I totally agree ... 2 rookies side by side to me is a little risky. 

 

I still can't figure why we dont get an experienced Center to support the new RG we draft

 

 

We had 3 rookies starting in the secondary last year.  Our coaches ain't never scured.  It's all about competition.

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I totally agree ... 2 rookies side by side to me is a little risky. 

 

I still can't figure why we dont get an experienced Center to support the new RG we draft

Free agency is far from over.

 

Once the initial frenzy dies down, the market will settle. That is when you can start making the short, try out type of contracts like they did last year. They may have a center and/or a guard targeted for this.

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i think they will trial brewster and rackley along with a rookie at the centre position

as much as i detest rackley I wonder if he would be a solid centre. I remember on a number of occassions last year he got to the second level to get a solid block on a line backer and spring mjd.


either way i think we will draft a centre for a 3 man competition with one getting cut and one as back up

i think stork of fsu might be the pick. He was one of captains on bradley's superbowl team and is considered ideal for a zone blocking scheme plus he could be picked up in the 4th or 5th round


i'd like to see us pick up a guard earlier though

myself i'm a big fan of us snapping up at sau'filo as our mauler on the right in the 2nd stork in the late 4th/early 5th and perhaps looking for depth in the later rounds


a starting line of

joeckel beadles stork sau'filo pasztor

looks like a solid foundation to me

I don't think Rackley is smart enough. Don't forget that the center not only must have the physical tools, but also needs to be one of the smartest guys on the team.

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Right now I'd imagine our line would have Brewster or Rackley at center with McClendon at RG? I'd like to see them pick up Marcus Martin in the 4th, a guard in the 5th or 6th, and then sign another veteran in the FA.

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I think they'll go with a veteran at center. I think Brewster gets first shot. They might consider drafting a center this year and playing him at RG during his rookie season before moving him over and taking care of RG next year.

 

I heard on a podcast that many scouts think Zach Martin from Notre Dame could be an All-Pro OG/C. And we did go to their Pro Day...

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Right now I'd imagine our line would have Brewster or Rackley at center with McClendon at RG? I'd like to see them pick up Marcus Martin in the 4th, a guard in the 5th or 6th, and then sign another veteran in the FA.

Looks like Brewster and Patrick Lewis (second year center cut by Green Bay last year) are the candidates to compete at center. Likely with a third or fourth round rookie in the mix.

Rackley or Mc clendon are probable at RG if an upgrade isn't signed/drafted.

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I've watched video on several centers in this draft. Where they should be taken is unclear. The top three on many boards seems to be:

 

1. Weston Richburg - Colorado State - Very good. He will start right away. Seems aggressive. Pulls really well. Didn't notice any really significant bad stuff in pass blocking. He has some punch, and sets up quickly. 

 

2. Marcus Martin - Southern California - He looked good against Notre Dame, but not as good against Stanford. Gets through the defensive line well. Traps. Pass-blocking didn't seem too good. Whiffed a few times and stood around other times. The two games really contrast each other suggesting inconsistent play, or not active enough along the line. He gets secondary blocks. At times you can hear pads popping during the Notre Dame game. 

 

3. Travis Swanson - Arkansas - Seems just average. Watched two games and he is consistent, but not exceptional. Seems tough, but not aggressive. Pulls left a lot, but often fails to block well and doesn't seal well. NOTE: I had more fun watching #76 on the Arkansas offensive line, LG Dan Skipper. 6-11, 315 Lbs. He's all in. Watch Skipper at 15:15 and the trailing replays of this video LSU @ Arkansas All in.

 

We could draft Byran Stork of Florida State later. He played solid. Handled a freshman QB. There were a few bad snaps. Still, he's going to be a solid pro.

 

The one player who doesn't seem to be getting consideration is Oklahoma's Gabe Ikard. Here's the one video of him at the Draft Breakdown site against Alabama. He's stout. He's keeping busy. He's get a fair number of key blocks, including some knock downs. It looks like he projected to be a very late round pick?

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First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. - Mahatma Gandhi

 

http://s6.postimg.org/vyr2ycdfz/Teddy_Br...cked_4.gif

I doubt they'll bring in a center now. I've got the thought they will bring in a couple guys thru the draft or undrafted players.

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If these draft softwares are even close, the value of drafting Richburg, Martin, or Swanson grades "A" beginning in the late second round. Stork is usually available in the early fifth, sometimes taken late fourth.

 

Ikard is the one that doesn't make any sense, but I've only got Oklahoma's victory over Alabama to look at. 

 

draft tracker stuff on Ikard:

 

 

Strengths Good grip strength. Uses his hands well to control and steer defenders. Highly intelligent. Plays smart. Sets the protections and makes line calls. Tough and dependable. Experienced, four-year starter. Outstanding work habits. Exceptional character. Charismatic, humble, well-grounded leader. Versatile.

Weaknesses Is on the ground a lot. Limited athlete. Average play strength. Can be overwhelmed by size and struggle to cut off speed. Could stand to do a better job finishing blocks.

 

Draft Projection Rounds 5-6

Bottom Line A functional positional blocker who lacks the foot quickness, athletic ability and strength desired in a starter, yet consistently finds a way to get the job done and overcome his physical limitations. Intelligence and intangibles are off the charts and could allow him to capture and hold onto a starting job. The sum is better than the parts.

 

I pick him way later that the 5th and get an F?

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First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. - Mahatma Gandhi

 

http://s6.postimg.org/vyr2ycdfz/Teddy_Br...cked_4.gif

My question is what was so different from his rookie campaign and 2013? He was actually a solid player and I think his struggles in the previous season have more to do with him learning a new system and the o-line shuffle. I might be in the minority when i say he might turn into a solid player seeing he had some success in the beginning 

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My question is what was so different from his rookie campaign and 2013? He was actually a solid player and I think his struggles in the previous season have more to do with him learning a new system and the o-line shuffle. I might be in the minority when i say he might turn into a solid player seeing he had some success in the beginning 

He will get  chance to prove it in camp.

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Right now I'd imagine our line would have Brewster or Rackley at center with McClendon at RG? I'd like to see them pick up Marcus Martin in the 4th, a guard in the 5th or 6th, and then sign another veteran in the FA.

 

Marcus Martin in the 4th?

 

He's gonna be drafted way higher than that.

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Marcus Martin in the 4th?

 

He's gonna be drafted way higher than that.

 

 

You never know with Centers. They said Brewster would be a second round pick and he went undrafted. I've also had an eye on the Center position over the last few years since Meester was so old, and Centers projected as high as the early second have dropped far in almost every draft. The huge exception was the Cowboys reaching for their Center in round one after trading back.


 

From what I'm seeing, ideally they'll be able to draft Weston Richburg at the start of round three.

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'02

Marcus Martin in the 4th?


He's gonna be drafted way higher than that.

I've seen him going anywhere from the 2nd to the 7th.

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Brewster should be better having a whole year in the system. I'm sure he is in the weight room working on his functional strength. To me oline play is more about technique than raw strength. Timing, the angles and hand placement are crucial. An oline who has experience together and works in concert brings about a synergistic effect to the unit.

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Respect the game.  Play with a sense of urgency. 


1.)  Take care of the ball.  Win the turnover battle.

2.)  It's all about 3rd down.  Win on 3rd down to win the game.

3.) Playmakers make plays.  The only reason that you put your uniform on is to make plays. In order to EARN your paycheck, you must make plays.  

Learn from the great collapse of 2023.  

I don't think Rackley is smart enough. Don't forget that the center not only must have the physical tools, but also needs to be one of the smartest guys on the team.

 

I can't claim to know whether or not Rackley has a high "football IQ," but he is most likely one of the smartest players on the team.  He played at Lehigh University, which is a pretty prestigious school when it comes to academics.  Before jumping to common conclusions concerning athletes and grades, being in the Patriot League, Lehigh isn't a school where he is likely to have gotten "special treatment" as a football player.

 

See http://lehighsports.com/news/2011/4/27/FB_16286.aspx & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_League.

 

Rackley may or may not have what it takes to be a quality NFL center, but I doubt that being smart enough is the issue.

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@ESPNdirocco: #Jaguars coach Gus Bradley says Mike Brewster should have first crack at being the center. Expects to draft at least one OL.

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*Bradley said the current plan is to give Mike Brewster a shot to win the center job instead of signing a veteran free agent.


“When you see Mike [at the stadium], he appears bigger and stronger and he’s of the mindset that he has an opportunity in front of him and he really wants to take advantage,” Bradley said. “He looks the part. But it’s going to be competitive. We have confidence in him to play that position and we’ve talked in our offensive staff meetings specifically about that one position and his name keeps coming up.”


http://m.jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/5...s-blackmon

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@ESPNdirocco: #Jaguars coach Gus Bradley says Mike Brewster should have first crack at being the center. Expects to draft at least one OL.

Vomit.gif

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Hoping the rookie center will beat out Brewster - or Brewster seriously steps up his game. 

 

The memories I have of him flailing at the guard position are haunting. 

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