Ron Leary Not Afraid Of Competition Entering Third Year At Left Guard

[big dog cowboy]

They will save money in the long run if Collins replaces Free. Free's contract averages 5M per. It will only cost 2.2M to tender Leary next year. If cut after this season, Free's contract would just be a 1 year, 6M deal.

Wether it's Collin's or Green I can see Free losing his starting job and getting cut next spring.

 

[xwalker]

Wether it's Collin's or Green I can see Free losing his starting job and getting cut next spring.

Agree.

 

[xwalker]

Keep telling yourself that. Collins has to look good at RT first. It's not that complicated.

The backup has to play both LT and RT. Collins will likely look the best at LT and might look the best at RT. According to Broaddus, Green has not been practicing.

I think Weems has talent, but he also has had injury issues.

 

[jobberone]

I'd love to see it but Collins is unlikely to come in here and be able to compete at LT, RT, and G. Unless there is an injury at G then he'll backup there. If he gets enough work at RT he could be a backup there but I wouldn't bet on it with odds.

Unusual for a rookie to walk in on a very good line and win a job at one position much less multiple ones.

 

[AsthmaField]

I'd love to see it but Collins is unlikely to come in here and be able to compete at LT, RT, and G. Unless there is an injury at G then he'll backup there. If he gets enough work at RT he could be a backup there but I wouldn't bet on it with odds.

Unusual for a rookie to walk in on a very good line and win a job at one position much less multiple ones.

The coaches aren't going to fall in love with Collins until the pads come on. When that happens, I think they're going to absolutely love his game.

Every single thing that makes Collins such an impressive prospect starts to show once the pads come on. He is tough as hell, physical, and just keeps coming until the whistle blows. He's a mauler and strong as hell.

Once camp gets here, he will impress guys like Broaddus much more... Along with the coaches as well.

 

[jobberone]

The coaches aren't going to fall in love with Collins until the pads come on. When that happens, I think they're going to absolutely love his game.

Every single thing that makes Collins such an impressive prospect starts to show once the pads come on. He is tough as hell, physical, and just keeps coming until the whistle blows. He's a mauler and strong as hell.

Once camp gets here, he will impress guys like Broaddus much more... Along with the coaches as well.

I'm not saying he can't start. I just think he won't beat Leary out. Guards have their own footwork to learn. I agree he will probably do well run blocking but he still has to learn the ZBS and the offense. He needs to work with his teammates which takes some time esp in the pass game. He will have to evolve his game pass protecting. Most guys can't just step in and really work that aspect.

You're right about having to see a player on grass. Until then we won't know what he's capable of. History says he will need work pass protecting. If he were on a less talented OL he'd probably start. He has his work cut out displacing Leary. Unless there is an injury then I suspect he will get spot duty. I'd be surprised to not see him in jumbo packages and short yardage situations as a TE or extra OL.

We'll see.

 

[Stash]

The backup has to play both LT and RT.

I think ideally that's the plan, but if Green isn't up to the task this year and Collins struggles with it, they may not be able to have a dedicated swing tackle but rather dedicated backups for each role.

Collins will likely look the best at LT and might look the best at RT. According to Broaddus, Green has not been practicing.

That's true, and also according to Broaddus, Collins has looked better at guard than tackle and doesn't appear as ready to start as Martin was at this point.

I think Weems has talent, but he also has had injury issues.

No debate on that from me.

 

[Stash]

The coaches aren't going to fall in love with Collins until the pads come on. When that happens, I think they're going to absolutely love his game.

Every single thing that makes Collins such an impressive prospect starts to show once the pads come on. He is tough as hell, physical, and just keeps coming until the whistle blows. He's a mauler and strong as hell.

Once camp gets here, he will impress guys like Broaddus much more... Along with the coaches as well.

I agree, but I think he will do that at guard, not tackle. The guard position allows him to do all of those things you mentioned while lessening any weaknesses.

 

[xwalker]

If you told me he looked better at Guard i would believe you; however, if Broaddus said it, then I normally assume the opposite is true. Broaddus is wrong more often than not.

 

[Stash]

If you told me he looked better at Guard i would believe you; however, if Broaddus said it, then I normally assume the opposite is true. Broaddus is wrong more often than not.

We'll just have to wait and see. If Collins is out there lining up at right tackle during mini-camp and training camp both Broaddus and myself will have been proven wrong.

 

[xwalker]

We'll just have to wait and see. If Collins is out there lining up at right tackle during mini-camp and training camp both Broaddus and myself will have been proven wrong.

I won't be wrong if he plays Guard. I'll only be wrong if all other options are terrible and he is still at Guard.

I actually prefer it because Weems might be a pet cat for me this year; although, I need to see him in 1 preseason game to know for certain.

 

[DallasEast]

The coaches aren't going to fall in love with Collins until the pads come on. When that happens, I think they're going to absolutely love his game.

Every single thing that makes Collins such an impressive prospect starts to show once the pads come on. He is tough as hell, physical, and just keeps coming until the whistle blows. He's a mauler and strong as hell.

Once camp gets here, he will impress guys like Broaddus much more... Along with the coaches as well.

This is what I anticipate as well. I saw enough of what he did at LSU. I think they are going to be awed with Collins' run blocking at tackle. My concern will be his pass blocking. He may impress right away if he can adapt to NFL speed and pressure off the corners. If not, he will get pushed inside to guard.

 

[xwalker]

This is what I anticipate as well. I saw enough of what he did at LSU. I think they are going to be awed with Collins' run blocking at tackle. My concern will be his pass blocking. He may impress right away if he can adapt to NFL speed and pressure off the corners. If not, he will get pushed inside to guard.

One big issue is that he didn't have many opportunities to pass block in college. LSU ran the ball what seemed like 90% of the snaps. I didn't see him get beat in Pass Pro, you only see a few opportunities per game.

 

[Stash]

I won't be wrong if he plays Guard. I'll only be wrong if all other options are terrible and he is still at Guard.

You'll never be wrong.

I actually prefer it because Weems might be a pet cat for me this year; although, I need to see him in 1 preseason game to know for certain.

I'd love for either one of Weems or Green to step up, or better yet, both. But the early word on Green missing practice work is disappointing. Hopefully we get better news for mini-camp and training camp.

 

[DallasEast]

One big issue is that he didn't have many opportunities to pass block in college. LSU ran the ball what seemed like 90% of the snaps. I didn't see him get beat in Pass Pro, you only see a few opportunities per game.

Les Miles loves running the ball about 55%-75% of the time. Part of the reason is that good quarterback play hasn't been very dependable (Zach Mettenberger was the best of the bunch during the past few seasons). Recruiting very good college lineman and running backs is the other reason. If anything, Collins was a solid pass blocker in college but the NFL is whole different breed. He'll get his chance to prove whether his pass blocking skills are ready for the pros. He is a focused young man. I have high hopes he will do well in that area sooner than expected.

 

[xwalker]

You'll never be wrong.



I'd love for either one of Weems or Green to step up, or better yet, both. But the early word on Green missing practice work is disappointing. Hopefully we get better news for mini-camp and training camp.

The media has not done a good job of reporting the specifics of the injuries. I'm not clear why players like Green and DeMarcus Lawrence are missing practice.

I'm not too concerned about players missing non-padded practices. Hopefully, they at least have those players do some walk thru study and maybe extra film study.

 

[Stash]

The media has not done a good job of reporting the specifics of the injuries. I'm not clear why players like Green and DeMarcus Lawrence are missing practice.

I agree. It's been frustrating. But it might be the team simply not disclosing injuries right now because they're not required to.

I'm not too concerned about players missing non-padded practices. Hopefully, they at least have those players do some walk thru study and maybe extra film study.

I'm more concerned because they're rookies trying to learn the NFL game. I think the new CBA has practices so restricted that each and every rep that can get is that much more important.

 

[xwalker]

I agree. It's been frustrating. But it might be the team simply not disclosing injuries right now because they're not required to.



I'm more concerned because they're rookies trying to learn the NFL game. I think the new CBA has practices so restricted that each and every rep that can get is that much more important.

It will be interesting to see who practices for the mini-camp. They get a full week to be ready.

 

[Stash]

It will be interesting to see who practices for the mini-camp. They get a full week to be ready.

I know, I can't wait already!