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The Andrews Impression
By Rafael Vela 12 Comments
No opponent dominated Dallas last year like the Eagles did on Christmas Day, when they ran for over 200 yards on a normally stout Dallas rush defense. And no player on that unit blew up Dallas defenders like RG Shaun Andrews. I’ll bet Bradie James still wakes up screaming from nightmares where a green and white semi bearing number 73 uses poor Bradie as a hood ornament.
Andrews’ early career mirrors Leonard Davis‘. Andrews, like Davis, was a first round pick. He struggled with injuries. He blew up to nearly 400 lbs. and there were questions about his desire. Andrews answered all of them last year, when he got into shape and rampaged through opposing defenses.
Dallas knows Andrews well. He was a 2004 draft target. Many mock drafts awarded him to the Cowboys. I’m not privy to their draft plans that offseason, but I do wonder if the Eagles’ move up to snag Andrews influenced Dallas’ trade-down deal with Buffalo?
I also wonder if the butt whipping Andrews delivered ten weeks ago still smarts? If the personnel people looked at their offensive line and said, “where do we get our Shaun Andrews?” Davis’ profile, especially in the run blocking department, is similar. Here’s Scouts Inc. on both:
Andrews: He explodes into tackles when he comes off the ball hard. He can drive his feet and finish. He doesn’t pull often, but he can blow up his target when he does. He excels in pass protection against powerful bull rushers…
…seems most comfortable in a short area. He can be late to the point of contact on pulls. He needs a little help in pass protection, especially against quickness. He guesses too often, overextends and gets out of position… Grade: 75
Davis: He is the league’s strongest left tackle. He can engulf defenders and wear down pass-rushing ends in the run game. He is effective in pass protection against power and straight-line rushers. He will set, absorb and latch on. He has remarkably strong hands and uses them well. Once he latches on, in the run game or pass protection, it’s over…
…He has played guard and is somewhat versatile. But Davis lacks ideal athleticism for the left side and has yet to play up to his potential. He never has been dominant and seems to lack the motor and nasty edge to be truly great… Grade: 75
And here are the most recent Scientific Football run-block metics on both:
Andrews
YPA — 4.4 yds;
Success% — 75.4;
SYPA — 3.3
Davis
YPA — 4.2 yds.
Success% — 85.5%
SYPA — 3.6
Both those SF lines carry qualifiers. Andrews’ are from the season where he played at around 390 and where Andy Reid stubbornly and inexplicably decided to pass roughly 75% of the time. Davis’ are from the same year when the Cards employed a line coach, Everett Lindsay, who had never coached at any level prior.
What these numbers tell me is that Davis, for all the talk of getting OT money and his versatility, should be playing Andrews’ position. That’s why I’m watching the Marc Colombo negotiations closely. Colombo is what he is, a steady, unspectacular guy, but his return would give Davis the best chance to earn his money.
If the Cowboys get anything close to Andrews-like guard play from Davis, and there is reason to believe they could, they’ve got something.
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By Rafael Vela 12 Comments
No opponent dominated Dallas last year like the Eagles did on Christmas Day, when they ran for over 200 yards on a normally stout Dallas rush defense. And no player on that unit blew up Dallas defenders like RG Shaun Andrews. I’ll bet Bradie James still wakes up screaming from nightmares where a green and white semi bearing number 73 uses poor Bradie as a hood ornament.
Andrews’ early career mirrors Leonard Davis‘. Andrews, like Davis, was a first round pick. He struggled with injuries. He blew up to nearly 400 lbs. and there were questions about his desire. Andrews answered all of them last year, when he got into shape and rampaged through opposing defenses.
Dallas knows Andrews well. He was a 2004 draft target. Many mock drafts awarded him to the Cowboys. I’m not privy to their draft plans that offseason, but I do wonder if the Eagles’ move up to snag Andrews influenced Dallas’ trade-down deal with Buffalo?
I also wonder if the butt whipping Andrews delivered ten weeks ago still smarts? If the personnel people looked at their offensive line and said, “where do we get our Shaun Andrews?” Davis’ profile, especially in the run blocking department, is similar. Here’s Scouts Inc. on both:
Andrews: He explodes into tackles when he comes off the ball hard. He can drive his feet and finish. He doesn’t pull often, but he can blow up his target when he does. He excels in pass protection against powerful bull rushers…
…seems most comfortable in a short area. He can be late to the point of contact on pulls. He needs a little help in pass protection, especially against quickness. He guesses too often, overextends and gets out of position… Grade: 75
Davis: He is the league’s strongest left tackle. He can engulf defenders and wear down pass-rushing ends in the run game. He is effective in pass protection against power and straight-line rushers. He will set, absorb and latch on. He has remarkably strong hands and uses them well. Once he latches on, in the run game or pass protection, it’s over…
…He has played guard and is somewhat versatile. But Davis lacks ideal athleticism for the left side and has yet to play up to his potential. He never has been dominant and seems to lack the motor and nasty edge to be truly great… Grade: 75
And here are the most recent Scientific Football run-block metics on both:
Andrews
YPA — 4.4 yds;
Success% — 75.4;
SYPA — 3.3
Davis
YPA — 4.2 yds.
Success% — 85.5%
SYPA — 3.6
Both those SF lines carry qualifiers. Andrews’ are from the season where he played at around 390 and where Andy Reid stubbornly and inexplicably decided to pass roughly 75% of the time. Davis’ are from the same year when the Cards employed a line coach, Everett Lindsay, who had never coached at any level prior.
What these numbers tell me is that Davis, for all the talk of getting OT money and his versatility, should be playing Andrews’ position. That’s why I’m watching the Marc Colombo negotiations closely. Colombo is what he is, a steady, unspectacular guy, but his return would give Davis the best chance to earn his money.
If the Cowboys get anything close to Andrews-like guard play from Davis, and there is reason to believe they could, they’ve got something.
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