A Simple Question About Impact

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by idymoe

I'm going to ask you to answer without regard to value of position. But, assume we cannot trade down.

Would the upgrade to center have greater impact than the upgrade to outside linebacker?

I've never heard a center described as a play-maker, but if our third and short percentage was significantly increased, that would be very important, imo.

Nick Mangold was probably the best OC prospect I've seen, and to that end, I'm not sure how much impact he made by himself. The Jets also drafted Brick Ferguson in that same 1st round.

While improving our 3rd and short percentage would be very important, I'm not sure how much credit would go towards Unger/Mack/Wood. Also, there is a good possibility to get Wood at #45 or even Anoine Caldwell at #77.

If we can't trade down from #15, we should not draft any OC and expect them to make an impact more than we could expect from one drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.

If Kubiak is hell bent on getting a "difference maker" on the defensive side of the football that won't be easily matched later on in the draft, I'd suspect he's looking at Vontae Davis or Malcolm Jenkins.

[idymoe]

Wood might be iffy at 45 and I wasn't very impressed with Caldwell at the Senior Bowl. How would you compare Unger and Mack to Mangold?

[jppaul]

Its harder to judge the impact a center has on an offense as compared to OLB. Oline as a group make an impact but it is hard to point to any of the interior line as having an impact. I know that they do its just harder to ascertain.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by idymoe

Wood might be iffy at 45 and I wasn't very impressed with Caldwell at the Senior Bowl. How would you compare Unger and Mack to Mangold?

Mack didn't participate at the Combine. However, if you sum the 20, 10, Shuttle, and Cone; you'll get an idea about an OL's agility and their feet. Mangold's total was 16.55
Wood totaled 16.59
Unger totaled 16.63

If you are looking at power and explosion, add the Bench Reps, Vertical, and Jump.

Mangold = 60.17
Wood = 68.75
Unger = 54.17

I like to take those two composites to get an index of power and agility, and I disregard the 20. Mangold's 20 was 2.95, Wood ran 2.84, Unger clocked 2.96.

Mangold = 4.42
Wood = 5.0
Unger = 3.96

So, that's the measurables.

Mangold had much better pass-protection skills than any of these guys because he got into his stance so quickly after snapping the ball. Mangold also gets off his block quickly to get to the next level. In terms of run blocking, Mangold uses good leverage.

Unger is probably a better Left Guard than Center. Having been moved around in college probably made him more versatile, but it didn't allow him to work on the specifics of OC.

Mack is probably the best pure OC in the draft. In pass protection he is going to have trouble with big NTs. Unlike Mangold, he doesn't get into a strong blocking position after snapping the ball.

Wood has all the athletic tools I'm looking for in a ZBS OC. While he has athleticism, he also has a solid punch to road grade on the run. He could use some work on pass-protection, but I'm pretty sure Gibbs can whip him into shape. With Mack and Unger getting all the hype, I'm hopeful Wood will slide on down to #45. He can also play RG while learning the offense.

If I were ranking them in the draft, I'd rank Mangold #22, Wood #27, Unger #33, and Mack #39.

[idymoe]

Nice analysis. Thanks.

[idymoe]

Roy, how do you think Myers stacks up against Wood, Unger & Mack. I doubt there are measureables for him, but from watching him play, what do you think?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by idymoe

Roy, how do you think Myers stacks up against Wood, Unger & Mack. I doubt there are measureables for him, but from watching him play, what do you think?

Myers is surviving on his technique and knowledge of Gibbs' system. All three of the guys I mentioned are better prospects and would push Myers into a back-up role their Sophomore year after learning the responsibilities of the OC position. Myers is the savvy veteran getting by with his wisdom and the fact that there isn't any talent behind him.

[idymoe]

That's pretty much my opinion, too, although I see you think it would take a season to win the start. I know Kubiak has said the #1 pick is expected to start right away. I do think a lot of our problems in third and short lie at center.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by idymoe

Nice analysis. Thanks.

For some in depth analysis on Wood, check this out. It's about everything you'd want to know. Included is that he has 33 3/4" arm length. Somebody mentioned that he had "short" arms. That's the same length as OT prospect Jason Smith.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/522812

Wood ranking second among the nation's centers with 16 touchdown-resulting blocks.

He not only brings incredible knowledge and instincts to the field, but plays with the true nastiness that has scouts comparing him to the NFL's old time centers like Mike Webster of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tim Grunhard of the Kansas City Chiefs.


Anyone who might question his intensity needs only see him fighting tooth and nail to the final gun in a 69-14 loss to Rutgers in 2008. He always brings his "A" game to the field, no matter what the scoreboard says.

Wood is known for residing in the film room. He is very determined to break down every aspect of his opponent and search for what he can use to his advantage. He does all the little extras you would expect from a team leader and captain.