Shaq Mason

[scotian1]

Guard Shaq Mason is the third pick for the Pats in the fourth round. Sounds like a good pick.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/shaq-mason?id=2552563
 

 

[singaporesoxfan]

He was on the Ross Tucker football podcast a while back and I really liked him there - the interview was just the two of them geeking out on O-line technique. http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/rt-media/ross-tucker-football-podcast/e/rtfp-219-shaq-mason-37544870

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Sounds like a Scar selection

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

They get an A+ on first names this year.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Kid looks like a beast in the running game.  He might need some time with the coaching staff learning to pass block, because it doesn't seem like he did much of that at GT, but the run blocking here is "wow" level.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQOWX2mv2AU

 

[Shelterdog]

Kid looks like a beast in the running game.  He might need some time with the coaching staff learning to pass block, because it doesn't seem like he did much of that at GT, but the run blocking here is "wow" level.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQOWX2mv2AU

 
I was just coming to post the same video.  He's freaking ridiculous.
 
If his pass blocking comes along quickly I think he might even become our starting LG this year.

 

[pdaj]

Holy moly, I could watch that dude run block all day. Those LB didn't stand a chance.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Holy moly, I could watch that dude run block all day. 

 
So will Irsay, Grigson and Pagano

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Wow. Terms like mauler and road grader don't even do it justice here. Impressive stuff.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

During that Ross Tucker interview that I posted upthread, Tucker mentioned that the two things that would cause Mason to get dinged at the draft would be i) uncertainty over whether he can pass block, since Georgia Tech's game was so run-heavy and ii) lack of height (though Tucker felt that the importance of height was generally overblown). Hopefully his pass blocking will come along - there's nothing that says he can't do it, just that he's never had much chance to do so.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

During that Ross Tucker interview that I posted upthread, Tucker mentioned that the two things that would cause Mason to get dinged at the draft would be i) uncertainty over whether he can pass block, since Georgia Tech's game was so run-heavy and ii) lack of height (though Tucker felt that the importance of height was generally overblown). Hopefully his pass blocking will come along - there's nothing that says he can't do it, just that he's never had much chance to do so.

I think the issue is less height than really short arms (31 1/8). Arm length is less important inside but he's a T Rex even by guard standards. Since pass blocking is where arm length matters more, that probably increases the uncertainty about his projection as a pass protector.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I think the issue is less height than really short arms (31 1/8). Arm length is less important inside but he's a T Rex even by guard standards. Since pass blocking is where arm length matters more, that probably increases the uncertainty about his projection as a pass protector.

If he's going to succeed in pass blocking, he'll need superb leverage.

 

[Marciano490]

I think the issue is less height than really short arms (31 1/8). Arm length is less important inside but he's a T Rex even by guard standards. Since pass blocking is where arm length matters more, that probably increases the uncertainty about his projection as a pass protector.

How do they measure arm length? Aren't there some advantages to short arms in that you're closer to your leverage? Is there a need to keep defenders far off?

 

[Shelterdog]

I think the issue is less height than really short arms (31 1/8). Arm length is less important inside but he's a T Rex even by guard standards. Since pass blocking is where arm length matters more, that probably increases the uncertainty about his projection as a pass protector.

 
Yeah but he looks like a player from Breaking Madden.
 
In seriousness he's essentially talented Ryan Wendell--he looks to be a great utility backup interior linemen who might even be fast enough (sub 5 forty) to play a little special teams (especially on KOr) but he's going to have to develop superb technique to be a legitimate starter.  
 
I think you're looking at an o-line of:
 
Solder-Connolly or Wendell-Stork-Jackson-Vollmer
 
with Flemming, Cannon, Mason as your primary backups and maybe one other guys--the best of your developmental Devey/Kline types--rounding out the rest of the roster.  

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Yeah but he looks like a player from Breaking Madden.
 
In seriousness he's essentially talented Ryan Wendell--he looks to be a great utility backup interior linemen who might even be fast enough (sub 5 forty) to play a little special teams (especially on KOr) but he's going to have to develop superb technique to be a legitimate starter.  
 
I think you're looking at an o-line of:
 
Solder-Connolly or Wendell-Stork-Jackson-Vollmer
 
with Flemming, Cannon, Mason as your primary backups and maybe one other guys--the best of your developmental Devey/Kline types--rounding out the rest of the roster.  

 
Yup, and I love that group, both in terms of quality and depth.  At some point, perhaps as early as next year, we'll need to add another high end tackle prospect but that is a top unit for 2015.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

How do they measure arm length? Aren't there some advantages to short arms in that you're closer to your leverage? Is there a need to keep defenders far off?

 
I'm not sure about the mechanics of measurement but they have a standard way of doing it such that comparison of arm length from the same venue (like the Senior Bowl) is generally considered reliable.  I think there are some advantages to short arms when you're fighting in a phone booth but when you get some space around you, especially in pass protection, its a disadvantage because if your man beats you to the side a little bit you have less leverage with an arm bar to block or steer the rusher away.  Facing up, its also a problem if the opponent has a longer reach than you and is always getting his hands on you before your hands are on him.

 

[Shelterdog]

 
Yup, and I love that group, both in terms of quality and depth.  At some point, perhaps as early as next year, we'll need to add another high end tackle prospect but that is a top unit for 2015.

 
If you re-sign Solder I think you're ok--Flemming eventually replaces Vollmer and then you just need to find a swing tackle to replace Cannon as your top backup--but if you let Solder go you obviously have to get a legit LT.

 

[Leather]

Isn't it amazing how many Shaq's there are now who clearly were conceived right when Shaquille O'Neal was breaking into the NBA? Does this mean that every kid in NE will be named David and Tom soon?

By that logic wouldn't they all be 10-12 years old by now ?

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

By that logic wouldn't they all be 10-12 years old by now ?

Right. The name has to be somewhat unique. That's why you see a lot of young kids named Dustin, now.

 

[Devizier]

Right. The name has to be somewhat unique. That's why you see a lot of young kids named Dustin, now.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Right. The name has to be somewhat unique. That's why you see a lot of young kids named Dustin, now.

And 3,000 dogs named brady.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

During that Ross Tucker interview that I posted upthread, Tucker mentioned that the two things that would cause Mason to get dinged at the draft would be i) uncertainty over whether he can pass block, since Georgia Tech's game was so run-heavy and ii) lack of height (though Tucker felt that the importance of height was generally overblown). Hopefully his pass blocking will come along - there's nothing that says he can't do it, just that he's never had much chance to do so.

My sense of Shaq pass-blocking is that, yes, it'll be a big jump for him, given his background, but that it appears he made an impression in terms of coachability. I was struck by this from BB's post-draft P.C.

Q: How difficult is it for a guy like Shaq who comes from a system thats not exactly a pro-style in college? Is it tough to project how he will be able to perform?

BB: I think every player is going to have a big adjustment. The thing Ill say about Shaq is just watching him at the Senior Bowl, I mean it was only one week, but he made a huge improvement just in those, whatever it was four or five practices, whatever it was down there. His stance is different. You could see each day progressively how he was taking to the coaching down there and his footwork and his hand placement and his body position. I know it was basic. It wasnt like it was a big scheme thing at the Senior Bowl, but just doing things on a daily basis better than the day before, looking more comfortable doing them. And it was different than what they did at Georgia Tech.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

If he's going to succeed in pass blocking, he'll need superb leverage.

Yeah, short arms is definitely not a death sentence for a guard (Marshal Yanda has 31 1/2 inch arms for example) but its a disadvantage that he'll need to overcome in other ways.  Luckily, he seems strong as a bull, seems to have pretty quick feet, and those Belichick quotes are pretty encouraging in terms of his ability to learn technique.

 

[Couperin47]

wrong thread

 

[soxfan121]

At the very least, the 6th blocking OL - the Fleming role - is a good spot for Mason to contribute year one. Drive blocking, while on the move, is something he absolutely can do while learning pass pro. 

 

[Granite Sox]

Goal-line FB... heh.

 

[SoxVindaloo]

Love this pick. Even if he sits on the PS for a year and figures stuff out in Pass protection. For a late 4th rounder the upside seems considerable.

 

[bakahump]

By that logic wouldn't they all be 10-12 years old by now ?

There are a metric Fuckton of Bradys in my 9yos class.   And everyones dog is Brady.  While mine is a very Clever and rarely used Fenway.  (LOL)
 
 
Add:
 
This guy better rest up for the colts game.  And I will enjoy it thoroughly.

 

[Super Nomario]

Love this pick. Even if he sits on the PS for a year and figures stuff out in Pass protection. For a late 4th rounder the upside seems considerable.

They'd have to waive him to put him on the Practice Squad, so I doubt it goes down that way. A redshirt year is pretty likely though.
 
Aside from a long-term need at the guard spot across from (presumably) Tre' Jackson, after this season there's no backup center. Connolly's gone and Wendell's in the last year of his deal. Mason played RG at GT but has been practicing snapping; it probably makes sense to continue getting him reps there.

 

[Shelterdog]

They'd have to waive him to put him on the Practice Squad, so I doubt it goes down that way. A redshirt year is pretty likely though.
 
Aside from a long-term need at the guard spot across from (presumably) Tre' Jackson, after this season there's no backup center. Connolly's gone and Wendell's in the last year of his deal. Mason played RG at GT but has been practicing snapping; it probably makes sense to continue getting him reps there.

 
Especially at his size. 6'1.5" 300 is fine for a center but small for a LG and almost puny for a RG. You'd absolutely love to have him as a competent backup center but that's a big ask for 2015.

 

[Was (Not Wasdin)]

 
Especially at his size. 6'1.5" 300 is fine for a center but small for a LG and almost puny for a RG. You'd absolutely love to have him as a competent backup center but that's a big ask for 2015.

 
Hard to believe at that size he will only be (at best) the second-biggest Shaq ever to play in Boston.  

 

[E5 Yaz]

It's amazing how football has changed. Thirty year ago, and perhaps even now, the greatest offensive lineman of all time was 6-2, 265

 

[Ferm Sheller]

It's amazing how football has changed. Thirty year ago, and perhaps even now, the greatest offensive lineman of all time was 6-2, 265

 
And nicknamed "Hog".

 

[mulluysavage]

Winner of this year's best named draftee, in a class otherwise terribly devoid of Law Firms and Hoomen.

 

[Shelterdog]

Of some interest--Ross Tucker talked about Mason in his draft roundup podcast yesterday and was pretty confident that the Pats were moving him to center--it sounded like something that Tuck had first hand information on (perhaps a text from his former guest Mason).  Tuck thought he would develop into the backup lineman at all three interior spots and that NE was a good spot because Mason could sit for a year while he works on pass blocking.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

I suppose it would fall into the anything is possible bucket and I don't know a lot about how interchangeable interior lineman really are, but stork is bigger then mason and there has been talk about mason being smallish for a guard but not as a center. Could we see an iteration of the oline in future seasons with stork at guard and mason as the pivot? What would go into the type of decision? How much more athletic do the pats needs their guards to be vs their center? I suppose if stork is the better game manager as a center vs mason then that would factor in as well (but who can know about that).

Wendell is small and has had some good production at guard so maybe size at the position can be over rated.

I think as I write this the takeaway clearly becomes they will have hopefully at least have quality depth. In recent years I think I've finally really started to appreciate just how much the nfl really is a war of attrition. Depth is key.