Let me tell you about Shaq Mason...

[Brandon_Cox]

As a diehard GT fan (and longtime season ticket holder), let me tell you about Shaq Mason. Quite simply, he is a devastating run blocker, one of the best I’ve ever seen. Tech’s triple option offense all started with a simple dive play by the B back, Synjyn Days or Zach Laskey. It was almost always run to the right side, behind Shaq. Teams knew it was Tech’s bread and butter play but they couldn’t stop it. Over and over they would run directly behind Shaq and nobody could slow it down. Nobody. He was this squat wrecking ball who got into or underneath blockers and drove them backwards.

Shaq’s last three collegiate games were against UGA (win), FSU (close loss) and Miss. State (blowout win in the Orange Bowl). He cut through them like a hot knife through butter. No matter who they lined up against Shaq he dominated them. Now, the big question is can he learn to pass block? I have no idea. It’s not something he did at Tech so I don’t have a clue. All I can tell you is that he has impressive footwork going forward. I was amazed how fast he could get on a safety or linebacker. In his Youtube video, watch how fast he pulls. But, pass blocking, I just don’t know.

It’s interesting how he’s projected to be a center when he never played it in college. I suppose they think he’s too small to be a guard. Don’t be surprised if they end up keeping him at guard or use him as a backup guard/ center. And don’t be surprised if he makes the team and beats out Tre Jackson and others. He’s that good.

 

[condon84]

Looks like a run blocking beast.

 

[PatsGuy]

excellent video
What i see is a man who is extremely nasty and enjoys inflicting pain by way of finishing his block (even if if 5-7 yards downfield!)

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

That block on the LB @ about 1:01 in the video in the OP. Wow. Poor LB looked almost as bad as I would, if blocked by a pro lineman.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Roadgrader with a Mr Fusion on the back.

 

[eom]

can't tell you how much I'm looking fwd to week 10 this year

is 300 yds too much to hope for?

 

[manxman2601]

Has been one of my favourite prospects for a long time.

 

[Marinlik]

Before we traded Mankins he was pretty much always the one who opened up the hole for the running back. Be it by running behind him, having him seal the nose so the guard could reach the LB, by having him pull or whatever. Our running game really went through him. So trading him is why I believe why we struggled to run last year at times. I think we have solved that problem with Tre and Shaq...

 

[IllegalContact]

need guys like this to slap around the daunting DL's of the AFC east

 

[Gumby]

Could he be used sometimes as a FB?
That would be interesting

Fyi op said he never pass blocked, but at around 4:?? & 5:10 in video he seemed to do ok in pass blocking

The thing I liked best was how he kept blocking and pushing his guy, even when the play (ball) was already 10 yds past him and 15 yds to the right. It didn't matter, he kept playing to the whistle

 

[PatsGuy]

I had heard that Scar worked him out. Okay, he needs to b coached up in pass protection but if Scar gave him the Good Seal of Approval I'll drink that kool aide Any day of the week

 

[hambone1818]

Great OP, thanks for the insights. I'm interested to see how he does pulling off the line, it seems he's a straight-forward road grader but can he also move laterally? Either way impressive tape on him, he's exactly as you described him: a squat wrecking ball. I'm suddenly excited for the potential of this O-line, I think they got some keepers in the draft.

 

[Seacoast Fan]

As a diehard GT fan (and longtime season ticket holder), let me tell you about Shaq Mason. Quite simply, he is a devastating run blocker, one of the best I’ve ever seen. Tech’s triple option offense all started with a simple dive play by the B back, Synjyn Days or Zach Laskey. It was almost always run to the right side, behind Shaq. Teams knew it was Tech’s bread and butter play but they couldn’t stop it. Over and over they would run directly behind Shaq and nobody could slow it down. Nobody. He was this squat wrecking ball who got into or underneath blockers and drove them backwards.

Shaq’s last three collegiate games were against UGA (win), FSU (close loss) and Miss. State (blowout win in the Orange Bowl). He cut through them like a hot knife through butter. No matter who they lined up against Shaq he dominated them. Now, the big question is can he learn to pass block? I have no idea. It’s not something he did at Tech so I don’t have a clue. All I can tell you is that he has impressive footwork going forward. I was amazed how fast he could get on a safety or linebacker. In his Youtube video, watch how fast he pulls. But, pass blocking, I just don’t know.

It’s interesting how he’s projected to be a center when he never played it in college. I suppose they think he’s too small to be a guard. Don’t be surprised if they end up keeping him at guard or use him as a backup guard/ center. And don’t be surprised if he makes the team and beats out Tre Jackson and others. He’s that good.

Thanks for the info.... Great post.
Love the pick. Round 2 aside I really like this draft.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

Holy crap. Brandon Bolden could run for 1000+ yards behind that.

 

[Seacoast Fan]

Just watched the video.
When Shaq gets a head of steam up and gets a bead on the guy he is lethal.

 

[TomPatriot]

Thank you for the video. He sticks with his blocks and keeps his legs moving, two things you never want to have to coach on any level. Might need work with his hands and weight balance. I like the guy already.

 

[strngplyr]

We took a pair of guards who excel at run blocking, one of which looks like an absolute monster (and both are capable of winning starting jobs given the current guard depth on the roster, Wendell currently should be the only competition, at least I hope Kline/Devey don't stand a chance, it'd be disappointing...), and the Colts, probably the biggest AFC rival right now, who we ran for 200+ on in 3 consecutive meetings, made little to no effort to improve their run defense.

...what's the single game rushing record? a 250lb RB running behind Mason, Vollmer, Gronk, Flemming, and a pulling LG could challenge it when we play the Colts next year. ...both the individual and team record.

 

[mrscruff]

Shaq has said that he has been practicing at both guard spots as well as at center.
http://www.nfldraftgeek.com/shaqmason-nfldraftinterview.html

Indeed he was worked out by Dante as a Center at his workout.
https://twitter.com/DOrlandoAJC/status/576397578234920960

 

[Haley]

Here is a touching post I saw on reddit. Shaq seems like a Patriots kind of guy.

I'm a local sports photographer in Columbia, TN. I had the privilege of covering him (and Dante Hightower at Marshall County!) since he was a 9th grader. It may not surprise you that he was a beast all through high school, or that he was unstoppable in the high school state championship game his senior year. What you may not know is that Shaq is a great kid. He comes from a good family, and he has the character and work ethic you long to see more of at the NFL level. I've seen him for 8 or 9 years now, and watched him work hard, crack the books, and stay clear of trouble. Everyone here thinks the world of Shaq and we couldn't be prouder! Just a great example of experiencing success by doing things the right way. I truly hope you got yourself a perennial pro bowler to anchor your O line for the next decade.

Also - Here is an ESPN special on Shaq's high school championship year. I'm sure it was the most deeply impactful moment in his young life. Be warned it's a serious tear jerker. If you want to do something amazing, make some "Fight Like Dylan" signs and bring them to Pats games & practices.

Source:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Patriots/comments/34nyp8/congrats_on_getting_shaq_mason/

 

[Oinko]

I have to echo the OP - - I , too am a GT grad and fan. Shaq Mason just RAKED people all year. Georgia Tech's vaunted option offense worked like a charm this year. Do you know why? That offense starts with the B-back dive. If the defense has to respect the dive, it creates the race to the outside where all the fun happens (big runs by the A backs).

Let me tell you, every key play when they new it was coming, it seemed like Shaq just COLLAPSED the middle of the line. He was a beast.

I look forward to following his pro career -- I'm convinced he was undervalued and should have been one of the first OL off the board.

Go Jackets!