Why Can't DJ Fluker Kick in to Play Guard?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I have mentioned this in another thread or two and got no discussion going so I am going to bring it up here.

In a pre-draft interview, Fluker said that he would be willing to play guard if that was where he was needed. There was talk of him being able to play both. Position flex is nice.

Now it seems that discussion withered on the vine. I don't hear it anymore. Is there something that I missed? There are plenty of 6-6 guards 330 lbs guards in the NFL. Mobility that is marginal for a tackle becomes better than average for a guard. He has more than enough power for the job.

Should I not be looking at Fluker as a potential solution at guard?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I have mentioned this in another thread or two and got no discussion going so I am going to bring it up here.

In a pre-draft interview, Fluker said that he would be willing to play guard if that was where he was needed. There was talk of him being able to play both. Position flex is nice.

Now it seems that discussion withered on the vine. I don't hear it anymore. Is there something that I missed? There are plenty of 6-6 guards 330 lbs guards in the NFL. Mobility that is marginal for a tackle becomes better than average for a guard. He has more than enough power for the job.

Should I not be looking at Fluker as a potential solution at guard?

Broaddus was at the Alabama Pro day. He talked with the cowboys scouts and also talked with the Alabama Coaches.

The Alabama coaches said it would be best to keep Fluker at OT instead of moving him to OG.

Now it could have been them just trying to raise his value at OT vs OG but I got the feeling from the way Broaddus was saying it that they gave the impression that it would be hard for him to switch whether that be mentally or physically. Don't have a clue if they had tried to while he was there or not and it did not work.

Now I have heard, as you brought up, that there has been talk of him possibly moving to OG and maybe that does help.

Just repeating what broaddus said when talking to the Alabama coaches.

Who knows what to make of it.

 

[xwalker]

I've posted that Fluker potentially could be a better Guard than Warmack. Fluker is a little faster and could challenge Warmack in terms of power. He is only 6'4-5/8" tall.

The problem is how long it would take him to learn the position. He is known to be a slow learner. I think this is the reason that the Alabama coaches said to start him out at OT.

I don't know if he would be a good fit in Callahan's scheme.

 

[speedkilz88]

I think you would have the Bigg Davis problem with him. He's likely to always have weight issues and the bigger he is the more problems he will have getting to the second level, pulling and dealing with quickness in passing situations.

 

[RS12]

I dont think you would ever see a RG only at 18. Definitely doesnt have the movement skills to play LG. Just for his own financial benefit he needs to stay at T. RG is low man on the pay and priority offensive line totem pole.

 

[cowboysooner]

The guy could be iupati or Carl Nicks. He has that kind of power and long long arms.

If you lined up Fluker next to Clabo you would have a big time short yardage run game.

 

[RastaRocket]

I've posted that Fluker potentially could be a better Guard than Warmack. Fluker is a little faster and could challenge Warmack in terms of power. He is only 6'4-5/8" tall.

The problem is how long it would take him to learn the position. He is known to be a slow learner. I think this is the reason that the Alabama coaches said to start him out at OT.

I don't know if he would be a good fit in Callahan's scheme.

Surprising to hear that he is faster.

 

[TheCount]

The guy could be iupati or Carl Nicks. He has that kind of power and long long arms.

If you lined up Fluker next to Clabo you would have a big time short yardage run game.

:laugh2: :laugh2:

 

[supercowboy8]

Fluket would be a geeat OG or RT in the right scheme but Dallas switching to a zone blocking, he has no place on the line at any position.

 

[CATCH17]

Fluker is an unbelievable run blocker.

Speed rushers will definitely give him troubles but he is an absolute bully in the run game.

I think he could play guard. He's going to struggle doing anything on the 2nd level but he just blows his man off the ball in the run game.

 

[jnday]

He would make a great guard and offer RT potential. Fluker has the one thing that causes most rookie linemen to struggle in their first year, power.

 

[Rack]

Surprising to hear that he is faster.

Still don't understand why people care about speed for an OL.

The DT/DE is lined up about 2 freakin' yards from them... they don't have to be "Fast" to get there.

Quickness is important. Speed is not.

 

[RastaRocket]

Still don't understand why people care about speed for an OL.

The DT/DE is lined up about 2 freakin' yards from them... they don't have to be "Fast" to get there.

Quickness is important. Speed is not.

I just worry about Fluker being burnt toast around the edges with the speed of some NFL rushers. He's probably quicker than I realize though.

 

[Rack]

I just worry about Fluker being burnt toast around the edges with the speed of some NFL rushers. He's probably quicker than I realize though.

Well that wouldn't have anything to do with his speed. He may very well get beat by "Speed" rushers, but it won't be cuz of his 40 time.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I dont think you would ever see a RG only at 18. Definitely doesnt have the movement skills to play LG. Just for his own financial benefit he needs to stay at T. RG is low man on the pay and priority offensive line totem pole.

I disagree that he is a RG only. I think he has the mobility to be great at either guard spot.

 

[supercowboy8]

I disagree that he is a RG only. I think he has the mobility to be great at either guard spot.

in a power man scheme I agree in a zone blocking scheme he has no place.

 

[BAT]

in a power man scheme I agree in a zone blocking scheme he has no place.

Cowboys will not only play a zone blocking scheme. Callahan plays both schemes, just like he did with the Jets.

 

[CATCH17]

Callahan has coached some pretty big dudes on the oline.

Especially in Oakland.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

in a power man scheme I agree in a zone blocking scheme he has no place.

The Saints air'd it out a ton with Carl Nicks. Not sure what there running scheme was, but they threw it just as much as we did.

 

[hra8700]

Greg Cosell thinks he could be All-Pro at guard, Gil Brandt also likes him at guard.

There's a lot of talk about him going higher than Warmack, and it makes sense to me. He could be a Mauler as an RT (more valuable than guard) with some pass blocking deficiencies, or he could be a dominant guard.