DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Training Camp Preview: The Offensive Line

time for Alex to come back home

we could get some St. Ed's and St. Iggy representation on the Browns:)

Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Boone, Schwartz


Wow

Shame he's such a mammoth. Phil Taylor for Boone and a late pick would be a great move on paper. I think a 6'8 OG would be a bad idea with Hoyer and more so Johnny.

I still might make that trade; however, Greco did look improved last night against a pretty good DL

Do the 49ers use the Zone Blocking Scheme that the Browns switched to? Just wondering if Boone is quick enough at 6-8, 328.

Here's a post-combine (2009) scouting report from NFL.com (he was drafted as an OT):

Positives: Tall tackle prospect with good functional strength and long arms. ... His size and strength makes it tough to bull rush him. ... Has lined up at left and right tackle. ... Agile enough to combo down and then move straight ahead to the middle linebacker. ... Can lock onto defensive ends and keep them out of the play. ... Recognizes blitzes and twists.

Negatives: May need to play right tackle in the pros, as he is more of a mauler than an athlete. ... Lumbers in space, and does not play through the whistle. ... Needs more consistency using his punch to keep pass rushers off balance. ... Does not move his feet or hands quickly enough to handle explosive speed on the edge. ... Also loses his balance when sustaining because he leans too far forward and his hands are not inside the body. ... Plays too upright in pass protection. ... Lacks great flexibility to adjust to oncoming blitzers.

In other words, he would not be a fit for us in any way (even as a tackle). We drafted Bitonio because of his athleticism, much like why we retained Mack and asked Greco to lose weight

Just to be fair and balanced, that was a 2009 assessment before he was moved to RG by the Niners and before he ever played a down in the NFL. Last year, Pro Football Focus named him a "Secret Superstar", whatever that means, and said he was the 3rd best RG in the NFL.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/06/10/secret-superstar-alex-boone/

But the point remains - unless I'm mistaken - that the Niners play a Man / Power blocking scheme, and I'm not sure Boone could make that adjustment to the Browns' scheme.

Yeah that's a tough thing to adjust to, even for the best of "maulers". I'd imagine we wouldn't pursue him.

Thanks for the report on Boone. What I am about to say is not an insult directed towards you. I know you were just researching and posted an article.

That report doesn't seem very legit to me because it says he is agile enough to engage one defender and then move to the second level---which is exactly what ZBS guards are asked to do.

It later says he lumbers in space.

I think Boone surprised some people w/his performance as a pro.

With that said, I am not sure we need him. Grecco and Bitonio apparently played well the other night. I was trying to watch, but it was hard to tell if Bironio had a good game. I have read a couple of things that Bitonio played well.

It would be neat to see a guy I played on the same team as, in the locker room for the Browns.

I would keep an eye on Schwartz .. There in lies the weak link in the OL , if we have one ..

Just a note if his mobility is too inferior to consider him at RG for the Outside Zone Blocking Scheme...I would think RT would not fare well for him then cause that is the key to this scheme the OTs ability to get lateral fast.

Jmhnote? But sounds like a guy I would love! 6'8" now a days anything goes at OG. Its not about seeing over the OL its about seeing through the passing lanes.

The most natural passing lanes would be the B Gap as the OTs drop back fast for the outside rush and that would leave a nice passing lane for the QBs to hitch into once it starts breaking down.

Oh n BPG...that would be so cool. Do you stay in touch? No matter something not many if any can say