OT draft watch list

[Ochmed Jones]

Which offensive tackles expected to be available in the draft are Patriot type offensive tackles? (Huge, mobile, smart, durable and excel in a zone blocking scheme)

Realizing that guys like Okrung will be selected much earlier than we are going to pick I have 4 guys rated very highly as Patriot type OTs"

1.) Bugula of Iowa - a rock, may not last past the middle of round 1.
2.) Young of Notre Dame - got his lunch handed to him by USC, but is huge, mobile and durable.
3.) Ulatoski of Texas - maybe being upstaged by Hix a bit.
4.) Ziemba of Auburn - whenever Tate needs yards, he runs behind this monster.

I like the Auburn kid a lot. He is huge, mobile and above average as a flat back run blocker and would excel on the right side in the NFL. I would not be surprised to see BB overdraft this kid, if he comes out, in the second round ala Vollmer.

 

[bbell31]

ochmed, who r the top guard/centers in the nation? id like us to look at them bc vollmer is obviously the answer at tackle but im unsure about orhnberger and our interior line for the future

 

[cstjohn17]

ochmed, who r the top guard/centers in the nation? id like us to look at them bc vollmer is obviously the answer at tackle but im unsure about orhnberger and our interior line for the future

Yes, tackle seems to be ok. We have our top 4 tackles under contract control for 2010 (Light, Kaczur, Mankins, LeVoir).

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2009 Patriots Roster Page

bold indicate free agents
C - 2 Koppen, Connolly
G - 4 Neal, Mankins*, Ohrnberger, Simmons
OT - 3 Light, Kaczur, Vollmer

*Mankins will be an RFA if no CBA is reached (I think)

So out of the 9 linemen on the roster 7 or maybe 8 are under contract control.

No wonder these guys are so good, what was a significant area of concern is now an acceptable unit even before free agency and the draft. Sure some of the spots can be improved but that can be said for any of the units.

 

[Taxed in Maine]

I like Kyle Calloway. Possibly Jason Fox from Miami.

But to be honest I'm not as concerned about OT as I am OG.

With Kaczur, Vollmer and LeVoir locked up for a while I would rather go with a kid like Jon Asamoah with one of the 2nd rounders. Other OG possibilities would be Thomas Austin or Mitch Petrus.

 

[SidelineSid]

I like Kyle Calloway. Possibly Jason Fox from Miami.

But to be honest I'm not as concerned about OT as I am OG.

With Kaczur, Vollmer and LeVoir locked up for a while I would rather go with a kid like Jon Asamoah with one of the 2nd rounders. Other OG possibilities would be Thomas Austin or Mitch Petrus.

I'm with you on this one. We could use a strong infusion of talent in the interior of the offensive line. I know it's a little controversial, but I think that the Center position could be upgraded. Due to the fact that Koppen's contract will expire with three years, and he usually requires assistance from our Guards, the position could use a look.

Also, some interior linemen have shown an ability to rotate from the Center and Guard positions. Such a skill could greatly open up our running game and provide strong depth.

 

[mayoclinic]

I had previously posted a thread discussing some day 1 OL possibilities:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/280788-2010-day-1-ol-prospects.html

I'm not particularly high on Okung - nice prospect, but nothing special. Trent Williams looks like a pure RT and lacks the athleticism and footwork to be a LT. Charlie Brown from USC seems a bit on the light side. I had liked Brian Bulaga last year but he seems to have regressed a bit - good run blocker, but not sure that he'll be a dominant LT. Jason Fox from Miami is definitely worth a look, especially if he falls to the 2nd round.

The OT who most intrigues me right now is Bruce Campbell from Maryland, a 6'6" 310# athletic freak (supposedly runs a 4.82 40) with terrific feet. He shut down Ricky Sapp this year, and shows excellent athleticism and agility. He's a junior, but is rumored to be coming out. He's considered a 1st round pick, but he's had some injuries this year (toe and MCL) which may cause him to slip a little. Definitely worth serious consideration if he lasts to where we pick.

The interior linemen have emerged as a much more interesting group than I had previously thought. Right now there are 2 guys who I really like:

1. Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho (Senior). 6'6" 330# mammoth from Samoa who moves like a 200# gazelle. Very light on his feet and agile for a guy his size and an OG. Dominant in the running game but agile enough to handle the pass rushers as well. Likely to go late 1st/early 2nd round. Definitely worth a serious look - he would be phenomenal replacing Neal, especially if we can resign Mankins.

2. Maurkice Pouncey, OG/C, Florida (Junior). 6'5" 318# center, who makes the holes for Tim Tebow along with his brother Mike (6'5" 320# OG). A potentially dominant physical center who would be able to handle to power NTs such as Kris Jenkins, Casey Hampton, Jason Ferguson and Jamal Williams. May not come out this year. If he waits to 2011, I hope we take a hard look at him with our own #1 pick (not the one from Oakland).

There are some other nice interior guys (Mike Pouncey if he declares, Mike Johnson from Alabama, Jon Asamoah from Illinois, Mitch Petrus from Arkansas), but they don't seem to be in the same league as these two.

 

[SidelineSid]

It would be sweet if we can pick up a solid interior offensive lineman. A good center or guard could be had with Tennessee's 2nd round draft choice. Our 1st round choice could then be used on either the best linebacker, hybrid defensive end, or 3-4 end. Lots of possibilities folks.

 

[mayoclinic]

It would be sweet if we can pick up a solid interior offensive lineman. A good center or guard could be had with Tennessee's 2nd round draft choice. Our 1st round choice could then be used on either the best linebacker, hybrid defensive end, or 3-4 end. Lots of possibilities folks.

I personally agree that we should use one of our day 1 picks on an OL, preferably an interior lineman. I would consider strongly either Mike Iupati or Maurkice Pouncey (if he comes out) with our picks from Tennessee or Jacksonville. I'm not sure any other interior lineman is worth taking that high.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

There are some other nice interior guys (Mike Pouncey if he declares, Mike Johnson from Alabama, Jon Asamoah from Illinois, Mitch Petrus from Arkansas), but they don't seem to be in the same league as these two.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Asamoah gets taken (seeing as he's being coached by the same guy who coached Vollmer and Kaczur).

 

[mayoclinic]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Asamoah gets taken (seeing as he's being coached by the same guy who coached Vollmer and Kaczur).

Taken when? My only issue with what you say is that Asamoah is a 3rd-4th round prospect right now, and we traded away our 3rd round pick to Oakland for Derrick Burgess. I see him being a big reach at the end of the 2nd round as things currently stand, and doubt he'll last to the end of the 4th.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Taken when? My only issue with what you say is that Asamoah is a 3rd-4th round prospect right now, and we traded away our 3rd round pick to Oakland for Derrick Burgess. I see him being a big reach at the end of the 2nd round as things currently stand, and doubt he'll last to the end of the 4th.

A lot of people thought Vollmer was a reach in the second as well. If a player excels at zone blocking and has intelligence and passion, then BB will not be afraid to overdraft a player.

 

[Taxed in Maine]

A lot of people thought Vollmer was a reach in the second as well. If a player excels at zone blocking and has intelligence and passion, then BB will not be afraid to overdraft a player.

Depends on list you look at I guess. I have seen Asamoah ranked as high as the Mid-second.

Iupati is consistantly late 1-early 2, but I don't think he fits in what the Pats are looking for in their OGs.

 

[mayoclinic]

Depends on list you look at I guess. I have seen Asamoah ranked as high as the Mid-second.

Iupati is consistantly late 1-early 2, but I don't think he fits in what the Pats are looking for in their OGs.

I personally don't know what the Pats are looking for in their guards.

If you mean a smaller, quicker finesse guard suited to a ZBS, then you're absolutely right, Iupati doesn't fit the picture. But neither do Logan Mankins or Kendall Simmons.

Personally, I hope we're moving away from the ZBS, which has not worked that well for us. Vollmer is more of a power OT than a ZBS kind of guy, as is Mankins. I wouldn't have particularly predicted that the Pats would have fallen in love with Vollmer last year. Iupati is massive, but he moves extremely well for a guy his size and has excellent footwork. I don't see him as just a "road-grader" kind of slow, powerful OG, even though he can overpower guys.

I have no idea whether the Pats would consider him. But I think he would be a beast along with Mankins, and would do wonders for our running game (and for helping Koppen out with the big guys in the middle).

 

[SidelineSid]

I personally don't know what the Pats are looking for in their guards.

If you mean a smaller, quicker finesse guard suited to a ZBS, then you're absolutely right, Iupati doesn't fit the picture. But neither do Logan Mankins or Kendall Simmons.

Personally, I hope we're moving away from the ZBS, which has not worked that well for us. Vollmer is more of a power OT than a ZBS kind of guy, as is Mankins. I wouldn't have particularly predicted that the Pats would have fallen in love with Vollmer last year. Iupati is massive, but he moves extremely well for a guy his size and has excellent footwork. I don't see him as just a "road-grader" kind of slow, powerful OG, even though he can overpower guys.

I have no idea whether the Pats would consider him. But I think he would be a beast along with Mankins, and would do wonders for our running game (and for helping Koppen out with the big guys in the middle).

Yeah, I'm with you on this one. Blitz heavy teams tend to overload our gaps and get in our backfield. This might be why Brady has been one of the most hit quarterbacks in the last couple of years. Also, it might also explain why cut back runners like Marroney are having trouble in our scheme: when defenders are overloading our gaps, they force him too redirect.

 

[NePatriots]

Just got done with an interview with Mike Iupati -- will post the link to it as soon as everything gets written up.

 

[mayoclinic]

Just got done with an interview with Mike Iupati -- will post the link to it as soon as everything gets written up.

You're getting some quality interviews. Austen Lane, now Mike Iupati. Guys I would love to see interviewed (assuming the juniors declare):

- Vladimir Ducasse, OT/OG, UMass
- Gabe Carimi, OT/OG, Wisconsin (junior)
- Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi
- Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame (junior)
- Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, USF
- Greg Hardy, DE/OLB, Mississippi
- Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU
- Jeremy Beal, DE/OLB, Oklahoma (junior)
- Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
- Greg Romeus, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh (junior)
- Eric Norwood, DE/LB, South Carolina

Keep up the good work.

 

[NePatriots]

You're getting some quality interviews. Austen Lane, now Mike Iupati. Guys I would love to see interviewed (assuming the juniors declare):

- Vladimir Ducasse, OT/OG, UMass
- Gabe Carimi, OT/OG, Wisconsin (junior)
- Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi
- Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame (junior)
- Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, USF
- Greg Hardy, DE/OLB, Mississippi
- Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU
- Jeremy Beal, DE/OLB, Oklahoma (junior)
- Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
- Greg Romeus, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh (junior)
- Eric Norwood, DE/LB, South Carolina

Keep up the good work.

Got inquiries in to a lot of those guys already, but won't get any action until after Bowl Games for most, and some are waiting to declare.

I have AJ Edds (Maybe Clayborn/Bulaga/Spievey if they declare) on the line after the Orange Bowl as well.

 

[mayoclinic]

Got inquiries in to a lot of those guys already, but won't get any action until after Bowl Games for most, and some are waiting to declare.

I have AJ Edds (Maybe Clayborn/Bulaga/Spievey if they declare) on the line after the Orange Bowl as well.

Clayborn has told reporters he's defintely returning. I posted it on the underclassmen watch list.

 

[mayoclinic]

Got inquiries in to a lot of those guys already, but won't get any action until after Bowl Games for most, and some are waiting to declare.

I have AJ Edds (Maybe Clayborn/Bulaga/Spievey if they declare) on the line after the Orange Bowl as well.

Add Von Miller to your list. TFYdraft reports that the Pats have shown a lot of interest in him: "Texas A&M defender Von Miller is also likely to play one more college game before entering the draft. Scouts have told us the Aggie junior ranks just behind Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy on the list of the top defenders from the Big 12. Southwest area scouts think Miller, who is projected as an outside linebacker by most, could easily add 15-pounds to his frame and stay at the defensive end position. He presently grades out as a second round choice but sources have told us the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots have shown a lot of interest in Miller and could over-draft him in round one.

TFY

 

[NePatriots]

Clayborn has told reporters he's defintely returning. I posted it on the underclassmen watch list.

Yeah, I think he might change his mind if Bulaga/Spievey go. I think they will all stay, or all go.

Iowa's D-line will be the best in the nation next year if Clayborn returns. Broderick Binns and Christian Ballard are quite good themselves.