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I just spent some time with the spring game tape watching only two people, Shamire Devine and Will Bryan. I had a blast doing it, I must add. I did this primarily because I have been worried about the position. Was Shamire going to be too slow at this weight? Is Will out of position on the inside and better suited for OT? I wanted to satisfy myself that we were going to be OK.
While I do think Shamire is too heavy at this weight, he carries it better than most people would. I love his physicality dealing with the guy right in front of him, but there is little doubt his mobility would improve if he were a little lighter. My imagination runs wild with what he could do at, say, 350 pounds. He doesn't need to drop THAT much, but it would be a huge help.
I was worried about Bryan at OG a little going into the viewing, but was immediately impressed when he dumped our own #40 on his head with a perfectly executed cut block in space. I mean Davis is already low enough with how he plays (and pretty quick). Well, Will got out there very quickly and closed on PJ a lot quicker than I think PJ was expecting. It is hard for a big man moving at near full speed to get that low and FINISH the block all the way through the defenders legs. Bryan did just that. It was one of the best OG releases to the second level you will see and one of the most text book cut blocks. All game, I am watching WB get out to the second level quickly and getting his angles, kind of reminding me how we didn't do so well at this last year. On the interior WB won the battle of LOW every time that I could remember. While having the luxury of watching Mason for 4 years, I would say WB falls just a little shy of that kind of physicality drive blocking, BUT, he does SUSTAIN his blocks and keeps working to extend his effect on the play after other OLs stop. Fundamentals! He is quick off the ball and he just plays hard. WB's best qualities are his quickness and tenacity. His greatest need is probably a little more size and strength, but his proclivity to gain leverage mitigates this somewhat. I am willing to admit my concerns were a little unfounded.
What say the rest of you?
While I do think Shamire is too heavy at this weight, he carries it better than most people would. I love his physicality dealing with the guy right in front of him, but there is little doubt his mobility would improve if he were a little lighter. My imagination runs wild with what he could do at, say, 350 pounds. He doesn't need to drop THAT much, but it would be a huge help.
I was worried about Bryan at OG a little going into the viewing, but was immediately impressed when he dumped our own #40 on his head with a perfectly executed cut block in space. I mean Davis is already low enough with how he plays (and pretty quick). Well, Will got out there very quickly and closed on PJ a lot quicker than I think PJ was expecting. It is hard for a big man moving at near full speed to get that low and FINISH the block all the way through the defenders legs. Bryan did just that. It was one of the best OG releases to the second level you will see and one of the most text book cut blocks. All game, I am watching WB get out to the second level quickly and getting his angles, kind of reminding me how we didn't do so well at this last year. On the interior WB won the battle of LOW every time that I could remember. While having the luxury of watching Mason for 4 years, I would say WB falls just a little shy of that kind of physicality drive blocking, BUT, he does SUSTAIN his blocks and keeps working to extend his effect on the play after other OLs stop. Fundamentals! He is quick off the ball and he just plays hard. WB's best qualities are his quickness and tenacity. His greatest need is probably a little more size and strength, but his proclivity to gain leverage mitigates this somewhat. I am willing to admit my concerns were a little unfounded.
What say the rest of you?
