Core Strength ~ to thwart the onslaught of marauding Defensive Ends in the Passing Game
Drive Power ~ to attack same Defensive Ends and drive them back ~ or aside ~ in the Running Game
Launch Velocity ~ out'f'is Stance, off the Snap
Fluidity ~ to Redirect Quickly & Effectively
Lateral Agility ~ to Stay Square as he Mirrors his man
Range ~ Short Speed ~ to drive across the Flank on Pulls & Traps or UpField to the Second Level
Combat ~ As in Hand to Hand: Dexterity, Technique, Ferocity & Stamina!!
Core Strength, Core Power, Fluidity, and ~ perhaps most of all ~ Lateral Agility are what I focus most on when evaluating Offensive Tackles.
Pass Blocking ~ Ditto. He's learning and building himself up rapidly. His Potential is extraordinary.
To hear it now ~ and the Reports tend to be approximately accurate, which is remarkable, considering that it's not in any Team's interest to divulge their Assessments ~ Kyle Long is generally looked at as having a much longer road in front'f'm to reach the point of being ready to play Offensive Tackle than was generally considered to be the case, just two short months ago...and in fact is considered by many to be destined for Offensive Guard
I don't list Processing Speed as an especially important Attribute for Offensive Tackles, but it's important at every position, frankly, and let me tell you that Kyle Long's Processing Speed is phenomenal. His transition from Starting Pitcher to Defensive End to Offensive Guard would've put most men in a Restraining Jacket...but this guy rapidly embraced the multiplicative nuances of Offensive Tackle, this past Year, and is rocketing towards Excellence.
Mind you: He's still Raw as Hell, and made many mental mistakes during his first year on the Edge, as one'd expect.
But the Art of the Draft is Projection, of course...
And I see Kyle Long's Potential, considered in light'f his chances of attaining his Potential...as extraordinary.
SemiSleeper!!
Consensus Market Value 2nd/3rd Round | Yankee Grade 1st Round |