K. Gilbride on PFT: NYG should move Pugh inside to Guard

than an average BBI poster. Pugh took a few snaps at guard at his senior bowl. That's it unless he tried it in high school.

He's a tackle, not a guard, tackle, not a guard. Repeat after me...

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Leonard Davis was drafted in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft. He came out of Uni of Texas as a left tackle. Once he got to the NFL, he played some tackle until he settled in as a very highly paid guard.

Just because a player comes out of the college ranks playing a certain position doesn't mean that is his ideal position in the NFL.


All-Pro Scouting Services, L.L.C.
Leonard Davis

Recently I conducted an interview with Leonard Davis, the All-American LT for the Texas Longhorns. Leonard is projected to be a top 10 selection in this April's draft and is one of the best looking OT prospects in the past few years. His large frame(6'6", 370), combined with surprising speed(5.15/40)allows him to be a very versatile tackle. Many project him as playing on the right side, but Leonard is a NATURAL LT. We'll see how he'll be utilized, but it's sure he's a devestating blocker.

Pugh is like 300 pounds soaking wet. How is he going to take on 330 pound DTs? I'm not saying he can't but I just don't see how he is a mauler inside when that has never been his game. So, he's never mauled 270 pound DEs but now he's gonna maul guys that outweigh him?

In comment 12214029 robbieballs2003 said:

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Pugh is like 300 pounds soaking wet. How is he going to take on 330 pound DTs? I'm not saying he can't but I just don't see how he is a mauler inside when that has never been his game. So, he's never mauled 270 pound DEs but now he's gonna maul guys that outweigh him?

Actually Pugh put on weight last year and went into the season at 315lbs. If he moves to guard he can afford to put on another 10-15 lbs to help him handle the bigger DT's.
Link - ( New Window )

However, he took a step back this passed year. Maybe the extra weight didn't help him

In comment 12214062 robbieballs2003 said:

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However, he took a step back this passed year. Maybe the extra weight didn't help him

Remember, he played most of the year with one useful arm, not ideal for an OL

And David Diehl mentioned it too.

As area junc said he has good feet and a pretty good Guard build if he adds some weight (which his frame can handle).

he has great balance. If a guard can't maul, he better be able to pull or get out to the second level.. which is what people would expect out of him.

It can be done.

In comment 12214029 robbieballs2003 said:

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Pugh is like 300 pounds soaking wet. How is he going to take on 330 pound DTs? I'm not saying he can't but I just don't see how he is a mauler inside when that has never been his game. So, he's never mauled 270 pound DEs but now he's gonna maul guys that outweigh him?

Snee wasn't exactly a monster and he handled himself just fine. I think Snee was listed at 6'2" 305.

"Maul" anybody, ever, BUT when he was healthy was probably the best pulling guard in the NFL.

Richie was quick, smart and had excellent technique, timing and vision - things Pugh seems to have.

Pugh's problem - he isn't wide enough or strong enough to seal the corner or strong enough to plow holes in the defense (the way Reggie McKinzie used to).

When the Giants were dominating the NFC East, that's what they were doing best the inside tackle (with Seubert pulling to trap the MLB); Snee stopping the DT in his tracks and Mac throwing the DE at the corner, if he thought about making the tackle.

Hard to disagree with Kevin; he was there when the running game was at it's best.

Struggles with bigger DEs. What do you think heavier and stronger DTs are going to do to him ?

RT is a power position and he's not a power player. Plus playing on the outside exposes his lack of length. He's best suited for an athletic, pulling LG in the Seubert mold IMO.

based on physical characteristics Pugh's optimum NFL position is OG.

He lacks the length and bulk causing him to overcome a lot with perfect technique to win his battles at OT.

comes back at RG and Richburg is the answer atC, then they are going to be a right-running team behind Scherff and Schwartz. Pugh would then be the pulling guard.

I also don't think he has been good enough at Tackle to say that he can't be moved.

but that doesn't mean he can't be effective inside. Play angles, influence the DT to go where you want him to, Pugh is smart enough to figure it out.

He said that a year or so ago.

can he pull? can he move or stop 330+ defensive tackles? not against the move on its face, but since he's never played the position before i'm cautious about making any declarations that it's going to be successful.

Beatty at LT and potentially the #9 pick at RT (and quite possibly Beatty's successor at LT) finally kicks Pugh inside.

Pugh is built like a guard, squat and compact, short arms and legs. He's mobile, technical, can hit moving targets on the pull. He's reportedly up close to 320 and strength will improve as he physically matures, and the blocking schemes NYG utilizes are less about mano y mano power. His game isn't best suited to RT which requires power and lateral movement ability, he's a placeholder out there. imo.

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The regime has all but said he's the RT until they find a better one, and they are actively looking now.

and glides pretty well. I don't see him as a place holder. He might very well be a better LT than RT.

It would be interesting to see how he does at guard.

and mostly fans saying it.

6'6 330+, powerful, physically able to secure their edge. Look at the current prospects they're scouting, all at least 6'5 325 and demonstrated powerful tackles. Pugh's profile falls short, they're looking for an upgrade.

Then there is no doubt in my mind they go OT with their first pick. They could get a good G at 40, but there is no guarantee there will be a starting caliber T at 40, and they need someone to start right away on the OL.

they'll pick him, second choice would be a WR. If they're all gone (and I'd wager they will be), then I'd wager they go OT. I think the top OTs will grade out higher than Shelton, Waynes, etc.

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who doesn't fit the profile of the position they drafted him for?

#TeamScherff

In comment 12214999 Headhunter said:

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who doesn't fit the profile of the position they drafted him for?

Yup. They were desperate for OTs and he was the last one standing.

that they would draft for a need and the guy drafted doesn't fit the need.

That's sunk cost. It only matters what's best for the team now. If making a pick for a RT and moving Pugh inside is best for the team, so be it.

Watson was the next OT to go off the board. Pugh's not as tall, and his arms are shorter, but he was, what, a three year starter at OT? Watson was very, very raw.

Justin Pugh makes the PFWA All Rookie team gets hurt the next year and now he is not good enough to play the position he was drafted to play

and the actual argument.

that is better than Pugh at his position and you get him, by all means put him in the spot. What I find incredulous is that you don't think he is good enough to play the position

and that an upgrade at RT can be procured, even as early as #9 in this draft. Win win. KG agrees, other NFL types concur, and if you read the tea leaves the regime is moving in that direction.

but resting on laurels is poor strategy, especially for a team that's struggling a bit to rebuild.

we have no All Pros, this I agree

In comment 12215045 Headhunter said:

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we have no All Pros, this I agree

Well, there you have it. But I wouldn't make any assumptions about Pugh or anyone else until after the draft.

with what I thought I read that he is not a Giant Right Tackle

In comment 12213998 jbeintherockies said:

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Have you ever seen a guard play tackle? Pugh looks like a guard playing tackle. Can he do it? Yes. But I think he would be an awesome guard (pulling, screening, etc).

Yes, David Diehl.

In comment 12215007 Headhunter said:

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that they would draft for a need and the guy drafted doesn't fit the need.

Right, OK, after diehl , Snee and McKenzie were all obviously done, as the boards here screaming they were long before they all actually got canned. They needed an OL< he was the best one available.A guy that was a RT that projected to guard was just fine at the time, especially since we had shit. He was a Giants type of player, and this team historically has no issues whatever with switching guys into diff positions than their natural one.Gilbride in particular wasn't much for matching personell to scheme, felt you were supposed to know all positions so you could be used where needed. that's common knowledge. Don't know that any team has valued "versatility" as much as the Giants over the last 10 years...

In comment 12214401 Les in TO said:

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can he pull? can he move or stop 330+ defensive tackles? not against the move on its face, but since he's never played the position before i'm cautious about making any declarations that it's going to be successful.

Exactly, Les. Again, Radar is is incorrect.

was drafted, Giants hinted that the long term plan was to move him inside.

agree with you on the Giants putting a lot of emphasis on versatility.

Personally, I don't think it has served them well. you end up with a bunch of jack of all trades, master of none. it's a trait that is fine for a backup, but not for your starters.

In comment 12214066 Big Blue '56 said:

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In comment 12214062 robbieballs2003 said: Quote: However, he took a step back this passed year. Maybe the extra weight didn't help him Remember, he played most of the year with one useful arm, not ideal for an OL

he also played a few games with a quad injury before he was forced to sit out. Coughlin questioned why he couldn't play through it like he was doing before then. When he came back from the injury he was very good though, basically shutting down Chris Long during the Rams game, and that ain't an easy task.

Too many 'wall-off' blockers and finesse types imo. I don't care where Pugh plays I just want to draft a lineman that is going to kick the crap out of the other team for a change.

...all profile as power players that would give our line a different dimension.