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And then there's the comment underneath.

Except, most NFL Right Tackles played LT in College. There's no issue there when we look into drafting right tackles. We never say, "I dunno, we shouldn't draft ______ because i'm not sure he'll be able to get down the mechanics when we switch him to right tackle". That's not ever even in the discussion. So i'm not sure why there would be such an issue with switching from right to left.


Like i've stated. When it comes solely to SWITCHING MECHANICS, no one has explained to me why it's any harder from RT to LT. I've heard why the LT position is harder from Vers. But no one has explained to me why there's any difference in difficulty (from a mechanical aspect), to switch from right to left verses left to right.


I know, you say there's no examples. Most of that is because there's few so few lefty QBs in the NFL. Jedrick Wills was mostly asked to do what a Left Tackle does, just on the right side.

Yet it was deemed that those LT's couldn't play the position in the NFL.

It's not about "the job he was asked to do". It's about if he can do that same job from the opposite side.

Look, you keep making an argument that isn't even there.

I've never said "it can't be done". I said it raises more question marks about whether a player can have the same results from the opposite side. And that is most certainly true.

Every question you have about a player impacts their draft status. It impacts where you have them on your big board.

I don't believe there's really anything there to debate.

For completely different reasons than what would apply to Jedrick Wills........

Jedrick Wills played RT because that's the blindside tackle in Alabama. He's more than talented enough to be a top-level blindside tackle in the NFL, whether that's on the left-side or on the right-side.




This, we could probably agree on.........

Doesn't seem like either of us has budged an inch

The only real thing it seems we disagree on is how asking and expecting someone switch positions may impact their draft stock. Surely you're not suggesting that there isn't at least some movement in a players draft position on your big board based on the question of if he will be as effective at a different position are you?

Georgia LT Andrew Thomas connected with Browns GM Andrew Berry on video call & ‘I’m the best tackle in this class’

Updated Apr 11, 4:26 PM; Posted Apr 10, 5:15 AM
Andrew Thomas
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas speaks during a press conference at the NFL combine in February.
By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas feels he connected well with Browns GM Andrew Berry during a recent “top 30” FaceTime call, and hopes Berry agrees that he’s the best offensive tackle in this deep and rich class.

“It was a casual conversation,’’ Thomas told cleveland.com in a phone interview this week. “I thought it was going to be a little more intense. It was a very smooth conversation, and we had some things in common. We talked about growing up in a church and stuff like that.’’


Growing up in Lithonia, Ga., Thomas played drums at his church, and the music ministry was a family affair.

“Washboards and tambourines, the whole thing," he said.

As a freshman in high school, he was still playing drums in the marching band until he decided to make a different kind of music on the field.

“I’d be at the pep rally and I’d be playing in the band with my jersey on and then I’d go over to the football team and do the football things,’’ Thomas said. “But my head coach, Chris Slade, told me I had a chance to write my own ticket playing football. He told me that I have to put my focus on football and that’s what I did.’’

When Thomas left for Georgia, he mostly left the drums behind and transitioned to piano, alternating between gospel music and R&B.

“I still love music, but I put my focus on football and I’m here now,’’ he said.

It was Thomas’ character that seemed to strike Berry as much as his dominating performance at left tackle in the demanding SEC, where he became the first Bulldog in 21 years to win the conference’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy and earned All-SEC first-team honors as a junior in 2019.


“Andrew said I had a lot of the intangibles that they’re looking to add to their team, good character,’’ said Thomas. “They feel that translates to playing on the field, so I feel that’s something I have.’’

Andrew Thomas NFL draft profile
Thomas was planning to make a visit to Cleveland — one of the Browns’ 30 allotted players to come to team headquarters before the draft — but the coronavirus pandemic turned those visits into carefully controlled Zoom or FaceTime calls. Instead of impressing with an in-depth in-person interview and perhaps even a private workout at Georgia, he’s had to do so via video chat.

“The calls with the teams help me to stay mentally sharp, understanding the game when they ask me to explain different concepts and trying to learn different things that they teach me,’’ he said. “I’ve just been trying to focus on staying in shape and performing well in these interviews, because right now this is all I have to help them get a grasp on what type of player and person I am.’’

Thomas also had a Zoom call with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and they discussed his wide zone scheme, something Thomas ran a lot at Georgia.

“He was saying me being athletic is something that they like as far being able to open up holes in the wide zone,’’ he said.


Thomas has had about seven or eight video conferences so far. “Mostly teams in the (draft’s) top 10,’’ he said.

He knows he’s one player in a stellar tackle class that includes Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton. All four could go in the top 10. But Thomas has no question about who should go first.

“I played three years in the SEC at both right tackle and left tackle,’’ he said. “I dominated every year and I feel like I’m the best tackle in this class.’’

Draft analyst Mike Renner of profootballfocus.com, an analytics site the Browns have valued, couldn’t agree more. Renner has Thomas ranked No. 1 among tackles and No. 8 overall on his big board.

“While you don't need to have elite strength to be an elite pass protector in the NFL, one thing is for certain: it helps,’’ Renner writes in the site’s draft guide. “Being able to stop opposing edge rushers in their tracks with one punch can make up for a lot of technical issues. Thomas not only has that level of strength, but he also shows terrific agility and down to down consistency in his technique. He's got the best career grading profile of any tackle in the draft class and has done it against the best competition of any tackle in the class as well. All that makes you feel good about his prospects in the NFL.’’


Thomas’ advantage over players such as Wirfs and Wills is playing his final two seasons at left tackle after starting on the right side as a freshman.

“In high school, the last three years I played left tackle and then I was flipped to right tackle at Georgia and I was starting in the SEC, so that was a big thing for me and it helped me,’’ he said. “The next year, I flipped over to left tackle. It was a smooth transition and I dominated the next two years. I feel like going through that, even though it wasn’t in the NFL, kind of will help me if I have to go through it again.’’

With the Browns signing Jack Conklin to start at right tackle, Thomas would start at left tackle, but has the versatility to move around in a pinch.

“I can definitely go over to the other side and play right tackle,’’ he said. “When I train, I work some at right tackle and I can also move inside if I have to. Just trying to get on the field wherever I can.’’

Thomas, who’d be the heir apparent of future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, joked, “I definitely have the right last name."


Nick Saban on Jedrick Wills Jr.
He reiterated what he said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, that he’d embrace the challenge of following in Thomas’ footsteps.

“He’s one of the best to play the game and he’s going to be a Hall of Famer, so I would definitely be excited to learn from that guy,’’ he said.

Although he mostly watches film of Dallas’ Tyron Smith and Washington’s Trent Williams, he learned a lot about Thomas from former Browns offensive line coach Bob Palcic, with whom he worked before the combine.

“I did a lot of two-hand punching in college, and if you watch Joe, he does a lot of high-hand, low-hand, which Coach Palcic was teaching me,’’ Thomas said.

Thomas would love to block for former Georgia teammate Nick Chubb again, as he said at the combine, as well as play with Baker Mayfield, whom his Bulldogs outlasted 54-48 in a double-overtime Rose Bowl thriller after the 2017 season.


“He’s a dynamic quarterback,’’ Thomas said. “Being on the other side of that just watching how good of a quarterback he is, the Browns are definitely going to be a winning team in the near future. It would be an honor to block for him. He’s very passionate, very energetic throughout the game and I’m sure his teammates respond to that well.’’

Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper also have Thomas imagining the possibilities.

“The Browns are a team on the rise,’’ he said. “They have all the pieces they need and it’s just a matter of time before they put it all together and compete for a Super Bowl.’’

If they call his name at No. 10 to be part of the mix, it would be music to his ears.

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/04...impression=true

I think other people on this thread are putting words into my mouth.

--I have never said that a guy can't switch sides. I do know there is a learning curve. I do know that some have failed.

--I have said that playing w/a TE beside you makes things easier. P-Dawg brought up points about how often guys are strictly pass blockers and he was curious as to how often TEs line-up on one side or the other. Two things about that......if you don't think that a TE chipping an Edge rusher on his way out to a pass routes helps......then I don't want to tell you guys. If you haven't noticed that the TEs line-up far more on the right side in 11 personnel, then I don't know what to tell you. I'm not trying to win some damn argument. I was trying to educate.

--Bro, who are the best to ever play the game that said it doesn't matter anymore? I missed that. I saw Berry say it. Pluto said. Both Scwartz's said it. I think Ross Verba said it.

--I have said that the gap is narrowing because teams line-up elite pass rushers on both sides, but bro......having a TE to help you is big. LT's typically have better feet and are more agile. RTs are typically stronger and better run blockers. That's a generalization and it's not always the case, but it is more often than not.

--I haven't degraded any of the prospects or went nuts on any, either. Again, I am not trying to win an argument on whom we should draft. I just don't like false things being considered factual.

Thomas is the pick.

I agree, unless he goes before us.

I also think Kinlaw is high on our list

I don't think Andrew Berry is saying a right tackle can play left tackle and vice versa. I think he is saying that both positions are equally important. I agree with that sentiment.

What would a Vegas odds have all 4 OT gone by #10? 5% ?

Teams could play it safe this year, We need 1 of the 4

For me (if I had done so), it could be said that it affects his grade, but not his ranking. Had he played LT he'd still be number 2 for me. My number 1 prospect is Chase Young. I don't bring him up because he won't be there.

Chase Young plays a vital position that we need to fill. I'd take him and start working a deal for someone else. After that, my next three guys are (in this order), Wills, Thomas, Wirfs

I agree 100% that this is the intent of the comment, and mostly I agree with it ... and from various articles, comments and tweets I also see/agree that (for a righty QB) the LT becomes more critical because from that side the QB doesn't see the pressure if the LT is beat ... and I can understand how some OT's can deal with that additional mental pressure better than others. But beyond that, yes, you have great pass rushers from the left and right and I think teams don't put (such a high) premium on LT vs RT as they did 6-7 years ago. That said, we have our RT - we need a LT. If we decide to select a player who has only played RT at the college level, it is an additional risk above and beyond the usual player assessment/NFL projection.

Tyron Smith played right tackle at USC. The QB at the time was Matt Barkley. Smith played one season at right tackle in the NFL and then he switched to left tackle (Doug Free, the left tackle, switched to right tackle).

Other than Tyron Smith I can't think of any players that played only right tackle in college and then became long term starters at left tackle in the NFL.

Not arguing and you are entitled to that opinion, but the part that is highlighted in green seems pretty straight-forward.

Again, I agree that the gap has narrowed between the two positions and I know that there have been guys saying there is "no difference. I especially agree w/teams having good pass rushers on both sides. However, there are still some discrepancies between the positions.

And while you can find a guy like Smith who moved from RT to LT, the vast majority move from the left to the right and even guard simply because of their skill set. Things like footwork, arm length, agility, etc.

PS: I am assuming that seeing you posting is good news in regards to your test?

We disagree on the interpretation of Berry’s quote.

I think that it is more likely we see a run on QB's or DL prospects before we see a run on OL.

Most likely scenario is that 2 or 3 of the OT's are gone by our pick.

That's not really the issue here. The issue is valuing a player the same whom you have to trust to switch positions at the NFL level.

That's not a given. It's not an automatic. Thus it's certainly one risk to consider into the equation when making your big board and where you slot such players. It's not like you can take any of four guys at the #10 spot at the LT position and *insert name here* like they are all valued the same.

Please stop taking this personal. My point is that not everyone who is as qualified as you are agrees with your opinion. It's not to place the value of one opinion over the other. I just happen to agree with an opposing opinion.

But carry on. I'm pretty sure you will.

My biggest problem with Draft evaluation is trying to figure out how to predict growth and development. Does being the best coached make a player the best prospect? Or does it make it harder for them to see further growth? Without actually talking to prospects and seeing their approach to their craft, it's largely a guessing game.

What they will be is more important than what they were when it comes to the draft. It's also infinitely harder to figure out.

I don't think players ever necessarily "max out," but some have hard limits that prevent growth in certain directions. I worry in that vein of thinking about Wirfs and Thomas and to a lesser extent Wills.

They're the best now, but do they have limitations that will be exploitable at the next level?

From the other side of my pondering, I've concerns over Becton ever reaching his high ceiling.

I've read a fair bit of Ezra Cleveland buzz, but I'm not in on it. An OL already having foot problems seems unlikely to end well. Adding weight and smashing against larger humans sounds like it is more likely to exacerbate a preexisting condition to me. Underwhelming tape mostly against underwhelming competition doesn't help. I do have to dig deeper into the film, though. The first "big picture" look didn't do much for me.

Cleveland would definitely be a reach in the 1st. As would Austin Jackson. But between the two, I'd take a chance on Cleveland. Austin is definitely not Better than Ezra.

With that horrific joke covered...

:groan:

Austin Jackson Hopes To Continue In USC's Tradition Of Tackles
by Fred Greetham
6 hours ago
Austin Jackson (Photo: Shotgun Spratling | USCfootball.com, 247Sports)

(The OBR's Fred Greetham will feature several of the players that could be targets of the Browns in the days leading up to the upcoming NFL Draft).
Most NFL Draft observers have had the Browns penciled in for an offensive tackle since before the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February began and before free agency began in mid-March.
Fast forward to less than two weeks from the draft and that's still the consensus.

The Browns filled a major hole by agreeing to terms with Jack Conklin as an unrestricted free agent on the first day teams were allowed to talk with free agents.
However, the Browns still have a major void at tackle, particularly left tackle. Conklin is presumed to be the new right tackle and currently, the other tackles on the roster are Chris Hubbard and Kendall Lamm. Conklin was signed to replace Hubbard, who has deficiencies in his game, but re-structured his contract and is still with the Browns, likely as a top backup at guard or tackle.
Since future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas retired in 2017, the Browns have tried Shon Coleman, Joel Bitonio, Desmond Harrison and Greg Robinson at left tackle.
We started the series with Iowa's Tristan Wirfs , followed by Georgia's Andrew-Thomas, Alabama's Jedrick Wills, Louisville's Mekhi Becton, Houston's Josh Jones and Ezra Cleveland, which can be found here:
Could Tristan Wirfs Be At The Top Of The Browns Wish List?

Could Browns Find Joe Thomas' Replacement With Another Thomas?
Wills Says Switching From Right To Left Tackle Isn't A Problem
Mammoth OT Mekhi Becton Might Be In Browns Sights
Could Josh Jones Be A Surprise Pick For the Browns?
Could Cleveland Be A Good Fit In Cleveland?

In our last profile on Ezra Cleveland, we mentioned that he might be a player targeted by the Browns if they were to trade down or players they could target in the second-round.
One of the players that might be in the conversation for the Browns in a trade-down or the second-round is USC's Austin Jackson.
NFL.com, who compared Jackson to D.J. Humphries, analyzed Jackson in this way:
"Early-entry tackle prospect who is raw but gifted and is likely to be coveted by a variety of teams, thanks to his true left tackle traits. Jackson has loads of athletic ability and play talent that is waiting to be developed and harvested. Inconsistent hand placement and footwork could be exploited early on if teams try and rush him into the starting lineup, but issues are correctable. He's scheme-diverse with potential guard flexibility if he improves his strength. He could become an early starter but may offer a wider split between floor and ceiling than some teams might like."
NFL.com ranked Jackson as the 28th-best player, while Sports Illustrated ranked him 36th, The Sporting News 37th and Bleacher Report 42nd.

In 2019, as a junior, Jackson started all 13 games at left tackle and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. As a freshman, Jackson started all 12 games at left tackle the previous season as a sophomore.
Jackson has the bloodlines as his grandfather, Melvin, played for the Packers for five seasons after playing offensive line for USC's 1974 national championship team.
"I'm confident," Jackson said at the NFL Combine. "I come from a family of football players. My grandfather played in the NFL. This is what I've been working for. This was my dream since I was a kid, since I started playing football. And I'm ready."
Jackson said he learned from his grandfather.
"It's a business," he said. "You have to show up every day, work to get better. There's some technique stuff he's showed me, but football in the '70s is a lot different than football now. But the biggest thing he's taught me is show up every day, work hard, and make the most for yourself."

Jackson (6-5, 322) was asked what skills will translate to the NFL.
"My natural length and athleticism," he said. "I have a work ethic like any other. I see what needs to be fixed within myself and I'm able to correct it and improve."
USC OT Austin Jackson said he prefers run blocking pic.twitter.com/y5q20K1aVH
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham) February 26, 2020
Jackson said he feels his strength is run blocking.

"Any run block really," he said. "Run blocking is fun for me. I like pass protection, but run blocking is fun."
Jackson described his football personality this way.
"Passionate. Competitive," he said. "I want to win. Line up with my teammates, my guys, and I play to win. Compete. Dominate."
Jackson displayed his character with a selfless act to help save the life of his sister by going through a bone marrow transplant, which did set back his football career.
"My sister has a rare blood disorder which causes your body not to produce red blood cells," Jackson said. "She's had it since she was born. The procedure I did, the bone marrow transplant, allows her body to accept my blood cells. Thank god we were a perfect match through blood testing. That allowed her to fully restart her system and her body is now producing red blood cells. "

Jackson said his sister is doing well now.
"She's doing great," he said. "She's making a full recovery. No symptoms. She had to undergo chemo and her hair's growing back. Doctors say her blood is producing at levels they've never seen. It's great."
Jackson said there was no hesitation and helping his sister out.
"Definitely. I'm glad I could do it," he said. "I feel like everybody would have done it for their little sister or sibling. Really glad I could do that."
Jackson said it took him a while to get his strength back after the process in the summer of 2019, but he returned to the Trojans last fall.

"It was a long process," he said. "I had to take the whole offseason to go home and be with her and train on my own. I couldn't afford to get sick. Otherwise, the procedure would have been prolonged. I battled back through fall camp and through the season to gain my strength back.
"I didn't train for about three weeks after the surgery, then starting slowly working my way back to being on my feet," he said. "The procedure takes place in my lower back. As an offensive lineman that's pretty crucial."
Jackson hopes to continue in the tradition of former USC tackles who have gone on to have great careers in the NFL, including Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz.
"I talk to guys like Anthony Munoz who come back," he said. "He's a legend, Hall of Famer. Guys like Tyron Smith, talked to him a couple times. Look forward to training with him this offseason. Sam Baker, another great, comes back a lot. There's a handful of them."

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-brow...impression=true

There is no question that Alabama's Jedrick Wills is one of the top-rated tackles in this year's NFL Draft class.

The problem on the surface appears to be the Browns need a left tackle to protect Baker Mayfield's blind side. Wills played right tackle in his career with the Crimson Tide.


However, that might not be the problem that some think it is because Alabama's quarterback was Tua Tagovailoa, who is left handed. Thus, Wills was protecting the blind-side.

"We never, ever tried him (at left tackle)," Alabama coach Nick Saban told the Chronicle-Telegram recently. “But we were kinda satisfied with him playing the right side because he was a good pass blocker and that was the back side of our quarterback, at least in that timeframe."

Wills is not worried about transitioning to left tackle in the NFL.

"I’m a very fast learner," Wills said at the NFL Combine. "My high football IQ is something I preach on. I’ll get into the playbook as fast as I can. The measurables and the physical comes along with that. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you won’t be able to do anything. I just like to learn as fast as I can."

Wills said he has been working on both positions leading up to the draft.

"I took minimal (left tackle) reps at Alabama," he said. "Leading up to the pre-draft process, I’m trying to do both because that’s something teams are asking about. I’m just trying to have that versatility. It’s something that’s new. Every time at a new position, it’s something you have to get used to. It’s something I’m trying to get comfortable with."


Wills said he thinks the hardest part for him will be just getting used to adjusting to the other side.

"Probably the muscle memory," he said. "Being on the right side for so long, it’s something that feels a little bit different. You switch your feet up, using your right hand, your punch time is going to be different. It’s small things."

Wills (6-4, 312) is ranked by NFL.com as the second-best offensive tackle and 10th-best overall player in the draft.

"I feel like I have a really good football IQ," he said. "It’s something I take pride in. I try to keep the M.A.’s to a minimum. I’m an athletic player and I like to dominate people."

NFL.com compared Wills to Jason Peters and summarized his ability this way:

"Agility and body control allow him to handle move-blocking duties successfully, but his leverage and elite transference of power from hips to his hands provide a big advantage as a body mover at the point of attack. His desire to control each snap occasionally leads to over-sets and lunging in an effort to stay ahead of opponents.


"Wills is one of the most impressive tackles in the draft... His game is tailor-made for the NFL, and his range of success is good starter to All-Pro."

In 2019, Wills earned second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-SEC honors while starting all 13 games at right tackle.

Alabama uses the wide zone blocking scheme, which the Browns plan to employ.

“Look, he’s one of the better guys that we’ve had (at Alabama) all the way around,” Saban said. “The guy can get moving in the run game, he’s smart, he’s got really good athletic ability, lateral quickness, open his hips in pass pro, he’s got good hands.

“And the guy’s really smart," he continued. "He takes it to the field, too. So he’s got a little toughness about him, too. I think he’s a really good player.”

Wills said his physical style of play drives him.


"That’s why I play the game," he said. "It’s something I’ve been doing forever. But at the next level, you go against bigger and better people. So, it’s a little more difficult. But I’m trying to keep that going."

Wills said playing in the SEC has prepared him for going up against some of the best pass rushers in the country.

"When you’re in the SEC and you’re going against dynamic pass rushers week in and week out, who have versatility, it’s major for you to do that so they can’t get in a rhythm over and over again," he said. "It’s something I took pride in and I tried to see how they react to each one."

26
COMMENTS
If the Browns draft Willis, this is what he says the Browns will get.

"You’re going to get a competitor as well," Wills said. "A good offensive lineman who’s smart. I have a high football IQ. (I’m) a mauler in the run and pass game. I try to put people on the ground as much as I can."


https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-brow...Him--145716571/

1. Simmons
2. Wills
3. Thomas
4. Wirfs
5. Trade back...

One of the things we were talking about re: RT->LT is being put on an island when pass-blocking. Did Wills do that, but on the right side?

Well - he did protect Tua's blindside, so I would assume so.

I disagreed, Ezra Cleveland is not a reach in the first round imo. The only thing seperating Ezra Cleveland from being the top OT in this Draft is his competition, of no falt of his own btw.

They are most certainly a reach before pick #20.

Jones, Cleveland and Jackson should all go in the #18-#36 range.

I'd be surprised if any of them are there at #42.

#41

Jackson might be the only possibility.
He doesn't play with power or to the level of his athletic traits.

I'm always leary of drafting a player who needs to be motivated.

I could see Isaiah Wilson possibly going ahead of Jackson, albeit as a RT.

I think that Cleveland has a higher ceiling (testing in the 92nd% SPARQ ... higher than either Wills or Thomas) than Jones, who athletically just meets the threshold of what teams look for a starting LT.

I think Alabama flex their TEs the majority of the time.

Then we’re watching different film, cause I completely disagree.

With all due respect, FL, there is little likelihood of EC being selected in the 1st rd (IMO)...

Or we are looking at different things.

We certainly disagree here. Saying there are four players at the same position ranked in the top 10 BPA so you can just *insert name here* when your pick comes up at #10 is something I'll just never buy into.

There might be two and if so I hope we land one of those two. But four worthy of the top 10? Nah...

That's a crappy thing to say.

Having had my right shoulder rotator cuff surgically repaired, i learned to wipe with my left hand. Not an easy transition, but doable.