SI's top 10 OL prospects.

[btcutter]

Tyron Smith #1?......

No scouting service I've been to has even listed him in the top 10...interesting

He in no way shape or form looks like a Tackle, I'll tell you that much. That guy no fat whatsoever.

Isn't he a converted TE now playing at RT and doing pretty well. He looks more like a TE.

 

[Cover 2]

I still think this OL rebuild is a two year project. It's a risky move trying to replace 4 of 5 offensive lineman.

IMO if I was to do it I would sign Logan, slide Kosier to RG. Draft a center like Wis this year.

You go into this season with Free at LT, Logan at LG, Gurode at Center (unless he loses the job to Wis), Kosier at RG and let Young, Columbo and who ever else battle for the RT position.

The following year you know weather or not you have your RT, if not you address it if you do you begin to replace Kosier.

I just cant see doing all that in one year but with the right moves in FA it's possible. Just not all in the draft.

What about Sherrod in the 1st, Wisniewski in the 2nd, and getting Mankins in FA?

 

[btcutter]

Realistic OL for next year.

LT Free (but we also know this kid can play RT as well just in case)
LG Kosier (need to resign to 2-3 yr contract)
C Gurode (not the most popular but he is decent)...you can't replace 3/5 of your line in one year.
RG FA (Mankin would be nice), draft someone to develop.
RT Draft (may consider keeping Columbo for back up duty just in case the kid doesn't pan out).

 

[Cover 2]

Realistic OL for next year.

LT Free (but we also know this kid can play RT as well just in case)
LG Kosier (need to resign to 2-3 yr contract)
C Gurode (not the most popular but he is decent)...you can't replace 3/5 of your line in one year.
RG FA (Mankin would be nice), draft someone to develop.
RT Draft (may consider keeping Columbo for back up duty just in case the kid doesn't pan out).

No, but you can draft a couple of linemen and sign a free agent. Then you can have one or two of the linemen sit on the bench for a year or two until they're ready. Just because they're drafted doesn't mean they have to play as rookies.

 

[SDogo]

No, but you can draft a couple of linemen and sign a free agent. Then you can have one or two of the linemen sit on the bench for a year or two until they're ready. Just because they're drafted doesn't mean they have to play as rookies.

hmm, even though your 100% right there will be many here to tell you the opposite.

 

[btcutter]

No, but you can draft a couple of linemen and sign a free agent. Then you can have one or two of the linemen sit on the bench for a year or two until they're ready. Just because they're drafted doesn't mean they have to play as rookies.

Don't disagree with drafting multiple OL to develop. I just think that expecting more than one of the rookies drafted to be starting is wildly optimistic.

 

[burmafrd]

I really doubt Smith can put on much weight- he is too lean a body type. And this fantasy some people have of every college player coming into the pros and adding 20 lbs or so of weight and getting a lot stronger is just that. Most top college programs have weight rooms and trainers that are just about as good as any found in the pros. Especially a place like USC.

 

[realtick]

I really doubt Smith can put on much weight- he is too lean a body type. And this fantasy some people have of every college player coming into the pros and adding 20 lbs or so of weight and getting a lot stronger is just that. Most top college programs have weight rooms and trainers that are just about as good as any found in the pros. Especially a place like USC.

It's true that people can't just assume a player can add 20 lbs of mass like it's nothing. Especially, a guy like Tyron Smith who is very lean and has a physique most linebackers would envy.

Some top college programs weight/training rooms may rival some NFL clubs, but it's extra bits that make the difference. When football is your full-time job and you're getting paid for it, you are training more than you ever would in college. You also have the means to hire professional dieticians and personal trainers. Not to mention, men begin to be able to stack muscle and add bulk easier from around 22-23 and beyond.

I said all that to say this, it's not impossible for a player to add significant bulk (20 lbs may be pushing it). However, with Tyron Smith specifically, I don't think he has the frame for it unless he simply attempts to add some body fat.

 

[burmafrd]

and when you add fat lose quickness. Not to mention you have to be very careful to not bulk up and lose flexibility. 20-30 years ago only a few college programs had top weight rooms; now most do. expecially BCS teams. Some players are able to put on weight at they mature, but not as much as some think. maybe 10-15 lbs but that is on the big guys. People mature at an earlier age then they did decades and centuries ago. part of the response to modern diets and such. girls used to not reach puberty, back in the 1700's, until they were 14-15. now its 11-12. same with boys. so the physical maturation process has also speeded up. a college player of 21-22 is not going to physically mature as much now as they did 30-40 years ago. There have also been studies done that suggest weight lifting at an earlier age tends to speed the body maturation process up. of course all individuals are different, but the rule of thumb has moved up.

 

[burmafrd]

looking at the SI write up I see its about as sloppy as one can anymore expect. BC has one of the very best weight programs in the country; and that doofus puts in that comment about a NFL program as regards Castonzo.
BC has sent a lot of top prospects on the O line into the NFL and they come pretty well maxed out as regards weight training.

 

[realtick]

and when you add fat lose quickness. Not to mention you have to be very careful to not bulk up and lose flexibility. 20-30 years ago only a few college programs had top weight rooms; now most do. expecially BCS teams. Some players are able to put on weight at they mature, but not as much as some think. maybe 10-15 lbs but that is on the big guys. People mature at an earlier age then they did decades and centuries ago. part of the response to modern diets and such. girls used to not reach puberty, back in the 1700's, until they were 14-15. now its 11-12. same with boys. so the physical maturation process has also speeded up. a college player of 21-22 is not going to physically mature as much now as they did 30-40 years ago. There have also been studies done that suggest weight lifting at an earlier age tends to speed the body maturation process up. of course all individuals are different, but the rule of thumb has moved up.

It's also normal for men to continue growing into their late teens and early twenties. As far as musculature, most men aren't really able to stack muscle until their mid to late 20's, which is why bodybuilders are made up of primarily older men (relatively speaking), you'll never find a 19-20 year old with that same type of muscle definition and mass he would when he's 30. Finally, metabolism starts to progressively decline in most adults in the same time period, which makes it easier to add and maintain mass.

 

[burmafrd]

that mostly is true; but its becoming less over time. And even now, by the time a player is 30, other probelms are cropping up.

 

[burmafrd]

Just found that Smith is only going to be 20 in December. Had no idea he is that young. Started out at 260 and got to 285 in a little less than 3 years. I could see him growing more than a guy that is 22 coming out of college. So he might be a thought- If he can get 15-20 more, with his quickness, its interesting. Expecially if Garrett wants to move to a more quicker athletic O line.

 

[kevinhickey]

I think we are some what lucky that if Jerry re-signs Doug Free we don't need a LT. Free did a very good job in his first full year as a starter. You don't see many RT's drafted high in the draft anyway. I think Detroit and Buffalo(missing out on Luck) will be looking for Tackles and they will be drafting ahead of us. I really like the corners from LSU and Nebraska and if they are gone then move down. If we move down from a top 10 pick to say somewhere around 20 we could get a extra 2nd round selection. Stefen Wisniewski's name would be on my card as the selection. We could play him a guard, then have him replace Gurrode in the following year. Having an additional 2nd pick would be a plus; we could now tape into the value of a RT and DL. Gabe Carimi OT from Wisconsin or DeMarcus Love OT from Arkansas could be our future RT. Things could change from the end of season until the draft depending on what Jerry does in free agency.

 

[KingintheNorth]

A lot of scouts are comparing Tyron Smith to D'Brickashaw Ferguson. D'Brick came into college at 260, left Virginia around 285, and is now 310.

Also, Tyron barely turns 20 this month.

 

[SDogo]

Also, Tyron barely turns 20 this month.

He is either turning 20 or he is not:

 

[realtick]

A lot of scouts are comparing Tyron Smith to D'Brickashaw Ferguson. D'Brick came into college at 260, left Virginia around 285, and is now 310.

Also, Tyron barely turns 20 this month.

D'Brick was 295 his senior season at Virginia and officially weighed in at 312 at the combine.

I believe the bigger concern was whether he could keep on the weight.

 

[realtick]

I think we are some what lucky that if Jerry re-signs Doug Free we don't need a LT. Free did a very good job in his first full year as a starter. You don't see many RT's drafted high in the draft anyway. I think Detroit and Buffalo(missing out on Luck) will be looking for Tackles and they will be drafting ahead of us. I really like the corners from LSU and Nebraska and if they are gone then move down. If we move down from a top 10 pick to say somewhere around 20 we could get a extra 2nd round selection. Stefen Wisniewski's name would be on my card as the selection. We could play him a guard, then have him replace Gurrode in the following year. Having an additional 2nd pick would be a plus; we could now tape into the value of a RT and DL. Gabe Carimi OT from Wisconsin or DeMarcus Love OT from Arkansas could be our future RT. Things could change from the end of season until the draft depending on what Jerry does in free agency.

Chances are very slim that either Detroit or Buffalo will be looking to draft a OT that early when there isn't one worthy of being taken that high.

Detroit may opt to further bulk up their defensive line or address its weak secondary (perhaps even trading back). Buffalo is primed to take a franchise QB and Andrew Luck fits that bill.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Buffalo is primed to take a franchise QB and Andrew Luck fits that bill.

Assuming Luck goes #1, the Bills won't likely pass on Mallet

 

[jblaze2004]

Assuming Luck goes #1, the Bills won't likely pass on Mallet

IDK fitpatrick(sp?) has been getting it done it seems as of late. but they really do need to develope a franchise QB (even though after Trent Edwards and JP losman(?) they will probally wait.