It's over..Give me T. Smith

[Primetime42]

It's is amazing how some people almost seemingly consider it a liability that Tyron Smith, or any tackle prospect, could play left tackle and right tackle.

People have theese inflexible archetypes of what a certain player absolutely has to look like (a lot of these people are the ones who still can't get over the fact that Ratliff is a great nosetackle). If right tackle is typically a 360 lbs. fat slob, it's not because that position mandates you have to have a slow footed fat slob to be effective, it's that most teams can't find one tackle with great athleticism and feet, much less two.

As to what his body looks like and how it supposedly transfers to the NFL ... list all the players with that kind of body, and we'll look at the sample size. Bruce Campbell? To me, he reminds me a whole lot of D'Brickshaw Ferguson. I really fail to see how lacking 30 lbs. of mid-section flubber and man boobs hurts a player's performance.

I've spoken to Brick quite a bit in the last few years.

To your point, it's amazing how slim he is for an NFL left tackle. And he's pretty damn good, at that.

 

[Woods]

I would guess the one positive, as of today, is that the Cowboys could have their pick of OTs at 9 - if they choose to go that direction.

Of course anything can happen . . . . but the odds do look reasonable that the Cowboys will have their pick of OTs at 9 (if anyone is truly worthy).

 

[InmanRoshi]

While I like Carimi, he's strictly a RT from what I can make out.

I think there is a reason why scouts had Carimi playing some guard at the Senior Bowl. Pretty strong likelihood that will be his NFL position in about 3 or 4 years.

 

[Woods]

I think there is a reason why scouts had Carimi playing some guard at the Senior Bowl. Pretty strong likelihood that will be his NFL position in about 3 or 4 years.

Too slow for RT? Too much of a plodder?

 

[InmanRoshi]

Considering Smith just turned 20 years old about 2 months ago, and likely the youngest member of this draft class, he's probably just a kid who is still filling out and growing into his frame.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Too slow for RT? Too much of a plodder?

I just think the NFL is turning more and more into a passing league with a lot of perimeter speed. More and more teams are employing a 3-4 so they can bring two undersized speed rushers coming off both edges. The teams that are staying in a 4-3 are also getting smaller and faster at the ends as well, like the Colts bookending Freeney and Mathis. Or the Eagles using Trent Cole and Juqua Parker.

The days of being able to hide a 350 lbs. slow footed mammouth at right tackle like post-car accident Erik Williams are coming to an end, and the distinction between a left tackle and right tackle is going to become more and more meaningless. With the way the league is trending, you're going to need guys who can handle speed rushers at both starting tackle spots.

 

[Woods]

I just think the NFL is turning more and more into a passing league with a lot of perimeter speed. More and more teams are employing a 3-4 so they can bring two undersized speed rushers coming off both edges. The teams that are staying in a 4-3 are also getting smaller and faster at the ends as well, like the Colts bookending Freeney and Mathis. Or the Eagles using Trent Cole and Juqua Parker.

The days of being able to hide a 350 lbs. slow footed mammouth at right tackle like post-car accident Erik Williams are coming to an end, and the distinction between a left tackle and right tackle is going to become more and more meaningless. With the way the league is trending, you're going to need guys who can handle speed rushers at both starting tackle spots.

That makes sense to me.

And especially as more teams are employing the 34 and looking to create mismatches, as you said.

 

[Hostile]

The next Jacob Rogers?

Why? Because he went to USC?

So did Anthony Munoz, perhaps the best there ever was. So did Tony Boselli.

 

[UnoDallas]

Da Brick

At the University of Virginia, Ferguson started his college career listed at 260 pounds (118 kg), often dropping to 245 pounds (111 kg) through the regular season

2006 NFL Draft
Considered an undersized offensive tackle after playing at 295 pounds during his senior year at Virginia,[1] Ferguson officially weighed in at 312 for the NFL combine.[3] As an offensive tackle, Ferguson's talent is found in his lower body strength, athleticism and flexibility

Still, some NFL talent evaluators are concerned about Ferguson's size and how it will affect his blocking. From 2000 to '05 the average weight of the 17 offensive tackles chosen in the first round was 328 pounds, and some scouts believe Ferguson needs to gain 10 to 20 pounds, without sacrificing mobility, before he'll become a Pro Bowl tackle. Others, though, think Ferguson has a perfect blend of speed and strength for the position. "You don't have to be Hulk Hogan and knock the guy down on your run blocks," says one league scout, discussing the left tackle spot. "It really is a position block, with sustained strength. It's better to get into the defender artistically with technique than to just barrel into him." To show that he could beef up, Ferguson came to the Indianapolis Combine in February at 312 pounds. (Like many top prospects he didn't perform drills in Indy.) The following month, at his pro day workout, he still ran the 40 in an impressive 5.1 seconds.
"When he steps on the scale, it's not an eye-opener, but he's going to be a great player," says Tennessee general manager Floyd Reese, whose club has the third overall pick. "He's going to be in the league for 10 to 15 years. He's athletic and very competitive, with good fundamentals and great feet." Adds Buffalo Bills G.M. Marv Levy, who picks eighth, "Teams can get too hung up on a prototype. If he's good, he's good. And [ Ferguson] is very good. You don't have to fit into an exact mold all the time."​

http://i80.***BLOCKED***/albums/j190/sjurg71/t1_ferguson.jpg

during combine


http://i80.***BLOCKED***/albums/j190/sjurg71/372px-D27Brickashaw_Ferguson_-_Jets_-_Sept_2009.jpg

at 310

 

[LatinMind]

Yeah I see the potential too it's just I don't like selecting a Right Tackle @ 9.


I would rather go DE than RT @ 9 as well.

Because drafting a 3-4 DE makes more sense? Really? How much impact is a 3-4 DE going to have?

 

[jnday]

I just think the NFL is turning more and more into a passing league with a lot of perimeter speed. More and more teams are employing a 3-4 so they can bring two undersized speed rushers coming off both edges. The teams that are staying in a 4-3 are also getting smaller and faster at the ends as well, like the Colts bookending Freeney and Mathis. Or the Eagles using Trent Cole and Juqua Parker.

The days of being able to hide a 350 lbs. slow footed mammouth at right tackle like post-car accident Erik Williams are coming to an end, and the distinction between a left tackle and right tackle is going to become more and more meaningless. With the way the league is trending, you're going to need guys who can handle speed rushers at both starting tackle spots.

You make some very valid points. There are several questions IMO that we don`t know the answers. What type of linemen will Garret want for his line ? Will the Cowboys be more of a physical power team or a finesse team ? The NFL runs in cycles. How long will it be before somebody decides that a big line can overpower these small defenses and that becomes the trend ? I have a strong opinion on what type of line that I prefer , as several posters have , but Garrett`s opinion is the only one that counts.

 

[UnoDallas]

well well this is going to change up a lot of draft boards

 

[burmafrd]

Ferguson has not set the world on fire; he has been very good but not top of the line. Not sure why; maybe he does not have the nasty edge that sometimes puts guys over the top.

 

[Dough Boy]

Da Brick

At the University of Virginia, Ferguson started his college career listed at 260 pounds (118 kg), often dropping to 245 pounds (111 kg) through the regular season

2006 NFL Draft
Considered an undersized offensive tackle after playing at 295 pounds during his senior year at Virginia,[1] Ferguson officially weighed in at 312 for the NFL combine.[3] As an offensive tackle, Ferguson's talent is found in his lower body strength, athleticism and flexibility

Still, some NFL talent evaluators are concerned about Ferguson's size and how it will affect his blocking. From 2000 to '05 the average weight of the 17 offensive tackles chosen in the first round was 328 pounds, and some scouts believe Ferguson needs to gain 10 to 20 pounds, without sacrificing mobility, before he'll become a Pro Bowl tackle. Others, though, think Ferguson has a perfect blend of speed and strength for the position. "You don't have to be Hulk Hogan and knock the guy down on your run blocks," says one league scout, discussing the left tackle spot. "It really is a position block, with sustained strength. It's better to get into the defender artistically with technique than to just barrel into him." To show that he could beef up, Ferguson came to the Indianapolis Combine in February at 312 pounds. (Like many top prospects he didn't perform drills in Indy.) The following month, at his pro day workout, he still ran the 40 in an impressive 5.1 seconds.
"When he steps on the scale, it's not an eye-opener, but he's going to be a great player," says Tennessee general manager Floyd Reese, whose club has the third overall pick. "He's going to be in the league for 10 to 15 years. He's athletic and very competitive, with good fundamentals and great feet." Adds Buffalo Bills G.M. Marv Levy, who picks eighth, "Teams can get too hung up on a prototype. If he's good, he's good. And [ Ferguson] is very good. You don't have to fit into an exact mold all the time."​

http://i80.***BLOCKED***/albums/j190/sjurg71/t1_ferguson.jpg

during combine


http://i80.***BLOCKED***/albums/j190/sjurg71/372px-D27Brickashaw_Ferguson_-_Jets_-_Sept_2009.jpg

at 310

Poor job of photo shop by whomever did it. Not even close.

 

[acer941]

Ferguson has not set the world on fire; he has been very good but not top of the line. Not sure why; maybe he does not have the nasty edge that sometimes puts guys over the top.

He's a OT Hes not supposed to set the world on fire. The only OT that has played better than him is Jake Long.

 

[28 Joker]

Mike Lombardi just mocked Tyron Smith to Dallas at 9. NFL Network

Greetings....

He sent Prince Amukamara to Tennessee.

Aldon Smith went to S.F., I think.

Akeem Ayers went to Washington at 10, another edge rusher.

 

[CATCH17]

Because drafting a 3-4 DE makes more sense? Really? How much impact is a 3-4 DE going to have?

Point taken but if I have to take someone to play a position of lower importance I'll go with the defender for this team.

 

[ThreeandOut]

You make some very valid points. There are several questions IMO that we don`t know the answers. What type of linemen will Garret want for his line ? Will the Cowboys be more of a physical power team or a finesse team ? The NFL runs in cycles. How long will it be before somebody decides that a big line can overpower these small defenses and that becomes the trend ? I have a strong opinion on what type of line that I prefer , as several posters have , but Garrett`s opinion is the only one that counts.

I think the $64,000 question is what type of line Garrett wants going forward. The current situation with the line hasn't settled that question as we have quicker, more athletic types of the left side and slower, more physical players on the right side.

Personally, I think they would like to have a Doug Free type of both OT positions, someone who could get to the second level or beyond (think blocking 40 yards down field for Felix) on either side of the line. This type of mobility would give them a lot of possibities in the run game and help offset the impact of the defenses moving their best pass rusher to rush against the ROT.

 

[acer941]

Mike Lombardi just mocked Tyron Smith to Dallas at 9. NFL Network

Greetings....

He sent Prince Amukamara to Tennessee.

Aldon Smith went to S.F., I think.

Akeem Ayers went to Washington at 10, another edge rusher.

He also didn't have A.J. Green or Marcell Dareus in the top 10

 

[burmafrd]

He's a OT Hes not supposed to set the world on fire. The only OT that has played better than him is Jake Long.

Joe Thomas and Jeff Saturday as well. Plus a few others. He is probably top 10 in the league but not worth where he was picked at.