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
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/shaq-mason?id=2552563
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said: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
pdaj said:Holy moly, I could watch that dude run block all day.
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.singaporesoxfan said: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.
If he's going to succeed in pass blocking, he'll need superb leverage.Morgan's Magic Snowplow said: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?Morgan's Magic Snowplow said: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.
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said: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.
Shelterdog said:
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.
Marciano490 said: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?
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
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.
By that logic wouldn't they all be 10-12 years old by now ?BigSoxFan said: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?
Right. The name has to be somewhat unique. That's why you see a lot of young kids named Dustin, now.drleather2001 said:By that logic wouldn't they all be 10-12 years old by now ?
Kenny F'ing Powers said: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.Kenny F'ing Powers said:Right. The name has to be somewhat unique. That's why you see a lot of young kids named Dustin, now.
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.singaporesoxfan said: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.
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.Kenny F'ing Powers said:If he's going to succeed in pass blocking, he'll need superb leverage.
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)drleather2001 said:By that logic wouldn't they all be 10-12 years old by now ?
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.SoxVindaloo said: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.
Super Nomario said: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 said:
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.
E5 Yaz said: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