NFL Draft Teicher: Tackle crop is a bumper one

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-19-2008, 10:43 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/583638.html

Tackle crop is a bumper one
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Jake Long is the type of player that offensive tackle-deficient teams like the Chiefs dream about. Long, who played in college at Michigan, is big and powerful enough to be a dominant run blocker but also athletic enough to someday become a skilled pass protector.

In the early days of draft preparations, the Chiefs believed Long would be available to them next Saturday when they make the fifth pick in the NFL draft. Now, it appears he could get selected at any of the draft’s stops before Kansas City is called.

But even if Long is gone, all won’t be lost for the Chiefs in their effort to grab a tackle.

“If Jake Long is there for the Chiefs, that’s going to be the fastest pick in the history of the draft. It’s going to be immediate,” said Matt Miller, who runs an Internet scouting site at www.newerascouting.com.

“If he’s not, they’ll have other options to get a very good tackle. As far as numbers, this is the best crop of tackles we’ve seen in a long time. It’s been awhile since six tackles went in the first round. That’s almost unheard of, but it could happen this year. There’s a lot to pick and choose from among those players. There’s a good variety of different types of players.”

Those options start with Ryan Clady, who potentially could develop into a better player than Long even though he played only three seasons against mostly inferior competition while at Boise State.

They include Virginia’s Branden Albert, a college guard who could play left tackle in the NFL, and several other candidates who could be attractive to the Chiefs if they pick lower in the first round because of a trade down or a deal involving defensive end Jared Allen.

Clady and Albert met with the Chiefs last week at Arrowhead Stadium. Most draft analysts believe either player would be worth the fifth pick.

“The reason everybody is so high on (Clady) is because he’s a superior athlete and that’s what the NFL looks for in left tackles,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “There aren’t a lot of superior athletes amongst the 300- to 330-pound set in America.

“He has some technique deficiencies. He’s a grabber instead of a puncher. Sometimes he doesn’t use his feet, he just reaches with his hands and grabs instead of using those great feet he has. But if he gets with a good offensive line coach at the next level … the reason teams really like him is they feel like he can be a dancing ballerina, which is what you need as a left tackle in the NFL.”

Albert’s size — 6 feet 5 and 311 pounds — and athletic ability suggest he will at least be tried as a left tackle in the NFL.

“I’ve been playing (guard) the last three years of my career,” Albert said. “It’s something I know very well. I am a guard, but I am comfortable playing tackle.

“Wherever a team wants to draft me, either position, I feel comfortable playing.”

The Chiefs could also install him as their immediate starter at right guard, where they also have a vacancy.

It’s unconventional to draft a guard so early in the draft. Quality guards can usually be found in later rounds.

“He’s such a dominant guard that it’s almost a waste to move him over,” Miller said. “I think you can spend the fifth pick in the draft on a guard if he’s a dominant guard.”

Options for later in the first round, if the Chiefs have a pick in that part of the draft, include Chris Williams of Vanderbilt, Gosder Cherilus of Boston College and Jeff Otah of Pittsburgh.

Williams is the only left tackle in the group and maybe even a better pass blocker than Long or Clady. He suffered at times in college blocking for the run.

While the Chiefs would prefer to have a left tackle, obtaining one isn’t essential. They have Damion McIntosh, who signed last year as a free agent.

“Go back and look at his performance,” Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson said. “When he played, when he wasn’t injured, he played very, very well.

“We can’t right now say that offensive left tackle is our number-one need. Do we need offensive linemen? Of course we do.”

The Chiefs could move McIntosh to right tackle or even right guard if they draft a left tackle.

If the Chiefs don’t get a tackle in the first round, other options exist with their second-round pick. They met last week with Virginia Tech’s Duane Brown. Southern California’s Sam Baker would be another possibility.

“If the Chiefs pass on a tackle in the first round, (Baker) would be a good choice in the second round,” Miller said. “Bull rushers are going to bother him because he’s not really strong. But he’s a quick thinker and is able to read the blitz and pick it up. He’s a really good blocker, but if he became stronger, he’d be a dominant blocker. He could step in and start as a rookie at left tackle without any problems.”

Chiefs’ tackle options
If the Chiefs can’t land Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long in the NFL draft next weekend, there are several others they could be interested in. They could go for Branden Albert of Virginia, Gosder Cherilus of Boston College, Ryan Clady of Boise State (above), Jeff Otah of Pittsburgh or Chris Williams of Vanderbilt.

First-round tackles
The Chiefs have taken six tackles in the first round of the NFL draft.

Year Player Pick
1999 John Tait 14
1998 Victor Riley 27
1995 Trezelle Jenkins 31
1986 Brian Jozwiak 8
1984 John Alt 21
1970 Sid Smith 26

**DeezNutz** · 04-19-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Albert said. “It’s something I know very well. I am a guard, but I am comfortable playing tackle.

We can't be ****ing serious.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-19-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

We can't be ****ing serious.

Is this the "Royal We" you speak of?

Teicher's an idiot. How he has a job is almost as big a mystery as why Carl Peterson still has a job.

Hopefully, they'll both go at the same time.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 04-20-2008, 12:54 AM

2/6 in picking a left tackle worth a damn in the first round. fuck, that's a horrible success rate given that tackle is usually one of the safer positions to draft.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-20-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

2/6 in picking a left tackle worth a damn in the first round. fuck, that's a horrible success rate given that tackle is usually one of the safer positions to draft.

Riley was solid and played until 2005.

Right now, the 1998 Victor Riley would be the 2nd best lineman for the Chiefs.

Unfortunately, Riley was a head case. If he wasn't, he could have been a solid, 10 year pro.

**J Diddy** · 04-20-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

2/6 in picking a left tackle worth a damn in the first round. fuck, that's a horrible success rate given that tackle is usually one of the safer positions to draft.

I would say 3

I don't think that riley was that bad

BIG K · 04-20-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Riley was solid and played until 2005.

Right now, the 1998 Victor Riley would be the 2nd best lineman for the Chiefs.

Unfortunately, Riley was a head case. If he wasn't, he could have been a solid, 10 year pro.

Yeah, whenever you slam your car into your girlfriend, it just does not look good on a resume'........

ChiefaRoo · 04-20-2008, 01:50 AM

So how about this scenario if the JA trade goes through.

1st - DT, DE
1st - OT
2nd - C
3rd - G
3rd - CB

4th on - backups and speculation picks.

04-19-2008, 10:43 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $752813	Teicher: Tackle crop is a bumper one http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/583638.html Tackle crop is a bumper one By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Jake Long is the type of player that offensive tackle-deficient teams like the Chiefs dream about. Long, who played in college at Michigan, is big and powerful enough to be a dominant run blocker but also athletic enough to someday become a skilled pass protector. In the early days of draft preparations, the Chiefs believed Long would be available to them next Saturday when they make the fifth pick in the NFL draft. Now, it appears he could get selected at any of the draft’s stops before Kansas City is called. But even if Long is gone, all won’t be lost for the Chiefs in their effort to grab a tackle. “If Jake Long is there for the Chiefs, that’s going to be the fastest pick in the history of the draft. It’s going to be immediate,” said Matt Miller, who runs an Internet scouting site at www.newerascouting.com. “If he’s not, they’ll have other options to get a very good tackle. As far as numbers, this is the best crop of tackles we’ve seen in a long time. It’s been awhile since six tackles went in the first round. That’s almost unheard of, but it could happen this year. There’s a lot to pick and choose from among those players. There’s a good variety of different types of players.” Those options start with Ryan Clady, who potentially could develop into a better player than Long even though he played only three seasons against mostly inferior competition while at Boise State. They include Virginia’s Branden Albert, a college guard who could play left tackle in the NFL, and several other candidates who could be attractive to the Chiefs if they pick lower in the first round because of a trade down or a deal involving defensive end Jared Allen. Clady and Albert met with the Chiefs last week at Arrowhead Stadium. Most draft analysts believe either player would be worth the fifth pick. “The reason everybody is so high on (Clady) is because he’s a superior athlete and that’s what the NFL looks for in left tackles,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “There aren’t a lot of superior athletes amongst the 300- to 330-pound set in America. “He has some technique deficiencies. He’s a grabber instead of a puncher. Sometimes he doesn’t use his feet, he just reaches with his hands and grabs instead of using those great feet he has. But if he gets with a good offensive line coach at the next level … the reason teams really like him is they feel like he can be a dancing ballerina, which is what you need as a left tackle in the NFL.” Albert’s size — 6 feet 5 and 311 pounds — and athletic ability suggest he will at least be tried as a left tackle in the NFL. “I’ve been playing (guard) the last three years of my career,” Albert said. “It’s something I know very well. I am a guard, but I am comfortable playing tackle. “Wherever a team wants to draft me, either position, I feel comfortable playing.” The Chiefs could also install him as their immediate starter at right guard, where they also have a vacancy. It’s unconventional to draft a guard so early in the draft. Quality guards can usually be found in later rounds. “He’s such a dominant guard that it’s almost a waste to move him over,” Miller said. “I think you can spend the fifth pick in the draft on a guard if he’s a dominant guard.” Options for later in the first round, if the Chiefs have a pick in that part of the draft, include Chris Williams of Vanderbilt, Gosder Cherilus of Boston College and Jeff Otah of Pittsburgh. Williams is the only left tackle in the group and maybe even a better pass blocker than Long or Clady. He suffered at times in college blocking for the run. While the Chiefs would prefer to have a left tackle, obtaining one isn’t essential. They have Damion McIntosh, who signed last year as a free agent. “Go back and look at his performance,” Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson said. “When he played, when he wasn’t injured, he played very, very well. “We can’t right now say that offensive left tackle is our number-one need. Do we need offensive linemen? Of course we do.” The Chiefs could move McIntosh to right tackle or even right guard if they draft a left tackle. If the Chiefs don’t get a tackle in the first round, other options exist with their second-round pick. They met last week with Virginia Tech’s Duane Brown. Southern California’s Sam Baker would be another possibility. “If the Chiefs pass on a tackle in the first round, (Baker) would be a good choice in the second round,” Miller said. “Bull rushers are going to bother him because he’s not really strong. But he’s a quick thinker and is able to read the blitz and pick it up. He’s a really good blocker, but if he became stronger, he’d be a dominant blocker. He could step in and start as a rookie at left tackle without any problems.” Chiefs’ tackle options If the Chiefs can’t land Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long in the NFL draft next weekend, there are several others they could be interested in. They could go for Branden Albert of Virginia, Gosder Cherilus of Boston College, Ryan Clady of Boise State (above), Jeff Otah of Pittsburgh or Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. First-round tackles The Chiefs have taken six tackles in the first round of the NFL draft. Year Player Pick 1999 John Tait 14 1998 Victor Riley 27 1995 Trezelle Jenkins 31 1986 Brian Jozwiak 8 1984 John Alt 21 1970 Sid Smith 26
Posts: 42,135

04-20-2008, 12:54 AM	#4
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7989572	2/6 in picking a left tackle worth a damn in the first round. fuck, that's a horrible success rate given that tackle is usually one of the safer positions to draft. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,833

04-20-2008, 01:50 AM	#8
ChiefaRoo MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin,TX Casino cash: $5087505	So how about this scenario if the JA trade goes through. 1st - DT, DE 1st - OT 2nd - C 3rd - G 3rd - CB 4th on - backups and speculation picks.
Posts: 11,852