Crimson Tide ~ 6021/312
The Gutters are riddled with the Corpses of Teams that were built around so-called "skill" Players ~ teams that delighted their Fantasy FootBall Fans every Year, all the way until January...when The Only Games That Really Matter are played.
It is then, of course, that the Capacity ~ or lack thereof ~ to Move The Chains and protect the QuarterBack against PlayOff Caliber Defenses rears its ugly head. And another Team built for Fantasy FootBall bites the dust.
I impart enormous importance upon Offensive Guards in my joyfully twisted World View of FootBall: Right up there with QuarterBacks, Defensive Tackles, and Centers in their potential Impact on The Only Games That Really Matter.
These are the Aspects of their Games that I place greatest emphasis on, when evaluating Offensive Guards:
Power. Above all: Core Power. Upper body Strength is important, but Core Power, from the Knees to the Ribs, is absolutely crucial. All the upper body strength in the world still fails if you can't dig in your heels. But Core Power enables a Lineman to project Power in the Running Game and to reject Power in the Passing Game. And those Players who invest the time and effort to develop superior Core Power are far likelier to enjoy sustained good Health and stay on the Field.
Agility. Lateral Velocity, Acceleration, and above all: Fluidity or Core Agility. Core Agility is even more essential to sustained good Health ~ and to sustained good FootBall ~ than Core Power. The ability to react with Serpentine smoothness is a tremendous asset in all Aspects of the Game, and certainly in the Hand to Hand Combat that characterizes Trench Warfare. All the Power in the World goes only so far if you're stiff and lumbering out there.
Combat Skills. Mechanics. Launch Velocity, Paw Power, and Technique.
Intangibles. Diagnostic Capacity, Processing Speed, and Motor. How effectively he masters Spatial Diagnostics & Angles, how rapidly he recognizes and implements Blocking Schemes based on changing Defensive Tactics, and of course: Drive. How badly he wants it. These are of course difficult things to assess, but it's crucial to at least try to.
My notion of a Dream Guard would be one who combines all these traits but with great emphasis on Agility ~ a truly Athletic Offensive Guard who can run Power Sweeps all day long, as Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston once did with Vince Lombardi's Packers on their way to no less than 5 Championships in 7 glorious years!!
Agility. Deficient. Adequate Fluidity but lousy Lateral Velocity and Acceleration to the Flanks and Second Level.
Combat Skills. Proficient. Technically sound, adequate Paw Power, and adept at Spatial Dynamics and Angles.
Intangibles. Sufficient. Good Field Vision. Excellent Motor. Scrappy.
Even so, he's a Craftsman who'll do a good job most of the time. He strikes me as a guy who might very well win a Starting Gig, and outplay others of more natural Talent, based on Intelligence, Hard Work, and Tenacity.
But when he runs into premier Matchups against the stronger and more agile Defenders, especially in the PlayOffs, I see him getting blown to shreds. He'll get you to the PlayOffs, but I suspect that he'll be a big Liability, once you get there.
I will add that I'm one of those who believe his Frame is far better suited to play Center. Therefore, Steen could very well carve out a substantial Career as an Interior Reserve who starts for long stretches, here and there, and there is certainly something to be said about that. It's just that I believe there are so many UFA's every Year who could do the same.
Thanks, as always, to the extraordinary Work by the men of Draft BreakDown!!
Consensus Market Value 3rd/4th Round | Yankee Grade 6th/7th Round |