Having read up and listened to lots of opinions on the two players, they seem to be almost diametrically opposed to each other so far as skill sets are concerned, aside from reliability, work ethic, tons of college starts, and high intelligence on an off the field.
Lemieux (who played like 45 straight games at OG) is characterized as a brawler and a mauler, with a very solid anchor and an ability to root guys out of a whole or pile drive opponents lined up over his face. His movement skills, quickness and agility are rated lower, although he did pull and trap plenty at Oregon under Crystobal, an OL oriented OC and HC.
Gates started (for 3 years) at LT for Nebraska, a run first team with solid OL coaching. He's reputed to have really good feet and agility in a phone booth, and solid skills to redirect vs pass rushing opponents' counter moves. Though he wasn't a combine plus athlete, his footwork and movement skills were considered more than decent, but the questions around him at his college position of LT were his short arms and lack of a massive heavy anchor.
Lemieux has really been a superb student aside from football, earning academic all America status, and is known as a workaholic in the film room re football prep.
I've found less about Gates re off the field and academics, but he's also reputed to be a very hard worker and grinder overall.
So what kind of OC suits Garrett and Columbo better, the more agile guy (who fits a zone scheme) or the more powerful anchor and root em out guy?
Really intrigued that two such apparently different players have both been mentioned as OC candidates.
Lastly if the reports from Lemieux's coaches about his film work aren't exagerrated, he seems like a perfect guy for OC mentally.
Gates has already shown he's not the latter. I'd imagine he's also shown solid aptitude off the field with the new coaching staff since the org decided to extend him but that's speculation.
I've heard about Murphy that he's way underpowered at this point in time and is at least a year away from NFL snaps. Didn't dominate (often or consistently enough) at a low level of college play.
Whereas both Lemieux and Gates had 40 + starts at power 5 conference schools and earned honorable mention all conference (Gates) or higher accolades (Lemieux.)
So Murphy's in the mix only theoretically, at best, I imagine. He won't likely make the roster.
obviously Solder dropping out made the staff rethink the offense line.
IMO Gates is battling for the RT job first before being considered at center.
Pully and Lemieux will battle it out at center.
obviously Solder dropping out made the staff rethink the offense line.
IMO Gates is battling for the RT job first before being considered at center.
Pully and Lemieux will battle it out at center.
In a year or two maybe sooner, if all works according to plan Matt Peart will be the RT. So the OP question is directed with that eventually in mind.
obviously Solder dropping out made the staff rethink the offense line.
IMO Gates is battling for the RT job first before being considered at center.
Pully and Lemieux will battle it out at center.
With Fleming on the roster I would think they are more confident they have a RT that can be competitive. The same can’t be said for C. My guess is that’s where Gates will get his chance to start.
We'll have to wait to see Lemieux and Gates in action before they can unseat Pulley.
Until then the coaches will have to see if there is a stopgap that covers it in 2020 who then can become the backup Center going forward.
Patricia Traina
@Patricia_Traina
·
47m
Will Hernandez has been training this off-season with nick Gates. Said that he'd make a fine center if that's where the coaches put him. Overall, Hernandez thinks Gates will excel no matter where he plays.