SB Nation - Jonathan Luigs

Five questions about the Bengals after the 2009 NFL Draft

Kirkendall — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:13:17 -0000

Decompression can take many forms. It can range from psychology, to medical, to aviation, to diving and data. The process is related to releasing pressure, decoding, and even relaxing; like a vacation after hectic events that requires an unwinding of sorts. Merriam Webster defines decompress as "to undergo release from pressure."

Bengals fans aren't so much releasing from pressure, as they are unwinding. I've always learned that it's best to sit back after an NFL draft, while letting it absorb for a time and then react. Maybe the next day. After all, instantly reacting could make us all look stupid when that draft pick pans out. Or appear a bit whinny.

The front office and the team's coaching staff is in a different scenario, indicative in which differing scenarios unfold. Some are suggesting that this draft is Marvin Lewis' best, while others are saying that this could be a big bust draft, based on the flags given to some players. Conjecture. An NFL Draft's best friend. Either way, if I were to grade it on the Monday after, it was a good draft that addressed several needs. That's the point. That's why we have these things. Plug these guys in and the Bengals depth improves, along with several players that could compete for starting jobs.

With that said, here are five questions after the draft.

What to do about left tackle?

The irony in the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals drafted an offensive tackle is that it's not likely for the left tackle slot. Many experts believe that Smith would an average left tackle, but an elite right tackle. Locally, we're hearing the next Willie Anderson. The issue of left tackle, as of now, is still largely unresolved. However, it's far from dire. Anthony Collins had an impressive stretch-run at the end of the 2008 season and we do have options.

If Collins isn't up to task, and there's no reason to believe he isn't, the Bengals could slide Andrew Whitworth out. However, there's two concerns here.

Speed rushers tend to give Whitworth fits.
What do you do about left guard?

An interesting scenario is allowing Dan Santucci and Nate Livings to compete at left guard, while Jonathan Luigs (more below) and Kyle Cook compete at center. In the end, the best case scenario is that Whitworth sticks at left guard and Collins takes over as the team's future left tackle. Of course, there's always the Levi Jones factor. If he's healthy and able, the Bengals starting lineup and depth is that much better and more options unfold.

The point here is that the Bengals offensive line is in much better shape, even with the unknown at left tackle.

Will Jonathan Luigs start immediately?

The obvious conclusion is that the Bengals fourth-round selection, center Jonathan Luigs, will be in the starting lineup by kickoff weekend. However, it's more likely that the Bengals coaching staff will dictate that based on OTAs and training camp. A more realistic scenario could be that Paul Alexander and Marvin Lewis allow Dan Santucci and Kyle Cook to compete for the starting job while allowing Luigs to develop. Scouting reports suggest that he was work to do with his technique and needs to bulk up. Luigs is a 2007 Rimington Trophy winner (awarded to the nation's best center in Division 1A), so you know he has the talent and ability. Now it's a matter of development.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said that won't be a problem. "Jonathan will play a long time on the next level," Petrino said. "He is flexible enough to stay healthy. He is very, very smart. He will know what to do and will immediately pick up the offense. He has the physical tools to do it."

Did the Bengals go after too many flagged players?

You know me. I don't much care for overblown character analysis by football experts who have a sudden PhD in psychology. This site has held the firm position that Andre Smith's character isn't bad, nor is it a cause for concern. However, we also admit that there's an immaturity level with Smith that tends to come with young men reaching adulthood. Sure, the added riches could be a concern. But isn't that a concern for the majority of players? Immaturity is something that can fade away once given the realization of responsibility -- who hasn't experienced that (my own sudden PhD in psychology is better, by the way). Could that affect the team? Sure. But it's no reason for alarm and with the right mentorship and guidance, this will be a non-issue as quickly as it was an issue during the Combine. Put Rey Maualuga in the same category.

However there is one that deserves to be flagged. When the Bengals drafted Abeline Christian running back Bernard Scott, I quickly looked him up. And within the first result of my complicated Google Search, a New York Times article stood out.

He did not play his senior season after being involved in an off-field fight. He has been arrested at least five times and is finishing 18 months of probation for giving false information to a police officer during a traffic stop. He is attending his fourth college since 2003.

This is a running story of redemption for Scott, and a high risk by the Bengals. Running backs coach Jim Anderson is sticking his neck out for the guy.

"To be honest, he’s had a little bit of a troubled past, but that was when he was a young guy. That’s behind him. He’s been a really good football player wherever he’s been," Anderson said. "He has dominated the competition where ever he has been in football. That has been a part of him, and football is a part of him. He’s a Texas kid. He’s just a really good football player, and a good person. I had a chance to visit with him at the combine, and (spoke to him) numerous times on the phone. I feel comfortable with him. He’s going to come in here and do the things that we need him to do to be the very best football player that he can be and help us win."

Scott knows what's in front of him and admits that he has learned from his past. "Instead of reacting, now I know I have to think. I need to stay out of bad places and not let things get to me. I feel like now I can sense when something bad is going on, and I stay away from those places."

There is no doubting his talent, and because of his troubled past, Scott was overlooked and passed by every other team in the league. However, this guy was a man among boys in Division II. In 2008, he recorded 100 yards rushing or more in all 12 games. In three games, he recorded over 250 yards rushing and 200 yards rushing in four. On November 22, Scott recorded six touchdowns against West Texas A&M and 292 yards rushing on 19 carries -- a 15.4 yard-per-rush average. He finished the season with 2,156 yards rushing on 256 attempts (8.4 yards-per-rush) and 28 touchdowns. Then there's his hands: 47 receptions, 826 yards receiving and six touchdowns receiving. During the first of two meetings against West Texas A&M, Scott recorded 409 yards total on 33 touches and three touchdowns. We suspect that West Texas A&M struggled against Scott. As a result, Scott won the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the best player in Division II. In 2007, Scott set Division II records for touchdown (39), rushing touchdowns (35) and points scored (234).

This guy put up gaudy numbers in Division Two football and you conclude that if off-the-field conduct issues didn't plague him so much, that he'd be a very good Division 1A running back.

Some are also suggesting that this is such a risky draft by the Bengals that it could ultimately seal Lewis' fate if it comes back to haunt them. Is Bernard Scott apart of that reason? Quite simply put, no. Drafting Scott is a definite public relations hit, and it will take another if Scott runs into the law and the law wins. Quite honestly, when has the team or fans cared about public relations. Scott was the final sixth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and if worse comes to worse, the Bengals cut him and take no hit against the cap, nor watch their depth suffer. Scott is icing on the cake, sprinkles in the pudding and if he comes through, based on his play, this could be a Houshmandzadeh-type steal.

How does Chase Coffman fit in?

I thought that the Bengals made their first surprise pick with tight end Chase Coffman with their fourth overall pick (98th). Let me be clear, we're not saying it's a bad pick or that Coffman wouldn't be great benefit. In fact, Coffman could be a tremendous weapon for Carson Palmer. However, with Reggie Kelly, Ben Utecht and Matt Sherry, where would Coffman fit in? We don't suspect the team will release Kelly simply because of the respect level players and coaches have for him. Utecht is argued to be one half of the team's 2008 free agency busts (Antwan Odom the other). Matt Sherry was injured early in 2008 and never got a shot to showcase whatever talents he has.

Either way, no matter the scenario, I believe that Kelly is safe. Sherry's injury could be more serious than we thought and Utecht could quickly be listed as the team's third tight end by kickoff weekend. The larger question in Coffman's case could become how does he transform from a spread offense to a pro-style offense.

Did the Bengals draft a punter too high in the draft?

There has been some outrage about the Bengals selecting Kevin Huber in the fifth round. The point is simple. The Bengals needed a punter, wanted Huber and no one else, and would have lost him by the time their sixth round selection came around. Punting was a definite need coming into the NFL Draft, and based on what we saw in 2008, punting was so much of a detriment that it was impossible to hope that the Bengals defense gut it out after already having an offense with embarrassing time of possession numbers.

Since 2003, the Bengals haven't necessarily scored with their fifth round picks.

Draft	Selection
2008	Jason Shirley
2007	Jeff Rowe
2006	A.J. Nicholson
2005	Adam Kieft
2004	Maurice Mann
2003	Khalid Abdullah

Those are our fifth round selections during the Marvin Lewis era. So using our fifth round pick on a punter that's very likely to stick around for awhile, as opposed to using it on players that would likely struggle to make the team, and certainly wouldn't start, isn't such a terrible thing.

How are others reacting to the Bengals selections; a couple of quotes

Kirkendall — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:01:12 -0000

It's not often that the Cincinnati Bengals receive favorable national attention. Admittedly, often the attention they've received in the past is well-deserved. John Clayton is shocked, SHOCKED I TELL YOU, about the Bengals draft.

What's going on with the Bengals? Cincinnati's Day 2 drafting was as solid as its Day 1 selections. There were no reaches, no controversies and even a nice story. The Bengals earned good grades for first-day selections Andre Smith and Rey Maualuga. On the second day, they left themselves without much criticism after taking defensive end Michael Johnson, tight end Chase Coffman and center Jonathan Luigs, who might start. The good story was taking University of Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber, who learned of the selection while golfing. The secret to their success was the Senior Bowl; the Bengals coached four of their draft choices in that game.

On the other hand, James Walker thrives on his opinion that the Bengals are still on the terrorist watch-list implemented in 2006 by Roger Goodell.

The Bengals continued their trend of taking risks high in the draft, starting in the first round with Smith.

Without a doubt, the Alabama left tackle was one of the best players in the country during the college season. He has tremendous talent. But a suspension before the Crimson Tide's Sugar Bowl game, a poor NFL combine and not-so-great pro day led to questions about his work ethic and decision-making. The Bengals will invest a lot of guaranteed money in Smith, which raises even more questions. Add the fact that Virginia left tackle Eugene Monroe, a much safer pick, was still available at No. 6 and that will add a lot of pressure for Cincinnati's selection of Smith to pan out well.

Cincinnati also took another player with somewhat similar issues in Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson in the third round. He has tremendous first-day ability, but apparently every NFL team feels he has second-day motivation. Again, it will be up to the coaches to get the best out of Johnson at all times.

This is the ultimate boom or bust draft for the Bengals. They probably drafted more pure, athletic talent than any team in the division, which could turn out to be all that matters. But players like Smith and Johnson will need to be constantly monitored, and there has to be some reason every team passed on USC linebacker Rey Maualuga as well. Perhaps many general managers felt he was overrated, which remains to be seen.

Overall, these draft picks have the potential to either lead to Cincinnati's resurgence or add to its recurring problems.

We could go into the fact that Walker has never looked favorable to Andre Smith and I can't recall an article in which Walker actually just talks about Smith's play on the field. Thus he thrives on making the Bengals much more controversial than they really are. The fact he allows that the Bengals drafted the most "athletic talent" and could lead to "Cincinnati's resurgence" is shocking.

Walker then questioned if the Bengals waited too long for a center.

Adam Caplan says that Rey Maualuga is one of the best value picks in the draft.

The fact that he dropped so far might be due in part that scouts saw him as a two-down linebacker. This was a common complaint in regard to high-touted LBs such as Dan Connor and Paul Posluszny in recent drafts and why they fell farther than expected . However, a source notes Posluszny wound up playing in over 97 percent of the defensive snaps last season for the Buffalo Bills.

Maualuga will bring a certain level of badly needed physicality to the Bengal defense next season.

Then Cedric Golden went on to simply point out the Bengals selections

Much maligned Cincinnati brass men Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis have taken plenty of criticism for bringing in players with character issues, but the Bengal nation lauded them for promising to clean up that locker room.

So what did the new-look Bengals do with their first two picks? They took Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith in the first round, then selected Southern Cal linebacker Rey Maualuga in the second.

Tide coach Nick Saban suspended Smith for the Sugar Bowl for improper contact with an agent, then the kid showed up out of shape for the NFL rookie combine and didn't work out. Then he left.

Maualuga was arrested in college on suspicion of battery, and USC coach Pete Carroll benched him one game for his conduct at a party. YouTube viewers have seen his clip, co-starring unsuspecting ESPN reporter Erin Andrews.

Who knows? Maybe the two will each play for 10 years and make All-Pro teams, but you would think the Bengals brain trust would be trying to steer clear of players who have checkered pasts.

Golden's arguments are weak. Very weak. And he uses Maualuga's mini-grinding session with ESPN's Erin Andrews as an example. Note to Cedric Golden: Andrews is hot. Your arguments against both of these players are not.

Chick Ludwig says that Michael Johnson is a steal, happily waves good bye to Kyle Larson, and grades the team's first seven picks with an "A+", saying the Bengals are headed in the right direction.

Joe Reedy says that this draft has the chance to be one of Marvin Lewis' best. Reedy also grades the Bengals with the best draft in the AFC North. Good man.

Defensive tackle Clinton McDonald struggled waiting through the second day.

"When the clock was counting down for the Bengals (to pick), that's when I got the call from coach (Lewis) and he said, `Are you ready to be a Bengal?' '' McDonald said. "I said `Yes, sir.' It was a hard wait.''

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino on center Jonathan Luigs:

"Jonathan will play a long time on the next level," Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said. "He is flexible enough to stay healthy. He is very, very smart. He will know what to do and will immediately pick up the offense. He has the physical tools to do it."

Michael Johnson:

“I thought I’d be gone on Saturday, but you play the cards you’re dealt,” Johnson said by phone from his home in Selma, Ala. “I look forward to going in there and proving myself. I’m going to go earn my money.”

“The negatives, to me, any complain that anyone might have is what I’m going to focus on more now until it becomes a strength,” Johnson said. “I look forward to the opportunity and I’m ready. I’m so ready.”

On playing with Eric Henderson:

“I’m looking forward to going up there and learning from him the same way I did when I came to Tech.”

Resetting the weekend; draft picks and undrafted free agents

Kirkendall — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:34:05 -0000

I know there's a lot of new stuff that's happened this weekend that will take some time to process -- and I'll do my best to present it easily rather than a bunch of posts detailing the acquisitions. For the time being, here's a run down of players that the Bengals selected in the draft and reportedly after the draft.

In the NFL Draft

Round	Overall	Selection
1	6	OT Andre Smith, Alabama
2	38	LB Rey Maualuga, USC
3	70	DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
3	98	TE Chase Coffman, Missouri
4	106	C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5	142	Punter Kevin Huber, UC
6	179	CB Morgan Trent, Michigan
6	209	RB Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian
7	215	RB Fui Vakapuna, BYU
7	249	DT Clinton McDonald, Memphis
7	252	WR Freddie Brown, Utah

After the Draft, undrafted free agents (reported by Joe Reedy)

Player	Position	School
Quan Cosby	WR	Texas
Marlon Lucky	RB	Nebraska
Billy Farris	QB	Colorado State
Ty Steinkuhler	DE	Nebraska
Colin Dow	C	Montana

H/T to "the1austin" for finding another list that included all of the above, save for quarterback Billy Farris.

Player	Position	School
Dan Skuta	DL	Grand Valley St
Chris Pressley	FB	Wisconsin
Tom Nelson	S	Illinois State
Greg Orton	TE	Purdue

That's reportedly nine undrafted free agents, 11 drafted players, giving you a total of 20 new prospects on the team.

The Cincinnati Bengals 2009 NFL Draft

Kirkendall — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:57:34 -0000

Here's your Cincinnati Bengals, 2009 Draft Class.

Round	Overall	Selection
1	6	OT Andre Smith, Alabama
2	38	LB Rey Maualuga, USC
3	70	DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
3	98	TE Chase Coffman, Missouri
4	106	C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5	142	Punter Kevin Huber, UC
6	179	CB Morgan Trent, Michigan
6	209	RB Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian
7	215	RB Fui Vakapuna, BYU
7	249	DT Clinton McDonald, Memphis
7	252	WR Freddie Brown, Utah

With the 106th of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas

Kirkendall — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:40:20 -0000

With the 106th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select center Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas. We at Cincy Jungle identified center as a "need", as early as the second round. It was someone surprising that the Bengals waited so long to address the position, making us think that there was a genuine belief that Cincinnati had confidence behind Kyle Cook and Dan Santucci.

Dan's Scouting Report

Jonathan Luigs

6'4, 314 pounds | Arkansas | Center

Strengths: For such a large player, Luigs displays solid athleticism and agility. He has quick, active feet hat allow him to get to the second level with ease. Gets off the line with relative ease and attacks defenders. Intelligent lineman. Recognizes blitzes nicely and works well with guards to handle stunts. Has the smarts to adjust to blitzes during a play. Plays with some aggression and will seal off blocks driving defenders to the ground. Leader of Arkansas' offense as a senior.

Weaknesses: Luigs lacks great strength for an interior lineman and will need to get much stronger. Biggest problem is his knee bend. Luigs often bends at the hips and gets knocked around. He'll have to be coached on sinking his hips and bending his knees to hold up against powerful tackles. Doesn't appear to have great balance and a wider base might help. Has to rely on guards to help.

Final word: Luigs ranks higher than Eric Wood and Antoine Caldwell solely for his ability to play in either a zone or power scheme. He'll need to build some strength, though, so he may not be a starter his rookie year. As a junior, Luigs set the tone for Arkansas' high-powered run offense. He decided to return to school even after winning the 2007 Rimington Award and a coaching change. As a senior, he earned all-conference second team honors.

Analysis from NFL.com

Positives: Prototype size for the position. Rare athleticism. Good burst off the snap and can block on the move. Quickly moves his feet to get the appropriate angle on his man. Gets to the second level quickly as a run and pass blocker. Good initial quickness as a pass blocker. Settles well and plays with good balance. Equally effective snapping in the shotgun or traditional quarterback exchange. Cerebral player who makes the line calls and adjusts well to unexpected blitzes and defensive alignments.

Negatives: Relies on quickness and technique rather than pure strength to generate movement at the point of attack, and can be stalemated by bigger, stronger defenders. Can be tossed aside after initial hit. Struggles to remain engaged with defenders when blocking at the second level, and will miss targets altogether. Leans forward too far at times to reach his man, keeping Luigs off balance.

From Scouts Inc

Poll

Do you like the selection of Jonathan Luigs?

Yes

306 votes

No

22 votes

328 votes | Poll has closed

And with the #49 Pick in the Arrowhead Pride Community Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears Select...

Chris Thorman — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:15 -0000

Arkansas C Jonathan Luigs

Holmeslice with the pick...

The Bears opened their present early in getting Jay Cutler, leaving some less glamorous but no less important needs to be filled with the remaining picks. Their two most notable needs are on the offensive line and at WR (when could we say Chicago is not at need for WR?!).

Luigs gets the nod over some of the tackles because the major bulk of the tackles have disappeared at this point. They need help all along the line where they can get it and Luigs has excelled at center and seems fit for interior line work. This means he can likely play as a guard or center, improving his versatility and stock for the Bears. Some selling points out of his scouting report are "Technically sound, nasty on field demeanor, and a fantastic mix of tools and intangibles." The Bears don't want to whiff on this pick as it will be very crucial to the continuing development of Cutler (and also so that he doesn't start crying after every game from being sacked so much).

They could also reach for a WR, but it would seem with their conservative drafting nature that taking a risk on a receiver based purely on need is not the smartest move. They go O-line and nobody regrets it.

Round 1 is here.

Previous pick: RB Donald Brown

Read more: Scouting Report (Mocking the Draft)

On the clock: Cleveland Browns (HIV 2 Elway) and Dallas Cowboys (chiefsfan1384)

Click over for the schedule and current draft results.

Pick	Round 2	Selection	Date	Approval Rating
1(33)	Detroit Lions - UCrawford	CB Darius Butler	Weds., April 8th	48%
2(34)	New England Patriots (From Kansas City) - connerman	DE Robert Ayers	Weds., April 8th	67%
3(35)	St. Louis Rams - Lanier63	DT Evander Hood	Thursday, April 9th	55%
4(36)	Cleveland Browns - HIV2Elway	DE Connor Barwin	Thursday, April 9th	68%
5(37)	Seattle Seahawks - mikvogel	OT William Beatty	Friday, April 10th	67%
6(38)	Cincinnati Bengals - mistamic	C Max Unger	Friday, April 10th	68%
7(39)	Jacksonville Jaguars - DThomasReigns	G Duke Robinson	Monday, April 13th	72%
8(40)	Oakland Raiders - mushin	T Phil Loadholt	Monday, April 13th	68%
9(41)	Green Bay Packers - JasonM	DT Ron Brace	Tuesday, April 14th	62%
10(42)	Buffalo Bills - ArrowDread	DE Michael Johnson	Tuesday, April 14th	60%
11(43)	San Francisco 49ers - Harry Feltersnatch	DE/LB Larry English	Weds. April 15th	67%
12(44)	Miami Dolphins (From Washington) - shraggyj	WR Kenny Britt	Weds. April 15th	69%
13(45)	New York Giants (From New Orleans) - ChiefsFan90s	LB Clint Sintim	Thursday, April 16th
14(46)	Houston Texans - ChiefsDude	FS Louis Delmas	Thursday, April 16th
15(47)	New England Patriots (From San Diego) - connerman	DE/OLB Paul Kruger	Friday, April 17th
16(48)	Denver Broncos (From Texans) - Keyser Sose	RB Donald Brown	Friday, April 17th
17(49)	Chicago Bears - Holmeslice	C Jonathan Luigs	Monday, April 20th
18(50)	Cleveland Browns (From Tampa Bay) - HIV2Elway		Monday, April 20th
19(51)	Dallas Cowboys - chiefsfan1384		Monday, April 20th
20(52)	New York Jets - 808NaNz808		Tuesday, April 21st
21(53)	Philadelphia Eagles - Chiefsfan717		Tuesday, April 21st
22(54)	Minnesota Vikings - kcsno56		Tuesday, April 21st
23(55)	Atlanta Falcons - RedNose		Weds. April 22nd
24(56)	Miami Dolphins - shraggyj		Weds. April 22nd
25(57)	Baltimore Ravens - Ben S		Weds. April 22nd
26(58)	New England Patriots - connerman		Thursday, April 23rd
27(59)	Carolina Panthers - SoCalChief		Thursday, April 23rd
28(60)	New York Giants - ChiefsFan90s		Thursday, April 23rd
29(61)	Indianapolis Colts - craig in calgary		Friday, April 24th
30(62)	Tennessee Titans - Lvl.99		Friday, April 24th
31(63)	Arizona Cardinals - THE_TRUTH		Friday, April 24th
32(64)	Pittsburgh Steelers - McWhirt33		Friday, April 24th

Poll

Do you agree with the pick?

Yes

27 votes

No

26 votes

Indifferent

13 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

Ranking the NFL Draft's interior O-Line prospects

Brian Galliford — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:00:16 -0000

California C Alex Mack (Pac10Rivalry.com)

As the 2009 NFL Draft approaches, we here at Buffalo Rumblings will continue interviewing bloggers and consulting outside sources in putting together detailed scouting reports on some of the Draft's most noteworthy prospects - concentrating, of course, on prospects that could pique the interest of the Buffalo Bills. This post continues a series in which I'll rank prospects at each position; ultimately, this project will roll itself into the "Buffalo Rumblings Big Board", which is exactly what it sounds like - the same type of big board NFL teams keep handy on draft day.

We've already ranked the tight ends and linebackers. Full rankings of those positions, as well as all positions, will be made available prior to the draft, which is a little over three short weeks away. What follows is a ranking of the draft's best interior offensive line prospects - an area that is still a huge concern for the Bills.

SECOND ROUND PROSPECTS
1. Max Unger, Oregon: Unger is exactly the type of interior lineman that you can plug into the lineup as a rookie and roll with - he's smart, athletic enough and versatile. Far more importantly, he's a good blocker, particularly at the second level. He's a great fit in Buffalo's blocking scheme, and could start at either left or right guard from day one in Buffalo.

2. Alex Mack, California: One of the better finishers and overall run blockers available inside this year, Mack is a little too stiff and lacks the athleticism to be considered the best, particularly when evaluating him as a guard. But the kid still ranks highly because of his leadership and intangibles. He'll start for a long time at the NFL level.

3. Andy Levitre, Oregon State: Though he played tackle in college, the 6'2", 305-pound Levitre will shift inside in the NFL based on size concerns. That positional versatility is valuable, however. Levitre isn't an overwhelming athlete, nor is he particularly dominant in any one area, but he's smart, plays with great technique (particularly footwork) and, again, fits the blocking scheme well. He's another plug-and-play starter right out of the gate.

THIRD ROUND PROSPECTS
4. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas: One of the better athletes in this area, Luigs excels at getting to the second level. He's not the most physical player, but he's aggressive, tough and technically sound. I love the kid's experience, and he's helped pave the way for some elite rushers in his day. Again, this a center prospect who I think will be a far better guard, particularly in a scheme like Buffalo's.

5. Eric Wood, Louisville: Wood is considered a center by most, but I think he'll be a better guard at the NFL level because he doesn't have the anchor abilities of a solid center prospect. This is another boring interior lineman that won't overwhelm you when you look at him or watch him, but he's a tough, smart player that just gets the job done.

6. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma: In terms of pure talent, Robinson is at the top of the list. He's huge (6'5", 329), powerful, and has shown an ability to dominate in the run game. Most folks I have talked to mention his "immaturity", however, and liken him to a guy like Derrick Dockery - talented, but his motor runs hot and cold and he never really realizes his full potential. He can start in this league, but he's got some proving to do behind the scenes before it happens.

Four more names for y'all to peruse appear after the jump.

FOURTH ROUND PROSPECTS
7. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin: This guy is a tough, physical run blocker that offers some positional versatility as a potential right tackle prospect. But he's limited athletically, particularly in getting downfield, and that's not going to do him any favors, particularly in Buffalo. He has starter ability, but he needs a little polish to get there.

8. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama: Yet another center that can play guard, and probably should play guard. Caldwell ranks below some of his peers, though, because he needs to improve his overall strength before he can be a starter. He'll be a pretty valuable reserve as a rookie, but he needs to spend some serious time in a strength program before he can be anything more.

9. Herman Johnson, LSU: Easily the most impressive physical specimen of the lot. The guy is just big - not fat, not tall, just big (6'8", 375). But he's pretty limited athletically; he's right tackle size, but reserve guard material athletically. He's a nightmare in the run game, but he needs a lot of technique work if he's going to be a starter in the pros.

10. Tyronne Green, Auburn: Another pretty talented player that's lacking in intangibles and a killer instinct. Green is an impressive athlete, but his shoddy technique limits his effectiveness. He's got the potential to not just start, but be a high-quality starter in the NFL. But he's green, and there are some questions about his drive.

***

This is just my opinion, folks. These are the top ten guards in the draft by my book, but probably half of them are starter-worthy as rookies. If the Bills are planning on starting a rookie at guard, they'll need to move relatively quickly. If you think I've made a grievous error in these rankings, let me know. If you think I've got some sort of hidden agenda, I'd love to hear about it. If you're itching to re-shuffle my rankings, let it rip. Consider this an open forum on 2009 NFL Draft guard/center prospects. Go.

C, Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas

Jeremy Bolander — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:12:00 -0000

C, Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas

At A Glance
Position 1: Center	Height: 6-4
Position 2: Guard	Weight: 310
Class: Senior	Age:
Projected Round: 3rd	40time: 5.14

Combine/Proday Results
Bench Reps: 26	Vertical: 31
20yd Split: 2.90	Broad Jump: 8'3"
10yd Split: 1.78	20yd Shuttle: 4.79
3 Cone Drill: 7.69

Pros: Prototype size for the position. Rare athleticism. Good burst off the snap and can block on the move. Quickly moves his feet to get the appropriate angle on his man.

Cons: Relies on quickness and technique rather than pure strength to generate movement at the point of attack

Styg's Broncos Fit: Less-than-desirable lower-body strength, and inconsistency in bending his knees and driving forward will drive down Luigs' stock, but there may be no better "game smart" player at the center position in 2009. Applauded by coaches for his ability to translate coaching to on-field production, Luigs could execute even complex plays and schemes with minimal practice. His love for the game and competition shined when he was put up against tougher or faster players, and he would fight to the whistle to stay with a block. His explosion off the snap is excellent, and he has relied on it to compensate for his lack of brute power, but he will need to address his lower-body strength in the pros. He is excellent when pulling and locating blocks on the second level, but needs to do a better job of maintaining his balance when blocking fast DBs, as he will overextend himself to make the block. His highest value will be to zone-blocking teams, but any team will be able to appreciate his awareness of the defense and alignment on the field. I am thinking Denver may grade Luigs out very highly among offensive linemen.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From "2009 NFL Draft: Centers" at Windy City Gridiron:

Jonathan Luigs is probably the hardest worker among Center prospects in this draft class. He turned in the 6th-best 40 yard dash time at the combine among OLinemen, and had the 7th highest vertical jump.

Luigs is very athletic, and is good at both pass and rush blocking. He constantly faced some of the best defensive tackles and linebackers in the NCAA, and consistently performed well. He has proven to have a very admirable work ethic, and this has impressed many NFL scouts. The only thing that might hinder Luigs come draft day will be the fact that he isn't a very scrappy player. He is strong, but doesn't have a real killer instinct.

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

For such a large player, Luigs displays solid athleticism and agility. He has quick, active feet hat allow him to get to the second level with ease. Gets off the line with relative ease and attacks defenders. Intelligent lineman. Recognizes blitzes nicely and works well with guards to handle stunts. Has the smarts to adjust to blitzes during a play. Plays with some aggression and will seal off blocks driving defenders to the ground. Leader of Arkansas' offense as a senior.

From "Steeler's Draft Analysis" at Behind the Steel Curtain:

Luigs has everything you're looking for in a zone blocker - he's very smart and aware, he has good lateral agility, and he's a solid pass protector. However, he has fairly poor lower body strength and could really struggle to handle the big NT's we're going to see every year. Sean Mahan, we have not forgotten you.

Highlights:

Some highlights and commentary.

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

Luigs said he has been training at a facility in New Jersey with a small group of players, including former South Carolina linebacker Jasper Brinkley and former Arkansas State fullback David Johnson.

Much of Luigs' training was focused on getting him into better shape so he could do well in the handful of skill drills he can expect to take part in over the next few days.

"It was a lot of concentration on the drills, but a lot of what took place was eating right and learning how to get on the right diet and maintaining it," Luigs said. "So I met with a nutritionist twice a week and really tried to lean out and just get my body to where it needs to be." [see more...]
Luigs was one of the unsung heroes for Arkansas last season as Darren McFadden and Felix Jones rushed into stardom, but his play up front did not go completely unnoticed. In fact, Luigs won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center and he was a consensus All-American. Regardless of how talented the running backs are, the accolades are well-deserved when you pave the way for an offensive attack that led the SEC in rushing and set a school record for yards on the ground. Luigs is big, but not massive; it is his feet that really make him the force that he is. [see more...]
Last name is pronounced "luh-WEEGS"...Redshirted in 2004 then went on to become a four-year starter in the SEC...Won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center as a junior and was a finalist as a sophomore and senior...Named a 3rd Team All-American in 2006 and 2nd Team in 2007...Was recognized as an All-SEC performer four times...Started every game he ever played for the Razorbacks and finished his career with 46 consecutive starts...Also saw some action at right guard his freshman year...Missed some time with a high-ankle sprain in 2005...Helped pave the way for Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Michael Smith and some potent Hogs rushing attacks...Highly decorated pivot with a fantastic mix of physical tools and intangibles. [see more..]
A smooth, coordinated athlete in space who plays with good technique and hand placement inside. Snaps and steps very quickly and showcases the foot speed to get around on reach blocks and seal run lanes inside. A fluid lateral athlete who breaks down well at the second level and displays the ability to eliminate a moving target. [see more...]
Luigs captured the Rimington Trophy in 2007 and shared the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy (conference's top offensive lineman) with Alabama's Andre Smith. The consensus All-American first-team choice was credited with a career-high 84 knockdowns and led the league's interior linemen with 14 touchdown-resulting blocks. With their center leading the way, the Razorbacks again led the SEC and ranked fourth in the country with an average of 286.54 yards per game rushing. Arkansas also ranked second in the league and 17th nationally in total offense with an average of 450.0 yards per game.

With both Darren McFadden and Felix Jones having left Arkansas for the NFL, the team's once formidable running game came to a screeching halt in 2008. Luigs was again named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, but lost out to Alabama's Antoine Caldwell for first-team All-SEC honors. He delivered 66 knockdowns and graded 85.42 percent for blocking consistency. But the Hogs finished 97th in the nation in rushing (113.5 ypg). The team's offensive line was the main problem, as the front wall placed 118th among the 119 major colleges, allowing 46 sacks for the season. [see more...]

Mock Draft - Rounds 1 & 2 - v3.0

3k — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:24:03 -0000

I've been working on this damn mock for weeks. Every time I get through a handful of picks, something changes and I have to go back and redo a pick or two which changes the next 7 or so. Example: Andre Smith. His drama at the combine followed by a subpar pro-day workout has tanked his draft stock. How bad was that workout? He finished with 19 reps in the bench press. 19 reps for an OT who was supposed to be one of the top 3 draftees just a couple of months ago. 19. David Buehler beat that with 25 reps at the combine. Who is David Buehler? He's the ex-USC Trojan kicker. A 6'2", 225 lbs. kicker outperformed a 6'4" 330 lbs. (or so) offensive tackle by 6 reps.

But enough on that crap, let's talk mock. We start by checking in with our resident hair, Mel Kiper Jr.'s hair. Hair?

Hmm, interesting take. We'll get back with you later for more.

For reference, my last mock can be found here. 'ESPN' and 'MTD' refer to ESPN's draft profile reports and Mocking the Draft's scouting reports.

Round 1

1.) Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia, ESPN, MTD

Despite the fact that Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia) is starting to suffer slightly as the conventional wisdom (CW) around the league begins to suggest he lacks certain intangibles, Detroit's trade for Julian Peterson reinforces my belief that they will go for Stafford at #1. As I compiled this mock, I had them taking Curry first and addressing OT at #20. We'll get to that pick later, but I can't put an OT here when the need for a QB (and the need for one now) is so obvious.

Pulse of the Nation (Pride of Detroit): No specific story or FanPost necessary: Detroit fans do not want to take Stafford to start the draft.

2.) St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor, ESPN, MTD

This is getting ridiculously hard for me to mock. I had Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) here last time and Andre Smith (OT, Alabama) before that. Although I still like both of them, I think with those two sagas playing out over the last couple of weeks, the Rams will look to complement the maturity they're building around and take either Smith or Eugene Monroe (OT, Virginia). One of those gives the Rams a solid core on the O-line to make the most of Steven Jackson which makes the most sense to me in terms of maximizing the Rams' offensive firepower. Taking Crabtree would give us a legit #1 WR, but would do so in leaving Pace and Barron as our two starting OTs. That's a formula for mediocrity, and the clock is running out on the Rams to be able to make the most out of SJ.

Pulse of the Nation (Turf Show Times): You can see from the TST Mock Draft database that Jason Smith is quickly becoming the consensus #2 pick.

3.) Kansas City Chiefs - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia, ESPN, MTD

So Monroe goes to the new-look Chiefs. Matt Cassel and Monroe anchor a post-Larry Johnson/Tony Gonzalez offense as KC looks to become a player in the AFC West. The argument for Curry here is fair, but KC has a lot of work to do on offense, and with Cassel on board, I think they have to bulid around him sooner than later.

Pulse of the Nation (Arrowhead Pride): A short look at Monroe and some discussion from the AP community.

4.) Seattle Seahawks - Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest, ESPN, MTD

The draft gets VERY interesting after Curry/J-Smith/Monroe, especially for a team like the Seahawks. Do they take whichever DE they grade out the highest? What about B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College)? Do they take Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) to pair with TJ Housh? I had them taking Stafford before Detroit's Peterson trade, but Curry is too certain for Seattle to . Seattle can spend a while grooming him behind Hasselbeck and Wallace as they rebuild the offense over the next 2-3 years.

Pulse of the Nation (Field Gulls): The FG community talks QBs.

5.) Cleveland Browns - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College, ESPN, MTD

Last time I had Malcolm Jenkins (CB, Ohio St.), who I still like very much, but his 40-time (4.5+) killed his draft status. Cleveland could go for Vontae Davis (CB, Illinois) here, but with Jenkins' performance, and Davis' character questions (Vontae's older brother is San Fran TE Vernon Davis. Make sense?), D-line makes more sense. I had gone with Orakpo, but reports are beginning to surface that the Browns' front office is less than awed by Orakpo, which to be honest is a bit surprising. That makes the options either Raji or whatever DE they have ranked highest. If that's the case, I mock Raji here.

Pulse of the Nation (Dawgs by Nature): The readers at DbN go over some ooptions for the draft. They have three first-day picks; they'll have to make the most of them to be competitive any time soon in the AFC North.

6.) Cincinnati Bengals - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech, ESPN, MTD

Last time I had Orakpo here, but after looking at Cincy's financial situation at DE, meaning the contracts of Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom, I dont see them putting that much more money into the position. This is a tough mock, and honestly, I would expect them to make every effort to trade down. Oher is a huge reach here, but they need OT help especially after Stacy Andrews left for Philadelphia. In my eyes, Crabtree gives them a replacement for Chad Cinco, or Ocho Cinco or whatever the hell he's going to be called this year. But again, I would expect them to trade down and pick up an OT at value for their pick to a team who wants to slide in front of the Raiders to take Crabtree.

Pulse of the Nation (Cincy Jungle): ak513 provides "the solution" for the Bengals in 2009.

7.) Oakland Raiders - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas, ESPN, MTD

Makes for a nice offseason after re-signing Asomugha. If Crabtree gets past Cincy, he'll go here and give Oakland a young WR with whom he can form a potent duo over the next few years.

Pulse of the Nation (Silver and Black Pride): Some speculation over at SaBP on what the Raiders could do throughout the draft. Great post followed by a great discussion.

8.) Jacksonville Jaguars - Everette Brown, DE, Florida St., ESPN, MTD

Last time, I said, "Between, J-Smith or Oher. Without the combine, I lean Oher, but I expect J-Smith to open some eyes." Well, he did open eyes, and now they're too big for the Jags to have a shot at him. E-Brown gives the Jags a beast on the outside; I could see them going for Orakpo here too if he's available.

Pulse of the Nation (Big Cat Country): BCC scouts Brown and how he would fit on the roster.

9.) Green Bay Packers - Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn St., ESPN, MTD

Maybin's versatility allows the Pack to keep him at DE or move him out to a 3-4 OLB.

Pulse of the Nation (Acme Packing Company): APC wonders if Orakpo will fit with the Pack. The community says yes; I doubt he'll be available at 9, with Cincy, Oakland and Jax ahead of them.

10.) San Francisco 49ers - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri, ESPN, MTD

In my first couple mocks, I had them addressing the D-line, but with Raji & the top-tier DEs off the board, I could see the Niners going after Maclin. San Fran has collected a crop of young wideouts, but none have breakout talent; Maclin does.

Pulse of the Nation (Niners Nation): briandean looks at his 'safe bets' for the draft.

11.) Buffalo Bills - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma St., ESPN, MTD

I can't get away from this pick. It might be a bit of a stretch, but with the top-tier of DEs off the board, the Bills would have to decide from the next tier, which IMO, contains 3 names: Michael Johnson (DE, Georgia Tech), Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU) & Robert Ayers (DE, Tennessee). Of those, Johnson would probably be the best fit for the Bills, but Pettigrew would be an even better fit. If, however, one of the top-tier DEs falls here, they'll have to take whomever that may be.

Pulse of the Nation (Buffalo Rumblings): Brian Galliford examines Buffalo's options if that top-tier of DEs isn't around at #11. And here are his top 5 best fits for the Bills. The only name on both lists? Pettigrew.

12.) Denver Broncos - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC, ESPN, MTD

Last mock, I had the Broncos taking Raji with the caveat that if he was gone, I assumed they'd go for Knowshon Moreno (RB, Georgia). Well, Raji's gone, and I can't put Moreno here since the Broncos just signed J.J. Arrington, Correll Buckhalter and Lamont Jordan. They also signed ILB Andra Davis who is coming from Cleveland's 3-4 defense; Maualuga would be a perfect young ILB beside him to improve Denver's woeful defense from last year. I do wonder, however, if Denver ends up having to move Cutler if they are pressured to take Mark Sanchez (QB, USC) here.

Pulse of the Nation (Mile High Report): MHR has way too many awesome posts to list here, so I'll get unconventional with this PotN; styg50, "head coach" of MHR, is also a main contributor to Mocking the Draft. At MTD, he covers both the AFC & NFC West; styg recently compiled an interesting post on Denver's three most recent drafts and the impact they've had.

13.) Washington Redskins - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech, ESPN, MTD

Well, last time I said I wouldn't have Oher here again and my prognostication skills again prove themselves to be perfect. The big pockets of Dan Snyder made themselves known yet again this offseason landing Albert Haynesworth, DT, and Derrick Dockery, G. They were also able to re-sign DeAngelo Hall, a move that was as important I would think as the Rams re-signing Bartell. As for the pick, Johnson is a tall DE at 6'6" which poses some tactical problems; his athleticism should help him deal with those specifics as he showed off his leg power in the combine by running 5th in the 40, 3rd in the vertical jump and 2nd in the broad jump against the rest of the crop of DLs (meaning DTs and DEs).

Pulse of the Nation (Hogs Haven): CJHutch asks for contributors; rest of NFL Fandom replies, "Then why are you throwing out free agency contracts that even the Treasury Department would laugh at?" Oh, and this is funny.

14.) New Orleans Saints - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St., ESPN, MTD

Jenkins could move to FS once he gets to the Saints. Certainly, the recent signing of Jabari Greer lightens the pressure to draft a CB. Either Jeremy Maclin (WR, Missouri) or Percy Harvin (WR, Florida) would be fair value here, but do the Saints want to spend their 1st round pick on offense? And I don't see them going LB or DT here, so who knows. Maybe a trade gets done here.

Pulse of the Nation (Canal Street Chronicles): CSC looks at Vontae Davis and the community responds.

15.) Houston Texans - Brian Cushing, OLB, USC, ESPN, MTD

Well, the Texans went out and got Antonio Smith in free agency, so I doubt they'll spend this pick on a DE; Cushing gives them a bit more assuredness at a position that has some serious question marks (although I've been a Xavier Adibi fan since he was in college).

Pulse of the Nation (Battle Red Blog): A March 11th poll at BRB puts Clay Matthews, Jr. (OLB, USC) above Cushing. That's not my take, but my take doesn't matter much; it's up to the Houston front office and how they grade out OLBs.

16.) San Diego Chargers - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss, ESPN, MTD

Had LT bolted (no pun intended), I could have seen them taking a flyer on either Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB, Ohio St.) or Knowshon Moreno (RB, Georgia), whoever they ranked higher. Since they kept him, and with Oher and Andre Smith on the board, they would have two options to fill their RT spot. Oher has some work to do, but he lacks the off-field issues that Andre Smith has shown over the last month or so.

Pulse of the Nation (Bolts from the Blue): The BftB community mocks up picks 13-16.

Well, that's halfway through the first. Let's check back in with Kiper's hair. Hair, any surprises so far?

Wow. I'm not sure you can say that on TST. Let's press on and act as if that never happened.

17.) New York Jets - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC, ESPN, MTD

I'll be very honest; I don't think Sanchez will be successful in the NFL. Nevertheless, his intangibles and his hype at USC make him the 2nd QB in this draft. WIth the question marks at the position for the Jets, I don't see them getting around this pick.

Pulse of the Nation (Gang Green Nation): Should the Jets look at a RB at 17? John B says yes.

18.) Chicago Bears - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland, ESPN, MTD

I think there's a good chance the Bears go with Sanchez or Freeman depending on their availabilty, but Hey-Bey's athleticism would be hard for the Bears to pass up given their current WR corps. He was a 20-30 pick before his combine performance; it's tough to see him dropping that far with his size and speed.

Pulse of the Nation (Windy City Gridiron): How desperate are the Bears for a receiving threat? Bad enough for WCG to look at picking up Torry Holt, Joe Jurevicius and trading for Anquan Boldin in a 24-hour period. These guys really need a receiver.

19.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida, ESPN, MTD

The Bucs could do a ton of things here. In fact, I could definitely see them trading down since they traded away their 2nd round pick (and a pick in 2010) for TE Kellen Winslow. Tough team to mock here. Much like Maclin to the Bears, the Florida WR-Tampa connection is alive and well if the Bucs grab Harvin. Plus with Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard having been shed from the roster, the Bucs could use an infusion of youth in the receiving corps to take the focus off of Winslow.

Pulse of the Nation (Buc' Em): The Bucs will definitely draft one of these guys, or so says ZBW.

20.) Detroit Lions (via Dallas Cowboys) - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona, ESPN, MTD

With Curry at #1, the Lions will probably look to shore up their O-line at 20. They could go DT - Peria Jerry (DT, Ole Miss) and Evander "Ziggy" Hood (DT, Missouri) would be acceptable here -, LB - James Laurinaitis (MLB, Ohio St.) or Clay Matthews (OLB, USC) also fair value - and some random options exist. Hell, they could jump Britton and take on the red flags that Andre Smith (OT, Alabama) brings.

Previous pick: 1st rd., #1 - Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia)

21.) Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, HB, Georgia, ESPN, MTD

With Westbrook & Moreno, the Eagles have one of the best running tandems in the NFL, although the NFC East is stacked with great running tandems. Will Moreno take over this team from Westbrook for the 2012 NFL season? Westbrook will be 33 when the 2012 season starts; what kind of contract could he land in free agency? That will be an interesting acquisition for somebody.

Pulse of the Nation (Bleeding Green Nation): These guys are still in Dawkins-denial. They still found time to look at the Kiper/McShay mocks and discuss.

22.) Minnesota Vikings - Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina, ESPN, MTD

The last two times I had Eben Britton (OT, Arizona) here. I think the Vikings would like to upgrade their O-line, but with some tantalizing options at CB and WR here, I don't know if they could avoid taking someone to either expand their passing game or help shut down their opponents'. My only caveat is that there are some options at WR in free agency that I could definitely see the Vikings going after.

Pulse of the Nation (Daily Norseman): The Norsemen go over WR options at 22.

23.) New England Patriots - Clay Matthews, OLB, Southern California, ESPN,MTD

I changed this one from Cushing to Matthews with Cushing off the board at 15, but I still see NE going OLB in round 1 especially since Vrabel left with Cassel. The aging LB corps that once defined New England is quickly turning into a younger but equally talented one. At some point soon, maybe in the 2nd round where the Pats have 3 (!) picks, they need to get a CB. In my last mock, I had them using their 2nd round, #15 pick. I think they'll use the #2 pick of the 2nd round that they got from KC on a CB. I think Kiper and McShay both had Matthews going to the Pats too.

Pulse of the Nation (Pats Pulpit): The Pulpit is still pretty draftless, so here's the topic du jour: Tom Brady is a pussy.

24.) Atlanta Falcons - Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois

Atlanta could certainly go with a CB here since Domonique Foxworth bolted to Batlimore, but taking English helps the Falcons fill the OLB chart out after Michael Boley and Keith Brookings left in free agency.

Pulse of the Nation (The Falcoholic): Among Falcons fans, the CW is OLB.

25.) Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois, ESPN, MTD

The Dolphins will probably go WR or CB, depending on who's available. Davis gives them a significant upgrade in their secondary and continues the defensive youth movement in Miami. Unfortunately, it means less playing time for Scorpio Babers who has one of the greatest names of all time. If I ever write an action movie, there's a good chance the lead villain's first name is Scorpio. Of course it could just be my love for a certain old-school hip-hop group...

Pulse of the Nation (The Phinsider): Which CB, if any, do the Fins draft? Dolphins fans agree... to disagree.

26.) Baltimore Ravens - James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio St., ESPN, MTD

Laurinaitis fills the hole Bart Scott created when he left for the Jets. Plus, with Ray Lewis on the tail end of a HOF career, Laurinaitis gives them a young LB to solidify that ridiculous defense. They could go with a top center, probably Alex Mack, to fill that spot since Jason Brown left for the Rams (yay).

Pulse of the Nation (Baltimore Beatdown): BB talks mock, and based on their comments, I don't think they'll like this one.

27.) Indianapolis Colts - Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio St., ESPN, MTD

I am definitely a member of the "Wells will not be a productive NFL back" crew. Expect his shoulder to split into four parts in the preseason.

Pulse of the Nation (Stampede Blue): Colts Homer pores over tthe options at RB in the draft and agrees with me that Beanie is a serious red flag.

28.) Philadelphia Eagles (via Carolina Panthers) - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama, ESPN, MTD

I don't think A-Smith will drop this far on draft day, but it's hard to see who would jump at him right now. He's still going to visit teams and have a chance to erase the mantra that he has created recently and his game tape is undeniably impressive, but head cases are plentiful in the NFL, and we've all seen what they do to teams (TO, Plaxico, etc.). Stilll, with Donovan's leadership, maybe he can screw Andre's head on to pave some blocks for the running duo of Moreno & Westbrook.

Previous pick: 1st rd., #21 - Knowshon Moreno (RB, Georgia)

29.) New York Giants - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers, ESPN, MTD

Hometown marketing, good size, good hands, good pick.

Pulse of the Nation (Big Blue View): It's a bit older, but with all the free agency moves in NY, the Draft hasn't gotten a lot of focus at BBV. In any case, they discuss needs & mockery here.

30.) Tennessee Titans - Peria Jerry, DT, ESPN, MTD

Now Haynesworth-less, the Titans fill the gap with Jerry. A pariah for a Peria... ok, not funny. They could definitely go CB here too and use later rounds for WR.

Pulse of the Nation (Music City Miracles): Jimmy drops off McShay's big board; Titans fans rejoice. They will have great options to fill a positional need at 30 without a doubt.

31.) Arizona Cardinals - Donald Brown, HB, Connecticutt, ESPN, MTD

So from my last two mocks, I went from Beanie Wells to LeSean McCoy (HB, Pittsburgh) and now to D-Brown. I thought about mocking them at DE, but with the talent at RB and the need to fill, I think they'll go RB in round 1, then snag a DE later on day 1.

Pulse of the Nation (Revenge of the Birds): Andrew looks at the popular choices at pick 31.

32.) Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack, C, California, ESPN, MTD

Anyone else not see this happening? Unless someone drops hard, this fills a need and hits BPA boards. Maybe they go for Steven Beatty (OT, Connecticutt) or another center if Mack isn't their top C, but I can't see them avoiding an O-line pick here, even though good D-line and CB options are readily available. They can grab them later on.

Pulse of the Nation (Behind the Steel Curtain): A rational looki at the Steelers' units and how they can address them through the draft..

Well, that's it for round 1, which means one thing: we have to check in with Kiper's hair once again for insight and the nose-wrinkling aroma of Vitalis. What surprised you from the first round, hair?

Yeah, that was shocking. What was I thinking? Thanks for your pragmatism, hair. You're always a voice of reason. Let's carry on.

Round 2

(33) 1.) Detroit - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee, ESPN, MTD

Previous picks: 1st rd., #1 - Aaron Curry (OLB, Wake Forest), #20 - Eben Britton (OT, Arizona)

(34) 2.) New England (via Kansas City) - Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #23 - Clay Matthews (OLB, USC)

(35) 3.) St. Louis - Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #2 - Jason Smith (OT, Baylor)

(36) 4.) Cleveland - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #5 - B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College)

(37) 5.) Seattle - William Moore, S, Missouri, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #4 - Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia)

(38) 6.) Cincinnati - Jared Cook, TE, S. Carolina, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #6 - Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech)

(39) 7.) Jacksonville - D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt: ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #8 - Everette Brown (DE, Florida St.)

(40) 8.) Oakland - Max Unger, C, Oregon, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #7 - Brian Orakpo (DE, Texas)

(41) 9.) Green Bay - Ron Brace, DT, Boston College, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #9 - Aaron Maybin (DE, Penn St.)

(42) 10.) Buffalo - Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #11 - Brandon Pettigrew (TE, Oklahoma St.)

(43) 11.) San Francisco - Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #10 - Jeremy Maclin (WR, Missouri)

(44) 12.) Miami (via Washington) - Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio St., ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #25 - Vontae Davis (CB, Illinois)

(45) 13.) New York Giants (via New Orleans) - Evander "Ziggy" Hood, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #29 - Kenny Britt (WR, Rutgers)

(46) 14.) Houston - Patrick Chung, S, Oregon, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #15 - Brian Cushing (OLB, USC)

(47) 15.) New England (via San Diego) - LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh, ESPN, MTD

Previous picks: 1st rd., #23 - Brian Cushing (OLB, Southern California), 2nd rd. #2 (34) - Alphonso Smith (CB, Wake Forest)

(48) 16.) Denver - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St., ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #12 - Rey Maualuga (MLB, USC)

(49) 17.) Chicago - William Beatty, OT, Connecticut, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #18 - Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Maryland)

(50) 18.) Cleveland (via Tampa Bay) - Scott McKillop, MLB, Pittsburgh, ESPN, MTD

Previous picks: 1st rd., #5 - B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College), 2nd rd. #4 (36) - Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU)

(51) 19.) Dallas - Sean Smith, CB, Utah, ESPN, MTD

Pulse of the Nation (Blogging the Boys): Jim Vance asks what kind of trades the Cowboys could pull off with their huge crop of picks on day 2.

(52) 20.) New York Jets - Derrick Williams, WR, Penn St., ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #17 - Mark Sanchez (QB, Southern California)

(53) 21.) Philadelphia (via Carolina) - Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida, ESPN

Previous picks: 1st rd., #21 - Knowshon Moreno (RB, Georgia), #28 - Andre Smith (OT, Alabama)

(54) 22.) Minnesota - Nate Davis, QB, Ball State, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #22 - Hakeem Nicks (WR, North Carolina)

(55) 23.) Atlanta - Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #24 - Larry English (OLB, N. Illinois)

(56) 24.) Miami - Connor Barwin, DE, Cincinatti, MTD

Previous picks: 1st rd., #25 - Vontae Davis (CB, Illinois), 2nd rd. #12 (44) - Brian Robiskie (WR, Ohio St.)

(57) 25.) Baltimore - Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #26 - James Laurinaitis (MLB, Ohio St.)

(58) 26.) New England - Louis Delmas, S, W. Michigan, ESPN, MTD

Previous picks: 1st rd., #23 - Brian Cushing (OLB, Southern California), 2nd rd. #2 (34) - Alphonso Smith (CB, Wake Forest), #15 (47) - LeSean McCoy (RB, Pittsburgh)

(59) 27.) Carolina - Fili Moala, DT, Southern California: ESPN, MTD

Pulse of the Nation (Cat Scratch Reader): I think the community at CSR agrees with this one...

(60) 28.) New York Giants - Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama, ESPN

Previous pick: 1st rd., #29 - Kenny Britt (WR, Rutgers), 2nd rd. #13 (45) - Evander "Ziggy" Hood (DT, Missouri)

(61) 29.) Indianapolis - Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #27 - Chris "Beanie" Wells (RB, Ohio St.)

(62) 30.) Tennessee - Coye Francies, CB, San Jose St., MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #30 - Peria Jerry (DT, Ole Miss)

(63) 31.) Arizona - Paul Kruger, DE, Utah, ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #31 - Donald Brown (RB, Connecticut)

(64) 32.) Piitsburgh - Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma: ESPN, MTD

Previous pick: 1st rd., #32 - Alex Mack (C, California)

So there it is. Feel free to lambast me, but at least provide a sensible argument as to why your team (or whatever team your criticizing my mock for) won't go after a certain pick. Just trying to get as much info from everyone as I can. So with that in mind, have at it. And feel free to post as many unique pictures of Mel Kiper, Jr. as possible. Thanks.

2009 NFL Draft -- Point of Attack - Centers/Guards Ranked for Denver

Jeremy Bolander — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:31:31 -0000

With only a handful of ideal starter-quality zoneblock linemen, and with many mocks placing them at odd spots just out of Denvers reach, I found myself looking deeper and deeper at a position that is generally a lot of fun to analyze. I was pleased to see lots of good, traditional-style zoneblock linemen throughout the middle and later in the draft, with a few more promising prospects just on the outside of the CFA cut.

With that in mind Denver should feel pretty good about going after a C/G combo at any point where the deal falls into their laps, and no sooner. Worst case-scenario Denver misses out on the draftable prospects and gets their choice of some highly select, workaholic prospects, so this is one area where I am hoping to see Denver refrain from reaching.

As to whither C or G, these analyses ended up leaning towards C, but only because a lot of good guard prospects this year are more suited towards power schemes, and thus translate better between G/T than C/G. A few prospects looked like good fits anywhere along the line, and they were included, and a few looked like they would make better tackles, period, and they were left off. Of the group selected here they tend to be more athletic, good second level blockers, good at timing and placing cut blocks, technicians favored over power, and capable of or experienced at handling C duties. The highest rated prospects for Denver also tend to have a great football mind to go with their great zoneblock fits, which raises their short-term value significnatly, on the grounds that they may be asked to step in in the case of injury, and so they will need to learn quickly and show a good grasp of their responsibilities, with the potential to prevent Hamilton from having to slide over to center in the event of injury at C.

Lets check out the rankings:

C--Alex Mack

1st-2nd

Alex Mack, California: A solid all-around center with terrific speed and balance, but who can lose leverage battles against quicker 3-techs. He has above-average intelligence and football smarts, even for a center, and has mastered his duties on the line, in terms of getting other players in position and making the correct reads. He has a classic competitor's mindset and plays through the whistle every time. Tough and ornery, this is one near-elite level player who figures to be gone by the time Denver gets around to addressing the O-Line depth, but no doubt ranks highly on Denver's board.

C--Max Unger

2nd

Max Unger, Oregon: A tough player with a nice, workman-like attitude towards his responsibilities. Though his speed and agility impressed at the combine, on the field he doesn't look quite that quick. He is, however, good on short pulls and traps and can land blocks at the second level. Very intelligent and understands his job. If he has a serious compromise, it is in his whole-body strength, as he is severely lacking in lower-body strength, and very inconsistent about using his upper-body strength to consistently hit and reset against opponents. It really hurts his drive-blocking ability, which makes him an early liability in the running game. Overall he is a solid player with experience at the tackle position, but I am expecting Denver to not rank him that highly for what they are trying to do, and for a second-round pick, I think they will be looking for more than a questionable starter.

G--Duke Robinson

2nd

Duke Robinson, Oklahoma: Excellent size and weight, and is surprisingly agile for his size. Not fast so much as quick, and does a great job getting off the line and into his blocks. Excellent in short yardage and power situations, but has issues when blocking on the move. Not the most effective pull or trap guy, and doesn't always make contact at the second level. Does not place his cut blocks well against DBs, and can lose his own footing and balance easily. A lot of teams will appreciate his size and presence in a drive-blocking scheme, and Denver will no doubt agree that he has a lot of upside, but for what Denver is trying to accomplish on the line, the value isn't there; from a scheme standpoint, their are major questions as to whether he could fit in at all. Only two stars for this excellent prospect who simply doesn't fit the traditional profile on the Denver line.

C--Eric Wood

2nd

Eric Wood, Louisville: Smart, strong and athletic with lots of durability and and an unquestionable drive and work ethic, this player is almost perfect for Denver. Where he falls a bit short is in the characteristic "nimbleness" required from our interior linemen. But for as tall as he is, he has mastered keeping his pads low and rarely loses the leverage battle, and he understands opposing defenses inside and out, putting in lots of extra time to study them. He isn't the most consistent through the hips and knees, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to stay with and finish a block. He has an intense attitude and gives 100% every play. Denver will definitely value Wood, but may find themselves out of the running before they even have a chance to consider him in the 2nd round.

G--Kraig Urbik

2nd-3rd

Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin: Powerful upper and lower body, with quickness and explosion at the snap. Can play inside or outside, but has not played center. Good at pass protection and on the move, but can struggle in short yardage and goal-line situations due to letting himself come up in his stance. Needs to bend more at the knees and work on keeping his pads low, but has an excellent grasp of the game and tenacious work ethic. Again, another case of versatility that isn't quite what Denver is looking for, but which provides extra value.

C--Jonathon Luigs

3rd

Jonathon Luigs, Arkansas: Less-than-desirable lower-body strength, and inconsistency in bending his knees and driving forward will drive down Luigs' stock, but there may be no better "game smart" player at the center position in 2009. Applauded by coaches for his ability to translate coaching to on-field production, Luigs could execute even complex plays and schemes with minimal practice. His love for the game and competition shined when he was put up against tougher or faster players, and he would fight to the whistle to stay with a block. His explosion off the snap is excellent, and he has relied on it to compensate for his lack of brute power, but he will need to address his lower-body strength in the pros. He is excellent when pulling and locating blocks on the second level, but needs to do a better job of maintaining his balance when blocking fast DBs, as he will overextend himself to make the block. His highest value will be to zone-blocking teams, but any team will be able to appreciate his awareness of the defense and alignment on the field. I am thinking Denver may grade Luigs out very highly among offensive linemen.

C--Antoine Caldwell

3rd-4th

Antoine Caldwell, Alabama: A leader and a motivator, Caldwell is stronger than his measurables might indicate, getting most of his power from his lower body. Not the most effective player on the move, nor does he seem to possess other great prospects' feel for the pocket and protecting their QB, but he does handle line calls and pre-snap reads adequately. A stronger type of center that would be suitable for a power scheme, but to the degree that Denver continues with zone-block, should lose value.

G--Tyronne Green

4th

Tyronne Green, Auburn: This is one of those "sweet spot" picks that Denver may have a chance to nab. He is versatile, playing at DT, G and most recently C, which he picked up quickly. He does a good job of studying defenses and using technique against opponents, but his strength is definitely his inherent athleticism. Not a finished product currently, he needs a little more time to work with an offensive line and to polish his game up. He grades out well and consistently in every category, but with some time he has the ability to grade out great. As a high-investment backup, he has the potential to pay tremendous dividends.

C--A.Q. Shipley

5th

A.Q. Shipley, Penn State: a former nose guard, Shipley is tough, physical, aggressive, and likes to get dirty. Understands his duties on the line, makes good calls and consistently gets off the line with adequate pop; he lacks a bit in the work-ethic category, and isn't a guaranteed "play to the whistle" type of player. Doesn't have ideal measurements to play at a consistently high level at guard, so may project best as a backup center.

G--T.J. Lang

5th-6th

T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan: A work in progress, Lang is a tough-minded, physical player who never lets up and who shows flashes of the kind of awareness you like to see in C depth. He is athletic enough to pull and trap effectively, has good balance and is smart enough to learn the line calls. A self-starter who responds well to coaching and could play a relief role at any spot on the line, he could be a good value for Denver in their search for interior depth, but may not have the upside to project to a long-term answer at C.

C--Edwin Williams

6th

Edwin Williams, Maryland: The overall world-class depth of this year's center class is driving down the value of good players like Williams. Because he isn't the tremendous athlete of the top of the class, teams can expect to start bidding for his services later in the second day, and they may just get a steal. Williams had the admiration of his teammates and coaches for his leadership both on and off the field, and he could be counted on to disrupt surprise-blitzers and to call the exotic defensive plays correctly for his team. Adequate strength and speed, with excellent short-area quickness and a great explosion off the snap, he can be beaten by quicker defenders consistently, and struggles to maintain longer blocks on the stronger players. Overall a solid player with limited upside but who could provide dependable depth for years.

C--Jon Cooper

7th-FA

Jon Cooper, Oklahoma: The traditional makeup of a zone-blocking center. Cooper is smart, versatile, and can hold the point of attack with help from the guards. Tenacious and never gives up on a play. He moves well and has a real gift in his short area quickness, allowing him to help both guards in the same play. Excellent snapper out of the shotgun and has long-snapping experience, he is bound to intrigue Denver if they still are looking for this classic version of a zone-blocking center; lighter, quicker and very aggressive.

C--Brett Helms

7th-FA

Brett Helms, LSU: Another undersized zone-block specimen with adequate smarts and recognition, a good snapper in the shotgun and a great never-say-die attitude. Team player who buys in completely to the line and QB, giving up his body in protection. Of course, he wouldn't have to do that so much if he had the strength and athleticism to consistently hold the point of attack. Intriguing prospect with a small amount of upside, rare for this late in the draft.

G--Roger Allen

7th-FA

Roger Allen, Missouri Western: Very smart guard, one of the few guards in this class who clearly could project to center at the next level. He is very competitive, has played through an injured hand and shoulder and takes a lot of pride in his consistency. The shoulder injury and questionable competition figure to drive his stock way down; but after getting cleared medically, the hope is he can climb back into the draft. He has tremendous upside, with a very strong hand-punch; good, strong lower body with good drive and consistency in run blocking. He also has quick feet and hands, adjusts well to defenders and finds good blocks at the second level. An exceptional option late in the draft, he may turn out to be one of the best linemen drafted this year, and Denver is bound to take a long, hard look.

G--Matt Slauson

7th-FA

Matt Slauson, Nebraska: A one-and-done type of player, Slauson is in need of some good coaching, because his "one" can be positively amazing sometimes. As a moving blocker, he adjusts and pulls well, and has the speed and agility to locate and execute blocks at the second and even third levels. Has adequate strength, but shows flashes of a terrific hand-jolt that can hold up blitzing players on his outside shoulder, without losing leverage for his inside block. But these flashes of elite-level talents are inconsistent, and too often he can be beaten after that first move. He seems to lack the knowledge and understanding to properly readjust and reset, so he tends to be finished after that first move. Hopefully he can get the coaching he needs to address this, and if so, he has tremendous potential. As a final draft pick or UFA, he could be worth a shot.

C/G--Alex Fletcher

7th-FA

Alex Fletcher, Stanford: A smart player who has started at both center and at right guard. He was a team captain who knows how to anchor, and how to play with leverage. Cna hold his own versus strength and bull-rush oriented opponents and also has the lateral agility and speed to pull or trap effectively. Has great hand technique and can turn defenders and get his hands placed well, and can place and reset to maintain the line of scrimmage. Tough and thick like a burlwood knot in the middle of the line, he has only marginal lower body strength and struggles to get a push in short yardage and goalline situations. Overall a solid pickup as a late rounder who could provide solid depth or be a surprising earlier pick with potential to start.

SB Nation - Jonathan Luigs

Five questions about the Bengals after the 2009 NFL Draft

How are others reacting to the Bengals selections; a couple of quotes

Resetting the weekend; draft picks and undrafted free agents

The Cincinnati Bengals 2009 NFL Draft

With the 106th of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas

Jonathan Luigs

Do you like the selection of Jonathan Luigs?

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And with the #49 Pick in the Arrowhead Pride Community Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears Select...

Arkansas C Jonathan Luigs

Do you agree with the pick?

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Indifferent

Ranking the NFL Draft's interior O-Line prospects

C, Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas

C, Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas

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Mock Draft - Rounds 1 & 2 - v3.0

Round 1

Round 2

2009 NFL Draft -- Point of Attack - Centers/Guards Ranked for Denver

2009 NFL Draft Coverage-Merry Draftivus!!

C--Alex Mack

1st-2nd

C--Max Unger

2nd

G--Duke Robinson

2nd

C--Eric Wood

2nd

G--Kraig Urbik

2nd-3rd

C--Jonathon Luigs

3rd

C--Antoine Caldwell

3rd-4th

G--Tyronne Green

4th

C--A.Q. Shipley

5th

G--T.J. Lang

5th-6th

C--Edwin Williams

6th

C--Jon Cooper

7th-FA

C--Brett Helms

7th-FA

G--Roger Allen

7th-FA

G--Matt Slauson

7th-FA

C/G--Alex Fletcher

7th-FA