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| They sat in the lobby of Neal’s luxury New Jersey apartment complex devouring dinner and dissecting film from the first-round pick’s rookie year. It didn’t take long for Anderson, a former Pro Bowl right tackle who is now an offensive line coach, to know where to start. “I saw that he was a left tackle trying to figure out playing right tackle,” said Anderson... .... In Anderson’s opinion, Neal still hadn’t completely made the adjustment. “It’s like being a right-hand boxer, and now we’re going to turn your left hand into your dominant hand,” Anderson said. “That takes practice. A lot of times it’s not going to look as good. I can still punch a guy with my left hand, it’s just not going to feel as strong. That’s what I immediately saw. He was playing left tackle and trying to figure out, ‘How do I adjust getting my feet together, getting my hands corrected, getting in the right stance?’ “I think it will take shape this year.” ... That initial three-day workshop between Neal and Anderson produced at least one major change: They made his stance more compact, moving his back leg in to provide better balance and power. “I first saw his stance and I said, ‘That stance can’t be comfortable going against certain kinds of rushers,’” Anderson said. “I asked him if he had a problem with these kinds of rushers, and he said, ‘Yes!’” .... “The great ones bust their ass to figure it out,” Anderson said. “For him, that stuff bothered him. It bothers him the way it bothered me [as a rookie], the way it bothered Andrew, because I know Andrew well too and I know what Andrew did to work himself back. “That’s what Evan has a chance to be. You’ve got a chance to be [a] top duo. Two elite freaking tackles right there. He has the ability. Just give him time and patience to figure out that side of the ball.” |
Eric Flowers he is not!
Eric Flowers he is not!
Of course he isn't Flowers. Flowers was the type of person that couldn't make one right decision. Nothing is a guarantee one way or another except to control the small things a person can control like putting in the work. Neal is that type of person. He'll figure it out imo because ofbhow dedicated he seems. I love that he has latched on with Anderson. The other component is not having too much of an ego. Flowers also was a guy who thought his shit doesn't stink. Neal comes across as a humble dude that knows he isn't anywhere where he wants to be.
Two really big guys...they need a lot of space.
Coach Pro - ( New Window )
Yes, I think he played one season at Guard, one season at RT and his last season at LT. Word on the street was that his season at RT was his best.
Eric Flowers he is not!
Was Erick Flowers not a hard worker? I remember coaches singing his praises early on in his career, I think it was his last year here where there were some issues, my memory is a little foggy with him.
Go Neal!
If not mistaken, he played RT about 3 (now 4) yrs ago. That's a long time ago and wasn't against pros. I believe he played LT his last 2 yrs. That's more time and more recent. I'll take Anderson's word for it.
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is putting in the effort to improve. I'm confident that he'll do a lot better this year. just the fact he's healthy but the years experience will go a long way. But he's coachable and wants to learn to get better. I think we're going to be okay a tackle for a long time.
Eric Flowers he is not!
Was Erick Flowers not a hard worker? I remember coaches singing his praises early on in his career, I think it was his last year here where there were some issues, my memory is a little foggy with him.
I remember reading early on about Flowers not being very coachable. May've even been in his draft profile.
Obviously that's not a problem with Neal (or AT).
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But maybe my memory is off. But didn’t he play a little Rat in college? The position isn’t completely foreign to him. As much as is at to buy in to this, I’m hesitant to blame his struggles on this alone.
If not mistaken, he played RT about 3 (now 4) yrs ago. That's a long time ago and wasn't against pros. I believe he played LT his last 2 yrs. That's more time and more recent. I'll take Anderson's word for it.
The key may be as Anderson asked "..uncomfortable against certain types of rushers?". There may be a lot more of "those kinds" in the pros and info re a weakness can spread fast.
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But maybe my memory is off. But didn’t he play a little Rat in college? The position isn’t completely foreign to him. As much as is at to buy in to this, I’m hesitant to blame his struggles on this alone.
If not mistaken, he played RT about 3 (now 4) yrs ago. That's a long time ago and wasn't against pros. I believe he played LT his last 2 yrs. That's more time and more recent. I'll take Anderson's word for it.
The key may be as Anderson asked "..uncomfortable against certain types of rushers?". There may be a lot more of "those kinds" in the pros and info re a weakness can spread fast.
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In comment 16130350 Shecky said:
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But maybe my memory is off. But didn’t he play a little Rat in college? The position isn’t completely foreign to him. As much as is at to buy in to this, I’m hesitant to blame his struggles on this alone.
If not mistaken, he played RT about 3 (now 4) yrs ago. That's a long time ago and wasn't against pros. I believe he played LT his last 2 yrs. That's more time and more recent. I'll take Anderson's word for it.
The key may be as Anderson asked "..uncomfortable against certain types of rushers?". There may be a lot more of "those kinds" in the pros and info re a weakness can spread fast.
+1. I bet he could get along fine playing the RT position as if he was a LT in college. In the Pro's these are elite athletes (like Thibs).
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is putting in the effort to improve. I'm confident that he'll do a lot better this year. just the fact he's healthy but the years experience will go a long way. But he's coachable and wants to learn to get better. I think we're going to be okay a tackle for a long time.
Eric Flowers he is not!
Was Erick Flowers not a hard worker? I remember coaches singing his praises early on in his career, I think it was his last year here where there were some issues, my memory is a little foggy with him.
Remember, he chose his dad as his agent. There were issues from the beginning. If memory serves me correctly, he was one that was always away doing his own thing and, yes, not coachable. No, he was not putting in the necessary work early on. His rookie year he was bad but everyone blamed the ankle. He came back the next year and was probably even worse. Reese and company just kept sticking with him and never brought in any legit competition. They didn't want to admit their mistake.
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In comment 16130339 Fred-in-Florida said:
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is putting in the effort to improve. I'm confident that he'll do a lot better this year. just the fact he's healthy but the years experience will go a long way. But he's coachable and wants to learn to get better. I think we're going to be okay a tackle for a long time.
Eric Flowers he is not!
Was Erick Flowers not a hard worker? I remember coaches singing his praises early on in his career, I think it was his last year here where there were some issues, my memory is a little foggy with him.
Remember, he chose his dad as his agent. There were issues from the beginning. If memory serves me correctly, he was one that was always away doing his own thing and, yes, not coachable. No, he was not putting in the necessary work early on. His rookie year he was bad but everyone blamed the ankle. He came back the next year and was probably even worse. Reese and company just kept sticking with him and never brought in any legit competition. They didn't want to admit their mistake.
Blast from the past.
Go Neal!
Part of that is his core strength ...
Go Neal!
Neal should study the sweet science, particularly boxes like Julio Chavez. I would recommend this to almost anyone involved in any competitive endeavor.
Technique doesn't matter nearly as much in college as it does. The pros. Just look at Eric Flowers, he had a pretty darn good college career. Justin Pugh. There are so many offensive tackles that were dominant in college that struggle mightily in the pros as a tackle. That's why you hear about so many people being kicked into guard
Technique doesn't matter nearly as much in college as it does. The pros. Just look at Eric Flowers, he had a pretty darn good college career. Justin Pugh. There are so many offensive tackles that were dominant in college that struggle mightily in the pros as a tackle. That's why you hear about so many people being kicked into guard.
Neal started at G his freshman year, moved to RT his sophomore year and then finished at LT. Personally, I thought he was better at RT than LT at Bama.
So, these comments from Anderson are strange considering Neal's history at Bama.
To me, Neal's issues weren't lack of familiarity with the position. His issues were dealing with NFL talent who could exploit his technique issues.
We expect better and he expects better.
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But maybe my memory is off. But didn’t he play a little Rat in college? The position isn’t completely foreign to him. As much as is at to buy in to this, I’m hesitant to blame his struggles on this alone.
Neal started at G his freshman year, moved to RT his sophomore year and then finished at LT. Personally, I thought he was better at RT than LT at Bama.
So, these comments from Anderson are strange considering Neal's history at Bama.
To me, Neal's issues weren't lack of familiarity with the position. His issues were dealing with NFL talent who could exploit his technique issues.
He played a different position every year and was able to use his physical strengths to dominate. He probably worked to transition to LT for his final year at Bama and then had to unlearn that quickly. This is the first time he'll be playing the same position two years in a row probably since HS.
Thought so too
Maybe it’s just didn’t show up because he was so physical and dominant it didn’t matter
Some guys can switch back and forth no issue
So guys really take time
I do some boxing workouts ( doing this stuff decades and still so so at best)and love to switch side. But I am still very limited in what I can throw effectively from south paw stance
It’s all muscle memory. Gotta do Tons of reps , all the time, everyday.
Some guys can switch back and forth no issue
So[me] guys really take time
Agree this. The contrary view--we should ignore All Pro Willie Anderson comments about the/EN's difficulty in switching? Not buying that. Neal played one year at RT and likely few if any really challenged his physical prowess and advantage. Neal himself has acknowledged in recent interviews that he didn't feel comfortable in the new position, injury issues aside. His transition from stance to position to pass protect has looked slow and cumbersome, not what you'd want to see from an elite athlete. Makes all the sense in the world he is/was in process of unlearning some muscle memory.
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...Maybe it’s just didn’t show up because he was so physical and dominant it didn’t matter
Some guys can switch back and forth no issue
So[me] guys really take time
Agree this. The contrary view--we should ignore All Pro Willie Anderson comments about the/EN's difficulty in switching? Not buying that. Neal played one year at RT and likely few if any really challenged his physical prowess and advantage. Neal himself has acknowledged in recent interviews that he didn't feel comfortable in the new position, injury issues aside. His transition from stance to position to pass protect has looked slow and cumbersome, not what you'd want to see from an elite athlete. Makes all the sense in the world he is/was in process of unlearning some muscle memory.
ColHowPepper, you should know by now there are BBIers who know better than professionals like Anderson, who've actually played the position, studied the tape and worked with the player. That means NOTHING!
Tough to imagine we won't see a more improved player in his second season on the job as our Right Tackle with another offseason and clearer focus on technique and development. And I don't think its too hard to bet on that happening.
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...interesting choice for having dinner and breaking down film.
Two really big guys...they need a lot of space.
And who’s going to ask them to move?
Neal started at G his freshman year, moved to RT his sophomore year and then finished at LT. Personally, I thought he was better at RT than LT at Bama.
So, these comments from Anderson are strange considering Neal's history at Bama.
To me, Neal's issues weren't lack of familiarity with the position. His issues were dealing with NFL talent who could exploit his technique issues.
He played a different position every year and was able to use his physical strengths to dominate. He probably worked to transition to LT for his final year at Bama and then had to unlearn that quickly. This is the first time he'll be playing the same position two years in a row probably since HS.
Mostly agree. I think Neal would have struggled at either T position last year. His technique just wasn't ready yet.
I think he'll be fine. Is he going to become AT? I'd venture no, but I suspect he'll be a fine pro & a consistent high end starter.
I think he'll be fine. Is he going to become AT? I'd venture no, but I suspect he'll be a fine pro & a consistent high end starter.
Would be nice if got more info from the beats, but as we know they are all useless and focused on Saquon and his instagram account.
Neal has to be the biggest question mark around here.
He made the most important comment of all - that Neal need to learn how to get his hands on people. To me that means CONTROL them, so they don't spin away.
A big man like him needs to turn every play into a wrestling match.
That was my reaction. What apartment complex, luxury or otherwise, serves dinner in the lobby?
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...interesting choice for having dinner and breaking down film.
That was my reaction. What apartment complex, luxury or otherwise, serves dinner in the lobby?
A lot of those nice apartment buildings have common areas. Lots of times with pool tables, big screens, a bar you can stock to have guests. I would guess you can reserve it as a tennant there. But I agree with the premise of why not just do it inside the apartment? I would guess there is just more room where Anderson and Neal can both stand and make OT movements that might be tricky in a living room with a whole bunch of furniture.
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In comment 16130556 Payasdaddy said:
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...Maybe it’s just didn’t show up because he was so physical and dominant it didn’t matter
Some guys can switch back and forth no issue
So[me] guys really take time
Agree this. The contrary view--we should ignore All Pro Willie Anderson comments about the/EN's difficulty in switching? Not buying that. Neal played one year at RT and likely few if any really challenged his physical prowess and advantage. Neal himself has acknowledged in recent interviews that he didn't feel comfortable in the new position, injury issues aside. His transition from stance to position to pass protect has looked slow and cumbersome, not what you'd want to see from an elite athlete. Makes all the sense in the world he is/was in process of unlearning some muscle memory.
ColHowPepper, you should know by now there are BBIers who know better than professionals like Anderson, who've actually played the position, studied the tape and worked with the player. That means NOTHING!
Absolutely no-one is claiming they know more than Willie Anderson, but at the same time, you gotta take what he says with a grain of salt. He gets paid to do this, it's beneficial for him when or if Neal succeeds.