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Crystal Ball - THROUGH THE EYES OF SCOUT: Offensive line & Tight ends

Posted On: 4/17/08
Written By:  
Dev Panchwagh
THROUGH THE EYES OF SCOUT: Offensive line & Tight ends THROUGH THE EYES OF SCOUT: Offensive line & Tight ends
 
In a little less than two weeks, the 2008 NFL draft will take place. Thirty-two franchises will select players to fill out their rosters, hoping that they have pieced together a special draft class.
 
Over the coming weeks, players will be compared to each other, position-by-position. Each team will have a different assessment of these former collegiate standouts. The difference in opinion between the scouts and personnel managers leads to the respective classes being formed. Grabbing the wrong players will lead to a poor class being formed, and in turn, could lead to a team not being successful.
 
The selection of players is an inexact science that is almost impossible to quantify. The scientific process must be exact, though.
 
For instance, when the Indianapolis Colts had the rare opportunity to select No.1 in 1998, they opted to pick Peyton Manning instead of Ryan Leaf. General manager Bill Polian and his staff’s ability to discern the critical differences between the two players led to his club making the right selection.

The question is: “What are the factors that these front office directors consider before they make their draft choices?”
 
Profootball24x7 will break down the skills and characteristics that a potential pro prospect must possess in order to succeed at the next level. Today we will review the offensive line and tight ends:
 
Offensive Line
 
·        Coordination: Offensive lines are the consummate symbiotic entity. Linemen set up individually to block their opponents, but at the same time, they must be cognizant of where their line mates are and what their responsibilities are on every snap. The incoming class of linemen will not only have to worry about their own blocking assignments, but they will also need to help block inside or outside whenever free rushers come to their side. In run blocking situations, it is equally important for linemen to understand when to pull or drive block, depending on the running play, in tandem with their battery mates.
 
·        Footwork: The primary task for an offensive tackle is to shadow a pass rusher. When an end or a tackle moves in a certain direction, an offensive lineman has to be able to stay parallel with the defender, to keep the pass rusher from turning past the lineman’s shoulders. Linemen have to possess tremendous lateral quickness when shuffling their feet to stay with speed rushers.
 
·        Technique: The top offensive blockers are the ones who maintain their balance in run blocking and pass blocking situations. In order to stay level, a lineman must be able to bend his knees properly and drop back smoothly before grappling the defender. There are times when pass blockers lunge too far forward to engage the defender, and once they do, they lose their balance and are passed by. This is why it is key for a lineman to set up a solid base before using his punch to keep the end/tackle from driving forward. Proper hand placement is also important, because if the blocker does not establish the right type of grip, the pass rusher will make a counter move and slide in another direction.
 
Tight End
 
·        Leaping ability: Tight ends are usually the tallest pass catchers on offense, so they are invariably involved in the most jump ball situations, whether on vertical routes, over the middle or in the red zone. If a tight end has the hops to go over the top of a defender when the ball is in the air, he will automatically become the quarterback’s favorite target. Not only does a tight end have to be able to get up in the air at the highest point, but he must also be able to time his jump properly in order to snag the ball.
 
·        Versatility: The new age tight end has to wear many different hats. He’s a blocker, a tight end, an H-back, a fullback and a wideout. It is not enough for a tight end to be a one-dimensional player who simply sets up on the line. If a tight end is able to line up in multiple spots, an offensive coordinator will be able to run a variation of plays from the same personnel groupings – making an offense that much more unpredictable.
 
·        Toughness: Aside from running backs, tight ends take on the greatest degree of physical punishment on the offensive side of the ball. They get hammered crossing the middle, knocked around by linebackers on pass routes and flipped by defensive backs in mid-flight. Yet they keep playing through the constant, nagging injuries. If an NFL tight end is it to survive in the league, he’ll need to be able to play through pain. 
 
Previous scouting views:
 
 
Photos by Sabina Moran

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Posted On: 4/17/08
Written By:  
Dev Panchwagh

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