Raanan: What really is wrong with Erik Flowers' technique?

is far and away the best writer the giants have right now.

Good attitude, eager to learn.

at left tackle.
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Graziano is just snarky and tries to troll Giants fans to get a following

because I haven't seen one play from Flowers yet on a NFL field yet.

tape that article, highlighting that worst technique area, inside his locker, with a note underneath saying,
"Ereck:
You can either prove those coaches right, or us for drafting you at #9; it's up to you."

In comment 12302213 old man said:

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tape that article, highlighting that worst technique area, inside his locker, with a note underneath saying, "Ereck: You can either prove those coaches right, or us for drafting you at #9; it's up to you."

Or they can pull him aside & show it to him & have a chat.

Flowers arms need to be in closer to his body b/c he will lose leverage at the NFL level whereas he can get away with that technique in college b/c he can overpower opponents at that level.

the love child of Floyd and Pacquiao

get to wide, which allows defenders to get into his body and gain a leverage advantage. He needs to close them up so he can grab defenders inside, gain the leverage, and not constantly get called for holding.

he doesn't hold enough for the NFL. With those huge mits he has, he puts himself at a disadvantage playing so clean by the book.

I take the other stance with Flowers. Look at what he did in Div 1 purely on athleticism and power alone. He has the tools to put it all together, he's just not there yet but I have little doubt he will be.

Someone that large and that strong with feet like that will have an advantage over most anyone he faces even in the NFL. He may be the strongest guy on the team at 21, imagine what he'll be with pro diet and pro training and making this his full time job.

His issues are well documented in that article, and it's really kind of simple. It's drill drill drill with the proper hand placement, keeping his feet under him and moving more efficiently. Will it take 3 months? Probably longer, but he doesn't need size, doesn't need strength, doesn't need anything physical to be successful right away. He just needs some practice.

his tools should allow him to play at a decent level, one would think.

He's tough and likes contact. That's a great place to start with a young OT.

Last year, many of us were very upset when the Giants took Beckham instead of Zack Martin.

If the Giants had taken Martin, they may have passed on Flowers here...

Now - which weaknesses do you prefer? Flowers 'technique' issues, or Martin's Draft Assessment "Weaknesses" listed here?:

Zack Martin - WEAKNESSES Lacks ideal length to stay outside in the pros -- relatively small wingspan. Not a pure road grader who rolls off flat-backed and buries defenders. Could be stressed by bigger, more powerful defensive tackles. Can improve balance and sustain on the second level. Does not have experience at guard. Could stand to bulk up in preparation for a move inside.

is considered a mauler with a mean streak. Imagine if that tendency was infectious?

In comment 12302355 Randy in CT said:

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is considered a mauler with a mean streak. Imagine if that tendency was infectious?

me too. they have become soft over the past 5 years.

Pretty much nailed it.

Phil.. your right. But his feet are not underneath his body in pass sets, which sets himself up to lean, with his hands going wide.

This guy Schwartz uses, sounds like he has a good bead on where Ereck can improve. It'll be the difference between LT and RT money for Mr Flowers.

and to Joey's point. He got it done. He has a chance to be real special, or adequate to good.

as Joey and RAIN have pointed out, was he still wasn't letting his man do anything, even when his tech was way off. The same was true with Scherff, especially after the injury. He wouldn't look smooth, but he would get it done.

Guys like that are pretty rare. He's a hard worker and he'll clean up his hands, and then we'll have a franchise tackle.

In comment 12302308 Joey in VA said:

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I take the other stance with Flowers. Look at what he did in Div 1 purely on athleticism and power alone. He has the tools to put it all together, he's just not there yet but I have little doubt he will be. Someone that large and that strong with feet like that will have an advantage over most anyone he faces even in the NFL. He may be the strongest guy on the team at 21, imagine what he'll be with pro diet and pro training and making this his full time job. His issues are well documented in that article, and it's really kind of simple. It's drill drill drill with the proper hand placement, keeping his feet under him and moving more efficiently. Will it take 3 months? Probably longer, but he doesn't need size, doesn't need strength, doesn't need anything physical to be successful right away. He just needs some practice.

Hopefully that will come sooner than later working with & against JPP.

his chest and he doesn't have mastery of 4+ different pass sets right now.
there was a good article w/kareem mckenzie a few months ago detailing how in the NFL u have to keep DLs off balance using different pass sets. if u do the same thing every time u will get schooled by these chemically-enhanced NFL vets

u need to master 4 or 5 sets to become a longtime consistent OL in the NFL. its a big reason a lot of them never develop. they have the skills but they dont sink into that chess game w/their opponent

I understand how keeping your hands/arms in close helps with leverage. Why then the emphasis on long arms for the tackle position?

I'm not really any kind of expert in OL analysis, although I seem to follow what is being said as it's explained.

Thanks in advance.

1. He can't be late off the snap in set up ala Diehl. He must make some form of contact.

2. Must keep his hands on opponent to prevent the counter cut back inside.

If he does those 2 things, ball should be out before the opponent gets there. It may not be pretty but the DE is not awarded points for looking like he beat the OT.

In comment 12302954 Bob in Newburgh said:

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1. He can't be late off the snap in set up ala Diehl. He must make some form of contact. 2. Must keep his hands on opponent to prevent the counter cut back inside. If he does those 2 things, ball should be out before the opponent gets there. It may not be pretty but the DE is not awarded points for looking like he beat the OT.

Those don't seem to be the issues. Sometimes his hands get outside which can lead to a holding penalty. I THINK that some see him as sloppy because he's ginormous and has huge limbs which don't always SEEM to be coordinated. That's how his feet appear to me--however, he gets to where he 's going and when he gets his hands on you, you're done. I think he'll fare well in the beginning.