- Messages
- 79,278
- Reaction score
- 45,636
Posted: May 9, 2009
Though tackles must be able to move their feet out on the edges, these guys must have the physical strength and power to excel in the hand-to-hand combat that dominates inside line play. Many of the players listed here are dominant run blockers who like to play forward. But like every other position in the NFL, athleticism and movement skills are becoming important factors. Some of the young up-and-coming players at the position display those skills.
Here are the top 20 guards, the second in a series of positional rankings by RealScouts:
1. Steve Hutchinson, Vikings. Hutch is the industry standard for guards. He's a dominant run blocker who can overwhelm defenders in tight quarters, but he also has the athleticism to pull outside and lead the run off the edge. He's the total package. Adrian Peterson gets all the credit, but the Vikings' run game starts and ends with their big left guard.
2. Chris Snee, Giants. A road grader who competes on every snap, Snee finally has earned Pro Bowl recognition. His bulk and strength are his calling card in the trenches, and he's a big part of the Giants' success in the run game.
3. Brian Waters, Chiefs. Despite getting off to a shaky start with the new boss, Waters is a former Pro Bowler and the Chiefs' best lineman. Scott Pioli and Todd Haley know it, which is why Waters didn't go anywhere during draft weekend despite numerous rumors indicating he might be dealt. He is 32 years old, but his combination of strength and agility is hard to find in a man his size.
4. Shawn Andrews, Eagles: Right now the Eagles are trying Andrews at right tackle. He has the athleticism to pull off that move, but he is a two-time Pro Bowl selection as a guard. He has tremendous size and athletic ability. He can dominate as a straight-ahead run blocker, but he also has the lateral movement skills to play in space. It seems he is over his injuries and bout with depression and could see a return to form playing with an improved unit this year.
5. Alan Faneca, Jets. Faneca will be 35 years old this season, and we had our doubts about his ability to help the Jets last year. But it's no coincidence that New York's run game took such a huge step forward last season, not to mention how much better LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson played with Faneca helping him inside. Faneca makes this whole unit better, and that's the sign of a great player, even at his age.
6. Kris Dielman, Chargers. An aggressive, attacking blocker who likes to get physical up front. Dielman is a hard-nosed guy who likes the hand-to-hand combat in the trenches. He also has the quickness and mobility to get to the second level and find those moving targets in the run game.
7. Arron Sears, Buccaneers. Former coach Jon Gruden had that inside run game going with Earnest Graham, but a big reason he was able to do it was the presence of Sears. He's an instinctive player who is versatile and athletic, which will help him as the Bucs transition under a new coach this season.
8. Eric Steinbach, Browns. Steinbach can play just about anywhere along the offensive line. He has good fundamentals, playing with excellent leverage and technique. But his competitiveness really sets him apart. He plays with a mean streak and is a high effort player.
9. Logan Mankins, Patriots. We could write the same thing about every Patriots lineman. He's tough, strong, and durable. He's not physically imposing, he doesn't have a stellar skill set, but he plays with great technique and instincts, and simply gets the job done, play after play after play.
10. Leonard Davis, Cowboys. Like most of the Dallas lineman, Davis is huge (6-6, 355). He's a mauler as a run blocker who physically overpowers his opponents. He's fairly athletic and can do some good things as a move blocker, and he makes excellent use of his hands in pass protection.
11. Travelle Wharton, Panthers. As a tackle, Wharton struggled. But his athleticism and instinctive play have made him a force inside. He has excellent feet and does a good job of extending his blocks at the second level, which is a big part of the success of the two-headed Carolina running game. He's smart and is quick to pick up stunts and blitzes when playing in protection and adjusts well on the fly. He's a much improved player since his position switch.
12. Brandon Moore, Jets. Though the arrival of Faneca made big news in New York prior to the 2008 season, Moore was quietly becoming a dominant run blocker and consistent performer on the right side of the line. He's not big or dominant, but he's a high effort player who plays with great technique and toughness. The Jets were playing with fire when they released him this offseason, and they are very lucky to have him back. This time next year, he and Nick Mangold will be the Jets' best linemen.
13. Robert Gallery, Raiders. He had a rough start to his career trying to make it as a tackle, but he seems to have found a home at left guard under Tom Cable. He's a big body with long arms who has improved his technique and shown an ability to move well and adjust to counter moves and stunts in pass protection. But his ability to use his size and athleticism as a run blocker will be his strength. The Raiders will run behind him often this year.
14. Harvey Dahl, Falcons. The run-first mentality that has taken over the Falcons in recent seasons is a perfect fit for Dahl's skill set. He's a physical player who dominates as a run blocker and likes to mix it up in the trenches. A real lunch pail kind of guy.
15. Andrew Whitworth, Bengals. Whitworth's smarts and versatility allow him to fill in at any spot along the offensive line, and he ended up moving out to left tackle last season and played very well. With young offensive tackles Anthony Collins and Jason Smith in the fold, he should make a move back inside. He makes great use of his hands and can be an absolute mauler in the run game, which will be a focus of the Bengals offense this year. Whitworth's intelligence, instincts, and experience at tackle should make for improved play in pass protection.
16. Rich Seubert, Giants. Seubert has become an excellent second-level blocker. He is a ferocious competitor and plays with great effort. He also has an excellent understanding of angles, is quick off the ball and does a great job of finding those moving targets. He can be pushed around by bigger defenders at times, but his ability to move his feet and recognize stunts and blitzes makes him a capable pass blocker, as well.
17. Davin Joseph, Buccaneers. A big-bodied bulldozer since entering the league, Joseph has become a more complete player who can also pull and trap and makes good use of his hands when protecting the pocket. He's still improving and will move up this list in the coming years.
18. Jahri Evans, Saints. Evans is a little different than a lot of the maulers on this list in that his strength is his pass blocking, which makes him a critical piece of the Saints' offense. QB Drew Brees likes to throw from the midline, so Evans' ability to wall off quick penetrating DTs and anchor against inside bull rushers has made that passing attack go. He's a small school (Bloomsburg) project who has developed into the Saints' best lineman.
19. Derrick Dockery, Commanders. Dockery is big, strong, and durable and one of the most consistent players in the league at his position. He's a better short area player who can use his size and strength to his advantage when playing in tight quarters. He hasn't missed a game or a start since 2003.
20. Stacy Andrews, Eagles. We're putting him in here. Though he played right tackle in Cincinnati and got paid tackle money to come to Philly, he's been moved to right guard in the early going, and that's probably not a bad move. Though he played well outside, his 345-pound frame will serve him well on the interior. Everything about him is big, from his body, to his hands, to his height and long arms. He plays with power and can dominate as a short area blocker.
RealScouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=547258
Though tackles must be able to move their feet out on the edges, these guys must have the physical strength and power to excel in the hand-to-hand combat that dominates inside line play. Many of the players listed here are dominant run blockers who like to play forward. But like every other position in the NFL, athleticism and movement skills are becoming important factors. Some of the young up-and-coming players at the position display those skills.
Here are the top 20 guards, the second in a series of positional rankings by RealScouts:
1. Steve Hutchinson, Vikings. Hutch is the industry standard for guards. He's a dominant run blocker who can overwhelm defenders in tight quarters, but he also has the athleticism to pull outside and lead the run off the edge. He's the total package. Adrian Peterson gets all the credit, but the Vikings' run game starts and ends with their big left guard.
2. Chris Snee, Giants. A road grader who competes on every snap, Snee finally has earned Pro Bowl recognition. His bulk and strength are his calling card in the trenches, and he's a big part of the Giants' success in the run game.
3. Brian Waters, Chiefs. Despite getting off to a shaky start with the new boss, Waters is a former Pro Bowler and the Chiefs' best lineman. Scott Pioli and Todd Haley know it, which is why Waters didn't go anywhere during draft weekend despite numerous rumors indicating he might be dealt. He is 32 years old, but his combination of strength and agility is hard to find in a man his size.
4. Shawn Andrews, Eagles: Right now the Eagles are trying Andrews at right tackle. He has the athleticism to pull off that move, but he is a two-time Pro Bowl selection as a guard. He has tremendous size and athletic ability. He can dominate as a straight-ahead run blocker, but he also has the lateral movement skills to play in space. It seems he is over his injuries and bout with depression and could see a return to form playing with an improved unit this year.
5. Alan Faneca, Jets. Faneca will be 35 years old this season, and we had our doubts about his ability to help the Jets last year. But it's no coincidence that New York's run game took such a huge step forward last season, not to mention how much better LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson played with Faneca helping him inside. Faneca makes this whole unit better, and that's the sign of a great player, even at his age.
6. Kris Dielman, Chargers. An aggressive, attacking blocker who likes to get physical up front. Dielman is a hard-nosed guy who likes the hand-to-hand combat in the trenches. He also has the quickness and mobility to get to the second level and find those moving targets in the run game.
7. Arron Sears, Buccaneers. Former coach Jon Gruden had that inside run game going with Earnest Graham, but a big reason he was able to do it was the presence of Sears. He's an instinctive player who is versatile and athletic, which will help him as the Bucs transition under a new coach this season.
8. Eric Steinbach, Browns. Steinbach can play just about anywhere along the offensive line. He has good fundamentals, playing with excellent leverage and technique. But his competitiveness really sets him apart. He plays with a mean streak and is a high effort player.
9. Logan Mankins, Patriots. We could write the same thing about every Patriots lineman. He's tough, strong, and durable. He's not physically imposing, he doesn't have a stellar skill set, but he plays with great technique and instincts, and simply gets the job done, play after play after play.
10. Leonard Davis, Cowboys. Like most of the Dallas lineman, Davis is huge (6-6, 355). He's a mauler as a run blocker who physically overpowers his opponents. He's fairly athletic and can do some good things as a move blocker, and he makes excellent use of his hands in pass protection.
11. Travelle Wharton, Panthers. As a tackle, Wharton struggled. But his athleticism and instinctive play have made him a force inside. He has excellent feet and does a good job of extending his blocks at the second level, which is a big part of the success of the two-headed Carolina running game. He's smart and is quick to pick up stunts and blitzes when playing in protection and adjusts well on the fly. He's a much improved player since his position switch.
12. Brandon Moore, Jets. Though the arrival of Faneca made big news in New York prior to the 2008 season, Moore was quietly becoming a dominant run blocker and consistent performer on the right side of the line. He's not big or dominant, but he's a high effort player who plays with great technique and toughness. The Jets were playing with fire when they released him this offseason, and they are very lucky to have him back. This time next year, he and Nick Mangold will be the Jets' best linemen.
13. Robert Gallery, Raiders. He had a rough start to his career trying to make it as a tackle, but he seems to have found a home at left guard under Tom Cable. He's a big body with long arms who has improved his technique and shown an ability to move well and adjust to counter moves and stunts in pass protection. But his ability to use his size and athleticism as a run blocker will be his strength. The Raiders will run behind him often this year.
14. Harvey Dahl, Falcons. The run-first mentality that has taken over the Falcons in recent seasons is a perfect fit for Dahl's skill set. He's a physical player who dominates as a run blocker and likes to mix it up in the trenches. A real lunch pail kind of guy.
15. Andrew Whitworth, Bengals. Whitworth's smarts and versatility allow him to fill in at any spot along the offensive line, and he ended up moving out to left tackle last season and played very well. With young offensive tackles Anthony Collins and Jason Smith in the fold, he should make a move back inside. He makes great use of his hands and can be an absolute mauler in the run game, which will be a focus of the Bengals offense this year. Whitworth's intelligence, instincts, and experience at tackle should make for improved play in pass protection.
16. Rich Seubert, Giants. Seubert has become an excellent second-level blocker. He is a ferocious competitor and plays with great effort. He also has an excellent understanding of angles, is quick off the ball and does a great job of finding those moving targets. He can be pushed around by bigger defenders at times, but his ability to move his feet and recognize stunts and blitzes makes him a capable pass blocker, as well.
17. Davin Joseph, Buccaneers. A big-bodied bulldozer since entering the league, Joseph has become a more complete player who can also pull and trap and makes good use of his hands when protecting the pocket. He's still improving and will move up this list in the coming years.
18. Jahri Evans, Saints. Evans is a little different than a lot of the maulers on this list in that his strength is his pass blocking, which makes him a critical piece of the Saints' offense. QB Drew Brees likes to throw from the midline, so Evans' ability to wall off quick penetrating DTs and anchor against inside bull rushers has made that passing attack go. He's a small school (Bloomsburg) project who has developed into the Saints' best lineman.
19. Derrick Dockery, Commanders. Dockery is big, strong, and durable and one of the most consistent players in the league at his position. He's a better short area player who can use his size and strength to his advantage when playing in tight quarters. He hasn't missed a game or a start since 2003.
20. Stacy Andrews, Eagles. We're putting him in here. Though he played right tackle in Cincinnati and got paid tackle money to come to Philly, he's been moved to right guard in the early going, and that's probably not a bad move. Though he played well outside, his 345-pound frame will serve him well on the interior. Everything about him is big, from his body, to his hands, to his height and long arms. He plays with power and can dominate as a short area blocker.
RealScouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=547258
