QB Class gets weaker

[Eknox]

Dirtbag is the interior where we need to start or at tackle?, or are you considering Tupati the best available lineman at any position at that point?

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Eknox

Dirtbag is the interior where we need to start or at tackle?, or are you considering Tupati the best available lineman at any position at that point?

Dude didn't you get the memo? Iupati is sooooooo out. Ducasse, is now in vogue. Guy is not only huge but athletic. Shannahan needs the athletic part but when you add size it's a huge bonus. Thing is most athletic lineman are either under 300 or barely 300, doesn't mean that Shannahan doesn't like big guys just that most big guys don't usually have the level of footwork that the lighter guys bring to the table.

But yeah, I think we need five guys and I think taking the best guard at the top of the second round will help us more in the long run then drafting maybe the 5th or 6th best tackle. I'd rather draft an overlooked tackle in the fourth round, sign a veteran free agent and see if we can get a tackle in the first round the following year if it meant getting a pro bowl caliber guard in the second.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Dude didn't you get the memo? Iupati is sooooooo out. Ducasse, is now in vogue. Guy is not only huge but athletic. Shannahan needs the athletic part but when you add size it's a huge bonus. Thing is most athletic lineman are either under 300 or barely 300, doesn't mean that Shannahan doesn't like big guys just that most big guys don't usually have the level of footwork that the lighter guys bring to the table.

But yeah, I think we need five guys and I think taking the best guard at the top of the second round will help us more in the long run then drafting maybe the 5th or 6th best tackle. I'd rather draft an overlooked tackle in the fourth round, sign a veteran free agent and see if we can get a tackle in the first round the following year if it meant getting a pro bowl caliber guard in the second.

We should draft him simply because his name is "Vladamir." You can't have enough Vlads on your football team.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Lotus

We should draft him simply because his name is "Vladamir." You can't have enough Vlads on your football team.

Lol, I keep on leaning more towards his last name since it sounds like Du Hast. I mean guy already has a theme song.

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Any opinion of Sergio Render, G, from Va. Tech? I think he'd fit into the zone blocking scheme, though that's not what he's used to.

I actually just looked at him on Scouts Inc and for some reason I came away not liking him. However now that I look at him again he actually seems like a very good fit. Personally I can't put my finger around why I didn't think he would work in a ZBS. Looking back it might have been the adequate top end speed. I think when looking for candidates I like to see above average, but still footwork and football IQ are the most important aspects of Zone Blocking lineman.

Trait Scale
1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal

Height-Weight-Speed -2 - Prototypical height and bulk and adequate top-end speed.

Awareness - 2 - Keeps head on a swivel and generally does a nice job of picking up line stunts/blitzes. Helps center/tackle when no one comes to him in pass protection. Appears to have some problems locating assignments at
the second level and is a better man-blocker than zone-blocker at this point.

Toughness -2 - A finisher who doesn't give up when he gets beaten off the snap and flashes the ability to put defenders on their backs when he gets into sound position. Appears to wear down at times and may lack ideal endurance.

Pass Protection -2 - Lacks elite explosiveness but is quick enough to prevent penetration in most cases. Does adequate job of sinking hips and rarely gives ground to bull-rushers. Over-commits and lunges at times so is vulnerable to effective double moves.

Run Blocking - 2 - Lower-body strength appears above-average and can drive defensive tackles off the ball when plays with sound leverage. Effective down-blocker who can collapse defensive tackles inside. Can get around the center when asked to trap. Though he doesn't show great body control in space is big enough to engulf linebackers and willing to throw his body around when he gets to the second level. Hands slip outside the defender's frame a little too often and holding could be an issue until he cleans up his technique.

I think that personally if we go QB/OT or OT/QB then Rendar would make a very smart 4th round pick. If not him then Mike Johnson (G, Alabama) would also be a smart choice. I think part of the reason you can get zone blocking lineman late in the draft is because only a handful of teams use them, just like how it used to be easy for 3-4 teams to draft their guys late since few teams used the 3-4, which is still kind of true today but a little harder since more teams are using the 3-4.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Dude didn't you get the memo? Iupati is sooooooo out. Ducasse, is now in vogue. Guy is not only huge but athletic. Shannahan needs the athletic part but when you add size it's a huge bonus. Thing is most athletic lineman are either under 300 or barely 300, doesn't mean that Shannahan doesn't like big guys just that most big guys don't usually have the level of footwork that the lighter guys bring to the table.

But yeah, I think we need five guys and I think taking the best guard at the top of the second round will help us more in the long run then drafting maybe the 5th or 6th best tackle. I'd rather draft an overlooked tackle in the fourth round, sign a veteran free agent and see if we can get a tackle in the first round the following year if it meant getting a pro bowl caliber guard in the second.

Any opinion of Sergio Render, G, from Va. Tech? I think he'd fit into the zone blocking scheme, though that's not what he's used to.

[Big C]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Any opinion of Sergio Render, G, from Va. Tech? I think he'd fit into the zone blocking scheme, though that's not what he's used to.

sergio is pretty good. but i dont think hes worth anything above a 3rd or 4th round pick.