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Draft Prospects/O-Line/Gaurds: Brandon Scherff vs. La'el Collins
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:49 pm
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:49 pm
Which of these two beast would you rather have to anchor our o-line for years to come?
Brandon Scherff
Iowa / 6-5 / 320 lbs.
STRENGTHS: His upper body strength, along with proper hand placement and good knee bend, make Scherff a force in the running game. Balanced with a naturally wide base and light feet, controlling his momentum well. Outstanding drive blocker with the punch to jolt and drive his man where he wants with above average hand use to attack rushers, keeping separation between him and his target.
Quickness is more functional than flashy. Pass drop from the snap is efficient and controlled rather than explosive. Shifts his weight well and can be a wrecking ball at the second level with an eager blocking attitude and the demeanor of a wrestler, taking down rushers.
Strong hands to latch on and control opponents when pass blocking. Impressive power, as he'll stop pass-rushers in their tracks at times.
WEAKNESSES: Some hip and joint tightness. Can get himself in trouble when relying upon his strength, occasionally settling onto his heels rather than playing on the balls of his feet, which makes him susceptible to speed rushes upfield and quick counters back to the inside. Occasional missteps in pass protection can be corrected with more experience.
Some question as to whether he will be able to stay on the left side in the NFL. Missed the second half of the 2012 season due to an ugly right leg injury, but appeared fully recovered in 2013.
La'el Collins
LSU / 6-5 / 308 lbs.
STRENGTHS: Collins possesses a square-ish build that makes him appear better suited to guard. His frame belies his quick feet, an attribute that when combined with his long arms, impressive strength and aggression make him a devastating run blocker. Collins is often the quickest of LSU's offensive linemen off the snap and he routinely drives his assignment off the line of scrimmage with pure power, creating easy running lanes for LSU's backs. He's surprisingly quick to the second level and has good body control to adjust to moving targets.
As a pass blocker, Collins shows good initial quickness in his kick-slide and uses his long reach to maintain the arc. When he gets his hands on opponents and remains square, it is generally lights out for the defender.
WEAKNESSES: He does not possess elite balance and can be challenged by speed-rushers. He'll over-compensate occasionally and leave the inside open for counters.
Collins' aggression is admirable but also leads to mistakes. Rather than patiently waiting for defenders to come to him, Collins will occasionally lunge, making himself top-heavy and prone to slipping down the body of his opponent. This can lead to his hands getting too low or slipping onto the side and/or back of defenders, which invites them to swim over the top of him to disengage.
Which one would you rather?
Scherff is ranked higher than Collins right now and at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Scherff owns a wide frame with surprisingly light feet, allowing him to control his momentum. While his missteps are a weakness, he still has those strong hands to lock onto his opponents while pass blocking.
Health issues have been a problem, but it seems as if he has overcome those past injuries. Scherff is a special talent that will likely go far as a true anchor on an offensive line in the NFL. However, and not trying to be an LSU homer, I still like La’el Collins better for the Saints due to his position flexibility between guard and tackle.
It’s left guard Ben Grubbs that must be the first lineman to be replaced, and Collins is a better fit for that specific role. Regardless, be sure to keep an eye on Scherff and the abilities he displays at this month’s Combine.
Brandon Scherff
Iowa / 6-5 / 320 lbs.
STRENGTHS: His upper body strength, along with proper hand placement and good knee bend, make Scherff a force in the running game. Balanced with a naturally wide base and light feet, controlling his momentum well. Outstanding drive blocker with the punch to jolt and drive his man where he wants with above average hand use to attack rushers, keeping separation between him and his target.
Quickness is more functional than flashy. Pass drop from the snap is efficient and controlled rather than explosive. Shifts his weight well and can be a wrecking ball at the second level with an eager blocking attitude and the demeanor of a wrestler, taking down rushers.
Strong hands to latch on and control opponents when pass blocking. Impressive power, as he'll stop pass-rushers in their tracks at times.
WEAKNESSES: Some hip and joint tightness. Can get himself in trouble when relying upon his strength, occasionally settling onto his heels rather than playing on the balls of his feet, which makes him susceptible to speed rushes upfield and quick counters back to the inside. Occasional missteps in pass protection can be corrected with more experience.
Some question as to whether he will be able to stay on the left side in the NFL. Missed the second half of the 2012 season due to an ugly right leg injury, but appeared fully recovered in 2013.
La'el Collins
LSU / 6-5 / 308 lbs.
STRENGTHS: Collins possesses a square-ish build that makes him appear better suited to guard. His frame belies his quick feet, an attribute that when combined with his long arms, impressive strength and aggression make him a devastating run blocker. Collins is often the quickest of LSU's offensive linemen off the snap and he routinely drives his assignment off the line of scrimmage with pure power, creating easy running lanes for LSU's backs. He's surprisingly quick to the second level and has good body control to adjust to moving targets.
As a pass blocker, Collins shows good initial quickness in his kick-slide and uses his long reach to maintain the arc. When he gets his hands on opponents and remains square, it is generally lights out for the defender.
WEAKNESSES: He does not possess elite balance and can be challenged by speed-rushers. He'll over-compensate occasionally and leave the inside open for counters.
Collins' aggression is admirable but also leads to mistakes. Rather than patiently waiting for defenders to come to him, Collins will occasionally lunge, making himself top-heavy and prone to slipping down the body of his opponent. This can lead to his hands getting too low or slipping onto the side and/or back of defenders, which invites them to swim over the top of him to disengage.
Which one would you rather?
Scherff is ranked higher than Collins right now and at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Scherff owns a wide frame with surprisingly light feet, allowing him to control his momentum. While his missteps are a weakness, he still has those strong hands to lock onto his opponents while pass blocking.
Health issues have been a problem, but it seems as if he has overcome those past injuries. Scherff is a special talent that will likely go far as a true anchor on an offensive line in the NFL. However, and not trying to be an LSU homer, I still like La’el Collins better for the Saints due to his position flexibility between guard and tackle.
It’s left guard Ben Grubbs that must be the first lineman to be replaced, and Collins is a better fit for that specific role. Regardless, be sure to keep an eye on Scherff and the abilities he displays at this month’s Combine.
This post was edited on 2/4/15 at 9:21 am
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:57 pm to Meateye
I realize it's just one guy's analysis of these guys' strength and weaknesses but I don't love the fact that both players' weaknesses come in pass protection. Both guys are, apparently, susceptible to "speed rushes." I mean, if protecting Brees was THE problem with our offense this season... I'm just saying.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:58 pm to Meateye
I'd love to have either at 13. I guess I'd rather Collins b/c I've watched all his games and I'd be surprised if he was a bust. I think he would be a great guard his rookie year. I could also see him being a great right tackle after a couple of years in the league.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 7:13 pm to Meateye
We're fine at starting tackle (could use a mid-round backup). Scherff looks like the more capable guard, so I'd go with him. I'd be happy with him at 13.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 7:33 pm to Meateye
I like La'El because you can play him at either guard spot or at right tackle if need be. Plus I am a homer.
La'el didn't have a lot of opportunity to pass block this year tbh. but my god he just erased people when the ball was run to his side.
La'el didn't have a lot of opportunity to pass block this year tbh. but my god he just erased people when the ball was run to his side.
This post was edited on 2/3/15 at 7:35 pm
Posted on 2/3/15 at 8:20 pm to Meateye
Isn't Scherff also slotted as able to play guard as well? Either one works fine for me, but I believe Scherff will be gone by the time we pick.
Scherff sounds more or less like the guard we want that maul people down field.
This made me imagine PT running a screen with Scherff as his lead block...
Scherff sounds more or less like the guard we want that maul people down field.
quote:
Shifts his weight well and can be a wrecking ball at the second level with an eager blocking attitude and the demeanor of a wrestler, taking down rushers.
This made me imagine PT running a screen with Scherff as his lead block...
Posted on 2/3/15 at 9:54 pm to Meateye
Collins
Can step in immediately for whichever G we cut and then move him to RT where he's most suited after Strief is done. We have bookends for the next 10 years
Can step in immediately for whichever G we cut and then move him to RT where he's most suited after Strief is done. We have bookends for the next 10 years
Posted on 2/3/15 at 11:03 pm to Meateye
Collins looked to be in better shape than any other South O-lineman at the Senior Bowl.
saw him take some reps at guard during the Thursday practice too.
saw him take some reps at guard during the Thursday practice too.
Posted on 2/4/15 at 2:13 am to Meateye
Hard pick between the two. I think both will start their careers at guard for any team. Collins has longer arms which will translate better if/when he moves from guard to tackle. Although Scherff has shorter than ideal arms, I think he is stronger than Collins. Both block angry. I think Collins fits better in the "starts at guard and moves to tackle" mold while Scherff IMO will probably be a better guard and stay primarily at guard. So to answer the question I would go with Collins because he fits a need now and later, but I am still high on Scherff because we need a guard today and I think he is a better guard prospect.
This post was edited on 2/4/15 at 9:54 am
Posted on 2/4/15 at 7:04 am to Meateye
quote:
WEAKNESSES: Some hip and joint tightness.
Scares me when talking about offensive lineman. Usually means a shortened career and injuries.
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