Scouting Report, T.J. Clemmings, OT

I know there has been a lot of talk on this site about Clemmings, so I thought I would take some time to watch some of his games today. Here is what I saw.

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2014/12/scouting-report-t-j-clemmings.html#more-33101

He sounds intriguing but I doubt that the patriots will be looking at tackle so early

One of Clemmings biggest assets is that he can play 4 positions along the line. Also, watching Solder have a very inconsistent year and Cannon really struggle, there is definitely room on this team for another tackle.

midwestpatsfan said:

One of Clemmings biggest assets is that he can play 4 positions along the line. Also, watching Solder have a very inconsistent year and Cannon really struggle, there is definitely room on this team for another tackle.

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Unless Solder continues to fall apart, I would think it still makes sense to keep him on his next year option. Clemmings could plug in at LG, and eventually move to one of the tackle positions, if either Solder doesn't get back on track or as a Vollmer successor.

I've changed my thinking on Clemmings and see him as an OT now rather than OG. In Solders rookie year he played mainly as a blocking TE/6th OL I believe whilst Light continued at LT. I see Clemmings in that role for his rookie year and then taking over from Solder in '16. I would think that Fleming is the sensible replacement for Vollmer should that be needed.

manxman2601 said:

I've changed my thinking on Clemmings and see him as an OT now rather than OG. In Solders rookie year he played mainly as a blocking TE/6th OL I believe whilst Light continued at LT. I see Clemmings in that role for his rookie year and then taking over from Solder in '16. I would think that Fleming is the sensible replacement for Vollmer should that be needed.

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I rather agree that Clemmings is more of an OT than OG, but I think he could be a terrific LG for a year. If Solder somehow ups his game to the point of keeping Clemmings at guard, so much the better. I've been quite happy with Fleming playing the blocking TE/6th OL role, and agree he could take over for Vollmer after 2016.

mayoclinic said:

I rather agree that Clemmings is more of an OT than OG, but I think he could be a terrific LG for a year. If Solder somehow ups his game to the point of keeping Clemmings at guard, so much the better. I've been quite happy with Fleming playing the blocking TE/6th OL role, and agree he could take over for Vollmer after 2016.

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I don't know how different the coaching is between the two positions but I don't want to coach him up at OG if it means a hinderance to his development at OT

manxman2601 said:

I don't know how different the coaching is between the two positions but I don't want to coach him up at OG if it means a hinderance to his development at OT

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I understand the concern, but LG -> LT seems like a reasonable path. Even Jonathan Ogden spent a year at LG as a rookie. Greg Robinson started off there this year before Jake Long got hurt.

The question is now, will he even make it to the Patriots? I went to college at Iowa State, so my judgement may be a bit clouded here, but I think Clemmings has more upside than Scherff from Iowa. Scherff is probably more ready to step in day 1, but I think he limited athletically and could go the opposite direction, starting at Tackle and moving to Guard.
Am I crazy?

midwestpatsfan said:

The question is now, will he even make it to the Patriots? I went to college at Iowa State, so my judgement may be a bit clouded here, but I think Clemmings has more upside than Scherff from Iowa. Scherff is probably more ready to step in day 1, but I think he limited athletically and could go the opposite direction, starting at Tackle and moving to Guard.
Am I crazy?

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I've been saying that ever since I started watching Clemmings so no, not crazy. Personally I think Clemmings goes top 15 if not higher. That might depend on whether Ronnie Stanley declares though.

manxman2601 said:

I've been saying that ever since I started watching Clemmings so no, not crazy. Personally I think Clemmings goes top 15 if not higher. That might depend on whether Ronnie Stanley declares though.

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And I've been agreeing with you all along. I agree Clemmings likely goes top 20, probably top 15. I also think Ronnie Stanley will probably go higher. I'm guessing they will end up being the top 2 tackles off the board, well ahead of Scherff.

You call Clemmings the offensive version of Ziggy Ansah. I call him Tyron Smith 2.0. Both were top 10 picks.

So....We are all three either lunatics or geniuses. I like to think the later.

mayoclinic said:

Unless Solder continues to fall apart, I would think it still makes sense to keep him on his next year option. Clemmings could plug in at LG, and eventually move to one of the tackle positions, if either Solder doesn't get back on track or as a Vollmer successor.

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I watched solder against San diego and it was a tale of two halves. In the first half, his hand placement was wide on the defenders body, so when they spun solder spun the other way. Plus he lost the leverage war play after play. It was a miserable half for solder.

In the second half he tucked his elbows in and stay in the chest of the defenders and had a much better second half.

A complete technique adjustment.

I see two offensive tackles I like in college currently. Pursig, the huge 6'9" 325 lb monster for Minnesota. If he gets more mobile, look out.

The other is Shepard of alabama #79 I think. Powerful, nasty and really impressive these last couple of games.

These are guys I have my eyes on

Love Clemmings as a guard and would be willing to trade up to get him or Brandon scherff within reason. After evaluating this defense I definitely think the guard position could use the biggest upgrade on either side of the ball. These two guys fit the bill.