Let me tell you about Shaq Mason...

Two things to notice -- (1) although GT's offense is run-oriented, it is a very precision-timed blocking scheme. Shaq developed and displayed the ability to block as needed at the right time; and (2) if you notice on almost every play in that video, he blocked the play in exactly the right way to spring the runner. Always in the right foot position and hand position to influence the defender exactly as he needed to (right, left, push back, absorb). He was the perfect college guard.

You better be right Oinko...or else I'm gonna hunt Tebow down and kick him right in the azz and tell him YOU said to!...

VectorPrime said:

So is he really that bad at pass blocking?

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It's not that, it's just that GT would run less than 10 pass plays per game. And the option run offense completely neutralized the pass rush -- teams could not and did not scheme to rush the passer. They scheme to stop the run, and the pass operates as a surprise change up.

It's really weird rooting for a team like GT -- after a couple of years of it, you form this habit: It's 3rd and 12, and you hope we run it. That's how lethal that running attack is.

Joker said:

You better be right Oinko...or else I'm gonna hunt Tebow down and kick him right in the azz and tell him YOU said to!...

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You'll have no trouble finding him -- just look on the Philly sidelines on opening day.

I will too. So many people just love to hate on this guy. I'd like to see if Kelly gets something out of him

When I started this thread right after Shaq was drafted, I was cautiously optimistic that he had the athleticism to play in the NFL. Considering that he almost never pass blocked at Georgia Tech, I figured they would bring him along slowly or give him one those redshirt type years. I was scared to death that he would miss a pass block and get Tom killed.

I never expected him to be starting from virtually day one. I never expected him to progress as fast as he has and play as well as he has. And I never thought I would hear Coach Belichick rave about him in his rookie year like he did today:

"It always raises eyebrows when Bill Belichick heaps praise on one of his own players in an effort to draw attention to the work that player has put forth in the program. It’s another matter altogether when that player is a rookie. And whenBill Belichick was asked about the development of right guard Shaq Mason out of Georgia Tech Tuesday, he didn’t hold back. Specifically, Belichick was asked about the athleticism of the rookie guard and how that’s helped him adjust after coming from a power run program at Georgia Tech.

“It’€™s very good. He’€™s probably one of the most athletic players, one of the most athletic offensive linemen I’€™ve coached,” Belichick said. “He would certainly be in that upper category and upper part of that conversation. He runs well. He’€™s got very good balance and short-space quickness and is light on his feet. Fundamentally and technique-wise there are a lot of things that he still needs to work on and Shaq has improved a lot, but there are still things for him to work on, things he can do better and do more consistently, but just in terms of athleticism, balance, speed, quickness, he’€™s very good, very, very talented, and he’€™s got good power and playing strength and explosion, too. Those are all positives with him.”

Bill Belichick raves about Shaq Mason: ‘One of the most athletic offensive linemen I’ve coached’

All of the rookie linemen have been great. David Andrews was a godsend early in the year when Stork was out. Tre Jackson has been steady and dependable. But neither of these guys have the long term upside of Shaq. He's still got a lot to learn and he's going to make mistakes along the way, but by year 3 I'm predicting he'll be in the pro bowl. What a great fourth round pick!

The pre-draft Draftnik gurus had Tre Jackson as the top rated Guard in the Draft.

If they rated Shaq Mason at all, they said "...good college lid. Just too small and can't pass block in the pros..."


Now Shaq has become a rookie of the year candidate; and Tre Jackson still looks like a talented but raw rookie.

BB just is one of the best at talent evaluation. The Pats may draft a big LOT candidate to groom but likely the skill positions beckon more. Meanwhile Adriain Waddle has the look of a good big swing Left tackle. Its time to give Brady some help in his dotage...

AzPatsFan said:

BB just is one of the best at talent evaluation. .

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Scar deserves some credit too as he worked out Shaq.

AzPatsFan said:

The pre-draft Draftnik gurus had Tre Jackson as the top rated Guard in the Draft.

If they rated Shaq Mason at all, they said "...good college lid. Just too small and can't pass block in the pros..."


Now Shaq has become a rookie of the year candidate; and Tre Jackson still looks like a talented but raw rookie.

BB just is one of the best at talent evaluation. The Pats may draft a big LOT candidate to groom but likely the skill positions beckon more. Meanwhile Adriain Waddle has the look of a good big swing Left tackle. Its time to give Brady some help in his dotage...

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Actually, quite a few people in the draft forum loved Mason. Me, manx, and I believe @mayoclinic (who has gone into another long disappearance) all loved him. Not sure about OTG but I wouldn't be surprised if he did too.

AzPatsFan said:

The pre-draft Draftnik gurus had Tre Jackson as the top rated Guard in the Draft.

If they rated Shaq Mason at all, they said "...good college lid. Just too small and can't pass block in the pros..."

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Speaking of lids.

Check out the great blocks by Mason and Andrews on White's TD on the screen pass. Both got out perfectly timed and opened a gaping hole. Jackson also had a block and the brains to let his guy go before it became a block in the back.

I liked the Mason pick, once he learns to pass block, he will be a great guard.

AzPatsFan said:

The pre-draft Draftnik gurus had Tre Jackson as the top rated Guard in the Draft.

If they rated Shaq Mason at all, they said "...good college lid. Just too small and can't pass block in the pros..."


Now Shaq has become a rookie of the year candidate; and Tre Jackson still looks like a talented but raw rookie.

BB just is one of the best at talent evaluation. The Pats may draft a big LOT candidate to groom but likely the skill positions beckon more. Meanwhile Adriain Waddle has the look of a good big swing Left tackle. Its time to give Brady some help in his dotage...

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I can't think of one "draftnik" who had Jackson ranked as the #1 guard in the draft. This is your most straw man argument yet. I absolutely loved Mason and talked about him a lot.

AzPatsFan said:

The pre-draft Draftnik gurus had Tre Jackson as the top rated Guard in the Draft.

If they rated Shaq Mason at all, they said "...good college lid. Just too small and can't pass block in the pros..."


Now Shaq has become a rookie of the year candidate; and Tre Jackson still looks like a talented but raw rookie.

BB just is one of the best at talent evaluation. The Pats may draft a big LOT candidate to groom but likely the skill positions beckon more. Meanwhile Adriain Waddle has the look of a good big swing Left tackle. Its time to give Brady some help in his dotage...

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Scott Pioli who????
The post Pioli era has gone very well indeed.

IcyPatriot said:

Scott Pioli who????
The post Pioli era has gone very well indeed.

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I think Pioli did a fine job but on the surface it seems Caserio is better at doing it.

Could be that BB has gotten better at it too.

Tough one to judge from the cheap seats.

FreeTedWilliams said:

Check out the great blocks by Mason and Andrews on White's TD on the screen pass. Both got out perfectly timed and opened a gaping hole. Jackson also had a block and the brains to let his guy go before it became a block in the back.

I liked the Mason pick, once he learns to pass block, he will be a great guard.

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Well that's what is making Mason so great. He has actually picked up pass blocking much faster than anyone expected him to.

Most people here were wet in the loins over the small school kid and some about aj cann, but I don't recall much about mason


Ali marpet was the guy

IllegalContact said:

Most people here were wet in the loins over the small school kid and some about aj cann, but I don't recall much about mason


Ali marpet was the guy

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I have a terrible memory for pre-draft hype usually. Thanks for that callback. Looks like Marpet's the starting RG on Tampa. Wonder how he and Mason would stack up if their performances this year were compared.

IllegalContact said:

Most people here were wet in the loins over the small school kid and some about aj cann, but I don't recall much about mason


Ali marpet was the guy

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IIRC Marpet went to the Bucs and by all accounts has done very well in his rookie year, and far exceeded expectations. Marpet was a binkie of mine and was picked by the in the 2nd round (61). To early for the Pats to grab him, but I would have loved if he fell to the 3rd or 4th rounds.

Meanwhile the Pats did very well in that 4th round. Like the secondary, I think the OL will get stronger as time goes on. Between the injuries and retirements this has been a reboot year on the OL, just like it was at CB. So far the future looks very bright at both positions.

Brandon_Cox said:

When I started this thread right after Shaq was drafted, I was cautiously optimistic that he had the athleticism to play in the NFL.

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Nice Thread, but a few others'f us were well aware'f'm long before your Thread...

...and had higher Expectorations of'm.

IllegalContact said:

Most people here were wet in the loins over the small school kid and some about aj cann, but I don't recall much about mason

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You spend a little too much time fantasizing about other's Loins, my friend.