Flos replacement?... ND OT Ryan Harris

[ENGCowboy]

Anybody else think that this guy could be Joe Juresaks(sorry about the spelling) new pet project this year as Flos replacement. A year with Joe working with him and adding 15-20 pounds of pure muscle with Sparano working on technique this could be our future LT for years. I personally dont have that much faith in McQuistan I know a lot of you do but I feel we need to replace Flo next year and Im not sure he could do that. This guy could be an anchor at LT longterm and the only knocks on him are down to size, although some question his aggression. Me i think the guy who protected the most pro-like QB, in the most pro-like system in college could be a fantastic pick inj the 2nd.Thoughts?


Ryan Harris OT 6'5 292 Notre Dame

Ryan Harris made an early impact as a freshman in 2003. He started the final eight games at right tackle, then moved to the left side as a sophomore. He has not left that spot since. Harris was featured on an MTV reality show, “True Life” as a teenager, talking about his ability to pack on and maintain his weight.

From an athletic standpoint, Harris has it all. He is a very good natural athlete, with the agility to move laterally with ease, and adjust very quickly to the defenders movements. With his natural talent and experience, he has developed into an excellent pass protector. Playing for Notre Dame, he has the attitude all of their lineman seem to possess, and that is to fight until the whistle blows.
While he has all the athletic talent, Harris still needs to become stronger and add more weight to his frame. He is very lean for an offensive lineman, and it could give him problems over a 16 game schedule. He also needs to get stronger because he can be beaten by the bull rush, and stronger defensive lineman. If Ryan Harris can pack on more weight and get stronger, he could become a prime draft pick. As it stands now, he has real concerns about his ability to control players at the point of attack, and that is a big question for an offensive lineman.

 

[Stash]

I'd rather take Central Michigan's Joe Staley.

 

[ENGCowboy]

I'd rather take Central Michigan's Joe Staley.

Agree either would be good, similar guys lean frames not ready to start immediately but with the way Colombo came on from one season in the gym with Joe either of these guys sound like they have the skill set to suceed in the NFL

 

[Stash]

Agree either would be good, similar guys lean frames not ready to start immediately but with the way Colombo came on from one season in the gym with Joe either of these guys sound like they have the skill set to suceed in the NFL

Yeah, it would be nice to have Adams' replacement in place learning the pro game and getting a year's worth of NFL weight-training.

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

Wouldn't this be the same type of project we just abandoned with Al Johnson? This guy seems to have the same questions.

 

[ENGCowboy]

Especially because theres a high chance we will be drafting 22 or lower again next year, hopefully lower! OT seem to either grade out as high 1sts or middle 2nds or lower there never seems to be much value at OT in the lower half of the first round and we will need a replacement for Flo nxt year Jerry is starting to understand you dont just hang on to the older players out of sentiment.

Johnson never had the size the skinny on both of the prospects mentioned is that they have a lean frame with the potential to add 15-20 pounds without losing agility

 

[AmishCowboy]

I have read where he practices a Religion that calls for him to fast and it makes his weight go up and down to much.

 

[burmafrd]

Ryan Harris SUCKED most of this last season. NO WAY do we spend a high pick on him.

 

[Alexander]

Please no.

 

[Future]

I thought McQuistan was being groomed as Flo's replacement already?

 

[fortdick]

I have read where he practices a Religion that calls for him to fast and it makes his weight go up and down to much.

hmmmm, which would that be?

 

[Rack]

I thought McQuistan was being groomed as Flo's replacement already?

THat's what I thought. Apparently if you don't replace that player within one year you have to go out and find another replacement.


Same thing with WR. I thought we had 3 promising young WRs on the roster already, but for some reason we have to go out and find another one.

 

[fortdick]

THat's what I thought. Apparently if you don't replace that player within one year you have to go out and find another replacement.


Same thing with WR. I thought we had 3 promising young WRs on the roster already, but for some reason we have to go out and find another one.

As far as McQ, I have to wonder if you can really expect to have a good LT from a 6th round draft pick. He may have the size and strength, but I have to believe something was lacking for him to be a late day 2 pick. I am also not so confident he will be abale to replace Flo. As a project, he is a great one, but the odds are against him. Maybe he will, but I wouldn't bet the farm.

As far as WR, Hurd seems to be a real prospect. Crayton is a good thrid, but he has been around for three or four years now and can't get past Glenn. He has great hands, but for some reason the coaches don't see him as a #2, much less a #1 receiver. He is available in case of an injury, but again, I wouldn't put all my flour in that biscuit.

First pick should be an impact player. WR, RB, LB, QB, CB, DE (4-3), or LT. Anything else can be filled adequately in the 2-5 rounds. Since we seem to have a QB, and there won't be any RB's available at #22 better than what we have, that leaves WR, ILB, CB, or LT. The BPA at these positions would be a solid pick.

 

[ENGCowboy]

As far as McQ, I have to wonder if you can really expect to have a good LT from a 6th round draft pick. He may have the size and strength, but I have to believe something was lacking for him to be a late day 2 pick. I am also not so confident he will be abale to replace Flo. As a project, he is a great one, but the odds are against him. Maybe he will, but I wouldn't bet the farm.

As far as WR, Hurd seems to be a real prospect. Crayton is a good thrid, but he has been around for three or four years now and can't get past Glenn. He has great hands, but for some reason the coaches don't see him as a #2, much less a #1 receiver. He is available in case of an injury, but again, I wouldn't put all my flour in that biscuit.

First pick should be an impact player. WR, RB, LB, QB, CB, DE (4-3), or LT. Anything else can be filled adequately in the 2-5 rounds. Since we seem to have a QB, and there won't be any RB's available at #22 better than what we have, that leaves WR, ILB, CB, or LT. The BPA at these positions would be a solid pick.

With R. Harris and J. Staley were not talking 1st round maybe not even 2nd im not quite sure where they are projected. I agree totally with your assessment of McQuistan he already has the bulk, maybe it was technique im not uptodate on that but I thought the knock was speed/agility something desperately needed at LT, with more teams moving to 3-4 or smaller quicker ends in a 4-3 the one thing you cant be at LT is slow take for example our recent FA acquisition L.Davis brilliant at guard, ok at RT, but a terrible season at LT.

Harris and Staley have the speed and agility just lack a bit of size, a proffesional such as Joe Juresak sould be quite capable of adding size without losing speed/agility.

 

[conner01]

staley is the better prospect. we won't know about mcq till camp and see how he has improved. if he can be the man then we are in real good shape.i don't care much for harris as he seems to be the same player he was early on in his career. that makes me wonder if he is all he's gonna be

 

[Rack]

As far as McQ, I have to wonder if you can really expect to have a good LT from a 6th round draft pick. He may have the size and strength, but I have to believe something was lacking for him to be a late day 2 pick. I am also not so confident he will be abale to replace Flo. As a project, he is a great one, but the odds are against him. Maybe he will, but I wouldn't bet the farm.

As far as WR, Hurd seems to be a real prospect. Crayton is a good thrid, but he has been around for three or four years now and can't get past Glenn. He has great hands, but for some reason the coaches don't see him as a #2, much less a #1 receiver. He is available in case of an injury, but again, I wouldn't put all my flour in that biscuit.

First pick should be an impact player. WR, RB, LB, QB, CB, DE (4-3), or LT. Anything else can be filled adequately in the 2-5 rounds. Since we seem to have a QB, and there won't be any RB's available at #22 better than what we have, that leaves WR, ILB, CB, or LT. The BPA at these positions would be a solid pick.

What round a player is picked is irrelevant AFTER they are drafted. If they can play, they can play. All we saw and heard of McQ last season was positive. If they guy is showing signs that he can get the job done then you don't give up on him and look elsewhere. You continue developing him and see where it goes.

As for the WRs, I think Crayton would be a solid #2. Hurd showed promise, but let's not forget about Miles Austin. 6'3", 220 lbs and he's FAST. He also showed promise last year. I'm not saying these guys WILL be great. I'm just saying they've showed enough to be given a chance.

The situation we're in gives us the opportunity to truly take the BPA in the draft. In fact, IMO the biggest need on the team is backup NG. We know Fergy can get the job done with the best of 'em, but we don't know a thing about the backup. The back NG has shown no promise whatsoever. IMO that's our biggest need especially since Fergy is getting up there in age.

 

[flashback]

McQ never played OT until he became a Cowboy. But he was so good at OG, he was there in the 6th round. I hope he replaces Flo ASAP and goes on to have a Hall Of Fame career at LT, but I'm not holding my breath.

I remember seeing Ryan Harris on that MTV show. I'm glad he made it. I don't remember anything about a religion. He was eating something 6,000 calories/day to get his weight up for ND. Seems like a good kid.

And I don't think any of us should have any qualms about using the draft to bring in competition for Pat Freaking McQuistan. Its the bottom of the roster. Let it churn!

 

[AsthmaField]

I didn't really watch ND football much this past season, but from what I've read about Ryan Harris, his pass blocking was about as significant as a doggie door, swingin' in the breeze.

Why would he be a good pick?

Oh, and count me in as one of the guys who thinks McQuistan will be a good LT.

 

[burmafrd]

McQ was not rated highly because he had only played two years. He did not play football in High School, I think. I do recall that he had played very little compared to his brother who was drafted in the third rd by Raiders. His TWIN brother. He played a lot at LT in the preseason games when the Hotel tweaked his leg and was out. He garnered so much good press from scouts that BP was not able to put him on the practice squad as he would have been snapped up right away. THAT is why he was on the roster for the full year. BP and Sparano even went to far as to state that if he had to play at LT that year he would be ok. All indications are that he has the talent; he just needs the reps and the experience.

 

[Cochese]

I didn't really watch ND football much this past season, but from what I've read about Ryan Harris, his pass blocking was about as significant as a doggie door, swingin' in the breeze.

Why would he be a good pick?

Oh, and count me in as one of the guys who thinks McQuistan will be a good LT.

I was just about to comment on this. I thought the Notre Dame line sucked?