Mike Pouncey of Florida ~ 6.4/310
"A natural bender who can really sit into his stance off the snap, fire off the football low and consistently get under the pad level of opposing linemen in the run game. His combination of initial burst and power really makes him effective as an in-line blocker, as he gets his arms up quickly, hands under the chest plate and pumps his legs through contact. Also, is routinely one of the first linemen firing off the football.
Is really coordinated through contact as well, does a nice job sitting into his stance, maintaining his balance and cleanly shuffling his feet through the play. Now, isn’t the most aware at times off the snap, will struggle to recognize his man and get caught taking improper angles, allowing himself to be jolted on contact. But, he’s a good enough athlete to rework his hands and at least create a stalemate inside and stick to the block.
Is comfortable on the move, takes good angles in space, is fluid/rangy for a big guy and breaks down well on contact. Does a nice job as a short-area athlete chipping at the line, quickly redirecting and reaching a linebacker off his frame.
Looks comfortable in pass protection, takes a quick first step off the line and does a great job keeping his base down and feet under him laterally. Is really fluid when asked to slide and shuffle and displays impressive mirror ability even in space. Now, isn’t real heavy handed, possesses a quick recoil and always keep his hands up and ready to punch, but too often allows defenders to fight off his block and he relies more so on his ability to mirror in space. However, redirects really well and can anchor on contact, as he works his hands well to consistently gain inside leverage.
Impression: A gifted athlete who plays with bend, explosion and natural athleticism in both the run and pass game. No reason to think this guy can’t be starting early in his NFL career and become a very good lineman at the next level."
Is really coordinated through contact as well, does a nice job sitting into his stance, maintaining his balance and cleanly shuffling his feet through the play. Now, isn’t the most aware at times off the snap, will struggle to recognize his man and get caught taking improper angles, allowing himself to be jolted on contact. But, he’s a good enough athlete to rework his hands and at least create a stalemate inside and stick to the block.
Is comfortable on the move, takes good angles in space, is fluid/rangy for a big guy and breaks down well on contact. Does a nice job as a short-area athlete chipping at the line, quickly redirecting and reaching a linebacker off his frame.
Looks comfortable in pass protection, takes a quick first step off the line and does a great job keeping his base down and feet under him laterally. Is really fluid when asked to slide and shuffle and displays impressive mirror ability even in space. Now, isn’t real heavy handed, possesses a quick recoil and always keep his hands up and ready to punch, but too often allows defenders to fight off his block and he relies more so on his ability to mirror in space. However, redirects really well and can anchor on contact, as he works his hands well to consistently gain inside leverage.
Impression: A gifted athlete who plays with bend, explosion and natural athleticism in both the run and pass game. No reason to think this guy can’t be starting early in his NFL career and become a very good lineman at the next level."
"Skinny: After receiving a second round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee, Pouncey opted to return for his senior season with intentions of improving his draft grade. He will slide to the center position to replace his brother Maurkice (Steelers) but Mike projects as a guard at the next level. That type of versatility will enhance his stock.
SCOUT'S TAKE
Like his twin brother Maurkice, Mike Pouncey is not only schematically versatile; he can play multiple positions along the offensive line. The interior lineman started all 14 games both as a sophomore and a junior, mostly at the right guard position, and also started on the left side last year. This season he is expected to take over at center, replacing his brother who left early for the NFL. The remaining Gator is skilled to the point that the team even used him at tackle this past spring and some of the coaches at Florida believe he can play center, guard and tackle. That would give new meaning to the term ‘jack-of-all-trades’ when it comes to scouting offensive linemen.
During his two-year stint as a starter Pouncey consistently graded out as one of the top offensive linemen in the SEC, earning second team all-conference honors in 2008 (by the coaches) before cracking the first team and making several All-American squads a year ago. Standing at 6’4” and 310 pounds Pouncey is the new age prototype for NFL centers—gigantic, muscular, and athletic. The Gators are very confident that he can make the transition to the center position not just because of his physical ability, but due to his intelligence and leadership skills as well.
Pouncey lacks elite athletic ability, the type that can make an interior lineman a first round pick. He may be very strong but if he is going to play guard fulltime at the next level the Lakeland native would have to bulk up as NFL teams usually like their guards to tip the scales in the 325-330-pound range. There are those who are predicting back-to-back drafts with a Pouncey going in round one, but it says here that Mike Pouncey is going to have wait a day to hear his name called and is more likely to go in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft."
SCOUT'S TAKE
Like his twin brother Maurkice, Mike Pouncey is not only schematically versatile; he can play multiple positions along the offensive line. The interior lineman started all 14 games both as a sophomore and a junior, mostly at the right guard position, and also started on the left side last year. This season he is expected to take over at center, replacing his brother who left early for the NFL. The remaining Gator is skilled to the point that the team even used him at tackle this past spring and some of the coaches at Florida believe he can play center, guard and tackle. That would give new meaning to the term ‘jack-of-all-trades’ when it comes to scouting offensive linemen.
During his two-year stint as a starter Pouncey consistently graded out as one of the top offensive linemen in the SEC, earning second team all-conference honors in 2008 (by the coaches) before cracking the first team and making several All-American squads a year ago. Standing at 6’4” and 310 pounds Pouncey is the new age prototype for NFL centers—gigantic, muscular, and athletic. The Gators are very confident that he can make the transition to the center position not just because of his physical ability, but due to his intelligence and leadership skills as well.
Pouncey lacks elite athletic ability, the type that can make an interior lineman a first round pick. He may be very strong but if he is going to play guard fulltime at the next level the Lakeland native would have to bulk up as NFL teams usually like their guards to tip the scales in the 325-330-pound range. There are those who are predicting back-to-back drafts with a Pouncey going in round one, but it says here that Mike Pouncey is going to have wait a day to hear his name called and is more likely to go in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft."
"Michael Pouncey is not as skilled as his brother, selected in the first round last April, yet is still a solid NFL prospect. Pouncey bends his knees, blocks with leverage and really attacks assignments. Playing with a nasty attitude, he displays power as a run blocker with the ability to move defenders off the line. He’s not nearly as effective in motion as his brother yet is highly considered."
"Positives: Athletic... Versatile... Good run blocker... Very solid drive blocker with good power... Good size and reasonably good strength... Can anchor well at POA... Plays with good power... Stays low and wins most battles for leverage... Holds up reasonably well versus bull rushers... Gets and maintains good hand placement... Plays with reasonably good leverage... Drives his legs on contact... Maintains good balance... Gets good push and can move the pile in the running game... Can pull and trap block well... Gets to the second level... Does a nice job breaking down in space and blocking on the move... Reasonably good flexibility and COD... Very solid pass protector... Good initial quickness, very quick off the snap... Explodes into his blocks... Good agility... Solid footwork... Very solid knee bender... Very solid lateral movement and slide... Possesses a reasonably strong base... Physical, hard worker, flashes a mean streak... Works hard to finish his assignments.
Negatives: Inconsistent... Slow to recognize stunts and delayed blitzes... More of a wall-off blocker in space than actual hitter... Can be beat by quicker three-techniques... Will lunge and lose balance... Doesn't keep his head up... Struggles snapping the ball, especially from the shotgun... Looked better in 2009 as a Guard, will get some misguided consideration at Center."
Negatives: Inconsistent... Slow to recognize stunts and delayed blitzes... More of a wall-off blocker in space than actual hitter... Can be beat by quicker three-techniques... Will lunge and lose balance... Doesn't keep his head up... Struggles snapping the ball, especially from the shotgun... Looked better in 2009 as a Guard, will get some misguided consideration at Center."
"Pouncey played on the offensive line in high school, but he was moved to defensive tackle during his freshman season at Florida. A versatile lineman, Pouncey switched back to offensive guard prior to his sophomore campaign and, along with twin brother Maurkice, he has been a mainstay of Florida's offensive line ever since. Pouncey helped pave the way for a dynamic offense in 2008 en route to an undefeated season and National Championship.
More of the same continued this season, even though 2009 ended in disappointment with a loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship. The Gator offense finished first in the conference in an incredible amount of categories, including total yards (5,751, or 442.4 per game), rushing yards (2,928), and rushing yards per carry (5.6). He was a Second Team All-SEC selection by the conference's coaches in 2008 and this season he was named to the All-SEC First Team by both the coaches and the media. Pouncey stands at 6'5 and 320 pounds, perhaps ever so slightly bigger than his brother, who has starred at center for the Gators.
Mike is not quite as agile as Maurkice; Mike has been clocked at 5.29 in the 40-yard dash and generally runs in the 5.3s. He does not have the pass-blocking skills necessary to be an elite tackle in the NFL, but he has the ability to be a major force in the running game at guard."
More of the same continued this season, even though 2009 ended in disappointment with a loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship. The Gator offense finished first in the conference in an incredible amount of categories, including total yards (5,751, or 442.4 per game), rushing yards (2,928), and rushing yards per carry (5.6). He was a Second Team All-SEC selection by the conference's coaches in 2008 and this season he was named to the All-SEC First Team by both the coaches and the media. Pouncey stands at 6'5 and 320 pounds, perhaps ever so slightly bigger than his brother, who has starred at center for the Gators.
Mike is not quite as agile as Maurkice; Mike has been clocked at 5.29 in the 40-yard dash and generally runs in the 5.3s. He does not have the pass-blocking skills necessary to be an elite tackle in the NFL, but he has the ability to be a major force in the running game at guard."
"Pouncey stayed in school and slid inside to the center position as a senior, replacing his brother Maurkice, who was drafted in the middle of the first round by the Steelers. Given how well his brother has performed in the pros as a rookie, the Pouncey pedigree can be expected to creep into the minds of NFL decision makers come draft time.
The reality, however, is that Mike is not the player his twin brother is, and has really struggled with snapping at center, wrist-snapping bad balls in every game. He needs to move back to guard in the pros. He is big, tough and has a passion for the game and likely will be drafted relatively early, but the converted defensive tackle is not as natural or NFL-ready as Maurkice and figures to be drafted a round or two later."
The reality, however, is that Mike is not the player his twin brother is, and has really struggled with snapping at center, wrist-snapping bad balls in every game. He needs to move back to guard in the pros. He is big, tough and has a passion for the game and likely will be drafted relatively early, but the converted defensive tackle is not as natural or NFL-ready as Maurkice and figures to be drafted a round or two later."
"Pouncey is playing center in his senior campaign and is struggling with the transition. Although his blocking hasn’t been terrible, he’s had problems in popping up right after the snap and it’s led to fumbles for Florida. He’ll switch back to guard in the NFL and be a force in the run game. He gets great leverage and stands up defenders well, keeping them from pushing him back."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Mike Pouncey
Mike Pouncey is an exciting, explosive athlete who could develop into an exceptional Offensive Guard.
However, I'm concerned by the references by both NFP's Wes Bunting and by SideLine Scouting to his Processing Speed, which is not very good at all. That, alone, would cause him to drop precipitously in my view.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
However, I'm concerned by the references by both NFP's Wes Bunting and by SideLine Scouting to his Processing Speed, which is not very good at all. That, alone, would cause him to drop precipitously in my view.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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