Reading that sentence left me curious as to the size and athletic ability of offensive lineman on teams that run systems heavily influenced by Bill Walsh's 'West Coast Offense'. Numbers without tape really don't tell us much, but I found it interesting none the less. So I started to compare results from the combine/pro days, and ended up with this. I believe all of these teams offenses are largely based on principles found in Walsh's offense. The packaging is different, advanced, as unique as the mind that designed them. I also believe most of them use zone blocking heavily, but I'm not certain. As for the 'projected starting units', I do believe they're mostly accurate at this point. I hadn't planned on posting, but I tried to dress it up with the PFF 2011 offensive line rankings and a few words from the great Bill Walsh, may he Rest In Peace! -Bill Walsh http://www.sportsxchange.com/ds97/walsh/WALSH2.HTM <>Miami Dolphins<> Head Coach: Joe Philbin Offensive Coordinator: Mike Sherman Offensive Line Coach: Jim Turner Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Jake Long (6-7 317) 40 Yard Dash: 5.22 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.97 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 37 reps, Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches, Broad Jump: 102 inches, Shuttle: 4.73, Three Cone: 7.44 LG - Richie Incognito (6-3 324) 40 Yard Dash: 4.84 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.88 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.74 seconds, Bench Press: 29 reps C - Mike Pouncey (6-5 303) 40 Yard Dash: 5.12 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.96 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Vertical Leap: 25.0 inches, Broad Jump: 96 inches, Shuttle: 4.64, Three Cone: 7.66 RG - John Jerry (6-5 328) 40 Yard Dash: 5.15 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.02 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.81 seconds, Bench Press: 31 reps, Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches, Broad Jump: 101 inches, Shuttle: 4.69, Three Cone: 7.93 RT - Jonathan Martin (6-5 312) 40 Yard Dash: 5.27 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.03 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 20 reps, Vertical Leap: 30 inches, Broad Jump: 104 inches, Shuttle: 4.68, Three Cone: 7.69 Reserves: G/T - Lydon Murtha (6-7 315) 40 Yard Dash: 4.82 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.81 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.62 seconds, Bench Press: 25 reps, Vertical Leap: 35.0 inches, Broad Jump: 110 inches, Shuttle: 4.34, Three Cone: 7.06 G/T - Nate Garner (6-7 325) 40 Yard Dash: 5.37 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.04seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.83 seconds, Bench Press: 24 reps, Vertical Leap: 30 inches, Shuttle: 4.67, Three Cone: 7.87 G/T - Artis Hicks (6-4 325) 40 Yard Dash: 5.08 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.92 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 22 reps, Vertical Leap: 29.5 inches, Broad Jump: 104 inches, Shuttle: 4.64, Three Cone: 7.85 G - Ray Feinga (6-4 327) 40 Yard Dash: 5.32 seconds, Bench Press: 30 reps C/G/T- Ryan Cook (6-6 328) 40 Yard Dash: 5.47 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.16 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.88 seconds, Bench Press: 28 reps, Vertical Leap: 26.5 inches, Broad Jump: 97 inches, Shuttle: 4.67, Three Cone: 7.93 T - Will Barker (6-7 325) 40 Yard Dash: 5.26 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.07 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.85 seconds, Bench Press: 22 reps, Vertical Leap: 25 inches, Broad Jump: 104 inches, Shuttle: 4.88, Three Cone: 7.45 UDFAs: T - Terence Brown (6-4 318) 40 Yard Dash: 5.04 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.95 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.80 seconds, Bench Press: 25 reps, Vertical Leap: 29 inches, Broad Jump: 100 inches, Shuttle: 4.53, Three Cone: 7.32 G - Derrick Dennis (6-3 315) 40 Yard Dash: 5.30 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.06 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.94 seconds, Bench Press: 25 reps, Vertical Leap: 24.5 inches, Broad Jump: 101 inches, Shuttle: 4.85, Three Cone: 8.21 G - Josh Samuda (6-3 312) 40 Yard Dash: 5.08 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.89 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 32 reps, Vertical Leap: 32 inches, Broad Jump: 105 inches, Shuttle: 4.49, Three Cone: 7.39 G - Dustin Waldron (6-5 305) 40 Yard Dash: 5.34 seconds, Bench Press: 29 reps , Vertical Leap: 31 inches, Broad Jump: 104 inches, Shuttle: 4.75, Three Cone: 7.84 <>Cleveland Browns<> Head Coach: Pat Shurmur Offensive Coordinator: Brad Childress Offensive Line Coach: George Warhop Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Joe Thomas (6-6 312) 40 Yard Dash: 4.92 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.87 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 28 reps, Vertical Leap: 33.0 inches, Broad Jump: 110 inches, Shuttle: 4.88, Three Cone: 7.95 LG - Jason Pinkston (6-4 305) 40 Yard Dash: 5.28 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.03 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.82 seconds, Bench Press: 22 reps, Vertical Leap: 26.5 inches, Broad Jump: 98 inches, Shuttle: 4.91 Three Cone: 7.88 C - Alex Mack (6-4 311) 40 Yard Dash: 5.17 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.96 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 20 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.5 inches, Broad Jump: 106 inches, Shuttle: 4.75, Three Cone: 7.31 RG - Shawn Lauvao (6-3 315) 40 Yard Dash: 5.22 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.00 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.80 seconds, Bench Press: 33 reps, Vertical Leap: 26.5 inches, Broad Jump: 101 inches, Shuttle: 4.51, Three Cone: 7.56 RT - Mitchell Schwartz (6-5 317) 40 Yard Dash: 5.45 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps , Vertical Leap: 26.0 inches, Broad Jump: 89 inches, Shuttle: 4.87, Three Cone: 7.86 Key Reserves: G/T - John Greco (6-4 315) 40 Yard Dash: 5.29 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.03 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 30 reps, Vertical Leap: 26.0 inches, Broad Jump: 108 inches, Shuttle: 4.82, Three Cone: 8.03 G/T - Ryan Miller ( 6-8 295) 40 Yard Dash: 5.27 seconds, Bench Press: 32 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.0 inches, Broad Jump: 100 inches, Shuttle: 4.78, Three Cone: 7.72 <>Green Bay Packers <> Head Coach: Mike McCarthy Offensive Coordinator: Tom Clements Offensive Line: James Campen Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Marshall Newhouse (6-4 319) 40 Yard Dash: 4.99 seconds, 20 Yard Dash, 2.93 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.74 seconds, Bench Press: 25 reps, Vertical Leap: 25.0 inches, Broad Jump: 97 inches, Shuttle: 4.60, Three Cone: 7.40 LG - T.J. Lang (6-4 318) 40 Yard Dash: 5.15 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.97 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 30 reps, Vertical Leap: 26.5 inches, Shuttle: 4.42 C - Jeff Saturday (6-2 295) 40 Yard Dash: 5.17 RG - Josh Sitton (6-3 318) 40 Yard Dash: 5.20 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.96, 10 Yard Dash: 1.76 seconds, Bench Press: 28 reps, Vertical Leap: 29 inches, Broad Jump: 108 inches, Shuttle: 4.50, Three Cone: 7.55 RT - Bryan Bulaga (6-5 314) 40 Yard Dash: 5.20 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.00 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 26 reps, Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches, Broad Jump: 98 inches, Shuttle: 4.75, Three Cone: 7.70 Key Reserves: LT - Derek Sherrod (6-5 321) 40 Yard Dash: 5.18 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.01 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.81 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.0 inches, Broad Jump: 97 inches, Shuttle: 4.63, Three Cone: 7.43 C/G - Evan Dietrich-Smith (6-2 308) 40 Yard Dash: 5.13 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.92 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.76 seconds, Bench Press: 30 reps, Vertical Leap: 28 inches, Broad Jump: 104 inches, Shuttle: 4.40, Three Cone: 7.36 <>Houston Texans<> Head Coach: Gary Kubiak Offensive Coordinator: Rick Dennison Offensive Line Coach: John Benton Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Duane Brown (6-4 320) 40 Yard Dash: 5.07 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.96 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 24 reps, Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches, Broad Jump: 105 inches, Shuttle: 4.52, Three Cone: 7.58 LG - Wade Smith (6-4 310) 40 Yard Dash: 5.14 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.94 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.69 seconds, Bench Press: 24 reps, Vertical Leap: 32.5 inches, Broad Jump: 114 inches, Shuttle: 4.75, Three Cone: 7.62 C - Chris Myers (6-4 289) 40 Yard Dash: 5.11 seconds, Bench Press: 25 reps, Vertical Leap: 32 inches, Broad Jump: 106 inches, Shuttle: 4.35, Three Cone: 7.35 RG - Antoine Caldwell (6-3 311) 40 Yard Dash: 5.24 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.03 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.69 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.0 inches, Broad Jump: 111 inches, Shuttle: 5.04, Three Cone: 7.96 RT - Rashad Butler (6-4 317) 40 Yard Dash: 5.30 seconds, Bench Press: 16 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.0 inches, Broad Jump: 106 inches, Shuttle: 4.55, Three Cone: 7.90 Key Reserves: G - Brandon Brooks (6-5 343) 40 Yard Dash: 4.99 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.79 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.71 seconds, Bench Press: 36 reps, Vertical Leap: 32 inches, Broad Jump: 105 inches, Shuttle: 4.53, Three Cone: 7.37 C - Ben Jones (6-3 316) 40 Yard Dash: 5.44 seconds, Bench Press: 29 reps, Vertical Leap: 30.0 inches, Broad Jump: 105 inches, Shuttle: 4.74, Three Cone: 7.95 <>Oakland Raiders<> Head Coach: Dennis Allen Offensive Coordinator: Greg Knapp Offensive Line Coach: Frank Pollack Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Jared Veldheer (6-8 315) 40 Yard Dash: 5.06 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.93 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.72 seconds, Bench Press: 32 reps, Vertical Leap: 33.5 inches, Broad Jump: 109 inches, Shuttle: 4.51, Three Cone: 7.40 LG - Cooper Carlisle (6-5 295) 40 Yard Dash: 5.16 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.97 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.82 seconds, Bench Press: 28 reps, Vertical Leap: 31.0 inches, Broad Jump: 100 inches, Shuttle: 4.48, Three Cone: 7.82 C- Stefen Wisniewski (6-3 315) 40 Yard Dash: 5.29 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.00 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.80 seconds, Bench Press: 30 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.5 inches, Broad Jump: 100 inches, Shuttle: 4.63, Three Cone: 7.51 RG - Mike Brisiel (6-5 300) 40 Yard Dash: 5.22 seconds, Bench Press: 21 reps, Vertical Leap: 27 inches, Broad Jump: 111 inches, Shuttle: 4.90, Three Cone: 7.70 RT - Khalif Barnes (6-5 325) 40 Yard Dash: 4.92 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.92 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.77 seconds, Bench Press: 26 reps, Vertical Leap: 35.0 inches, Broad Jump: 106 inches, Shuttle: 4.56, Three Cone: 7.58 Key Reserves: T - Ed Wang (6-5 321) 40 Yard Dash: 5.18 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.93 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 29 reps, Vertical Leap: 27.0 inches, Broad Jump: 96 inches, Shuttle: 4.70, Three Cone: 7.94 G - Tony Bergstrom (6-5 315) 40 Yard Dash: 5.27 seconds, Bench Press: 32 reps, Vertical Leap: 29.0 inches, Broad Jump: 101 inches, Shuttle: 4.84 Three Cone: 7.46 <>Philadelphia Eagles<> Head Coach: Andy Reid Offensive Coordinator: Marty Mornhinweg Offensive Line Coach: Howard Mudd Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Demetress Bell (6-5 311) 40 Yard Dash: 5.25 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.00 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 9 reps, Vertical Leap: 26.5 inches, Broad Jump: 109 inches, Shuttle: 4.65, Three Cone: 7.65 LG - Evan Mathis (6-5 302) 40 Yard Dash: 4.92 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.87 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.66 seconds, Bench Press: 35 reps, Vertical Leap: 35.5 inches, Broad Jump: 117 inches, Shuttle: 4.16, Three Cone: 7.39 C - Jason Kelce (6-3 282) 40 Yard Dash: 4.89 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.83 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.70 seconds, Vertical Leap: 30.5 inches, Broad Jump: 110 inches, Shuttle: 4.14, Three Cone: 7.22 RG - Danny Watkins (6-3 310) 40 Yard Dash: 5.36 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.97 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.82 seconds, Bench Press: 29 reps, Vertical Leap: 26.0 inches, Broad Jump: 92 inches, Shuttle: 4.62, Three Cone: 7.61 RT - Todd Herremans (6-6 321) 40 Yard Dash: 5.20 seconds, Vertical Leap: 30 inches, Bench Press: 20 reps Key Reserves: T - King Dunlap (6-9 330 ) 40 Yard Dash: 5.28 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.99 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 21 reps , Vertical Leap: 30 inches, Shuttle: 5.12, Three Cone: 8.05 T - Jason Peters (6-4 328) 40 Yard Dash: 4.93 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.98 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.79 seconds, Bench Press: 21 reps, Vertical Leap: 29.0 inches, Broad Jump: 115 inches, Shuttle: 4.79, Three Cone: 7.72 G - Brandon Washington (6-2 320) 40 Yard Dash: 5.25 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.94 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 28 reps, Vertical Leap: 25.0 inches, Broad Jump: 101 inches, Shuttle: 4.87, Three Cone: 8.22 <>San Francisco 49ers<> Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh Offensive Coordinator: Greg Roman Offensive Line Coach: Tim Drevno Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Joe Staley (6-5 315) 40 Yard Dash: 4.78 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.73 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.64 seconds, Bench Press: 27 reps, Vertical Leap: 32 inches, Broad Jump: 112 inches, Shuttle: 4.40, Three Cone: 7.09 LG - Mike Iupati (6-5 331) 40 Yard Dash: 5.24 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.01 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.84 seconds, Bench Press: 27 reps, Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches, Broad Jump: 92 inches, Shuttle: 4.93, Three Cone: 7.85 C - Johnathan Goodwin (6-3 318) 40 Yard Dash: 5.13 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.97 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.79 seconds RG - Daniel Kilgore (6-3 308) 40 Yard Dash: 5.28 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.00 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps, Vertical Leap: 32.5 inches, Broad Jump: 105 inches, Shuttle: 4.68, Three Cone: 7.59 RT - Anthony Davis (6-5 323) 40 Yard Dash: 5.36 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.01 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.82 seconds, Bench Press: 21reps, Vertical Leap: 33.0 inches, Broad Jump: 99 inches, Shuttle: 4.97, Three Cone: 8.17 Key Reserves: T - Alex Boone (6-8 300) 40 Yard Dash: 5.16 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.00 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.75 seconds, Bench Press: 33 reps, Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches, Broad Jump: 103 inches, Shuttle: 4.69, Three Cone: 7.83 G - Joe Looney (6-3 309) Bench Press: 26 reps <>Seattle Seahawks <> Head Coach: Pete Carroll Offensive Coordinator: Darrell Bevell Offensive Line Coach: Tom Cable Projected 2012 Starting Unit: LT - Russell Okung (6-5 310) 40 Yard Dash: 5.18 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.93 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.79 seconds, Bench Press: 38 reps Vertical Leap: 32.5 inches, Broad Jump: 105 inches, Shuttle: 4.80, Three Cone: 7.79 LG - James Carpenter (6-5 321) 40 Yard Dash: 5.22 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.03 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.81 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.5 inches, Broad Jump: 106 inches, Shuttle: 4.75, Three Cone: 7.56 C - Max Unger (6-5 305) 40 Yard Dash: 5.26 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.96 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.78 seconds, Bench Press: 22 reps, Vertical Leap: 24.5 inches, Broad Jump: 93 inches, Shuttle: 4.50, Three Cone: 7.39 RG - John Moffitt (6-4 319) 40 Yard Dash: 5.51 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 3.12 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.88 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps, Vertical Leap: 30.5 inches, Broad Jump: 102 inches, Shuttle: 4.53, Three Cone: 7.79 RT - Breno Giacomini (6-7 318) 40 Yard Dash: 5.20 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.98 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.72 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps, Vertical Leap: 22.5 inches, Broad Jump: 108 inches, Shuttle: 4.63, Three Cone: 7.56 Key Reserves: T - Paul McQuistan (6-6 315) 40 Yard Dash: 5.07 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.97 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.74 seconds, Bench Press: 28 reps, Vertical Leap: 29.5 inches, Broad Jump: 110 inches, Shuttle: 4.65, Three Cone: 7.72 G/C - Lemuel Jeanpierre (6-3 301) 40 Yard Dash: 5.14 seconds, 20 Yard Dash: 2.95 seconds, 10 Yard Dash: 1.84 seconds, Bench Press: 30 reps, Vertical Leap: 28.5 inches, Broad Jump: 105 inches, Shuttle: 4.78, Three Cone: 7.40 http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/02/22/ranking-the-2011-offensive-lines-part-1/
I don't think you can look at blocking schemes among so called "WCO" teams and draw an overarching conclusion. There are both zone and man primary WCOs, and there's not a lot of teams who do the running game elements from Walsh anymore.
I agree with this. The opening quote("system styled around guards") grabbed my attention, so I started fooling around. I never expected to find an "overarching conclusion", just interesting things here and there. The perception of certain lineman, what certain teams may look for in a position or player, how the pieces fit together etc... Little things I find interesting that help me with the big picture.
You can 1-2 inches per man from the Bill Walsh model. One thing is constant; the OC must make the calls, no brainfarts allowed.
don't think there will be a problem on the offensive line this year. we hired an offensive line coach who is motivated & familiar w/ what it takes to run the west coast offense & our roster sports plenty of talent (OL) to work & build on.... no more excuses. if they fail to provide a quality offensive line there is no offense. they are aware of this reality. everything begins in the trenches!
Yes, Kubiak runs a variant by way of Mike Shanahan involving heavy use of outsize zone rushing and playing the passing game off of that.
I'm gonna be honest here, but we've been hearing there is no problem with the line for the last 4 years every offseason. Color me skeptical until i see the line perform on gameday.
you hear everything, good & bad at one time or another every year. you don't need an excuse to be skeptical. it is what it is. personally, I think we've turned the corner on this franchise & am looking for a very exciting season in 2012 for a myriad of reasons that I have previously posted.
has Ireland found another acorn along the offensive line? Andrew McDonald http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bgJPw?...medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=miami-dolphins
has Ireland found another acorn along the offensive line? Andrew McDonald ( 6' 5", 315 lbs.) started all twelve games @ Indiana as left tackle. http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bgJPw?...medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=miami-dolphins
We're not finished re-tooling the line. I expect it to get interesting at the guard spots. Of all the starting guards listed (16)....these are the only two that compare to Incognito, Jerry, or Hicks in size. James Carpenter (6-5 321) Mike Iupati (6-5 331) You may have heard of em. Between Incognito 3.3, Jerry 500k, Garner 1.4, Murtha 1.9, Cook 1.0, Hicks 2.0...... that is over 10 mil in cap space. Some of which will be freed up! I'm surprised we haven't signed Jake Scott ! Incognito is signed thru 2013, making over 4mil next year, but i don't see that playing out.
I think the WCO has always leaned more toward lighter, more athletic linemen. Not necessarily because of the zone schemes but just the general philosophical complement of offensive linemen in horizontal versus vertical schemes. Vertical schemes I think you want more people movers and road graters. Horizontal schemes I think you want more athleticism. Personally I think that guys like Ray Feinga, Nate Garner, Richie Incognito, John Jerry and Ryan Cook are holdovers from a scheme that is no longer present, and to me it won't be long before they're gone, IMO. Jeff Ireland may be uncomfortable with getting those guys out of here outright before giving them a chance, because he knows he's on thin ice until his ship comes in with Ryan Tannehill. But the more secure he feels the more likely he is to give in and roster guys like Josh Samuda, Lydon Murtha, Artis Hicks and perhaps Terrance Brown...over some of those others.
The thing about Richie Incognito, and John Jerry for that matter, is I do want to see them play in this scheme before I conclude anything on them. Are they holdovers from a different philosophy? Yes. But that philosophy was a failed one, guided by a man that I'm not sure really knew what he was doing. When John Jerry came out I thought he was more suited to zone style despite his immense size. Richie Incognito came out as a junior after having been suspended during Bill Callahan's first year building his west coast zone blocking scheme. He didn't play in the scheme but he learned it during spring and leading up to the season. Coming out of college he was 6'3" and 303 lbs, ran a blowout 4.84 second 40 yard dash at the Combine. Pulling is not the same as releasing to the second level and I'd love to see if Incognito is one of the players that embodies that difference. I'd also like to see if John Jerry would start to get it more in the scheme change. But the other guys, Nate Garner, Ryan Cook...I don't hold much hope for them. And I hold out considerably more hope for Richie Incognito than John Jerry.
Agree completely. Was just gonna ask your thoughts on Incognito and Jerry. Was Incognito working at C for Callahan? I would think Jerry is a better fit for tackle in the ZBS and wouldn't mind seeing him step up and win a spot as a swing tackle behind Long and Martin.
Yes Incognito was moving from tackle to center for Bill Callahan when he got suspended indefinitely around mid-September.