He reminds me of former Giants Pro Bowl RG Ron Stone.
From my seat, Flowers struggles stem from an inability to handle the outside speed rush. There's only 1 way to block that and he doesn't have the technique. From there, it's a domino effect: if you can't handle the speed rush, you overplay it, which leaves you open to bullrush/inside moves. That's how a guy with the size:strength of Flowers gets manhandled by smaller men. He's tied in knots.
We all know his "move" now: bend at the waist (instead of the knee), dip head (instead of keeping head up) and lunge or grab (instead of punching). Switching him to RT solves nothing: we are facing a murderers row of Left Edge Rushers next year, he will get lit up just the same and have the added nuisance of switching his footwork to the opposite side. (If he can't apply the technique on the left, he won't magically apply it to the right.) In other words, he may be even worse at RT. I think the perfect comparison is Greg Robinson (Rams): when he flopped at LT for similar reasons, they didn't move him to RT, they moved him to LG.
So there are 3 big negatives going on:
*His technique isn't there.
*He's overplaying the speed rush leaving him open to bulls and inside moves
*His confidence is likely shot due to repeated ass kickings. (He even admitted, late in the year, he had to get back to playing nasty on the field.) You can't play mean & nasty when you're getting destroyed.
IMO, kicking him inside to G solves much of that.
At G, he's not in space trying to block speed rushers - he's out-muscling people in a phone booth. Under those conditions - when he doesn't have to worry about a speed rush - that domino effect isn't there. In other words, you aren't going to bullrush Flowers if he's not worried about a speed rush. In run blocking he can get movement at the LOS, and in pass pro he can anchor without working in space. I also think he'd be a good puller, as he's shown light feet working to the 2nd level. (His feet aren't the issue.)
At G, he can go from getting dominated, to dominating, and the move could restore his confidence and make him an asset instead of a liability.
In summary, I believe G accentuates his positives while minimizing his weaknesses. The move works to restore his confidence as well as Eli's. As a top 10 pick, we need + play, it doesn't really matter what position it's at anymore. It also aligns with McAdoo's scheme running between the tackles: we could really use somebody who can move people out of the way, inside. I think it's best for the team.
If I'm wrong please correct me, but wasn't Petitgout pretty good but had the injury bug?
He could've probably been groomed at RT in the old TC/KG offense - I still believe that would've been a great fit for him due to featuring the RT at the POA in the run game and using play action to throw. (Yes, even with the 7-step drops the way we attacked would've helped him in pass pro.) TC was also more willing to give his OT's help in pass pro. Pass pro was Tom's #1 priority and he acted like it. (If he had to max protect the entire game, he would - you were not going to T off on his QB.)
Why we went with a run blocking LT when we do nothing but run between the T's is discouraging from a planning standpoint. On many of our run plays Flowers simply shields his man to the outside - any pass blocking LT can do that. Beatty would've been fine doing that. The real nitty gritty run blocking is being done by the interior players in this scheme!
By playing EF at LT, we are minimizing his positives while accentuating his negatives!!
If I was putting a team together for BM, I'd build a pass blocking OL - particularly the T's - with my run blocking *pop* inside.
Zero potential.
link - ( New Window )
Really. There is no one on the roster who is as "good" at LT. Sad but true. LT don't grow on trees, almost everyone wants a good (or even decent) LT.
Really. There is no one on the roster who is as "good" at LT. Sad but true. LT don't grow on trees, almost everyone wants a good (or even decent) LT.
You know what's a good idea, moving on from Ereck Flowers'
threads already...yawn!
If we don't find a solution at LT, then I have no problem sticking Pugh out there. But Ereck Flowers needs to be moved no matter what scenario we cook up. Or, else.
They just brought in Flaherty. Doubt they want a reunion between those two.
And projects him as a Guard at the next level
Yes, he has the talent to play LT, but are going to give a another season while Eli's window is closing? He is, in theory, a plus OL hurting the team at LT.
Didn't Washington do it with Scherff who was picked before Flowers?
They seem pretty happy.
Assuming he will become adequate or better at guard, Isn't that better that a poor left tackle?
I think RG makes the most sense at this point. I don't like him on the outside, playing in space. At RG, he can maul and use his strength. I think he can be an excellent RG. He has good enough agility to pull from the RG spot. Pugh will be our primary pulling guard but Flowers looks like he can do it too.
I'd like to see a FA LT, Flowers to RG and a draft pick (3rd or 4th rounder) to add to the Hart/Newhouse competition and provide insurance for Flowers potentially flopping at RG as well.
OL would be (left to right):
FA / Pugh / Richburg / Flowers / Hart, with Jones, Newhouse and a rookie RT/RG backing them up.
Might just be too heavy for LT. At 335lbs he's more of a G or RT. If he loses 15 lbs, he might be light enough to add some agility moving left.
I don't give a shit where he plays, he needs to be part of the solution here. I think he is, regardless of where he ends up.
Doesn't matter which it is, he will not be any better at guard until it changes.
Doesn't matter which it is, he will not be any better at guard until it changes.
Fair point.
So was Scherff drafted too high?
So lets keep the development of this team rolling...
So lets keep the development of this team rolling...
Well said. Agree 100%.
You would think they like hart. He played nearly every game this season and just the way he seemingly transformed his body in one year, the guy shows serious dedication. He's also pretty clearly got some leadership qualities to him evidenced by his on the field persona. Ok the surface hart has displayed the qualities in a late round steal but he has a ways to go. One can dream...let's hope hart has another good offseason.
I don't give a shit where he plays, he needs to be part of the solution here. I think he is, regardless of where he ends up.
Amen - ( New Window )
Quote:
On this team. I'll take a Stone and a Petitgout right about now.
If I'm wrong please correct me, but wasn't Petitgout pretty good but had the injury bug?
Pettigout had a bad back......