Dante Fowler on facing La’El Collins: “I got tossed around”

[xwalker]

Love Collins, but when I was watching some of his tape, it looked like he was holding everyone. Definitely holding in the clip you have there. Just sayin.

It is really hard to determine if holding is going to be a problem for a draft prospect because holding is rarely called in college as compared to the NFL. In college there is no reason for and OL not to push the boundaries on holding. Some college coaches even teach them to hold as much as possible with the college rules.

Collins does push the boundaries but I don't think his game was dependent on it. Unfortunately, many of those pancake blocks that he made in college would be called holding in the NFL. I've seen it many times in the past several years where a play that would have been called a great pancake block 20 years ago, now gets called as holding.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Do you think he can play RT in the NFL? People are claiming that he is limited to Guard, but I don't see a problem with him playing RT other than he will have to learn to play on the right side.

His awareness is awesome on the edge. You regularly see him block multiple people and anticipate blitzes and the like. Just given that I think he can do it assuming he picks up the offense quickly. He wasn't playing on the AL line of 2 years ago or the like. He had to do it all on his own.

He has to continue to improve like he did from 13 to 14. He was more upright in 13 and seemed better but inconsistent keeping his butt down through contact particularly versus the run. I get that much of it was an exuberant "Let me at em" attitude but it got him trouble in the SEC. NFL players will exploit it if he doesn't choose his battles a little more wisely. I love that he refuses to admit he got beat and tries to win anyway but there are times he takes himself out of the play and he doesn't need to.

My main concern is his ability to move. I haven't seen him pull outside as LSU never asked him to do it. On the second level though that awareness kicks in. He is excellent angle blocking and reaching blocks.

I think guard will be easier for him but if he can pull off RT I think that creates the better line. I don't think Free is a better guard than Leary due to power and Collins is better equipped to handle the power SDE like Wake of the world.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Love Collins, but when I was watching some of his tape, it looked like he was holding everyone. Definitely holding in the clip you have there. Just sayin.

It's not holding when you have them by the armpits. IF you can keep your hands inside the shoulders its not illegal in the NFL either. His hand strength is impressive.

 

[AzorAhai]

His awareness is awesome on the edge. You regularly see him block multiple people and anticipate blitzes and the like. Just given that I think he can do it assuming he picks up the offense quickly. He wasn't playing on the AL line of 2 years ago or the like. He had to do it all on his own.

He has to continue to improve like he did from 13 to 14. He was more upright in 13 and seemed better but inconsistent keeping his butt down through contact particularly versus the run. I get that much of it was an exuberant "Let me at em" attitude but it got him trouble in the SEC. NFL players will exploit it if he doesn't choose his battles a little more wisely. I love that he refuses to admit he got beat and tries to win anyway but there are times he takes himself out of the play and he doesn't need to.

My main concern is his ability to move. I haven't seen him pull outside as LSU never asked him to do it. On the second level though that awareness kicks in. He is excellent angle blocking and reaching blocks.

I think guard will be easier for him but if he can pull off RT I think that creates the better line. I don't think Free is a better guard than Leary due to power and Collins is better equipped to handle the power SDE like Wake of the world.

This is almost exactly what I saw. I feel pretty much the same way.

As far as playing RT, I think he can play there at an above average to very good level, but I think he can play OG at an elite level. His arm length won't be as big of a problem, and it will allow him to make the most out of his biggest attribute, his strength. He plays with a lot of power. I think his best route will be OG this year while he works on some hand placement technique and RT next year.

 

[texbumthelife]

Do you think he can play RT in the NFL? People are claiming that he is limited to Guard, but I don't see a problem with him playing RT other than he will have to learn to play on the right side.

I read they tried him there while at LSU and again during the Senior Bowl and he looked lost (for whatever reason). I think he is made to be a mauler inside, just like Martin (who many also wonder about at RT).

 

[texbumthelife]

It's not holding when you have them by the armpits. IF you can keep your hands inside the shoulders its not illegal in the NFL either. His hand strength is impressive.

It is when they turn and try to run and you still have a hold of them. Im not knocking Collins at all, and every lineman does it, even interior defensive linemen, but that might be what he was talking about.

He definitely holds Fowler and gets hands to the face.

Coming from LSU, I think he is going to be a little grabby in the passing game, but I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[erod]

I got a gut feeling that Collins will be just like Martin. Imagine TWO guards like that.

 

[xwalker]

I read they tried him there while at LSU and again during the Senior Bowl and he looked lost (for whatever reason). I think he is made to be a mauler inside, just like Martin (who many also wonder about at RT).

He would obviously look lost on the right at the Senior Bowl because he has been playing on the left all through college.

He is not going a be an upgrade in the running game over Leary. He could eventually surpass Leary in Pass Protection; although, Leary did shut down Watt. Leary did struggle with Cox later in the season, but if you recall he missed a game at some point with an injury and seemed to slow down a bit afterwards.

At RT, Collins could potentially be a big upgrade to Free. They limit many of their running plays with Free in the lineup because there are some blocks that he can't make. Free has significant problems with pure power blocking. They would go power right often when Parnell played but avoided it with Free in the lineup. Free was better on backside zone blocks than Parnell, but Free was not close in power blocking. They could get back to really slugging it out if Collins replaced Free.

Back to Leary, they might indeed want to develop a replacement because his knee issue is a big unknown, but in terms of Collins making a big improvement over Leary in 2015, I don't see it.

 

[texbumthelife]

He would obviously look lost on the right at the Senior Bowl because he has been playing on the left all through college.

He is not going a be an upgrade in the running game over Leary. He could eventually surpass Leary in Pass Protection; although, Leary did shut down Watt. Leary did struggle with Cox later in the season, but if you recall he missed a game at some point with an injury and seemed to slow down a bit afterwards.

At RT, Collins could potentially be a big upgrade to Free. They limit many of their running plays with Free in the lineup because there are some blocks that he can't make. Free has significant problems with pure power blocking. They would go power right often when Parnell played but avoided it with Free in the lineup. Free was better on backside zone blocks than Parnell, but Free was not close in power blocking. They could get back to really slugging it out if Collins replaced Free.

Back to Leary, they might indeed want to develop a replacement because his knee issue is a big unknown, but in terms of Collins making a big improvement over Leary in 2015, I don't see it.

The LT to RT comment isn't entirely true. A dominant LT can usually slide to the right without looking absolutely lost. He may not excel, but he shouldn't look overwhelmed. I think most of his struggles will come from leaving a very run oriented LSU team and transitioning to a more balanced team in the NFL.

I don't think he is an upgrade to Leary anywhere right away, which is why I said in the Leary thread trading him would be a huge mistake. He's going to need some coaching and some game time to get used to the nuances of being inside in the NFL.

Collins may potentially be a big upgrade to Free on the right side, but I don't think that's why they went and got him. I think Free is a good and very underrated player around here and Collins has a long way to go to supplant Free. If Collins goes to RT, it will be because Free retired or they cut/let him go. I don't think he'll ever outright replace him.

I am guessing you're making the Leary comments in regards to someone else's posts or just speaking your mind, because I haven't made any suggestions about him replacing Leary in 2015. I didn't even allude to it. That said, I think it's equally as likely Collins relieves Leary as it is he relieves Free, when the time comes.

Remember, these same discussions were had when we took Martin. A lot of people thought he was going to be Free's replacement. Once they saw him at guard, however, there was an immediate click and that's his spot. I think the same thing could happen with Collins mostly because of his style and where his gifts lie.

Perhaps just as likely is, Leary to RT and Collins to LG.

All of that aside, in a couple years Collins will be the second or third best lineman on this team so no matter where he plays he'll likely be an upgrade.

 

[Maxmadden]

He would obviously look lost on the right at the Senior Bowl because he has been playing on the left all through college.

He is not going a be an upgrade in the running game over Leary. He could eventually surpass Leary in Pass Protection; although, Leary did shut down Watt. Leary did struggle with Cox later in the season, but if you recall he missed a game at some point with an injury and seemed to slow down a bit afterwards.

At RT, Collins could potentially be a big upgrade to Free. They limit many of their running plays with Free in the lineup because there are some blocks that he can't make. Free has significant problems with pure power blocking. They would go power right often when Parnell played but avoided it with Free in the lineup. Free was better on backside zone blocks than Parnell, but Free was not close in power blocking. They could get back to really slugging it out if Collins replaced Free.

Back to Leary, they might indeed want to develop a replacement because his knee issue is a big unknown, but in terms of Collins making a big improvement over Leary in 2015, I don't see it.

I just don't think Collins can play RT this year. His whole career has been spent on the left side. I also don't think Green will be ready either. So Free will be the starter unless he is unable to go. Then you have the choice of Collins , Green or Martin or Weems. Haven't seen enough of Weems but they addressed the OT position there with two draft picks so I don't think they feel real comfortable with Weems.

I think their plan is for Smith Collins Frederick Martin and Green in 2016. The real dilemma is Free going to be ready this year and will he be able to stay healthy.

 

[xwalker]

I just don't think Collins can play RT this year. His whole career has been spent on the left side. I also don't think Green will be ready either. So Free will be the starter unless he is unable to go. Then you have the choice of Collins , Green or Martin or Weems. Haven't seen enough of Weems but they addressed the OT position there with two draft picks so I don't think they feel real comfortable with Weems.

I think their plan is for Smith Collins Frederick Martin and Green in 2016. The real dilemma is Free going to be ready this year and will he be able to stay healthy.

Martin played LT in college and immediately moved to RG. It should be doable with a complete training camp and other off-season work.

If Green stays healthy he should be ready. The reason they took him in the 3rd is because he was a ready now type player.

I have no idea about Weems. He is big, strong and athletic. Fred mentioned Weems when he was asked about guys that looked good in the weight room this off-season.

Weems could still make the roster.

1. Tryon
2. Leary
3. Fred
4. Martin
5. Free
6. Bernadeau (The only known backup Center option)
7. Collins
8. Green
9. Weems or GIbson are the most likely options.

 

[xwalker]

The LT to RT comment isn't entirely true. A dominant LT can usually slide to the right without looking absolutely lost. He may not excel, but he shouldn't look overwhelmed. I think most of his struggles will come from leaving a very run oriented LSU team and transitioning to a more balanced team in the NFL.

I don't think he is an upgrade to Leary anywhere right away, which is why I said in the Leary thread trading him would be a huge mistake. He's going to need some coaching and some game time to get used to the nuances of being inside in the NFL.

Collins may potentially be a big upgrade to Free on the right side, but I don't think that's why they went and got him. I think Free is a good and very underrated player around here and Collins has a long way to go to supplant Free. If Collins goes to RT, it will be because Free retired or they cut/let him go. I don't think he'll ever outright replace him.

I am guessing you're making the Leary comments in regards to someone else's posts or just speaking your mind, because I haven't made any suggestions about him replacing Leary in 2015. I didn't even allude to it. That said, I think it's equally as likely Collins relieves Leary as it is he relieves Free, when the time comes.

Remember, these same discussions were had when we took Martin. A lot of people thought he was going to be Free's replacement. Once they saw him at guard, however, there was an immediate click and that's his spot. I think the same thing could happen with Collins mostly because of his style and where his gifts lie.

Perhaps just as likely is, Leary to RT and Collins to LG.

All of that aside, in a couple years Collins will be the second or third best lineman on this team so no matter where he plays he'll likely be an upgrade.

I never thought Martin should play RT. I thought he was a Guard from the minute he was drafted.

Yes, Collins will need more reps in Pass Pro because they didn't pass much at LSU.

 

[casmith07]

If anybody wants to go camping, I just pitched a tent.