that they can understand someone working on a Masters degree because it is so far removed from something that they would have done.

 

[Verdict]

I've watched that complete game with Holmes against Lotulelei. Holmes won most of the snaps and was alone 1-on-1 with Lotulelei more than other college Centers or Guards. Lotulelei is going to win some snaps against everybody. He wouldn't be a probable top 10 pick if he didn't.

Here is a report that I did back in November on that matchup:

I Tivo’d the USC/Utah game specifically to see Holmes and Lotulelei. I’ve watched it multiple times now, isolating on Holmes.

I’ve read in multiple places that Lotulelei owned Holmes in that game. I can understand that if someone watched the game in real time without rewinding that it might appear that Lotulelei was killing Holmes, especially if you listen to the announcers; however, I just don’t agree.

I was impressed with Holmes ability to block Lotulelei 1-on-1 on multiple occasions.

I watched the 1st half again and noted what I saw.

Single Blocked = Holmes blocked Lotulelei 1-on-1
Double Team Block = Homes involved in the block with another Olineman against Lotulelei
Other = Holmes blocked someone other than Lotulelei
Win = Holmes keeps Lotulelei from affecting the play
SL = Star Lotulelei
KH = Khaled Holmes

Play-by-Play: (1st half only)

Win, Single Block
Win, Single Block, Low Shotgun Snap. QB has his hands on it but can’t maintain possession.
Win, Single Block
Other
Lose, Single Block, KH can't step back because the QB didn't get the ball. SL knocks KH backwards. Not sure if fault is KH or QB.
Win, Single Block
Other, SL blew up the RB in the backfield. At first this appeared to be KH's fault; however, in slow-motion review, KH was trying to get to his left to block someone else. The RG, RT, TE and FB all end up trying to block the 1 guy lined up between the RG and RT. Although the hole was open and KH was not attempting to block SL, SL slammed in to the side of KH before bursting through unblocked to get the RB.
Win, Single Block
Facemask Against Utah. This was a stretch run play that KH was losing, but the penalty negated the play.
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block
Other
Win, Single Block
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Single Block
Win, Double Team Block
Other
Win, Single Block
Win, Single Block
Other
Other
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Single Block
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block, This is a great play by Holmes. He is the primary blocker against SL and then drops into the backfield to pick up a free rusher coming from the outside.
Other
Flase Start on USC, SL knocks KH to the ground.
Win, Single Block
Win, Single Block
Other
Win, Double Team Block
Win, Double Team Block
Other
Other
Other
Win, Single Block

Thanks for the effort you put into this and a great write up. Sounds like was KH was pretty impressive just based on your write up.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't think that scouts like Intellectual types. I'm not sure that they can understand someone working on a Masters degree because it is so far removed from something that they would have done.

Yeah, thanks for your write-up. I'm even more impressed with him now. I definitely hope we get him if we can't get Barrett Jones. It just makes a lot of sense. We could really set up this offensive line, this year, with just a few solid moves.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't think so. I think he's another project OL. I think we can probably do better but whatever the team thinks.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't think so. I think he's another project OL. I think we can probably do better but whatever the team thinks.

What makes you think he is a project? He is ideally suited for our scheme.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

What makes you think he is a project? He is ideally suited for our scheme.

Not very strong, doesn't play with balance, doesn't anchor well, has issues with his technique and he has some things in his past. He's 6'3" 302 lbs. He went to USC, was a 3 year starter and he's not hyped at all. Anybody who goes to USC and is anything at all is hyped at some point.

 

[Galian Beast]

Not very strong, doesn't play with balance, doesn't anchor well, has issues with his technique and he has some things in his past. He's 6'3" 302 lbs. He went to USC, was a 3 year starter and he's not hyped at all. Anybody who goes to USC and is anything at all is hyped at some point.

Half of that assessment was incorrect and the other half was speculation.

Only thing right was that he doesn't anchor well and isn't really strong. His strength can certainly improve. That being said he is technically very sound. He does play with good balance. He isn't hyped because he is a center first of all, and secondly he probably doesn't fit in more power based man schemes. He does however fit perfectly in our zone scheme. Sandwiched by legit guards, he will excel.

 

[CF74]

Get us a center somewhere with some serious upside, please!!!!

 

[Idgit]

I don't think so. I think he's another project OL. I think we can probably do better but whatever the team thinks.

We don't even have a roster spot for another developmental interior OL, honestly. This would be a wasted pick, in my book.

 

[Zordon]

stay away from USC players.