Why Smith over Constanzo?

[Chocolate Lab]

Amen, IR... Been saying that for a while. The idea that some mediocre school in a middling conference has some special ability to produce extra talented and tough linemen is ridiculous.

 

[dbair1967]

I'm growing weary of these Boston College offensive tackles getting highly graded simply because they come from Boston College. You can't tell me that Gosder Cherilus, James Marten and Jeremy Trueblood weren't over drafted compared to their true talent level simply because they came from Boston College and carried that "mystique".

I mean, listen to this NFL guy...



http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...-becomes-big-producer-of-top-line-nfl-linemen

He's basically saying he gives a guy a huge bump based on what color laundry he wore in college. It's ridiuclous. These NFL people are not exactly scientists, and a lot of them use old "football logic" based on a lot of superstition and rules of thumb that may or may not have any real value. I realize BC has put out some good linemen, but are Dan Koppen and Marc Colombo really so great that every player thereafter gets graded on a curve after them, despite all the busts from the same school?

They have produced alot of quality OL though.

No schools produce dead solid locks at any position.

 

[InmanRoshi]

They have produced alot of quality OL though.

If you actually start to list them, you'd be surprised how little bang for the buck that reputation is built on.

 

[28 Joker]

Charlie Casserly just gave his ratings for the 2010-2011 OT class. He combined the two classes and formed his rankings.

Casserly rated Tyron Smith number 2 behind only Russell Okung. This matches up with Wes Bunting's rankings for Smith in comparison to the 2010 OT class. Bunting rated Smith only behind Okung. Both Bunting and Casserly were high on Rodger Saffold, too. Casserly talked about all the different things that Tyron Smith had over all the other players listed below him.

Washington took Trent Williams at number 4. S.F. took Anthony Davis at number 11.

Castonzo was rated towards the bottom, and Casserly stated that he thought that he would be a right side player.

Casserly rates Nate Solder behind Smith for the 2011 class.

 

[gimmesix]

Here's a comparison of the two (for what it's worth) from Florida's Sun Sentinel:

Production
Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo: Started in all four of his collegiate seasons — and started more than 50 games overall — he developed into one of the top left tackles in the nation during his final two seasons at Boston College. Castonzo earned first-team All-ACC honors as a junior and a senior.
USC’s Tyron Smith: After spending his freshman season in 2008 as a backup, he grabbed hold of the right tackle position at USC and made 24 starts there during his sophomore and junior seasons. Earned all-conference honors after his junior season.
Strengths
Castonzo: At 6-foot-7, he possesses the prototypical frame of an NFL left tackle. He’s a hard worker who doesn’t rely purely on his physical tools to overmatch an opponent. He’s durable, too, having never missed a game in college, and intelligent.
Smith: Physically, Smith might be among the most talented members of the 2011 draft class. He possesses the size and strength to be a top NFL offensive tackle for a long time. He’s extremely quick and has the necessary physical tools to shut down elite pass rushers.
Weaknesses
Castonzo: As tall as the 311-pound Castonzo is, he could stand to add some bulk and strength. In college he was able to get by on technique and positioning but he might lack some of the physical tools to slow down the NFL’s fiercest pass rushers.
Smith: At 307 pounds he’ll need to add some weight to his 6-foot-5 frame. In college he used his physical gifts to overwhelm opponents but needs to become a better student of the game. He missed a game his sophomore season because of academic issues.
Best fit
Castonzo: Buffalo, Dallas and Detroit are three teams with major needs at tackle. The Bills might not want to spend a No. 3 pick on an offensive lineman. If Castonzo slips to the Lions at No. 13 he could make a nice living protecting Matthew Stafford’s backside for the next 10 years.
Smith: Dallas makes a lot of sense at No. 9. The Cowboys need help on the line and could groom Smith as the replacement to veteran right tackle Marc Colombo.
The pick
If it’s a question of talent alone it’d be difficult to pass up Smith. But Castonzo is more the sure thing entering the league. Unlike Smith, Castonzo was an unheralded signee entering college. He had to work for every opportunity and he made the most of his chance.

 

[PullMyFinger]

Thanks, that helps. Seems like he did well on the running plays and struggled on at least half of the pass plays shown.

Quinn made everyone look like a fool, he was unblockable

 

[InmanRoshi]

Charlie Casserly just gave his ratings for the 2010-2011 OT class. He combined the two classes and formed his rankings.

Casserly rated Tyron Smith number 2 behind only Russell Okung. This matches up with Wes Bunting's rankings for Smith in comparison to the 2010 OT class. Bunting rated Smith only behind Okung. Both Bunting and Casserly were high on Rodger Saffold, too. Casserly talked about all the different things that Tyron Smith had over all the other players listed below him.

Washington took Trent Williams at number 4. S.F. took Anthony Davis at number 11.

FWIW, Anthony Davis proved to be a fat lazy underachiever in his rookie year just as he was during the draft process. He allowed 11.5 sacks and had 10 penalties (seven were false starts). Even at right tackle, he's just too slow footed for today's game of undersized speed rushers.

 

[Shinywalrus]

I'm growing weary of these Boston College offensive tackles getting highly graded simply because they come from Boston College. You can't tell me that Gosder Cherilus, James Marten and Jeremy Trueblood weren't over drafted compared to their true talent level simply because they came from Boston College and carried that "mystique".

I mean, listen to this NFL guy...



http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...-becomes-big-producer-of-top-line-nfl-linemen

He's basically saying he gives a guy a huge bump based on what color laundry he wore in college. It's ridiuclous. These NFL people are not exactly scientists, and a lot of them use old "football logic" based on a lot of superstition and rules of thumb that may or may not have any real value. I realize BC has put out some good linemen, but are Dan Koppen and Marc Colombo really so great that every player thereafter gets graded on a curve after them, despite all the busts from the same school?

There's some truth to this, but I don't think it's completely fair to dismiss it as just laundry. If there's some pattern of skilled players, there might be reason to assume that there's a good team of coaches, good strength training and a system in place that translates well into making more NFL-ready players.

To me it seems less spurious than quibbling over 1/8" in arm length and the like. Of course, I agree that it's almost certainly overstated.

 

[Gaede]

I'm not the biggest fan of Castonzo...Comes off as a little arrogant in all the interviews I read. Not the biggest knock, I know, when you're an OL. But still, it makes me less inclined to like the guy