Lael Collins vs. Zack Martin vs. Leary

[FuzzyLumpkins]

When back and watched this tape:



Compared that to Zack Martin film from college. Then I looked at nfl.com draft summaries and ratings for both.

Came away with Martin being a physically stronger and more technically sound player coming out of college, with the only advantage for Collins being longer arms.

All things being equal, I don't think we get Zack Martin redux this year from Collins. We might want to put a little lid on our excitement until Collins can get his balance and hand work fixed.

And I wouldn't pencil Leary to the bench just yet.

That made me think more of technique. Flowers is very good at using his hands and gave Collns some problems with his ability to maintain his lean and use his hands. Collins gets too upright at times trying to be aggressive and that causes him to lose base and power. Martin was one of the most ready to play OL I have watched. Collins is still pretty well developed; he just needs better discipline. In 2014, they lost a ton of offensive talent from the year before. That QB was awful particularly as opposed to Mettenberger.

 

[gmoney112]

Haha, of course we aren't going to get Martin redux from Collins. Anyone expecting that just isn't thinking realistically. Martin made the All-Pro team as a rookie G in the first time, in what, 40 years? Complete outlier.

And yeah, the difference between Martin and Leary is pretty significant. Leary didn't even make the Pro Bowl, much less All-Pro. Martin is on a complete different tier, especially at the second level.

Collins is, more than likely, not going to be Martin. This year at least. However, he's a legitimate blue chip talent.

He'll also be playing G where competition and technique isn't as stiff as LT.

I have little doubt that, beginning, he may not be a superior technician to Leary, but by the end of the season he will have firmly supplanted him.

I also don't think he would have signed in Dallas if there wasn't an insinuation he'd be starting somewhere along the line this year.

 

[CATCH17]

This

Problem is though that Free is getting paid more money and he's under contract for another year unlike Leary.

I WISH Dallas would try to lock up Leary right now and at worst use him as a backup.

 

[TwentyOne]

When back and watched this tape:



Compared that to Zack Martin film from college. Then I looked at nfl.com draft summaries and ratings for both.

Came away with Martin being a physically stronger and more technically sound player coming out of college, with the only advantage for Collins being longer arms.

All things being equal, I don't think we get Zack Martin redux this year from Collins. We might want to put a little lid on our excitement until Collins can get his balance and hand work fixed.

And I wouldn't pencil Leary to the bench just yet.

Collins is not a typical zone blocker. He is made for a power blocking scheme.

I am excited about this signing but lets see how well he adjusts. Leary played well last season.

 

[AsthmaField]

Dude. Homer much? Go read the NFL.com scouting reports and read the measureable comparisons on Collins and Martin. Collins criticisms by scouts are the same as are found in this thread. I am not saying he won't be good or great or start week one or even make the all-pro team his rookie year.

But I am saying we shouldn't count on it. Leary is darn good. Collins is a rookie. Normally 1st round lineman are drafted to replace weak starters. Leary is not a weak starter.

His weaknesses from NFL.com as you mentioned:

WEAKNESSES
Lacks ideal length to stay outside in the pros -- relatively small wingspan. Not a pure road grader who rolls off flat-backed and buries defenders. Could be stressed by bigger, more powerful defensive tackles. Can improve balance and sustain on the second level. Does not have experience at guard. Could stand to bulk up in preparation for a move inside.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profiles/zack-martin?id=2543480

Oh, wait... that is Zack Martin.

The point is, Martin had some "weaknesses" as he was heading into training camp too. They all do.

Footage of Martin messing up at Notre Dame is out there. But he had terrific tools for the coaches to work with and a natural talent that says he should have been taken in the top half of round 1.

Similarly, Collins has terrific tools and a natural talent that says he should have been taken in the top half of round 1. I'm not talking about you necessarily... but I'm not sure people really know how physically dominating and how talented Collins really is. The guy is a monster.

Having said all of that, I don't necessarily disagree with you that Collins might not beat out Leary from game 1. Leary is a good player and is much better than Bernadeau, who was Martin's main competition. I could see it taking a while for Collins to win the job. However, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if Collins did win the job outright in camp because he is a super talented OL who only has a few flaws in his game, much like Martin did. Hand placement and not being too aggressive are the biggest two that he needs to work on IMO and that is fairly easily corrected by coaches.

Zack wasn't a perfect prospect, although he had terrific tools to work with. Collins isn't a perfect prospect, but he has terrific tools to work with.

Collins almost certainly won't be as accomplished as Martin was in year 1... but he can be a day 1 starter. I think having the super intelligent Frederick next to Martin really helped ease Martin into the NFL, and he will do the same thing for Collins. Tyron on one side and Frederick on the other really helped Leary and it will likewise help Collins.

Just my two cents.

 

[burmafrd]

anyone who swallows PFF garbage as regards rating players is always going to be wrong. Only a complete dunce would think that someone that made ALL PRO as a rookie is not CONSIDERABLY better than a three year vet who has never even sniffed the Pro Bowl.

 

[Verdict]

But then, the Cowboys wouldn't of had to trade a 6th, for Swaim!

How high was Swaim graded? If we gave up a 6th for him next year you would think that he must have had a much higher round grade on him to have parted with a pick on him since you can usually get a blocking tight end pretty cheaply, (cough-udfa) unless they are elite.

 

[speedkilz88]

How high was Swaim graded? If we gave up a 6th for him next year you would think that he must have had a much higher round grade on him to have parted with a pick on him since you can usually get a blocking tight end pretty cheaply, (cough-udfa) unless they are elite.

I agree. It is likely they had at least a 6th round grade on him. Could have been a lot higher.