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Bench Warmer
By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com
(March 21, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five offensive guards in the NFL draft:
1. Justin Blalock, Texas
Positives: Size (6-foot-3-plus, 320 pounds), strength and outstanding athleticism. ... Plays with good leverage. ... Quickness off the ball. ... Aggressive when blocking for the run. ... Versatility; former tackle who moved inside during his senior year.
Negatives: Not many for a player who possesses plenty of natural power and athleticism. ... Needs to improve overall technique.
2. Ben Grubbs, Auburn
Positives: Athleticism and tremendous quickness. ... Does a superb job of pulling on outside runs and is equally effective at pulling and trapping inside. ... Intelligence. ... Versatility; able to play center in a pinch.
Negatives: Needs to work at playing with greater leverage and balance. ... Could stand improvement in overall techniques.
3. Arron Sears, Tennessee
Positives: Size (6-3-plus, 319) and strength. ... Outstanding ability to block for the run. ... Competitiveness. ... Makes good use of arms and hands to keep defenders at bay.
Negatives: Speed and agility. ... Pass-protection skills. ... Must improve his overall techniques.
4. Mike Jones, Iowa
Positives: Size (6-5, 309 pounds) and strength. ... Intelligence. ... Does a good job of recognizing stunts and blitzes. ... Plays with good leverage. ... Consistently holds his own against bull rushers. ... Toughness and competitiveness.
Negatives: Speed and athleticism.
5. Andy Alleman, Akron
Positives: Size (6-4, 305) and strength. ... Solid run-blocker. ... Handles combination blocking well. ... Good instincts. ... Toughness and competitiveness.
Negatives: Athleticism and quickness.
National Editor, NFL.com
(March 21, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five offensive guards in the NFL draft:
1. Justin Blalock, Texas
Positives: Size (6-foot-3-plus, 320 pounds), strength and outstanding athleticism. ... Plays with good leverage. ... Quickness off the ball. ... Aggressive when blocking for the run. ... Versatility; former tackle who moved inside during his senior year.
Negatives: Not many for a player who possesses plenty of natural power and athleticism. ... Needs to improve overall technique.
2. Ben Grubbs, Auburn
Positives: Athleticism and tremendous quickness. ... Does a superb job of pulling on outside runs and is equally effective at pulling and trapping inside. ... Intelligence. ... Versatility; able to play center in a pinch.
Negatives: Needs to work at playing with greater leverage and balance. ... Could stand improvement in overall techniques.
3. Arron Sears, Tennessee
Positives: Size (6-3-plus, 319) and strength. ... Outstanding ability to block for the run. ... Competitiveness. ... Makes good use of arms and hands to keep defenders at bay.
Negatives: Speed and agility. ... Pass-protection skills. ... Must improve his overall techniques.
4. Mike Jones, Iowa
Positives: Size (6-5, 309 pounds) and strength. ... Intelligence. ... Does a good job of recognizing stunts and blitzes. ... Plays with good leverage. ... Consistently holds his own against bull rushers. ... Toughness and competitiveness.
Negatives: Speed and athleticism.
5. Andy Alleman, Akron
Positives: Size (6-4, 305) and strength. ... Solid run-blocker. ... Handles combination blocking well. ... Good instincts. ... Toughness and competitiveness.
Negatives: Athleticism and quickness.
